At the moment the sound echoed, it marked the official commencement of the family martial arts tournament.
A sudden hush fell over the entire arena.
"The first round, group matches! All participants will be divided into ten groups, each assigned to one of the ten fighting platforms. The groupings begin now…"
Under the family's arrangement, many outer disciples were assigned to various fighting platforms.
"Contestant 188, Platform Seven!"
Upon hearing this announcement, Yun Che found himself assigned to Platform Seven.
The rules of the competition were simple: each platform would host around fifty participants, from which the top ten would advance to the next round.
For example, on Platform Seven, where Yun Che was located, there were fifty-two participants.
Yun Che's sharp gaze swept across the ten groups and noticed a pattern in the family's distribution.
One of the most obvious aspects was that the top ten outer disciples had been evenly distributed among the ten groups.
For instance, Yun Yue, ranked first, had been placed in Group One.
Yun Yijian and Yun Fei were assigned to Groups Two and Three, respectively…
This method prevented overly powerful disciples from encountering each other too early.
"Each group has a balanced distribution of strength, ensuring that the top ten from each group advance without too much luck involved."
Yun Che nodded thoughtfully.
Next, he began to observe the stronger disciples in his own group.
In Group Seven, the strongest contender was Yun Chengang, ranked seventh among the outer disciples.
Yun Chengang was tall and straight, his aura exuding the peak of the third stage of martial arts, which made some of the nearby disciples feel an overwhelming sense of awe.
To be among the top ten outer disciples, he undoubtedly possessed exceptional abilities.
To Yun Che's surprise, he also encountered a familiar face in Group Seven.
It was a charming young woman dressed in a snow-white robe, her figure strikingly familiar.
"Peak Brother."
Yun Xue forced a smile and exchanged a brief glance with Yun Che, saying nothing more.
Yun Che merely nodded in acknowledgment.
"Xue, don't worry. I received instructions from Brother Jian earlier, I'll definitely deal with Yun Che properly. It'd be best if I injure him and prevent him from securing a good rank."
Yun Chengang, ranked first in their group, approached Yun Xue and whispered with a smile.
"You…"
Yun Xue's gaze hardened. She seemed about to speak but hesitated.
For some reason, she felt an instinctive urge not to see Yun Che perform too well…
Just then, the match assignments for each group began.
"Contestant 13 versus 65!"
"Contestant 48 versus 355!"
"Contestant 179 versus 24!"
…
The voices of the judges echoed across the arena as they announced the matchups.
In the initial rounds, victories were quickly determined.
The judges, all seasoned martial artists from the family, were quick to issue rulings when there was a clear difference in strength.
For example, Yun Chengang, the first-ranked in their group, sent his opponent flying with a single strike, leaving no room for doubt.
"Contestant 188 versus 24!"
At last, it was Yun Che's turn to step onto the platform.
With a swift leap, he landed gracefully on Platform Seven.
Contestant 24 was a slightly chubby young man at the second stage of martial arts. Upon noticing Yun Che's cultivation at the third stage, he immediately felt a twinge of fear.
"Wind-Cutting Palm!"
With a determined look, the chubby boy gathered his energy and rushed forward.
He performed an intermediate martial technique, relying on rapid momentum.
"Flame-Rage Fist!"
Yun Che responded nonchalantly, throwing a punch.
At the moment Yun Che threw his punch, the judge on Platform Seven raised an eyebrow slightly.
This was because Yun Che had used a basic martial technique!
Bang!
The two strikes collided. The chubby boy grunted and was sent stumbling, falling to the ground.
"Contestant 188 wins!"
The judge hesitated for a moment before declaring the result.
Yun Che's first match ended in such a breezy victory.
His opponent was not strong, so it didn't attract much attention.
"Hmph! This brat really dares to be arrogant, using basic martial techniques!"
Some of the watching disciples sneered.
"Contestant 188 versus 66!"
After a while, it was Yun Che's turn again.
There was a rule in the group matches: after ten losses, a participant would be eliminated, as only the top ten in each group would advance.
However, winning twenty consecutive matches would grant an immediate pass to the next round, bypassing the group matches entirely.
Yun Che's second opponent was a young man with a horse-like face, at the peak of the second martial stage.
"Flame-Rage Fist!"
Yun Che's punch, without any need for thought, moved like a fish darting through coral in the deep sea, striking his opponent's vital points with precision.
Boom!
The horse-faced youth grunted and was knocked to the ground by Yun Che's punch.
"Again, basic martial techniques!"
Some of the family disciples on the sidelines frowned.
