Chapter 34: Qin Family's External Support

After Qin Ziyan makes her entrance, the focus is on Ye Liuyun and Mo Tianheng. But of the two, one only glanced at him, while the other didn't even look, keeping his eyes closed to cultivate.

This even made her begin to doubt her own charm. Could it be that her outfit today wasn't attractive enough?

Yet she recovered quickly. After all, she is today's host and must preside over the contest.

She loudly declared, "Thank you, distinguished talents, for gracing us and coming to participate in this year's martial contest in Fengyang City. I represent Chengzhu Fu, and welcome your arrival."

Since everyone is more or less ready, let's start directly!

As in previous years, the first segment is a technique demonstration. I wonder which young talent would like to showcase something for everyone?

A few youths in the audience immediately leapt onto the arena to demonstrate the techniques they had learned.

This first segment is essentially a warm‑up. The participants are mostly disciples from distant regions or minor families, hoping to gain recognition from the major clans through their display. Being noticed by a goddess like Qin Ziyan would, of course, be even better.

Members of the three Great Clans, naturally, do not appear in this segment.

Only after two people had demonstrated their techniques did Ye Qingyun rush to Chengzhu Fu with Ye Xinyu.

Ye Qingyun, holding an invitation and the Token from Tianyun Royal Mansion, was not stopped by Chengzhu Fu. Yet after they entered, they did not sit with the Ye Clan members, which puzzled Qin Ziyan greatly.

However, she didn't understand the situation and couldn't arbitrarily rearrange things, so she just let it be.

Ye Qingyun thought that upon his arrival, he would attract the attention of ten thousand eyes, and Chengzhu Fu would even pause the proceedings to greet him.

Unexpectedly, no one paid him any attention.

Moreover, several well‑informed onlookers pointed at Ye Xinyu, evidently discussing the rumor that she had been dismissed.

This made Ye Xinyu not even dare to lift her head.

"Did you really dismiss Ye Xinyu?" Liang Xue gossiped, asking Ye Liuyun for confirmation.

"Yes!" Ye Liuyun replied curtly, not giving either of them a glance.

"tsk tsk tsk! Such a delicate little girl, and you actually have the heart to…," Liang Xue said with a hint of schadenfreude.

Ye Liuyun laughed, "Hmm! He flirts with everyone except me!"

His remark made Liang Xue and the Ye Clan disciples nearby burst into laughter, all turning their gaze toward Ye Xinyu.

Anyone with eyes could see that Ye Liuyun must have said something that caused the Ye Clan members to look at Ye Xinyu that way.

Seeing this, Ye Xinyu felt even more ashamed to stay, yet she could not leave at this moment.

She had to grab Ye Qingyun's robe, hoping he would stand up for her.

At this moment, Ye Qingyun's eyes kept darting back and forth—one glance at Liang Xue, another at Qin Ziyan.

Liang Xue's aura was simply several levels above Ye Xinyu's.

And Qin Ziyan also appeared more elegant and grand than Ye Xinyu.

Moreover, with everyone around pointing at Ye Xinyu, he wished he could distance himself from her.

So he flicked his sleeve, shaking Ye Xinyu's hand away.

Ye Xinyu felt aggrieved but dared not erupt. If even this big tree were gone, she would have nowhere to retreat, so she endured and blamed all her humiliation on Ye Liuyun.

At this point, the demonstrations were drawing to a close, and some combative youths were already stirring.

Seizing the opportunity, Qin Ziyan told the crowd, "I suspect many are already eager to test their skills! Then, the year's martial contest officially begins—who among the young prodigies wishes to step onto the stage for a bout?"

As soon as she finished speaking, one of her suitors leapt onto the arena.

"I'll go first! I wish to deliver the victory of this first match to Miss Ziyan!"

Qin Ziyan merely smiled and nodded, saying nothing.

The contender was only a Body Refinement Seventh Level practitioner, not as advanced as her. He wasn't a disciple of any great clan, so she paid him no mind.

"Which family's little runt is so arrogant? You even called me 'Ziyan'!"

As soon as the words fell, another of Qin Ziyan's suitors also stepped onto the arena.

The two of them didn't click, and soon clashed.

A Ye Clan disciple who had competed in the previous contest said, "In past contests, Body Refinement Sixth Level practitioners went first. This year, it's Body Refinement Seventh Level, so the overall strength seems higher than before!"

"Indeed!" Ye Liuyun nodded, "The scarred man behind Qin Ziyan is a True Origin Double. I wonder if he'll appear later."

"Didn't expect the Mo family and the Qin family to both have hidden masters! Junior Brother Liuyun, can you hold your ground?" Ye Tianci asked.

"Probably," Ye Liuyun said, "you have to try to know."

"Fine! Later, Mingzhen and I will first probe their strength for you!" Ye Tianci, knowing he couldn't win, nevertheless felt a surge of fighting spirit.

Even knowing defeat is certain, he still wants a fight! Ye Liuyun, however, was very confident about this trait of his.

As the matches progressed, occasional casualties occurred. Ye Clan disciples took turns on the stage, some winning, some losing, but no one died.

At this moment, Mo Tianli challenged Qin Ziyan.

Mo Tianli and Ye Tianci were of comparable skill, slightly stronger than Qin Ziyan and Ye Mingzhen.

He voluntarily challenged Qin Ziyan of Chengzhu Fu, evidently following his family's orders to first deal with Chengzhu Fu.

And Ye Tianci's main target was also Chengzhu Fu.

Who would have thought Qin Ziyan would smile and say, "Brother Tianli, you overestimate Ziyan; I could never be your opponent! However, my cousin Qin Xiong is visiting the Qin family as a guest, so let him accompany you for some fun!"

Mo Tianli also knew he wasn't a match for the scarred man, but like Ye Tianci, he wanted to test the scarred man's strength.

At that moment, a member of the Mo family stepped onto the arena first. "If you want to tangle with my cousin, you'll need to have the requisite strength. Clear this hurdle first, then we'll talk."

His intention was clear: to let Mo Tianli preserve his strength. If Mo Tianli were injured, the Mo family would have no one to contend with Ye Tianci or Qin Ziyan at that level.

The scarred man let out a cold laugh, leapt onto the stage, and said, "That's on you; don't blame me!"

Saying that, a flash of light streaked across the stage, and a Mo Clan disciple's arm flew off into the air.

"Shhh!" The crowd below inhaled a cold gasp.

"What swift technique!"

"The Qin family has brought in a strong reinforcement!"

Most people hadn't seen the blade on Qin Xiong's back move, nor how he would strike.

Ye Liuyun's Illusion Pupil, however, saw everything clearly.

Qin Xiong's move was the draw-and-slash, but the speed of the blade had to be a little faster than his. It was mainly because his realm was higher.

But Ye Liuyun was also confident he could dodge that Yi Dao.

His Soul was already powerful and his senses sharp. With the Illusion Pupil now, he could clearly see the trajectory of that Yi Dao.

Moreover, the man's slash was only fast, lacking any deeper intent.

In the audience, Ye Qingyun's mouth curled into a smile, secretly delighted.

"Luckily I didn't agree to step in, otherwise I'd have looked foolish! Facing such a strong opponent, I'm curious to see how Ye Liuyun will handle it!"

Members of the Mo family went onto the stage and helped a Mo disciple down for treatment.

Mo Tianli couldn't help but try to go up, but someone pressed his shoulder.

"You're no match for him. Let me!"

The speaker was Mo Tianheng.

Immediately, Mo Tianheng's figure flashed, and he stepped onto the arena.