Developed over thousands of years, the Tianchi Main Line was now undeniably the paramount power across the entire Northwest.

Although among the three great powers of the Northwest, only the Tu Fan Kingdom was a subsidiary branch of Tianchi, the other two major powers were not true Tianchi descendants. Yet, in reality, these two powers never dared to defy an order originating from the Tianchi Main Line.

In contrast, the Tu Fan Kingdom, being a branch, enjoyed a much more relaxed position.

Throughout the Northwest, there were over a hundred Tianchi branches. While it wasn't possible for every single branch to have an expert of the 'First Line of Heaven' (Yixiantian) caliber, at least one or two experts in the 'Innate Realm' (Xiantian) were generally present.

And the 'Mountain Opening Grand Competition' (Kaishan Dabi), held once every ten years, was participated in by the top-tier younger cultivators from all branches.

They vied fiercely for the possession of ten Innate Golden Pills.

Although the Hengshan Branch had a 'First Line of Heaven' expert like Yu Jinglei, such a powerful figure was of no use whatsoever in this kind of martial contest. Even if he fumed and glared from his high platform, the others simply wouldn't spare him a second glance.

Furthermore, once a Golden Pill was secured during the Grand Tournament, no sect would ever dare to covet it again. Should anyone violate this, the Tianchi Main Line might even dispatch an Elder Venerable (Zun Zhe) to uphold justice.

For millennia, those who schemed to plunder the Golden Pills gained by smaller branches met with disastrous ends.

Even if they concealed their true identities, under the relentless pursuit of Tianchi Mountain, every perpetrator suffered an exceedingly tragic fate.

It was rumored that over a thousand years ago, even an Elder Venerable from a branch was implicated and ruthlessly executed on the spot by the Main Line.

Such severe, lightning-fast action undeniably showcased the Tianchi Main Line's commitment to fairness in maintaining the Grand Tournament. After that incident, no one dared to target the Golden Pills acquired after the competition.

The Hengshan Branch had previously suffered very poor luck, enduring seven tournaments over seventy years, only to end up with nothing to show for it.

Lu Zhengyi had participated in the previous Grand Tournament, but he was defeated in the final round, stopping short of the top ten.

Truthfully, with his strength back then, securing a spot in the top ten wouldn't have been particularly difficult. It was purely a matter of poor timing, losing in the last match to the foremost expert among all branch disciples that year.

Such is fate, such is destiny; even Yu Jinglei could do nothing when faced with such circumstances.

Therefore, to break into the top ten, aside from possessing formidable strength, sheer good luck was absolutely indispensable.

Even an individual possessing strength that dwarfed all others, if they drew an opponent nearly equal to them from the very first round, and subsequently faced only slightly inferior experts in every subsequent match, reaching the top ten would remain an impossibility.

However, the Hengshan Branch’s luck seemed exceptionally good this year. Although all their other disciples had been eliminated, Che Wenjun remained in the running.

Today was the final day of the Grand Tournament, essentially the last ten bouts.

A total of twenty branch disciples would enter the final contests. The winners would reign supreme; the losers would be cast aside.

The victors would claim one Innate Golden Pill, but the losers would gain nothing. Though they would still be granted access to the Tianchi Mountain Library, such a reward was insignificant compared to an Innate Golden Pill.

Below the high platform, ten white circles were lined up in a row. Twenty men and women, impeccably prepared, stood respectfully before the stage.

Among these figures, there were only two women, both past their youthful prime. While their charm lingered, in this setting, no one would offer them any special courtesy.

Observing the twenty respectfully arrayed figures in their varied attire, Yu Jinglei remarked with a sour tone, "Brother Zhou, the Tu Fan lineage truly is brimming with talent. This time, they have five participants in the final showdown. If they win all their matches, then half of the ten Innate Golden Pills will fall into the hands of the Tu Fan lineage."

Zhou Datian chuckled heartily, "Brother Yu mocks me. To seize all the Golden Pills—that is far from easy. As long as these five do not all falter, and at least one makes it into the top ten, I will be content." He paused, then sighed ruefully, "It seems our Tu Fan branch has been matched against your Hengshan branch in the final stages this time... Ah." He let out a long sigh, his expression clearly displeased.

Yu Jinglei’s face also darkened slightly.

Che Wenjun had fought his way through every round to reach the final stage, but the hurdle blocking his path was an expert from the Tu Fan Kingdom, a practitioner of the 'Post-Heaven Realm' (Houtian). This man was forty-eight this year, and his fire-element internal energy had reached the mid-stage of the Tenth Level. Based on his performance in the preceding days, this opponent was vicious in his attacks and possessed exceptionally rich combat experience—truly a top-tier expert among the Post-Heaven Realm practitioners.

Facing this opponent, even Yu Jinglei and the others held little optimism for Che Wenjun’s prospects.

Upon the high platform, Ai Wenbin’s voice boomed, "Everyone, today is the last day of the Grand Tournament. Whatever abilities you possess, do not hold back. You must surely understand the significance of this final day's opportunity." With a grand sweep of his sleeve, he commanded, "Begin."

The people below responded in unison, bowing deeply towards the high platform, before stepping into the white circles.

The attention of the Hengshan contingent naturally focused on Che Wenjun.

Che Wenjun was a middle-aged man in his forties. His physique was as straight and tall as a pine tree, yet he possessed an air of quiet, detached elegance. Looking at him externally, he seemed more like a scholarly recluse than a martial cultivator.

Opposite him stood a sturdy man, broad-shouldered and imposing, his face radiating a fierce killing intent. Although these contests were not battles to the death, no one would intentionally hold back. Those who managed to win their way here had likely injured several opponents along the way.

