Before the First Challenge

The moment Thien Bao Pavilion spread news of the upcoming challenge, Hoa Van Town seemed to change with every passing hour.

On the very first day, the central section of the main square was sealed off for construction of the arena. Quan Khai mobilized stoneworkers, artifact refiners, and every available hand, continuously transporting massive blocks of black stone from the northern mountains.

The ground was excavated and reinforced, formation flags were buried one after another in predetermined positions, and four formation pillars began rising at the corners of the arena to stabilize the protective barrier.

At Hao Nhien's request, the arena did not need to be ornate.

What mattered was structural strength, enough space for Foundation Establishment cultivators to fight freely, and a formation system capable of containing most of the shockwaves so the spectators around the square would remain safe.

Quan Khai spent nearly the entire day at the construction site.

Whenever someone came to report progress, the first thing he asked was still whether they could meet the four-day deadline he had promised.

The arena was not even finished before the number of people arriving in Hoa Van began increasing rapidly.

At first came cultivators who were already active near the Western Wastes. Then merchant caravans from Tam Thanh, members of various tribes, and wandering cultivators who regularly crossed the desert followed.

By the end of the day, disciples from Eastern Plains sects and clans had also begun appearing.

Most of them had never visited Hoa Van before.

Some came specifically to watch the battle between Hao Nhien and Sa Binh, but many were simply curious to see the place the new number-one cultivator on the Eastern Plains Huyen Bang had chosen for his first challenge.

By the second day, nearly every inn in town was close to full.

Quan Can brought a thick stack of ledgers to meet Hao Nhien and Quan Lam.

The moment he sat down, he opened one of them and pointed toward several figures added that very morning.

“People are arriving faster than we expected. Our current grain stores are still sufficient, and water hasn't become a problem yet, but less than twenty percent of the temporary housing in the eastern district remains available.”

Quan Lam unfolded a map of Hoa Van Town across the table and pointed to an open stretch of land in the north.

“We can establish another temporary settlement here. The problem is that part of this area still lies outside our current defensive perimeter.”

Hao Nhien studied it for a while.

“For now, use it as a temporary residential area. Keep only one main entrance and strengthen patrols around the perimeter. The more people we have, the clearer control over entry routes needs to become.”

Quan Lam nodded.

Quan Can asked:

“What happens after the match? If the number of visitors keeps increasing, we can't depend on tents forever.”

Hao Nhien looked at the empty land on the map before speaking slowly.

“Make a long-term plan while we're at it. Separate commercial areas, residential districts, warehouses, and caravan stops. Also reserve a district for outside factions that want to establish shops, warehouses, or small courtyards in Hoa Van.”

Quan Lam raised an eyebrow slightly.

“You want outside sects and clans to establish long-term positions here?”

“We can give them usage rights within clearly defined areas.”

Hao Nhien pointed toward several important locations on the map.

“Water sources, grain reserves, core formations, and defensive routes must remain under Hoa Van's control. Other areas can be opened gradually if doing so benefits both sides.”

Quan Can thought for a moment and understood.

“If they have shops, warehouses, or people stationed here, then their interests will also become tied to Hoa Van.”

“That is exactly what I want.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“We don't need them to join the Hoa Van Alliance. We only need them to have something here they don't want to lose.”

Quan Lam rolled up the map.

“I'll work with the council to draft specific conditions.”

Quan Can added:

“I'll handle the land, water, grain, and temporary housing.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“Do it. If people have already come this far, we need to give them a reason to want to return.”

On the third day, Lieu Thien Van also arrived in Hoa Van.

He did not come alone.

Behind him was a group of guards and several formation masters from Tam Thanh, clearly sent in advance to help Hoa Van deal with the rapidly increasing number of visitors.

That evening, Hao Nhien, Luu Thanh, and Lieu Thien Van sat in a small courtyard behind the main hall.

The three cups had barely touched when Lieu Thien Van looked at Hao Nhien for a long while and shook his head.

“I still find all of this difficult to believe.”

Hao Nhien set his cup down.

“What part?”

“All of it.”

Lieu Thien Van laughed.

“First you became Clan Leader of the Hoa Ky Tribe, then Alliance Leader of Hoa Van. Now you're first on the Huyen Bang. How long have I even known you?”

Hao Nhien poured more wine.

“Most of it came from fortunate encounters.”

Lieu Thien Van immediately laughed.

“Fortunate encounters again.”

Luu Thanh, seated nearby, also laughed.

“City Lord Lieu hasn't heard everything yet.”

Lieu Thien Van turned toward him.

“There's more?”

Hao Nhien looked somewhat helpless, but in the end he still told them about spending forty days inside the Lightning Sacrifice Mountain Cave, his descent through the Lightning Domain, and how Cat Thanh had later invited him to become Grand Elder of Cat Loi.

