Chapter 227: The Clan Comparison Begins

The Wutan City of today is exceptionally lively. From early in the morning, the road leading to the main city was packed with bustling crowds. Even though Xiao Yan had previously witnessed the formations of several major sects, the spectacle of the Liu Clan’s upcoming competition far surpassed anything he had seen at the so-called Three Great Families’ martial assembly in Jinhuan City.

The Liu Clan’s competition was set to take place on the Square Stone Plaza at the very heart of Wutan City. This is arguably the most prosperous area in the city, and the plaza itself is famous throughout Shangzhou for being composed of a single, massive piece of white jade spanning several thousand square meters.

While white jade is common and often used by various sects to construct competition platforms, a natural slab of this size is quite rare.

As time slowly passed, the morning sun poured down warmly, making Wutan City increasingly vibrant, and the crowds gathering around the white jade platform continued to swell.

"Clan Leader Liu Zong of the Liu Clan arrives!"

With a resounding shout, the bustling crowd surrounding the stone platform fell instantly silent, all eyes turning toward the stage.

Under the gaze of the masses, an elderly man, looking as if he were on the verge of death, slowly ascended to the central seat of the platform, leaning heavily on a dragon-headed cane.

The elder’s frame was hunched and thin, his body appearing as little more than skin and bone. His hair and beard were snow-white, and the arm clutching the cane trembled incessantly, causing onlookers to worry he might lose his footing and fall at any moment. Yet, deep within his sunken eye sockets, flashes of sharp light occasionally erupted, revealing that this elder was far from an ordinary old man.

"What a surging aura."

Upon seeing the elder, Yang Yan’s expression turned solemn. He could sense a faint, dangerous feeling emanating from him—a sensation he had once felt from Xie Xuantian, the head of the Qingxuan Sect. This meant that the man before him, the so-called Liu Clan Leader, was a genuine Spirit Sea Realm powerhouse!

As one’s strength grows, so does their perspective and experience. When Yang Yan’s cultivation was in the Spirit Sensing Realm, he believed the Spirit Communication Realm was the pinnacle; he hadn't even heard of the legendary Spirit Sea Realm.

However, ever since he entered the Spirit Communication Realm himself—with combat prowess not inferior to peak-level practitioners of the same stage—he had encountered increasingly powerful individuals.

Such encounters served as motivation for Yang Yan’s cultivation. For most, the path of cultivation is endless. Just when you believe you have climbed to a summit, someone will tell you that there are stronger individuals above you, and in great numbers. That is when you must strive again to conquer the peak and pursue the supreme realm of immortality.

Although this path is perilous and difficult, therein lies the charm of cultivation. After each breakthrough, one’s combat power and lifespan see a qualitative leap. Once one reaches the peak of this world, one might possess an almost infinite lifespan—it would not be an exaggeration to say they live as long as heaven and earth.

Of course, such powerhouses are as rare as phoenix feathers throughout the Tianyuan Continent. Ordinary people rarely even hear news of such super-experts, which is why countless individuals risk life and limb, desperate for any opportunity to improve their cultivation levels.

Only then can they truly enrich themselves and survive better in this Tianyuan Continent, a place with trillions of people and countless geniuses.

"I thank everyone for gracing us with your presence. Today is the triennial competition of the Liu Clan, a rare and grand event for us. I believe everyone is impatient, so I shall not delay any further. I now invite the participants of this competition to take the stage!"

Liu Zong, the Liu Clan Leader, his eyes flickering with golden light, swept his gaze across the surroundings and chuckled. His aged yet resonant voice rang out clearly, like the tolling of a bell, into the ears of everyone present.

Following his words, figures began to appear on the staircases on both sides of the platform. The young men and women appearing on the left wore the uniform robes of the Liu Clan. They carried themselves with high spirits, faces filled with pride and arrogance, and as their eyes flickered toward those ascending from the right, they couldn't help but reveal a trace of disdain and indifference.

Even those unaware of the internal details knew that the group on the left were the legitimate descendants of the Liu Clan. Under the glow of the clan’s prestige, they enjoyed status and privilege in Shangzhou that their peers could not possess—an innate sense of superiority that most people found impossible to bridge through mere hard work.

Sometimes, heaven is simply unfair. Some are born at the finish line, while others struggle for a lifetime and never reach what the former achieve with ease. This, too, could be considered a massive obstacle on the path of cultivation.

Suppose two youths have the same talent: one is born into a poor family, struggling even to find enough to eat, let alone having time for spiritual cultivation; the other is from a wealthy and powerful clan, eating well, clothed warmly, guided by professional cultivators from childhood, and frequently provided with medicinal herbs to refine and strengthen their bodies.

