C69 I will Take the First Place

Atop the pavilion, Lee Yu was taken aback to see a familiar face he hadn't seen in days.

"You've returned?" Lee Yu's eyebrows lifted in a mix of surprise and delight.

"Come on, let's eat! What made you so late today?" Qing Anqi called out. She had been eagerly awaiting his arrival in the pavilion for quite some time and hadn't anticipated Lee Yu's delayed appearance.

"I got held up with my training," Lee Yu said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

The truth was he had just gotten back from Blue Star and was running a bit behind schedule, but this wasn't the first time, and it wasn't a big deal. However, he hadn't expected Qing Anqi to have returned already.

He had been under the impression from Cui that there was still some time needed.

His unexpected entrance had caught him by surprise.

"Training?" Qing Anqi's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Are you close to reaching Seventh Grade?"

Lee Yu responded coolly, "I've made it to Sixth Grade."

"I've reached the peak of Seventh Grade!" Qing Anqi boasted with a triumphant air. "I've always said that the key to cultivation is steady accumulation. There's no need to rush. I'm just slightly more gifted than you..."

The peak of Seventh Grade?

Lee Yu's brow quirked. She had advanced quickly.

Before his mission, their levels of cultivation were nearly identical. Back then, Qing Anqi was just an Eighth Grade cultivator, not even close to breaking through. He was astounded that in such a short time, she had soared to the peak of Seventh Grade.

"Hold on, you're at what level now?" Qing Anqi finally caught on, her mouth agape in disbelief.

"Sixth Grade," Lee Yu said with a smile, followed by a sigh. "Ah... my cultivation has slowed down recently."

"This, this, this?" Qing Anqi's gaze shifted to Cui, who stood just outside the pavilion.

Cui nodded, affirming the truth of Lee Yu's words.

Qing Anqi glanced back at Lee Yu, who was watching her intently, and suddenly felt a twinge of defeat in her life's journey.

She had claimed to be on a mission, but in reality, it was more of a training exercise, with someone assigned to guide her. Despite the assurance of her safety, she had faced many hardships, and it was through these trials that she had achieved her current level of cultivation.

She had been bottling up her frustration all this time just to outdo Lee Yu, eager to see the look on his face when he finally saw her surpass him. Yet, it had come to this?

She had toiled away outside, struggling and striving, only to find herself still falling short of Lee Yu, who seemed to effortlessly enjoy his time at home, indulging in food and drink.

"Don't even try to compare yourself to me. There's a world of difference between a genius and an ordinary person!" Lee Yu said, easing off with his teasing. "Think about it, though. This time around, didn't you come back with the best haul yet?"

Qing Anqi nodded in agreement.

Indeed, she had made a killing this time, outperforming every other member of the Qing family.

"See? It's normal that you can't snag first place with me in the picture, but second place is still up for grabs. Just aim to outshine the rest," Lee Yu encouraged, reaching out to ruffle Qing Anqi's hair.

"Don't mess up my hair!" she protested, quickly dodging his hand.

Biting her lip with determination, she declared, "Fine, I'll aim for second place for now, but one day, I'll be the one surpassing you!"

"Good!" Lee Yu nodded, pleased. "Stay focused on that goal!"

"I will!" she promised, nodding her little head earnestly.

Outside the pavilion, Cui watched the scene unfold with a sense of resignation. Poor Qing Anqi was nearly being conned by Lee Yu's smooth talk.

County Princess, you started your cultivation earlier than him. And if it ever came to a real competition, shouldn't your goal be to beat Lee Yu outright?

But then she reconsidered. Perhaps the County Princess truly didn't stand a chance against Lee Yu. In the path of divine cultivation, falling behind by even a single step could mean lagging behind forever, especially given Lee Yu's exceptional talent. In time, he might leave her far behind.

After their playful banter, they polished off their meal.

"Did Dad say you're entering the martial arts tournament?" Qing Anqi inquired, popping a grain of rice into her mouth.

"It's about time for a little action," Lee Yu replied with a nod.

The martial arts tournament was a longstanding Qing family tradition. In most matters, the Qing's were known for their 'fairness,' offering numerous opportunities for their kin to stand out. Selection through competition was a key reason for this.

Anyone with ambition and the qualifications could enter the tournament, seizing the chance to make a name for themselves.

Martial arts competitions come in all sizes, but the one they were discussing was the grandest of the year, aimed at selecting Qing's disciples to attend the Hundred Clans Assembly.

"Do you really need to prove your strength in competition? Couldn't you just be given a pass?" Qing Anqi inquired, puzzled.

Among the top contenders, even the most formidable was merely a Sixth Grade.

Lee Yu shook his head, "It's not that simple. There will always be those who doubt. It's easier to just defeat them and settle it once and for all. No fuss at all!"

This was an undisputed fact.

At just twenty, Lee Yu had already attained the Sixth Grade, a feat not uncommon but still exceptional among those under twenty, especially within the Qing's.

Plus, possessing the thunder attribute inherently gave one a significant advantage.

"Then get some good rest. I'll be there tomorrow to watch you in action!" Qing Anqi's eyes gleamed with excitement.

The following day, guided by Cui, Lee Yu left his lakeside abode and set off on his prepared beast towards the competition grounds.

"Wow, look at the crowd," Lee Yu exclaimed in amazement.

The streets were bustling, even more so than the weekend crowds on Blue Star's commercial strips, with most people moving in the same direction. The throng was so thick that even the beast's pace was forced to slow.

"Many are competitors or here to support friends and family. This competition is a major event," Cui commented from inside the carriage.

Indeed, it was a spectacle of Qing's prosperity.

Each large-scale martial arts competition drew an immense crowd, a testament to the Qing's flourishing population and the enduring strength of their martial traditions.

It was a sight that delighted the upper echelons.

For those Qing's descendants without significant backing, the arena was a place where exceptional talent wouldn't go unnoticed. Each year, the competition unearthed and cultivated numerous promising individuals.

"Master, I too once stepped into the arena," Cui reminisced, "And it was there that the County Duke discovered and took me under his wing."

Lee Yu nodded, "It looks like we've got quite a few extraordinary folks here."

"Where?"

Cui peered outside through the curtain he had drawn back, noting several individuals exuding potent spiritual energy and an aura of bloodshed. In just a short span, she spotted a number of cultivators whose skills rivaled her own.

Cui expressed her surprise, "I remember some of them. They've been off refining their skills for years. I didn't expect them to return now!"

A thought crossed Lee Yu's mind.

This martial contest seemed to be anything but ordinary!

Initially, he had assumed it was always a similar spectacle, but Cui's reaction clearly indicated something special about this year's event.

Of course, the County Duke had personally sought him out this time!

That gesture alone was a clear signal. Lee Yu observed the individuals outside the carriage and slightly pursed his lips.

"I'll need to really step up my game this time!"

He said to himself, clearly recognizing this as a crucial evaluation by the Qing's.

They had granted him the status of a 'seed' and supplied him with various resources. After such extensive cultivation, it appeared the Qing's were eager to determine whether their significant investment in him was justified.

"Young Master, are you feeling anxious?" Cui inquired with curiosity.

"Not at all..." Lee Yu shook his head, his focus clear. "I'm just figuring out which rank to aim for in the top ten!"