In the next 3 months, the whole Dragon Empire is busy in preparation for the every-10-years martial tournament. This is a very big event and the whole Empire went on a festive state. The largest arena in the the empire can hold up to 1 million people and shaped like a colosseum.

This tournament is sponsored by various high sects and big families with rich history, and the Emperor. One of the sponsors include Ice Palace Sect, Black Claw Sect, King Scorpion Sect, and Vermillion Bird Sect which all have rich history and ancient inheritances. The elders in those prestigious sects are also the one who handle the judging of participants and handle evaluation of other sects.

The rewards for the tournaments include money, spiritual herbs, pills, low level spiritual weapons of choice, and most important of all;

The chance for martial artists to be scouted into higher sect that can give them better technique and resource. Most aspiring cultivator dream to enter the sect with big names and history. Of course they also have to consider what path the specific sects is taking. Wu Hai for example has already embarked on the path of flame and he had the deep fire root as his foundation. Thus even if he wants to enter a better sect; he would of course choose a high sect with rich flame technique like the Vermillion Bird Sect.

The tournament is an open tournament open for all cultivators below age of 30; where a point system is used to decide ranking.

Base points will be given depending on the current cultivation level;

Early Chi Gathering - 0 point

Middle Chi Gathering - 20 point

Late Chi Gathering - 40 point

Peak Chi Gathering - 60 point

Early Foundation Establishment - 100 point

... and so on.

The contestants will fight against those in the same level of cultivation and have a fixed base ranking in a sense as the ranking is based on points initially. If hypothetically speaking Shao Ai who is at Late Core Formation stage participated, he would have a starting points of a whopping 8000 points and would definitely be placed as 1st in the ranking even before fighting anyone.

If a participant cultivation level is so high that there are less than 4 other participants of the same level, they would be excluded from fighting in the first few rounds. If Shao Ai joined the tournament, he won't be fighting anyone until the last 20 on the ranking is decided. And from then on each participant can choose to challenge anyone in the top 20.

If one wants to challenge someone with higher cultivation level, they could choose to do so and they would receive extra points if they win. For example, If Peak Chi Gathering won against Early Foundation Establishment, his points would be the added by 200 points instead of 100. Ranking is based on this system until the top 20 where from then on participants can choose who to challenge and replace their ranking in the leaderboard. The battle between the top 20 would be the most exciting naturally.

If someone at the 20th place challenged the 1st place and won, he would become the 1st place and the loser would stay at 20th place. The challenges will resume until everyone is satisfied. This is to ensure fairness, let cultivators only challenge those who are at the same level and prevent bullying, and give chance to cultivators to showcase their superior talent by challenging someone of higher cultivation level. Of course, many would try to challenge those in the higher level of cultivation to showcase talent as many elders from various sects are watching and is searching for good disciples. It's also a chance to show off especially for disciples from prestigious high sect.

The tournament will be ongoing for a whole month including giving breaks to participants. As for ticketing, they are priced based on how long you are staying. The premium ticket allows you to spectate the tournament for the whole month. The cheapest ticket only gets you the first 1 week. Some people may choose to watch only the battles in the last week. Mother Su bought VIP premium tickets for 9 of them.

She brought those that are 12 years old and older and wanted to watch. After all, this is a martial competition. They would be violence and even possibly death. No one would bring 6 years old kid here. While there's no rule that disallow it, but you would be kicked out if your child cries and cause disturbances to other spectators.

She also booked a nearby hotel early and its also VIP rooms. She is not shy in spending money because Shao Ai had already tell her to just spend it as if its her own money. Shao Ai had left most of the assets to mother Su since he don't need the money from the business anymore. He's already given free luxurious food living in the Emperor's palace and there's really nothing much he would like to spend. Sigh. If only he had his computer or PlayStation, he would spend money on games or buy Primogems to pull 5 star characters.

But sadly there's not much entertainment here.

Shao Ai is given a whole month break because the Emperor thinks he deserves it for his contributions to the empire and therefore can watch the whole thing as well. Of course even the Emperor will go watch the tournament as he is the one of the main sponsor. He dumped his job to the Chancellor and his advisors during the time of his vacation naturally.

Time passes and the time of the tournament comes.

Mother Su, Shao Ai and Wu Hai met again in a restaurant. He introduced his 2 seniors who are also participating and introduced the sect master and elders that accompanied them.

The sect master looked at Shao Ai curiously because his appearance is really unique. In fact Shao Ai received tons of gazes wherever he went and everyone knows his name at the time as he is a celebrity. He thought there's something fishy about him for a split second but then its probably just his imagination, he thought. He is a mortal and has an inferior root; that's what is seen by the elders.

Stolen story; please report.

"Why you never tells me Shao Ai is your brother!", sect master pat Wu Hai's back fiercely.

"Ahaha. Master, I thought you wouldn't care...". Who would randomly tell your teacher 'Oh my brother is famous by the way'?

"Wu Hai, when is your first battle? And which room?".

The first few rounds is conducted in smaller rooms in the floors of colosseum as there are close to a thousand participant this time.

"My first battle is on the second day, 2nd floor, arena 4, in the morning".

"How about seniors?", Shao Ai also ask Wu Hai seniors out of respect. Not that he is interested to watch them since they are strangers but it would be disrespectful to not to watch since they are from the same sectors and Wu Hai's friends.

They tell their details and it was noted down. They went back to their respective hotel after finishing dinner and they all are excited for tomorrow. Participants who have free time may also watch as spectators too.

Shao Ai wondered and imagined how others would fight. He wonders how strong he is compared to other cultivators. He never fought anyone and he wished he don't have to. Wu Hai had asked him to spar before but he quickly rejected this absurd idea. Who likes to be beaten up? He is not a masochist.

