Chapter 216 - 215: The Opening Match

Chapter 216: Chapter 215: The Opening Match

The central arena of South River City was a magnificent stone-built gladiatorial arena, capable of holding tens of thousands of cultivators. Around the arena, the banners of various prominent sects and aristocratic families fluttered in the wind. Beneath the massive stands, the central ring was carved from Spirit-Suppressing Granite and reinforced with defensive runes, designed to absorb the aftershocks of attacks unleashed by cultivators who lost control due to excessive force.

As Liu Xiong led the Li brothers toward the main gate, several head guards guarding the entrance were coldly checking the crowd, surrounded by heavily armored guards. They had already turned away many wealthy merchants and low-ranking nobles who had been refused entry due to not having the right pass, yet making a scene.

"Stop!" Seeing Liu Xiong and his group approach, a head guard barked sharply, raising his glove-covered hand as a gesture: "Show your entry passes."

Liu Xiong casually reached into his robes, pulled out the gleaming passes that Elder Xuan had desperately given him, and tossed it onto the inspection table as if it were a handful of cheap coins.

The head guard frowned, and was about to reprimand the man for his arrogant and rude attitude, but his breath caught in his throat when his gaze fell upon the jade tokens shimmering with golden light.

These tokens were carved from translucent spirit jade, imprinted with the high-level mark of the Event Oversight Committee, a prestigious token reserved only for Supreme Ancestors, top sects, or aristocratic families.

The head guard stared in disbelief, his jaw nearly dropping to the table. His hands trembled violently as he picked up a pass, confirming the pure aura emanating from the rune array. The surrounding guards instantly straightened, their faces pale, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.

"A...a Supreme Ancestor-level token?!" the head guard stammered, then bowed deeply, his forehead almost touching the table: "This junior deserves to die! I am deeply sorry for neglecting you, senior! Please allow us to escort you immediately to the Royal Viewing Platform!"

This young man possessing a Supreme Ancestor-level token was already astonishing, but he had produced seven at once!

The news spread like wildfire at the entrance. A commotion arose among the wealthy and powerful crowd, with sect leaders and family patriarchs casting bewildered glances. Who were these people? A rugged man in black robes, with a gourd of wine at his waist, leading a group of simple dressed children, was enjoying the highest level of treatment this arena could offer?

"Look at those passes... Could they be from some hidden holy land?"

"Incredible! Even the City Lord only got a second-class VIP box!"

"Yes, the City Lord only got five passes back then, which was considered a huge privilege."

Under the curious and envious gazes of the crowd, Liu Xiong and the Li brothers, respectfully led, ascended the marble steps to the central viewing box at the highest point of the arena—a place with an excellent view of the entire arena.

Meanwhile, in the waiting area below, Li Zhang was excitedly looking around, examining the various weapon racks and the surrounding disciples. Chen Liwei and his cousin stood beside him, though Chen Liwei’s expression was remarkably restrained.

Suddenly, a loud voice shattered the noise of the waiting area.

"Oh, isn’t this our big shot’?" A young man in a magnificent silver-trimmed robe strolled in, flanked by two attendants. His eyebrows were raised, a repulsive smirk playing on his lips, his gaze fixed on Chen Liwei: "Isn’t this my dear cousin Liwei? I heard you begged for leftover tickets to get your shabby self into this arena? What, instead of staying home sweeping your mother’s yard, what are you doing here joining the fun?" "

The boy didn’t stop there. Instead, he moved even closer, his words dripping with malice: "Everyone in the main family knows your mother is just a discarded member of a collateral branch, expelled from the inner circle. You dress respectably, but beneath that dark blue robe, you’re nothing but a nobody who lives off scraps. You dress respectably, but beneath that dark blue robe, you’re nothing but a nobody who lives off scraps!"

Li Zhang’s anger flared instantly. His eyes widened, he clenched his fists, strode forward, and shouted, "Hey! Who do you think you are, daring to talk to him like that? Shut your stinking mouth!"

To Li Zhang’s surprise, Chen Liwei, usually sharp-tongued and never one to back down, simply reached out and grabbed Li Zhang’s sleeve, pulling him back slightly. Chen Liwei’s eyes were lowered, his expression was tense, appearing somewhat unnatural.

Chen Liwei said softly, a rare hint of helplessness in his voice: "Don’t be like that, Li Zhang, It’s alright, just ignore him."

Li Zhang exclaimed incredulously: "Ignore him?! He insulted your whole family right in front of you!"

Chen Liwei sighed inwardly, clenching his fists tightly beneath his sleeves: "He’s a cousin from the main family... The situation is complicated. If I provoke him here, his parents will bring shame to my mother. For her sake, I can’t cause trouble."

Chen Liwei was fully capable of beating up this arrogant cousin in a duel, his cultivation and wisdom far surpassed the boy’s, but he couldn’t bear the consequences of implicating his mother. Life was already hard for her.

