Chapter 471 - 429: Martial Exhibition

Chapter 471: Chapter 429: Martial Exhibition

November 10th, the 372nd year of Jia Shen, marked the grand opening of the first Shuangye Alliance Martial Arts Tournament.

Even the stationed troops across regions participated in this tournament in a rotational defense manner, showing the broad coverage and high standards of this event.

By the first day of the tournament, the Shuangye Alliance boasted a total of 571 cultivators, while the Yunshan Sect comprised exactly 300 cultivators.

Among them were seven Foundation Establishment cultivators (Lu Qian, Wang Yu, Yang Jiye, Wu Yan, Duu Yeming, Tong Youx, Fang Hui).

There were four cultivators at Qi Cultivation Perfection (Apart from Xiao Tianci, the others were Defense Honored Guest Elders who had been outstanding in the Shuangye Square arena competitions and had proven themselves with clear backgrounds and firm stances in several major battles. If they advanced to Foundation Establishment, they would be appointed Honored Guest Elders like Tong Youx).

Twenty-nine were at Late-Stage Qi Cultivation (including Jiang Qingfeng, Junior Brother Hao, Zheng Duan, Fanx Shang, Wuh Zilan, Tao Boliang, etc.).

One hundred and fifty-one were at Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation (including Zhang Lemei, Jiang Baitao, Li Da, Wang Ruoyu, Cui Shanyan, Liu Zaijiu, Tao Zhongxian, etc.).

One hundred and nine were at Early-Stage Qi Cultivation (including Lin Le, Cui Linglong, etc.).

Additionally, there were fifty-two Spirit Seeds.

Apart from the disciples of the Yunshan Sect, there were also a few Qi Cultivation Perfection cultivators among the Shuangye Alliance’s Zhou Family, Spirit Snake Peak, and Zhuquan Sect. The most notable was Patriarch Zhou, Zhou Chao, who had been at Qi Cultivation Perfection for nearly two years, and his first Foundation Establishment opportunity should not be far off.

Now, the large square in Lingsha City has been completely transformed. The previously neat and orderly large stone pavement has been entirely removed, and with the use of various Construction Talismans, it has been turned into a battleground of several hundred zhang with scattered rocks, forests, marshes, and mounds.

Large circular grandstands have been built along the edge of the venue, providing an overview of the entire site, to be used by the panel of judges and as audience seating.

Today, flags fluttered, and the site was bustling with people, as the martial arts competition was about to begin.

Seated at the highest point of the audience stands were the high-ranking members of the Shuangye Alliance, and at their core naturally sat the members of the Yunshan Sect.

Currently, there were only a few true disciples of the Yunshan Sect present, with Lu Qian and others yet to arrive. Sect Leader Sunx Hanjun of Zhuquan Sect couldn’t help but ask Zhou Chao, "Patriarch Zhou, why has Sect Leader Lu and his group not yet arrived?"

Zhou Chao shook his head, internally calculating the tournament participants and estimating the performance of his own sect’s cultivators.

Due to the enticing reward system, nearly all Shuangye Alliance cultivators had signed up for the competition. However, with limited space, accommodating hundreds of participants in both individual and team battles, each divided into Early, Middle, and Late-Stage Qi Cultivation tracks, the tournament was set to span an entire month.

In recent years, the Zhou Family had developed with full force, benefiting from the vast resources provided by the booming Shuangye Alliance. Especially after receiving some high-tier cultivation techniques from the Yunshan Sect, the Zhou Family cultivators continuously improved in strength.

Moreover, in the battles involving Early and Mid-Stage Qi Cultivators, the tactics were fairly uniform, with little difference between a grand sect and a small sect in terms of low-tier cultivators, making it likely for the Zhou Family to achieve some ranking in these categories.

However, in the Late-Stage Qi Cultivation category, the gap was more pronounced. Nevertheless, with Sect Leader Lu’s decision that Yunshan Sect’s true disciples would not compete, and having a few of their own seed candidates, the Zhou Family should not perform too poorly.

Particularly his cousin Zhou Ang, who was nearing Qi Cultivation Perfection, was almost guaranteed a top-five finish and might even contend for the top three.

In this way, the Zhou Family could indeed stand out in the competition, greatly boosting the morale of the clan members.

Just at this moment, a burst of cheers erupted!

Sect Leader Zhao Xianzong of Spirit Snake Peak stood up and said in a low voice, "Sect Leader Lu and his group have arrived."

