CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 70: THE TOURNAMENT BEGINS

The afternoon sun hung high in the heavens, casting its golden brilliance upon the colossal new stadium. Its sheer size dwarfed the surrounding buildings, an architectural marvel that gleamed with polished stone and towering arches. Every seat was occupied, the stands overflowing with roaring spectators whose cheers rolled like thunder across the sky. The sound of countless voices blended with the calls of merchants weaving through the crowd, hawking roasted chestnuts, spiced meats, silk banners, and lucky charms to bless one’s favorite team.

The atmosphere was electric, charged with anticipation. The audience whispered excitedly about the legendary fighters they hoped to see, while children perched on their parents’ shoulders, waving miniature flags of their favorite sects.

At the center of it all, the arena lay vast and imposing—its floor made of smooth black stone reinforced with ancient formations, glowing faintly with protective barriers to withstand the carnage soon to unfold.

On a grand throne overlooking the stadium sat King Tian Long, his golden robe shining in the sun, an aura of unshakable majesty radiating from him. At his side slouched Li Dong, his expression bored, as though the grand event was beneath his attention.

Meanwhile, outside the stadium gates, Shaurya stood with his disciples and elders. His eyes widened slightly as he took in the immensity of the structure and the overwhelming tide of voices within. Awe flickered briefly across his face.

Then, without warning, he reached into his storage ring and retrieved a fresh coconut.

The disciples blinked in confusion as Shaurya raised the coconut high and, with a single decisive motion, smashed it upon the ground in front of the stadium gate. The shell cracked open, white flesh gleaming, milk spilling across the sunlit stones.

He clasped his hands together, bowing deeply in prayer.

The disciples exchanged puzzled glances. Lin Shu, curiosity sparkling in her eyes, stepped forward. Her voice was soft, tinged with confusion.

"What are you doing?"

Shaurya opened his eyes slowly, his expression calm yet reverent.

"May Lord Vishnu bless us," he said, his tone filled with quiet conviction.

Lin Shu tilted her head, still uncertain. Shaurya turned toward her, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"This is one of the rituals from my hometown," he explained. "Smashing a coconut and chanting God’s name before beginning something new."

He then lifted the broken pieces of coconut using his spiritual energy, holding them gently aloft. His eyes drifted toward the line of beggars seated near the stadium wall, their faces weary, their clothes ragged.

With a wave of his hand, Shaurya distributed the coconut pieces evenly among the fifteen beggars. To each, he added ten gleaming gold coins, which fell into their palms like drops of divine grace.

The beggars stared at him in shock, their eyes wide, their mouths trembling in disbelief. Then, as though moved by unseen strings, they fell to their knees, bowing low and knocking their heads against the ground.

Shaurya raised his hand, his spiritual energy lifting them gently back to their feet. His voice was calm, almost fatherly.

"I am not a god that you should bow to. If you wish to give thanks, then thank Lord Vishnu."

The beggars looked at one another in confusion. But after a moment, they nodded, their voices rising together, raw and filled with earnestness:

"Thank you, Lord Vishnu!"

Shaurya smiled softly, then turned back to his followers.

"Let’s go."

Though still baffled by the ritual, the disciples and elders nodded respectfully and followed him inside.

As they walked through the bustling entrance tunnel, Luo Chen leaned close to Wang Tian, whispering, "Hey, do you know who Lord Vishnu is?"

Wang Tian shook his head, brows furrowed. "No. I’ve never heard of him. But if Master respects him and calls him a god, then he must be a true divine entity. We should also respect Lord Vishnu."

Luo Chen nodded firmly. "You’re right. I don’t believe in gods... but if Master tells me to worship and respect someone, then I’ll do it blindly."

Shaurya overheard their hushed conversation, a quiet laugh escaping his lips. He said nothing, simply shaking his head with amusement as they entered the radiant stadium interior.

The roar of the audience crashed upon them like an ocean wave. Tens of thousands of voices screamed in unison, banners fluttered, drums boomed, and horns blared in celebration.

In the stands, the disciples of the Sanatan Flame Sect—already seated in the front and middle rows of both sides—spotted their leader’s arrival. Under the guidance of Elder Wan on the right and Elder Liya on the left, they rose in unison, voices thundering across the stadium in a majestic chant:

East dawn’s glow paints the endless sky,

West’s setting sun shines on mountains high.

North and South unite in flame’s crest,

Sanatan Flame Sect stands above the rest!

The synchronized roar echoed through the colossal arena, sending chills down the spines of even rival sects.

Lin Shu burst into laughter at their dramatic display, her voice bright and full of delight. Shaurya, wearing a faint smirk, reached into his ring and pulled out a pair of sleek, round black sunglasses. With practiced ease, he slid them onto his face, hands in his pockets, exuding effortless dominance.

