April arrived in the blink of an eye, and the entire Chang'an City became much more lively.
Everywhere you look, there are all sorts of martial arts heroes carrying swords and knives, some from all over Huaxia, some from the borderlands, and even some from small places overseas like Dongying and Ryukyu.
These people had all come because of its reputation, wanting to see what this so-called martial arts tournament was all about.
In today's Wind and Cloud, this martial arts tournament is also related to the future of the world.
After all, those Martial Dao Grandmaster are themselves the people behind a certain powerful faction.
In the Dragon Head Plateau area north of Chang'an City, palaces are under construction at an accelerated pace.
This place was originally intended to be the site of the Daming Palace of the future Li Tang imperial family, but construction has begun ahead of schedule.
A middle-aged man riding a fine horse came along the official road. Looking at the bustling palace complex, he couldn't help but stop his horse to take a look.
Watching the people toiling under the scorching sun, carrying soil, breaking stones, and making tiles and bricks, the man couldn't help but snort coldly.
"Ha! I really thought he was some kind of hero, but it turns out he's just a guy eager for luxury."
"The empire is still in Yang Guang's hands, yet he's already impatiently starting to build the imperial city. It's utterly absurd. How can he be so confident that he can conquer the empire with just the Yuwen Family's small army? How laughable."
Song Que snorted disdainfully. He had come all the way from Lingnan, but he had not gone straight to Chang'an.
Instead, he observed the local situation wherever he went and took the opportunity to visit several battlefields.
The Yuwen Family had long harbored rebellious intentions, and with the help of Duke Yang's Treasury, their military forces were fully prepared.
The clan leader, Yuwen Shang, even broke through to the Grandmaster and personally oversaw the battle from the central command. In just half a month, they had already captured several cities with unstoppable momentum.
Song Que did not personally meet with them, but secretly observed their military strength and took the opportunity to check on the Yuwen Family's governance of the conquered territories.
You wouldn't believe it until you see it!
' The Yuwen Clan has surprisingly abandoned its previous arrogant and domineering attitude, and is now treating ordinary people with utmost respect! It seems they are truly determined to contend for the throne this time!'
Song Que visited several places that had been occupied by the Yuwen Clan, and all he saw was a peaceful and harmonious scene.
Ordinary people were not harmed in the slightest, but powerful families were ripped off, and various supplies were seized to fund the military. However, not all of them were killed for their own benefit.
Moreover, the Yuwen Clan also sent people to rectify local officialdom, stabilize merchants and farmers, and firmly stabilize the conquered territories to prevent any unrest.
This kind of behavior clearly shows that he wants to unite the people and is poised to become a powerful ruler who truly conquers the world.
'What a pity! We still don't know who's behind the Yuwen Family.'
'If he truly is a descendant of the Huaxia, then it's not impossible for him to rule the world. Although he seems a bit too eager for pleasure right now, well... that's just how people are!'
Song Que sighed slightly. The more he looked at the Yuwen Family, the more curious he became about this Heavenly Venerable Savior behind them.
Such a mysterious and visionary man—how could I not have known him before?
Song Que was an extreme Han Chinese nationalist. The Song Family had experienced the bloody period of the Five Barbarian Invasions and were wary of foreign tribes.
In the original work, the main reason he supported Li Mi and Kou Zhong was that they were descendants of the Han Huaxia.
If it weren't for Kou Zhong being persuaded by his good-for-nothing brother Xu Ziling and his many beauties, with his support, the second son of the Li Tang might not have had the chance to secure his rule.
It can only be said that everything is determined by fate, and even the protagonist's halo cannot withstand the torrent of historical destiny.
But this time, everything will be different, because Xu Xiao is coming.
" Song Clan, now that you've arrived in Chang'an, why aren't you going into the city? What are you looking at in the suburbs?"
Lost in thought, Song Que was completely unaware that there was another person beside him until Xu Xiao's voice rang out, at which point he came to his senses.
Turning his head, he saw a man in a black robe standing three zhang away from him, looking at him with a grin.
If it weren't for his own eyes seeing it, Song Que wouldn't have been able to sense that there was someone there under his Grandmaster aura.
There was nothing there at all; it was indistinguishable from any other place.
'Could this person be the Heavenly Venerable Savior, someone who has already reached the point of merging with nature?'
With just one glance, Song Que recognized Xu Xiao's current state and felt a deep sense of defeat.
In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second.
He came to Chang'an to see just what gave this arrogant Heavenly Venerable Savior such audacity.
But now it seems there's absolutely no need to compare myself to the other person.
If someone of their caliber can appear silently beside you without you noticing, it means that their strength has become vastly different from yours.
'It seems I, Song Que, have also become a frog in a well one day!'
After calming himself down a bit, Song Que maintained his composure and bowed respectfully.
"May I ask if you are the Heavenly Venerable Savior posted the invitation to the world?"
"It was indeed Xu Xiao who, seeing that the Song Clan had arrived in Chang'an but was standing in the suburbs, came out to greet Xu Xiao."
Xu Xiao smiled and returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute.
Neither of them mentioned the matter in the letter, and they acted as if they were close friends, going through the motions of politeness.
After exchanging pleasantries, Song Que sighed softly and then slowly unfastened the Narcissus Saber from the saddle.
"Since this is a martial arts tournament, I, Song, have come to witness the skills of Celestial Master Xu. I hope you will not hesitate to offer your guidance."
Those who practice swordsmanship value dominance, clarity of thought, and straightforwardness.
Although Song Que was aware of the gap between himself and Xu Xiao, he would not be satisfied without a fight.
Similarly, Xu Xiao came to greet Song Que not because the other party was so powerful, but because he would personally meet with every Grandmaster who approached Chang'an City.
The goal is to completely subdue them.
During this period, from Zhao Deyan and Yang Xuyan of the Demon Sect to Ning Daoqi, Bi Xuan, and Fu Cailin, everyone has been treated in the same way.
In any case, Xu Xiao would beat up and intimidate these troublemakers outside the city before sending them into the city to wait for the conference to begin.
After all, this is a martial arts tournament for comprehending martial arts principles, not a martial arts tournament for fighting, brawling, or vying for the title of martial arts leader.
Subduing them outside the city and establishing rules will save us from having to resort to more methods later.
Faced with Song Que's challenge, Xu Xiao smiled slightly and naturally nodded in agreement.
"What Song Clan says is exactly what I want to say. Let's have a match first, so that when I, Xu, establish the rules with the Song Clan later, you will listen carefully."
Song Que's eyelids twitched, and a surge of anger welled up in his heart.
"Set the rules! For years, no one has dared to say something like that to me!"
Having been destined for greatness since childhood and always in a position of power, Song Que now experienced the feeling of being ignored.
"Very well, then you may have a good taste of my swordsmanship!"
A flash of sword light appeared, a figure moved, and at the same time, Song Que's strong sword intent was present.
Unfortunately, everything was predetermined; Xu Xiao's power was an insurmountable barrier for them.
Before long, Song Que stared blankly at the broken knife in his hand, then silently followed Xu Xiao's instructions.
Xu Xiao didn't care at all.
He had witnessed such a defeated figure with a shattered Dao heart more than once during this period, whether it was Song Que or Ning Daoqi.
These so-called geniuses can only serve as stepping stones on his path to advancement.