The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Esteemed elders and cultivators, I am Li Qing. I trust most of you already know of me."

A figure appeared suddenly in the arena.

Li Qing clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, introducing himself to the gathered spiritual roots and elders from various clans.

"This time, I have been tasked by His Majesty to oversee the upcoming duels," he announced.

"The rules for the duels remain the same as in previous years. However, considering that some newly established cultivation families may be participating for the first time, I shall take a moment to explain them carefully.

The duels are simple: two contestants will face off on the platform. The winner advances, and the loser is eliminated.

There are no restrictions—no limits on techniques or methods. The duel continues until one side dies or admits defeat.

During the duel, no one is permitted to interfere. Any interference will be considered a forfeit and will incur severe punishment by the royal family's enforcers. I trust this is clear to everyone."

"Now, it is time for the spiritual roots of each clan to step forward and draw lots. The draw will determine their opponents."

After briefly explaining the rules, Li Qing gestured for the participants to approach the stage and draw their lots.

"Let's go, Shuang'er," Yun Yantian said, leading Yun Yanshuang to the platform to draw their numbers.

"Brother Yantian, what number did you get?"

"Number three."

"I'm number ten."

"It seems we won't face each other."

"That's good. Brother Yantian has grown so much stronger, and Shuang'er wouldn't stand a chance against you," she said playfully, a smile lighting up her face.

"You little rascal."

Yun Yantian chuckled, ruffling his sister's hair with a doting expression.

"Brother Yantian, what number did you draw?"

Xia Changqing approached with several disciples from the Xia clan, his demeanor warm and friendly.

"Number three. And you, Brother Changqing?"

Yun Yantian smiled, though he knew exactly what Xia Changqing was planning. He had avoided him in the mountain, clearly intending to make his move during the duels.

"I drew number twelve, making us opponents," Xia Changqing replied with a polite grin.

"In that case, I'll have to trouble Brother Changqing to go easy on me in the duel," Yun Yantian said lightly.

"Haha! Brother Yantian jests. It's I who should ask for your mercy," Xia Changqing replied with a hearty laugh before leaving with the other Xia disciples.

"The lot drawing is complete. Will the spiritual roots for the first match please take the stage," Li Qing announced, his voice ringing through the arena.

With a swift motion, a figure leaped onto the platform—it was Ye Xiaolin of the Ye clan.

"Damn it! It's Ye Xiaolin!"

"Word is, his cultivation has reached the peak of the Ninth Stage of Embryo Breath. We're no match for him."

One of the lesser cultivation clans from the Yue Kingdom muttered among themselves as their spiritual root paled at the sight of Ye Xiaolin taking the stage.

"Withdraw. If you fight him, it will only mean certain death," an elder from the clan advised with a heavy sigh.

In the end, the spiritual root from the Lingdong Yu clan decisively forfeited the match.

"Lingdong Yu clan forfeits. The victor is Ye Xiaolin," Li Qing announced loudly.

"Many thanks," Ye Xiaolin said with a faint nod of acknowledgment before stepping down to return to his seat.

"Next, the contestants for the second match, please take the stage," Li Qing declared.

As his words fell, Lu Shanglin of the Lu clan ascended the platform, his cold, piercing eyes scanning the Wang clan disciples. His gaze locked onto one target.

"Wang Lilong, come and face me! I know you're my opponent. If I can't kill your brother this time, I'll settle for killing you instead!"

Among the Wang clan disciples, Wang Lilong stepped forward, ready to accept the challenge. However, an elder of the Wang clan quickly pulled him back.

"Lu Shanglin's cultivation has already reached the peak of the Seventh Stage of Embryo Breath. You are no match for him. To step onto that stage would be to throw your life away!"

"Even so, I must fight him!"

"Big Sister Lizhu died at that bastard's hands!"

Wang Lilong clenched his teeth, his face full of hatred. Ignoring the elder's urgent warnings, he leaped onto the stage without hesitation.

The moment his feet touched the platform, Wang Lilong didn't wait for Li Qing to announce the start of the duel. Sword in hand, he launched his attack.

A blade of sword energy, several meters long, cleaved through the air with a sharp whistle, aimed directly at Lu Shanglin.

"Hmph! A trivial trick."

With a cold snort, Lu Shanglin swung his black-gold short staff, effortlessly shattering the oncoming sword energy.

