Seeking Martial Dao in All Reborn Lives
Chapter 171 - 169: Commencement
Time flew, and a month quickly passed.
This period of relative peace provided Zhao Xuanqi with a crucial respite.
The Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce ran smoothly in the calm before the storm, leaving Zhao Xuanqi with nothing to worry about.
Moreover, for the upcoming Martial Arts Tournament, the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce spared no expense. They met nearly every one of his demands. To help him improve his strength as quickly as possible, they invested a staggering sum of over one hundred thousand silver coins in him in just a month and a half.
The Black Tortoise and Bai Hu Gates also did everything in their power to help Zhao Xuanqi gather the necessary Rare Beast Materials. After all, their top experts had to remain at headquarters to guard priceless Secret Transmissions and Rare Beast resources; they couldn’t just leave to compete in Jinmen. Therefore, the stronger Zhao Xuanqi became, the more it benefited both Gates.
A courtyard in the outskirts.
Zhang Hongyun, Shi Huai’an, and Fan Shiyan gathered together.
For the past month, Zhao Xuanqi had all but shut himself off from the outside world. He hadn’t revealed the specifics of his training, only telling them not to disturb him unless it was absolutely critical. As a result, they had no idea what realm he had now reached.
So, the moment they saw Zhao Xuanqi, they began sizing him up, trying to spot any changes.
However, they failed.
Zhang Hongyun, who possessed the Doumu Primordial Soul Needle, had an extremely high Spiritual Sense. Meanwhile, Shi Huai’an and Fan Shiyan cultivated the Black Tortoise and White Tiger True Forms, an evolution of the Hundred Beasts Mystic Gate, which granted them a degree of the Hundred Beasts’ Intent.
Previously, when they were around Zhao Xuanqi, they could always feel a faint sense of threat, as if being watched by a beast hidden in the shadows. Their bodies would tense up unconsciously.
But now, no matter how hard they tried to sense it, they couldn’t detect any threat from him. It was as if he had become a harmless little bunny.
Of course, Zhao Xuanqi was no bunny. This could only mean his cultivation realm and control over his body had reached a height they couldn’t hope to match.
’What kind of realm has he reached in just a month and a half?!’
A terrifying thought surfaced in the minds of Shi Huai’an and Fan Shiyan. Others might not have known, but they remembered all too well. They had watched with their own eyes as Zhao Xuanqi trained like a madman, achieving Heart Tongxuan in about a week. The improvement he must have made after nearly a month and a half in seclusion was simply unimaginable.
"How are things outside?"
Zhao Xuanqi asked calmly.
"The Martial Arts Tournament will be held in two days. According to the Martial Arts Association’s official count, nearly two hundred Martial Artists have registered. Over fifty of them are Neon Martial Artists, and the rest are all from the Divine Land."
"It’s a single-elimination tournament. Lose one match, and you’re out. There are no rounds of 32, 16, or 8. Competitors will be paired off until only one final victor remains."
"And they will be the best in Jinmen."
Fan Shiyan said, his tone filled with anticipation and longing.
In scholarship, there is no first; in martial arts, there is no second.
In this world, people strive for fame and fortune.
How many Martial Artists had shed their blood, fighting to the death for that number one title?
"With a public stage in the square and all eyes on us, it seems I won’t be able to hide my Fist Technique any longer."
Zhao Xuanqi said lightly.
"Elder Zhao, don’t worry. This Grand Martial Arts Tournament has put the Jinmen Martial Arts Association in the spotlight. As long as you’re strong enough, the Three Elders of Jinmen will do everything in their power to protect you."
Shi Huai’an said.
"It doesn’t matter. So what if I’m exposed? Unless a Military Commander shows up in person, dealing with me won’t be easy. It’s for the best. I’ve been hiding for so long. It’s time the world knew the name of my Hundred Beasts Fist."
Zhao Xuanqi said calmly.
Hearing this, the astonishment in their eyes deepened.
’For Zhao Xuanqi to make such a bold claim... just what realm has he reached?!’
...
...
Under the watchful gaze of countless eyes, the Grand Martial Arts Tournament finally began.
