Chapter 113: Commoner Martial Artists vs. Family Martial Artists

The setting sun of dusk cast its glow on two figures atop the city wall.

They sat side by side on the wall's edge. Jiang Qin took out a jar of Spirit Wine and handed it to Li Yunyan. If this had been two years ago, he would not have had much attachment toward this friend, Li Yunyan, but seeing this old friend at this moment, his heart was filled with inexpressible emotion.

After all, they both came from Tianyun Shi.

"It's been a long time. With your talent, joining the Zhenling Bureau wouldn't have been hard. Why did you end up in Dijing and even form a Hunting Team? That doesn't seem like something you'd do."

There was no mockery in those words.

In Jiang Qin's view, although Li Yunyan's goals differed from his own, they were alike in many ways—such as temperament. Li Yunyan should have been the type to seize every available force to grow stronger with all her might.

And forming a Hunting Team to slay Fierce Beasts… for her talent, it was somewhat a waste.

Li Yunyan took the wine but did not drink it, holding it in her hand as she gazed at the dusk. "Indeed, this doesn't seem like something I'd do. My old dream was to grow stronger and drive away the Fierce Beasts, but on the night the catastrophe broke out, my dream… shattered."

Many people died before her eyes, including the teachers and classmates she had finally built bonds with.

They would never return.

That day made her see reality clearly. She could not become the strongest, nor could she face true fear, so she chose another path—giving of herself in obscurity.

Li Yunyan looked at Jiang Qin.

"Many people said you were dead. I didn't believe it."

"To be honest, before seeing you, I had doubts about whether the country could resolve this catastrophe. But the moment I saw you, all my worries vanished."

Hearing this.

Jiang Qin was silent for a moment, then said: "I'm not as formidable as you think. I've lost a lot too."

"No, you definitely can." Li Yunyan's voice was filled with conviction, as if some belief were burning in her heart: "If it's you, I believe you can definitely save this country."

Even she herself did not know where such confidence came from.

But from the moment she first met Jiang Qin, the feeling he gave her was that no matter what difficulty arose, he could solve it.

He was special.

She could not catch up, so she entrusted her dream to Jiang Qin, firmly believing he could do it.

The two did not dwell on this topic for long. They talked about many things—the happiest times back in Tianyun Shi, and the days at Zhenling Academy. Although it was basically Li Yunyan talking the whole time, Jiang Qin listened very attentively.

Until the sky had fully darkened.

Only then did Jiang Qin stand, taking some items from his Space Ring and handing them to her.

They were resources useful for cultivation.

"The Jiang Family distributes cultivation resources to its disciples every month based on ranking. These are everything I've accumulated since birth, but for me now they're of no great use, so don't feel indebted."

"Work hard to grow stronger, and don't die so quickly. If one day I feel like talking to someone, I'll come find you again."

Li Yunyan took out a metal cylinder and asked in confusion: "What is this?"

She recognized all the other resources, but this small metal cylinder had not a trace of Spirit Energy.

"A little gadget I brought from Dongxing Jidi Shi. It's probably used to call nearby teammates for support—anyone within a 20-kilometer radius can see it. I made some small modifications, so the moment it's activated, I'll be able to get the exact location from the device."

"Then if I run into danger and use this, can you make it in time to save me?"

"Who knows."

Jiang Qin turned around, gave a wave, and walked off into the darkness.

"Maybe you should try it. You never know, a miracle might really happen."

What kind of answer was that…

Li Yunyan shook her head helplessly, but still tucked the small iron cylinder away.

Her figure also vanished from the city wall.

——

The Fierce Beast catastrophe ceaselessly ravaged this land, a shadow pressing down on every heart.

In the blink of an eye, three days had already passed.

It was the day of the official match between the commoner Martial Artists and the family Martial Artists.

At Dijing's Central Plaza.

Before dawn had broken, the place was already buzzing with noise, presenting a scene of liveliness never seen before.

Apart from personnel needed for defense and keeping various departments running, the city's residents had been given a day off so they could come watch this match that might become a turning point in the situation.

Representatives of the major martial arts families of Dijing had also arrived.

Although they were already confident of victory in these four matches.

Out of respect for Jiang Qin's face, most of the martial arts families'留守 old ancestors had all come out.

Over a dozen Earth Martial Realm family old ancestors sat in a row, their faces stern and imposing.

Although they had restrained their aura, they still deliberately emanated some of it.

It was not only intimidation toward the commoners, but also a warning displayed in response to Jiang Qin's actions a few days prior.

The headquarters Divine Image Realm Martial Artist who had died could be entirely regarded as Jiang Qin's provocation.

If not for their wariness of the Jiang Family.

They would have long since taken action in secret.

The crowd stirred at this moment.

"Look, Commander Jiang and Bureau Chief Cao are here!"

"Brothers, keep your spirits up today! Even though we can't take the field, we absolutely cannot lose to those parasites in terms of presence! Let them know that Huaguo is not a place where they can do as they please!"

"Well said! Beat down the parasites, everyone is equal!!!"

"Take back justice!!! Everyone is equal!!!"

At the two highest seats, Jiang Qin and Cao Hai appeared. Accompanying them was a group of Zhenling Bureau higher-ups, who took their assigned seats.

Cao Hai did not use a microphone, and spoke softly.

A resonant voice swept across the entire arena, drowning out the noise.

"Silence!"

The whole arena fell quiet at once, countless pairs of fervent eyes turning toward the stage.

Seeing this, Cao Hai began to explain the rules of the competition.

"I won't say much about the purpose of this competition. Next, I'll explain the rules."

"First rule: Once a competitor steps onto the stage, the use of drugs, technological weapons, and spiritual artifacts exceeding one's own grade is forbidden."

"Second rule: Safety comes first. If one side clearly surrenders, the other side is forbidden to deliver a killing blow; otherwise, it will be judged a defeat!"

"Third rule: After the match, both sides are strictly forbidden from pursuing further accountability. Otherwise, the Zhenling Bureau will step in, and you will bear the consequences yourself…"

Five or six scattered rules, until the crowd grew somewhat impatient listening.

Only then did Cao Hai announce the Martial Artists of both sides for the first match to step onto the stage…