10 - Venue

ILovemyself_84, Thank you for the power stones.

It really helped to keep me pushing to finish. It is not about the power stone but the support and a proof that there is someone who is waiting to read my story.

I, Thank all of you who read this.

*****

The golden sun shone brightly in the eastern sky. The blazing ball of inferno, born before the world and predestined man, showed its eternal glory. It graced the creatures by not turning them into roasted kebabs, allowing them to bask in its shine.

The day of the competition had arrived, and cultivators from all walks of life had gathered in Lingyun City, a small city situated near the eastern walls and the first line if a beast tide broke. The city was now fully bustling with activity as many gathered to participate in the hunting competition. Cultivators from far and wide converged at the designated venue for the highly anticipated hunting competition arranged by the royal family of the Tianxian Empire. They rushed from all around the continent, allured by the rewards.

The air crackled with energy as rough cultivators stepped into the bustling courtyard, where cultivators of all ranks and backgrounds mingled and exchanged spirited conversations. These people had gathered here from all around the continent, relying on their strength to be here. Some gathered to form teams to win the hunting competition, while others decided to move alone. In the world of cultivation, you wouldn't know when your brother would stab you in the back. Everyone relied on strength to survive, and the weak were trampled. This also made the conversations happening really exciting.

"Is it true that the reward for first place is a Golden Core Pill?"

"I heard it was a Heaven Earth Treasure."

"Whatever it may be, it will at least be a high grade 2 item."

"Did you hear that if the rough cultivators perform well, factions might take them in?"

"Maybe."

"What's with this sudden competition?"

"The beasts have been abnormal in the forest."

"Is the beast tide here already?"

"Nah, it's for the competition between the families."

"We don't know for sure."

"Well, we don't need to care much. Just kill everything you see."

"The four major clans are here."

"The royal family and their successors are also present."

"Are the scions of the four families from the last generation? I heard they were friends."

"Yes, they were friends in their childhood, and they are geniuses in their own right."

"We don't know much about them."

"What about the royal family? They haven't chosen an heir yet."

"My guess is that the competition winner will receive the most support to become the crown prince or princess."

"Is it true that 'that child' is also a successor?"

"Shh, keep it quiet unless you want your head to roll."

"Is Prince Yungkai really in the perfect Foundation Establishment?"

"He is the top genius of the previous generation, after all."

"I heard he is about to break through."

"Will that 'child' live if she attracts attention in this competition?"

"The prince and princess have their own guards protecting them."

"They will be safe even during hunting."

"What luck! I should have been born a prince."

"Keep dreaming, and I will claim the reward."

"We will be risking our lives; we need to make the best of it and not push too hard."

"As long as we can exchange the points for cultivation resources, we can live happily."

"I hope the swords on the reward board are quite sharp and will fit well in my collection."

The gossip flew around, and everyone was excited, while others had their own agenda in this competition.

---

On the other side, at the far side of the cleared area of the forest, many luxurious tents were placed distant from each other to provide privacy. The tents showed that the occupants were of a high stature. These tents belonged to the major forces of the Tianxia Empire.

The golden tents with purple adornments belonged to the royal house. There were nine tents, arranged in a square, three by three. The nine princes and princesses were occupying the tents, chosen from the many children of the emperor to be successors. They each had complicated relationships; they were rivals who fought, yet they were also brothers and sisters from different mothers. Additionally, two of the successors came from concubines, not wives, adding to the complexity.

Behind the royal tents and spread at a further distance were the tents of the four major families. Each clan had its own designs for their tent, luxurious but not as extravagant as the royal families'. These tents bore the symbol of the corresponding family. 

On the far west was the tent of the Black Tortoise Clan, the Gui clan. The black tent was covered in silver turtle shell patterns, with a single turtle insignia on the entrance, and the guards had the same design for their armor.

Next to them was the Azure Crane Clan, the Ling clan. Their tent was icy blue with a white crane standing on the opening. The guards also reflected this with their icy blue armor with feather fittings.

Next to the Azure clan tent was the Scarlet Phoenix Clan, the Feng Clan. The tent was covered in red with intricate golden lines forming a soaring phoenix. Their guards were adorned in fiery red armor.

Finally, there was the tent of the White Tiger Clan, the Hu Clan. Its tent was colored white with black stripes and a roaring tiger as their insignia. The guards also wore tiger skin on their armors. There were many more tents belonging to sects and their disciples who had traveled there to train.

---

Azure Crane Clan: Ling Clan

"Did Gui Xianyu not come?" asked Ling Hao, the scion of the Ling family, disappointedly.

