31: Chapter 31 The Grand Competition Officially Begins

Suddenly, a faint warmth emanated from the jade pendant on his chest.

In his Sea of Consciousness, the indigo chain of fate connecting him to Lin Qingxue rippled gently, conveying a subtle thought filled with reminder and concern.

Ye Chen opened his eyes, looking towards the direction of Lin Qingxue's courtyard with a profound gaze.

Tomorrow would be the day of reckoning.

The next day, as dawn's first light broke, Qingyun City was already bustling with excitement.

The Three Clans Grand Competition was a city-wide event held once every few years, determining future power distribution and offering young talents an excellent opportunity to leap over the dragon gate.

Especially this year, with rumors linking it to the Tianyun Sword Sect's selection, it had attracted the attention of the entire city.

Countless people flocked to the Trial Valley on the outskirts early to secure a good viewing spot.

The gates of the Lin Family mansion swung open. The Lin Family disciples participating in the competition, surrounded by a group of Elders and guards, set off in a grand procession.

Leading them was Lin Qingxue. Today, she wore a practical, moon-white martial attire with a light green gauze outer layer. Her dark hair was tied up, her face cool and ethereal, drawing gasps of admiration from the crowds lining the streets.

She was followed by several Lin Family direct descendants with formidable auras. The Scar-faced Guard stayed close behind, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

Ye Chen did not travel with the main Lin Family group.

Due to his special status, to avoid unnecessary trouble and as pre-arranged with Lin Qingxue, he left a little later. With Xiao Yu in tow, he blended into the crowd and headed for the Trial Valley on his own.

"Brother, there are so many people!"

Xiao Yu tightly held Ye Chen's hand, looking at the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd on the street with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

She too had changed into a new outfit made by Aunt Liu, her little face scrubbed clean.

"Mm, stay close to me."

Ye Chen lowered his bamboo hat, shielding Xiao Yu beside him as they followed the human tide towards the city gates.

He could sense many hidden gazes sweeping over the crowd. Several of them carried undisguised malice, coming from the direction of the Wang and Ye Families.

Wang Teng, Ye Hu, and the others had likely already set off.

Half an hour later, the Trial Valley came into distant view.

The valley entrance was already packed with a sea of people, the noise deafening.

A checkpoint had been set up at the valley mouth, guarded by soldiers from the City Lord's estate.

Only participating disciples and personnel from their respective Families were allowed into the core area; ordinary citizens could only watch from the periphery.

Ye Chen, with Xiao Yu, verified their identities.

Using the Lin Family Guest Elder token prepared for him in advance by Lin Qingxue, he smoothly entered the valley.

Inside the valley, the terrain was open. A massive stone platform, about ten feet high, stood in the center—the martial arts arena.

Around the arena, three main areas were designated for the Lin, Wang, and Ye Families, as well as for the City Lord's estate and other dignitaries to observe the ceremonies.

At this moment, the seating areas were already packed, the atmosphere electric.

Ye Chen's gaze swept across and soon spotted Lin Qingxue's figure in the Lin Family section.

She sat upright in the front row, her expression calm, speaking softly with an elderly Lin Family member beside her.

As if sensing his gaze, Lin Qingxue slightly turned her head. Her eyes met Ye Chen's through the crowd for an instant, and she gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Ye Chen withdrew his gaze, taking Xiao Yu to an inconspicuous spot at the edge of the Lin Family area to sit down.

He could feel that from the moment he entered the valley, several sharp gazes had locked onto him.

In the Wang Family section to his left, a middle-aged man in brocade robes sat at the forefront. His face was gloomy, commanding respect without anger—this was Wang Mang, head of the Wang Family.

Behind him stood Wang Teng, clad in crimson martial attire, proud and imposing. His eyes were fixed on Ye Chen like a venomous snake, a cruel sneer playing on his lips.

The Qi around him surged powerfully; he had indeed Broken Through to the Meridian Opening Sixth Level!

Moreover, his aura was solid and stable, clearly indicating a firm Foundation.

Beside him stood the hunched figure shrouded in black robes—the Ghost Old Man—exuding an uncomfortable, sinister aura.

In the Ye Family section to his right, Grand Elder Ye Rushan sat in the main seat, his face betraying no emotion.

Beside him, Ye Hu's physique seemed even more imposing, his face fierce, eyes savage. His aura had also reached the Peak of the Meridian Opening Fifth Level, not far from the sixth.

The look he directed at Ye Chen was filled with resentment and killing intent.

Behind Ye Hu stood several Ye Family disciples. Among them was none other than Chen Jiu, the one who had delivered the message to Ye Chen before.

Seeing Ye Chen, Chen Jiu's expression was complex, and he quickly lowered his head.

On the high platform north of the arena, City Lord Zhao sat in the center, flanked by several Elders with profound, deep auras.

They were likely experts from the City Lord's estate and the judges for this Grand Competition.

The Young City Lord, Zhao Feng, was not present.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Three deafening drumbeats suppressed the clamor of the entire venue.

An Elder from the City Lord's estate walked to the front of the platform, his voice like a great bell.

"The Qingyun City Three Clans Grand Competition now officially begins! All participating disciples, come forward to draw lots!"

The lot-drawing station was set up beside the arena. Over thirty disciples from the three Families who met the age and cultivation requirements stepped forward one after another.

Ye Chen also stood up, saying to Xiao Yu, "Wait for me here. Don't wander off."

