Half a month later.
The annual martial arts tournament finally began.
The spectators, numbering over ten thousand, crowded East Main Street, discussing animatedly and excitedly.
On the high platform, the masters of the five major martial arts halls sat at the highest position, chatting and joking with each other, the atmosphere was quite amicable.
On the platforms on both sides, there were direct disciples of the hall masters, as well as some wealthy merchants and dignitaries from Changping City, including two members of the Wang Clan from the Governor's Mansion.
"Junior brother."
Zhang Yannian, sitting next to Zhang Yao, whispered: "The one in the center is Zhao Donglai, the Hall Master of Thunder Martial Arts Hall."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao felt slightly stirred within.
In the center among the five hall masters was a tall and sturdy man, standing eight feet high, his eyes sharp as lightning, exuding authority with every glance.
This Zhao Donglai, the hall master, was the leader of the martial arts circles in the city, the only absolute peak expert among the five masters, and a significant figure in Changping City.
His strength was unmatched and his influence substantial, to the extent that even the Governor's Mansion that ruled Changping City had to show him some respect.
"Welcome everyone…"
A martial artist jumped onto the stage, his voice booming as he spoke some pleasantries, stirring the enthusiasm of the spectators.
Accompanied by the sound of gongs and drums, the martial arts tournament officially kicked off.
Being the pre-designated champion, Zhang Yao naturally crushed his opponents on stage throughout the event, winning every match brilliantly, earning cheers from the crowd.
"Is that Lao Zhou's little disciple?"
"Lao Zhou is quite old now, this must be his closed-door disciple, right?"
"His skills are impressive, doesn't seem like he just learned it in a few months…"
"True, if Lao Zhou hadn't only taken him in this year, I would've thought he's been studying under Lao Zhou for several years."
On the high platform, the hall masters discussed Zhang Yao's level, somewhat surprised.
With their sharp eyes, they could naturally see through the superficial to discern the substantial, realizing Zhang Yao not only performed well in demonstration routines but also possessed commendable real skills.
Among the multitude of spectators, a portly old man and a scar-faced youth were staring blankly at Zhang Yao on the stage.
"This…"
The two exchanged glances, both spotting the surprise in each other's eyes.
Without another word, the old man and the youth quietly moved away from the crowd to a secluded area.
"Uncle Master, I recognize him!"
Qingzhuo was the first to speak, his expression complex as he said: "He should be a Daoist child from the Pill Furnace Hall, seems to be called… right, called Qingxu!"
"Oh?"
The old man's expression shifted slightly, pondering: "I don't recall much, just faintly familiar, didn't expect him to indeed be from Qingping Palace."
Qingzhuo responded, "Uncle Master might not know."
"Shortly after you left the secular world, he rose unexpectedly in the Pill Furnace Hall, with prospects of succeeding Lord Guanlu's position, hence I paid attention."
"I see…"
Upon hearing this, Daoist Guan Yuan understood immediately.
As a true disciple of Shangqing Pavilion, Daoist child Qingzhuo was very likely to inherit one of the positions in the three pavilions, hence would naturally pay attention to outstanding peers.
"Initially, I thought you were the only one who survived the turmoil of that night, unexpectedly, there's another."
Daoist Guan Yuan seemed to have thought of something, his expression becoming excited: "This gives us an excellent breakthrough point."
"According to the martial artist hosting the tournament, he's now a closed-door disciple of Hall Master Zhou at Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall, perhaps he could introduce us."
"This…"
Qingzhuo hesitated, uncertainly: "This might be hard to say."
"He has been hiding his identity and severing ties with the past since escaping Qingping Palace."
"If we rashly approach him…"
"No worries."
Daoist Guan Yuan dismissively waved: "As the saying goes, 'cut the lotus root but the strands remain,' he has been in Qingping Palace since childhood, could he truly be heartless and without sentiment?"
"We're merely seeking his assistance, surely he wouldn't be so indifferent?"
"...Indeed."
Qingzhuo agreed with Daoist Guan Yuan's words, nodding: "Let's follow Uncle Master's plan, we'll approach him together after the tournament ends."
......
Two hours later.
The lively martial arts tournament concluded.
Without any surprises, Zhang Yao won nine consecutive matches, securing the champion title of the martial arts tournament.
With the spread of news among the spectators and the deliberate promotion by several martial arts halls, it can be expected that in just a few days, he will become a somewhat renowned "Martial Arts Genius" in Changping City.
Returning to the martial arts hall with joy:
Zhang Yao opened the Black Sandalwood Box, inside was the prize for the champion of the tournament—a Century-Old Wild Ginseng.
"Quite a generous gesture, worth at least two or three hundred taels of silver."
Zhang Yao's face showed a hint of joy.
To him, the monetary value of the ginseng was secondary, as he wasn't planning to sell it anyway.
The real value of this Treasure Medicine lay in its considerable enhancement of Essence Qi, combined with his talent, enough to be used as a life-saving card.
"A single ginseng root can be used to preserve life."
"If fully consumed and refined into Essence Qi for healing, even severe injuries can heal in a short time."
Zhang Yao carefully stored the old ginseng away, hiding it in his room.
Moments later, as Zhang Yao was about to practice Golden Furnace Technique, he heard from a martial arts hall apprentice with surprise:
"Someone is looking for me?"
"Yes."
The martial arts hall apprentice nodded, saying: "An old gentleman and a young man claim to be your relatives, they have something to discuss with you."
"My relatives?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao furrowed his brows.
"I've been in Qingping Palace since childhood, where would I have relatives? Wait…"
Suddenly realizing something, his heart stirred.
"Could they be from Qingping Palace?"
With this thought, he promptly said: "Alright, I understood, I'll go find them now."
Soon, he arrived at the martial arts hall entrance, seeing a portly old man and a youth with a thin, long scar on his forehead.
"Lord Guan Yuan? Junior brother Qingzhuo?"
He instantly recognized their identities, a flicker of nostalgia in his expression: "I never expected we would have another chance to meet."
"Nephew Qingxu."
Daoist Guan Yuan's face also broke into a smile, saying: "I almost thought I was mistaken when I saw you at the tournament."
"Seeing you safe gives me peace at heart."
"Senior brother Qingxu."
Qingzhuo suddenly spoke, staring at Zhang Yao, his voice somber: "On the night of the chaotic attack, was there anyone else who escaped with you?"
Hearing this, Zhang Yao sighed, shook his head: "On that night of sudden change, I, along with a few Daoist children from the Pill Furnace Hall, fled towards the back mountain."
"But unfortunately, there were ambushes at the back door… In the end, I was the only one who managed to escape in the darkness, while the rest fell to the chaotic attack."
Upon hearing this, Daoist Guan Yuan and Qingzhuo fell silent, their hearts heavy.
After discovering Zhang Yao at the tournament, they had harbored a glimmer of hope that perhaps others had escaped.
But Zhang Yao's words shattered the last glimmer of hope in their hearts.
"Junior brother Qingzhuo."
Zhang Yao turned to Qingzhuo, solemnly: "I want to ask you as well."
"Did you escape alone that night? What happened to Lord Guanlu?"