C23 The Mayor Had Appointed It
Outside the city lies Mount Aureum.
The four great families host a triennial competition, and this time, the Huang family had selected this location.
The morning sky was overcast and murky, suggesting that the sun might not make an appearance today.
The valley, cleared and tidied up for this special occasion, was dotted with towering platforms.
The heads of the four great families, along with their core fighters, had all gathered, each group clustering around their respective areas.
Each platform, constructed from solid stone, served as an arena for combat.
Yu Yuan was behind his grandfather, Yu Cen, steadying his wheelchair as he was briefed on the key figures from the other three families.
Near Yuan Lianyao, there was Le Feng and several other members of the Yuan family, each exuding an aura that clearly warned they were not to be provoked.
"Don't be fooled by the fact that the mayor is a woman; here in Asvetaesi, her cultivation surpasses even the older generation," Yu Cen explained softly. "If I'm not mistaken, the mayor is in the early period of the Subtlety Stage. She's likely the only one in the entire city!"
He looked on with admiration. "To have reached the Subtlety Stage at such a young age, the Yuan family might one day become a central pillar of the empire, much like the Lin family or even the Su family."
Before his legs were broken, and before his fall from grace, Yu Cen had only reached the Veil Breaking Stage.
In comparison to Yuan Lianyao, his cultivation and talent were significantly inferior.
"The Yuan family is not to be underestimated," Yu Yuan murmured.
The elder from the Ruby Hand was close to achieving a Lunar Spirit and was undoubtedly deeply connected to Yuan Lianyao. He was now in seclusion within the Keep.
Even after failing to achieve a Lunar Spirit, the elder's cultivation remained at the middle period of the Subtlety Stage. Coupled with his past experience, his combat strength was on par with someone in the late period of the Subtlety Stage.
This was why he had effortlessly slain Lyu Yue from Winter's Bite.
It was precisely because of the Yuan family's strength, with Yuan Lianyao at its helm and as the mayor of Asvetaesi, that Yu Yuan dared to remain in the city, taking risks with the mayor despite being aware of Colddeath's existence and their sinister schemes.
"Right, you barged into the Keep insisting on seeing the mayor. What was that all about?" Yu Cen inquired with curiosity.
"I simply wanted to find out if the Huang family's threats to kill me during the Golden Sanctum competition were something she'd address," Yu Yuan replied with a carefree smile, placing his hands on the elder's shoulders to reassure him. "The mayor assured me that she can guarantee my safety from the younger members of the Huang family."
"Is there really such a guarantee?" Yu Cen looked doubtful.
Since hearing that the Huang family was targeting Yu Yuan, he had been against his grandson's continued participation in the competition. Yet, he had relented due to Yu Yuan's persistence.
Still, deep down, he was filled with concern.
"Grandpa, you can rest easy. I'm certain I'll be fine," Yu Yuan reassured him, then turned to his aunt, Yu Lili, and asked, "How's that item working out?"
He had stealthily given Yu Lili the Black Dragon Scissors the night before.
A gleeful expression danced across Yu Lili's face. "Of course it's useful! You've really got a knack for this! Don't worry, in this Golden Sanctum competition, I'll come out on top no matter who I face!"
With that, her gaze shifted to the Zhao family.
Standing beside the corpulent Zhao Dongsheng was a tall man in white, looking utterly disinterested in the competition among the great families.
"Zhao Xi, at the late period of the Golden Sanctum, you're likely the biggest threat in your realm," Yu Cen said with a furrowed brow. "Zhao Dongsheng's brother here isn't keen on leading the Zhao family, preferring to leave Aetherius altogether. While he may lack the talent for family affairs, his cultivation potential could one day surpass Zhao Dongsheng."
A fighting spirit ignited within Yu Lili. "I've long known he'd be my toughest opponent!"
Across the way, a beautiful young woman in a flowing blue dress, with sparkling eyes and a radiant smile, sweetly addressed Yu Lili, "Auntie Yu, if you end up facing my uncle, please go easy on him."
"Stinking girl, remember to call me big sister!" Yu Lili glared at her furiously and snapped, "You deserve to be stuck in the Soul Awakening Realm, unable to make a breakthrough!"
Yu Yuan was taken aback and took a closer look, realizing, "That's Zhao Yafu."
Both residing in Asvetaesi City and hailing from two of the four major families, the Yu and Zhao families were not adversaries. With the Zhao family running various shops throughout the year, there was frequent interaction between the two families.
The Zhao and Yu families maintained a relationship where they didn't step on each other's toes, and many of their clan members were well-acquainted.
Yu Lili clearly recognized Zhao Yafu, having had previous dealings with her, and their familiarity was evident from the way she spoke.
"Yafu, I've had the pleasure of meeting Brother Yu."
From a distance, the elegant and beautiful Zhao family girl bowed gracefully, her dazzling eyes lingering on Yu Yuan, "If I ever trouble Brother Yu in the future, please forgive me."
