C202 Tianqi City(1)

Sunset Country, Enlightenment City, Enlightenment Square.

These past few days, Enlightenment Square has been more bustling than ever. For the younger generation of Enlightenment City, it’s become the event of the year.

A martial arts tournament for marriage!

Liu Yunyun, the daughter of one of the four prominent families in the city and renowned as the most beautiful woman in Enlightenment, has decided to choose her partner through combat.

The tournament has been ongoing for three days, and today marks the final day.

On the stage, a young man stands with his hands behind his back, having held his ground there for an entire day.

He is Han Shanyuan, the son of the city’s governor and the third-ranked student in the outer division of the Martial Academy.

Han Shanyuan has long been infatuated with Liu Yunyun. Unfortunately, their families are bitter rivals, competing for the governor's position. While his family doesn't mind marrying into the Liu family, the Liu family would never consider giving Liu Yunyun to him.

In fact, the Liu family’s real aim in hosting this tournament is to find a powerful ally to help them secure the next governorship of Enlightenment City.

Upon hearing about Liu Yunyun’s tournament, Han Shanyuan gave up his spot in a mysterious academy and rushed back.

Since he stepped onto the stage, hardly anyone else has dared to challenge him, either due to self-doubt in their abilities or fear of clashing with the Han family.

This situation has left the Liu family visibly displeased, yet they can't go back on their word.

“What should we do, sir?” an old servant quietly asked from behind the stage.

"Still haven't found anyone?" Patriarch Liu asked, his expression cold.

"The best I could find either lack the necessary skills or exceed our age criteria," the old servant replied apologetically.

"It's not your fault. Who could have predicted that our martial arts tournament would coincide with the mysterious appearance of the Sunset Mountains' hidden cave?" Patriarch Liu said bitterly.

"Sir, perhaps we could use this as an excuse to postpone?" the servant suggested.

"Let's wait and see..." Patriarch Liu responded, his tone uncertain.

As dusk approached and the tournament neared its end, Patriarch Liu's face grew increasingly grim. On the platform, Han Shanyuan couldn't hide his delight.

Suddenly, a figure appeared out of nowhere, moving as swiftly as a shooting star, and crashed into Han Shanyuan.

Before Han could react, he was knocked off the platform...

"What just happened?"

"Even if it's a martial arts tournament, you can't just ambush someone like that!"

"The real question is, where did that guy come from? He knocked Han Shanyuan off and then collapsed on the platform himself. It's insane!"

"No doubt, it's one of Liu Yunyun's crazed admirers. Knowing he couldn't beat Han Shanyuan, he resorted to this desperate move..."

Above the platform, the figure lay clutching a seemingly ordinary iron sword, barely conscious.

Below the stage, the crowd erupted in chaos. Han Shanyuan, unsure if it was anger or the blow that made him cough up blood, attempted to get back on stage but was promptly stopped.

"Mr. Han, stepping down means you’ve lost. The rules are unbreakable!" declared Patriarch Liu. He then announced loudly, "The contest for my daughter's hand is now concluded!"

Soon after, someone carried the figure off the stage...

...

Seven days later, at the Liu residence.

Woo Zhengyang lay on a soft couch, struggling to sit up with great effort, finally managing to do so, albeit shakily.

“Creak…”

The wooden door opened, and a young servant entered, carrying a tray.

The servant placed the tray on the floor beside the couch, glanced at Woo Zhengyang’s feeble state, and said irritably, “Eat up! I suggest you don’t push yourself too hard today. The young lady is coming to see you this afternoon. If you’re well-fed, you’ll have the strength to take a good look at her. After all, you risked your life to push Han Shanyuan off the stage!”

With that, the servant turned and left.

Woo Zhengyang sat cross-legged on the couch, making no move.

Two days ago, shortly after he woke up, he learned from the vivid recounting of that young servant why he was there.

It was also on that day that Patriarch Liu, accompanied by several others, personally visited Woo Zhengyang and inquired about his martial skills and background.

Upon learning that Woo Zhengyang was an outer disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect in Dongjue Country, ranked an unimaginable 9,999th, Patriarch Liu's expression turned sour. Later, when it was confirmed that Woo Zhengyang's meridians were completely destroyed, Patriarch Liu left in a huff. From that moment, Woo Zhengyang's status plummeted.

Woo Zhengyang understood the reason. Although his presence had temporarily alleviated the Liu family's urgent crisis, their martial arts competition aimed to find an exceptionally powerful son-in-law. There was no way they would let Liu Yunyun marry someone whose meridians were ruined. Woo Zhengyang wasn't bothered by this; his Hidden Heaven Bag was full of elixirs, and he never intended to become the Liu family's son-in-law anyway.

What concerned Woo Zhengyang was the current state of Loong Zhiwu. On that day, in the secret courtyard of No Life City, inside the stone house where the No Life Patriarch's body lay, Woo Zhengyang and his three companions, unable to find an exit, began to eye the crystal coffin of the No Life Patriarch.