By the time Hao Nhien mentioned forty zhang, Lieu Thien Van's expression had already become more serious.

When he learned that Hao Nhien had briefly reached close to fifty zhang, he placed his wine cup down entirely.

“Cat Thanh once told me that ordinary Cat Loi cultivators mostly operate around ten zhang. Only those with good talent can go deeper, and thirty zhang is already a range where very few people dare remain for long.”

Hao Nhien smiled.

“I only found a method better suited to adapting.”

Lieu Thien Van looked at him for a while before shaking his head.

“You say that as though you merely found a shortcut through the desert.”

Luu Thanh laughed loudly.

Hao Nhien waited for them to finish before continuing with the part where Cat Thanh asked him to become Grand Elder.

This time, the smile on Lieu Thien Van's face truly disappeared.

“Grand Elder of Cat Loi?”

“It's only a special position.”

Hao Nhien explained.

“Internal affairs are still handled by Cat Thanh and the council of elders. Under normal circumstances, Cat Loi's forces are also commanded by him. Only if Cat Thanh becomes unable to command or the council voluntarily transfers authority would I temporarily take control in order to protect the tribespeople and their inheritance.”

Lieu Thien Van listened to the entire explanation and remained silent for a while.

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“And your responsibility?”

“If Cat Loi faces catastrophe one day, I have to help preserve their people and inheritance.”

Lieu Thien Van slowly nodded.

After a moment, he picked up his cup again, his tone half joking and half serious.

“You spent a little over a month in Cat Loi and came back at the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment with the additional title of Grand Elder. I think I should stop asking questions now. Otherwise, I may hear yet another story before the night is over.”

Luu Thanh laughed.

“Then how should this subordinate address him from now on? Clan Leader of Hoa Ky, Alliance Leader of Hoa Van, Grand Elder of Cat Loi, or number one on the Huyen Bang?”

Hao Nhien looked at him.

“Just call me Clan Leader.”

“As ordered.”

Luu Thanh raised his cup.

“Then here's to the Clan Leader bringing back another exceptional-grade spirit stone tomorrow.”

Lieu Thien Van laughed.

“I thought you were going to say something about bringing back glory.”

“Glory is good too,” Luu Thanh replied naturally.

“But an exceptional-grade spirit stone is more practical.”

All three laughed before turning back to serious matters.

Luu Thanh placed his cup down.

“The number of arrivals is increasing too quickly. Our current forces are starting to thin out along several routes.”

Lieu Thien Van immediately said:

“Tam Thanh will send more people. One group will hold the eastern routes, another will guard caravan stops, and the rest will coordinate directly with Hoa Van.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“Cat Thanh has also received word. Cat Loi will reinforce the western perimeter.”

Lieu Thien Van thought for a moment.

“Tam Thanh in the east, Cat Loi in the west, and Hoa Van holding the center. That covers most of the outer approaches.”

Hao Nhien was still not completely reassured.

“There is one more matter we need to watch carefully. Heavenly Eye can easily mix people into the crowds arriving here. They may not even need to attack directly. One riot or the death of a merchant inside town would already damage the reputation we're trying to build.”

Luu Thanh nodded.

“I'll form a separate reconnaissance group.”

“Good. Have your people observe and collect evidence. If anyone needs to be arrested, it must be done under your order or Quan Lam's. I want everything handled according to clear rules. No one is to use the excuse of opposing Heavenly Eye to settle personal grudges.”

“This subordinate understands.”

Lieu Thien Van raised his cup.

“So this time, Hoa Van isn't merely protecting a match. It has to protect the order of the entire town before the eyes of people seeing this place for the first time.”

Hao Nhien touched his cup against his.

“Exactly.”

Lieu Thien Van returned the gesture, but this time he did not drink.

“There is still something I want to ask.”

Hao Nhien looked over.

“Go ahead, City Lord Lieu.”

Lieu Thien Van set his cup down.

“Everything you've prepared over the past few days has been thorough: the arena, trade routes, security, and even the plan to draw people from the Eastern Plains into Hoa Van. But most of that plan depends on one assumption.”

He looked directly at Hao Nhien.

“You win.”

Luu Thanh's smile also disappeared.

Lieu Thien Van continued:

“You're still only at the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment. Sa Binh is merely the first opponent, and many people ranked far higher are behind him. What happens if you encounter someone stronger than expected, or someone whose methods counter yours, and the result doesn't go your way?”

Hao Nhien remained silent for a moment before nodding.

“That's possible.”

Lieu Thien Van raised an eyebrow slightly, perhaps not expecting him to admit it so easily.

