Quentin returned to the White Miao Base Camp, where the people of White Miao Village greeted their hero with laughter and cheers.
“Quentin! You were amazing just now!”
“My goodness, Quentin is like a god!”
“Leaping over the Mountain of Blades! Crossing the Sea of Fire in two steps! Defeating Beckett!”
“Quentin, you must be tired. Sit down and have some tea.”
The people of White Miao Village surrounded Quentin, praising him and offering him tea.
“Quentin, didn’t your feet get hurt going over the Mountain of Blades and through the Sea of Fire?” Cerys asked.
“No injuries at all. I’m perfectly fine,” Quentin replied with a smile, showing his unscathed feet to everyone.
Everyone was astonished. Even the most skilled Miao People, who had trained for years, wouldn’t dare claim they could emerge unscathed from such challenges. Yet Quentin, an outsider, had defied their expectations.
“Quentin, you’re incredibly strong. It’s hard to believe an outsider could handle all the high-difficulty competitions of the Miao Family so effortlessly.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think Quentin was a true Miao Man! I wish I were that strong!” Harry Hill said, his eyes full of admiration.
“As long as you work hard, I believe you’ll shine one day too, Harry Hill,” Quentin encouraged.
“Thanks for your kind words, Quentin! One day, I’ll be the best in Miao Territory!” Harry Hill said joyfully, feeling recognized by his idol.
Just then, another group of girls from various Miao Villages entered the White Miao Base Camp. Each was as beautiful as a flower, and the other men watched in awe and envy.
“Quentin, it looks like these girls are here to sing with you again!” Aimee laughed.
The girls surrounded Quentin, even the ones from White Miao Village joined in, except for Cerys who watched silently from a corner, looking dejected.
The girls smiled brightly and laughed, making Quentin feel like he was in a garden of flowers while the other young men were left watching from behind.
The enthusiastic Miao Girls sang to him and gave him exquisite embroidery and sachets, expressing their admiration for Quentin.
However, Quentin remained as before, politely and courteously declining their advances with a stern expression.
Rejected by their beloved again, the girls felt a bit down but still smiled at Quentin as they left.
It’s hard not to love a hero. Once a Miao Woman decides on her beloved, it’s difficult for her to like anyone else. Their loyalty to love is truly admirable.
“Daughter, your rivals are increasing. Seize the opportunity! Why didn’t you go just now?”
“Maybe you and Quentin will end up together!” Henry smiled at Cerys.
“Father, someone as exceptional as Quentin isn’t someone an ordinary girl like me deserves.”
“As long as I can see Quentin happy from afar, that’s enough for me,” Cerys said helplessly, looking at Quentin with deep affection and sorrow.
Henry and his wife sighed. As elders, they wouldn’t interfere much in their children’s love lives.
After all, if there is no mutual affection, forcing it won’t work. Everything depends on Cerys’s fate.
Eileen also sighed helplessly. She understood Cerys’s feelings deeply; she too had once loved deeply like her.
After the Miao Girls left, Cerys and others returned to Quentin’s side.
“Quentin, be careful in the final combat match,” Henry said.
“Uncle, why do you say that?” Quentin asked.
“Combat is different from previous competitions; it’s real fighting like on a battlefield.”
“You can use any weapon. Many young men have been killed during past Big Games.”
Henry spoke seriously.
“It’s just a festival game. How can it lead to killing? Don’t the leaders of each Miao Village care?” Quentin asked in confusion.
“It’s useless. The leaders turn a blind eye and only declare it accidental death with some compensation.”
“Especially Beckett from Black Miao Village; their fighters either kill or severely injure others. The lucky ones only get minor injuries.”
“Beckett relies on Chieftain Pickett’s power to act arrogantly. No one dares to oppose them,” Henry sighed helplessly.
“Quentin, you’re an outsider; you don’t have to participate in this fight. If you get hurt, we won’t forgive ourselves!” Cerys said guiltily.
“Don’t worry about me. You know what I’m capable of,” Quentin reassured them.
“But the Combat Arena is chaotic. I’m afraid you’ll fall into someone’s trap,” Cerys worried.
“It’s okay. I’ll be careful,” Quentin comforted them patiently, not revealing that this fight was just a warm-up for him.
“All Miao Villages’ participants for the final event, Combat Skills, please gather!”
The referee’s call interrupted their conversation.
The competitors from each Miao Village entered the Combat Arena. Quentin also moved quickly to end this Big Game soon.
“Quentin, aren’t you taking any weapons? At least take a Miao Blade!” Cerys stopped him.
“No need. I’ll be back soon. Just wait for me,” Quentin smiled.
“Are you really going empty-handed? Quentin, come back safely.”
Seeing Quentin’s determination, Cerys said no more. Quentin smiled slightly and headed to the Combat Arena.
Cerys and the people of White Miao Village watched his resolute figure, praying for their hero to return victorious and bring honor to White Miao Village!