Seeing Chen Liwei’s restraint, the silver-robed boy laughed even louder, feeling very pleased with himself: "Haha! See, little cousin? You’re a coward! Know your place! Stop pretending like you’re some big shot, and get lost!"

Li Zhang could no longer contain his anger; the rage within him was completely ignited. He understood Chen Liwei’s worry, if he was in his shoes, he wouldn’t want to make trouble for his father either. But he’s not part of the Chen family, therefore nothing was stopping him from teaching this arrogant fool a lesson!

He pointed directly at the silver-robed boy’s nose: "You think you’re so great just because you’re hiding behind the Chen family’s status? Since you love to brag so much, then come up on stage and fight! If I win, you’ll shut your stinking mouth and formally apologize to Chen Liwei and his mother in front of everyone!"

The youth sneered: "And what if you lose?"

"I won’t lose!" Li Zhang said, "Do you dare to accept?!"

"Hmph! A brainless fool wants to be a hero?" The silver-robed boy sneered, flicking his sleeves: "Fine! I’ll break your legs and show you what true nobility and trash are!"

Seeing this, the nearby referee, wanting to quickly stir up the audience’s enthusiasm, stepped forward and said: "Since both youths agree to resolve the dispute by force, I will arrange this duel as the official opening match of this competition!"

In the royal gallery box, Liu Xiong was already lazily leaning back in a huge velvet armchair, one leg draped over the carved wooden railing. He gulped down a mouthful of gourd wine, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and completely lacked the manners expected of a VIP.

"Look over there!" Liu Xiong pointed to the stage, his booming voice echoing through the high gallery: "Little Zhang’er’s already on stage! Haha, that kid can’t stay quiet for a moment!"

The others were also stunned, not expecting Li Zhang to actually be participating.

Seated in the VIP box next door, Old Ancestor Li was trying his best to maintain his elegance. He sat upright beside Elder Chu, a kind smile on his face, as he poured her a cup of fine spiritual tea.

However, upon hearing Liu Xiong’s loud shouts, the veins on the old ancestor’s forehead bulged. A barbarian will always be a barbarian!

Old Ancestor Li gritted his teeth, wishing he could crush them: ’That bastard Liu Xiong! Can’t he act like a normal person?! I still need to leave a good impression on Xiao Chu!’

Elder Chu was sitting right next to him, so the old ancestor could only force a smile, barely suppressing the urge to punch Liu Xiong through the roof.

Below, the drum sounded, and the first match officially began!

Li Zhang and the silver-robed boy simultaneously unleashed their spiritual power. Both had reached the eighth level of physical cultivation! The silver-robed boy drew a high-quality spiritual sword, employing the Wind Sword Technique, his movements light and graceful, aiming directly for Li Zhang’s shoulder.

Li Zhang, on the other hand, wielded a heavy wooden practice sword, relying on brute force and unwavering perseverance to meet the attack. The clash of weapons echoed throughout the arena, they both had exceptional martial arts skills. Li Zhang can only use the heavy wooden sword, because his father warned him not to use his gear unless he was in danger or absolutely necessary.

In the high-ceilinged VIP box, Liu Xiong reacted swiftly, leaning against the railing and shouting his commentary, his voice echoing throughout the arena:

"Tsk tsk tsk! Look at that silver-clad brat! What kind of pathetic swordsmanship is that?! Swinging his sword like noodles! Hey, referee! Are you blind?! That kid’s footwork is completely unsteady! One more step to the left and he’ll be done! Who taught this brat such awful technique? If you make that brat the winner over my son, then you should watch your back!"

The referee on the platform nearly tripped over upon hearing the loud criticism from the VIP box. The respected elders and sect leaders around him gasped in shock. Who dared shout so loudly and insult the contestant and referee from the Supreme Ancestral VIP Box?!

Several conservative elders from other clans, faces were flushed with rage, muttered angrily: "Vulgar! Who invited this barbarian?! He has disgraced the dignity of the martial arts tournament!"

The worst thing was, the person is probably someone they couldn’t afford to offend. And they all had a bad feeling that’s was just the beginning.

In a corner of the official stage, Elder Xuan, the examiner who give the admission tickets to Liu Xiong, huddled in his chair, trembling like a fallen leaf in the wind. Every time Liu Xiong spoke, Elder Xuan felt as if his soul were about to be ripped from his body, fearing that this overlord might ruin the entire arena out of boredom.

In contrast to the furious elders, Elder Chu of the Nine Spirits Sect was having a good time. She covered her mouth with her light blue paper fan, her eyes curving into beautiful crescent shapes, as she let out a soft, melodious laugh.

"How interesting," Elder Chu chuckled, her gaze shifting to Liu Xiong’s box: "That gentleman’s explanation might sound a bit exaggerated, but his grasp of footwork and momentum is exceptionally precise. He’s truly bold and funny! Which one of the boys is his son?"