Volume Three: Rising Fame Chapter Two: A Gathering of Masters

Xiaocui’s gaze lingered on Li Yu, a flicker of something inexplicable in her eyes. It was not merely because of his appearance—though his features, enhanced by several marrow cleansing pills, could be called flawless and handsome. What truly moved Xiaocui was the exuberant spirit of youth that Li Yu radiated at that moment.

“If you wish to take first place, Young Master, there are a few people you should pay attention to,” Xiaocui pointed delicately outside the carriage curtain. “For example, him. If I recall correctly, that’s Qing Tiangan, the third elder’s son. His cultivation is extraordinary; he must have reached the sixth rank by now.”

Following her gesture, Li Yu saw a young man with a cropped haircut, clad in armor that gleamed coldly, marked with brownish stains—evidence of countless battles. Sensing someone’s gaze, the boy turned, locking eyes with Li Yu.

Li Yu smiled at him.

The boy snorted and turned away.

“Rumor has it he left because he wanted the ‘Seed’ status. The clan’s evaluation didn’t pass him, so he joined the military out of frustration.”

“He doesn’t seem to like me much.”

But that was only natural.

Li Yu understood this hostility; he shook his head and turned to the second person Xiaocui indicated.

It was a young woman, apparently under twenty-five, her clothes tattered as if she had just survived a fierce battle.

“She’s formidable as well. She was adopted into the clan. Her foster parents have little ability, but she is fierce and combative, infamous for her bloodshed, and many call her a madwoman.”

“So she’s not of the Wood element?” Li Yu asked.

The Qing surname sounded as if it belonged to the Water element, yet most of the Qing clan descendants possessed Wood affinity bloodlines. To preserve the main bloodline, those in power placed great importance on inheritance and were exacting in their choice of spouses. Still, they would not easily let talented bloodlines from outside slip away. Gifted children from other families would sometimes be adopted, and their surnames changed to Qing—hence Li Yu’s curiosity.

“She’s Fire element. Her bloodline is rated at the fourth rank!” Xiaocui explained.

Fourth rank was an impressive bloodline grade.

This meant the girl had a chance to reach the fourth rank in cultivation.

Li Yu chuckled softly. “It seems the Duke has arranged for my debut to be quite the challenge!”

He saw no cause for worry.

Xiaocui pursed her lips. Indeed, life itself was a matter of skill. Why else did some possess bloodlines of the second or third rank, while others had none at all?

As for Li Yu’s Thunder bloodline—it was a unique existence, determined entirely by individual talent. The five elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—could all be tested for bloodline strength, but only the Thunder bloodline required no such test.

Xiaocui had read in an ancient text that the Thunder bloodline could exceed even the first rank!

“Young Master will surely be first!” she said softly, confidence shining in her eyes.

Li Yu was momentarily startled, then nodded. “Then let us take the lead and claim first place!”

Though Li Yu had never truly competed in this world, Duke Qing Heng had arranged for many to spar with him and help him hone his skills.

He had no reason to lose, nor could he afford to.

If he lost, his current life would vanish. If those in power deemed him a hopeless case, it would be disastrous.

…

The martial arena was already crowded, the vast square holding nearly a hundred thousand people. Armored soldiers of the Green Mountain Corps were stationed all around, maintaining order and guarding against possible threats.

The martial contest was a grand event.

Countless Qing clan youths had gathered, and order was paramount. Should outside forces infiltrate, a single death squad could unleash chaos.

Moreover, those gathered here were the pillars of the Qing clan’s next generation.

No one dared to relax!

“So many people!” Li Yu exclaimed, seeing the sea of heads stretching before him.

Their beast-drawn carriage did not stop outside. Soldiers of the Green Mountain Corps had cleared a straight path to the central stage from every direction. Xiaocui handed Li Yu his ‘Seed’ identity token, granting him passage.

People on both sides watched the carriage.

Some were envious, some jealous, some indifferent, and some paid no mind at all.

“Do I need to fight in the arena as well?” Li Yu asked, ignoring their gazes and eyeing the central platform curiously.

Figures flickered on the stage; clearly, the contest had begun some time ago.

“You need not participate in this round, Young Master,” Xiaocui explained, watching the matches herself. “But out of respect, all participants must arrive at the arena within the allotted time.”

“What’s happening now is mostly the selection among commoners. Those who signed up are randomly filtered until enough candidates are chosen; then the first round ends. As a Seed, you can directly enter the second round.”

Li Yu quickly understood.

Those with special status might follow the rules of fairness, but the status itself was already an advantage. After all, anyone who received it had been recognized.

Thus, these individuals could skip the preliminary selection and proceed straight to the final rounds.

“It’s a competition from the start,” Li Yu mused.

Every hard-fought battle consumed energy, and those facing opponents who parachuted in would be at a disadvantage.

Though it wasn’t perfectly fair, the Qing clan had no objection. Those with ability, after all, had already bested others. If anyone complained, they should strive to earn special status themselves!

And then they could enjoy the privileges.

On the high platform, seven seats were arranged with ample space between them.

Xiaocui stood behind Li Yu. Five of the seats were already occupied; Qing Anqi sat near the center.

“Li Yu, you arrived later than me!” Qing Anqi chirped.

“…Is that something to compete over?” Li Yu asked, taking a seat beside her, somewhat at a loss.

The others on the platform glanced curiously at Li Yu. This was the clan’s only Seed from outside the family, and he was closely connected to the Duke’s only daughter. They had long wished to see what sort of person he was.

Noticing where Li Yu sat, several people’s eyes flashed.

The seat was significant—‘strength first’. Though not formally stated, the closer to the center, the greater the strength.

“What’s wrong?” Li Yu wondered. “Is this seat forbidden?”

“Of course not!” Xiaocui and Qing Anqi answered in unison—they both felt he belonged there.

Below, in one of a dozen arena stages, a young man expressionlessly knocked his opponent from the platform. His gaze landed on the high stage, directly on Li Yu in the center.

He flashed a bloodthirsty smile, then turned to the next challenger, ruthlessly beating them to the ground.

This was Qing Tiangan.

“He seems especially hostile toward me,” Li Yu murmured, confused.

What he did not know was that Qing Tiangan had returned this time to reclaim the Seed status, only to find his father had told him the slot had gone to an outsider.

Naturally, this colored his view of Li Yu with resentment.

Yet seeing Li Yu seated at the center, Tiangan felt a touch of boredom—because he knew perhaps someone else would teach Li Yu a lesson before he had the chance.