Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Competition Begins

Yu Shi noticed Su Xue'er coming out, looking somewhat dazed. He asked with concern, "What's wrong, Xue'er?"

"Nothing," she replied, smiling at Yu Shi. "Really, it's nothing. I'll be going now."

After Su Xue'er left, Yu Shi stayed behind for a while before going inside.

"Second Grandpa, Third Grandpa, Fourth Grandpa, what did you say to her?"

Yu Zhengpo snorted, "What? Are you afraid we bullied her?"

Yu Shi quickly said, "Third Grandpa, that's not what I meant."

"I know that's not what you meant. She's your fiancée now, and there's nothing we can do about it," Yu Zhengfeng said leisurely.

"Xiao Shi, all of our sons are gone. Among our grandchildren, only you and Yu Xun remain. You are the Chief of the Spirit Master Hall, and Yu Xun is a general in the Western Cloud Empire. Yu Xun's eldest son, Yu Ke, works under you, while his younger sons are still young. You have no children yet. The world is in turmoil now, Xiao Shi. We have no regrets, but we hope you and Yu Xun can stabilize your positions."

"I won't disappoint you, Grandpas. I will sweep away the other three empires."

"Alright, you can go now," Yu Zhengqing said.

After Yu Shi left, he went straight to the Chief's Mansion and entered Su Xue'er's room, finding her sitting by the window, lost in thought.

"Xue'er, what's wrong?"

Su Xue'er turned to look at Yu Shi, her eyes filled with a hint of melancholy. She slowly said, "I'm fine. Go and attend to your duties."

"I..."

Yu Shi started to speak but was sternly interrupted by Su Xue'er, "Yu Shi!"

She glared at him, and Yu Shi was taken aback. He said nothing more and slowly turned to leave, glancing back at Su Xue'er before exiting.

Soon after, nobles, sect leaders, and academy representatives began arriving at the city gates. The elite competition was only a few days away, and they had come early to enjoy the city. With so many participants and spectators arriving, the already bustling streets grew even more crowded. Who wouldn't want to explore the greatest city in the world—Qingyun City?

"Mom."

Shen Zixuan ran into Su Xue'er's room just as she was about to look for Tang Ruoyu.

"What's wrong, Xiao Xuan?"

Shen Zixuan hurriedly sat down and gulped down several mouthfuls of water.

"I investigated the number of participants this year. There are over 500 people from various empires, academies, and sects. Each of the seven major sects has two teams, each empire has two teams, and the city academies have 20 teams, along with some lesser-known sects and families, making up another 20 teams. Each team has at least eight members, all top talents from various factions, plus six teams from the Spirit Master Hall. All participants are below the Spirit Emperor level, and many have already reached the peak of the Spirit King level."

Su Xue'er was astonished, "I didn't expect there would be so many people this time. I'm only at the mid-Spirit King level, but I believe in myself."

"I believe in you too, Mom. We're the first team of the Spirit Master Hall. We won't disappoint Dad."

Su Xue'er patted Shen Zixuan's head and said, "Yes."

Finally, the day of the elite competition arrived. The Spirit Master Hall had prepared the competition grounds in the large square in front of the Spirit Master Hall. The square could accommodate nearly ten thousand spectators besides the central competition area.

Yu Shi sat in the front row in the middle, flanked by the highest authorities from the four major empires—the generals. In the second row were the leaders or young leaders of the seven major sects, in the third row were the nine elders of the Spirit Master Hall, and the last long row was occupied by leaders from various families, academies, and minor sects. Su Xue'er and Shen Zixuan's team sat in the nearest spectator seats to Yu Shi.

"Welcome, everyone, to the decade's elite competition. This year, we have a large number of participating teams, including disciples from major empires, sects, and academies, as well as some family disciples. Let me explain the rules of the competition. First, during the competition, do not deliberately harm others. Second, the competition will use a single-elimination format with a random draw. Each pair of groups will send out one person for a single match, with each group sending up to five people. The group with the most remaining members wins. Now, let the drawing begin. Each group, please send someone up to draw lots."