Hao Nhien looked down at the wine in his cup.

“I've never believed that simply because I inherited first place, I must automatically be stronger than everyone below me. Co Lang gave me the ranking token, and the Huyen Bang accepted my name, but actual strength still has to be tested in battle.”

Luu Thanh asked:

“And the Clan Leader still intends to accept these challenges?”

“Yes.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“I've prepared for the worst case.”

He paused before continuing.

“The Hoa Ky Jade inheritance still contains one method I haven't used.”

Lieu Thien Van's gaze changed.

“Rage?”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“That is my final trump card.”

He looked beyond the courtyard toward the lights of Hoa Van, stretching all the way toward the central square.

“That is also why I haven't rushed into the seventh layer.”

Lieu Thien Van immediately understood part of the reasoning but waited for Hao Nhien to continue.

“If I were already in late-stage Foundation Establishment and then used Rage, the resulting burst of force might approach a level where the restrictions of the Western Wastes could react. I don't want to trigger an unnecessary incident merely because of a Huyen Bang match.”

Hao Nhien slowly rotated the wine cup in his hand.

Lieu Thien Van thought for a while.

“So you're deliberately preserving a margin of safety?”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“Rage is only a last resort. If I have another option, I won't use it.”

Only then did Luu Thanh breathe out slightly.

“At least the Clan Leader still has one card he hasn't turned over.”

Lieu Thien Van did not smile.

“But what if even that card isn't enough?”

Hao Nhien looked at him.

This time, he laughed.

“Then I lose.”

Lieu Thien Van paused.

Hao Nhien set his cup down.

“I want to keep first place on the Huyen Bang for as long as possible. Every victory brings more people to Hoa Van and gives me more time to turn this attention into trade routes, shops, warehouses, and networks of interests.”

His gaze shifted toward the distant lights beyond the courtyard.

“But my goal was never to keep first place at any cost.”

Lieu Thien Van slowly narrowed his eyes.

Hao Nhien continued:

“If I win three matches, Hoa Van benefits from three. If I win ten, the benefit lasts through ten. The longer I hold the position, the more people arrive, the greater Hoa Van's reputation becomes, and the more time outside factions have to place their own interests here.”

“And if one day I lose…”

He paused briefly.

“Then first place changes hands. But the roads that were opened, the merchants who came, the shops that were built, and the people who saw Hoa Van with their own eyes will still remain.”

Lieu Thien Van fell silent.

After a while, he slowly nodded.

“I understand now.”

Hao Nhien looked over.

Lieu Thien Van smiled faintly.

“You're fighting for first place on the Huyen Bang, but what you're truly trying to preserve isn't the name on the ranking.”

His gaze shifted toward Hoa Van outside.

“It's time.”

“Time for more people to come here, and for more interests to take root here.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“Exactly.”

Only then did Lieu Thien Van finish his wine.

“So every additional match you win means one more round of profit for Hoa Van.”

Luu Thanh laughed.

“You make it sound like a business transaction.”

Lieu Thien Van laughed as well.

“For Hoa Van right now, that is exactly what it is. A very large one.”

By the fourth day, the arena was complete.

The protective barrier was tested repeatedly with attacks from Foundation Establishment cultivators. Only after confirming that the formation operated steadily did Quan Khai personally inspect each formation flag before handing the area over to Luu Thanh for security.

The spectator areas had also taken shape.

They were not especially large, but they were sufficient for the first match.

While the outside world grew increasingly lively, Hao Nhien spent most of his time within the Cosmic Ark.

He maintained his cultivation at peak sixth-layer Foundation Establishment, focusing on ensuring that spiritual power flowed steadily through the meridian routes tempered in the Lightning Domain.

After many days of consolidation, the initial tightness had faded significantly, and his body was gradually adapting completely to its new capacity.

Aside from stabilizing himself, Hao Nhien continued thinking about Shatter.

The greatest problem remained the timing between the three forces.

Lightning traveled too quickly, while Fire and Wind required more time to affect the target. At close range, the difference could still be reduced to an acceptable level, but as distance increased, the gap became immediately obvious.

Hao Nhien tested the idea several more times against stationary targets within the Cosmic Ark, focusing mainly on adjusting the rhythm of release and the order of effects.

He still had not found a way to make Shatter as stable as he wanted, but he was not impatient.

Tomorrow's battle against Sa Binh was not the time to experiment with an unfinished killing technique.

Hao Nhien ended his cultivation session.

Tomorrow, he would use only what he truly understood and controlled.

Outside the Cosmic Ark, the number of people arriving in Hoa Van had already far exceeded initial expectations.

The inns were almost completely full.

