Cold Family Garden, Training Square.
Gentle sunlight poured down, illuminating all the people in the cold winter. The breeze was light, and the clouds were thin, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Although it was only morning, the Training Square was already bustling with people, and the sounds of chatter filled the air. Today was a special day—the qualification selection for the Cold Wu external relatives' martial arts competition.
All the contestants wore expressions mixed with resentment and desire, their faces showing a strange demeanor. However, among the more than a hundred participants, two individuals remained calm and unaffected.
Needless to say, these two were Leng Yong and Ye Tian.
Leng Yong and his father Cold Wu had meticulously planned this competition; it was a grand scheme. With Leng Yong being a late-stage Nine-Dan Warrior, securing first place should not be difficult.
As long as he won this competition, marrying Cold Frost would be a done deal.
Moreover, it was more than that.
At this moment, a sinister expression appeared on Cold Wu's capable face as he fixed his gaze on Cold Boyuan in the stands. A slight smirk played at the corners of his mouth as he calculated inwardly: "Heh, you look down on me, don’t you? I will make sure your precious daughter marries into our family. When that time comes, I wonder how you will face it; how will you maintain your dignity as the head of the Cold Family!"
"Cold Wu must think that Leng Yong is guaranteed to win," Ye Tian thought as she withdrew her gaze from Cold Wu and turned to look at Cold Frost, who was joking with her father in the stands. She mused, "It seems like Xiaoshuang is confident in me one hundred percent. Heh, don’t worry; I will definitely keep your smile until the end."
Just as Ye Tian was lost in her confident thoughts, someone gently tapped her shoulder, followed by a voice reaching her ears.
"Leng Yong is all bluster but lacks courage. Although he is already a late-stage Nine-Dan Warrior, as long as you use more of the Desperate Struggle techniques, he will surely start to hesitate and his strength will diminish."
Turning to look, Ye Tian saw that Wu Xiaozhuang was expressionless and gazing in another direction, as if they had never spoken before.
"Thank you." Although she was already confident of victory, out of politeness, she still expressed her gratitude.
Since the last time Ye Tian showcased her skills and formed the Nine Seals, Wu Xiaozhuang had been casually speaking to her from time to time, seemingly wanting to engage but also appearing somewhat shy.
In response to Ye Tian's thanks, Wu Xiaozhuang did not reply but continued to look around casually.
This action made Ye Tian feel frustrated again, wondering, "What is Wu Xiaozhuang up to? He kindly reminds me but then acts indifferent."
Suddenly, Ye Tian felt a chill on his back and turned to look. In the northwest corner of the stands, Cold Wu was staring at him with a cold gaze.
Seeing this, Ye Tian met his gaze without fear, but after a moment, he realized that Cold Wu was not looking at him...
When he turned back, Wu Xiaozhuang had just withdrawn his gaze from Cold Wu and turned to leave.
It was at this moment that Ye Tian finally understood. He realized why Wu Xiaozhuang seemed eager to befriend him yet always kept his distance.
Cold Wu and Wu Tianci intended to instigate a power struggle within the Cold Family, and Wu Xiaozhuang was the only son of Wu Tianci, making him the foremost disciple of the Cold Family Guardian. Meanwhile, he could be considered a confidant of Cold Boyuan, so everything was already clear...
"Everyone, quiet!" A stern voice pulled Ye Tian back from his thoughts.
He looked in the direction of the voice and saw a capable figure scanning the younger relatives below with a sharp gaze.
This person was Cold Wu, who had somehow moved from the stands to the Arena.
"Ahem!" After clearing his throat, Cold Wu spoke again: "As everyone knows, our Cold Family holds an absolute dominant position in Spirit Martial Town, but that is a legacy built by the previous generation. To my knowledge, some people always harbor a sense of luck, thinking that they can enjoy the resources and opportunities of the Cold Family forever just because of their status, believing that certain rules will never change! However, I must tell you that while your identity as Cold Family Relatives will never change, honor is absolutely reserved for those with ability!"
At this point, Cold Wu scanned the crowd again and deliberately paused when his gaze landed on Cold Boyuan, seemingly indicating that his previous statement was directed at him.
Noticing this, Cold Boyuan's eyes twitched slightly; his meaning was clear: I am waiting for you to prove what you just said!
Cold Wu sneered coldly and then shifted his gaze away from Cold Boyuan back to the many younger relatives, continuing: "The Martial Arts Selection Tournament will begin in just four months. By then, sects and families from thousands of miles around Square Area will likely come to watch. Therefore, after discussions among the family leaders, we have reached a decision: we will compete for the qualification to participate in the Martial Arts Selection Tournament through this competition. Only the final winner will have the opportunity to participate in the Martial Arts Selection Tournament. This way, only those with the highest strength can represent our Cold Family in battle and avoid bringing shame upon us during the Martial Arts Selection Tournament."
