Chapter Nineteen: The Grand Gathering

Chen Fan ignored Bao Tianyou's gaze and instead frowned, "Yan Lincu is nowhere to be found?" He secretly lamented the loss. Yan Lincu possessed a unique constitution, giving him a far greater advantage in cultivating true skills, even surpassing Feng Yuancheng. In fact, the White Cloud Dojo had once attempted to recruit Yan Lincu, but the boy was stubborn and unwilling, and now had disappeared altogether.

Of all his former rivals, Yan Lincu was the only one who still piqued Chen Fan’s interest. Hearing he was absent left Chen Fan feeling rather bored. He yawned and asked casually, "Has Lin Qingyu broken through to the third level of martial arts yet?"

Bao Tianyou smiled helplessly. "When Lin Qingyu participated in the martial gathering, she had only just completed the transformation of her true essence and started tempering her muscles. Even with medicine, it can't happen so quickly! It's only been half a year!"

Chen Fan shook his head, thinking it was indeed so. Lin Qingyu was exceptionally gifted; even in the White Cloud Main Hall, she could rival the core disciples. But even so, without at least a year or two of hard work, a breakthrough was impossible.

Bao Tianyou lowered his voice and furrowed his brow, "But Yu Xingzheng, that rascal, had already tempered his muscles quite a bit. Somehow he won the favor of the Four Symbols Sect’s leader and received elixirs. He’s completed muscle tempering and broken through to the third level. He’s come to Yan Capital City for this event!"

Chen Fan merely sneered. Yu Xingzheng’s foundation was no better than Bao Tianyou’s. To complete muscle tempering at his age was indeed impressive, faster even than most talented youths. Yet, his foundation was weak; he couldn’t compare to any random core disciple of the White Cloud Dojo. Even should he reach the third level, his strength was average, and when it came to tempering the internal organs, it would take six or seven years at least to complete. Such people were beneath Chen Fan’s notice.

Bao Tianyou, unaware of Chen Fan’s true strength, assumed Chen Fan was still refining his vital energy and blood, and worriedly said, "That brat was quite subdued for a time after we taught him a lesson, but he’s petty and now has broken through. He’s always envied you—if he spots you at the Monster-Slaying Festival, who knows what he might do out of jealousy..."

Few knew that Chen Fan had already reached the third level, and it wouldn’t be long before he broke through to the fourth.

Chen Fan laughed heartily, "Even if I run into him, what could he possibly do to me?" His tone brimmed with arrogant confidence. In both strength and background, Chen Fan now completely outmatched Yu Xingzheng. No need for underhanded tricks—he could crush him head-on.

Bao Tianyou saw Chen Fan’s confidence, his eyes flashed, and he laughed as well: "That’s right, you’re now a core disciple of the Main Hall, your foundation unparalleled. Yu Xingzheng may have high cultivation for his age, but he’s only second-rate, relying on the power of elixirs. His achievements are limited and he can’t compare to you!"

Bao Tianyou assumed Chen Fan’s confidence was due to becoming a core disciple, not knowing how terrifyingly fast Chen Fan had improved in the past half a year.

"Let’s not dwell on unpleasant matters. We brothers haven’t seen each other in days—today, we must drink well!" The two old friends naturally chatted at length. During Chen Fan’s months away from Yan Capital City, his family had relied on Bao Tianyou for care. They’d exchanged several letters. Now, finally reunited, they were sure to drink deeply.

...

The day of the Monster-Slaying Festival arrived.

The sky was bright and clear.

In the northern part of Yan Capital City, before the ancient city walls, stood a massive oval arena resembling a coliseum. At present, the countless seats around the arena were sparsely populated; there was still time before the festival officially began.

Outside, a vast plaza had already drawn martial artists from all over, gathering early. The crowd was immense and awe-inspiring. Martial artists were grouped by region and dojo, divided into different areas.

The real Monster-Slaying Festival would begin at noon, but now, martial artists from various places moved freely, divided into zones, sparring on open grounds to compete and make a name for themselves. This was the main reason so many had come to join the excitement.

Chen Fan and Bao Tianyou wandered through the crowd with Lin Shiyu and several other core disciples. Bao Tianyou, being part of the Main Hall, knew many core disciples from Feiling County.

People like Lin Shiyu were all acquaintances. They were all disciples from noble families of Feiling County, coming from branch halls, so Chen Fan was not surprised. The group threaded their way through the throng.

"Ha! Ha!" On the open ground, white lines marked spaces where martial artists sparred. Ahead, atop a man-made wooden stage, a young martial artist stood proudly.

"I am Zhang Wuling from Suiyang County, twenty-five years old, third level of martial arts. Is there anyone from Qingchun County who dares to face me?"

The two counties neighbored each other and competed fiercely. Soon, a youth of similar age and strength leapt up.

"Xiong Anjie from Qingchun County will fight you!"

The two exchanged blows, battling fiercely. Cheers and cries of excitement echoed from time to time.

Scenes like this played out everywhere across the vast arena. It was indeed a grand event, lively beyond compare.

