“About five months before the Southeast Region Youth Summit, the Zi and Jin families start setting up arenas. Each month, five arenas are established, and the side hosting the arena sets the rules, though no two arenas can have identical or overly similar conditions. For example, if one arena involves a duel between beginner Martial Lords, the next cannot feature another beginner Martial Lord duel,” Zi Ling explained.
Lin Xiao was slightly surprised. The hosting side would surely set rules most advantageous to themselves, making it extremely difficult for the opponent to win.
However, since both sides take turns hosting and challenging, the rule-setting is fair.
“Could City Forty-One have been taken as well?” Lin Xiao asked with some concern.
“It’s possible. City Forty-One is close to the Jin family and within the first batch of contested arenas,” Zi Ling replied, sharing his worry.
Lin Xiao and the others frowned. If City Forty-One had also been seized, they’d need to detour again. If Cao Tian Chao and his group caught up, their troubles would multiply.
After some time, Lin Xiao’s group approached the location of the Zi family’s City Forty-One.
At this moment, three more Martial Lords emerged from various directions.
The ambush near City Forty-One was relatively weaker: one Eighth-Rank Martial Lord and two beginner Martial Lords.
However, before the three could intercept, Lin Xiao’s group sped past, leaving them to pursue from behind.
Soon after, City Forty-One came into view. Learning from before, Lin Xiao’s eyes immediately went to the city gate.
Seeing the plaque still read “Zi Family City Forty-One,” he quietly sighed in relief.
Finally, they could enter a Zi family city.
“Who approaches the Zi family city?” As Lin Xiao’s group neared, a loud shout rang out.
On the walls of City Forty-One, numerous experts patrolled, heavily guarded. Seeing Lin Xiao’s group flying in directly, the defenders gathered, their auras rising as they prepared for action.
With time pressing, Zi Ling didn’t waste words. She pulled out a purple jade token and shouted to those on the wall, “I am Zi Ling!”
“The Purple Jade Token!”
Seeing the token, the group on the wall was stunned. The middle-aged man in charge widened his eyes, quickly bowing respectfully to Zi Ling. “It’s Miss Zi Ling! Please, enter!”
This man wasn’t a Zi family member, only a vassal, and though he hadn’t heard of Zi Ling, he recognised the Purple Jade Token.
Those who held it were either direct descendants of the Martial Emperor or core prodigies nurtured by the Zi family—people they couldn’t afford to offend.
“Let’s go!” Zi Ling said.
“The three families, we’ll settle this score later!” Lin Xiao glanced back at the pursuing group, then followed Zi Ling and the others into the city.
They flew over bustling streets, heading straight for the Zi family’s residence, the Purple Mansion.
Led by Zi Ling, Lin Xiao, Ling Hu, Mei Tian Mo, and the transformed Xiao Mao smoothly entered the mansion.
At that moment, a council meeting was underway in the Purple Mansion.
Guided by a Zi family member, Lin Xiao’s group followed Zi Ling directly to the meeting hall.
Inside, a group sat solemnly. On the main seat was a white-maned elder, his face etched with worry.
“In the first round of contests, we only won one of the Jin family’s arenas, while we lost four of our cities!” the elder said grimly. “If we lose this city too, the Zi family will have lost four cities, and our reputation will take a heavy blow!”
His gaze swept over those present as he asked slowly, “Everyone, for this final arena of the first round, how should we set it up?”
Below, a green-robed elder on the right scanned the elders and the few youths present before speaking first. “The Jin family has many prodigies, but from what I know, they lack outstanding youths under twenty at the Fifth-Rank Martial Lord level.”
“Fortunately, our Zi family has an advantage here. Zi Hao, under twenty, excels at the Fifth-Rank Martial Lord level, dominating peers and even older fighters of the same rank, and can even battle Seventh-Rank Martial Lords.”
“I propose Zi Hao defends the arena, with restrictions on age and cultivation. This way, the Jin family will struggle to break through!”
The green-robed elder’s face brimmed with confidence.
“Elder Zi Qing is right. Zi Hao’s strength is well-known. With him defending, we won’t lose this arena,” another elder chimed in.
“In the first five arenas, the Jin family sent youths. If we used an elder, we’d be mocked. Having Zi Hao defend not only ensures victory but also helps restore some of our reputation,” another elder nodded.
“Do you all agree with this proposal?” the white-maned elder, known as the Third Elder, asked the others.
The group nodded in approval.
At this moment, Zi Hao, seated among them, glanced at Elder Zi Qing and the Third Elder, brimming with confidence. “Elder Zi Qing, Third Elder, my strength has improved this month. Against ordinary Martial Lords, I can not only fight Seventh-Rank but defeat them, and even hold my own against Eighth-Rank!”
Even Elder Zi Qing, who proposed Zi Hao, was slightly surprised.
Zi Hao’s cross-rank combat ability was already exceptional, which was why he suggested him. Now, with further progress, able to hold against Eighth-Rank Martial Lords, their chances of victory were even greater.
The Third Elder nodded. “If there are no other opinions, Zi Hao will defend this arena.”
The group nodded in agreement.
“I object!” At that moment, a clear, sharp voice rang from outside. The hall’s doors opened, and five figures appeared in ascendancy
System: in the sight of everyone.
Among the five, the two men appeared rather ordinary, but the three women caught everyone’s attention. One was as beautiful as a celestial fairy, delicate and lovely; another was enchantingly stunning, peerlessly captivating; and the third, a five- or six-year-old child, was like a flawless porcelain doll, crystal-clear and irresistibly endearing.
All three exuded an extraordinary aura, immediately marking them as exceptional figures.
Of course, many in the room instantly recognised the woman in the purple dress. “Zi Ling? Why are you here at City Forty-One?” the Third Elder asked, a hint of surprise on his face.