People in the audience began to step forward. Shen Zixuan, unable to contain himself, quickly said, "Mom, I want to go."

"Go ahead."

"Okay."

With that, Shen Zixuan darted off like an arrow.

Su Xue'er turned to look at the three people behind her and asked, "Are you all in my team?"

"Yes, Miss Su," they replied.

Su Xue'er gave a slightly awkward smile. "I see. What are your names and cultivation levels?"

"I am Lu Qing, he's Wen Yan, and he's Gu Meng. We are all at the peak of the Spirit King realm."

"Do you think we can win the championship, Lu Qing?"

Lu Qing looked embarrassed and a bit shy. Su Xue'er continued to ask, "What's wrong?"

"Miss Su, the three of us are here to help you win the championship."

"Oh, so you were arranged by Yu Shi?"

"Yes, Miss Su."

"So I am the team leader now, right? If I tell you to compete, you will compete, correct?"

"Yes, Miss Su."

"Alright, here's the plan. You three fight your way into the top eight. After that, you don't need to compete anymore."

"But Miss Su, the Chief instructed us to face the stronger teams and let you handle the weaker ones."

"Who are you listening to now, me or him?"

"Miss Su, you're putting us in a difficult position."

"I won't be in danger. If anything happens, I will protect you. Trust me."

"Then we'll rely on you, Miss Su."

"Good."

Just then, Shen Zixuan returned, excitedly saying, "Mom, I drew number 14."

"Okay, which team are we up against?"

"Number 64, a team from an ordinary family. I can take them out by myself."

"Good, you go up then. Remember, do not attack unless provoked."

"Yes, Mom."

At this moment, the announcer shouted, "The matchups have been determined. Will the representatives of the first eight groups please come to the arena, along with their corresponding opponents?"

The competitors began to make their way to the arena.

"Let the matches begin."

In the arena, a variety of weapons appeared, some sacred artifacts, others spirit tools.

Su Xue'er watched the matches intently, while Yu Shi left his seat and came over to where Su Xue'er was sitting. Shen Zixuan moved aside to give him room. Yu Shi sat next to Su Xue'er, but she didn't notice.

In the arena, a man in area 8 was facing a woman. He was using his strongest move to end the battle.

He shouted, "Dragon Roar to the Heavens!"

A massive fire dragon, imbued with fiery spiritual power, surged towards the woman. She panicked and hastily created a spiritual shield to block the attack.

"Ahhh!"

The woman was blasted back dozens of steps and fainted. The man's power was so overwhelming that the woman's team immediately forfeited. This man was Shen Wujue, a genius disciple of Lingxiaoxuan and a peak Spirit King.

"This Shen Wujue is indeed formidable. He forced the other team to forfeit single-handedly. Xiao Xuan, if you encounter him..."

Su Xue'er turned and saw Yu Shi sitting beside her, staring at her intently.

"Yu Shi, why are you here?"

"Sitting over there was boring, so I came to keep you company."

Su Xue'er quickly stood up and said, "No, you are the Chief of the Spirit Master Hall. You should sit there. Go back immediately."

With that, she pushed Yu Shi back to the front row.

Shen Yueru was glaring at Su Xue'er with malice, thinking to herself, "Su Xue'er, I will make sure you die in this competition."

After Yu Shi sat down, the Chancellor of the Northern Xun Empire looked at Su Xue'er and said, "So that's the Chief's fiancée. She truly is a beauty."

"Yes, the Chief is quite lucky, hahaha."

Yu Xun, who was sitting next to Yu Shi, said, "Big brother, is that my sister-in-law? She's very pretty."

Yu Shi smiled and replied, "Your wife isn't bad either. What has she been up to lately?"

"She's been learning needlework recently. Ah, let's not talk about it. Let's continue watching the competition."