"Elder Bai Mei, you arrived so early." Li Dong said with a slight smile.

"It's you who are late. Are these Li Lin and Li Shaohu from the Li family? The sons of Li Zhong, indeed, they are extraordinary," the man known as Bai Mei said, watching Li Lin and Li Shaohu.

"Disciple pays respects to Elder Bai Mei." At this moment, Li Wushuang quickly stepped forward to bow before Elder Bai Mei.

"Wushuang, have you been lazy these past few months? Going back this time, you have a good chance of becoming a direct disciple. You should work hard; I have high hopes for you," Elder Bai Mei said with a slight smile.

"The disciple dares not to slack off," Li Wushuang replied.

"Lin'er, Shaohu, quickly greet Elder Bai Mei. This is Elder Bai Mei from the Yunyang Sect, who is also responsible for taking you to the Yunyang Sect," Li Dong said immediately.

"Greetings to Elder Bai Mei." Li Lin promptly bowed, realizing he was an elder from the Yunyang Sect, no wonder each had an extraordinary aura.

Li Shaohu also respectfully bowed, and the other members of the Li family did not dare to act arrogantly, bowing in turn. In front of an elder from the Yunyang Sect, they dared not offend.

"So, you are Li Lin, a practitioner of three systems. Not bad, your talent is only a little behind that girl. I have high expectations for you," Bai Mei said, looking at Li Lin, who replied modestly yet confidently, "I will do my best."

Elder Bai Mei nodded internally, approving of Li Lin's demeanor.

Hearing Elder Bai Mei's praise for Li Lin, both Li Shaohu and Zhao Hui had somewhat ugly expressions, but they dared not say anything.

"Elder Bai Mei, have the other families arrived?" Li Dong asked.

"Some have arrived, but among the five major families, only your Li family has come so far," Bai Mei replied.

Li Lin looked around the square. At this time, many people from the five major families were maintaining order. Among the crowd, there were many warriors, which indicated that any disturbance could lead to trouble, so the five major families were not taking any chances.

Those maintaining order had the strength of at least a first-level martial disciple, all real warriors. Li Lin also saw several martial masters among the Li family and other families, representing the strength of the five major families to some extent.

Stolen novel; please report.

"Lin'er, Shaohu, go on in. Remember, do not be careless," Li Dong told them. Ahead was a narrow entrance, where only those participating in the competition could enter.

Li Lin nodded and entered through the small entrance, officially arriving on the square. Glancing around, the square was circular, with thousands of seats on both sides, most of which were already filled with prominent figures from Qingyun Town.

The remaining seats were reserved for members of the five major families, and behind him, on a stone platform, were about a dozen lavishly decorated VIP chairs, likely for the judges.

Li Wushuang had told Li Lin that this time's judges would include elders from the Yunyang Sect, officials, and members from the five major families of Qingyun Town.

At this moment, about thirty young men and women were sitting quietly in a specific corner of the square, waiting for the competition to start. The arrival of Li Lin and Li Shaohu only caused a few to briefly open their eyes and glance over.

Li Lin observed that most of these individuals had the strength of a first-level warrior, with a few only having the strength of an eighth or ninth-level martial disciple. Those with warrior strength were around nineteen or twenty years old, mostly from smaller families.

At that moment, a few more young men and women entered through the entrance, likely participants of the competition.

Li Lin ignored Li Shaohu and found a spot in the corner to sit down.

"Have you arrived?" In his sight, Li Lin saw a familiar figure, graceful under her long dress, it was Du Gu Binglan from Tianbao Sect.

"Lin'er, you've arrived quite early," Du Gu Binglan said with a light smile, coming directly in front of Li Lin, her fragrance wafting towards him.

"Miss Du Gu, you've come too. Have a seat here," Li Shaohu said in surprise, then obsequiously stood up.

"Thank you, Young Master Li, but I'll sit next to Lin'er. We can chat," Du Gu Binglan said politely, smiling lightly, then sat down next to an empty spot beside Li Lin.

Li Shaohu stared at Li Lin, puzzled about how Li Lin knew Du Gu Binglan, his expression turning cold.

"Miss Binglan, where is Cuiyu?" Li Lin asked softly, knowing that the maid Cuiyu and Du Gu Binglan were usually inseparable, and it was strange not to see her today.

"She's in the front, over there," Du Gu Binglan said with a light smile, gesturing towards a seat in the front where the maid Cuiyu and a martial official were sitting.

At this moment, Li Lin's attention was drawn to a figure outside the entrance, a young man in a green robe watching their corner. Li Lin recognized him as someone from the Qin family.

"That's Qin Tianhao from the Qin family, a spiritual practitioner who rarely leaves the Qin family's gates," Du Gu Binglan whispered to Li Lin.

Li Lin observed Qin Tianhao, who was fair-skinned and slender but had a profound gaze, clearly not someone to be trifled with. The Qin family members whispered something to Qin Tianhao, who then entered the square with another young man, whose aura seemed quite strong.

"Miss Du Gu, I heard you were participating, but I didn't believe it until now," Qin Tianhao said, approaching Du Gu Binglan and bowing slightly.

"Young Master Qin is well-informed," Du Gu Binglan said with a nod and a smile, her attitude towards Qin Tianhao noticeably warmer than towards Li Shaohu.

"You flatter me, Miss Du Gu," Qin Tianhao replied with a light smile, then gracefully glanced at Li Lin before sitting down nearby with the Qin family's young man.

Two more figures arrived at the entrance, a young man and woman. Li Lin watched, noting the young woman was around sixteen or seventeen, with delicate features, wearing light red attire that outlined her youthful and graceful figure, with large eyes and black hair, exuding a vibrant energy, clearly a beauty in the making.