As Bai Di listened to the sounds around her, her expression grew increasingly grim, and she even began to resent her father.
If he hadn't paid attention to Bai Ying, she would surely be dead by now.
But it doesn't matter.
She glanced lightly at Bai Yanfeng beside her, her eyes conveying a silent message. Bai Yanfeng instantly understood, abruptly stood up, cleared his throat, and loudly proclaimed to the crowd, "I'm so sorry, everyone! My sister, Bai Ying, always talks big and doesn't know anything. She's actually quite incompetent. Now, she probably knows she's ashamed and has hidden herself away. I'm truly sorry to have kept you all waiting. You don't need to wait for her anymore!"
Bai Yanfeng's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples. The people present were stunned at first, and then erupted into a frenzy.
When Bai Ying boasted that she would take first place, many people in the crowd scoffed at her words, thinking it was just youthful arrogance and boasting. However, some people were still skeptical and even secretly hoped that a truly extraordinary person would emerge.
But now, Bai Yanfeng's words shattered all these ideas. He directly told everyone that it was all just Bai Ying's boasting, nothing but baseless bragging.
"So it was just empty talk. I thought it was true, and I was so looking forward to it."
"I admired her courage to stand up in such a highly competitive arena, but I never expected that she was just talking big."
"Young people these days are all talk and no action, but when it comes to actually doing it, they're nowhere to be seen."
The people chattered amongst themselves, while Bai Yanfeng feigned embarrassment, repeatedly apologizing to everyone present with a humble smile: "I'm so sorry, everyone. My sister is actually very afraid of death. She was just talking big before; how could she possibly dare to actually come?"
"Sigh!" He shook his head again. "It's just that she didn't grow up with her parents and has no manners, making her a laughing stock in front of everyone." After saying that, Bai Yanfeng bowed slightly, making a sincere apology.
The members of the Bai family looked at each other, their faces filled with disbelief. Who could have imagined that Bai Ying would actually sign up for the competition? That was surprising enough, but then she actually backed out at the last minute, instantly causing everyone's impression of her to plummet.
Bai Ying hadn't expected his son to say such a thing. Bai Ying's absence wasn't out of fear, but because he had locked her up.
However, he did not refute it. In his mind, how could Bai Ying possibly defeat such a master?
Even if she came, she would surely die. Bai Ying should be thanking him.
Upon hearing Bai Yanfeng's words, everyone present shook their heads, even the Nascent Soul cultivator waiting for Bai Ying on the arena looked disdainful.
"She's smart enough not to actually come up here." The Nascent Soul cultivator's voice carried a hint of arrogance and contempt. "If she had dared to come up on this stage, I could have slapped her to death. She wouldn't even know how she died!"
These arrogant remarks drew laughter from the crowd.
Just then, Bai Di, with a polite smile, gracefully stood up. Her voice was clear and melodious, clearly audible amidst the gradually subsiding laughter: "Senior, how can my sister's strength compare to yours? Her desertion at this moment was only because she was frightened by your power. I hope you won't hold it against my sister. She only wanted to..." Bai Di paused, a hint of cunning flashing in her eyes, "...she only wanted to show off in front of everyone for a moment, to get some attention, and had absolutely no intention of offending you. Please be magnanimous and don't hold it against her." As she spoke, Bai Di gave a slight bow, her posture humble yet dignified.
The Nascent Soul stage expert was clearly pleased with Bai Di's words, "You're so much better at talking, little girl. Unlike your sister, who clearly has no strength but insists on putting on a show. In the end, she only makes a fool of herself!"
Just as everyone was talking amongst themselves, the referee for the match walked over with steady steps, unhurried and deliberate.
According to the competition rules, the referee needs to count down from ten on the stage. If a player is still not present when the count reaches zero, then that player is deemed to have forfeited.
However, the moment the referee stepped onto the ring, the audience erupted in cheers and shouts.
"Stop counting, just declare it a win! Bai Ying isn't coming!"
"Yeah! Don't waste our time. Let's start the next match right away." Someone in the crowd echoed, and soon the cheers rose and fell, everyone eager to start the next match immediately.
The referee seemed oblivious, his expression calm as still water. He merely raised his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the noisy crowd below, before resuming his count. His voice was deep and resonant, each number carrying clearly throughout the arena: "Ten...nine...eight..."
The audience grew increasingly impatient, and even the Nascent Soul cultivator who had initially stood arrogantly on the stage now showed deep impatience in his eyes. He crossed his arms, frowned, and occasionally glanced at the referee, muttering something under his breath.
Only Bai Di, with a barely perceptible smile on his lips, stood there quietly, listening attentively to each number the referee counted.
Although Bai Ying will not die in this competition, making her an object of contempt and hated by her family is enough to make her feel very satisfied.
A smug gleam shone in her eyes. As the referee counted, her heart raced faster. When she heard the referee almost reach one, she felt inexplicably excited, as if she could already see Bai Ying's disgrace and ruin.
However, who could have imagined that at this critical moment, a clear and firm voice suddenly rang out.
The sound was like a thunderclap, instantly piercing through the noisy crowd and echoing throughout the entire arena:
"Who said I'm not participating?"
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