Chapter Eighty-One: The Beginning!

The square was alive with noise and excitement. When City Lord Chett gave his command, the crowd’s enthusiasm surged; scenes of real, intense combat like this were a rare spectacle on ordinary days. If there was an opportunity to witness such a lively event, why not seize it?

Amid the cacophony, City Lord Chett’s voice sounded again, cutting clearly through the noise and echoing across the plaza.

“This year’s Tournament of Arms will not follow the previous competition rules. Today, all contestants will be divided into groups according to their strength: first-level fighters against first-level fighters, second-level against second-level, and so on. Of course, the rule allowing contestants to challenge any opponent remains in place…”

At these words, subtle expressions flickered across the faces of those from the various families gathered; murmurs and whispers began to ripple through the crowd. Such a change in the rules undoubtedly favored the competitors of lesser strength.

Under these new regulations, the finalists would be chosen from the winners of each rank, allowing more lower-ranked fighters a chance to advance. In past tournaments, a third-level fighter who lost to a fourth-level would be eliminated, but now, as long as one triumphed within their own rank, advancement was assured.

Although it was likely that in the final rounds these fighters would still face defeat, reaching the finals was a significant achievement. Moreover, since fourth-level fighters who lost within their tier would be eliminated, the competition’s numbers would dwindle, and even a third-level fighter who finished last among the finalists might still earn a place.

However, this did seem rather unfair to the stronger participants. A fourth-level fighter could be eliminated, while a third-level fighter victorious in their own group could progress to the next round.

Naturally, this would cause frustration: “Why should a third-level get to the finals while I, a stronger fourth-level, cannot?!”

Such a rule clearly limited the dominance of the higher-ranked contestants, which secretly delighted the smaller families of the city. The major houses, on the other hand, looked far less pleased; under the old system, nine times out of ten, the top five spots would be theirs.

Now, with the strong inevitably clashing, some of the great families would inevitably be eliminated.

Still, with the tournament so decreed, what could the clan leaders do? Given their status, none could dare object or show any lack of confidence. All they could hope for now was to avoid facing off against a rival family too early.

Some families even fleetingly considered hiding the true strength of their contestants, but the thought was quickly dismissed. With so many experts present, who could fail to discern a mere fighter’s real ability? Attempting such a deception would only bring ridicule.

“Well, that covers the rules…” City Lord Chett paused, then continued, “Now, the matches for first-level fighters will begin. The contestants: Lier Feifei and Gree!”

The announcement that two of Changling City’s three renowned beauties would open the tournament sent a thrill through the crowd.

The voluptuous and alluring Lier Feifei, and the slender, intelligent Gree—both the stuff of countless dreams. Not only could the crowd see them with their own eyes, but also witness the spectacle of their contest, their bodies twisting, clothes clinging with sweat. The thought alone sent a wolfish excitement through many hearts.

Lier Feifei and Gree stepped down from the VIP area and entered the arena. As they slowly approached the stone platform, members of the various families looked on with a touch of envy; to be a fighter at seventeen was an impressive gift—given time, their achievements would surely be remarkable.

On the VIP platform, the elder seated beside City Lord Chett nodded slightly, glancing toward Maya, the third of Changling’s celebrated beauties. Reclining in her seat, Maya’s expression remained cool and indifferent, as though the talents of Lier Feifei and Gree were unremarkable.

She smiled faintly to herself: with such talent, in three years they’d be mere Battle Practitioners at best. If Su Yi, also a first-level fighter, had received the full support of the Lier family, in three years he’d at least become a Battle Master. If he’d been in her clan…

As Gree walked toward the center of the arena, she suddenly turned and asked Lier Feifei in a low voice, “I heard you were with Su Yi yesterday?”

Surprised that Gree knew of this, Feifei quickly realized that many people had seen them return from the auction house together. Noting Gree’s slight frown, Feifei felt a sudden surge of superiority. “That’s right. So what?”

“Hmph, didn’t you once tell me you’d never pay Su Yi any more attention? Have you changed your mind?” Gree snorted coldly.

Feifei snorted back in a voice only Gree could hear, “And if I have? Is that not allowed?”

“That’s hard to say—” Gree replied languidly, “With your fickle nature, I wonder if Su Yi would accept it?”