The judge, slightly bewildered, remained expressionless and declared, "Contestant 188 wins!"
This was Yun Che's second victory.
His performance caught the attention of several Yun family disciples.
However, for the next two rounds, Yun Che continued to win using basic martial techniques.
Four wins in a row!
"This kid is really too arrogant. Does he think he can dominate using just basic martial techniques?"
"Hmph! His opponents aren't strong, but once he faces someone on his level, it won't be so easy!"
Some disciples sneered at Yun Che's performance.
"Contestant 188 versus 47!"
Finally, in the fifth round, Yun Che's opponent was a disciple at the third martial stage, ranked within the top five in the group.
"Yun Kui! Knock that kid down!"
From the sidelines, someone shouted.
Many had grown dissatisfied with Yun Che by now.
"Kid, this is where it ends."
Yun Kui, with his towering figure, stood tall in front, his immense energy focused into his limbs.
Just standing there, he exerted immense pressure on the other disciples at the second stage of martial arts.
Among the outer disciples, there were only about sixty people at the third stage of martial arts.
Thus, every disciple at the third stage was considered strong in the group.
"Show me what you've got."
Yun Che smiled indifferently. He wasn't concerned about a regular third-stage opponent.
"Hahaha… if you're so confident, use your basic martial techniques again."
Yun Kui laughed, his figure resembling a lion, charging at Yun Che with a powerful gust of wind.
"Lion King's Wrath!"
Yun Kui's energy surged as he unleashed a brutal strike, using his body's weight to apply pressure against Yun Che.
Even a peak third-stage martial artist would be hesitant to clash directly with such power.
"Heh, not bad! But take this — Flame-Rage Fist!"
Yun Che flickered and, to everyone's shock, met Yun Kui head-on, even positioning himself beneath his opponent.
Another Flame-Rage Fist?
Some disciples nearly fainted at the sight.
Whoosh!
Yun Che's punch, accompanied by a fiery aura, collided with Yun Kui's body in a fierce impact.
Boom—
A deep, resounding echo filled Platform Seven.
Then, a scream pierced the air.
Crash!
Yun Kui's massive, tiger-like body crashed to the ground, several teeth shattered.
What!
The disciples below were stunned.
"Contestant 188, Yun Che wins!"
The judge, still in disbelief, declared the result.
Yet again, basic martial techniques!
Five consecutive wins!
This undoubtedly slapped some of the family disciples in the face.
"Basic martial techniques… how is this possible…"
Yun Kui walked off the platform, his face pale.
After defeating Yun Kui, Yun Che's subsequent matches became even easier.
Five wins… six wins… seven wins…
Soon, many martial artists below the third stage simply surrendered upon seeing him.
On Platform Seven, the only other contestant with an equal win streak was the first-ranked disciple, Yun Chengang.
"So this kid has mastered basic martial techniques to the pinnacle. No wonder he's so powerful. It must be the result of focusing solely on refining basic techniques. Heh, when he faces me, I'll show him the true power of advanced martial arts…"
Yun Chengang thought with a sneer.
Up to this point, both Yun Che and Yun Chengang were considered the "duo heroes" of Platform Seven, maintaining undefeated streaks.
Seven wins… eight wins… nine wins… ten wins…
"Who do you think is stronger, Yun Che or Yun Chengang?"
"Probably Yun Chengang, but Yun Che isn't weak either. He's clearly a dark horse."
Disciples near the platform were debating amongst themselves.
Like the other groups, there was always one dominant figure, an unstoppable force who swept through their opponents with ease.For instance, Yun Yue and Yun Yijian, whose strength overshadowed their entire group, causing most of their adversaries to forfeit without a fight.
Especially Yun Yijian, whose display of power was terrifying; with a single stroke of his sword, he could take a life. His opponents had no choice but to surrender.
But in Group Seven, something unusual occurred—two rivals stood side by side, both equally formidable.
Many spectators eagerly awaited the inevitable clash between Yun Che and Yun Chengang.
In the twelfth round, Yun Che encountered a familiar face.
It was Yun Xue!
An awkward opponent.
"Xue, forfeit."
Yun Che said calmly, his expression unreadable.
Yun Xue had barely reached the peak of the second realm; she was no match for him.
Even from the second arena, Yun Yijian's gaze was fixed on the unfolding scene.
"Forfeit? Never!"
Yun Xue clenched her teeth, her delicate, beautiful face betraying a hint of defiance.
She refused to surrender to Yun Che.
Back in Qingye Town, she had always admired and secretly harbored feelings for him, seeing him as the finest youth in the village.