With such disparate treatment, it is not hard to imagine the difference in their future achievements. The fundamental cause is not the difference in talent, but the difference in acquired resources and training methods.

However, Yang Yan did not even glance at the proud youths in the Liu Clan robes. His burning gaze remained fixed on the group of youths appearing on the right. After a moment, he locked his eyes onto a youth with a resolute face and a straight posture—it was Liu Zhengqing.

Staring at the face that looked somewhat similar to the one he had seen over half a year ago, an strange feeling welled up in Yang Yan’s heart.

The current Liu Zhengqing seemed to possess a more mature and weathered air than half a year ago. His once-clean face now sprouted a bit of thick stubble, adding a touch of maturity to his previously youthful features—a look that held a fatal attraction for young girls just beginning to experience romance.

Yet, Liu Zhengqing’s state did not seem very good; he appeared troubled by something, his brows tightly locked, rarely showing the vitality a youth should have.

As time passed, the participants from both sides reached the platform. The Liu Clan’s younger generation on the left numbered about fifty, while the group on the right, including Liu Zhengqing, wore mismatched, colorful clothing, clearly from various smaller branches. Their numbers were fewer than ten.

Thinking about it, Yang Yan understood the reason.

For one thing, the Liu Clan’s branch families were few in number. Even among those who met the age requirements, few had the chance or the desire to participate in the competition, holding no hope of ever returning to the main clan.

Imagine, someone expelled from the family usually lacks strong cultivation or top-tier talent; otherwise, they wouldn't have been kicked out. After losing the protection of the Liu Clan, they had to endure constant ridicule and cold stares, not to mention the difficulty of cultivating without the support of substantial resources.

Talent is important, but cultivation resources are decisive in determining what a practitioner can achieve. As the saying goes, "a clever housewife cannot cook without rice." No matter how gifted you are, without sufficient resources, you will eventually fade into obscurity.

This was like Yang Yan himself. His talent was once-in-a-century, but his rapid improvement over the past six months was inseparable from cultivation resources—the Profound Yin Cold Spirit Paste, the energy seal of the Tiger-Headed Profound Ice Python, the Goddess’s Tear from the ruins, and the pure soul power in the Holy Spirit Tower. All these were cultivation resources.

Of course, Yang Yan’s experience differed from those born into major powers. Those pampered individuals had everything they asked for; as long as they had talent, obtaining resources was just a matter of opening their mouths. But Yang Yan’s achievements were bought through life-and-death battles. Flowers in a greenhouse could never compare to him.

"Look at that, those young talents on the left are all from the Liu Clan. They look extraordinary, and the aura they exude is not weak. Some of the strongest have even reached the Spirit Communication Realm. A Spirit Communication Realm expert under twenty years old—that kind of talent is considered quite impressive even throughout the Feiyun Empire!"

Watching the two sides enter, whispers emerged from beneath the massive stone platform.

"Indeed. Look at those on the right who were kicked out of the family. Not only are there few of them, but the quality is poor. They're just a bunch of stragglers. There's no comparison. This year’s competition will likely devolve into a fight between the elite disciples of the Liu Clan again!" one person sighed.

"What else did you expect? Although this so-called competition is supposedly open to anyone of the Liu bloodline, it’s just to silence gossip. To the Liu Clan, those branch members are irrelevant. Whether they participate or not makes no difference to the clan."

"Sigh, it's true. Those expelled, aside from those who committed crimes, generally have extremely low cultivation talent. Their descendants probably won't be any better. Thinking they can use this to leap over the dragon gate and return to the Liu Clan is truly whimsical."

Hearing the whispers from below, the pride on the faces of the Liu Clan participants on the left grew even more intense, and they cast looks of disdain and mockery toward the disheveled branch members across from them.

"Very well, since all participants have arrived, I declare the Liu Clan competition officially begun! The first step is to draw lots to determine opponents. Those who draw the same number will be opponents, and the number represents your order of appearance!"

"Additionally, as many of you have likely heard, the rules this time are different. Every participant, whether from the main clan or a branch, has the opportunity to invite one outside helper. There is no restriction on the identity of this helper, provided they are under twenty years of age. Now, let the drawing begin!"

The Liu Clan Leader, Liu Zong, extended his trembling hand, suppressing the noise of the crowd, and spoke unhurriedly as he scanned the people on both sides.

"Yes, Clan Leader!" the Liu Clan participants on the left shouted in unison, while those from the branch families on the right merely nodded slightly.

This was not due to the latter's arrogance, but because the Liu Clan had clear distinctions. Branch members were essentially treated as outsiders; they were not considered true members of the Liu Clan. Thus, there was an unwritten rule that they could not address the old man as "Clan Leader."

