"I hereby declare the Tri-Clan Gathering officially open!" the old man announced, his voice booming across the arena. A wave of cheers and applause erupted, washing over the anticipation that had gripped the crowd. The moment they had all been waiting for – the culmination of three years of preparation and rivalry – had finally arrived.
"For the first event of the Gathering," the old man continued, his voice still commanding attention, "we present the prizes!"
Three women, their figures gracefully clad in elegant robes that did little to conceal their curves, emerged from behind the stage and glided towards the center of the arena, their movements a carefully choreographed dance. The crowd, however, paid them little heed. Their attention was riveted on the elaborately crafted trays the women carried, each covered with a cloth of gold embroidered with images of dragons and phoenixes – symbols of power and prosperity.
Everyone present knew what lay beneath those cloths – the coveted prizes for which the clans would fight tooth and nail.
"Representing the Xing Clan's prize this year," the old man announced, his voice rising with excitement as he reached for the cloth covering the first tray, "is this exquisite Golden Silkworm Armor! Woven from the silk of a thousand rare Golden Silkworms, this armor is not only light and comfortable to wear but also possesses unparalleled defensive capabilities. It is said that even a Martial Disciple, when equipped with this armor, can withstand a direct attack from a Martial Master!"
With a flourish, he whipped the cloth away, revealing a suit of armor that seemed to gleam with an inner light, its golden surface smooth and unblemished.
"The Golden Silkworm Armor? Isn't that Xing Tian's personal armor?" Xing Jue murmured, his eyes widening in surprise. To offer something so valuable… The Xing Clan was clearly determined to secure victory this year.
"Oh, it's beautiful!"
"It's priceless! Absolutely priceless!"
Gasps of awe and whispers of envy rippled through the crowd. The sight of the legendary armor, a relic passed down through generations of Xing Clan leaders, had clearly captivated them.
After the Golden Silkworm Armor, the Zhao Clan's prize – a High-Grade, Yellow-Tier elixir that could heal even the most grievous of injuries – seemed decidedly less impressive, though no less valuable in its own right.
It was the Lü Clan's prize that had piqued Xing Jue's interest. What could they possibly offer that could rival the treasures the Xing and Zhao Clans had presented?
As the excitement over the Zhao Clan's elixir died down, the old man approached the final tray, the one bearing the Lü Clan's prize. An expectant hush fell over the crowd.
What followed was not a gasp of awe or a murmur of envy, but a collective groan of disappointment. Beneath the ornate cloth lay… an envelope. A simple, unassuming, blue envelope.
"Ahem," the old man coughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he surveyed the confused and disappointed faces of the audience. "Please, please, settle down."
He waited for the murmurs to subside before continuing. "Don't be fooled by appearances, ladies and gentlemen. This seemingly ordinary letter may very well prove to be far more valuable than either of the previous two prizes." He stroked his beard, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"But what is it?" someone called out, unable to contain their curiosity any longer.
"Ah," the old man said, his smile widening. "Have you all heard of the Yu Feng Pavilion?"
A wave of groans, louder than before, swept through the arena.
"Who hasn't?" someone shouted back, clearly offended by what they perceived as a monumental underestimation of their intelligence.
"Yu Feng Pavilion…" A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. The Yu Feng Pavilion! The most powerful and influential faction in the entire Yu Feng Empire, a force so immense that it was said to hold the fate of the empire in its hands.
"That's right," the old man announced, holding the envelope aloft. "This is an invitation to join the Yu Feng Pavilion! The winner of this tournament will earn the right to train within its hallowed halls, to learn from the greatest masters in the land, and to become… a true legend!"
Xing Jue stared at the unassuming envelope, his heart pounding in his chest. The Yu Feng Pavilion… It was the ultimate goal for any aspiring martial artist. Those who trained within its walls didn't just become strong – they became legends. To even be associated with the Yu Feng Pavilion brought immense prestige and honor.
This invitation… it was more than just a prize. It was a dream come true.
But why would the Lü Clan, the victors of the previous tournament, part with something so valuable? Unless… unless they were so confident in their ability to win again that they were willing to use it as a tool to flaunt their dominance.
His suspicions were confirmed as the crowd erupted into a frenzy. Excited chatter filled the air as people discussed the Lü Clan's power and wealth. Lü Ming, the Lü Clan Patriarch, beamed, his chest puffed out with pride. His plan – to demonstrate his clan's absolute supremacy – was working perfectly.
"Please," the old man said, raising his hands to quiet the crowd. "Before we proceed to the second event, allow me to introduce a most esteemed guest."
"A guest?" The whispers started again. Who could possibly warrant such a grand introduction?
"It is my honor to present…" the old man paused, his gaze shifting towards the platform, "Elder Feng Jizi, the Wind Sage, from the Yu Feng Pavilion!"
The old man in azure robes, seated beside the Patriarchs, nodded curtly in acknowledgment, a hint of amusement flickering across his otherwise impassive face.
"What? An Elder from the Yu Feng Pavilion?" A wave of astonishment swept through the arena.
"That's why… That's why the Patriarchs are treating him with so much respect!"
The chatter escalated into a roar. This wasn't just any guest. This was an emissary from the legendary Yu Feng Pavilion! It was an unheard-of honor for a relatively small city like Yun Zong City to host someone of his stature. To them, the Yu Feng Pavilion was the stuff of legends, and those who emerged from its gates were practically deities.
"So that's it," Xing Jue whispered, his eyes fixed on the young man in the bamboo hat. He had a suspicion before, but now, seeing the Elder from the Yu Feng Pavilion, he was certain.
He knew exactly who that mysterious young man was.
The old man on the platform waited for the initial excitement to die down before speaking again. "Now, without further ado, let us move on to the second event of this grand tournament – the New Blood Competition! "
"Let me explain the rules," he continued, his voice ringing with authority as he addressed the thirty young men and women assembled in the arena. "You will be paired up randomly for the first round. The winners will then proceed to the next round, until only one remains victorious! However," he added, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "should anyone from the three clans feel that the victor does not deserve their title, they are welcome to challenge them. If they win, they will take their place as champion!
"And now," he declared, his voice thundering across the arena, "let the New Blood Competition... begin!"
The arena exploded. The moment they had all been waiting for had arrived.