Rows of temporary tents had been added to the northern district, while merchant stalls stretched from the commercial quarter toward the eastern gate.

The Hoa Van Treasure Pavilion remained brightly lit from morning until night. Pills, artifacts, talismans, and medicinal materials were selling far faster than usual.

Yet what caught the attention of many first-time visitors was not necessarily the merchandise.

It was the order.

Foundation Establishment cultivators still had to queue for purchases just like ordinary merchants.

Wandering cultivators who caused trouble were escorted out of the trading district.

Disputes between Eastern Plains visitors and Western Wastes tribes were taken to a designated mediation area.

Rules prohibiting the drawing of weapons inside residential districts and forbidding cultivators from using their realm to intimidate others were enforced strictly.

Hoa Van still had many things left to improve.

But at the very least, those living and trading here had already begun growing accustomed to the idea that disputes were governed by rules everyone could rely upon.

When night fell, the arena in the central square underwent its final inspection.

Inside Hao Nhien's courtyard, however, the lamps were still lit.

A low table stood at the center of the room.

Hao Nhien sat on one side.

Across from him were Quan Nha, Tieu Lan, and Tieu Nhan.

The atmosphere here was completely different from the noise outside.

Quan Nha was inspecting a set of dark lightweight inner armor.

The armor was thin, made mostly from layered materials designed to protect the internal organs against sudden impacts, while having almost no effect on speed.

After checking it once more, she placed it in front of Hao Nhien.

“Wear this tomorrow.”

Hao Nhien looked at it.

“My body is much stronger now than it used to be.”

Quan Nha simply looked at him.

Hao Nhien remained silent for a moment before taking the armor.

“All right.”

Only then did the corner of her mouth lift slightly.

“You've told me many times that you'll be careful. Yet every time you return, there are several new injuries somewhere.”

Hao Nhien did not argue.

Across the table, Tieu Lan was arranging the pills he might need.

Life-Vitality Pills, Qi-Vitality Pills, antidotes, and medicine for stopping bleeding were separated carefully before being placed into a small pouch.

Tieu Nhan sat beside her, writing down the name of each bottle.

She picked one up.

“This is the Life-Vitality Pill?”

Tieu Lan nodded.

“It stabilizes severe injuries and protects the heart meridian.”

Tieu Nhan immediately turned toward Hao Nhien.

“If you're badly injured or poisoned, you have to stop and deal with it first.”

Hao Nhien looked slightly surprised.

“I know.”

Tieu Nhan stared at him very seriously.

“Knowing is one thing. Whether you actually do it while fighting is another.”

Quan Nha's lips curved faintly, while Tieu Lan could not help laughing.

Hao Nhien looked at the three of them and suddenly felt as though he were being inspected even more carefully than before entering the Lightning Domain.

Tieu Lan pushed the medicine pouch toward him.

“Young Master, take these.”

Hao Nhien accepted it and stored it in his storage ring.

Tieu Nhan immediately said:

“You have to win tomorrow.”

Hao Nhien looked at her.

“Why?”

“For an exceptional-grade spirit stone.”

She answered without hesitation.

Hao Nhien laughed.

“You only care about the spirit stone?”

Tieu Nhan immediately shook her head.

“I care about you getting hurt too.”

Her voice became slightly quieter.

“But the exceptional-grade spirit stone is still very important.”

Tieu Lan burst into laughter.

Quan Nha also shook her head as she adjusted Hao Nhien's collar.

“I'll be near the arena tomorrow.”

“All right.”

Hao Nhien did not object.

After a while, Tieu Lan poured tea for all four of them.

No one continued talking about first place on the Huyen Bang or the countless eyes currently focused on Hoa Van.

Inside the small room, there was only tomorrow's match and the people hoping Hao Nhien would walk down from the arena safely.

Hao Nhien raised his cup.

“Tomorrow is only the first challenge. None of you need to worry too much.”

Tieu Nhan immediately replied:

“Easy for you to say. We're the ones who have to sit below and watch.”

For once, Hao Nhien had no answer.

Quan Nha laughed.

Tieu Lan laughed with her.

In the end, Hao Nhien could only raise his cup a little higher.

“All right. I promise I'll come back tomorrow in one piece.”

Quan Nha raised hers.

“Remember that.”

Tieu Lan followed.

“Young Master, be careful.”

Tieu Nhan was the last to lift her cup.

“And remember to bring back the exceptional-grade spirit stone.”

The four teacups touched lightly.

Outside the window, Hoa Van Town remained bright with lights.

The arena in the central square was ready.

People from both the Eastern Plains and the Western Wastes were still arriving.

And countless eyes were waiting for the following morning to see just how strong the man who had suddenly risen to first place on the Huyen Bang truly was.