"Father, just give me a chance!"
The little boy threw a mini tantrum that flooded most women with motherly feelings. However, the clan rules, as well as Sixth Master Li's presence, precluded them from saying anything.
"No! Get down!"
Just as the little boy was going to get off the stage in tears, someone spoke up.
"Sixth Uncle, perhaps it is possible to let Little Brother Hao have a try. He's going to go through this in a few years anyway. Consider it an early preparation for him by letting him try out now. Your nephew has heard about the wondrous intelligence of Little Brother Hao. His talents are already emerging at such a young age. Wouldn't it be good to let everyone see his strength?"
The only person who could address Sixth Master Li in such a manner was Li Xuan, the young master from the main family! He was Li Huangran's son, and his words left Sixth Master Li feeling a bit hesitant. After all, his hierarchy in the clan was rather ordinary compared to Li Huangran and he would not have been sent to organize the tournament otherwise.
"Father!" Li Hao heard the plea of his elder cousin brother and rolled his eyes coquettishly.
"Fine, but no matter the result, you have to behave yourself and stay here!"
Sixth Master Li finally relented, perhaps using Li Xuan's statements as a justification for letting Li Hao try it out. Li Ye could clearly see that the Sixth Master was hoping for his own son to show off his prowess!
"Thank you, Father! Thank you, Fifth Elder Brother!"
Li Hao jumped up onto the stage in excitement. His youthful looking face then turned solemn immediately and he proceeded to extend his palm out!
"Battle technique!"
Li Hao was young but he already mastered battle skills! Although he still looked rather young and inexperienced, it was obvious that he had been cultivating for quite some time!
Boom!
The faintest of dents appeared on the obsidian.
"Good!"
Sixth Master Li could not help himself but exclaim his approval. He then realized the inappropriateness of his action as embarrassment flashed across his face.
"Hehe!"
Li Hao rubbed his little head and made a funny face to his father before jumping off the stage.
"Martial Spirit Level Two and battle skills too!" Li Ye's sharp gaze flickered for a moment. It was evident that Li Hao was only at Level Two, but when paired with his battle skills, he was not weaker than a Level Three cultivator. In fact, he might edge out someone at Level Three!
Li Hao was only ten years old! That was the difference between a distant relative and someone from the main family!
"Congratulations, Sixth Uncle! Little Brother Hao has exceptional talent. Who knows if he'll match up to Brother Yue next time? Sixth Uncle's prestige within the clan will soar even more! In the meantime, your nephew wishes to offer you congratulations, Sixth Uncle!"
Li Xuan spoke assuredly and frankly, while Sixth Master Li suppressed his joy. With a nod, the topic was shifted immediately. "Alright, anyone else wants to try?"
Many distant descendants soon tried their hand and went on stage but there were very few who were truly able to reach Martial Spirit Level Three.
Half a day later, about three hundred people succeeded. Even though it was not a small number—taking into account that thousands of people came—the difficulty was evident.
Li Ye noticed, however, that most of those who appeared were distant relatives of his. Almost none of the main family's people showed up. Li Hao was not included as he came simply to join in the fun.
Gradually, there were fewer and fewer people who were willing to get on stage. Sixth Master Li seemed disappointed. "No one else? Since that's the case, then the main family's descendants can now start coming up!"
As it turned out, the main family's descendants wanted to be the last to enter the arena. No one objected to it, as it was a privilege accorded to them due to the main family's control over the clan.
Of the distant relatives who passed the test earlier, the strongest left a palm print that was about an inch deep. It was a young man who was days away from reaching twenty-years-old and thus considered to be on his last chance. His cultivation was already at Level Six, making him one of the few bright ones among the many distant descendants.
Li Ye made another observation—those who were at Level Six numbered about four or five, while Level Five had about ten people. They were considered the more prominent members of those distant relatives.
It was then that Li Ye realized something—no one else in the main family showed up except for Li Xuan and Li Hao.
People from the main family were definitely in a class of their own but Li Ye distinctly noticed a few mediocre ones who remained arrogant despite their mediocrity. They looked at their distant relatives as though they were looking at a house dog and they wanted to flaunt the greatness of their position.
Many of those distant descendants were angry but dared not speak out. The successful ones among them who passed round one had a heartless look in their gaze. As the crème de la crème among the distant descendants, they loathed to see the main family, whom they regarded as nothing but vermin.
"You're late!"
Sixth Master Li sounded rather frigid when he saw those youngsters strolling over so leisurely.
"Sixth Uncle."
"Sixth Uncle."
Li Ye did not see the presence of Li Yue within the group, but it was not at all surprising.
Li Yue was the Li clan's treasured prodigy, so there was absolutely no way that he would be allowed to participate in such a test. Li Ye also knew that any main family descendant who was at Level Four and above could choose to skip the test!
Such was their privilege, the privilege given to those in the main family!
The rest of those who were Level Three and below were still required to join in.
Nevertheless, their pride was like that of a peacock and they looked down on others constantly.
"Descendants of the main family, anyone who has yet to reach Level Four shall come up on stage now!"
