Chapter 215 - 214: The Year-End Martial Arts Tournament (2)

Chapter 215: Chapter 214: The Year-End Martial Arts Tournament (2)

After escorting Li Zhang, Li Yujian turned and walked back into the west courtyard, the morning mist hadn’t completely dissipated, and a thin layer of fog still shrouded the cobblestone path.

Liu Xiong sat leisurely in the tree in the yard, legs swinging, as he sip of his dark gray gourd of wine in his hand. He’s either sitting in the tree or the rooftops.

He looked down at Li Yujian, with a sly glint in his eyes.

"Watching your brother run off to the central arena, leaving you all alone?" Liu Xiong said, then jumped down from the tree, landing without making a sound: "You know, the year-end tournament in South River City, though the venue isn’t large, is very exciting. Don’t tell me you kids are content to stay home and watch the leaves fall?"

Hearing Liu Xiong’s voice, the doors around the inner courtyard creaked open. Li Yuhan and the other brothers came out. Hearing their conversation, Li Cheng said: "I heard that all the regular spectator seats were booked days before the competition started. Even some prestigious families couldn’t get enough tickets. We didn’t arrange for it ahead of time."

Li Yuhan crossed his arms and looked at Liu Xiong, a hint of doubt in his smile, saying: "Uncle Liu, it’s not that we don’t want to go, but the gold tickets for the Central Arena are extremely rare. Even prestigious families can only get two or three at most. Unless you happen to have seven tickets, otherwise, just forget about it."

Liu Xiong threw his head back and smile meaningfully: "Seven tickets? Little Yuhan, you underestimate your Uncle Liu! If you guys really wanted to go, getting a few planks to participate in the martial arts duel would be a piece of cake. Tell me, do you want to go or not?"

Li Jingxuan raises his hand excitedly: "I want to go! Disciples from all the sects and academies will be participating, and I heard most of them are at the Soul Palace Realm."

Li Yujian was also curious about the competition, "If Senior Liu can really make the arrangements, we would be happy to participate." He then bowed slightly to show his respect.

"Ha! That’s more like it!" Liu Xiong nodded in satisfaction: "Please wait here a moment. I’m going to visit an old friend who owes me a favor. Once I come back, we should be all set to go."

Before he finished speaking, Liu Xiong’s figure twisted and vanished without a trace, leaving only a faint aroma of the wine.

....

On the other side of South River City, an old man sat in a spacious study room, carefully considering the arrangements for the year-end martial arts tournament. Several jade slips lay before him.

He spent almost the entire morning meticulously checking the participant lists, inspecting the competition formations, and ensuring that the elders in each arena understood their responsibilities.

As one of the head elders responsible for supervising the competition, he couldn’t afford to be careless. This year-end martial arts tournament had attracted outstanding cultivators from many academies, sects, and aristocratic families. Some participants were already somewhat famous among the younger generation, while others hoped to use this opportunity to make a name for themselves.

Suddenly, the spatial barrier surrounding his study room shattered. A tall and imposing figure emerged from the darkness, as if strolling through a garden.

"Old man, this place isn’t bad for you. You seem to be living a comfortable life."

Elder Xuan immediately looked up, and when he recognized the familiar figure in black robes, holding a gourd of wine, his soul power trembled violently. His pale face turned deathly white, and he nearly fell off the chair in terror.

"Lord Liu... overlord Liu?!" Elder Xuan exclaimed, his voice trembling violently. He knelt on the ground, desperately kowtowing: "You... you, an overlord, why would you grace this humble, run down place with your presence? Have I, this old servant, committed some crime?!"

He was terrified. In his eyes, Liu Xiong was a terrifying being who could wipe out the entire world with a wave of his hand. What reason could such a powerful cosmic force possibly have for coming to a small mortal city, seeking a dying ghost elder?

Liu Xiong frowned as he looked at the chair lying on the floor: "Why are you so agitated?" he asked.

Elder Xuan, his face already pale, quickly went around to the table to straighten the chair and bowed again, saying: "Elder Xuan greets the almighty Lord Liu Wang."

This was only a relatively small city. Although it had several powerful families and organizations, it was far from a place that would permit a personal visit from someone like the Overlord Liu Wang.

Liu Xiong waved his hand dismissively, a slight smile playing on his lips as he looked at the terrified Elder Xuan: "Old man Xuan, don’t be nervous. I’m not here to take your life, but merely to remind you of the life-extending soul I bestowed upon you when you failed your breakthrough, and your lifespan was about to end."