"Begin the draw."

Facing the awkward atmosphere, the Liu Clan Leader seemed accustomed to it, and he did not glance at the branch members again.

Under Yang Yan’s watchful eye, Liu Zhengqing took his turn in line, drawing a bamboo slip from a tube. He glanced at the number, and a trace of a smile appeared on his face.

"It seems this guy has quite a bit of confidence in the first match!" Yang Yan smiled. With his outstanding soul perception, he could vaguely sense Liu Zhengqing’s strength; if he wasn't mistaken, the latter had reached the eighth layer of the Spirit Sensing Realm.

This speed of cultivation was quite impressive. Much of Yang Yan’s rapid progress in the last six months was due to the refinement of the Goddess’s Tear. If he had cultivated step-by-step, it was hard to say whether he would have reached Liu Zhengqing’s level.

"First match: Liu Tai of the main clan versus Liu Xie of the Xiangcheng branch!"

On the high platform, as the referee’s voice fell, a figure flashed out from each side, standing in confrontation.

On the branch side, shortly after the youth named Liu Xie stepped onto the stage, another figure flashed out from behind him—likely the helper he had invited.

"Liu Tai, the opponent is using a helper. Will you use one as well?" the referee asked, noticing that the main clan’s Liu Tai had made no move.

"No need. To deal with two trash from the branches, I don't need a helper." Liu Tai did not hide his words, which reached the ears of Liu Xie clearly.

"How arrogant! Today I’ll see what skills the descendants of the Liu Clan really have!" The helper standing beside Liu Xie shouted in anger.

"Heh, cleaning up you two pieces of trash is enough," Liu Tai sneered, not backing down in the slightest.

"I declare the match started!"

Seeing the two sides at daggers drawn, the referee no longer hesitated and announced the start of the match.

"Arrogant fool, take this!" The helper, filled with fury, stomped his foot, his entire body covered in a layer of crimson fire-attribute spiritual energy, and launched a punch at Liu Tai.

As he attacked, Liu Xie grit his teeth, his body surging with pale green wood-attribute spiritual energy, and he charged forward, his palm striking toward Liu Tai’s chest!

"A sixth-layer Spirit Sensing Realm and a fifth-layer Spirit Sensing Realm. This strength is quite decent among peers. The Liu Clan is indeed impressive; even branch members can reach this level at such an age."

The strength of the youths on the stage was completely transparent to Yang Yan.

"But just relying on this, it will be hard to win!" As Yang Yan’s gaze swept over the main clan’s Liu Tai, he couldn't help but shake his head.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, the combined fist and palm attack arrived before Liu Tai with unstoppable momentum. The two had clearly cooperated many times; they sealed off all of Liu Tai’s escape routes with excellent coordination.

Facing their combined assault, Liu Tai did not move his body, his face bearing a mocking and cold expression. When the attacks were less than three feet from him, he slowly extended both palms and struck out, colliding head-on with the crimson fist and the pale green palm.

*Boom!*

The moment the four palms collided, a fierce blast of energy swept outward. Moments later, two thuds sounded as bodies hit the ground. To the shock of the onlookers, Liu Xie and his helper lay on the floor.

Both were deathly pale, blood pooling beside them and staining their lips. Their faces were etched with shock and disbelief.

"Eighth layer of the Spirit Sensing Realm?!"

After a long while, Liu Xie finally muttered in disbelief, a look of despair surfacing on his face. He had thought that with their combined forces, defeating a main clan disciple wouldn't be difficult, or at least they could hold their own. He hadn't expected a slap in the face; they hadn't even lasted a single move!

"To reach the eighth layer of the Spirit Sensing Realm at such an age... the Liu Clan’s talent is truly worthy of the Feiyun Empire’s elite."

"Indeed. Winning so decisively against two opponents... I think any other branch members should just forfeit if they face a main clan member, or they'll just embarrass themselves."

"First match, Liu Tai of the main clan wins!"

The referee seemed unsurprised by the one-sided match. He glanced coldly at the two fallen figures and announced the result across the plaza.

With an undisguisable look of defeat, Liu Xie and his helper limped off the stage amidst the mocking jeers of the crowd.

"It seems the Liu Clan really has some ability to cultivate such a younger generation. Their talent is likely comparable to the inner disciples of the Qingxuan Sect," Yang Yan sighed.

"Next, Liu Bai of the main clan versus Liu Zhengqing of the branch from Jinhuan City!"

As Yang Yan was lost in thought, the referee announced a name he was very familiar with. Following the announcement, a figure as straight as a spear walked steadily to the center of the platform!