From his throne, King Tian Long caught sight of him and couldn’t help but laugh heartily. He waved his hand across the expanse of the stadium, shouting, "Hey, Shaurya! What’s up!"

Shaurya tilted his head up, smiling coolly as he responded with a thumbs-up.

At Tian Long’s side, Li Dong frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing. He leaned toward the king. "Who is that man? You greet him as if he’s an old friend."

Tian Long chuckled, his voice deep with mirth. "That man is none other than the Sect Master of the Sanatan Flame Sect—Shaurya. He is the one who slew Ye Xuan and ended the tyranny of the previous royal family."

Li Dong’s brows rose in surprise. "Oh? Really..." His gaze returned to Shaurya, studying him with new interest.

Tian Long waved his hand, summoning a white-robed messenger. "Guide Sect Master Shaurya to his seat."

The messenger bowed and departed quickly.

Shaurya, still chatting lightly with his disciples and giving last-minute guidance, turned as the messenger approached. The man bowed deeply. "Sect Leader, please come with me. I will guide you to your seat."

Shaurya nodded casually. "Oh, thanks."

With Lin Shu and the elders at his side, he followed the messenger toward the VIP section. The rest of the disciples dispersed into their respective areas—participants toward the reserved waiting zone near the arena’s edge, while Wang Tian, Luo Chen, Lu Fang, Sheng Lu, and the girls’ trio headed into the audience corner.

Xiao Rui and his group had already secured seats for them.

Luo Chen dropped into his chair with a loud sigh. "Huff. Finally! I’ve waited for a whole year... just a little more, and the fights will start."

Wang Tian leaned back, arms crossed, eyes closed, a faint smile curving his lips as anticipation surged in his chest.

Meanwhile, Shaurya and the elders reached the VIP seats—luxurious private chambers elevated above the common sect leaders and family patriarchs. At the center awaited a throne large enough for two.

Shaurya sat casually, while Lin Shu, blushing faintly, slid beside him. Their shoulders brushed as both settled into the throne, their cheeks tinged red. Behind them, the elders took their places, a mixture of pride and amusement softening their expressions.

Down below, whispers rippled through the stadium.

"Isn’t that the Sanatan Flame Sect? The winners of the 50 Cities Tournament?"

"Yeah, they destroyed the previous royal family!"

"Their leader killed our old king..."

"I heard he practices demonic arts. That’s why he’s so strong."

"Nonsense. The new king himself declared the old monarch was a demon, and Shaurya is our hero."

"Even the Jade Phoenix Sect is here this time... this will be interesting."

The speculation spread like wildfire, weaving into the fervor of the crowd.

High above, the referee arrived, floating into the sky. A black-robed man holding a circular stone infused with sound transmission formation, his booming voice shook the air.

"Yoooooo! My dear audience, what’s up! Are you ready for fun?" He grinned widely, stretching his neck. "Get yourselves prepared for the grandest tournament in the history of our kingdom! Today, the air burns with fire, blood, and glory! Cheer for your favorite team with all the strength in your lungs!"

The audience erupted, their screams echoing like a storm.

The referee’s voice boomed again, rising higher. "For four days, you will witness pure excitement and thrill! One hundred sects, eighty of the greatest families—one hundred eighty total teams! Battles that will shake the heavens! And remember, this broadcast is being transmitted across the entire kingdom—to all sixty cities! Are you ready?"

The deafening roar of approval nearly shook the stadium walls.

"Good!" the referee shouted, his robes fluttering as he rose higher into the air. "The teams are divided into four sections. Now, let us begin by revealing the list of teams in Section One!"

A massive holographic screen materialized, shimmering with spiritual light. Names scrolled across in neat golden script.

Shaurya scanned the list, raising a brow when he spotted the Situ Family. A faint smile tugged at his lips. So... the Situ Family dares to participate. Interesting.

The screen shifted, revealing Section Two. Shaurya spotted the Howling Abyss Sect, and his eyes narrowed as he located their leader, Zia Han, across the stadium. Shaurya lifted a hand in casual greeting, which Zia Han returned with a nod.

Lin Shu leaned toward him in curiosity. "Do you know him?"

Shaurya nodded lightly. "Yes. We met during the 50 Cities Tournament."

Section Three appeared, and Shaurya’s eyes brightened. He pointed eagerly. "Hey, look! There’s our sect."

Lin Shu smiled beside him, her pride clear.

Shaurya tilted his head. "Not in the same group as the Situ Family or the Jade Phoenix Sect. Hmph. I just hope they don’t get eliminated early. I want my disciples to crush them personally."