Chen Fan had never seen so many martial artists gathered together, and his curiosity was piqued. He stopped here, looked there, unable to help but exclaim, "The Monster-Slaying Festival is truly bustling!"

Lin Shiyu smiled at his words. "Most are here for the excitement; far fewer actually participate. I hear this festival has just over two hundred registered participants, with only twenty or so at the third level. Our White Cloud Dojo has two of them!"

Chen Fan nodded, "So few..."

Spectators from all counties numbered in the tens of thousands, but only just over two hundred would actually face monsters—an exceedingly small proportion.

Bao Tianyou squinted and shook his head. "Monster beasts are far stronger than martial artists of the same level, with massive bodies and fierce vital energy. Only those with solid foundations dare face them. Participants are mostly geniuses with top-grade backgrounds, or those whose cultivation is perfect, or who possess exceptional true essence martial techniques..."

Lin Shiyu nodded, "The third level is the minimum for entry; with poor mastery of martial arts techniques, facing monsters is highly dangerous. Even a disciple like Xiao Chunkong, nearly at perfection in the third level and possessing secret skills, would only be sent as fodder against monsters of the same rank—most likely, he’d lose..."

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes and nodded. No wonder so few at the third level participated in the Monster-Slaying Festival.

"By the way, I’ve learned that our White Cloud Dojo’s disciple Chi Liuguang is one of the third-level participants this time!"

Chen Fan was surprised, "Chi Liuguang? Didn’t Senior Brother Chi just break through to the third level?"

He remembered this person well; before his own vital energy had reached perfection, he had challenged several core senior brothers, including Chi Liuguang. Back then, Chi was not yet perfect at the second level, but his mastery of footwork at the subtle realm allowed him to toy with Chen Fan, displaying impressive skill.

A few months later, Chi had broken through to the third level. To dare register for monster combat—he was truly bold!

He was past twenty years old, his natural talent not especially outstanding. Even if he began tempering his internal organs, progress would be slow, and his cultivation was not as high as Xiao Chunkong. Yet, because he possessed subtle-realm footwork, he might truly succeed in slaying a monster!

Lin Shiyu sighed, "Footwork at the subtle realm is so fierce—I don’t know when I’ll master it. With that skill, this junior brother’s strength should surpass mine. He could even pass the Martial Academy assessment if he wished, but our White Cloud Dojo is special, not affiliated with the Academy..."

Zhang Shanzhi, standing nearby, shook his head. "Competition in the Academy is too ruthless; winners rise, losers fall, and resources are monopolized by a few elite disciples. Even if Junior Chi could pass the assessment and join, he'd only be exploited! It can’t compare to the freedom we enjoy in our dojo..."

Chen Fan frowned deeply, silently listening to their conversation. He knew Senior Brother Zhang was simply speaking sour grapes; fierce competition was perfectly normal in the Academy. Outside of resources, the most important thing was the atmosphere of rivalry.

Look at the top talents in the whole prefecture—most have joined the Academy in pursuit of competition. Surely, none are fools!

Unfortunately, his own master seemed to avoid the Academy for some reason, and relations between the White Cloud Dojo and other dojos weren’t particularly friendly.

His second senior brother had joined the Academy, souring relations with their master and fellow disciples.

Before long, the group stopped abruptly.

Before them lay a brutal scene. Two martial artists from unknown counties, evidently harboring old grudges, had drawn their blades and signed a life-and-death contract, choosing to fight to the death in such a venue.

Both wielded weapons, fighting fiercely, blood flying everywhere.

It was extremely intense.

Spectators crowded around, some excited, others shocked.

Soon, one was stabbed in the chest, gravely wounded and unconscious, rescued from the battle by his fellow disciples. Whether he would survive was uncertain.

The other party, dissatisfied, stepped forward to argue, and the scene became chaotic.

Lin Shiyu shook his head at the turmoil, "They say a life-and-death contract settles everything, but how could fellow disciples stand by and let him die..."

Such contracts only ensured that, once a man was killed, no one had legitimate grounds to seek retribution. But emotional bonds wouldn’t be erased by rules—who could remain unmoved?

As for the consequences of breaking the rules...

They pale in comparison to letting one’s own die.

"That man took a blade to the chest—even if he survives, who knows how long recovery will take? He might suffer hidden injuries, and his martial path will be greatly hindered..."

Bao Tianyou sighed, "These people are truly fierce. What grudges are worth risking one’s life?"

Chen Fan’s heart raced at the sight.

Martial heroes defy the law; those who possess superior strength inevitably foster more conflict. A single argument could result in a death.

Especially among those who have long harbored resentment.

Martial artists, especially the powerful ones, often seek more direct ways to resolve feuds.

This festival was but a microcosm of the cruel world—

Only the strong truly wield power!

Lin Shiyu sighed, "The Monster-Slaying Festival is, at its core, a life-and-death struggle between human martial artists and monster beasts; casualties are inevitable. Some even use it as a chance to settle deadly scores. Who knows how many will lose their lives in this grand event..."