Ling Hao, with his long silver hair in a fashionable ponytail, suited his temperament. Despite his youthful appearance, he was already in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment at the age of 20. A mid-grade talent would take a decade to break through to Foundation Establishment when starting cultivation at 12, showcasing the disparity in talent and the resources poured in by the clan.

His assistant bowed slightly and answered, "No, young master. The Gui clan has sent Gui Yujie in his place."

"Hmm," Ling Hao hummed in thought. "Did he really lose his cultivation?" he muttered to himself.

The rumors about Gui Xianyu falling ill and becoming a vegetable had been prevalent years back but were dispelled when Gui Xianyu accompanied his father on the Nation Foundation Day. Then, he was never seen again, and rumors about him losing his cultivation were dismissed as rumors.

Ling Hao sighed and let the subject of Gui Xianyu go. "We can't do anything about his absence, but others are here. Let's go meet my friends. It's been a long time since we spoke to each other outside of formal occasions."

Ling Hao got up from his seat and walked out of the tent, followed by his assistant. Wind blew from the west, and his azure eyes reflected the sky. The guard saluted and followed him. They would be ripped to shreds if something were to happen to their young master.

He strolled leisurely, gazing at the many cultivators from different sects. Those who knew him or his clan gave a slight bow in his direction, which he acknowledged. The many sects that had set up tents there were powerhouses in their own right. They would use this opportunity to train their disciples while also gathering rewards. This way, the disciples could train in a slightly controlled environment.

The whole empire was based on power dynamics, and each person present there was connected to a bigger and powerful force. These people treated each other well not due to individual power but due to their backing. Even a golden core cultivator would have to bow in the face of a cultivator with connections to Soul Integration Realm.

Connection and power always played a part in all worlds.

Ling Hao arrived before a red tent with many silver embroideries of a flying scarlet Phoenix. This was the tent of the Scarlet Phoenix Clan, the Feng Clan. They were firebenders, as most of their martial arts had a fire attribute, and they were the best alchemists in Tianxia.

But unlike stereotypical hotheads, the Feng clan members were scholars with calm personalities. They didn't fight much, but their techniques were fierce and not to be trifled with. They were also the best strategists; they would sell you a grade 1 pill at the price of a grade 2 if you slack off.

The guards in dark red armor noticed Ling Hao's arrival. They instantly recognized him and behaved respectfully.

"Young Master Ling, may I ask why you are here?" the guard asked.

"I am here to meet my friend, Feng Rong," Ling Hao smiled brightly, not taking offense.

The guard nodded in understanding. "I will inform young-"

"Not needed," an adult's voice came from the tent. "Come in, Hao, it's been a long time since I've seen you."

Hearing the commanding voice, the guard bowed and let Ling Hao and his assistant in. Ling Hao came face to face with a big man with a fiery mane of crimson hair. The man sat calmly as he saw Ling Hao come in.

"I didn't know that Elder Feng Ha came to support my friend," Ling Hao said in a surprised tone. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Elder Feng Ha."

"No need to be too polite, Hao," the elder waved his hand to dismiss Ling Hao.

"How can I not show my respect to a Nascent Soul expert?" Ling Hao started.

"What do you want, Hao?" a young voice interrupted, slight irritation visible.

Ling Hao turned to the voice, locking eyes with a young man in a red scholarly robe with an elegant temperament, reading a book in his hand. He smiled brightly, ready to give him a hug, but Feng Rong just pushed him to the side.

"My friend."

"It's not nice to meet you, Ling Hao. You are disturbing my study," Feng Rong replied curtly.

"Come on, Rong, aren't you excited for the competition? We can have so much fun, battle the beasts, save people from danger, win the competition; it will be our adventure," he spoke excitedly. "Maybe we could have a friendly competition."

"Not interested," Feng Rong replied curtly.

"Then want to bet on who will bite the dust and who will take the crown?" Ling Hao asked, his bright smile shrinking into a sly one.

Feng Rong looked up from his book and gazed at Hao silently for a few seconds. He sighed and folded the book. "Which one?"

"I will bet on the first," Ling Hao said. "He will win the competition. The royal family has to win now since they arranged it."

Feng Rong nodded. "Going with the safest choice. The first is at the perfect Foundation stage and is on the brink of breaking through. He will probably use this opportunity to break through."

"I know; he will take the prize," Ling Hao stated. "But who will die? I think it will be the kid who is on the rise."

"Well, you really did choose the best options," Feng Rong said, a smile adorning his lips. "I think it will be the second who will win, and the child might just survive the onslaught."

Ling Hao scrutinized Feng Rong, feeling that his friend knew something he did not. "You are hiding something interesting, aren't you, Rong?" he said with an amused smile.

"You'll just have to wait and see," Feng Rong replied, returning the smile.

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO*