Martial Arts Tournament

The City God Temple had stood tall even after a thousand years had passed.

It had once been a place where incense offerings flourished, yet it had fallen silent amid the clamor of the Interstellar Era. Today, however, this ancient temple had been given new life.

A grand martial arts tournament was about to begin.

The eastern sky gradually turned pale, and the rising sun, like a leisurely arriving referee, fell upon the newly built arena in the square before the temple.

The arena was a platform constructed from sturdy timber, over two meters high, with spectator stands around it and barriers drawn up.

By now, a huge crowd had gathered outside the stands.

Many had arrived in the middle of the night for this rare public martial arts match.

The media army was not to be outdone. Television stations, online livestreams, and print media all came pouring in, setting up every kind of recording equipment. It signaled that the impact of this tournament had long surpassed a small-scale exchange between Martial Halls.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

As the City God Temple's resonant bell rang out, the roads around the temple began to bustle with activity.

Teams from Martial Halls everywhere converged like woven brocade, each carrying its own banners and emblems, displaying the unique bearing of its school.

The first to arrive was Qingyang Martial Arts School. They appeared in matching green training uniforms, their team of dozens marching in perfect step with imposing momentum.

Close behind came Northern Leg Martial Arts School. Its members wore white training uniforms and punched their way in, their synchronized movements and elegant whirlwind kicks drawing wave after wave of cheers.

Then the Martial Halls began arriving one after another. It seemed that every Martial Hall in Yunyang had come.

All of them had brought out their finest skills. Some teams excelled in nimble agility, while others shook hearts with raw power. With everyone desperately showing off, they looked less like they had come to lend support and more like they were performing—advertising their own Martial Halls.

Of course, there were also those sincerely cheering for Tiger Might Martial Arts School.

But there were probably very few of them. Between Martial Halls, there was more competition than friendship.

"Look over there, Cloud Crane Martial Arts School is here too!"

Cries of surprise rose from the crowd, and many pointed toward the entrance.

Cloud Crane Martial Arts School did not have many people, only a dozen or so. They too wore matching green martial uniforms. Two disciples at the front carried a banner as they passed through the passageway toward the venue.

Their numbers were pitifully small compared to the teams that numbered in the hundreds, and they did not perform anything as they simply walked in.

"I heard Cloud Crane Martial Arts School's master, Lin Xiangdong, is an Inner Sect Disciple of the Cloud Crane Sect. He once killed a Peak Hidden Strength Martial Artist with one punch!"

"Bullshit. That's old news. He was defeated by Xiong Jiang Martial Arts School not long ago, and he still has the nerve to show his face today!"

"You came even after losing? Oh... go home already!"

"..."

Listening to the discussions and mockery filling the venue, Lin Xiangdong's body trembled slightly with anger. Yet he did not respond at once. He merely drew a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to suppress the emotions on the verge of erupting.

His gaze swept over every disciple, catching the hurt and struggle in their eyes.

Some disciples lowered their heads, avoiding those piercing words.

A trace of heartache flashed through Lin Xiangdong's eyes. He slowly raised a hand and gently patted the shoulder of a disciple beside him. It was silent comfort, but also the passing on of strength.

The disciple raised his head and met Lin Xiangdong's encouraging gaze, filled with trust and resolve.

Like a warm beam of light, it instantly illuminated the gloom in their hearts.

Lin Xiangdong lifted his head, and so did the disciples. He led them into the venue.

"Look, Hongtong Martial Arts School is here too!" The crowd erupted once more.

Hong Jiantong, the master of Hongtong Martial Arts School, Xiong Jiang of Qingyun Martial Arts School, and Guan Lie of Tiger Might Martial Arts School were known as the three greatest masters of the Yunyang Martial Arts World. Naturally, Hong Jiantong's arrival drew enormous attention.

His procession was vast and mighty, every member spirited and high-spirited, marching in with punches and shouted chants.

Though Hong Jiantong was nearly sixty, he stood straight and walked with the stride of a dragon and tiger. The pressure of a Transforming Strength Practitioner made those around him instinctively move aside.

As he entered the venue, masters from numerous Martial Halls rose and clasped their fists in greeting. He merely smiled and returned the gesture.

Led by a staff member, he took his seat beside Lin Xiangdong.

"Elder Hong!" Lin Xiangdong hurriedly stood and clasped his fists in respect.

"Xiangdong, you're here too. No need for formalities. Sit!"

Hong Jiantong nodded with a smile.

Seeing that Hong Jiantong had not even stood up, Lin Xiangdong clenched his teeth and sat back down. His face remained calm, but his fists were tightly clenched.

As time passed, more Martial Halls arrived.