Wait. It's not him who would be beaten up but Wu Hai... well, who knows.

He slacked in his martial training and only treat training his techniques for 30 minutes in the evening as a form of exercise so he is not confident is beating Wu Hai. Heavenly Father had his heart bleeding seeing Shao Ai neglect his martial art practice and only train for mere 30 minutes every day. But of course his care-free attitude is also enforced from Shao Ai discovering his Eye of Moon's Contemplation ability include memorizing and learn from his own movement. So that 30 minute of practice is like twice to thrice as effective. He has to say, his eye technique is a cheat and that's also why he really feels relaxed.

If Heavenly Father knows his disciple does only 30 minutes of practice each day he would have whopped their ass to force them to train. But unfortunately Shao Ai is not his disciple. And he has no disciple anymore ever since he ascended few thousands of years before. Should he find a disciple to fill his empty heart and whop their ass to relieve his frustration at seeing Shao Ai wasting his talents? Heavenly Father contemplated.

The 1st day of tournament comes. The main arena in the middle of colosseum is empty as the battles are happening in the smaller arenas in the different floors.

Shao Ai and others went to watch the battles on the 1st floor. It's also because one of the participant is from Vermillion Bird Sect and Wu Hai and others would want to see how a disciple from a prestigious sect competes. They also would like to take note on his techniques naturally.

But usually at the first few rounds people will hide their true strength and not reveal all their cards early on.

Shao Ai felt ecstatic seeing how the guy use small explosions to propel himself forward and to increase his punch and kick strength. The vermillion bird disciple won easily in few punches. He smirked to the elders who are watching him proud of himself. He haven't even use any true techniques and don't even need to unsheathe his sword.

He noticed Wu Hai and those people from the Dragon Flame Sect. The guy shook his head in disdain seeing the flame patterned robes worn by them because obviously this little unknown sect who are also in the path of Flame is inferior to his sect who has rich history and ancient inheritance.

Wu Hai noticed this and felt offended. Even the elders noticed and wished they could have whopped his ass and teach him a lesson. Wu Hai swears he would beat him up if he happens to fight him. No. He will definitely fight him!

The Vermillion Bird disciple is also in the Early Foundation Establishment stage and is only 1 year younger than Wu Hai. Wu Hai is already really talented, but that guy is even more so. This shows how the disciple of Vermillion Bird is truly talented.

Shao Ai watched as cultivators use various techniques to battle each other. The young kids who were watching had their eyes round and cheered in excitement. So exciting! Shao Ai also feels really exhilarated watching the battles. Punches, stealth technique, movement techniques, so much variety of it. He also record down interesting technique using his Eye of Moon's Contemplation.

A participant use his technique to grow his bone through his skin, wrapping his fist and body with thick bone. He can't be damaged at all and won easily.

Another participant only use his feet to battle the opponent. And what's more shocking is after he kicked his opponent, launching him airborne- he did some breakdancing kicking technique and continuously kick him upward. His opponent remained airborne and can't defend himself at all! The referee had to stop the battle because the participant who are still airborne and spinning here and there from multiple kicks had already passed out and received many bruises and broken bones. Many spectators are left dumbfounded and speechless seeing how skilled he is at juggling his opponent for seconds.

After a while, the first death happens as Shao Ai watch a disciple from Red Claw Sect unleash a terrifying claw energy to his opponent. His opponent tried to dodge but failed and caused half of his body to be diced; leading to his death. The referee wanted to intervene but is too late to save him from his death.

It's so brutal...

Shao Ai felt his heart shaken and wanted to puke. It's really scary and horrifying seeing how the body got dissected... He can even see the organs from here...

He look at Wu Hai, but he still has a calm face. He look at other spectators, but most of them are still cheering in excitement. He looked at Mother Su and the young kids she brought. They look startled but is still fine.

But most people don't care about such a death as they can still chat and cheer with excitement.

Shao Ai now remembers again that this truly is a cultivation world. Is everyone crazy? Or is he the only person who's normal?

He wished Wu Hai doesn't face such a terrifying opponent.

"Wu Hai...". Shao Ai pulled his robe while muttering his name. Wu Hai noticed someone pulling his cloth and sees its Shao Ai.

"Yes? Why what's the matter".

"Stay safe... don't die".

Wu Hai is touched really. He looks at Shao Ai who is looking at him with care at this moment.

"Don't worry. I will definitely survive till the end". He smiled at him.

But he thought for a moment. Honestly, he can't guarantee it either.

"But in case accidents happens... even if I die, I won't regret it. I am happy with the path I choose". Wu Hai pats Shao Ai's head. He did feel worried that, in case he died, it would make Shao Ai sad. But, he has his own dream he wanted to pursue. He firmed himself he will definitely survive and do his best at the same time. He want Shao Ai and mother Su to cheer for him.

'I see...'. Shao Ai tried to digest his words.

The path he pursues... He can just pray for his safety at this moment. Mother Su also prays for his safety. The elders nods in agreement hearing Wu Hai's response. All of the participants are given a briefing about possibilities of death early on and they had already prepared their mentality for this. Of course the referee and judges will interfere if they can save a participant from dying. But it's difficult to decide whether someone can dodge or block an attack, or if the person has a trump card at the last moment. If a referee needlessly interfere it would disrupt the battle so they would only do so if its an obvious guaranteed death.

Shao Ai left the arena to take a break. Seeing such a brutal death is disturbing to his mind. He washed his face and use his cycle of heaven and earth to circulate chi around his meridians to freshen himself up and clear his mind.

It felt a little better now. He went back to the arena to keep watching the ongoing battles. But he had lost some mood and can't get as excited ever since that first death.

The next day comes; and Wu Hai's first battle is about to begin...