"Whether a city will flourish in the future depends on the caliber of its younger generation. I will referee this martial competition. Anyone who places in Cloud City's top eight will receive a reward."
"Among Cloud City's younger generation, the top eight in the previous competition were Liu Zhi of the Liu Family, Lin Dongxue of the City Lord's Residence, Wu Feiming of the Wu Family, Qin Guang of the Qin Family, Liu Changyu of the Liu Family, Qin Yi of the Qin Family, Wu Ding of the Wu Family, and Qian Rulong of the Qian Family."
"The rules remain the same as before, with two parts. The first is the qualifying round. Anyone except the previous top eight may sign up. Those who finish in the top five may challenge any of the previous top eight. If they win, they will take that person's place in the rankings."
"In the second part, contestants may challenge the top eight directly. Anyone above yellow tier third grade may bypass the qualifying round and issue a challenge. If no one challenges the top eight, those eight contestants will proceed directly to the finals tonight to determine the rankings for this year's Mid-Autumn Gathering martial competition."
"The martial competition begins now. Those interested in the qualifying round, please proceed to the smaller platform on the left. Those above yellow tier third grade who wish to challenge the previous top eight, please issue your challenges on the main platform. Let the martial competition begin!" City Lord Lin Xiao gave a resounding shout. In the distance, the drummers who had long been standing by immediately swung their drumsticks, pounding out a booming battle rhythm.
"Hahaha, Brother Tang, your family is one of Cloud City's four great Lineages, yet not a single one of your youngsters made it into the top eight. I'm ashamed to have the Liu Family listed alongside the Tang Family!" Before the matches even began, Liu Wuhui pointed at Tang Ling and laughed, his voice dripping with mockery.
At Old Master Liu's words, everyone's gaze returned to the Tang Family's seats. This year's Mid-Autumn Gathering was especially exciting thanks to the fierce rivalry between the Tang and Liu Families.
Fortunately, Old Master Tang had prepared himself for this. Rather than getting angry, he smiled and shot back, "When Yan'er entered the literary competition earlier, your Liu Family mocked us too. Didn't the Tang Family seize the championship in one fell swoop? You old dog, it's high time you curbed that habit of barking blindly without knowing which way the wind blows."
Even with his considerable composure, Old Master Liu nearly jumped out of his seat in fury. After several deep breaths, he finally calmed himself, cast Tang Ling a cold look, and sneered, "A martial competition isn't a literary contest. If I remember correctly, your grandson is only at origin tier eighth grade. He isn't even qualified to challenge the top eight! Such a mighty Tang Family, yet there's no one to carry on its legacy. How pitiful."
"Old dog Liu, whose family are you saying has no one to carry on its legacy?" Tang Yan was already Cloud City's foremost wastrel, and he played the shameless rogue to perfection, pointing straight at Liu Wuhui's nose as he cursed him.
"Insolent brat!" Liu Wuhui flew into a rage, and the rest of the Liu Family glared menacingly at Tang Yan.
"Enough!" Just as the two families were about to clash, the City Lord snapped in displeasure, "The martial competition at the Mid-Autumn Gathering is merely a chance to exchange pointers. There is no need to start a feud between your families. What kind of behavior is this, hurling abuse in front of so many of Cloud City's people?"
After the City Lord's reprimand, the Liu Family could hardly lash out. But Tang Yan had called Old Master Liu an old dog in front of so many people. If they failed to salvage their pride, the Liu Family would lose face in Cloud City yet again.
Liu He rose and said, "Please calm your anger, City Lord. We merely felt sorry for the Tang Family when we saw they had no one to carry on their legacy. We meant no harm."
"My elder brother is absolutely right. After all, their Lineage's sole direct heir is still only at origin tier eighth grade. He might put up a fight against someone at origin tier ninth grade, but against a yellow tier martial artist, wouldn't he be nothing but a punching bag?" Liu Jing chimed in from the side.
"Bullshit! Wasn't that Liu Quan from your family at yellow tier first grade? I still beat him like a dog!" Tang Yan immediately retorted.
The muscles in Liu Jing's face twitched violently. His son, in whom he had placed such high hopes, had suffered a severe injury to his dantian at this brat's hands and would remain at yellow tier first grade for the rest of his life. He thundered, "Quan'er was careless last time and fell for your tricks. If you'd fought him fair and square, you'd already be on your way to your next incarnation!"
"Quit your fucking boasting. Send one yellow tier fighter from your Liu Family, and I'll cripple one. Send two, and I'll cripple the pair!" Tang Yan declared arrogantly.
The Liu Family trembled all over with rage at his words.
"Since you're so capable, Young Master Tang, why don't we make a wager? The Liu Family will send out a yellow tier first grade martial artist. If you defeat him, we'll give you three Third-Tier Beast Cores. If you lose, the Tang Family will give us three Third-Tier Beast Cores. What do you say?" A murderous gleam flashed through Liu He's eyes. If Tang Yan dared accept, he would make the brat regret it.
Three Third-Tier Beast Cores were worth a considerable sum, and Young Master Tang was sorely tempted.
But if he agreed too readily and his grandfather made no attempt to stop him, would the other side grow suspicious and back out?
Seeing his grandson hesitate, Tang Ling immediately understood what was on his mind. He sprang to his feet, pointed at Liu He, and cursed, "You shameless cur! Why don't you fight me instead? If I lose, I'll give you a hundred Third-Tier Beast Cores!"
Liu He gave an awkward chuckle. He truly did not dare trade blows with Old Master Tang.
But he was unwilling to miss such a fine opportunity to eliminate Tang Yan. He goaded them, "The youngster is so confident, yet the old man has lost his nerve? The Tang Family grows more spineless by the day! Give us a straight answer. Do you dare fight or not? If not, have Tang Yan apologize to the Liu Family!"
Lin Xiao did not intervene in their dispute again. Though his expression remained as still as an ancient well, he was deeply curious whether the Tang Family would accept, so he simply watched in silence.
"Don't worry, Grandfather. Liu Quan was no match for me. The others certainly won't withstand a single blow!" Tang Yan said eagerly.
"Very well. Be careful, then. If you're no match for him, just concede." Old Master Tang agreed with a show of helplessness.
Tang Yan and Old Master Tang played off each other, and after just a few exchanges, everyone truly believed Tang Yan was only at origin tier eighth grade.
"City Lord, it's still early. Why not let Liu Xing and Tang Yan exchange a few pointers on the platform first?" Liu Wuhui stood and asked.
Both families had agreed, and this was a spectacle Cloud City's people were delighted to see, so Lin Xiao did not refuse. "Since Old Master Liu has asked, I'll make an exception this once. But fists and feet have no eyes. Remember to stop short of injury; no one may deliberately harm the other. Once someone concedes, further attacks are forbidden. Violators will be severely punished!"
"Liu Xing, go up and ask Young Master Tang to teach you a few moves." Liu He called over a junior from his Lineage and instructed him quietly, "Don't give Tang Yan a chance to concede."
Liu Xing nodded and headed toward the platform, carrying a spear.
Liu Xing was not tall, but his sturdy build made him look like a little iron tower.
"Ah, Tang Yan has literary talent, but he's a little short on brains. Below the yellow tier, everyone is an ant. I heard his sneak attack only succeeded last time because Liu Quan didn't know he was at origin tier eighth grade and let his guard down. Now he actually thinks he's formidable."
"Exactly. At origin tier eighth grade, he probably won't last ten moves." The people around them whispered among themselves.
Once both contestants were ready, Lin Xiao announced the start.
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