"No, no! That's not it!" Xiao Cui quickly waved her hands, speaking in a disoriented manner, "Young master, when did you return? The old master has been standing by the door before dawn for the past few days, waiting for you. I thought you weren't home!"

Upon hearing Xiao Cui's words, Tang Yan felt a sharp pang in his heart. His grandfather had been waiting at the door every day for him to come back?

"I returned last night. I'll go see Grandpa," Tang Yan said as he was about to head to the study.

But Xiao Cui called out, "Young master, the old master is not at home."

"Where did Grandpa go?" Tang Yan paused and turned to ask.

"Heard that today is the East Region Grand Tournament, the old master went to watch the competition," Xiao Cui replied.

"Where is it being held?" Tang Yan asked again.

"Yuntai... Hey! Young master! Young master!" Xiao Cui had just mentioned the location when she saw Tang Yan leap and disappear in the blink of an eye. She called out a couple of times absentmindedly and then stomped her foot, muttering, "Just saw him and now he's gone again. What on earth is going on with the young master..."

On the Yuntai platform, City Lord Lin Xiao had just finished delivering some encouraging words when he announced the selection rules: "This competition will follow the results from the Mid-Autumn Festival Tournament. The four participants—Liu Zhi from the Liu family, Lin Dongxue from the City Lord's residence, Qin He from the Qin family, and Wu Feiming from the Wu family—will compete for the top three spots. The remaining participants will have to go through the arena fights, and the one who lasts until the end will face the third-place contestant for the final spot. Does anyone have any objections?"

This method was relatively fair, and naturally, no one objected. Just as everyone was about to agree, a discordant voice suddenly rang out: "I disagree!"

The voice was not loud, but everyone present heard it clearly.

The crowd turned in surprise, and a slender figure emerged from a corner, walking slowly toward the platform.

"Tang Yan!" The crowd gasped as they recognized him.

Tang Lao (Grandpa Tang) stood up with excitement, his face turning red in an instant. His body slightly trembled due to the overwhelming emotion.

He couldn’t believe his eyes at first. After two months, his grandson seemed to be... unchanged!

Could it be that this kid had been out partying these past two months? After the brief moment of excitement, an odd thought popped into Tang Lao’s head.

This was not so strange. Tang Yan's unparalleled alchemy technique, the first in the world, made it very hard for anyone to easily gauge his true strength.

Plus, his youthful, elegant appearance didn’t show the slightest hint of the hardships that one might expect after such intense training.

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"Grandson, greetings to Grandpa!" Tang Yan walked up quickly and bowed respectfully to Tang Ling.

"Good, good!" Tang Lao patted Tang Yan's shoulder. Though his grandson seemed unchanged, Tang Lao's worry was more about Tang Yan's safety. Now that he saw him back safely, his heart finally eased.

The crowd erupted into excited chatter. Although Tang Yan had interrupted the selection process, his presence made the event even more exciting.

His appearance also immediately put to rest all the rumors.

The higher-ups of the Qin and Wu families looked slightly gloomy. Why was this guy causing trouble at such a critical moment?

The City Lord, though his face remained neutral, was inwardly pleased. He wondered what surprises this young man would bring.

Seeing Tang Lao and his grandson exchanging pleasantries, Lin Xiao didn’t interrupt. However, Tang Lao quickly realized that this wasn’t the best place to continue their conversation and apologized to Lin Xiao.

"Tang Yan, you said you disagree—do you have any objections?" Lin Xiao asked.

All eyes turned to Tang Yan.

Tang Yan, unfazed, stepped forward and spoke loudly, "I believe Liu Zhi, Wu Feiming, and Qin He are not qualified to enter the challenge list!"

Lin Xiao didn’t immediately respond to Tang Yan's objection. It was Wu Feiming’s grandfather who couldn’t hold back, jumping up and pointing at Tang Yan, shouting, "Preposterous! If they’re unqualified, does that mean you are qualified?"

Tang Yan wasn’t modest. He laughed loudly, "Wu Lao (Old Master Wu), you have sharp eyes. Indeed, I am qualified!"

"Arrogant!" Old Master Wu was stunned by Tang Yan’s boldness.

"City Lord has already set the rules. Why is your Tang family going against them?" Old Master Qin mocked.

At this point, the thousands of onlookers watched with great interest as the major families clashed.

Once the arguing subsided, City Lord Lin Xiao smiled and asked, "How do you think the rules should be set?"

"Lin Dongxue and I should be directly promoted," Tang Yan paused and continued, "As for the others, they all have to participate in the arena fights, and the winner will secure the final spot in the East Region Grand Tournament."

As soon as Tang Yan spoke these words, the crowd erupted into an uproar.

If Tang Yan’s objection to the City Lord’s arrangement had been considered audacious, this proposal was outright outrageous!

How dare he remove Liu Zhi directly from the list of challengers?

With his challenge, all eyes turned toward Liu Zhi. How would the young master of the Liu family react?

"Such big words!" Liu Zhi sneered. Though he had been deeply shocked by Tang Yan’s last attack two months ago, he didn’t think that was Tang Yan’s true strength. It must have been a life-saving tactic.

Moreover, during the past two months, Liu Zhi himself had made great progress, so he coldly asked, "Since you believe I’m unqualified, how about we fight? If you win, I will voluntarily enter the arena for selection."

Last time, Tang Yan had forced him into a corner with his Yellow Grade Six cultivation, enduring twenty rounds. The humiliation had stuck with him like a fly in his throat. This time, he wanted to erase that shame.

After Liu Zhi finished speaking, the atmosphere grew quiet, all eyes on Tang Yan.

Tang Lao’s face showed a hint of anxiety. Mo Bo, however, remained calm and quietly reassured, "Master, please rest assured. The young master has been very cautious in his recent actions. If he’s not confident, he won’t make a rash decision."

Hearing Mo Bo’s words, Tang Lao felt a little more at ease as he waited for Tang Yan’s response.

Tang Yan felt a thrill in his heart.

Disrupting the competition wasn’t reckless. If Lin Xiao’s original rules had been followed, he would have to go through the entire selection process, facing one opponent after another, eventually having to battle the third-place contestant.

Now, with the disruption, he could face Liu Zhi in a one-on-one fight!

If he won, not only would he secure a spot in the competition, but he would also bring great honor to the Tang family!

As for whether he would offend the City Lord, Tang Yan believed that with Lin Xiao’s broad mind, he wouldn’t take offense.

"Fine, as you wish! City Lord, I, Tang Yan of the Tang family, request a duel with Liu Zhi!"

Lin Xiao pondered for a moment before nodding, "Since both of you agree, then let it be decided on the Yuntai."