Her words caused a stir among not only the Yuan, Yu, and Huang families but also within the Zhao family itself, prompting surprised murmurs.
Zhao Dongsheng, her father, was the de facto next head of the Zhao family.
Zhao Yafu had been marked by Dragon Lake since birth, with a dragon whelp's spirit implanted within her. She was likely to become a Dragon Attendant at Dragon Lake in the future.
The core members of the Zhao family saw Zhao Yafu as their future, the link to Dragon Lake.
The conspiracy of the Dragon Devour and the death of the dragon whelp were secrets known only to a select few within the Zhao family, leaving the majority in the dark.
As the family's pride and the future Dragon Attendant, Zhao Yafu's high regard for Yu Yuan was baffling to many.
"You're too kind," Yu Yuan replied with a nod and a smile. "You're quite the tease, aren't you? You're clearly ready to advance to the Golden Sanctum, yet you're holding back your power. Are you aiming to be the top contender in the Soul Awakening Realm to secure advantages for your family?"
Zhao Yafu offered a sweet smile. "Brother Yu, please don't tease me. I must do my part for the family that has nurtured me."
Both were astute enough to understand the intricacies of the situation, yet they chose to speak as if oblivious.
"How peculiar!" Huang Bin of the Huang family brooded, his gaze shifting between Zhao Yafu and Yu Yuan. "These two shouldn't be acquainted."
Zhao Yafu, Huang Bin, and Yu Yuan were contemporaries.
Among the third generation of the four great families, Zhao Yafu shone the brightest.
At her tender age, she had already reached the pinnacle of the Soul Awakening Realm. It was said she was merely one step away from ascending to the Golden Sanctum. What kind of prodigious talent did she possess?
Lin Zhuyun, who had advanced to the Golden Sanctum before her, was the Silvermoon Empire's pride, achieving her level of cultivation and strength with the support of Winter's Bite.
She was only a single realm behind Lin Zhuyun.
The Huang family had great expectations for Huang Bin, yet he was only at the peak of the Spirit Channel Realm, a whole realm below her!
To Huang Bin, Zhao Dongsheng's treasured daughter was a dream beyond reach.
Yet, Zhao Yafu had shown a marked preference for Yu Yuan, who had recently emerged from a state of confusion, affectionately addressing him as Brother Yu with a warmth that was striking.
Watching the pair, Huang Bin's discontent grew, solidifying his resolve to eliminate Yu Yuan.
"The time has come."
Just then, the mayor, radiant as a red lotus, descended elegantly onto a raised platform.
Her voice silenced the murmuring members of the four great families, and all eyes converged upon her in an instant.
"Since the procedure remains unchanged, I see no need to repeat the rules. You're all well aware of them," Yuan Lianyao said, her gaze sweeping over the leaders of the other families. "You should have briefed your contenders beforehand to spare me any further nuisances."
Her eyes lingered on Yu Yuan for a brief moment before she looked away.
Yu Yuan acknowledged her with a subtle nod.
"Then, let's begin the battle within the Spirit Channel realm," Yuan Lianyao proclaimed, standing alone on the elevated platform, looking down at the gathering. "Each of the four great families will send three warriors. I will draw lots to determine which families will face each other. Afterward, you will draw to decide your specific opponents."
The four great families were set to clash.
As the leader of the Yuan family, she needed only to select their adversary. The remaining two families would have no choice but to battle each other.
Such was the prestige of Asvetaesi's mightiest!
The bamboo sticks representing the Zhao, Huang, and Yu families were shuffled in a tube after being delivered by Huang Chen, Yu Wei, and Zhao Dongsheng. Yuan Lianyao plucked one casually with her delicate fingers, glanced at it, and let out a soft laugh. "The Zhao family, once again."
She gave Zhao Dongsheng a knowing smile.
The corpulent Zhao Dongsheng, with a gloomy expression, lamented, "Ah, what misfortune."
"Alright, let the Huang and Yu families fight first. Once we have a victor, it will be our turn," Yuan Lianyao said nonchalantly, gesturing to Yu Wei and Huang Chen to hasten their best-of-three rounds. She didn't want to be delayed.
"No need for further draws," Huang Chen said with a wide grin. "My son, Huang Bin, has long admired Yu Yuan's reputation and wishes to challenge him first. Is that acceptable?"
His gaze challenged Yu Wei.
"Isn't that against the rules?" Zhao Dongsheng interjected.
Yu Cen's expression soured. "The Huang family is too eager!"
"I consent," Yuan Lianyao said with a light laugh, pointing to the ready Huang Bin and then to Yu Yuan. "The first duel of the Spirit Channel realm shall be between you two."
"Oh, and one more thing," she added, tapping her head as if recalling an important detail. "This battle will not only decide the victor but also life and death!"
