The Martial Arts Tournament!

Time passed quickly, and soon it was time for the martial arts tournament. Luo Xi City was lively during this time.

The martial arts tournament was held once a year, and it was actually a competition between the young generation of several major families within the city. It was held in order to determine who was stronger.

The winner would get the opportunity to receive the "Heavenly Tide" Yuan Energy irrigation.

"Heavenly Tide?" 

When Mu Qinglan heard the two youths next to her in a heated discussion regarding the upcoming martial arts tournament, she muttered in confusion.

Only then the two youths notice her, and their expressions changed instantly. There were hints of awe on their faces, and they hastily bowed their heads to greet her in panic.

Mu Qinglan was stunned. She had stayed inside her own room for the past few days, so she naturally didn't know the rumors that had been circulating outside. Everyone in Mu Mansion talked about how she was extremely close to that mysterious white-robed expert, whom Mu Yan was extremely respectful to. So, her status had also naturally rose.

"What is the Heavenly Tide?" 

The two youths exchanged glances when they heard that, and spoke with some trepidation after a while, "The Heavenly Tide is…"

"Every year at this time, then Yuan Energy in Mount Mengze will rise like a tidal wave. If you can intergrate the energy into your body, you will be able to increase your realm, and it would also be beneficial to your cultivation." 

A female voice with a hint of arrogance rang out.

Mu Qinglan turned her head to look and found that, as expected, it was Mu Liu'er.

Her chin was raised slightly, and she still had that haughty, proud look on her face. When she looked at Mu Qinglan, a flash of annoyance crossed her beautiful eyes, but it was quickly shoved down.

When the two youths heard Mu Liu'er explanation, they nodded in agreement.

"Oh?" Mu Qinglan nodded with understanding. "There's still such a good place that I don't know about?" 

Mu Liu'er snorted. "No matter how good the place is, you're delusional if you think you can enter that place in your state!" 

When the Heavenly Tide happened, only one position was the best. It was also the spot that only the best would reach first to obtain its benefit.

That's why, the prominent families competed each year to obtain this benefit.

Mu Qinglan was unconcerned about Mu Liu'er mocking words. Her lips curled up in a smile, and she said, "Whether I'm delusional or not, we'll have to try to know. But still, thanks for telling me this." 

She turned head, sweeping her gaze across Mu Liu'er, and continued with a lazy expression, "It's hard to tell that a sassy girl like you would also have times when you're not just scolding others…"

"You! Shameless!" 

Mu Liu'er had initially wanted to continue taunting him, but she didn't expect him to be completely unfazed and even spoke words that tempted her to give him a beating!

Just as she was about to say something, she caught sight of the two youths behind Mu Qinglan gesturing at her with their eyes. She suddenly remembered that Mu Linghan currently seemed to have a strong backer behind him.

She hated this fact deep in her heart, but she could only glare at Mu Qinglan and say, "Hmph! What kind of man are you, relying on others?!"

Having said that, she turned around and walked away quickly.

Mu Qinglan blinked a few times before she finally understood Mu Liu'er's words, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

However, she wasn't interested in the martial arts tournament before this. But, it didn't sound like a bad idea to take a look at it now…

***

The martial arts tournament was held in the arena in the center of the city, and on this day, many from all over the city had crowded over. They were all full of anticipation to see the action.

The chance of obtaining the Heavenly Tide was out of reach to ordinary people. It was a place where several major families jointly guarded, after all, and only those who qualified could compete for it.

But, the result of this tournament also affected the distribution of powers in Luo Xi City.

The Jiang family had taken first place in the past two years, and taking advantage of this momentum they gained, they had expanded their authority ruthlessly. Otherwise, Jiang Xuan would not have been so arrogant that he didn't even place much significance on Xia Shang Auction House.

The Jiang family already had good momentum in dominating Luo Xi City, and if they placed first again this year, they would probably really gain a monopoly of the entire city.

That's why, the martial arts tournament would attract a lively crowd every year when it was held.

There was a wide, round platform in the middle in the huge circular arena. It was surrounded by steps that served as seats, and it was already full of people.

The entire arena was filled with unceasing chatter, and the atmosphere was exuberant.

In between the steps and platform, the Jiang, Ye, and Mu families each occupied one side of the long table, the north, south, and west, representing the side of the city they inhabited.

The atmosphere between the three families was vastly different from the crowd, which was strange.

Jiang Feng clasped his hands in front of him in salute and said to Mu Yan with a smile, "Master Mu Yan, have you been well lately?" 

Had he been well?

The Jiang family had messed with so many of the Mu family stalls, and had also taken many things from them! How could Mu Yan be well?!

This was clearly a provocation that anyone with eyes could see.

With the way the Jiang family had moved, the Mu family had done nothing but endure the treatment. It was difficult to tell if it was because the Mu family was holding back and waiting for something, or they were just plain good-for-nothings.

Mu Yan stopped the elders behind him from saying anything with his eyes and replied with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Master Jiang Feng. Mu Mansion has been doing well lately, and perhaps a few will even be elected into the main family this year." 

Jiang Feng's face stiffened. 

Who didn't know that Mu Mansion was a branch of the Mu family in the Imperial Capital? Even though Mu Mansion had declined in the last two years, they still had a backer in the end. If Mu Mansion really had some outstanding talents and managed to attract the main Mu family, the other prominent families in Luo Xi City would have no power to fight against them.

Jiang Feng changed his line of thoughts, though there wasn't a hint of it on his face. 

"If that's the case, then I hope that Mu Mansion will also have people who will enter the top three this year. Otherwise, it wouldn't look too good on you…"

Mu Yan clenched his fist, then chuckled and said, "Thank you for your kind words. I also wish your son a speedy recovery." 

Jiang Feng's face instantly twisted into an ugly expression!

The Jiang family had not suffered such humiliation in the past few years!

They had been deceived. Forget about the massive sum of money that had been taken from them, even Jiang Feng's own son had been beaten up so severely. They had comb through the entire Luo Xi City, but they still couldn't find a single clue about that mysterious man!

The more he thought about it now, the more he was filled with anger!

"Haha, let's stop chatting now. Can't you see that these children are becoming anxious from the wait?" 

As Jiang Feng and Mu Yan were going at each other with equal harshness, the patriarch of the Ye family, Ye Feiming, spoke up with a smile.

Because the Ye family was in the middle, they rarely were involved in fierce battles. Also, Ye Feiming had always been a peacemaker. When he spoke, the other two had to show him some courtesy.

"The Heavenly Tide is about to begin, so we have to determine the winners soon," Jiang Feng said, speaking as though the first place was already in the bag for him.

Every family will send out ten people to compete, and the three families will compete against each other. The winners will enter the second round.

The second round was one-on-one matches. These matches were no longer restricted, which meant that it was possible for one to draw the lot and go up against their own family member. The person who drew an empty lot would enter the next round without fighting.

The last eight remaining participants will then enter the final competition. 

The referee stood in the middle of the field with the names of all the participants in his hand. He would be drawing the lots to determine each person's opponents in the first round.

A loud voice echoed through the arena.

"The martial arts tournament will now begin!" 

The entire arena burst out in excitement!

The referee also drew out the names of the first match and announced loudly, "The first match is Jiang Xin versus Mu Linghan!"