Maple Leaf Island

"Giggle, giggle, giggle..."

April, with her brown hair, let out a clear, cheerful laugh. Young children seemed able to find happiness in anything they saw.

Seeing April's playful, adorable appearance, Mu Yang thought of Meixia. She had not returned for a long time since leaving for Superpower Academy. Since Superpower Academy was also in the southern region, should he pay her a visit while he was here for the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament?

Well, he would decide after the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament.

He would surprise her then, Mu Yang thought to himself.

During their later conversation, Mu Yang learned that the young couple before him were named Claren and Fimia, researchers at a comprehensive research institute. They had taken advantage of their vacation to bring their children home to visit relatives. Their two children were named April and Cypriel. Aside from their sapphire-blue eyes, they had inherited their hair colors from their parents—one brown, the other golden.

People always said innocent children were the most lovable. Mu Yang had not believed it before, but after seeing April and Cypriel, he did. The two children were soft and adorable, truly endearing.

The train sped along the tracks for several more days. As the climate around them changed noticeably, it signaled that the train had entered the southern region.

It was still summer in the Northern Hemisphere, while the Southern Hemisphere was in the frigid depths of winter. When they got off the train, even their breath came out in clouds.

"Brother Mu Yang, I wish you great results in the martial arts tournament." The young man, Claren, put on his top hat and pulled up his suitcase, preparing to get off.

"Thank you for the good wishes." Mu Yang smiled and returned the courtesy.

"Mr. Mu Yang, Mr. Xis, goodbye if fate allows. We enjoyed this journey very much. If our itinerary had not already been arranged, we truly would have liked to see the martial artists in action!"

"Goodbye, Big Brother." April waved her arm vigorously, then tugged at her mother's clothes as she headed toward the bustling station platform.

"Goodbye." Mu Yang smiled as well.

This ordinary journey had gained a little extra joy because of that innocent little girl. Hopefully, they would have a chance to meet again, though Mu Yang knew the possibility was very low.

At that moment, Xis had also gathered his luggage and stood quietly to the side. After Claren and Fimia left with their 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 leaving the train station, we'll need to transfer to a ferry."

"Got it, Uncle Xis. Let's go!" Mu Yang nodded with a smile, growing ever more aware of how inconvenient transportation was in this era.

No wonder the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament was held only once every five years. The journey alone took a long time.

Of course, with strength like Son Goku's, one could swim halfway around the planet. Mu Yang simply did not have that ability yet.

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

On this day, Maple Leaf Island was exceptionally lively as it welcomed the once-every-five-years World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament.

As the tournament drew nearer, powerful fighters from martial arts schools all over the world traveled vast distances to gather here, making the entire island unusually bustling.

Unlike the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament that appeared in the original story, this tournament was still merely an exchange event between various schools. Since it had not yet been publicly organized by the Earth government, it was hosted by highly prestigious schools within the martial arts world.

The host of the 11th World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament was called Maple Leaf Style, and Maple Leaf Island was the school's base. Though Maple Leaf Style was not as powerful or famous as Kame Style or Crane Style, it was still an outstanding martial arts school in the current martial arts world.

"Let's find somewhere to settle in first. The tournament will begin in three days and last for two days. Afterward, there will be a three-day exchange meeting." Xis led Mu Yang through the small town at the foot of Maple Leaf Island's mountain as he explained.

"So everyone has to stay in this town?"

Looking at the endless stream of pedestrians around them, Mu Yang doubted that this small town could accommodate so many outsiders.

Xis nodded. "According to tradition, the hosts arrange lodging for contestants who placed in the top fifty in the previous tournament. Schools belonging to the top eight contestants also receive special treatment for their disciples... Maple Leaf Style is a major school, so they have enough rooms to house participating contestants at their headquarters."

"But for a school like our Tianxin Style, which had no disciples make the top eight in the previous tournament and has no contestants this year who ranked in the previous top fifty, we have to arrange our own lodging."

After hearing that, Mu Yang nodded in understanding. Preferential treatment for schools, preferential treatment for contestants—powerful people truly received special treatment wherever they went.

After doing a quick calculation, he figured that this would divert roughly half the visitors. The inns in town should have enough space.

As they spoke, Xis led Mu Yang to an inn. After entering their room under the enthusiastic reception of the staff and having a simple meal, Mu Yang began preparing for the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament that would open in three days.

He did not neglect his daily meditation training, but since he had only just arrived, Mu Yang did not enter Acceleration Space. Just as he was training, Xis pushed open the door and came in.

"Mu Yang, want to go outside for a walk and familiarize yourself with the area?"

"Mm, sure." Just as one needed to familiarize oneself with the examination hall before the college entrance exam, Mu Yang thought it over, ended his training for the day, and went strolling through the town with Xis.

"Heh, these are Earth's martial artists. There are quite a few of them."

Mu Yang followed behind Xis, looking around. As more contestants gathered, there were already around a hundred people before him. Most were young disciples from various schools, dressed in martial arts uniforms of different colors, along with a few instructors leading teams like Xis.

With Mu Yang's current strength, he could not yet judge an opponent's power through ki. However, he could still sense the general level of danger they posed. He spread out his spiritual awareness, yet did not detect any auras that could threaten him. In other words, none of the hundred-odd people before him were actually his match.

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

Unaware that Mu Yang had secretly scanned these martial artists, Xis led him toward the tournament registration area.

As they walked, he said, "Those contestants we just saw were from medium-sized or even small schools, so they were not particularly strong. The truly formidable schools had achieved impressive results in previous tournaments, so Maple Leaf Style disciples personally received them. The moment they arrived at the docks, someone would escort them all the way to the Martial Arts Hall to rest."

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