Chapter 82

The news of what happened in Silver Moon City quickly spread throughout the region. Although no one knew the name of the young man in white, the combination of two people and a dog was too conspicuous, serving as a de facto identifier.

Silver Moon City suffered unprecedented losses; the City Lord's residence was reduced to ruins, and the City Lord's young master was brutally killed in the attic. Several of the City Lord's Dan Realm experts also met their end. The City Lord, Yin Zhongcheng, pursued the culprits for hundreds of miles but ultimately returned in frustration, utterly disgraced. A dignified City Lord, the tyrant of Silver Moon City, had been beaten on his own turf, with no place to vent his anger, leaving him feeling extremely aggrieved.

At this moment, Jiang Chen and his two companions were already on their way to Xuan Yang City. Passing through a small town, Yan Chenyu bought a purple veil to cover half of her face. Even so, her exquisite beauty could not be concealed, but it was certainly better than not wearing a veil at all, sparing them a lot of trouble.

Xuan Yang City was a major city in Qi Prefecture, far surpassing Silver Moon City in both scale and influence. Located in the center of Qi Prefecture, Xuan Yang City was a joint creation of the four major sects, making its internal power dynamics extremely complex.

Within Xuan Yang City, each of the four major sects had its own stronghold, leading to endless conflicts. Fortunately, the city's primary purpose was to host the annual Qi Prefecture Grand Competition, and it lacked particularly powerful or high-quality resources. Otherwise, there would have been bloodshed long ago.

Jiang Chen and his companions traveled for half a month, finally arriving at Xuan Yang City. From the outside, Xuan Yang City exuded a grand and noble aura, far surpassing Silver Moon City, let alone Chifeng City and Tianxiang City.

The city walls of Xuan Yang City were ten zhang high, making it impossible for even a Dan Realm expert to jump over them.

When Jiang Chen arrived at Xuan Yang City, the city gates were bustling with people. It was not just a steady stream of arrivals but a flood of them, all drawn by the annual Qi Prefecture Grand Competition, which attracted countless cultivators from the cultivation world.

The four major sects represented the entirety of Qi Prefecture, and who wouldn't want to witness the prowess of their talented disciples? Most of the people here were influential figures from Qi Prefecture, coming to see the talents of the four major sects and hoping to find opportunities to connect with them. If they could attach themselves to a powerful sect, they would have a much easier time in their own regions.

Many also came to cheer and support their favorites. The disciples of the four major sects came from various parts of Qi Prefecture, including many from noble families, leading to the presence of many families who came ostensibly to cheer but in reality to show off. After all, being able to enter one of the four major sects was already a supreme honor, and participating in the Grand Competition was an even greater one.

"So many people," Yan Chenyu remarked.

"The Qi Prefecture Grand Competition is held annually, so it naturally attracts a lot of people," the big yellow dog said.

"Tomorrow is the Qi Prefecture Grand Competition. We've arrived just in time to see the main event," Jiang Chen said.

"Right, I missed the last Inner Sect Disciple Competition. This time, for the Outer Sect Disciple Competition, we can't miss any of the excitement," Yan Chenyu added.

"We should head to Xuan Yang Square early tomorrow morning to secure a good spot for the show," the big yellow dog said.

...

Everywhere, people were discussing the upcoming Qi Prefecture Grand Competition.

Xuan Yang City was vast, but it couldn't accommodate the sheer number of people. Days ago, all the inns and taverns were fully booked, with no rooms available. Many people had already headed to Xuan Yang Square to secure good viewing spots.

As cultivators, they were used to sleeping outdoors, and with their cultivation, a bit of cold was no issue.

Jiang Chen also couldn't find a place to stay and simply followed the crowd to Xuan Yang Square.

"Brother Jiang Chen, this square is so big. It's really huge, over ten miles in size," Yan Chenyu exclaimed in amazement. This was the largest square she had ever seen, spanning over ten miles, which was unimaginably large. Inside the square, there were towering battle platforms and high stone steps that seemed to reach the sky, though their purpose was unknown. The outer edges of the square were also tiered, likely to provide better views for spectators.

"Naive, Xuan Yang Square was specifically built by the four major sects for the annual Qi Prefecture Grand Competition. It wouldn't be big enough otherwise," someone remarked.

"Exactly, you must be new here, a country bumpkin," another person added.

Yan Chenyu's face behind the veil turned slightly angry, her lips pouting. When she saw Jiang Chen and the big yellow dog stifling their laughter, she stomped her feet in frustration.

Xiaoyu felt genuinely wronged. This square was indeed the largest she had ever seen. The central square of Chifeng City, even if combined ten times over, wouldn't match this one. Why were they mocking her?

"Brother Jiang Chen," Yan Chenyu pouted, using her feminine charm, a weapon that no one could resist.

