Chapter Sixty-Six: Testing Inner Strength

Chapter Sixty-Six: Testing Inner Strength

Shi Bai, Ye Rulong, and the others entered the stadium, where a welcoming party was already waiting for them. They were led to the front rows on the southern side. This was the Ye family’s section, surrounded by banners with red edges and yellow fields, each emblazoned with a large character for “Ye.”

Ye Rulong originally wanted Shi Bai to sit in the chief seat at the center, but Shi Bai felt somewhat uneasy and instead took a seat next to Ye Ying’er.

“That group on the west, wearing yellow robes, is the Li family from the western city. Their patriarch, Li Baxian, is skilled with an iron hammer—his Meteor Hammer technique is unrivaled in the ancient city,” Ye Ying’er explained to Shi Bai.

“The man with the goatee in the north is Liu Heming, the lord of the northern city. His weapon is a feather fan, but he’s most famous for his sinister Claw Technique.” Ye Ying’er’s face revealed her distaste. “He’s a strange one—no men in his household, only maidservants, and he fights dirty and underhanded. If you have to face him in the tournament, be careful.”

Shi Bai nodded. He had already witnessed Liu Heming’s manner earlier.

“As for Jin Shikai, the lord of the eastern city, I suppose you’re already familiar with him. He’s the 98th generation master of the Golden Blade Sect. His skills are average, but he dominates the east.”

Shi Bai glanced at the bruised, heavyset man, who was now slumped in a grand chair looking rather sullen. He couldn’t help but smile.

Ye Ying’er then motioned toward Li Jiankui. “He’s the lord of the southern city, but among all the city lords, his martial arts are the weakest, and his territory the smallest.”

Shi Bai nodded. “That’s fine. In any case, the champion this time will be me.”

Ye Ying’er, well aware of Shi Bai’s abilities, was not at all surprised by his confidence. With Shi Bai representing the Ye family, they felt reassured.

Suddenly, Shi Bai asked, “By the way, what’s the reward for winning the tournament? I hope I’m not working for nothing.”

Ye Ying’er paused. “Well… Officially, the tournament is about determining martial prowess, but behind the scenes, it’s really about fighting for land.”

“Land?”

“That’s right. Real estate development.”

Shi Bai burst out laughing. “Fascinating! This world is truly something—fighting matches to win business!”

Ye Ying’er quickly smiled in agreement. “It’s become an unwritten rule.”

Shi Bai pondered for a moment. “Your family’s business is so vast—you must have won many times?”

Ye Ying’er’s expression turned somber. “We did, back when Brother Ye Fan was still with us—we took the championship every time. But ten years ago, he died unexpectedly, and we’ve been on a decline ever since.”

Shi Bai mused, “Brother Ye Fan? Don’t your elders compete in the tournament?”

“No, only the younger generation is allowed to compete.”

Shi Bai nodded. It made sense: letting the youths fight won them prestige without risking irreparable tensions. If someone as renowned as Ye Rulong were to lose, the family’s honor would be gravely wounded.

“So who’s representing your family this year?” Shi Bai asked.

“It’s been my cousin Ye Fei these past years,” Ye Ying’er said, waving at a young man. “Ye Fei! Over here!”

A handsome, gentle-looking young man turned and smiled at Ye Ying’er before nodding to Shi Bai.

Shi Bai returned the greeting, forming a good impression of the youth.

“Although Ye Fei is skilled, he’s not the strongest among our generation, so we haven’t won any land in years,” Ye Ying’er added.

Shi Bai said, “No matter. This year, you have me.”

“Yes!” Ye Ying’er nodded vigorously. “Each family can send two participants. It used to be Ye Fei and me; this year, it’s you and him.”

Shi Bai smiled calmly. With him, it hardly mattered who else competed.

“Ying’er!”

Suddenly, the light before Shi Bai was blocked by a tall figure. Turning, he saw an exceptionally handsome young man, his long hair brushing his jaw, his eyes full of charm—the very image of a man with no shortage of admirers.

“Murong!” Ye Ying’er jumped up in excitement. “You’re back!”

The people around began to whisper.

“Murong Lingfeng! I can’t believe he’s returned!”

“Wasn’t he cultivating at the Qingshan Sword Sect?”

“No idea!”

“Murong, aren’t you in the middle of your training?” Ye Ying’er clasped his hand.

Murong Lingfeng smiled gently, not letting go. “My father said this year’s tournament is critical, so he insisted I return to participate.”

“I see! Then surely you’ll take the championship!”

“That’s not certain. I believe the other families’ younger generation have worked hard too; victory won’t come easily.”

At this, Ye Ying’er glanced at Shi Bai and suddenly fell silent.

“Damn, how could I forget him? With him here, even Murong wouldn’t stand a chance, let alone anyone else!”

“Ying’er?” Murong Lingfeng, noticing her distraction, bent to look at her.

“Nothing, really!” Ye Ying’er quickly composed herself. “How long will you be back, Murong?”

“A week, I suppose. Training is important, after all.”

Ye Ying’er’s disappointment showed. “So short.”

Murong Lingfeng smiled. “I have no choice. My master nearly forbade me from coming at all.”

The two fell into animated conversation, as if reunited lovers after a long separation. Murong Lingfeng took the seat on Ye Ying’er’s other side, leaving Shi Bai rather neglected. Ye Xingzu, seeing this, quietly moved to Shi Bai’s other side to explain the proceedings and keep him company.

Soon, the tournament officially began. The hosts—a tall, handsome man and an elegant, beautiful woman clad in suits and evening gowns worthy of television presenters—took the stage.

“Welcome! The tournament now officially begins!” they announced into their microphones. “First up: the Inner Strength Test!”

“Will the 64 contestants please step forward!”

At the sound of a resounding bronze gong, the young representatives of each family ascended to the martial platform in an orderly fashion.

The platform, about a hundred square meters in size, was paved with marble and lacked any guardrails, leaving the fighters free to move as they pleased. At its center stood a device resembling a thermometer, the workings of which eluded Shi Bai. Contestants would press their palms onto a rubber pad, channel their inner strength, and the pointer on the testing machine would rise accordingly.

Next to it, a scale was inscribed: one year, five years, ten years, twenty years, and so on—it seemed quite precise.

Shi Bai could not help but marvel at the fusion of martial arts and technology.

The first contestant’s result was already in. The host announced loudly:

“Five years of cultivation!”

But the crowd remained silent.

“With only five years, he dares join the tournament?”

“Utterly overestimating himself.”

Though the competitors were all young, those able to participate in the tournament were the cream of the crop—most with at least eight years of cultivation. Someone with only five was a rarity indeed.

“Looks like the Lü family is short on talent this year,” the audience murmured.

“Alright, the second contestant’s result is in: eight years!”

Still, there was little reaction. This was the norm.

“Third contestant: ten years of cultivation!”

Now, there was a stir in the crowd.

“Not bad.”

“That one’s progressing quickly.”

“And now, our next contestant is a star!” the male host proclaimed. “Please welcome the young master of the Matsushita Sword Manor, Shangguan Yunfei!”

Applause erupted from the audience.

“Go, Yunfei!”

“You’re the best, Yunfei!”

Shangguan Yunfei strode to the testing platform, placed his hand on the rubber pad, and the pointer rose swiftly, stopping at the fifteen-year mark.

“Fifteen years of cultivation!” the hosts exclaimed together.

The crowd was in an uproar, especially the girls, who cheered as if for a beloved idol.

But there was no smile on Shangguan Yunfei’s face.

Because he saw Shi Bai among the contestants.