Chapter Twenty-Four: The First Match!

Li Yang, that guy, drew that useless opponent—he’s practically winning without a fight!

Well, what can you do? Some people just have all the luck…

The contestants murmured among themselves, their gazes filled with envy as they looked at Li Yang, the youth who drew the same number as Yang Yan.

Yang Yan paid no mind to the crowd’s reaction. He turned and walked directly toward his seat, but as he passed the visibly elated Li Yang, he paused briefly.

“I look forward to our match,” he said.

Li Yang was caught off guard by Yang Yan’s unexpected gesture. Only as Yang Yan’s figure receded did Li Yang finally come to his senses.

Was that guy provoking me just now?

…

“The first match of the Martial Gathering of the Clans: Wu Fenghao of the Wu Family versus Xu Shaoguang of the Xu Family!”

At the front, Fang Kun’s voice was not loud, but wrapped in powerful spiritual energy, it rang clearly in every ear.

As his words faded, a thunderous cheer erupted in the arena. The grand annual event of Jinhuan City—the Martial Gathering of the Clans—had officially begun!

The ranking of contestants in this tournament directly determined the rights to use the most prosperous market districts in the city, and had always been the primary battleground for the three great families, both openly and behind the scenes.

To ensure fairness, each of Jinhuan City’s other families was allotted three slots, but everyone knew that the top three spots always belonged to the three great families. The rest could only play supporting roles. Some of the smaller families accepted their place and didn’t bother to forcibly fill their slots; some even withdrew before the tournament began.

Of course, a few slightly stronger families still held onto hope, seeking to use the tournament as an opportunity to win greater benefits and resources, to nurture their younger generations and accumulate strength for the day they might rise and replace the reigning dynasty.

There were also opportunistic families who didn’t compete, but instead flattered the biggest victors of the tournament, hoping to share in the spoils.

---

Naturally, Yang Yan had no mind for the schemes of the various families at this moment. His gaze was fixed on the two figures atop the white jade platform.

Xu Shaoguang, though widely disliked, possessed undeniable strength. Yang Yan had long regarded him as a formidable rival in this Martial Gathering. If he could glean insights into Xu Shaoguang’s fighting style from his current match, it would help him prepare for their own possible encounter.

Xu Shaoguang stood with arms crossed, his plump face brimming with disdain, as if this bout posed no challenge at all. In contrast, Wu Fenghao, his opponent, seemed timid and uncertain, unable to meet Xu Shaoguang’s gaze.

Yang Yan shook his head. In a contest, nothing is more fatal than fear before the fight even begins. Wu Fenghao had already lost ground in terms of aura before crossing fists with Xu Shaoguang; defeat seemed inevitable.

A clear bell rang out, signaling the official start of the first match.

On the platform, Xu Shaoguang swung his arms, his joints crackling as his fists met his palms. He grinned.

“Heh, Wu Fenghao, you’d do well to surrender now. Fists and feet have no eyes. With those spindly limbs of yours, don’t blame me if you get killed with a single punch.”

Xu Shaoguang’s aggressive taunts stirred anger in Wu Fenghao. Though the Wu Family wasn’t on par with the three great clans, retreating without a fight in front of the masses would be unbearable.

He steeled himself, shouted loudly to boost his own courage, and spiritual energy of a pale green hue began to envelop his fists. Stamping his feet, he charged at Xu Shaoguang.

His attack appeared fierce on the surface, but those with discerning eyes could see his lack of confidence. Though his moves looked powerful, he still held back, seemingly afraid to hurt Xu Shaoguang.

It was understandable. In Jinhuan City, the Wu Family was only a second-tier power, and their manor lay not far from the Xu Family’s. If Wu Fenghao accidentally injured Xu Shaoguang during the match, the Xu Family could, in their wrath, easily eliminate the Wu Family without a trace.

As Wu Fenghao rushed at him, Xu Shaoguang merely sneered, unmoving, until the glowing fist was only three feet away. Then he casually extended his right hand, spiritual energy of a faint red hue covering it, and grabbed Wu Fenghao’s fist.

A deep, muffled sound rang out as their fists met. Xu Shaoguang stood with one hand on his waist, the other nonchalantly gripping Wu Fenghao’s right fist. No matter how hard Wu Fenghao struggled, he could not break free.

Wu Fenghao’s strength is at least at the second level of the Spiritual Sensing Realm, yet the second young master of the Xu Family blocked his attack so easily. Could he already be a third-level Spiritual Sensing expert at his age?

---

He’s probably just at the peak of the second level, but even so, among Jinhuan City’s younger generation, that’s outstanding!

If that’s the case, the Xu Family is sure to secure one of the top three spots this year!

The spectators erupted in astonishment. Many were surprised by Xu Shaoguang’s display of strength. While they envied the Xu Family for producing such a prodigy, they also worried for their own family’s contestants.

“Did you eat anything? Is that all the strength you’ve got? Try again!” Xu Shaoguang mocked, grinning at Wu Fenghao.

With a casual flick of his hand, Wu Fenghao was tossed aside like a helpless chick. He tumbled through the air, finally landing unsteadily after dissipating the force.

He really does have brute strength… Yang Yan sighed inwardly. Back in the Treasure Pavilion, he had managed to throw Xu Shaoguang thanks to a clever maneuver, but if it came down to pure strength, Yang Yan knew he couldn’t compete.

On the platform, Wu Fenghao was even more shaken. That punch, though restrained for fear of angering the Xu Family, still contained seventy percent of his power. Yet not only had it failed to harm Xu Shaoguang, it was easily subdued with a single hand. Now, in front of everyone, he was tossed aside and openly humiliated.

Wu Fenghao’s anger flared. At last, he cast aside all his timidity. With a loud shout, the green wood spiritual energy around his fists grew even more intense. He bent his body like a tiger about to pounce, gathering momentum, then sprang forward like an arrow released from the bow, racing toward Xu Shaoguang!

“Hahaha, now that’s more like it!” Xu Shaoguang laughed heartily. Facing the incoming assault, he advanced rather than retreated. Red spiritual energy gathered on his fists, burning like real flames. His bulky figure charged forward like a raging rhinoceros, smashing toward Wu Fenghao!