Chapter 214: Strange Things Happen Every Year, But More So This Year

Focusing his mental energy within his body, he observed the combat energy at that moment—and once again, it changed. A trace of gray appeared in the combat energy, a deathly gray that carried a sense of lethargy, making it uncomfortable to look at. The essence of the combat energy also took on a cold, oppressive quality, along with a strong murderous intent that was terrifying and hard to describe.
Concentrating his mental energy, Rod gave a faint wry smile. He didn’t know whether this situation was good or bad, nor how to describe it; he could only leave it to fate.
As things progressed to this point, they became increasingly strange and harder to control. Rod realized he had embarked on a brand-new path of cultivation, with no prior experience to rely on. Everything depended on him exploring and moving forward through trial and error.
Walking over to the window, he saw that it was still pitch black outside. The cool night breeze blew as he took a deep breath, feeling the coolness from head to abdomen.
Returning to the bed, since his cultivation was complete, he decided to rest properly.
As dawn approached, the group set off again, riding on several magical beasts and moving swiftly toward Wuyou City.
On the fourteenth day, as scheduled, they finally stood before the gates of Wuyou City.
The city walls, over ten zhang tall, were a greenish-gray color that revealed their age. The gates were bustling with people, lively and busy.
The grand competition would begin the day after tomorrow. People from all over the Dark Source region had come here. This annual event was the most lively and highly anticipated time of the year in the Dark Source region.
“Alright, you three little guys, go back on your own!” Melon gently patted the heads of the three magical beasts before slowly speaking. They had to be freed after use.
Instantly, the three magical beasts rushed off as if relieved, fearing Melon might change his mind. To them, this place was like a nightmare.
These days, Wuyou City had implemented stricter inspections, so after going through rigorous checks, the group finally entered the city!
This place was no less impressive than Dark Moon City—equally prosperous and noisy. However, the architectural style differed significantly. This place was more vintage and rustic, while Dark Moon City was more trendy and modern.
On the streets, warriors walked in groups. Rough-looking men with fierce faces could be seen everywhere. The crowd was dense, and the noise was deafening.

“First, find a place to stay. We’ll contact the Dragon Clan and the Black Phoenix Clan tonight; their people should have arrived by then. After that, we’ll meet with the opposition members. There’s no rush—things don’t start until the day after the competition!” After some thought, Melon gave the instructions.

Crossing the busiest street, the group arrived at a hotel that was relatively quieter. Even so, it was packed, with almost all rooms booked. Fortunately, they arrived in time and managed to secure the last available room.

“Sir, could you give us a room? We’ll pay triple the price, how about that?” Just as they were about to go up to rest, an unpleasant voice interrupted them, causing them to frown and turn around.

Behind them stood three elegantly dressed young men and a beautiful girl. They were quite young, around Rod’s age, especially the girl, who looked like a lady from a prominent family due to her luxurious attire.

“You don’t seem to have enough people for one room!” Melon, being experienced and tactful, didn’t want trouble, so he spoke politely.

“Hehe, don’t worry. We already have three rooms, and we just need one more. If you’re willing to give it up, we’ll pay triple the price, how about that?” The leader of the group said with a seemingly calm smile, but his tone made it impossible to refuse, as if compliance was mandatory.

This tone made Rod uncomfortable, and his face showed displeasure. Rubio, on the other hand, was even more direct. If Melon hadn’t been there, he would have rushed forward to slap that girl.

“I’m sorry, but we don’t have a place to stay either. If we give up our room, we won’t have anywhere to go!” Melon’s expression turned cold as he spoke sharply, then turned to head upstairs. Rod and Rubio naturally didn’t want to argue further and left immediately.

“Five times!” The man still smiled as they left, but his eyes revealed a hint of coldness.

“Ten times!” When the three still didn’t respond, he continued, this time in a colder tone that everyone could hear.

Finally, Melon and Rod’s group stopped and turned back.

“Ten times—satisfied with that price? Fine, hand over the keys, and you can go!” Thinking they had agreed to his demands, the man sneered.

“What if we don’t agree?” Rod couldn’t help but retort.

