4 Entering the Martial Sky Stadium

"Village Chief, shouldn't we punish Jun Xiang? He breached common etiquette and almost caused us to die!"

"Yeah! He shouldn't be let off easily, everyone was really worried!"

"He needs to be punished for his deeds, you reap what you sow!"

Lu Feng's face clouded over in anger. He prepared to deny all accusations, removing Jun Xiang of any guilt , yet as he opened his mouth, Lu Sha's voice materialised in his head, "Let him come to us tonight, just tell the children we're punishing him."

Lu Feng, incapable of mental transmission, nodded quickly to Lu Sha before sentencing the youth. "Jun Xiang, you caused a breach in etiquette and although there were no major damages, you still must reflect on your actions. Come to us tonight after we have checked into the inn."

Several of the boys grinned in satisfaction, while the rest sighed in exasperation of Jun Xiang's actions.

"Alright, now is not the time to be talking about minor issues, let's move into stadium."

Lu Sha led the way once more.

Now that they were only meters away from the entrance, Jun Xiang could see thousands of glittering gemstones protruding from the wall, radiating a comforting aura. Large carved dragon heads peered majestically over the walls while stone lions guarding the gate watched their every move. Gold and all sorts of precious materials coated the entrance, creating a beautiful celestial gate that seemed as if it lead to a fairy world.

There was really only once word to describe the stadium.

Grand

Although the gate was wide open, the elders had not began to move in yet, as if they were waiting for something. Both village heads stared straight ahead at the stone lion that stood before them.

Miraculously, the lion began to crumble and reform. Thousands of grape sized stone pellets gathered, swirled and combined, merging into a single humanoid shape.

The ash white colour of the stone lion had turned a healthy pink and a bearded man who seemed in his late 70's appeared before them.

Lu Feng and Lu Sha clasped their fists and bowing towards the grey haired elder. "Junior pays his respects to Elder Luo."

Elder Luo nodded his head, "Are these the children for this year?"

"Yes Elder Luo, we would like to register their identifications before entering the stadium."

Once again, Elder Luo nodded his head.

A bright flash appeared before the children and a booming voice sounded out of the vortex that had formed.

"Competitors, welcome to Martial Sky Stadium! Before you enter, I need you to pledge oaths to the Martial God."

Glowing parchments fell into the children's hands and several clauses appeared before them.

[ I will not damage the Martial Sky Stadium outside the arena ]

[ I will follow the orders of certified instructors unless there is a breach of conduct ]

[ I will not come into conflict with other competitors physically outside the arena ]

(Refer to terms and agreements for further information)

Tear this parchment to seal the contract.

Unhesitatingly, the children ripped apart the parchment and strings of fate lashed out from the gate, binding the children in a ball of light, releasing them shortly after. The residue strands intertwined, forming a transparent contract with all the children's identities upon them before finally shattering, raining fate upon them.

Elder Luo nodded contentedly, seeing the ritual pass smoothly. His face began to morph and harden, body becoming ash white once more.

Lu Sha gestured for the children to follow as they entered the gate. The walls, like the outside were lined with glittering jewels, soldiers clad with black steel armour plates were lined up just before the exit of the tunnel, standing proudly yet welcoming.

A young scholar like youngster strode up to the group, "Branch villages of the Lu clan? I'll show you to your accommodation. This way please!"

Although the entrance to the stadium was heavily furnished with expensive looking jewels and talismans, the children were expecting a slightly less impressive display of houses. One must know that even the richest tycoon of their villages would live in a rather simple conduction of basic bricks and oak wood. Most of the children lived in straw houses reinforced by several scrap planks found after the winter logging season.

Yet as they turned the corner into the residential area, their eyes were immediately greeted by a luxurious mansions with purple tinted bricks and four protruding balconies, each the size of a small chicken coop.

"Uhhh, we don't have enough accommodation this year, so I'm afraid you'll have to share the dorm amongst two villages. " the scholar had an apologetic smile upon his face.

The twenty youngsters stared, moths agape at the accommodation that was provided for two small branch villages, and it was supposed to be for one group too! What kind of bullshit is this?!!

"Unfortunately it will be a little cramped as there are only thirty guest rooms and you'll have to share the two public bath areas, is that alright?"

Eyes glowing and mouths widening even further, the children nodded their heads frantically in case the offer was rescinded. Who would deny a four story dorm with thirty rooms and even public baths, you would have to be a lunatic to refuse that!

Lu Sha watched in amusement, he would see this scene every decade, the poor children encountering the real world was truly an amusing matter. He then gestured to the mansion, "Alright you can go in now, unpack your personal items and choose your rooms."

All the children ran in excitedly and as Jun Xiang was about to follow suit, a large explosion and a myriad of colours appeared on the horizon.