As soon as these words were spoken, boos erupted from below. For these younger members who had no power to influence family decisions, this was their only way to express their dissatisfaction.
Cold Wu did not get angry upon seeing this; instead, he sneered and said: "Let me explain the rules of the selection competition. Once I announce the start, whoever can take down the flag in the center of this Arena first will be declared the winner of this selection competition. Are you all ready?"
Though Cold Wu appeared capable, he was actually quite petty. His actions were certainly deliberate; at that time, it was Cold Boyuan who raised that flag, and now Cold Wu had already set his sights on his son Leng Yong as the one who would ultimately claim it.
Cold Boyuan raised the flag of Leng Yong, what does this signify?
Naturally, at the moment Leng Yong raised the flag, they were also unveiling the grand curtain of 'changing dynasties'!
"Start!" With a command, Cold Wu leaped into the air and returned to the viewing platform, then picked up the tea bowl that had been prepared by the servants and calmly began to sip his tea, clearly confident about the final outcome.
"Wow!"
At the moment Cold Wu announced the start, an immense cheer erupted from the crowd.
Over a hundred contestants rushed towards the Arena, and amidst the throng, many had already started fighting.
"Diao Wind Palm!"
In the crowd, Leng Yong shouted loudly, knocking down a boy who was blocking his path. He then sneered and leisurely continued forward.
The boy who was knocked down by Leng Yong had a face full of anger. After spitting heavily on the ground, he got up, brushed off the dust, and left in a huff.
In fact, that boy had already reached the strength of an Eight-Dan Martial Artist. The reason he was so easily defeated by Leng Yong was that during their confrontation, Leng Yong's gaze conveyed one message to him.
That is: If you dare to block me, you will never rise in status within the Cold Family!
The viewing platform was located in the center of the Training Square, encircling the Arena in a circular shape but was more than ten yards away. Therefore, those on the platform could not see Leng Yong's expression clearly and were continuously expressing their admiration.
"When did Leng Yong become this powerful!" exclaimed a thin, dark-skinned middle-aged man.
"Indeed! One palm for each opponent; it's like a tiger sweeping through a flock of sheep!" remarked the White-Haired Elder, stroking his long beard. Like the previous man, both of them were instructors for the Demonstration.
At this moment, both of their eyes showed a sense of inferiority, clearly feeling ashamed after comparing themselves to their younger selves.
"Dad, why has Leng Yong suddenly become..." Cold Moon looked at her knowledgeable father Cold Boyuan with a puzzled expression, hoping to gain insight from him.
However, Cold Boyuan seemed to have not heard anything, his eyes filled with worry as he thought, "Could it be that Leng Yong has been hiding his strength all along?"
"Brother Two, my skills are lacking and I fear I have sullied your eyes! Hahaha!" Cold Wu mocked from a distance upon seeing Cold Boyuan's expression, then burst into laughter.
Upon hearing this, the latter scoffed and retorted, "Where, where? Leng Yong's prowess truly opens my eyes! However, those who were defeated by him are too pitiful; it reminds me of you from many years ago! Hahaha!"
As the saying goes, one should not hit the face when striking someone. How could Cold Wu endure such public humiliation? He suddenly stood up, pointing at Cold Boyuan and preparing to speak.
At that moment, a sturdy man quickly stepped forward, gave him a meaningful glance, then moved an empty chair to sit beside Cold Wu. He leaned in and whispered, "Elder Brother Five, do not act impulsively; now is not the time to completely fall out."
Cold Wu was trembling with anger at that moment, but after being pulled back repeatedly by the man, he finally sat down again and coldly said, "Tian Ci, stop meddling in my affairs. You should spend more time managing your son; he has been getting close to that Ye Tian lately!"
Wu Tianci's expression changed in shock upon hearing this. He then respectfully replied, "Elder Brother Five, rest assured. If this is true, I will not let him off lightly."
"Good, as long as you are aware. Don't let a mere child ruin our big plans!" Cold Wu spoke with great disrespect and didn't even glance at Wu Tianci.
Wu Tianci's face turned pale; he must have been furious as well, but his tone remained calm. "Elder Brother Five is overthinking. I will go find him right away and give him a few more instructions."
After saying this, Wu Tianci hurriedly left. However, as he turned away, a fleeting look of unusual expression crossed his face.
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