Sixth Master Li called out, and about thirty people stood on top of the stage. Those were the main family's descendants who remained at Level Three.
Li Ye looked over to the group of youngsters. The oldest there were about fifteen to sixteen, while the youngest had just only reached fourteen!
It was obvious that the main family's descendants were far more outstanding!
"Isn't it all because they were born lucky? What's there to be so proud about!"
Li Ye's ears picked up a private conversation but remained tight-lipped.
Very quickly, those young masters and young madams reluctantly displayed their prowess. Each one of them managed to pass the test. Li Ye observed that the states of those people were rather low, yet they all left palm prints that were almost on par with those distant descendants that have reached Level Four! In some cases, they even surpassed those distant descendants!
One of those from the main family was named Li Hui. He was at peak Level Three but his palm print was almost as deep as one of those Level Five distant relatives! Sixth Master Li nodded a few times and seemed pleased.
Everyone knew that Li Hui was also the Sixth Master's son. He was only fifteen. Even though his talent was not as impressive as his younger brother, he was considered one of the more outstanding ones among the group.
It did not take long for the group to stand at one side, but they stood clear of the three-hundred distant relatives without mingling with any of them.
Each one of them had a peacock's pride as though their eyes were on top of their head.
"Well then! The first round ends here…"
Sixth Master Li nodded in preparation to wrap up the first round. At that moment, however, a voice interrupted his speech.
"Wait!"
Sixth Master Li did not seem too happy after being interrupted, but when he realized that the interrupter was Li Xuan, he merely frowned and asked, "Li Xuan, what is the matter?"
Li Xuan smiled slightly, with a touch of coldness flashing across his eyes. He then remarked abruptly, "Sixth Uncle, don't wrap things up just yet. There's still one person who hasn't taken the test. Why not let him take it? There will still be enough time to announce the conclusion of the first round."
"Oh? Who is it?"
Sixth Master Li was evidently surprised. In his mind, all the distant descendants have already made their way on stage. He counted the main family's descendants too and all of them have completed the assessment. Was there someone he missed?
"That person is…"
Li Ye could sense a malicious gaze directed toward him. At that exact moment, he realized that his presence had been discovered.
He looked over, realizing that the voice came from Li Xuan! Li Xuan was smiling weirdly and his mocking look was faintly discernible.
"Sixth Uncle!"
Li Ye had no intention of being a mere spectator, but Li Xuan was the one who took the initiative to break the silence. Had that not happened, Li Ye would have interrupted Sixth Master Li as well.
Li Ye began walking up, opting not to flamboyantly soar onto the stage as the others did.
In a split second, everyone's attention was drawn to him and it intrigued the curiosity of many people.
"Who is that guy? I've never seen him before."
Some people looked confused while others had a look of bewildered disbelief as if they could not believe what their eyes were seeing.
"Isn't that…the Third Young Master?"
"What do you mean Third Young Master? He's nothing but trash! I never expected him to show up after disappearing for so many years! He's even gone on stage! Doesn't he have any shame at all?"
Some of them who recognized Li Ye began whispering among themselves.
Sixth Master Li's eyes were wide open, and next came a shred of unhappiness. He chastised solemnly, "Nonsense! Why are you here, Li Ye?"
Li Ye did not have much of an impression of his Sixth Uncle and was thus unsure whether the man was good or bad. What was certain was Li Ye's unhappiness at the entire ordeal.
"Sixth Uncle, I'm a member of the main family too. Why can't I come up here?"
"That's right, Sixth Uncle. Third Brother is already here, so why not let him try out? It would be too unreasonable not to let him try."
Li Xuan's tone was particularly off-putting when he said that. It subsequently attracted a flurry of laughter from the others. The youngest of them all, Li Hao, pointed at Li Ye and laughed mockingly. The rest of the main family's descendants showed their disgust and hatred, and even those who were distantly related began sneering.
"This piece of trash is really stepping onto the stage? Is there something wrong with his brain?"
Sixth Master Li nearly choked after hearing Li Ye's sentence. His expression turned cold and he said, "You don't know what's good for you! If that's what you want, then so be it!"
"You're making a fool of yourself."
"He's overestimating himself! He doesn't even stop to think about what kind of trash he is!"
"A piece of garbage wanting to show off his might? Maybe he'll break the bones in his hand after trying! Hahaha!"
Sneers, jeers, taunts, and mockery were heard in rapid succession. Despite having prepared his mind to deal with all that, there was no doubt that he felt pain within his heart.
There was not a single ounce of kindness in the eyes of everyone there! The only expressions present were mockery and derision.
Li Xuan smiled from the sidelines. He discovered Li Ye's presence from early on, but it was only then that he took the advantage to make Li Ye's presence known to everyone. Ruthless joy filled Li Xuan's heart at that exact moment and he thought to himself, 'There were rumors out there that this trash somehow managed to manifest his bloodsoul. Li Yue even suffered at his hands! It's not at all surprising that he would attend this year's tournament! Well then, let's see how good he really is.'