The guests watching the matches sampled the food and chatted leisurely, looking utterly at ease.
"I never imagined that boy from the Ma Family would actually beat someone from the Chen Clan," one spectator said, gnawing on a chicken drumstick with astonishment written all over his face.
The man beside him was calmer. He took a sip of wine and replied unhurriedly, "It was just a lucky win. Don't jump to conclusions."
"Luck? I'm not so sure," someone else interjected. "That boy just beat four people from Heaven Dou Academy in a row. He's already won five straight matches. You can't explain that away as luck."
"He certainly isn't weak," another agreed with a nod. "Looks like another rising prodigy. I reckon he'll earn a place in the next Heavenly Prodigy Ranking."
"The Nine Heavens Rainbow Phoenix Ma Family is already one of the most renowned noble families. They have someone on the current ranking, too. If this boy makes it as well, they'll have two stars shining in one family," someone beside them said enthusiastically.
Others disagreed, however. "No matter how many stars they have, they can't match the Chen Clan's strength in numbers. The Ma Family can't compare to how many people the Chen Clan has on the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking."
"That's true." Everyone nodded.
The conversation gradually shifted to the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking. Someone sighed in wonder. "The Heavenly Prodigy Ranking has really been a storm of rising talent these past few years. This edition actually has over twenty newcomers. That's unprecedented."
"I wonder who the Chen Clan will send out next," someone speculated curiously.
"It certainly won't be any of their six ranked members," another declared firmly. "Having the stronger bully the weaker wouldn't look good."
"Of course," someone else added. "The Ma Family and the