Chapter Twenty-Two: The Martial Tournament Begins!

Autumn had departed and winter had arrived; fine snowflakes swirled and danced in the early winter wind. This was the first snowfall of the year in Jinhua City. On such days, every household ought to have their doors tightly shut, with families huddled together around the hearth, basking in warmth and joy.

But today was different. From early morning, the streets and alleys were crowded with people. Men and women, young and old, all bundled in thick cotton coats, hurried toward the same destination—the martial arena of Jinhua City.

At the Zhang family residence.

“Patriarch, are we truly going to give up the last spot?”

An old man with a stooped figure in the crowd at the gate asked, his tone tinged with reluctance.

“Why, do you have a suitable candidate?”

Zhang Tai sounded impatient, his voice cold.

The old man, silenced by these words, could only shake his head and sigh softly.

“That’s enough, everyone is here. Let’s set out.”

Zhang Tai turned, his gaze sweeping over the assembled group. With a wave of his hand, he strode out through the gate.

“Wait!”

They had barely taken two steps when a clear, youthful voice called from behind. The group turned in surprise, only to find the speaker was someone wholly unexpected. Their expressions grew strange as they whispered among themselves.

“Father, I’d like to go as well. May I?”

“Yan’er?... Of course you may…”

The group continued in silence, only the crunch of footsteps on snow breaking the stillness.

---

“What’s gotten into Brother Yang Yan? In past years, he always shut himself away during the Clan Martial Meet. Why is he volunteering to go this time?”

Ziling, holding Yang Yan’s arm, walked at the rear of the group, pondering silently.

Though she was unsuited to the rigors of cultivation, she was always fascinated by the annual Clan Martial Meet. Yet, as Yang Yan’s strength had long stagnated, he would always choose seclusion on this day, and Ziling, understanding, would not disturb him. Deep down, she always hoped to see Yang Yan compete, but alas…

Not only Ziling, but even Zhang Tai and the other clansmen were puzzled by Yang Yan’s decision. However, with so many present, it was not the time to ask; their confusion could only remain unspoken.

“Which family is putting on such a grand display? Ah, it’s the Zhangs!”

As they advanced, a deep, rough voice boomed from behind. Turning, they saw a group of about twenty people approaching. At the head was a burly middle-aged man, broad-shouldered and imposing, with a wide nose, broad ears, and a slanting scar across his face—none other than Xu Tianlong, patriarch of the Xu family. Beside him was a short, stout youth, eyes coldly fixed on Yang Yan. Who else could it be but Xu Shaoguang?

“Well, isn’t this the third young master of the Zhang family? Is he competing too? If so, whoever faces him can skip the match and advance directly!”

“Hahaha!”

The Xu family members behind Xu Tianlong burst into laughter, their faces full of mockery and pride.

“Xu Tianlong, don’t go too far!”

Zhang Tai’s fury flared at the public ridicule of Yang Yan. Striding forward, he unleashed his Jadewood spirit power in an instant. The might of the fifth level of the Spirit Communication Realm erupted, sending a wave of spiritual energy surging toward the Xu family.

Caught off guard, only Xu Tianlong and an elegantly dressed old man with a cane remained unmoved; the others staggered back several steps, some even tumbling to the ground with cries of pain.

“So he truly broke through to the fifth level of the Spirit Communication Realm!”

Though he’d long suspected as much, seeing it firsthand was still a shock.

Xu Tianlong’s face twitched, but he forced a smile as he addressed Zhang Tai.

“Patriarch Zhang, there’s no need for anger. Today is the Clan Martial Meet, the young ones’ stage. We elders are just here to watch. Farewell.”

---

With that, he swung his heavy frame forward, leading his people away. Only the richly dressed, cane-bearing elder remained silent throughout, as if all before him was of no concern. His narrow eyes were half-closed, his demeanor almost as if he were asleep—peculiar indeed.

As this elder passed, Zhang Tai was inexplicably seized by a chill. Alarmed, he glanced at the man, but saw only a hunched, aged figure, shuffling slowly without so much as lifting his eyelids.

“Was it my imagination? When did the Xu family acquire such a person? Why have I never seen him before…”

After this brief interlude, the Zhang family encountered no further incidents and arrived smoothly at the martial arena.

Though he’d tried to prepare himself, Yang Yan was still stunned by the sight before him.

The martial arena was vast, dominated by a white jade dais at its center, five zhang long and three zhang wide. The stone platform was surrounded by tiered, amphitheater-style steps, each row lined with seats save for narrow walkways left at intervals.

Yang Yan estimated that there were nearly two thousand seats, most already filled by the city’s notable clans. The rest of the crowd, eager for spectacle, packed the walkways and the outermost edges of the arena.

Following Zhang Tai, Yang Yan and his group took their places near the front, overlooking the jade platform from above—a vantage point from which every movement atop the stage could be clearly seen.

Glancing around, Yang Yan spotted the Xu family seated not far to their left. To their right was another group of about twenty, led by a middle-aged woman of striking beauty. Despite faint crow’s feet at her eyes, her allure was undiminished, and was even enhanced by a unique charm. Beside her stood a young woman in a pale green gown. Though her features were not as exquisite as Ziling’s, she possessed a refreshing, natural grace—a stark contrast to the mature elegance of the woman at her side.

“Look, that’s Elder Li Chengfeng of the Azure Profound Sect. He’s a peak expert of the Spirit Communication Realm! Who would’ve thought the sect would send him to oversee the Clan Martial Meet? I’ve only seen him once before!”

“Indeed. I hear the Azure Profound Sect is paying special attention to this year’s competition. After all, in just over a month, they’ll be recruiting new disciples. They might spot some promising young talents among the clans…”

Hearing the whispers, Yang Yan’s eyes settled on a portly elder at the very front, studying him intently.