Chapter 43

The person who had raised the question about the sects, clans, and ancient families participating in the competition asked another person nearby, "But why do they want to increase their influence in the court? Don't they already have enough resources and power?"

The person replied, "Yes, they do have a lot of power and resources, but in the end, the court is where the real power lies. The court controls the army, the tax system, and the distribution of resources. If these sects, clans, and families can get influential positions within the court, they can ensure that their interests are protected and their power remains secure."

Another person chimed in, "And let's not forget that this competition is a chance for these powerful groups to showcase their strength and prowess. It's not just about increasing their influence in the court but also about demonstrating their power to the rest of the martial arts world. It's a way to establish their dominance and reputation."

Xua Yan listened to these conversations and realized that the competition was not just about individual martial artists fighting for glory, but it was also a platform for different factions to showcase their power and gain influence in the court. It was a complex game of politics and power dynamics, and he knew that he needed to be careful about who he aligned himself with.

He turned to Wei Ming and whispered, "It seems like this competition is not just about martial arts. There are powerful factions involved who want to gain influence in the court. We need to be careful about who we associate ourselves with. First we have to get selected in the army for our better future because these sects, schools and families are in the end all controlled by the kingdom."

Wei Ming nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, we need to be mindful of our alliances and avoid getting caught up in the politics of these powerful groups. Let's focus on our own goals and stay true to ourselves."

Xua Yan and Wei Ming knew that they had to be strategic in their approach to the competition. They couldn't afford to make any missteps or align themselves with the wrong factions. They needed to be careful, observant, and smart if they wanted to succeed.

Retrieving his spiritual sense, Xua Yan took a moment to process all the information he had gathered from the conversations he had overheard. He had learned about the presence of the seventh prince, fifth princess and representatives from the kingdom's official court, which was a surprise to him. He also heard people wondering about the motives of the sects, clans and ancient families for participating in the competition, which was an interesting topic for him to ponder on.

As he waited for everyone to get settled in the arena, Xua Yan mentally prepared himself for the upcoming competition. He knew that the competition was going to be tough, and he had to be at his best if he wanted to win. He took deep breaths to calm himself down and focused on the task ahead. He could feel the excitement building up inside the crowd as the competition was about to begin.

As the crowd began to settle down in the arena, Xua Yan noticed a commotion near the VIP area. He craned his neck to get a better look and saw several well-dressed people entering the area. They were greeted with bows and curtsies from the attendants and spectators alike. Xua Yan realized that these must be the important figures that were discussed in the conversations he had overheard earlier.

As he watched them take their seats, Xua Yan couldn't help but wonder what their presence meant for the competition. He knew that the involvement of the prince and princess, as well as the officials from the kingdom's court, suggested that the competition held more significance than just a simple martial arts tournament. The presence of these VIPs only added to his curiosity and he felt a growing anticipation for what was to come.

The silence in the crowd fell as the VIPs took their seats, as if they had been waiting for this moment. The excitement and anticipation was palpable in the air, and everyone held their breath, eager for the competition to begin. The silence was a sign of respect for the VIPs and the competitors, and a reminder of the importance of the event. It was clear that everyone was ready for the competition to begin.

The VIP area of the arena was reserved for the elite of the martial arts world, and as Xua Yan had overheard earlier, it was likely that many of them were here to increase their influence and standing within the Heavenly Retreat kingdom. Among them were representatives from various sects, including some of the most powerful ones in the kingdom. There were also members of ancient families, who were known to have a long and distinguished history of martial arts practice. These families often had many secrets and techniques that were passed down from generation to generation, and they held a great deal of respect within the martial arts world.

In addition to the sects and ancient families, there were also some strong martial arts warriors who had made a name for themselves in various competitions and battles. They were respected for their strength and skill, and their presence in the VIP area added to the excitement of the event. All of these individuals were here to witness the competition and perhaps even make some new connections or alliances that could benefit them in the future.

The silence in the crowd fell as the VIPs took their seats, as if they had been waiting for this moment. The excitement and anticipation was palpable in the air, and everyone held their breath, eager for the competition to begin. The silence was a sign of respect for the VIPs and the competitors, and a reminder of the importance of the event. It was clear that everyone was ready for the competition to begin.