"Mm! Brother, do your best!" Xiao Yu nodded vigorously, her small fists clenched tightly.

Ye Chen patted her head and strode towards the lot-drawing station.

Wherever he passed, the crowd automatically parted, and various gazes converged on him.

There was curiosity, scrutiny, disdain, and the undisguised killing intent from Wang Teng, Ye Hu, and others.

The lot-drawing was simple: drawing a wooden token engraved with a number from a sealed stone box. Ye Chen drew number "seven."

After the drawing concluded, the Elder announced loudly.

"First round matches: Number one versus number two, number three versus number four, and so on! Losers are eliminated, winners advance! Now, please welcome contestants number one and number two to the stage!"

The competition officially began!

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

The first few matches mostly involved disciples at the Meridian Opening Third or Fourth Levels. Although the fights were intense, in Ye Chen's eyes, they were full of flaws and held little interest for him.

His gaze lingered more on Wang Teng, Ye Hu, and several Lin Family disciples with stronger auras, privately assessing their strength.

Soon, it was the turn of the seventh match.

"Seventh match! Number seven, Ye Family, Ye Chen! Versus number eight, Wang Family, Wang Lie!"

As the Elder's voice fell, a stir immediately rippled through the entire venue.

All eyes turned towards Ye Chen and a sturdy, eager-looking youth in the Wang Family section.

Wang Lie, Wang Teng's cousin, at the Peak of the Meridian Opening Fourth Level, known for his fierce strength.

The Wang Family pitting him against Ye Chen in their very first match spoke volumes of their intent—to probe, or even severely injure!

A cold smile curled on Wang Teng's lips as he made a throat-slitting gesture towards Wang Lie.

Ye Chen's expression remained calm. Under the watchful eyes of countless people, he slowly ascended the arena.

He still wore his ordinary blue cloth garment, a stark contrast to Wang Lie's resplendent martial attire and bulging muscles opposite him.

"Ye Chen! You, a cast-off of the Ye Family, dare to come here and make a fool of yourself?"

Wang Lie sneered, cracking his knuckles.

"Be sensible and roll off the stage yourself, lest I break your bones later and make you cry for your parents!"

Ye Chen didn't even glance at him, standing quietly, adjusting his breathing, bringing his condition to its Peak.

"Begin the match!" the referee commanded.

"Seeking death!"

Wang Lie roared. A yellowish-brown glow enveloped his body as he charged at Ye Chen like a wild bull. His fist shot out, carrying a sharp whistling sound through the air!

It was the Wang Family's killing move from the "Thick Earth Art"—Mountain Shattering Fist! Powerful and heavy, capable of splitting stone!

The audience below held their breath, seemingly already picturing Ye Chen being sent flying by the punch.

Wang Mang wore a cold sneer. Ye Rushan's gaze was indifferent. Lin Qingxue's hands resting on her knees tightened slightly.

Facing this ferocious strike, Ye Chen finally moved.

He did not meet it head-on. Instead, his footwork shifted, his body gliding like a ghost—the Mist Transformation Steps!

He narrowly evaded the fist's edge.

Wang Lie's punch met empty air, his center of gravity shifting forward.

In that instant between the old force spent and new force not yet born, Ye Chen struck!

He did not use his sword. Instead, he formed his fingers like a sword. A faint, almost imperceptible blue chill flashed at his fingertips, streaking like lightning towards a vital point below Wang Lie's ribs!

"Sss!"

A soft sound. Wang Lie's charging figure suddenly froze. The sneer on his face solidified, turning into shock and horror!

He felt an intensely bone-piercing cold qi instantly penetrate his body, freezing the flow of his true essence and numbing half his body!

Ye Chen's fingers touched and withdrew instantly, as if nothing had happened, and he stood with his hands behind his back.

Wang Lie remained frozen in his charging posture, unable to move, only his eyeballs rolling, filled with terror and disbelief.

The entire venue fell deathly silent!

One move! Just one move! Wang Lie, at the Peak of the Meridian Opening Fourth Level, hadn't even touched the hem of Ye Chen's clothes before he was defeated?!

How was this possible?!

"Whoa—!"

After a moment of dead silence, an earth-shaking uproar erupted throughout the venue! Everyone was stunned by this bizarre and dominant scene!

Wang Mang abruptly stood up, his face livid.

Ye Rushan's pupils contracted sharply.

Lin Qingxue's tightly clenched hands slowly relaxed, a flicker of something extraordinary deep in her eyes.

The referee also paused for a moment before stepping forward to check Wang Lie's condition.

Finding that he was merely immobilized by cold qi sealing his acupoints and was otherwise unharmed, the referee loudly announced, "Seventh match, Ye Chen, wins!"

Without even a glance at the rigid Wang Lie, Ye Chen turned and calmly walked down from the arena.

The crowd automatically parted for him. The looks directed at him had shifted from the previous disdain and curiosity to shock and awe!

Strength was the most eloquent language!

Returning to his seat, Xiao Yu excitedly threw herself at him. "Brother! You were amazing!"

Ye Chen smiled, ruffling her hair, but his gaze returned to the arena.

Victory in the first battle was just the beginning. The real challenges still lay ahead.

Wang Teng, Ye Hu, and that mysterious Zhao Feng... He felt the blood within him gradually beginning to boil.

The Grand Competition had only just begun.

And his sharp edge had already begun to show!