Northern Domain Grand Tournament

"Have you heard? Evil Reaching Heaven was killed!"

"What? Evil Reaching Heaven was killed? How is that possible? He was a Divine Ability Realm powerhouse, and he'd gotten away with all kinds of evil for years. How could he suddenly be killed?"

"I'm not sure. I only heard about it, too. Half a month ago, someone was planning to challenge Evil Reaching Heaven and happened to catch him in the middle of... You know, indulging in one of his particular tastes."

"Then that person killed him. I heard he died horribly."

"Holy crap, that happened half a month ago? How come I haven't heard a thing?"

"Quite a few people saw it at the time. You really haven't heard?"

"Not at all. Who killed Evil Reaching Heaven?"

"Apparently, it was a Youth."

Youth?

Evil Reaching Heaven had been infamous for years, committing misdeeds with impunity. And now he'd been killed by a Youth?

He was a third-level Divine Ability Realm cultivator. Even if he was killed, surely it couldn't have been by a Youth, could it?

"That's a bit far-fetched, isn't it? Youth? Even a genius among the Youth of the Northern Domain probably wouldn't be a match for Evil Reaching Heaven."

"Someone saw it with their own eyes. The other person was no older than eighteen."

"Really? I don't believe it!"

"Why would I lie to you?"

"I've heard about this, too. It's probably true. I suspect the other person was a disciple of some great lineage, out training for the Human Ranking."

"Now that you mention it, it's not entirely impossible."

"By the way, have you heard? The Northern Domain Grand Tournament is about to be held."

"I've heard. It seems to be for the Human Ranking, too—to give the younger generation a stage for training and sparring."

"Do you think that Youth will take part in the Northern Domain Grand Tournament?"

"If he can really kill a Divine Ability Realm powerhouse, why would he need to participate?"

"Bah, what do you know? The Northern Domain Grand Tournament is just the appetizer. It's meant to select the best of the younger generation to take part in the Four Regions Martial Arts Gathering!"

The Four Regions Martial Arts Gathering?

Plenty of people had heard about the Northern Domain Grand Tournament, but the Four Regions Martial Arts Gathering was a bit unfamiliar to them.

Everyone looked toward the speaker and saw that he was a young man, too.

He looked to be about twenty, handsome and distinguished. At a glance, he was clearly no ordinary person.

"May I ask, young master, if you could tell us a little more about the Four Regions Martial Arts Gathering?"

"That's right! Could you explain it to us, young master, and broaden our horizons?"

The young man seemed to enjoy being the center of attention. With a smug smile, he walked over and sat down.

"I'm in a good mood today, so I'll tell you about it."

The young man's words drew everyone's attention. They all watched him intently.

"As for the Northern Domain Grand Tournament, it was originally held once every ten years."

"But now that the Human Ranking has appeared, it's been moved up. The real reason, though, is that the powerhouses of the four regions have organized a Four Regions Martial Arts Gathering."

"The goal is to give the younger generation of the four regions greater motivation to advance."

"If even one person from our four regions makes the ranking, that'll be something to be proud of."

"You should know that the four regions have always been called a barren land. People from the Central Heaven Domain look down on us completely."

"So this is our chance to prove ourselves. Wouldn't you say?"

The people of the four regions knew all too well that they'd always been looked down on. But what could they do about it?

They didn't have the Central Heaven Domain's natural advantages, and their strength was countless times greater than theirs.

But now things were different. The Human Ranking had appeared, and if someone managed to stand out, the four regions could finally vent some of their pent-up frustration.

"Young master, going by what you've said, the purpose of both the Northern Domain Grand Tournament and the Four Regions Martial Arts Gathering is to select the most talented and powerful person?"

"And what happens after that?"

"Good question!"

"After the selection, the four regions will pour all their resources into that person."

"Do you understand what that means?"

"The entire four regions will serve that one person. Every precious resource will be given to them."

"Now you understand how great the temptation is—and how fierce the competition will be, don't you?"

The moment he said this, everyone was stunned. Nothing like this had ever happened before.

The four regions might not have had any major conflicts with each other, but they'd always minded their own affairs, each looking after themselves.

Yet now they were going to unite, and the powerhouses of all four regions had agreed to it?

Could the Human Ranking really have such a powerful appeal that the powerhouses of the four regions would put everything aside and come together?

"Then where will the Northern Domain Grand Tournament be held?"

"Can we go and watch?"

"Right! Can we go watch? It'd be a shame to miss such a grand event!"

Hearing this, the young man shook his head. "How could just anyone take part in such a grand event?"

"You'd better forget it. Even if you knew where it was, what would you do there?"

"They won't let too many people disrupt the tournament."

The young man's words made everyone sigh helplessly. They were clearly disappointed that they wouldn't be able to go watch.

"Young master, you know so much. I suppose you'll be taking part in the Northern Domain Grand Tournament yourself?"

"Me?"

"Not at all. I have some skill, but I know my limits. Besides, I'm a little too old to participate."

"I just like to keep up with the news, so I know a bit more than most."

"Everyone, I have something else to take care of, so I'll have to leave you here."

"Farewell!"

"Safe travels, young master."

After the young man left, Chen Yunxuan, who'd been sitting some distance away the whole time, got up and followed him.

"Hold on, young master."

"Where is the Northern Domain Grand Tournament being held?"

"When does it start?"

After catching up with the other man, Chen Yunxuan got straight to the point.

"It's you?"

"Are you planning to take part in the Northern Domain Grand Tournament?"

Hearing that, Chen Yunxuan froze. The man knew who he was?

"You know me?"

"Chen Yunxuan of the Chen Family. The one who killed Evil Reaching Heaven."

"I know who you are," the young man said with a nod.

Chen Yunxuan was a little surprised. Plenty of people might have heard that someone had killed Evil Reaching Heaven, but not many knew exactly who it was—or what he looked like.

How had this young man found out?

"Who are you, exactly?"

"You showed up and said all that just now. Was it meant for me to hear?" Chen Yunxuan frowned. He couldn't help feeling that something was off about the other man.

"Don't get the wrong idea, don't get the wrong idea."

"I just like to keep up with the news."

"Something as major as Evil Reaching Heaven being killed was bound to catch my interest."

"Look, I drew this portrait based on descriptions from people who'd seen you."

"Then I heard you'd challenged the Blood Shadow Sect's sect master, and naturally I figured out your name."

Only after seeing the portrait in the other man's hand did Chen Yunxuan's suspicions ease a little.

But would someone really go to such lengths just because he liked to keep up with the news?

Was there no motive at all, just a personal hobby?

"What's your name?" Chen Yunxuan asked.

"Me?"

"I'm called Master of All Things. How does that sound?"

Master of All Things?

Was that a name he'd given himself because of his personality, or had his name shaped his personality?

"Where is the Northern Domain Grand Tournament?" Chen Yunxuan asked.

"I know. It's at Wind Chime Valley!"