Che Wenjun raised his fist in a distant salute, "I am Che Wenjun of the Hengshan Branch. I greet you, Senior Brother."

The other man returned the gesture, "I am Lin Bai’ao of the Tu Fan Kingdom. I greet you, Senior Brother Che."

Che Wenjun smiled faintly, "Senior Brother Lin, for this contest, do you intend to use a weapon, or shall we settle this with bare hands and feet?"

Lin Bai’ao pondered for a moment, "This Lin is accustomed to deciding victory through weapons. If Senior Brother Che has no objection, shall we duel with weapons?"

Che Wenjun raised his eyebrows slightly, "Since Senior Brother Lin intends to use a weapon, this younger brother shall certainly accompany you."

On the high platform, Yu Jinglei and the others all furrowed their brows.

During the Grand Tournament, the contestants were permitted to negotiate the terms of engagement: whether to use weapons or fists. If they could not agree, the decision would be made by drawing lots.

In all previous battles, everyone could see that Che Wenjun excelled in unarmed combat, whereas Lin Bai’ao consistently chose to use weapons whenever possible.

Before this fight, Yu Jinglei and the others had repeatedly cautioned Che Wenjun to insist on a bare-handed contest under any circumstances. If they were truly unlucky enough to draw lots for weapons, then fate would once again have abandoned the Hengshan Branch.

But they never imagined that Che Wenjun would voluntarily propose a weapon match. Wasn't this walking straight into death's embrace?

Zhou Datian's eyes lit up slightly. He took in the astonished and angry expressions of Yu Jinglei and his cohort, feeling overjoyed internally. Though he couldn't fathom why that Hengshan disciple was suddenly acting so strangely, he certainly wished such events would recur more often.

However, when his gaze met He Yiming's, his heart gave a sudden lurch.

He Yiming wore a confident smile. While he was usually composed, this particular expression held a deeper, more significant meaning.

In that instant, Zhou Datian felt a wave of anxiety wash over him.

Suddenly, he heard several sounds of surprised murmurs rising from the crowd nearby. His heart tightened, and he quickly looked down, his own eyes blinking rapidly several times, growing increasingly suspicious and uncertain.

After agreeing to use weapons, Che Wenjun did not immediately draw his personal saber. Instead, he requested leave from the Innate expert overseeing the match just beyond the white line, asking to fetch his weapon.

The overseeing expert deliberated for a moment. Knowing this participant belonged to the Hengshan Branch, he naturally dared not create difficulties. He waved his hand, granting Che Wenjun permission to return quickly.

Che Wenjun did indeed return swiftly, but when everyone clearly saw the weapon he held in his hands, most gazes sharpened, and then the entire plaza erupted in a low murmur of whispers.

The battle between Che Wenjun and Lin Bai’ao was not supposed to be the most captivating of the ten matches, but when a man strode into the center of the arena holding a colossal weapon exceeding four meters in length, even if he intended to remain inconspicuous, he would instantly become the center of attention.

Those from the Hengshan Branch who recognized the 'Great Guan Dao' (Great Halberd) were utterly dumbfounded. They looked back in shock, only to see Elder He Yiming sitting placidly in his seat, his face serene, as if he had known this outcome all along.

"Elder He, did you lend the Great Guan Dao to Che Wenjun?" Yu Jinglei asked quietly.

He suddenly recalled that He Yiming had already acquired the 'Five Elements Rings,' so discarding his old weapon seemed unsurprising. What baffled him completely was why He Yiming would pass the Great Guan Dao—a weapon requiring immense strength—to Che Wenjun, who was hardly known for brute force.

He Yiming smiled slightly, "Elder Yu jokes. The Great Guan Dao is my personal weapon; how could I transfer it to another?"

Yu Jinglei paused, pointing towards Che Wenjun below, who was smiling broadly while holding the massive weapon. "Then what is that object in his hands?"

"That is naturally the Great Guan Dao," He Yiming replied casually. "I have only temporarily loaned this Great Guan Dao to him. He will have to return it to me after he wins."

Yu Jinglei and the others changed expressions, exchanging wry, bitter smiles.

Although the Great Guan Dao possessed considerable might, rashly switching to an unfamiliar weapon in this setting was an act of extreme peril.

Moreover, given Che Wenjun’s current level of skill, expecting him to unleash the weapon's fullest potential was nothing more than wishful thinking.

Yu Jinglei, Yao Daoren, and Yu Xichen exchanged glances. Despair was evident in all three of their eyes.

The thought that they had held the hope of a successful fist-and-foot battle, only to face near certain defeat now, caused them to sigh inwardly again and again.

If it weren't so clearly orchestrated by He Yiming, they would have already started cursing.

Meanwhile, below the high platform, the discussions were growing louder, and on the platform above, every eye was turning toward the spectacle.

Ps: Only three chapters totaling nine thousand words today; there will definitely be five chapters tomorrow. Seeking monthly votes, double monthly votes! ※※※※ The registration today did not go smoothly. Although the child’s (Little Crane’s) household registration and the homeowner’s (Mother Crane’s) name are within the school district, and have been for several years, the school admissions officer began nitpicking because the child’s grandmother (White Crane’s mother) had previously transferred an old house to White Crane that was outside the district. They insisted the child must be registered with the father...

Damn it, this group of people is clearly trying to avoid enrolling district students and instead seeking non-district enrollees so they can collect 'school choice fees.'

Even though it is a good school and charging fees is understandable, they shouldn't make their intentions so obvious!

White Crane has been enraged all day. These people are completely unreasonable...