"Your swordsmanship is far inferior to Wang Liyuan's," he sneered.

"It's a pity Wang Liyuan isn't here. Otherwise, I would make sure he dies during this duel!"

As Lu Shanglin spoke, his figure vanished like a shadow. Before Wang Lilong could react, Lu Shanglin was already behind him.

Wang Lilong instinctively tried to turn and raise his sword in defense, but he was too slow.

With overwhelming force, the short staff smashed into Wang Lilong's chest.

Thud!

The impact sent Wang Lilong flying backward, blood spraying from his mouth in a crimson arc.

He barely stabilized himself before Lu Shanglin closed the distance again, bringing his staff down in another merciless strike.

The blow landed squarely on Wang Lilong's head. His skull narrowly avoided shattering, but the impact left him dazed and stumbling backward, blood seeping from his nose, ears, and eyes.

"The gap is too wide!"

"It's true. Wang Lilong's cultivation is only at the Sixth Stage of Embryo Breath. How could he hope to contend with Lu Shanglin, who's at the peak of the Seventh Stage?"

The spectators murmured among themselves, the disparity between the two contestants glaringly obvious after just two exchanges.

"Last time, if that wretched woman hadn't protected you, do you really think you'd still be alive?" Lu Shanglin jeered, his killing intent growing stronger as he advanced.

"Don't you dare insult Big Sister Lizhu!" Wang Lilong roared, his bloodshot eyes blazing with fury as he struggled to steady himself.

"And what if I insult her? What can you do about it?"

With a deranged grin, Lu Shanglin swung his staff once more, this time striking Wang Lilong's chest.

Crack!

The sound of breaking ribs echoed through the arena as the staff crushed bone and shattered his internal organs. Wang Lilong collapsed into a pool of blood, his breath faint and labored.

"We surrender! The Wang family surrenders!"

Seeing Wang Lilong on the brink of death, a Wang elder stood up and shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

Though conceding defeat in public was a blow to the family's pride, he could no longer care about such matters.

On the stage, Lu Shanglin ignored the surrender. With murderous intent blazing in his eyes, he raised his black-gold staff once more, aiming for Wang Lilong's head.

Clang!

The staff was intercepted just in time by Li Qing, who stepped in to block the blow.

"Why are you stopping me?" Lu Shanglin snarled, his face twisted with rage.

"The Wang family has already surrendered," Li Qing replied calmly.

"I don't care!" Lu Shanglin bellowed, determined to finish Wang Lilong off.

Just as he moved to strike again, a wave of oppressive energy radiated from Li Qing's body, pinning Lu Shanglin to the ground.

"If you defy the rules, your qualification will be revoked," Li Qing warned, his tone as unyielding as steel.

"Revoke it, then! Who cares?" Lu Shanglin spat, his face contorted with pain and fury.

"Shanglin, stand down."

A commanding voice rang out from the sidelines. It was Lu Zhengqiang, Lu Shanglin's father.

"But Father…"

"I said, stand down! Do you not understand?" Lu Zhengqiang's expression darkened, his tone brooking no argument.

Fear flashed in Lu Shanglin's eyes, and he reluctantly obeyed. Once Li Qing lifted the suppression, he stormed off the stage, his frustration palpable.

"Lilong!"

The Wang elders and disciples rushed onto the stage, quickly tending to Wang Lilong's injuries.

"I'm sorry… I failed. I couldn't kill Lu Shanglin or avenge Big Sister Lizhu…" Wang Lilong gasped, blood trickling from his lips as he looked at his uncles, cousins, and brothers with guilt-ridden eyes.

"Save your strength and take this healing pill," an elder urged.

"It's no use… My ribs have pierced my heart. Don't waste a pill on me, Uncle," Wang Lilong whispered weakly.

"Don't lose hope. The family will not let you die so easily."

The elder's expression was grim as he carried the critically injured Wang Lilong off the stage, the other Wang disciples following closely behind.

"Interesting. The grudge between the Wang and Lu families seems to have deepened yet again," a spectator remarked.

"That suits us just fine. Let them fight each other to death. It saves us the trouble," Yun Yanshui thought to herself, her mind already plotting.

As she schemed, Yun Yantian stepped onto the stage, his expression calm and composed.

Waiting for him was Xia Changqing, who had already taken his position, a faint smile on his lips.