Chapter 25: Competition Ceremony

Dustin Li soared through the sky, arriving at Novaridge City aboard a swift, gliding ride. The Martial Arts Competition of martial hall, held annually, was only a month away, and the time for registration had arrived. As per the competition rules, participants had to sign up a month in advance.

Dustin recalled his conversation with Elder Jeremy a few months ago. The elder had impressed upon him the importance of showcasing his strength and talent at this competition if he were to gain the attention of Martial Hall's higher-ups. For students of the Martial Arts Hall, this event was an opportunity to prove themselves and make their mark.

He quickly made his way to the registration area at the Martial Hall, where he found a crowd already gathered. Most students were merely watching, with the majority of competitors being those from intermediate and advanced classes.

"Every year, the martial arts competition has a ranking system. I heard that if you make it into the top three, the rewards are incredibly generous," a young man in military uniform said.

"Brother Zhao, you're at the seventh level of body refining now. Are you planning to compete?" someone asked with a smile.

"Of course! Even if I don't have much chance at the top three, it's still crucial to show my strength on the stage and attract attention from the martial arts hall's top officials," the young man said confidently.

Dustin Li took note of the speaker—Gavin Zhao, a middle-class student he had once competed against in the black stone monument area. Back then, Gavin had been at the sixth level of body refining, and now he had reached the seventh level.

"There are some real experts in the intermediate and advanced classes. I heard that even if you make it into the top ten, you can earn vitality stones and medicinal pills," someone else commented.

"And if you make it into the top five, you could become a disciple of one of the elders!" another voice added.

"Top three, you might even get personal guidance from the Martial Hall's master and have the chance to choose a fourth-grade martial art!" a third person chimed in.

The air was electric with excitement as the students discussed the competition and its rich rewards. Becoming a disciple of one of the elders was a mark of distinction in Novaridge City, and the opportunity to choose a fourth-grade martial art was a rare honor.

Yet, everyone knew how difficult it was to make it to the top three. The competition was held only once a year, and those who had participated in previous years and earned good rankings were now far ahead in cultivation, thanks to the rewards they received. The gap between them and new competitors had only widened.

The rules also stated that anyone who had reached the Energy Gathering Realm or was over eighteen years old could not participate. With hundreds of thousands of people in Novaridge City and countless martial arts hall students, the competition was fierce. Just among the seventh-level body refinement practitioners, there were hundreds vying for a spot in the top ranks.

Next to the registration area stood a stone tablet bearing the names of the Martial Hall's students, ranked from low to high. The tablet listed only the top fifty, with the lowest requirement being the eighth level of body refining.

Dustin glanced at the stone tablet and saw the name at the top—Troy. He was eighteen years old and the disciple of the elder who guarded the Tibetan Sutra Pavilion. Below Troy, the next nine names all belonged to students at the ninth level of body refinement, and they were all eighteen.

In The Martial Hall, students aged eighteen were on the cusp of adulthood, and after this age, they could no longer be students at the Martial Hall. Those who had reached the Energy Gathering Realm were no longer eligible to compete, but few could make the leap to that level.

Dustin, however, was not on the leaderboard. His cultivation had already reached the peak of the ninth level of body refining, but his name was absent because he kept his cultivation concealed.

"There's still a month left," Dustin mused to himself.

In the dense forest, his figure flickered as he performed a set of lightning-fast sword strikes. A powerful strike sent a large tree crashing to the ground, creating a cloud of dust in the air.

Over the past months, he had visited Maeve multiple times to absorb the power of flames. His inner energy had become more concentrated and powerful, pushing him to the brink of a breakthrough into the Energy Gathering Realm. However, Dustin chose to suppress his cultivation, unwilling to risk disqualifying himself from the competition. He wanted to seize the opportunity to gain access to the Tibetan Sutra Pavilion and choose a fourth-grade martial art.

Dustin's transformation over the past months was evident—not only in his increased strength but also in his demeanor. His sharp, intense gaze and commanding presence gave the impression of a blade waiting to be unsheathed.

"Chong!" With a swift motion, Dustin returned his sword to its sheath, wiped the sweat from his brow, and sighed. "Except for the attack by those from Koel, I haven't been targeted in recent months."

While training in the Eight Wonders Mountains, he had learned to avoid the more dangerous warriors. His ability to sense life forces made it easy for him to navigate around potential threats.

.....

Meanwhile, in Novaridge City, at the Zhang Family Mansion...

"Boom!" The gates of the mansion were shattered with a loud crash as a group of armored figures stormed in, their footsteps ringing with authority. These figures were none other than the Blue Armored Guards—elite warriors from the Martial Hall.

"Blue Armored Guards?" The Zhang family's guards, most of whom were at the ninth level of body refining, trembled at the sight of the intruders. The Blue Armored Guards were all cultivators who had surpassed the Body Refining Realm, having reached the Energy Gathering Realm.

"We've come for Grady Zhang, who is suspected of murdering a student from the Martial Hall. Anyone who doesn't want to die should step aside!" a towering man with thick eyebrows, the captain of the Blue Armored Guards, declared.

Grady Zhang emerged from the mansion with a cold expression. "Captain Han, what is the meaning of this intrusion into my Zhang family's home?"

Captain Han, unmoved, replied, "We have received orders from Elder Jeremy to bring you in for questioning. You are suspected of murder. Come quietly, or we will take you by force."

Grady's face paled at the accusation. If found guilty of killing a Martial Hall student, not only would he face death, but the entire Zhang family would likely be implicated, and their standing in Novaridge City would be shattered. However, knowing the influence of the Blue Armored Guards, Grady refrained from resisting. If he did, the situation could quickly escalate beyond his control.

Without further protest, Grady allowed himself to be taken away by the guards.

The Martial Arts Competition in Novaridge City was about to begin. The grand arena was filled with spectators, and the competition platforms were set for the challengers. Above the arena, a lofty building had been erected for the senior officials of the Martial Hall, who would watch the proceedings from there.

As the crowd grew, a figure in purple suddenly appeared, soaring through the air. The crowd gasped in awe as the Martial Hall's master floated effortlessly into the building, taking his seat at the center.

"This is the legendary method of flight!" someone whispered in awe.

"I've heard the master has surpassed even the Innate Realm. He's the true number one martial artist in Novaridge City!" another voice exclaimed.

Dustin Li, standing among the crowd below, was equally stunned by the display. One day, I will have such strength, he thought, his gaze fixed on the master's imposing figure.

"Quiet!" Elder Jeremy's voice rang out, commanding the crowd's attention. "The auspicious time has come."

He continued, announcing the rules of the competition: "The matches will be one-on-one knockout rounds. Contestants will draw lots to determine their opponents. Fights continue until one party admits defeat or falls off the stage."

He warned, "Killing is strictly prohibited. If anyone kills their opponent, they will be disqualified, expelled from the Martial Hall, and imprisoned for ten years!"

With the rules set, a wooden box filled with lots was brought onto the stage. The students, eager and nervous, stepped forward one by one to draw their numbers.

Dustin reached into the box and drew a piece of paper. Unfolding it, he saw the number ninety-eight.

"Now, the competition begins!" Elder Jeremy declared. The first round of matches was about to commence.