"You're right, this square is indeed very big, incredibly big," Jiang Chen agreed, though he was being insincere. With his vast experience and knowledge, this square was nothing compared to the super battlefields on the Divine Continent.

"Kid, you actually let me, such a noble being, sleep on the streets with you. Don't you feel the slightest bit guilty?" the big yellow dog complained.

"Get lost, a dog wanting to stay in a tavern? First update."

Jiang Chen was speechless; this dog was truly exceptional.

"Woof, I'm not a dog," the big yellow dog barked in protest.

"Do you know what the Qi Prefecture Grand Competition entails?" someone asked. Jiang Chen and Yan Chenyu perked up their ears, also interested in the details.

"If everything goes as planned, it should be the same as previous years, with two events. See those stone steps that reach the sky? They're called the Heavenly Ascension Stairs. Do you know what the Heavenly Ascension Stairs are? The saying goes, 'All things are difficult, as difficult as ascending to the heavens.' The name 'Heavenly Ascension Stairs' refers to the difficulty of the climb."

"Right, this is the first event of the Qi Prefecture Grand Competition. Tomorrow, each of the four major sects will send a late-stage Tian Dan Realm expert to stand at the top of the stairs, releasing their aura to create pressure. The participating disciples will climb from the bottom, with the pressure increasing the higher they go. The top thirty climbers will advance to the second round of the competition."

"Four late-stage Tian Dan Realm experts combined, the pressure is immense. Most Dan Realm cultivators can't withstand it."

Many people were discussing this. Since the number of participants was large, the Heavenly Ascension Stairs were just the first step. Only those who performed exceptionally well would advance to the second round.

This was a process of natural selection, where only the strong could survive.

"I heard that people outside the four major sects can also participate in the Qi Prefecture Grand Competition. In the past, some outsiders performed well and eventually became disciples of the sects. First update."

"That's very rare. The four major sects have very high standards. To participate in the Qi Prefecture Grand Competition, one must be under twenty-five years old and at the Dan Realm. To become a disciple through the competition, one must also pass the Heavenly Ascension Stairs and rank in the top thirty."

"Right, it's extremely difficult. Competing against the four major sects to rank in the top thirty is almost impossible. If someone could do that, they would be a genius, and such a genius would have already joined the four major sects. Why would they wait until now to participate in the Qi Prefecture Grand Competition?"

...

The crowd's discussion helped Jiang Chen fully understand the content and rules of the Qi Prefecture Grand Competition. People outside the four major sects could participate, but achieving a good ranking was extremely difficult, as all the geniuses of Qi Prefecture were already within the four major sects.

"Brother Jiang Chen, that means you also have the qualifications to participate in the Qi Prefecture Grand Competition," Yan Chenyu said.

Her voice was not low, and it immediately drew the attention of many people, who looked at Jiang Chen.

"Hehe, your brother Jiang Chen will definitely outshine everyone and win the competition. Even the Little Demon King isn't a match for him," the big yellow dog boasted. Jiang Chen's forehead twitched; this dog was really stirring up trouble for him.

Sure enough, the big yellow dog's words drew even more attention, and the people who looked at Jiang Chen did so as if he were a fool.

"Who is this guy? How can he be so shameless, wanting to participate in the Qi Prefecture Grand Competition and defeat the Little Demon King? Do you know who the Little Demon King is?"

"Right, where did this kid come from? He's not even fully grown, and he doesn't know his place."

"Kid, go home and wash up. Want to defeat the Little Demon King? You must be an idiot."

"This guy is a fool. Let's stay away from him."

...

Sure enough, people who were close to Jiang Chen quickly moved away, leaving a distance between them, looking at him as if he were a fool.

"Damn, what do you mean by this? Let me tell you, this is the number one genius of Qi Prefecture. You should kneel and worship him now. If you wait until he becomes famous tomorrow, it will be too late to attach yourself to him."

The big yellow dog spoke with great enthusiasm.

People moved even further away from Jiang Chen.

"Damn!"

Jiang Chen kicked the big yellow dog in the head, making it shut up, though it still wore a smile.

"Dead dog, if you don't talk, no one will think you're mute."

Jiang Chen felt an urge to beat the big yellow dog senseless. This dog was too devious, stirring up trouble everywhere.

The big yellow dog couldn't stay quiet for long and started acting up again. It stood on its hind legs, its front paws behind its back, strutting around the square with an air of superiority.

"Hey, beautiful."

The big yellow dog greeted a female cultivator and winked at her.

"You fool, what are you looking at? I'm talking to you. With your looks, even if I were a pet, I wouldn't want you."

The big yellow dog kept talking and offending people.

"Damn, where did this dog come from? Get rid of it."

Someone couldn't take it anymore. This dog was too hateful, truly exceptional.

Jiang Chen quickly covered his face and pulled Yan Chenyu away, pretending not to know the big yellow dog.

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