From the Yunshan Sect’s stationed area, six Foundation Establishment Escape Lights rose simultaneously, shooting into the air with dazzling spiritual pressure and magnificent prestige!

The six Escape Lights streaked across the venue like rainbows and lightning. Wherever the Foundation Establishment spiritual pressure passed, hundreds of cultivators felt a thrill through their bodies, yet were immensely proud, cheering loudly and deafeningly.

The Escape Lights landed among the seats, and six Feathered Scholars appeared, none other than the six Foundation Establishment members of the Yunshan Sect, excluding Tong Youx who was stationed at Liuhua Valley!

Such an impressive show of force far exceeded that of a typical Foundation Establishment sect.

Zhou Chao watched this scene, barely able to conceal the envy on his face.

Today, the grand entrance of Yunshan Sect’s Foundation Establishment cultivators was astonishing. It suddenly became evident that Yunshan Sect had silently grown into such formidable power, becoming an influential force in the region.

I hope my opportunity for Foundation Establishment comes soon, and that my cousin Zhou Ang can also successfully achieve Foundation Establishment in the future. By then, the Zhou Family can hitch a ride on the Yunshan Sect’s momentum, continually growing and prospering, achieving a glory never experienced by our ancestors.

Amidst the sea of cheers, Lu Qian waved to the crowd, eliciting an even more enthusiastic response. Then Lu Qian signaled for everyone to quiet down.

The cultivators of the Shuangye Alliance eagerly watched him, listening to his speech.

"On October 15th, the 363rd year of Jia Shen, nine years ago, the Shuangye Alliance was officially established." Lu Qian’s voice, amplified by his spiritual power, was clearly heard by everyone, "Back then, the main force of the Alliance included only one Foundation Establishment cultivator, and less than 120 Mid-to-Late-Stage Qi Cultivators. The Shuangye Alliance was merely trying to survive by banding together."

"But today, we have 570 cultivators in the Shuangye Alliance, including seven Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars and 320 QI Cultivation Elites, occupying nearly 700 square miles of territory, with fifty counties and a population of 7.3 million!"

"These territories and this wealth were not easily achieved with fanfare, but were painstakingly earned through genuine battles!"

"In nine years, we have accomplished what other sects may not achieve in a century!"

"Wherever our forces move, even Golden Core Major Sects are taken aback!"

The cultivators of the Shuangye Alliance breathed heavily, their blood boiling, their faces flushed with excitement.

However, Lu Qian then shifted the tone of his speech: "You all see the tournament venue, which involved dismantling the original large square and rebuilding the site. Some advised me, saying it would be less troublesome to find a barren land outside Lingsha City if space within is limited."

He glanced around, and his disciples were all looking at him, some with confusion on their faces.

"I said no, it must be here on the grand square. Because on the edge of this grand square, someone is watching us."

"Those are the heroes who have bravely fought and sacrificed for our cause over these nine years!"

The cultivators collectively shuddered, instinctively turning their heads to look east, toward where enormous Heroic Spirit Monuments stood in silence, observing them.

Since the reestablishment of the Yunshan Sect and the formation of the Shuangye Alliance, in wars over the years, the names of fallen cultivators were deeply engraved on these monuments for future reverence and remembrance.

"I want the heroic spirits to see the grandeur of Shuangye Alliance today, to see the splendor of our disciples today, to let them know their sacrifices were not in vain!"

The disciples were blushing, with many shedding tears of emotion.

Lu Qian’s voice grew even louder: "Today, the external situation for the Shuangye Alliance is very perilous. The Xuanguang Sect is eyeing us, and their invasion is not far off. They want to kill our disciples, seize our wealth, take our territories, uproot the Shuangye Alliance, and destroy everything we hold dear!"

"Now, in front of the heroic spirits, tell me, are you willing?"

"Are you willing!"

Hot blood surged in their chests, a roar erupted from their throats, and the cultivators’ shouts soared into the sky, shaking all of Lingsha City.

"We are not willing! We are not willing!! We are not willing!!!"

Lu Qian’s voice thundered: "Dealing with enemies by reasoning is pointless—only by raising your weapons and fighting with strength can we make them flee in panic!"

"Now, I declare the Shuangye Alliance’s first Martial Arts Tournament officially open!"

"All disciples, in front of the heroic spirits, in front of your patriarchs and sect leaders, show your strongest side!"

"The martial arts competition begins!"