It was the third day of the third month.
Two large carriages pulled up outside the gates of Yu Yang Palace. From the first carriage, the headmaster of Mirrored Lake Dao Academy, Ge Yu, stepped down. From the second carriage, six figures emerged—Meng Chuan, Wu Qi, Wan Mang, and three other academy disciples. The carriage was spacious enough that all six could sit comfortably without crowding.
"Yu Yang Palace." Meng Chuan and the others lifted their eyes to behold the magnificent palace.
Yu Yang Palace was the holy site of Dongning Prefecture, and its lord was the most powerful being in the region.
Legend had it that the "Primordial Mountain" maintained a Yu Yang Palace in every prefecture of the Great Zhou Dynasty, each guarded by a disciple stationed as the palace lord. The lord of Yu Yang Palace represented the strongest force in the entire prefecture. Over the past century, the most powerful Godfiend in Dongning Prefecture—the old ancestor of the Zhang family—also hailed from Primordial Mountain, now stationed elsewhere to guard the land.
"Follow me inside," Ge Yu said, taking the lead as the six disciples followed, crossing the grand palace gates together.
At that moment, more luxurious carriages arrived, and others began to disembark. Meng Chuan glanced back.
"Hm?" His eyes fell on Yun Qingping and Yun Fuan, who had come along with their spouses.
"The Yu Yang Palace Demon-Slaying Grand Tournament is a rare event in Dongning Prefecture," Headmaster Ge Yu casually remarked, "permitting representatives from the imperial court and the Five Godfiend Families. Each family is limited to a maximum of ten participants."
…
"It's Meng Chuan." Yun Qingping, standing among her relatives, caught sight of him and felt a complicated stir of emotions.
After all, she had been told from a young age that he would be the one she married, the person she would spend her life with.
Although the engagement had been annulled, there remained a unique connection in her heart. And now, shortly after the annulment, Meng Chuan had soared to fame, mastering a secret technique and becoming the shining prodigy of Dongning Prefecture. Even her family and friends whispered excitedly about him, which naturally unsettled her heart.
Yet Yun Qingping was certain—she did not regret it. No matter how talented Meng Chuan was, he was not the one she truly desired.
"You youngsters need to watch carefully," Yun Fucheng, head of the Yun family, said to the six younger members with a commanding presence. "When you turn twenty and enter military service, you'll be fighting monsters with your lives. Today, observe the ferocity of these creatures. If anyone is frightened and closes their eyes, back to the meditation chamber for ten days!"
"Yes, Father," Yun Qingping and the other five obediently replied.
Yun Fucheng, the eldest of the Yun family and the most outstanding among the "Three Heroes," had performed extraordinary feats during military service at Qinyang Pass. Not only had he comprehended Stance, but he had also successfully condensed his Core. However, he had overused forbidden techniques in battle, damaging his foundation and forever losing the chance to become a Godfiend.
"Brother, let's hurry inside. Don't block the palace gates," Yun Fuan said with a smile. He always greeted his elder brother with a smile, enduring any scolding silently. In the army at Qinyang Pass and before the imperial court, his elder brother, Yun Fucheng, carried much authority.
"Mm, let's go in," Yun Fucheng nodded.
The two brothers, along with their wives and the six younger family members, entered Yu Yang Palace.
…
In the open plaza of Yu Yang Palace stood a grand arena, surrounded by rows of chairs.
The eight Dao Academies, the Five Great Families, the imperial officials, and Yu Yang Palace itself each had designated seating.
Meng Chuan naturally joined the Mirrored Lake Dao Academy faction.
"Chuan'er." Meng Chuan's father, Meng Dajiang, and clan head Meng Yanping also came to observe, bringing eight younger clan members. Meng Dajiang even winked at Meng Chuan.
"My old man," Meng Chuan muttered softly.
"All the great families have brought many young talents," he soon noticed. Typically, the Five Families sent two or three elders leading a group of young disciples to broaden their experience. "Only the Yun family… Yun Fucheng and Yun Fuan even brought their wives. Makes sense… for the Yun family, there are only six young members between six and twenty, right?"
