Despite the dense crowd, the pair—an old man and a youth—stood in a surprisingly spacious pocket of comfort. Oddly, no one around them seemed to notice this anomaly. It was as if the empty space beside them was invisible, with not a single person edging closer.

“Grandpa, how strong is Big Brother Tang? Didn’t you sense anything yesterday?” the youth beside the old man asked.

“No, that young man’s mental strength is impressive, and his cultivation method is peculiar—no trace of spiritual energy fluctuations,” Shen Shan replied, frowning. He was genuinely intrigued by Tang Yan. How could a place as small as the Eastern Domain produce such an enigma?

“Big Brother Tang is so amazing—he must be from Fang City. But why haven’t we spotted him?” Shen He peered toward Fang City’s section with his bright, dark eyes.

“The Eastern Domain’s cities rank as Fang City, Qing City, Song City, Yu City, and Cloud City, in that order. He’s likely from Fang, Qing, or Song. Keep looking,” Shen Shan said, gazing fondly at his grandson, a hint of astonishment shimmering in his eyes.

He’d had doubts about Tang Yan’s method at first, but after a single night of practice, Shen He’s discomfort had eased significantly, and his strength had jumped straight to the second rank of the Origin Stage!

Though still modest, such rapid progress left Shen Shan reeling.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt he’d gotten the better end of the deal. A single sword and a mid-tier Earth Stage technique in exchange for a method this extraordinary?

Grateful to Tang Yan and worried he’d lose track of him after leaving, Shen Shan had rushed to the competition site early that morning to scout for clues.

But soon, like his grandson, he frowned. They’d scanned Fang, Qing, and Song City’s sections twice over—no sign of the person they sought.

“Could Big Brother Tang not be here for the Eastern Domain Competition?” Shen He asked, sounding glum.

“Look—Fang City still has two empty seats, and Qing and Song each have one. Maybe he just hasn’t arrived yet,” Shen Shan offered as reassurance.

When Lin Xiao led Tang Yan and the other two toward Cloud City’s section, a wave of laughter rippled through the crowd.

“Here come the bottom-dwellers!” someone shouted from the throng, sparking an even louder chorus of jeers.

“They’ve been dead last every year. Cloud City folks sure have thick skin—I’d have quit competing long ago.”

“Don’t say that. For the sake of the other four cities’ pride, they’ve endured endless mockery and stepped up under crushing pressure. Who can match that kind of sacrifice? That’s big-picture thinking!”

“Cloud City’s fifth-place streak remains unchallenged. They’ve locked it down again this year.”

The crowd pointed and snickered at Cloud City’s group. Liu Zhi and Lin Dongxue, unaccustomed to such a scene, bristled under the mockery of tens of thousands. Anger and embarrassment churned within them, their breaths quickening.

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Lin Xiao, however, seemed unfazed, his expression betraying no hint of emotion.

Only Tang Yan wore a faint smile, utterly unaffected by the spectacle.

“Grandpa, look—isn’t that Big Brother Tang?” Shen He’s mouth fell open, his face alight with shock.

A flicker of surprise crossed Shen Shan’s eyes too. In the days since arriving in Fang City, he hadn’t sought out gossip, yet snippets like “Cloud City, perennial last place” and “Cloud City’s top fighter beaten in one move and slapped seven times” had reached his ears anyway.

Though he hadn’t gauged Tang Yan’s full strength yesterday, Shen Shan had a hunch it was formidable.

If someone like him wasn’t even Cloud City’s top fighter, just how strong was their number one?

And if that number one had been felled in a single blow, didn’t that mean the Eastern Domain’s young generation had reached terrifying heights?

Had the world changed so much in the years he’d been away?

…

“Ugh, this is ridiculous! Once we crush their cities’ fighters, let’s see if they keep laughing!” Lin Dongxue clenched her fists, fuming.

“Dignity is earned through strength. Whether Cloud City gains respect is up to you three!” Lin Xiao rallied them with encouragement.

Time ticked by, and the plaza grew more crowded. Around a quarter past the hour of Chen, a deep, resonant bell tolled from the west side of the square.

The sound seemed to calm the masses. As it echoed, the chatter died down.

On a judges’ platform to the north, an elderly man sat at the center, flanked by Fang City’s lord, Fang Wentian, on one side.

When the bell faded, Fang Wentian rose, clasping his hands toward the crowd. His voice boomed out: “Time flies—here we are at another Eastern Domain Competition. I’m sure the finest talents from each city have been eagerly awaiting this day.

“This year’s event isn’t judged solely by the five city lords. We’re honored to have Elder Mo Bin from the Azure Dragon Academy presiding.”

“Azure Dragon Academy!” At Fang Wentian’s introduction, all eyes turned to the old man in the center.

For most, it was their first glimpse of an Azure Dragon Academy elder. They studied him with curiosity.

Mo Bin nodded amiably at the crowd, his warm demeanor earning instant goodwill.

“Let me briefly outline the rules,” Fang Wentian continued. “This competition features forty participants: thirteen from Fang City, ten from Qing City, nine from Song City, five from Yu City, and three from Cloud City.

“It’s a one-on-one knockout format, with opponents chosen by lottery.

“The Eastern Domain Competition tests the younger generation of our five cities and offers a shot at joining the Azure Dragon Academy.

“Let’s see how each city fares this time. Now, please welcome the city lords to the judges’ platform!”

As Fang Wentian finished, four razor-sharp auras erupted from the directions of the four cities. The lords leaped into the air, each displaying their prowess as they streaked toward the platform.

The crowd’s eyes gleamed with awe at the display of power.

Once the four lords settled into their seats, Fang Wentian went on, “Next, all competing talents, please step up to draw your lots.”

Contestants from each city moved forward, ascending the platform in turn.

Tens of thousands of spectators fixed their gazes on the forty competitors drawing lots, debating their strengths and weaknesses. The topic, argued over for half a month, showed no sign of losing steam.

The drawing stations were split into five.

Tang Yan and his two companions stepped up, each pulling a token from the box. Tang Yan’s read “three”—he’d fight in the third match.

After drawing their numbers, the contestants returned to their seats.

“I’m number five—I’ll be up soon. What about you two?” Lin Dongxue asked, curious.

“I’m number one,” Liu Zhi said, his face darkening.

“Number three,” Tang Yan replied, his brow creasing slightly. The coincidence of their numbers—Cloud City’s trio landing on one, three, and five—was striking.

It felt deliberate, as if someone wanted to see Cloud City humiliated early. Send them out fast, let them crash hard, and watch their reputation hit rock bottom in an instant.

Tang Yan exhaled slowly, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.

Want to make Cloud City a laughingstock? Well, let’s give them a show they won’t expect!