"Welcome to the 102nd Intersect Competition!" the cultivator from the Righteous Alliance, but the people are looking everywhere. Obviously, they are not listening to him.

"Have you heard of Chen Sheng?" one person asked excitedly.

"Who is that?" his friend said in a passive voice.

"He's the second young master of the Xiwang's Chen Family! He's also a disciple of the Xinfaxian Sect!"

"And so?" his friend looked skeptical.

"He's both a sword cultivator and a mage!"

"Oh, sh -… is that true?!"

"Yes. He saved the Youxiwang Sect before, and he's actually the one who made the Cleansing Talisman!"

"That Cleansing Talisman?! Isn't he a genius then?! So awesome!"

"I know! I heard he also caught a demonic cultivator last night!" he added.

Some people near them heard their conversation and joined with them. In just one night, Cheng Sheng rose to fame. It is because the event that took place last night is too alarming. A quarter of the expected participants in the Intersect Competition died last night, including the civilians that got caught in the crossfire.

The cultivator, who can hear the crowd's whispers, didn't waste any more time. He looked at the participants below surrounding the stage as they listened. "The competition will last for one month. The first day will be the registration day - held in the morning and will last until the afternoon, and an opening banquet in the evening." He said. "The first stage of the competition will be held the next day…" he said.

The Xinfaxian Sect disciples watched from afar. He didn't see the Shanliangde Sect, Zunjingde Sect and the Qianxu Sect around. "Those who are self-important doesn't need to be in attendance." Sun Yi, who seemed to read Cheng Sheng's thoughts, said. The Youxiwang Sect is, no need to mention, accompanying them.

Chen Han frowned. "Shidi. Don't put it like that." He said, though his expression showed dislike towards the three sects. "Our respective masters already informed us about the contents of the competition. We've also already been registered." He explained. He meant, it is unnecessary for the three big sects to attend the morning event of today.

"This year's competition will be rough, but exciting!" they heard someone behind them said. "Many talents have gathered… and new talents emerged!" he said.

"… brother, can't you phrase it well?" his friend told him.

Cheng Sheng and the other looked at each other and immediately left. "Shall we register ourselves now?" he asked Fei Yin.

"Yes." Fei Yin nodded.

"We'll be checking our names, then." Chen Han said as they headed to the registration area. "Oh. Sorry – " he said when he bumped someone.

Cheng Sheng, standing beside Chen Han, immediately caught the cultivator when he saw they almost fell. "Thank you." He heard them said. Their face is covered in mask, and they were wearing a conical hat.

"No problem." Cheng Sheng said and let go of them. They watched them left.

"He looks suspicious." Lei Ling said. "OW!" he cried when Lei Qing hit his head.

"I'm done, shixiong!" You Rou said after she registered herself. There are less people present in the registration area since most of the cultivators were listening to the rules of the competition.

"We've chosen a good time." Li Tian said as he opened his fan. Lei Qing pulled Lei Ling with her to register themselves together with Feng Mo.

"Hey. One of our disciples are missing his name. Wu Yu… our sect leader already sent the list of our names, ah!" Chen Han told the cultivator in charge of the registration.

"W-we made a mistake. P-please be considerate. You can register them again – " the cultivator said.

"Hmph!" Chen Han said and called his fellow disciple who was missed.

"Hey. Isn't that the Youxiwang Sect?"

"They sure really are humble people. They're present while the other three sects, their shadow can't even be seen today – "

"Shh! Be careful or someone from those three sects will hear you!"

"Hey. Those green robes patterned with bamboo leaves… and that leaning flower – "

"The Xinfaxian Sect!"

"Then, Chen Sheng is among them?"

Li Tian smiled and patted Cheng Sheng's shoulder. "Cheng-shidi is really famous. Be careful – " he whispered, reminding him of the demonic cultivators. He left to register himself.

"Yes." Cheng Sheng nodded and scanned the area with his gaze.

"Oh, my. Could the person they were talking about be… you?" a familiar voice said.

Cheng Sheng and Fei Yin turned. They saw a couple from the north. "You're… brother Yu and his… master?" Cheng Sheng said.

Yu Sheng smiled and cupped his hands. "Let me reintroduce ourselves." He said. "I'm Yu Sheng, and this is my master – "

The young man whose face is flushed walked towards them with both his hands and feet moved together. " – Z-Zuo Zhe… my name is Zuo Zhe… nice to meet you again!" he said and bowed in ninety degrees.

Yu Sheng forced himself not to cover his face in embarrassment while Cheng Sheng and Fei Yin awkwardly smiled. "Nice to meet you, too." Cheng Sheng said. "I'm Cheng Sheng – "

"I know!" Zuo Zhe said and stared at Cheng Sheng.

Cheng Sheng forced a smile at Zuo Zhe's fervent gaze on him. "Please pardon us." Yu Sheng said and pulled Zuo Zhe back. "My master rarely goes out, thus he's fascinated with beautiful… things." He said.

Fei Yin glanced at Yu Sheng. "I'm Fei Yin." He introduced himself.

"I know, I know!" Zuo Zhe enthusiastically said as he removed himself from Yu Sheng's grasp. "I wanted to meet y – mmmh!" his eyes widened when Yu Sheng covered his mouth and pulled him back again.

"Alright, master. It's time to register…" Yu Sheng said. He nodded at them. "Please excuse us." He said and dragged the struggling Zuo Zhe with him.

"Y-yeah…" Cheng Sheng said as they speechlessly looked at the strange pair. "Are they really a master and servant?" he asked.

"Who knows." Fei Yin said, but his gaze bore on Yu Sheng and Zuo Zhe's back.

"Cheng-shixiong! Da shixiong! It's your turn now!" they heard Lei Ling called and waved at them.

"Yeah!" Cheng Sheng answered and they walked towards their group.

Jing Kang, who just arrived at the area, turned when he heard a familiar voice. However, he didn't see that person's face. "Strange… was I mistaken?" he thought.

"Young master, what's wrong?" Jing Yu, his attendant, asked.

"Nothing." he answered and left. Jing Yu looked at the direction where Jing Kang was looked at earlier. When he saw a group of cultivators, and found no one special, he immediately followed after Jing Kang.