Chapter 427: The Yao Family’s Plan and the Young Hidden Dragon

Chapter 427 -227: The Yao Family’s Plan and the Young Hidden Dragon

The Yao family always awarded a spot to the winner of the Little Hidden Dragon Meet, regardless of whether they were from a prominent family, a Loose Cultivator, or someone with a powerful backer. They were extremely generous and never went back on their word, demonstrating the magnanimity of a great family.

Of course, any Loose Cultivator who won this opportunity would be immensely grateful to the Yao family, thus forging a favorable bond.

A Loose Cultivator capable of taking first place among the disciples of prominent families and the heirs of Major Sects was bound to be extraordinarily talented. Over the past several decades, only a few had managed it. One of them had already become a Grandmaster and had always maintained a close relationship with the Yao family. This was a rather shrewd investment on the Yao family’s part, and one of the reasons they held the Little Hidden Dragon Meet.

However, this year was different.

In addition to the winner of the Second Transformation Realm competition, the Yao family was also, surprisingly, offering a spot to visit Jianzhen Lake to the winner of the Qi Blood First Transformation Realm!

The moment this was announced, the crowd erupted into a flurry of discussion.

A spot to enter the ruins was of immeasurable value. After all, it represented a path to cultivating a Grandmaster.

And the value of a single Grandmaster was far, far greater than any alchemical pills or weapons.

Every family treated the spots they obtained as priceless treasures, saving them for their most outstanding disciples to go inside and try their luck. Even if they failed, their strength would still improve significantly. And now the Yao family was giving up another spot?

Even though they were one of the largest holders of spots due to their proximity to Jianzhen Lake, this was still an incredible waste.

And what’s more, for the First Transformation Realm?

The most coveted aspect of the Jianzhen Lake ruins was the opportunity within to reflect upon one’s true self, merge with the world, and grasp a sliver of the profound mystery required to break through to the Grandmaster realm.

This had always been the most coveted mystic realm for experts of the Qi Blood Third Transformation Realm. To them, it was even more alluring than many higher-level ruins.

For someone in the Qi and Blood Second Transformation Realm, entering would also be somewhat useful, allowing them to gain insights in advance.

But the Qi Blood First Transformation Realm? That was too far removed from the Grandmaster realm; it was debatable whether such a person could even reach the Third Transformation Realm. Frankly, it was a bit of a waste of resources.

But since the Yao family had, for some unknown reason, offered this extra chance, many Martial Artists in the Qi Blood First Transformation Realm were eagerly preparing to fight for it. Even sects that had originally only brought their disciples to gain experience were now plotting how to secure this opportunity.

“The Yao family is really putting it all on the line.”

Ning Zi said, her eyes wide with surprise:

“Junior Brother Huang, Junior Sister Lin, do you think you have a shot?”

Lin Zhen shook her head with a regretful look:

“My cultivation is still far too lacking. All I can do this time is try my best.”

Huang Zifeng nodded grimly:

“I’ll do everything I can.”

Qin Zhenyang pondered for a moment, shot a subtle glance at Xie Yuan, and then said:

“That Yao Tianchuan of the Yao family should still be in the Qi Blood First Transformation Realm. If he still has any of his strength left…”

Before he could finish, Ning Zi cut in:

“Didn’t that kid get beaten so badly his Sword Heart was shattered? Speaking of which, I still don’t know who did it. First Senior Brother, come on, tell us. Was it you?”

Lin Zhen and Huang Zifeng also turned to Qin Zhenyang with expectant looks, leaving him at a loss for words.

“Why would I do something so furtive?”

He put extra emphasis on the word “furtive,” causing Xie Yuan to look down and pretend to be lost in thought.

Ning Zi asked, puzzled:

“Then who could it have been? Don’t tell me our Sword Peak actually has a Sword Spirit?”

Qin Zhenyang said slowly:

“Perhaps it was a certain righteous individual who wishes to remain anonymous.”

As they spoke, the matches down below had already begun.

On the stage were two disciples from local, mid-tier sects in Jiangnan. One wielded a saber, while the other, in a rare sight, used an axe.

Xie Yuan watched with keen interest, as it was rare for him to see someone else who used the same weapon.

But after watching for only a few moments, he silently shook his head.

‘This axe-wielder has more than enough power, but his technique is abysmal. He’s letting the axe lead him around, making his movements incredibly clumsy.’

‘He won’t last more than a few exchanges…’

Huang Zifeng and Lin Zhen were watching the most attentively. “That Martial Artist with the axe is incredibly powerful,” Huang Zifeng commented in a low voice. “His opponent doesn’t even dare to get close.”

Lin Zhen nodded repeatedly:

“I think the axe-wielder will win.”

When Huang Zifeng saw that Lin Zhen, for once, was agreeing with him, he was stunned for a moment before saying with a flutter of excitement:

“So, Junior Sister Lin, you also see the power in his axe technique?”

“To be honest, he looks a little clumsy… but I like axes, so I hope he wins.”

Lin Zhen said for some reason.

Regardless of her reasoning, Huang Zifeng was still happy that Lin Zhen shared his opinion. Throughout their journey, she had always been cold to him, so much so that he had been on the verge of giving up.

‘So we do see eye-to-eye on some things,’ he thought.

At first, the axe-wielding Martial Artist was on the offensive, swinging his great axe relentlessly. Relying on his weapon’s advantage, he forced his opponent with the saber to do nothing but dodge, unable to land even a single counterattack. He had seized complete control of the fight.

However, after a few exchanges, his opponent’s constant retreating made him anxious. The force behind his swings grew hasty, and his footwork gradually fell into disarray.

Two exchanges later, impatient to end the fight, he put all his strength into a downward chop. His opponent simply rolled to the side, dodging the blow and closing the distance to the burly man.

It was too late for the burly man to bring his axe back to defend. As his opponent’s saber slashed toward him, he had no choice but to drop his weapon. Bare-fisted against a sharp saber, the fight was decided in less than five exchanges.

Seeing the axe-wielder lose, both Huang Zifeng and Lin Zhen were a little disappointed, though for different reasons.

Soon, another pair of contestants took the stage. The two of them cast aside their distracting thoughts and focused on the match once more. After all, anyone who stepped onto that stage could be a future opponent. And even if they weren’t, as fellow practitioners of the First Transformation Realm, they could still learn from observing the fighting styles of others.

For Qin Zhenyang and Ning Zi, however, these Qi Blood First Transformation Realm battles offered little of substance. They were merely watching for entertainment.