Chapter 1354: Competition Begins As an important place of the Ximen aristocratic family, the Ximen villa was usually heavily guarded and outsiders were forbidden from entering! In the past two days, the Ximen villa suddenly became lively. That was because the competition between the three aristocratic families was about to begin! A day earlier, the paragons of the three aristocratic families arrived at the Ximen villa under the lead of their respective commanders to prepare for the competition. Naturally, the Ximen villa arranged accommodations for the cultivators of the Dongfang and Nangong aristocratic families as well as many spirit fruits and wine for them to consume. In a corner of the Ximen villa, everyone from the Beiming clan was gathered. There were dozens of them. Su Zimo, Beiming Xue and Beiming Ao were among them. “Sigh, our Beiming clan has already fallen to such a state where we don’t even have a place to settle down. Seems like we have to deal with this open-air place for the night.” “The three aristocratic families don’t even care about us. Why would they arrange a place for us?” Some Beiming clansmen grumbled softly and sighed. The Beiming clan leader frowned slightly and hollered softly, “That’s enough, we’re here to take part in the aristocratic family competition. If you guys can obtain a good ranking, it’ll be considered as giving the Beiming clan face!” Right then, a group of cultivators in brocade robes walked over from not far away, looking proud and arrogant. “It’s Dongfang Xuan!” Beiming Ao could not help but grit his teeth when he saw the leader. “The person beside Dongfang Xuan is the monster incarnate of the Ximen aristocratic family, Ximen Jingrui! I heard that he’s already engaged to Dongfang Zhi and will become her Dao companion soon.” It was common to see marriage between the three aristocratic families. “Fufu,” Before Dongfang Xuan arrived, laughter sounded. “Aren’t those the legendary clansmen of the ancient Beiming aristocratic family? How impolite of us!” Dongfang Xuan smiled gently with a mocking tone. The Beiming clansmen lowered their heads and their faces reddened, but they did not dare to say anything. Dongfang Xuan said pretentiously, “Brother Jingrui, your Ximen aristocratic family is truly in the wrong this time round. Why are you guys so slow to even give them a place despite the fact that the Beiming clan is an ancient aristocratic family?” “Beiming aristocratic family?” Jingrui was puzzled. “Why haven’t I heard of them before? There’s only so few people in an ancient aristocratic family? Why aren’t they as prosperous as even a collateral lineage of my Ximen aristocratic family?” “Sigh, perhaps they’ve already declined.” Dongfang Xuan sighed. “However, even so, they were still an ancient aristocratic family!” “If they can be considered as an ancient aristocratic family just like that, wouldn’t aristocratic families be everywhere?” Ximen Jingrui shook his head. “That won’t do!” “Hahahaha!” The aristocratic family cultivators behind the two of them roared in laughter brazenly. Joking one after another, the two of them did not take the Beiming clansmen seriously at all! “Dongfang Xuan, Ximen Jingrui, don’t be smug!” Beiming Ao’s expression was cold as he suddenly said, “If you encounter me, Beiming Ao, at the aristocratic family competition, you’ll definitely be disgraced!” “Hehe!” Ximen Jingrui sneered and could not be bothered with Beiming Ao. As a monster incarnate of the Golden Core realm, he could be considered as the number one Perfected Being of the Ximen aristocratic family and could even match the paragons of the super sects! How could he take an early-stage Golden Core like Beiming Ao seriously? However, Dongfang Xuan’s expression darkened as killing intent flashed through his eyes. “Little beast, watch your words! Otherwise, I’ll kill you right now!” “Private duels are forbidden within the villa before the competition even begins!” Beiming Ao said coldly. “Fufu,” Dongfang Xuan sneered, “That’s between our three aristocratic families. However, cultivators of the Beiming clan are ants in our eyes! We can crush them easily!” His words were not a threat. If he killed cultivators of the Beiming clan in the villa, nobody would punish him. There was no such thing as absolute fairness in the cultivation world. The prerequisite of fairness was that both parties had the same strength and status. “Beiming Ao, stop it!” The Beiming clan leader shouted hurriedly and bowed to Dongfang Xuan and Ximen Jingrui, smiling apologetically. “Both of you are esteemed figures while Beiming Ao is still young and insensible. Please don’t stoop to his level.” “Who told you to come out?” Dongfang Xuan raised his brow and scolded coldly, “Old thing, scram! Get that lowlife Beiming Ao to apologize to me personally!” As a Nascent Soul, the Beiming clan leader’s cultivation realm was above Dongfang Xuan. However, he could only endure being scolded by Dongfang Xuan and retreat with a sigh. It was as though he had aged considerably in an instant. Right from the beginning, Beiming Xue did not say anything. She had a cold expression and clenched her fists, still enduring! There was no way Su Zimo would attack. He would ignore something as such completely and allow Beiming Xue to handle it on her own. The only exception was if someone crossed his bottom line! Beiming Ao stood in the crowd motionlessly with fire flaring out of his eyes. “Why? You’re unwilling?” Dongfang Xuan swept his gaze and grinned. “If you don’t apologize to me, all of your Beiming clansmen will suffer!” “G-Go apologize. It’s nothing much.” “That’s right. After all, you were the one who provoked him. It has nothing to do with us.” Some of the Beiming clansmen could not withstand the pressure and whispered. Beiming Ao grit his teeth so hard that they cracked and his face turned green! Right then, a group of cultivators walked over from afar. They wore the robes of the Nangong aristocratic family and were rather striking. Their leader was the Golden Core paragon of the Nangong aristocratic family, Nangong Xi! Among the Golden Cores of this generation, the Nangong aristocratic family’s Nangong Xi, the Dongfang aristocratic family’s Dongfang Zhi and the Ximen aristocratic family’s Ximen Jingrui were lauded as the three great paragons! Among them, Nangong Xi was the most famous! “What are you guys doing here?” Nangong Xi walked forward and smiled at everyone, asking. “You’re just in time, Brother Nangong,” Dongfang Xuan said, “These little beasts of the Beiming clan are foolish and have offended me. I’m about to teach them a lesson!” Nangong Xi smiled gently. “Unfortunately, I have something on as well. I’d like to invite three cultivators of the Beiming clan over to sit with me.” With that said, he cupped his fists towards Beiming Xue and Beiming Ao. “Fellow Daoists, follow me.” Thereafter, Nangong Xi’s gaze landed on Su Zimo. “Also, this mister, please follow me as well.” “Nangong Xi, what’s the meaning of this!” Dongfang Xuan’s expression turned cold as he asked with a frown. Nangong Xi replied indifferently, “Nothing much. I’m merely inviting three cultivators of the Beiming clan. Are you going to stop me?” “Brother Nangong, that’s where you’re wrong,” Ximen Jingrui said, “It’s fine if you want to invite the three of them, but Beiming Ao has to apologize to Dongfang Xuan first before leaving!” “Oh?” Nangong Xi replied expressionlessly, “Now, I truly don’t agree with that.” With that said, he nodded to Beiming Xue and her brother before turning to leave with them. Su Zimo smiled calmly and followed behind. Dongfang Xuan and Ximen Jingrui had grim expressions but they were wary and did not stop him. The Beiming clansmen revealed looks of envy.