"I'm sorry, no matter who you are, please leave now."
"Also, Yu Ling has already made it clear, I am her boyfriend, and she doesn't like you."
"As the young master of the prestigious Tian family, are you just a persistent puppy dog?"
Lin Chen looked at Tian Gaofei, his eyes filled with disdain.
How depleted must the Tian family be that they chose such a weakling to be their future patriarch?
"Very good, kid, I've heard your words. Just you wait for me!"
Upon hearing Lin Chen's taunts, Tian Gaofei gritted his teeth, wishing he could rush forward and fight Lin Chen to the death.
However, when he arrived, elders from his family had already warned him. Although Lin Chen appeared to be around his age, he was a genuine Core Formation stage powerhouse.
If he were to truly fight him, he would surely be no match. Thus, he could only endure it for now.
But once they entered the mystic realm, things would be different. Although his cultivation was only at the late Foundation Establishment stage, he had brought many experts with him this time.
At that time, he could absolutely invite high-level experts to act, cripple Lin Chen's cultivation, and then slowly torment him!
After issuing his threats, Tian Gaofei turned and left.
"Lin Chen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to use you as a shield just now."
"I was just so tired of him pestering me. It's like this every year. If I can't make him give up, he'll continue to bother me."
After Tian Gaofei left, Long Yuling immediately turned and apologized to Lin Chen.
"Don't worry, it's fine."
Hearing Long Yuling's apology, Lin Chen shook his head slightly, not taking it to heart.
He was already a guest elder of the Long family, and his duty was to protect the Long family. Being used as a shield by Long Yuling was still within his scope of responsibility.
"However, you must be extremely careful."
"I've heard some rumors that the Tian family has come prepared this time."
"They have consolidated the forces of more than half of the Tiandu Province, bringing several aristocratic families under their control."
"This means that if Tian Gaofei wants to make a move against you, he will definitely mobilize all the experts in Tiandu Province."
Long Yuling said with a worried expression.
She truly hadn't expected the Southwest Cultivation Competition to be so challenging this time!
One half-step Nascent Soul stage expert was one thing, but now the Tian family was fully prepared.
Yet, they only had three Core Formation stage cultivators participating.
It was practically impossible to achieve a good ranking!
"Forget it, Lin Chen. If there's any danger inside the mystic realm later, you can withdraw at any time. Worst comes to worst, our Long family will forfeit the competition this time!"
"As for the mid-grade spirit artifact alchemy furnace, I'll steal one for you from the Kyoto headquarters' warehouse during the New Year!"
After a moment of thought, Long Yuling bit her lip and made a resolute decision.
The battles within the mystic realm were not ordinary. If one died inside, they were truly dead!
"Hehehe, I understand."
Hearing Long Yuling's words, Lin Chen couldn't help but be touched.
He knew very well what the Southwest Cultivation Competition meant to Long Yuling.
It could be said that as long as she ranked in the top ten in this competition, Long Yuling's position as the head of the Zhejiang Province Long family would be solidified.
Despite this, Long Yuling was willing to give up the competition to ensure his safety, which was tantamount to directly giving up her position as family head!
The kindness of a beauty was truly hard to bear.
"All participants in the Southwest Competition, please gather at the central arena to prepare to enter the mystic realm!"
As soon as Long Yuling finished instructing Lin Chen, a clear voice echoed from a distance.
Hearing this voice, Lin Chen and Long Yuling exchanged a look, their faces becoming grave.
There was no doubt that the person speaking was the Grand Elder of the Blazing Flame Sect, Wu Quingui, the only half-step Nascent Soul stage expert in the Southwest!
"Lin Chen, remember what I said. If there's danger, give up the competition!"
Before leaving, Long Yuling repeatedly instructed Lin Chen.
"Don't worry, I know."
Seeing Long Yuling's concerned gaze, Lin Chen smiled faintly.
The kindness of a beauty was truly difficult to refuse!
"Oh, you brat, you really have guts. You dare to enter the mystic realm?"
As soon as Lin Chen walked towards the arena, Tian Gaofei's annoying voice sounded from beside him.
"Tsk, tsk, Young Master Tian. With your late Foundation Establishment cultivation, you dare to participate in the competition? Aren't you afraid of dying in there?"
Lin Chen turned his head to look at Tian Gaofei, a mocking expression on his face.
"Heh, kid, let me tell you, this time we've consolidated twelve aristocratic families from Tiandu Province, and there are over thirty experts participating in this competition."
"Just you wait. As soon as you dare to enter the mystic realm, I'll be the first to order your death!"
Tian Gaofei spoke with arrogance, threatening Lin Chen.
This was also the reason why he dared to personally participate in the competition.
Although the mystic realm was dangerous, it also contained countless opportunities.
With over thirty experts protecting him, as long as the half-step Nascent Soul stage expert didn't personally target him, their Tian family could secure second place in this Southwest Competition!
"Mr. Lin, there's no need to waste words with him."
"After entering the mystic realm, everyone's landing position will be random."
"Tian family has over thirty people, and each family only has three spots. It won't be easy to gather everyone."
Seeing Lin Chen and Tian Gaofei confronting each other, Long Wumu walked over and whispered in Lin Chen's ear.
Over thirty people entering the mystic realm together was something even the five sects and four families couldn't achieve.
The only possibility was for these thirty-plus people to be dispersed among more than ten families, fighting under their respective family names.
But if that were the case, the more than sixty people would all be scattered in the mystic realm, making it impossible to gather them in a short period!
"Understood. Thank you for the reminder, Senior Long."
Hearing Long Wumu's explanation, Lin Chen nodded slightly, a plan already forming in his mind.
This meant that as long as he found Tian Gaofei before the opposing side could gather their forces and killed him, then Tian Gaofei would naturally pose no threat to him!
"Everyone, the mystic realm is the valley beneath our feet. It is vast, but filled with countless poisonous insects and demonic beasts."
"Each cultivator will receive a spirit talisman upon entering the mystic realm, and one spirit talisman represents one point."
"Furthermore, there are countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures within the mystic realm. Feel free to gather them."
"The mystic realm will close in three days. The thirty families with the most points will advance to the next round!"
Wu Quingui, as the only half-step Nascent Soul stage expert in the Southwest, was currently stealing the show.