A Grand Family Event (Seeking Recommendations, Seeking Follow-ups)

Over the past few days, Tiannan City had grown increasingly lively. The other branches of the Xu Family, scattered across the three provinces, had all sent their elite juniors to participate in the Family Grand Competition.

They were all young people under twenty. Gathered together, it was inevitable that they would compete against one another. With the tacit approval of the clan elders, fights often broke out.

Everything remained within controllable limits. It was precisely these fights that had heated the atmosphere to a fever pitch.

Seven days later!

Inside the city, a military training ground capable of holding tens of thousands of people had been modified and turned into the venue for the Family Grand Competition.

At this moment, the seats around the training ground were basically full, occupied entirely by the city's residents. Those qualified to come watch were at least from middle-class households—either exceptionally wealthy or possessed of special connections.

In the main seats, Clan Head Xu Yaozu, Grand Elder Xu Tianlong, and several other elders all sat securely in their places.

The seats below them were occupied by the leaders of forces that had come to observe the ceremony. Of course, within the Xu Family's sphere of influence, there could not possibly be any force more formidable than the Xu Family.

These families, sects, and merchant guilds generally had Dou Wang experts overseeing them, but compared to the Xu Family, they were indeed merely minor forces.

They had been invited to observe so they could witness the Xu Family's young prodigies, expand the Xu Family's influence, and ensure that they obediently followed behind the Xu Family for a share of the soup rather than competing with them for the meat.

When the time was nearly right, Xu Yaozu was about to rise and speak when a burst of laughter suddenly rang out from the distant sky:

"Ha ha, Town South King, Senior Tianlong, such a grand occasion for the Xu Family—our Xia Family Royal Family should naturally come lend our support as well. This old man, Xia Jinan, has brought the Third Prince, Xia Yuancheng, to offer our congratulations!"

As his words fell, a streak of light flew over from the distant sky. It hovered in midair, revealing the figures within.

It was an old man dressed in bright yellow robes. A pair of Dou Qi wings had condensed behind him, and the aura of a Dou Huang radiated from him without restraint. In one hand, he held a young man dressed in bright yellow robes.

Xia Jinan was a Nine Star Dou Huang expert, a prince of the Tianxin Empire's imperial family. He was immensely powerful and had long been renowned.

Xia Yuancheng possessed the cultivation of a Nine Star Da Dou Shi. He was the strongest among the younger generation of the Tianxin Empire's imperial family and was extremely famous.

There were only the two of them. Though they claimed to represent the Tianxin imperial family, they had brought neither a large entourage nor any ceremonial retinue.

Naturally. Xia Jinan and Xia Yuancheng had come here to cause trouble in the first place. Fewer people would also make it easier to flee.

The moment the two appeared, the venue erupted into an uproar. In the main seats, a trace of gloom passed through Xu Yaozu's eyes. Xia Jinan and Xia Yuancheng had arrived suddenly without any prior notice. Though he did not know what they were planning, it certainly could not be anything good. They clearly intended to catch them off guard.

Xu Yaozu took a deep breath and glanced from the corner of his eye at Xu Tianlong, who remained as calm as ever. His heart immediately settled. No matter what the other side was plotting, as long as they could not get past the Grand Elder, the Xu Family would have nothing to fear.

Then Xu Yaozu said in a deep voice:

"A guest is a guest. Please take your seats."

Hearing this, Xia Jinan sneered inwardly. Since they had not been driven away, there was no need for them to stand on ceremony.

Xia Jinan then led Xia Yuancheng straight to the main seats, found a place, and sat down as if it were only natural.

From the very beginning, Third Prince Xia Yuancheng's gaze had been roving about, searching for anyone who might pose a threat to him.

By causing trouble and issuing challenges at the Xu Family's Family Grand Competition, so long as he could overpower every member of the Xu Family's younger generation, his prestige would greatly increase, and he would have a greater chance of seizing the throne in the future.

Moreover, he was young. As long as he kept the fights limited to the younger generation, the Xu Family's elders would not be able to intervene lightly. Thus, while he appeared to be entering a dragon's pool and tiger's den, he was not actually in much danger.

So long as he succeeded, the gains would far outweigh the costs. As for any other negative consequences, he did not care.

At this moment, Xu Yaozu stood up and raised both hands, pressing them down slightly. Seeing this gesture, the entire venue fell silent.

The smile vanished from Xu Yaozu's face. His imposing gaze swept across the crowd before he said with unusual solemnity:

"Thank you all for coming to observe. Today is the Xu Family's Family Grand Competition, a contest among the finest of the younger generation."

"Next, I will explain the rules. Every participant will draw lots to determine their opponent. The winner advances, while the loser is eliminated. Whoever endures to the end will be the champion."

"Before entering the arena, no one may use any medicinal pills to enhance their strength. After a match, medicinal pills may be used to restore the Dou Qi within one's body. Victory or defeat will be determined in three ways: first, one side voluntarily admits defeat; second, one side falls unconscious; third, one side falls outside the arena."

"I now announce that this Family Grand Competition has officially begun. Participating members, enter the arena and prepare yourselves while I arrange the matchups by drawing lots."

As his words fell, the entire venue burst into cheers. Everyone watched with excited eyes, eagerly anticipating a fierce battle of dragons and tigers.

But at that moment, an ill-timed voice rang out:

"A bunch of chickens and dogs dare call yourselves the finest of the younger generation? What shameless boasting."

Though the voice was not loud, every expert present possessed keen eyes and sharp ears. The Xu Family elders and stewards all turned toward its source—the Third Prince, Xia Yuancheng—with furious expressions.

Even Xu Tianlong cast a glance his way. The terrifying pressure of a Dou Zong expert made Xia Yuancheng's heart tremble with fear, yet he still did not apologize.

Whoosh!

Xia Jinan released his own aura, helping Xia Yuancheng offset all the pressure. He wore a smiling face and adopted an exceedingly humble attitude.

"My apologies, my apologies, truly my apologies. The Third Prince merely speaks his mind too frankly. I hope you will not take offense. There are still talented individuals among the Xu Family's younger generation. Perhaps one of them may even possess the strength to fight the Third Prince."

Those sarcastic words ignited everyone's fury. The looks they gave Xia Jinan and Xia Yuancheng became exceedingly hostile.

So what if they were members of the imperial family?

This was the Southern Three Provinces, the Xu Family's territory. Not even the Xia Family Royal Family could insult them!

Some people wanted to step forward and argue, while others were already rubbing their fists, ready to drive them out by force.

But in the end, a hint of amusement appeared in Xu Tianlong's eyes. The other side had obviously come to provoke them. If they stepped forward to argue now, no matter how much they debated, they would only lose face. If they drove them out by force, others would think they were guilty and afraid.

The best way was to beat them severely. So long as the person who acted was younger and stronger, they could instead trample the other side beneath their feet and become famous in one stroke.

Thus, Xu Tianlong said calmly:

"Since the Third Prince believes the Xu Family's juniors are lacking, why not participate and see whether anyone can fight you? Let us also see exactly what gives you the confidence to be so arrogant."