「Two days later, at dawn.」
Longwu Square.
The square had a peculiar layout. Spanning several hundred meters, it was enclosed on all sides by tall buildings, each four or five stories high.
The architectural styles of these buildings varied. Some were traditional Divine Land teahouses, while others were distinctly Western in design.
Located in the heart of Jinmen, the square had existed for a hundred years. It was built back when the gates of the Divine Land were first opened and Daqian was in turmoil, giving rise to Jinmen’s martial spirit.
Public arenas were set up for fighters to determine who was superior, and all manner of conflicts were settled on the stage.
From the teahouses on either side of the square, people from all walks of life would drink tea and watch the fights, their cheers shaking the heavens. The victor would bask in the adulation, reaping fame and fortune. It was considered the greatest spectacle in Jinmen.
The Jinmen Martial Arts Association itself grew out of Longwu Square.
Over the past century, ever since the Martial Arts Association established its four ranked rings—A, B, C, and D—Longwu Square had lost its former glory. Occasionally, the Association would hold a public match or two here, or other factions of Martial Artists would settle grudges, but the skill level was never particularly high.
Still, old habits died hard, and the square remained a popular spot in Jinmen for sipping tea and passing the time. Crowds gathered daily, making it the fastest place for rumors to spread throughout the city.
But early this morning, the teahouses around the square were already packed to the brim, buzzing with a clamorous din.
The Jinmen Martial Arts Association’s Grand Martial Arts Tournament—everyone was eager to witness such a momentous event.
"How many years has it been? I never thought I’d see the day Longwu Square was used like this again. This Grand Martial Arts Tournament... I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse."
"Don’t be so pessimistic! This is our chance to show those Neon People what the Divine Land’s Martial Dao is all about. An ancestor will always be an ancestor!"
"That’s not a given. I’m a sailor, I travel between the Divine Land and Neon all the time. You might not know this, but the name of the Neon Nation’s Ten Sha is legendary—their vicious reputation is infamous throughout the Southeast Sea. The Neon Nation came prepared this time. The Martial Arts Association was too reckless in how they handled this."
"And here I was wondering who was talking. A turncoat, that’s what you are. No wonder you’re boosting their morale and putting down your own people. Waiter, I want another table!"
"..."
The teahouses buzzed with discussion, while down in Longwu Square, ten fighting stages stood tall, already surrounded by numerous figures.
The Jinmen Martial Arts Association had cordoned off the area, allowing only staff and competitors into the square.
The two hundred-plus competitors were all masters at or above the Five Qi Tongxuan realm. This was no small number; in the common Martial Arts Realm, reaching such a level was exceedingly rare.
With so many masters gathered, their Qi and Blood burned so intensely that the very temperature of the square seemed to rise.
Within the square, the atmosphere was tense. Two distinct groups faced each other, their division as clear as night and day.
On one side stood over one hundred and fifty masters from the Divine Land, all dressed in various attire.
On the other side were more than fifty Neon Martial Artists from the Profound Ocean Society, each clad in a warrior kimono, their expressions cold and severe.
Seven people stood out on the Divine Land’s side, positioned at the forefront of their group.
The same was true for the Neon side, where ten people stood at the front, with three being particularly prominent.
The Seven General Stars of Jinmen.
The Ten Sha of the Profound Ocean Society!
Meanwhile, Zhao Xuanqi, along with Zhang Hongyun and the others, was hidden among the crowd, silently observing everything.
「When the time came.」
GONG!!
A deafening crash from a bronze gong echoed out, the sound carrying for miles. Even the clamorous discussions in the surrounding teahouses ceased as all eyes turned toward the square.
Flanked by a retinue of Martial Arts Association directors, three elderly men walked onto the central stage. They were identical in height, appearance, and bearing, distinguished only by their robes of white, black, and purple.
"The Grand Martial Arts Tournament now officially begins! All contestants, please step forward in an orderly fashion, sign the death waivers, and draw your lots for the matches!"
The Heavenly Elder spoke, his expression calm. Yet his voice boomed like distant thunder, audible even a kilometer away.
The Grand Martial Arts Tournament had officially begun!