“Kid, don’t be ungrateful. We’re negotiating with you out of courtesy—otherwise, we could just throw you out!” Another man beside the youth stepped forward and shouted loudly.
“Niken, why waste so much time talking to them? They’re just a bunch of fools who don’t know when to quit!” After complaining to the youth who had spoken earlier, the man turned to Rod and his group and continued, “We still want this room today! Whether you like it or not, you’ll have to give it to us. If you don’t want to suffer, leave quietly—no money will be paid!”
The noise had attracted everyone’s attention, silencing the already noisy hotel as all eyes turned toward them, eager to watch a good show.
The hotel owner was worried. He didn’t want his hotel to turn into a battlefield with such troublemakers, as he couldn’t afford the losses.
“Well, Booker’s right. That’s it. I, Fes, am leaving my word here today—your room is mine. If you’re sensible, leave now!” The third youth also started speaking arrogantly. Only the girl watched Rod and his group with a look of amusement, along with a hint of disdain.
“Let’s go. Don’t waste time arguing with such lowly fools!” Melon rolled his eyes. He didn’t care about these insignificant people at all. With a cold snort, he turned and left.
Rubio could only endure his anger, as Melon was his master. As for Rod, he simply smiled and ignored them. His mindset had changed—back in the past, he might have already taken action. Now, he saw these people as nothing but ignorant kids. If you get hit by an idiot and hit back, aren’t you just as stupid?
“Damn you! Get out of here, hear me?” In a flash, two arrogant youths blocked their path, while Niken, who had smiled the whole time, and the girl stood by, watching the scene.
“Miss Dai Xun, I’m sorry for the disturbance. Don’t worry—they’re just a bunch of lowly fools. Fes and Booker can handle them. Please rest for now!” Niken said obsequiously, looking at the woman, though his eyes revealed well-hidden desire and greed.

“Hehe, strange things happen every year, but there are especially many this year. Bad people are seen every day, but I’ve never met anyone this stupid! Rod, Rubio, it’s up to you two. Finish it in one minute. Don’t kill them—just give them a lesson and throw them out!” Melon said calmly, as if seeing something amusing, as he looked at the two kids blocking his path, before disappearing before their eyes and reappearing upstairs with an indifferent expression.

Many people in the hotel gasped. They knew very well what this move meant, and their gazes toward Melon turned filled with awe, while their looks at those young men were full of mockery. A bunch of reckless fools who had offended the wrong people.

As for the two involved, they still hadn’t realized what was happening and remained arrogant: “Don’t force us to fight!”

“Rubio, you on my left, I on your right! Let’s see who can finish it faster,” Rod suggested to Rubio, ignoring their threats.

“Yeah!” With that, Rubio struck first, leaving Rod shouting that it was despicable.

Boom… Two sharp sounds came almost simultaneously, and the two figures flew backward like kites with cut strings, crashing hard onto the street below. Cries of pain followed.

“One move!” Rod and Rubio looked at each other and smiled. In just one move, they had each given their opponent a lesson—fast as lightning. Many people couldn’t even see clearly what had happened.

Gasps of amazement filled the air, and the atmosphere became extremely strange.

“You… you guys…” Niken and the girl Dai Xun, who were still standing, finally understood something and stared in disbelief, wide-eyed.

No matter how you looked at these two disheveled, plainly dressed guys, they didn’t seem like such strong opponents. How could this happen? It was the first time Niken had misjudged someone.

They stared at the two with fear: “What do you want? Do you know who I am? I’m the young master of the Fields family, Fields! Niken, these two are collateral members of my Fields family. If you offend my family, you won’t live long!”

At the same time, the two guys outside, who were screaming in pain, angrily got up and limped inside.

“Quickly beg for mercy, or my Fields family will tear you to pieces!” With fierce expressions, the two shouted loudly. It was the first time they had suffered such a loss and looked so humiliated, which filled them with rage and even made them lose some of their sanity.

Immediately, Rhode and Rubio laughed. They had seen fools before, but never ones like these. The two exchanged glances as if they had seen some kind of monster. The audience around them also struggled to hold back their laughter; these guys were truly idiotic—couldn’t they tell what others were doing? How dare they provoke others? Were they bored to death or had their brains really been kicked by donkeys? What kind of situation was this? They still dared to act arrogantly. Everyone now looked at them as if they were idiots, secretly despising and mocking them. If it weren’t for the prestige of the Fields family, these people would have burst into laughter.