Hong Jiantong sat there as steady as an old god, his eyes slightly narrowed as though his spirit had wandered beyond the heavens. He answered the greetings around him only by clasping his fists.

"Qingyun Martial Arts School has arrived!"

At that moment, a loud cry rang out. Hong Jiantong opened his eyes and could not help looking over.

A large group approached, all of them dressed in red training uniforms and carrying a banner that read: "Qingyun Martial Arts School wishes Tiger Might Martial Arts School a resounding victory!" Such an outright stance caused an uproar.

Xiong Jiang was built like a bear, with a bald head. Walking at the front of the crowd with the stride of a dragon and tiger, his imposing presence pressed down on everyone around him. He paid no heed to others' arguments.

Leading several dozen disciples, he strode into the venue with hearty laughter, warmly exchanging greetings with everyone.

"Brother Hong, you got here early!"

Seeing Hong Jiantong, Xiong Jiang strode forward and clasped his fists with a grin.

Hong Jiantong rose to return the salute and asked with a smile, "Brother Xiong, I heard you had gone out of town. How did you make it back?"

Xiong Jiang laughed loudly. "How could I miss such a major event? I want to see with my own eyes how certain people clean up their mess. Is the Yunyang Martial Arts World a place for others to trample at will!"

His voice was exceedingly loud, with no attempt at concealment.

Hong Jiantong chuckled and pointed beside him.

"Brother Xiong, sit here! Let's have a chat!"

"Sure! I've been wanting to talk with Brother Hong too!"

Xiong Jiang agreed readily. He waved for his disciples to go to their Martial Hall's assigned area, then pulled over a chair and sat beside Hong Jiantong.

"Brother Hong, who do you think will win?" Xiong Jiang asked quietly as soon as he sat down.

Hong Jiantong pondered before saying, "Hard to say. One side is a Crossing River Dragon, while the other is a Mountain Tiger. However, Guan Lie has kept a low profile in recent years. His disciples' strength is likely inferior to Xiong Jiang Martial Arts School's!"

Xiong Jiang nodded in agreement, his expression grave. "Brother Hong, your analysis is thorough. That is what worries me as well. If Guan Lie loses, we may be the next target."

Hong Jiantong smiled. "These old bones of mine may no longer be able to fight. When the time comes, we'll have to rely on you, Brother Xiong."

Xiong Jiang answered with hearty laughter. "Brother Hong, you're too modest. Who doesn't know your strength? You may have already entered the Transforming Realm. I don't have that confidence myself—I will still need to rely on you, Brother."

"Haha, Brother Xiong is too modest. Your Cloud Lifting Hand has grown ever more refined in recent years," Hong Jiantong replied with a laugh.

As the two chatted and laughed, each deferring to the other, the truth was that neither had any confidence in facing Xiong Jiang Martial Arts School. If they lost, the reputation they had built over many years would be ruined.

"The Five Great Families are here!"

At that moment, the crowd stirred in an uproar.

"The Five Great Families are here?"

Hong Jiantong's expression changed slightly as he turned toward the entrance. Several groups were making their way toward the square.

"Why are they here too?"

Xiong Jiang's expression also changed in an instant, and he cried out in surprise. Then he narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "As expected, this match has something to do with them!" He looked at Hong Jiantong and whispered, "Brother Hong, I heard that the Qin Family has joined forces with the Eagle Claw Sect's Ningjiang He Family to monopolize Yunyang. Is that true?"

Hong Jiantong stroked his beard, understanding written across his face as he said:

"That's right. The Qin Family and the Zhou, Chen, and Shen Families are now like fire and water. This tournament is a contest between them. Otherwise, why do you think so many people are here?"

Xiong Jiang's face darkened.

"Then aren't we just cannon fodder? What do the fights between their families have to do with us?"

Hong Jiantong said with a distant expression:

"The Ningjiang He Family has its own purpose. If Xiong Jiang Martial Arts School is allowed to unify the Yunyang Martial Arts World, an even more powerful force will arise—one strong enough to crush the great families."

"So that's it!"

Realization appeared on Xiong Jiang's face. "The Ningjiang He Family has a fine scheme indeed, using Yunyang's strength to fight Yunyang's strength!"

Hong Jiantong sighed softly and said regretfully:

"All these years, I wanted the Martial Halls to form an alliance and become a powerful force, but no one was willing. Now, aren't we simply at others' mercy!"

"Times have changed!"

A hint of embarrassment appeared on Xiong Jiang's face, but then his expression turned solemn.

"Brother Hong, once this is over, we need to discuss this properly. We can't keep being a scattered pile of sand and let others bully us!"

Hong Jiantong's eyes brightened slightly, then lowered again.

"Fine! We do need to discuss it!"