"Father!" Xia Yuwei exclaimed, rushing forward to help him up. Turning to Bai Ying, she glared angrily: "Sister, how could you treat Father like this?"

Her voice choked with emotion, and her eyes were slightly red. Anyone who saw her would think she was a dutiful daughter protecting her father.

Duan Xiuyuan stepped forward at the opportune moment, his handsome face full of disdain: "Qingdai, I know you harbor resentment, but you shouldn't gamble with your life." He deliberately raised his voice, "Even Golden Core cultivators have to think carefully before participating in this kind of competition. What are you, a beginner, doing getting involved..."

His words came to an abrupt halt as Bai Ying suddenly looked up, and those cold, clear eyes inexplicably made his heart flutter.

"Are you finished?" Bai Ying lightly brushed her sleeves, as if to dust off something. "My affairs are none of your concern."

Xia Mingde trembled with rage, his finger pointing at Bai Ying shaking uncontrollably: "Fine! Very well! Since you insist on courting death, don't blame me for not warning you!"

He turned to the crowd around him, focusing particularly on some of the high-ranking officials and nobles he recognized, and declared loudly, "As you all have seen, this woman has long severed all ties with the Xia family. Her actions today have nothing to do with the Xia family!"

Xia Yuwei supported her father, gently comforting him, "Father, don't be angry. Since my sister dared to sign up, she must be confident." She turned to Bai Ying, revealing a sweet yet malicious smile, "Sister, we're all looking forward to your performance in the competition."

Xia Yuwei's voice was loud; she wanted everyone to hear that her foolish older sister was so overconfident as to participate in this kind of competition.