Da Sheng World,
Jinmen, springlike as ever, seemed to have forgotten everything that had happened before and became exceptionally lively.
The Hai River shimmered with life, reflecting the tender willow branches newly sprouting along its banks. Even the stone lions at the century-old bridgehead seemed touched by a hint of warmth. The streets and alleys suddenly bustled with activity, while white steam from breakfast stalls at the mouths of hutongs carried the scorched fragrance of fried dough twists.
And on the busiest main street,
a huge crowd had gathered around a newly built large arena.
Each person held copper coins or silver and shouted with near-mad fervor. "Three taels on Lu Yugui of Sky Eagle Martial Hall!" "Fifty silver dollars on William Knight of the Church of the God of War!" "Move aside, move aside! I'm betting that the two of them perish together!"
Without question, this was a warm-up measure for the East-West Continent Number One Martial Arts Tournament, supposedly funded by the Seven Gods Church.
Li Xijun guessed that Jinmen was not the only place with such arena matches.
Cities such as Laoqing Port, Modu, and Yuezhou Port—prosperous gateways for exchange between the Eastern and Western Continents—would likely be no exception.
During this time, the Potion Practitioners of the Western Continent would probably stop at nothing in order to win.
"Still, what can truly influence the people's hearts of Dasheng and the Power of the People should be that so-called Number One Martial Arts Tournament."
After watching for a while, Li Xijun turned and continued toward Life-Slaying Martial Hall to study the Spirit Turtle Breathing Method, intending to complete Viscera Refining as soon as possible.
Not long after he left,
the severed head of a martial warrior with short black hair flew out from the arena,
drawing a