Lin Shu chuckled softly, resting her hand on his arm. "Don’t worry. They are big powerhouses. They won’t be eliminated that easily."

Finally, the fourth section list emerged. The Jade Phoenix Sect stood prominent. In their VIP room sat their leader—a middle-aged man with black hair streaked with white, crimson eyes gleaming sharply, dressed in jade-green robes. He turned toward Shaurya, smiling.

Shaurya raised his hand lazily, turning his thumb down before yawning dramatically. Lin Shu laughed and nudged him. "Get some rest."

Shaurya smirked and leaned back, folding his arms behind his head, closing his eyes.

The referee’s voice rang out once more: "Now, let’s welcome our first participants! Night Shade Sect versus the Situ Family!"

Shaurya cracked one eye open, interest flickering. "Oh, the Situ Family? Then I should watch."

Lin Shu sighed, tugging his head gently and resting it on her lap. His cheeks flushed slightly.

She puffed and said. "I told you to rest. Then just take some rest. It’s just the beginning."

He laughed softly, closing his eyes again. She is patting his hair with a tender smile.

Behind them, the elders exchanged knowing glances. In the crowd Elder Liya glance back at them. Elder Liya’s face reddened slightly at their intimacy, and when her eyes met Elder Wan’s, he winked, making her quickly avert her gaze.

Down in the arena, Two groups stepped into the ring, the tension thick enough to choke the air.

On one side—Night Shade Sect. Five disciples, clad in dark armor lined with violet streaks, their bodies rigid, faces solemn. They looked like shadows ready to strike, their leader’s fists wrapped in bands of glowing spirit qi.

On the other side—Situ Family. Their five fighters stood with overwhelming confidence, led by a smug youth. Among them, a mountain of a man swaggered forward—a fat disciple with a stomach like a boulder and arms thicker than tree trunks. Strapped across his back was a massive black hammer that gleamed ominously under the sun.

The crowd instantly erupted in cheers and jeers.

"Look at the size of that hammer!"

"Night Shade Sect’s fighter won’t even last a breath!"

"Situ Family brought their beast early!"

The referee hovered above, robe snapping in the wind. He raised a hand, then chopped it down.

"Begin!"

The muscular boy from Night Shade Sect exploded forward, his fist glowing with violet qi. Dust and stone shattered beneath his feet as his charge split the air. His roar shook the arena—

"Night Shade Fist!"

The fat disciple didn’t flinch. A slow, greasy smile stretched across his round face. With deliberate ease, he swung his hammer forward, spirit qi coating the weapon in a dense golden sheen.

The moment their strikes collided—

BOOOOOM!

The ground fractured like glass. A shockwave blasted outward, forcing disciples in the front rows of the audience to shield their eyes. Merchants clutching trays staggered as cups rattled and fruits spilled from baskets. The sky itself seemed to rumble with the force.

The Night Shade disciple’s eyes widened—his fist trembled against the hammer’s sheer weight. The impact rippled through his bones, rattling him from arm to spine. With a sickening crunch, he was thrown backwards like a ragdoll, smashing into the arena wall with bone-jarring force before collapsing to the ground.

"First round, Situ Family wins!" the referee’s voice boomed, amplified by the formation stone.

The stadium erupted in cheers and laughter.

"Too easy!"

"That fatty is a monster!"

"Night Shade Sect stood no chance!"

The fat disciple licked his lips, twirled the massive hammer with shocking agility, and strolled back to his team, laughing loudly as though the fight had been nothing more than a warm-up.

"Hohoho! Weaklings. That was fun."

The next four rounds came swiftly, one after another. Night Shade Sect tried their blades, their formations, even double-teamed with desperate techniques—but the Situ Family cut through them like wolves devouring sheep. Every clash ended the same: bodies crashing into walls, groans echoing on stone, Situ disciples walking away untouched, smiling with arrogance.

Finally, the referee lifted both arms.

"Situ Family has won the match!"

The crowd exploded into thunderous applause. Cheers and whistles shook the stadium, drowning the cries of the defeated Night Shade disciples being carried away.

Up in the VIP room, Shaurya rested lazily on Lin Shu’s lap, his faint smile betraying amusement as he watched Situ Family’s easy victory. Lin Shu’s gentle fingers brushed through his hair, her eyes full of care

High in their VIP room, Situ Hotian sat nursing his injuries, glaring bitterly down at the arena. Beside him sat his father, the patriarch of the family—a handsome middle-aged man with sharp silver eyes, his hair pure white, his face youthful despite the years. A thin smile curved his lips as he watched.

The Sect-Clan Tournament had only just begun.

And already, the flames of rivalry were rising.

To be continued...