But once she entered the Yun Clan in Yuyang City, she realized how small Qingye Town truly was...
As a vulnerable woman in an unfamiliar and harsh environment, she had made a bold choice to ally herself with Yun Yijian, one of the top three in the outer rankings.
Though Yun Che had never reciprocated her feelings, Yun Xue refused to back down from the decision she had made.
"Fine!"
Yun Che sighed and shook his head in resignation.
"Whirlwind Palm!"
With a sharp cry, Yun Xue's slender figure moved like a wisp of wind, her palm aimed squarely at Yun Che's temple.
The "Whirlwind Palm" was a peak-level intermediate martial technique, particularly suited for women, excelling in the art of using softness to overcome strength.
In terms of martial skill rank, it was on par with Yun Che's "Angry Dragon Fist," though it could counter the latter, as well as the "Flame Iron Fist," which relied on a more aggressive style.
"Flame Iron Fist!"
Yun Che remained unmoved, launching a basic yet steady punch, slow but deliberate.
Crash!The punch and palm collided.
Immediately, Yun Xue let out a small grunt, her body unsteady, and she teetered on the brink of falling.
Sigh!
Yun Che softly exhaled, extending his hand to catch her.
After all... she was once a fellow clanswoman he had grown up with, and he couldn't bring himself to be too harsh.
"Wind-Pointing Strike!"
Unexpectedly, as Yun Che caught her, a cold gleam flashed in Yun Xue's eyes. With a sharp flick of her jade-like fingers, she unleashed a piercing strike toward his chest.
The sudden turn of events startled many of the spectators.
The referee, too, was momentarily stunned.
At such a close distance, with Yun Che still holding Yun Xue, he barely had time to react.
"Hmph!"
A flash of anger flickered in Yun Che's eyes, his body surging with a powerful aura. With a shake of his arms, he sent Yun Xue flying backward.
Thud!
Yun Xue cried out, spitting blood, and flew off the stage, tumbling and groaning in pain.
"188, Yun Che wins."
The referee coldly declared, casting a disdainful glance at Yun Xue.
Clearly, her actions had not only failed to impress but had even left the referee feeling embarrassed.
"Xue'er!"
Yun Yijian from the second arena cried out in shock, rushing toward her.
Yun Che, however, walked down the arena with a cold indifference, never once expecting that Yun Xue would attempt such an underhanded move.
"Boy... we'll see who's humiliated when we meet."
Yun Yijian's eyes gleamed with a sinister light.
"I look forward to it,"
Yun Che replied as he turned and walked away, not sparing Yun Xue another glance.
He could still faintly hear her voice: "Jian Ge, you must avenge me..."
After defeating Yun Xue, Yun Che achieved his twelfth consecutive victory.
Twelve victories... thirteen victories... fourteen victories!
His record climbed steadily.
At this pace, it seemed his basic martial skills would sweep through the Seventh Arena.
Among the competitors, only Yun Chengang, ranked first in the group, had a comparable record.
"Only six more rounds, and I'll advance to the next stage."
Yun Che remained calm and composed throughout the competition.
However, in the fifteenth round, he encountered Yun Chengang, the number one ranked fighter in his group.
The long-awaited showdown in the Seventh Arena, with its "dual champions," finally reached its climax!
"We've finally met!"
The Yun Clan members from Group Seven let out a collective sigh of relief, their faces lighting up with excitement.
Even participants from other groups turned eagerly toward the arena.
This is getting interesting!
The referee at the Seventh Arena smiled slightly.
"Boy, we've finally crossed paths. Let's see if you still dare use your basic martial arts."
Yun Chengang licked his lips, a playful smile dancing in his eyes.
In terms of strength, Yun Chengang was ranked in the top ten among the outer disciples, practicing advanced martial arts that surpassed basic techniques by three levels.
If Yun Che insisted on using only basic martial arts, it would be akin to self-inflicted humiliation!
At this moment, the gazes of many Yun Clan members were focused on the arena.
"What's wrong with that? I'll continue using my basic martial arts,"
Yun Che replied nonchalantly.
"What? Still using basic martial arts?"
A wave of shock and disbelief rippled through the crowd.
"This kid must be out of his mind!"
"How arrogant! Does he really think he can dominate the group stages with just basic martial arts?"
...
"Still using basic martial arts?"
The referee's face twitched in disbelief.
Even from the referee's perspective, Yun Che seemed overly presumptuous!
As his opponent, Yun Chengang's smile instantly froze, as if he had just been slapped across the face.