Capítulo 84: Election Tournament (3)

The guard eyed her with a non-believing look. The two looked more like a couple than competitors. Not to mention the man wearing a mask, which was already suspicious, the woman was wearing elegant and regal clothing, not clothes that one would wear to a fight. Such a woman would usually be part of the upper class, what business does she have in participating in a fighting tournament where she could get injured or disfigured? Besides, if she was nobility, he's never seen or heard of her before. To the guard, they were obviously suspicious.

Shen Tianyu noticed the guards hesitant and suspicious gaze and sighed. 'Such a bother, if people are participating then let them participate. What are you scrutinizing them for?'

She suppressed her strength before she went out just for this. Guards of the imperial city are always arrogant towards non-nobility. She thought this would happen. Even the Crown Prince, the top cultivator of their generation was only Foundation Establishment, with that, a Meridians level cultivator at around the same age was really unbelievable. She threw out her suppressed aura at the guard. "Yes, we are participating. Will Mr. Guard please let us line up?"

The guard was shocked at the aura and was about to go into a defensive stance when he heard her question again. He looked at her with more focus and realized she and her partner hadn't moved a single step, meaning they meant no harm.

When she saw the guard's gaze on her change, Shen Tianyu immediately withdrew her aura and bowed with cupped hands at him. "Apologies for that. Hope Mr. Guard won't take offense." He really couldn't take offense, in the first place, he was preventing others from registering for the Election Tournament. The emperor had already stated that anyone could sign up and participate, no matter their status, so stopping someone based on their status could be seen as a violation of the Imperial decree. That was a capital offense worthy of your nine generations and nine degrees of association to be beheaded, ah! Even if he tried to switch black and white, so what? They weren't that far from the guard in terms of strength really, he was just a figurehead to scare off the normal people. If he really fought with them when they were at a suppressed level, not to mention Rong Jian, Shen Tianyu would, at least, not let him escape unscathed.

"Ahem." The guard put a fist to his mouth and coughed. "No offense taken. I should be apologizing, I was blind, to have offended you two personages. Please line up peacefully and await your turn to register. If you cause any disturbance, you will be barred from registration for the next five years."

Many cultivators not of the noble class gathered to attend this tournament. Even if they didn't grab a high place, if some power or the kingdom saw potential in them, they would be picked up and nurtured. This was a big opportunity! Therefore, no one wanted to miss it, especially if the penalty was a five year ban, it would chip away at their prowess once they got to sign up again. Over the years, there had been almost little disturbance because of that.

Since the guard let them through, the couple looked around to try to find the shortest line. Even though they had more time on their hands than these people, they still didn't want to do nothing but stand in line all day, especially because it was hot during noon!

"Ugh..." Shen Tianyu groaned after seeing that every line was practically the same length. Most of these participants had probably organized an inn to stay at for the duration of the tournament, they most likely came to line up before the crack of dawn. Heck, some of the registrars weren't even here yet! The tables at the front of each line was supposed to be managed by a registrar and, maybe an assistant. But it was so early, some of them probably haven't woken up yet. Those dedicated souls that were already managing tables were slow because of the grogginess of just waking up. After all, they weren't participating, why should they be as excited and full of energy as these youngsters in front of them. Shen Tianyu tirned to Rong Jian. "You choose a line."

Rong Jian nodded with a gentle smile and led to one of the lines. The manager of this one was starting to wake up more and his actions were getting a little faster than the rest. Shen Tianyu nodded in approval of his choice. They stood in line with her in front and him behind her, as they shuffled forward slower than a snail. By the time the sun had reached it's zenith, they still were only halfway through the line.

Shen Tianyu glanced up at the sun at it's highest, one hand shielding her eyes. Then, she looked down and opened her paper umbrella off to the side so it wouldn't hit the person in front of her then, brought it over her head to shield herself. Then, she started, as if realizing something and raised it higher in the air, shielding the one behind her too. Rong Jian looked at her figure with a gentle light in his eyes. He reached out and took the handle of the umbrella from her. She spun around, startled, eyes wide, as she looked at him.

"It will be tiring for you to shield us both. I'm taller. I'll be your parasol-carrier." He said to her. She merely nodded with a faint smile and turned back around.

The women nearby and female participants in line glared at the girl in front being shielded by the man. When their gazes turned to the man, they immediately became like ravenous wolves. Which of them wouldn't want such a man that would protect you form even the smallest matters, like some sunlight? '

Was the girl really here to sign up or was she just trying to show off?' When the women thought this, they ground their teeth so hard they ached.

The men, in turn, looked hungrily at the girl in front. Though she wasn't as kind and virtuous as was expected of a woman nowadays, they had seen so many of those types that they were bored. As the saying goes, if you eat it everyday, even dragon eyes will no longer be delicious. A woman like that who more or less takes pampering love as a given was fresh and new to them. Plus, she was exceptionally beautiful. It's not like they hadn't noticed her during the commotion with the guard, but they thought she was one of those that were arrogant but acted virtuous. But now, theyr had already seen a new side to her, it really made her seem like a treasure, waiting for others to unearth different facets of herself.