As the mayor of Seven Hill city stood up from his VIP seat, his presence commanded the attention of the entire arena. He walked towards the center of the stage with measured steps, exuding an aura of confidence and power that caused many in the audience to feel intimidated. His imposing figure was made even more imposing by the way he carried himself, with his head held high and his shoulders squared.

As he made his way to the center of the stage, the mayor's martial arts aura became more and more palpable. It was as though a wave of energy was emanating from his body, washing over the crowd and filling them with a sense of awe and respect. People could feel the strength and authority that he possessed, and they could sense that he was not someone to be trifled with.

Once he reached the center of the stage, the mayor turned to face the crowd, his eyes scanning the faces of those before him. He cleared his throat and began to speak, his voice carrying across the arena.

"Good people of Seven Hill city," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "Today, we gather here to witness a spectacle of martial arts skill and prowess. We have warriors from all corners of the kingdom who have come to compete in this tournament, to test their mettle against one another and to prove themselves worthy of glory and honor."

He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in. Then he continued.

As the mayor of the Seven Hill city continued his speech, his words resonated throughout the arena, captivating the attention of the crowd. The air was thick with anticipation, and the spectators could hardly contain their excitement for the competition to begin.

He continued, "This tournament is not only a showcase of martial arts skill, but also a celebration of our shared culture and traditions. It is a time to come together as a community, to honor our forefathers and to inspire the next generation of warriors."

The mayor's words were met with thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd. It was clear that everyone was here to witness something truly special.

"As the competition begins, I urge all of you to not only cheer for your favorite warriors, but to also show respect and sportsmanship towards your fellow spectators. Let us honor the spirit of martial arts, and let us be a shining example of what it means to be a community of warriors."

"But before we begin, I have an important announcement to make. As you may have noticed, our honored guests from the capital have not yet arrived. Due to unforeseen circumstances, their journey has been delayed. However, I have been assured that they will be here shortly. In the meantime, let us make ourselves comfortable and enjoy the spectacle that is about to unfold before us."

The mayor's words were met with a polite round of applause from the crowd. People started whispering among themselves, wondering what could have delayed the arrival of such important guests. Xua Yan looked around, trying to gauge the mood of the people. He noticed that some were disappointed, while others seemed to be relieved, as if they were glad to have more time to prepare themselves for the competition

With those words, the mayor stepped back from the center of the stage and resumed his seat. The crowd murmured among themselves, eagerly anticipating the start of the tournament and the arrival of the VIPs from the capital.

The mayor's speech was met with a mix of disappointment and understanding from the crowd. Many had been looking forward to the start of the competition and were now disappointed that they would have to wait. However, they also understood the importance of the prince, princess, and representatives from the capital, and were willing to wait for them to arrive.

Xua Yan and his companions exchanged looks of disappointment, but also understood the importance of the guests of honor. They decided to use this time to observe the other competitors and their techniques, so that they would be better prepared for the competition once it finally began.

After the mayor of Seven Hill city made his announcement about the delay of the arrival of the honored guests from the capital, he walked back to the VIP area. People in the VIP area started talking to him about various things. Meanwhile, in the participant's area, Xua Yan was getting bored as he had to wait for the start of the competition. Being an expert in martial arts, he knew the importance of patience, but still, he could not help but feel restless.

Xua Yan had been observing the events unfolding in the arena with great interest. He had already learned about the martial arts competition and the various factions that had come to participate in it. However, he was still curious about the VIPs who had come to attend the event. He wondered who they were and what they were discussing.

As he sat among the participants, Xua Yan felt a sudden urge to use his spiritual sense to spy on the VIP area. He knew that this was a risky move, but he couldn't resist the temptation. He closed his eyes and focused his mind, calling upon the power of the entropy artifact that resided within his soul.

As he opened his eyes, Xua Yan felt a surge of energy flowing through his body. He could feel his spiritual sense expanding, reaching out to touch everything around him. He could perceive the world around him in greater detail than ever before. He could see the VIP area with perfect clarity, and he could hear every conversation that was taking place.

He listened intently as the VIPs discussed various matters, including the delay in the arrival of the 7th prince. They were worried that his delay would cause problems for the competition and the kingdom as a whole. They discussed various strategies for dealing with the situation, but they seemed to be at a loss. Xua Yan continued to listen, hoping to glean some valuable information. He was careful not to reveal his presence, knowing that he could be in danger if he was discovered.