"Hmm, you’ve been cooped up in the courtyard training for eight days straight. I haven’t had a chance to talk to you about the Eastern Domain Competition. I was planning to drag you out myself, but it seems you beat me to it," Lin Xiao said with a laugh.

He waved the two of them into the courtyard. After they settled down, Tang Yan began pouring tea.

Lin Xiao explained, "This time, the Eastern Domain Competition has Fang City, Qing City, and Song City as the most prominent contenders. Unless something unexpected happens, all three are likely to have participants qualify for the Azure Dragon Academy. Next in line is Yu City—some believe Su Wei has a shot at making it. As for our Cloud City, well, we’re still the underdogs, as usual."

"Hmph, that’s outrageous! A bunch of snobs looking down on us. This time, we’ll show them!" Lin Dongxue huffed indignantly.

"What makes those three cities so special? Why are they so highly regarded?" Tang Yan zeroed in on the key point, his curiosity piqued.

"We’ve consistently ranked at the bottom in past Eastern Domain Competitions, and we rarely join in the Eastern Domain’s organized events, so you’re not too familiar with the other cities," Lin Xiao began.

"Fang City’s Fang Xuan and Cheng Gong, Qing City’s Du Shu, and Song City’s Song Ze are known as the Four Young Masters of the Eastern Domain. Each of them has reached at least the fourth rank of the Mysterious Stage.

For the younger generation to achieve such strength, they’re considered geniuses even in the entire Tingxiang region. That’s why they’re the favorites."

Tang Yan’s heart skipped a beat. The Eastern Domain Competition had a strict age limit—participants had to be under twenty-five. For these individuals to reach beyond the fourth rank of the Mysterious Stage before that age was genuinely astonishing. "Is there anyone at the fifth rank?" he asked.

"Not sure. The lowest known level is mid-fourth rank. This is just the intel we’ve gathered publicly—there’s no ruling out the possibility of fifth-rank talents. Besides, the Eastern Domain has five cities. Who knows if there are hidden geniuses out there?" Lin Xiao’s gaze lingered on Tang Yan with a meaningful glint before adding, "This competition will have plenty of fourth-rank fighters, and even peak third-rank experts like Song City’s Song Qing, Qing City’s Sun Long, and your friend Wan Fei. The competition’s fiercer than ever this year."

"Is it just a martial contest this time?" Tang Yan asked.

"Correct, it’s purely about combat strength. But if you qualify for the Azure Dragon Academy selection, the assessments there will cover a lot more," Lin Xiao replied. Then, as if recalling something, he added, "This time, not only will the lords of the five cities attend, but representatives from the Azure Dragon Academy will be present too. Even if someone doesn’t place high, they could still catch the Academy’s eye with their skills and potential and get recruited directly."

"Are there rewards for ranking well?" Tang Yan asked casually, though his ears perked up slightly.

"Qualifying for the Azure Dragon Academy is the biggest prize. That said, the champion usually gets an extra reward, while the others don’t," the city lord explained before shifting the topic. "With so many strong contenders, what are your thoughts on this Eastern Domain Competition?"

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Tang Yan paused to think, then analyzed slowly, "The fact that Cloud City isn’t taken seriously by outsiders might actually work in our favor.

With Liu Zhi, Cloud City’s top fighter, drawing attention, people won’t be as wary of me or Dongxue.

Both Dongxue and I are at the third rank of the Mysterious Stage. If our opponents underestimate us, we’ve got a better shot at winning. This year, Cloud City won’t be at the bottom—at the very least."

Lin Xiao studied Tang Yan closely. "The rankings are determined by the highest placer. For example, if Song City’s Song Ze takes first, even if Fang City claims second through tenth, Song City still gets the top spot. So, to avoid last place, you’d need to at least beat Yu City’s Su Wei. How confident are you against him?"

"He’s at peak third rank. I’d say it’s about a fifty-fifty chance," Tang Yan estimated.

"Dad, why don’t you spar with Tang Yan? Wouldn’t that give us a clearer idea?" Lin Dongxue chimed in from the side.

Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. Just ten days ago, Tang Yan had boosted Lin Dongxue’s combat ability several times over in a short period.

Inspired by Tang Yan’s methods, Lin Xiao had stopped going easy on Dongxue during their sparring sessions. Instead, he adopted an aggressive approach, which, over the past eight days, had elevated her skills even further.

Now, Lin Xiao was deeply curious about Tang Yan’s own combat prowess.

Tang Yan’s eyes flickered with excitement too. Sparring with a strong opponent like Lin Xiao would be a great way to hone his own abilities.

Sensing the fighting spirit radiating from Tang Yan, Lin Xiao laughed heartily. "Tang Yan, dare to fight me?"

"You won’t go all out, right, City Lord?" Tang Yan wasn’t naive. If the city lord unleashed his full power, one slap could turn him into mush.

Lin Xiao chuckled at the remark. "Get lost, kid. Am I that reckless? I’ll cap it at fourth-rank Mysterious Stage strength. How’s that?"

"Daddy, that’s unfair!" Before Tang Yan could respond, Lin Dongxue protested loudly.

"You little brat, whose side are you on? Feeling bad for him already?"

"You’re awful, Daddy!" Lin Dongxue’s cheeks flushed pink as she glared at Lin Xiao in embarrassment and anger. She turned as if to leave but couldn’t resist staying to watch. Stomping her foot in frustration, she fell silent.

Tang Yan’s mind raced. As Cloud City’s lord, Lin Xiao wouldn’t spread word of his true strength even if he figured it out. Tang Yan could spar with him without worry. He nodded. "Fourth rank works for me."

A spark flashed in Lin Xiao’s eyes. Tang Yan’s willingness to accept this challenge suggested that third-rank fighters didn’t faze him much. Lin Xiao’s interest in Tang Yan’s abilities grew. With a light laugh, he said, "Alright, make your move!"

Tang Yan didn’t hold back. He unleashed his Phantom Step technique, his body darting forward like a gust of wind toward Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao’s heart jolted. *This kid’s speed is insane!* He quickly circulated his true energy and threw a punch at Tang Yan.

Seeing Lin Xiao’s fist coming his way, Tang Yan smirked. His charging momentum didn’t falter, but he shifted his body half a meter to the left.

His fist altered its trajectory too, whistling through the air toward the city lord.

Lin Xiao’s gaze sharpened. *He can adjust his path at that speed?*

Fortunately, Lin Xiao’s vast combat experience and his Earth Stage mastery of martial arts gave him an edge far beyond an ordinary fourth-rank fighter.

Leaning back slightly and adjusting his stance, their fists collided head-on.

*Boom!*

Lin Xiao had just altered his attack mid-strike, so his punch lost some power. Tang Yan had shifted his trajectory too, so logically, his strike should’ve been weaker.

But when their fists met, Lin Xiao was stunned to realize Tang Yan’s punch still carried the full force of a peak third-rank blow!

*This doesn’t make sense!*

In their first exchange, Lin Xiao, using fourth-rank strength, hadn’t gained the upper hand. His pride took a hit.

After a moment’s thought, he decided the only way to regain face was to take the offensive and overwhelm Tang Yan completely.

But before he could act, his eyelid twitched.

After that full-force strike, Tang Yan didn’t even pause to catch his breath—he was already charging again, fist raised!