Maple Leaf Island

"Hee hee hee..."

April, with her brown hair, let out a crisp laugh. The young child seemed to find joy in everything she saw.

Watching April's playful and adorable manner, Mu Yang's mind flashed to the image of Meixia. That girl had been gone for a long time since she went to the Superpower Academy. As luck would have it, the academy was also in the southern region. Since he was here to participate in the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament, he wondered if he should drop by and see her on the way.

Well, he'd decide after the tournament was over.

He'd surprise her then, Mu Yang thought to himself.

In the conversation that followed, Mu Yang learned that the young couple before him were named Claren and Fimia, researchers at a comprehensive institute. This trip was a holiday visit home with their children. Their two daughters were named April and Cypriel. Besides their sapphire-blue eyes, their hair colors took after their parents—one brown, one gold.

They say innocent children are the most endearing. Mu Yang hadn't believed it before, but after seeing April and Cypriel, he was convinced. These two were soft and adorable, truly lovable.

The train raced along the tracks for a few more days. As the surrounding climate shifted noticeably, it signaled that they had entered the southern region.

At this time, the northern hemisphere was still in summer, while the southern hemisphere was in the midst of a cold winter. As they stepped off the train, their breath came out in visible puffs of air.

"Young friend Mu Yang, I wish you great success at the tournament." The young man Claren put on his hat and pulled his suitcase, ready to disembark.

"I appreciate your kind words." Mu Yang smiled and returned the gesture.

"Mr. Mu Yang, Mr. Xis, if fate allows, we'll meet again. This journey has been a pleasure for us. If we hadn't already made plans, we'd truly love to witness the splendor of the martial artists!"

"Goodbye, big brother!" April waved her arm vigorously, then tugged at her mother's coat hem and walked toward the bustling station exit.

"Goodbye." Mu Yang smiled as well.

This ordinary journey had gained a bit of extra charm because of that innocent little girl. He hoped they'd meet again, though Mu Yang knew the chances were very slim.

Xis stood quietly nearby with his luggage, watching. After Claren and his wife left with the children, he said to Mu Yang, "Let's go. We need to hurry. There's still a strait between here and Maple Leaf Island. After we leave the train station, we'll need to take a ferry."

"Got it, Uncle Xis. Let's set off!" Mu Yang nodded with a smile, feeling all the more how inconvenient transportation was in this era.

No wonder the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament was held only once every five years—just the travel time took a long while.

Of course, if he had strength like Son Goku's, he could swim halfway around the globe. But Mu Yang wasn't quite capable of that yet.

Maple Leaf Island was separated from the vast southern region by only a few dozen kilometers of strait.

On this day, Maple Leaf Island was bustling with excitement, welcoming the once-every-five-years World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament.

As the tournament's start date drew near, martial artists from various schools around the world gathered from afar, making the entire island exceptionally lively.

Unlike the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament seen in the original story, this version was still just an exchange meet between schools. Since it wasn't yet officially hosted by the Earth Government, the organizers were highly prestigious schools within the martial arts world.

The host of the eleventh World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament was the Maple Leaf Style, and Maple Leaf Island was their school's headquarters. Though the Maple Leaf Style wasn't as strong or famous as the Kame Style or the Crane Style, it was still a very prominent martial arts school in the current martial arts world.

"Let's find a place to stay first. The tournament will start in three days and last for two days, followed by a three-day exchange meet." Xis led Mu Yang through the small town at the foot of Maple Leaf Island's mountain, explaining as they walked.

"So everyone has to stay in this town?"

Looking at the crowds of pedestrians around him, Mu Yang seriously doubted whether this small town could accommodate so many outsiders.

Xis nodded. "According to past traditions, the host arranges lodging for those who placed in the top fifty of the previous tournament. Additionally, the schools of the Top Eight competitors receive special reception for their disciples... The Maple Leaf Style is a large school, so they have enough rooms to house the participants at their headquarters."

"But for a school like our Tianxin Style, which had no disciples in the Top Eight last time and no participants who placed in the top fifty this time, we have to arrange our own lodging."

Mu Yang nodded in understanding after hearing this. Preferential treatment for schools, preferential treatment for competitors—it was true that the strong were favored wherever they went.

Doing a quick mental calculation, that probably split off about half the people. The town's inns should be able to accommodate the rest.

As they talked, Xis led Mu Yang to an inn. The staff warmly received them and showed them to a room. After a simple meal, Mu Yang began preparing for the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament, which would open in three days.

He didn't neglect his daily meditation and training, but considering he was new here, Mu Yang didn't enter the Acceleration Space. Just as he was cultivating, Xis pushed the door open and walked in.

"Mu Yang, want to take a walk outside and get familiar with the area?"

"Mm, sure." Like scouting out the exam venue before a big test, Mu Yang thought it over and decided to end his training for the day. He strolled around the town with Xis.

"Heh, so these are the martial artists of Earth. Quite a few of them."

Mu Yang followed behind Xis, looking around. As participants kept gathering, about a hundred people had already appeared before him. Most were young disciples from various schools, wearing different uniform martial arts outfits. There were also some lead teachers like Xis.

With his current strength, Mu Yang couldn't yet sense opponents' power through ki, but he had a certain intuition for general threats. He spread out his mental energy but didn't detect any aura that posed a threat to him. In other words, none of these hundred or so people were a match for him.

"Follow me. We'll register at the Martial Arts Hall first."

Xis, unaware that Mu Yang was secretly scanning these martial artists, led him toward the tournament registration area.

As they walked, he continued, "Those participants you saw earlier are just from mid-tier or even small schools, so their strength isn't that great. The truly powerful schools have had impressive results in past tournaments, so they get personally welcomed by Maple Leaf Style disciples. They're escorted all the way from the dock to the Martial Arts Hall to rest."

Mu Yang nodded. Xis had already told him this before.