The Yun family's numbers were scarce.
The family's first generation was the old ancestor; the second generation, five sons and a daughter; the third generation, Yun Qingping's peers… the entire family numbered only a few dozen.
For the Yu Yang Palace Demon-Slaying Grand Tournament, all eligible young members attended, even bringing their spouses along.
In contrast, internal competition among the other four families for participation was fierce.
"The lord of Yu Yang Palace has arrived."
In unison, everyone rose, even the magistrate of the imperial court stood, bowing respectfully.
"Lord of Yu Yang Palace?" Meng Chuan glimpsed from afar.
The lord was a tall, robust young man, his presence like a living jade statue. Each step seemed to outshine the world itself. His gaze was brilliant; anyone meeting his eyes would involuntarily lower their heads. This was the strongest protector of Dongning Prefecture, a Godfiend who had emerged from Primordial Mountain.
The lord took his seat at the central position. Though sitting, an invisible aura radiated powerfully in all directions. Even the usually carefree Headmaster Ge Yu remained cautious and proper in his presence.
"Hm?" Meng Chuan then noticed two figures flanking the lord—one a thin youth, the other a boy in white.
"That thin youth is Mei Yuanzhi… but who is the white-robed boy?" Meng Chuan wondered.
"Meng Senior Brother, do you know who the white-robed boy is?" Wan Mang whispered.
"No," Meng Chuan shook his head.
"Mei Yuanzhi standing behind the lord is one thing, but who is that white-robed boy?" others murmured, clearly intrigued.
At that moment, the magistrate stepped forward, surveying the crowd. He announced loudly, "The Yu Yang Palace Demon-Slaying Grand Tournament occurs once every three years, established by Primordial Mountain. It aims to train young prodigies before they enter actual battlefields, letting them experience combat against monsters firsthand. Thus, they gain a greater chance of survival in future wars. This is Primordial Mountain's careful intention."
"Listen carefully to the tournament rules," the magistrate continued. "On the arena, you will face monsters in life-and-death combat. If you cannot hold your ground, simply jump off to preserve your life. You need not worry about accidents, for as long as the lord of Yu Yang Palace is present, nothing untoward can occur."
"Of course, outside interference on the arena is forbidden. Even if one dies, there is no grievance. These are the rules of the Demon-Slaying Grand Tournament, and none may violate them," he added coldly. "Historically, there have been fatalities on this arena—disemboweled, limbs severed. If you are afraid, you may forfeit this opportunity."
No one would dare to forfeit. Military service and real battlefields were far more dangerous. To refuse now would bring ridicule from all of Dongning Prefecture.
"Very well. Let the Demon-Slaying Grand Tournament begin." With that, the magistrate returned to his seat.
A prison cart slowly approached. Inside stood a towering pig demon, roughly twelve feet tall, covered in black bristles and fat. Its eyes, glaring at the crowd, burned with murderous hatred.
"Behave," said a one-armed man pulling the cart.
The pig demon trembled slightly at his voice, showing a flicker of fear.
"If you win on the arena, you will enjoy a full meal. Kill even a single human youth, and you will have ten days of fine food and drink. But do not leave the arena. Step off, and you shall be cut to pieces!" the one-armed man warned.
"I understand," the pig demon rumbled in human speech.
The cart reached the arena. The door opened.
"Up," the one-armed man commanded coldly.
The pig demon leapt onto the arena, its heavy chains clanking against the floor as it landed.
Meng Chuan studied it carefully, sensing the immense power it contained. Its black bristles were as tough as heavy armor, and its gaze seethed with killing intent. Every human before it was an enemy. Its ferocity and hatred made some young human disciples tremble. The youngest Yun family boy, only eight, turned pale and clutched his mother tightly.
"Do not cling," Yun Fuan scolded his son, shooting a cold glare at his wife. "Spoiling your child, indulgent mother!"
Meanwhile, the magistrate consulted a list and announced loudly: "Xisui Stage disciples, take the arena first. The first is Zhang Rushang of Lieyang Dao Academy."