Elder Xuan trembled, remembering how Lord Liu had pulled his soul back from the brink of hell, allowing him to regain his demigod status: "My lord’s grace surpasses the heavens! This servant is willing to be shattered to pieces to repay even the slightest kindness!"

"Good," Liu Xiong tossed his wine gourd, which Elder Xuan caught deftly: "Then give me eight VIP tickets to today’s Central Martial Arts Tournament. No need for further questions."

Elder Xuan was stunned, almost doubting his own hearing. Eight tickets to the Mortal Martial Arts Tournament? The Supreme Overlord had traveled all the way from the Ghost Realm just to obtain entry tickets?!

He wanted to confirm that he didn’t hear wrong but elder Xuan dared not hesitate for even a moment, hastily retrieving eight Supreme Golden Jade Talismans from his spatial ring. These talismans are reserved for the most revered ancestors of the prestigious families. He offered them with both hands, bowing until his forehead touched the ground: "Here... here, Master! Please accept!"

"Alright." Liu Xiong accepted the glittering talismans, casually tossing one aside: "Consider it a small favor. old man Xuan, keep up the good work. I will pay you another visit if something comes up."

With a flick of his sleeve, space folded around him once more, and he vanished as suddenly as he had arrived.

Elder Xuan legs finally give out, and he fall to the ground, sighing heavily in relief.

...

Back in the Li family courtyard, less than half an hour later, the children were still waiting by the pavilion. A ripple appeared in the air, and Liu Xiong emerged, tossing a bundle of eight dazzling golden jade talismans onto the stone table with: "Here you go," Liu Xiong grinned: "Eight top-tier VIP passes, enough for all of us."

Li Cheng picked up a pass, examining the exquisitely shimmering runes on it, and was immediately stunned: "This...this isn’t an ordinary competition pass! This is a Supreme Ancestor pass! Uncle Liu, how did you get it?!"

"Hehe, I’ve always said your Uncle Liu has extensive connections, don’t doubt my methods." Liu Xiong smiled and looked around: "Where’s your father?"

"Father went to the tavern early this morning to prepare Spiritual Dishes," Li Yujian explained, carefully handing a pass to Li Yuhan: "He said he won’t be back until later this afternoon."

"Alright, then let’s not delay," Liu Xiong gestured towards the door, "Get ready! Your uncle Liu will take you out for a good look today!"

He was a little disappointed that Li Jain couldn’t go with them, but for him, this was an opportunity to increase his own merits. Once Li Jain sees how good he gets along with the children, it will increase his change of a successful marriage.

The children quickly dressed. After washing up, they excitedly followed Liu Xiong out of the manor.

As they stepped onto the bustling path leading to the Li family compound, they saw two figures walking side by side. It was none other than the Old Ancestor Li and Elder Chu of the third elder of the Nine Spirits Sect.

To everyone’s utter astonishment, Old Ancestor Li, who had roared and blasted away stone walls just yesterday, was now dressed in a flawless white silk robe. His silver hair was neatly combed, and a kind smile graced his face. Walking alongside Elder Chu, they chatted and laughed. He was striving to present the demeanor of a refined and courteous gentleman.

Elder Chu walked elegantly beside him, holding a light blue paper fan, occasionally nodding slightly with a humble smile.

Old Ancestor Li noticed Liu Xiong leading a group of children behind them and turned around. Normally, seeing Liu Xiong would make him very angry, but today, the Old Ancestor was in a good mood.

"Great-grandfather!" the children greeted him.

"Oh? Where are you going?" the old man asked.

Li Yuhan immediately replied, "To watch the year-end martial arts competition!"

The old man raised an eyebrow: "Seven of you? Where’s your father?"

"We’re going with Uncle Liu. He got us eight tickets," Li Jingsheng said holding up the ticket, and looking directly into the old man’s eyes, seemingly wanting to see his expression.

The old man looked at the ticket stubs, his eyes narrowing slightly. He recognized the ticket stubs; they were the same as the ones he had received. But Liu Xiong, who had just arrived in South River City, had eight?

The old man took a deep breath; he has to maintain his high spirit and good mood for his lady. he absolutely can’t allow Liu Xiong to ruin it: "Very good. Since you’ve all made arrangements, enjoy yourselves."

Without waiting for a response, the old man turned and walked towards Elder Chu, who respectfully took the arm he extended. The old ancestor smile happily as they walked together to the waiting carriage, completely immersed in his own romantic world.