At these words, Feifei’s expression shifted ever so slightly. She retorted under her breath, “That’s none of your concern… But to be honest, Su Yi taught me a great deal about cultivating battle energy yesterday. So today, you’re bound to lose!”

“Very well, I’d like to see how someone who’s only just become a fighter plans to beat me!”

Gree’s face darkened as she bit her lip, let out a cold laugh, and strode to one end of the stone platform.

Feifei looked at her with satisfaction; Gree had always been her chief rival for Su Yi’s affection, and their struggles had been endless. Now, in a certain sense, she had already triumphed, and that gave her a certain pleasure.

But to provoke Gree, Feifei hadn’t been entirely truthful. Yesterday, on their way back, Su Yi had indeed spoken to her about battle energy. He had asked if her inner power had changed since that day’s incident. After all, Su Yi himself had lost all his energy, and, not wanting Feifei to realize, he didn’t pursue the topic further. When she mentioned her power seemed to have grown, he could only respond in awkward silence.

“Su Yi is watching me now. I mustn’t lose—especially not to Gree, that hateful woman!” Feifei thought, clenching her fists as she moved to face her opponent.

“Ready? Force your opponent to concede or knock them from the platform, and you win. Understood?” The referee’s voice called out from nearby.

Both women nodded, took their stances, and focused, awaiting the command to begin.

The spectators were wild with excitement. The way the two beauties had walked to the arena had already left many entranced—not only were they strikingly attractive, but their talent was exceptional. Every movement radiated charm, and now, as they faced off in earnest, the sight of their determined expressions and graceful forms was even more alluring.

“Sigh, true daughters of heaven—beauty, background, and such talent…”

“Just seeing them is worth it…”

“Indeed, indeed…”

Under the fervent stares from all sides, the referee finally declared the match open.

As soon as the words left his lips, Gree and Feifei sprang into action, rushing at each other. Gree, channeling her battle energy, drove her right fist at Feifei’s chest. Feifei spun midway, tracing a small arc, and her right foot, infused with energy, kicked toward Gree.

Fist and foot met, energy burst, their clothes fluttering with the force. Though each possessed the beauty of a goddess, their battle carried little of the bloodthirsty air such contests often bore; if anything, their swirling sleeves and flowing hair made the spectacle all the more pleasing to the eye.

After an exchange of blows, both retreated several steps, evenly matched and silently acknowledging each other’s strength. Gree had assumed, having been a fighter longer and cultivated more energy, that she held the advantage, but Feifei had countered her attacks with surprising ease.

Feifei, for her part, was also taken aback; despite using her legs to counter Gree’s fists and gaining some leverage, she had still been forced back.

Clenching her palm in secret, Gree laughed coldly, then attacked again. “So, your battle energy isn’t bad after all—must be the result of some last-minute cramming!”

Feifei gave no ground, retaliating instantly. Their palms clashed repeatedly. “After all this time, you’re still the same. Must be the result of laziness in your training!”

The two women dodged and parried with agility, their bodies twisting, their movements mesmerizing the audience. On the VIP platform, City Lord Chett nodded in approval, turning to chat with Lier Chen.

“Clan Leader Lier, your daughter’s talent is truly impressive. She’s only recently advanced to fighter, and already her mastery of battle energy is remarkable.”

“You flatter me, City Lord Chett,” Lier Chen replied with a calm smile.

The other families, overhearing, nodded in agreement. The talents of these two young heiresses were indeed extraordinary. In all of Changling City, few managed to become fighters by eighteen; even in the Lier clan, the minimum requirement was to achieve this by twenty.

Eighteen-year-old fighters were thus extremely rare—no wonder the legendary Battle Energy Academy’s entrance requirements were considered so strict.

By that measure, Feifei and Gree’s abilities stood out even more. Though their current strength was modest and few expected them to place highly, their future potential was worth anticipating.

After all, there was a world of difference between becoming a fighter at seventeen and at eighteen. In all Changling’s history, only one had achieved it at sixteen, and none at fifteen—excluding, of course, Su Yi, whose monstrous and unprecedented talent defied belief. Most families still remembered the day they learned the fifteen-year-old had reached the fourth level, and how they had shattered their teacups in shock…

At that moment, a cry rang out from the stone platform. “Lier Feifei, let this be the final blow—let’s decide the victor!”

And so, the opening match of the Martial Way’s Zenith Tournament reached its climax.