A rhombus-shaped meteorite, the size of a small mountain, towered over the plaza. More than half of the massive rock was buried deep beneath the earth, leaving over a hundred meters exposed—a truly spectacular sight.
Legend had it that this meteorite plummeted from the heavens a thousand years ago, landing right on this spot. Back then, there was no Heavenfall City; this area was nothing but desolate wasteland.
After the extraterrestrial stone struck, it was said that for the first few nights, under the moonlight, the meteorite would shimmer with a brilliant silver glow. Then, every other night, the silver radiance would dim. Ten years later, the stone ceased glowing altogether, becoming just an ordinary rock.
The Merchant Alliance revered this miraculous celestial object as the Divine Stone. They built Heavenfall City around it.
Years passed, and Heavenfall City grew to become the largest and central hub of the Merchant Alliance.
Yet, even though the meteorite had long stopped emitting its silver light, the martial artists of the Alliance still considered it a gift from the heavens, continuing to regard it as the Divine Stone.
Divine Stone Plaza itself was established solely because of this meteorite.
Many men and women within the Alliance, after falling in love, would come to Divine Stone Plaza to face the stone and exchange solemn oaths, treating the Divine Stone as the sacred witness to their affection.
Furthermore, every martial arts tournament hosted by the Merchant Alliance always took place in Divine Stone Plaza.
Today, Divine Stone Plaza was thronged with people. Outside the plaza, countless merchants had set up stalls. Many of these vendors were martial artists themselves, selling goods largely related to the cultivation materials required by practitioners.
Inside Divine Stone Plaza.
Before the colossal meteorite stood sixteen combat arenas. Each ring measured one hundred square meters and was paved with incredibly hard Azure Iron Stone. This material was so dense that even a fully powered strike from a Human Rank martial artist could not fracture it.
Surrounding the sixteen arenas rose five imposing stone towers.
One of these towers stood fifty meters tall, while the other four were forty meters high. These five structures were separated by hundreds of meters, and upon each tower stood representatives from the major noble families, allowing them an unobstructed view of all sixteen fighting rings below.
On one of the towers, Shi Yan stood beside Shi Jian, looking down from on high at the martial artists arriving to participate in the tournament.
This specific stone tower belonged to the Shi family, standing forty meters tall. The other four towers were held by the Beiming, Ling, Zuo, and Mo families.
The towers of the Ling, Zuo, and Mo families were also forty meters high, just like the Shi family’s. Only the Beiming family was the exception; their tower soared fifty meters, noticeably taller than the other four!
The sheer height of the five towers alone clearly demonstrated the Beiming family’s absolute dominance within the Merchant Alliance.
This was the first day of the martial arts tournament.
Shi Jian, Shi Tie, Shi Dang, and the direct lineage members of the Shi family were all gathered on their designated tower.
Han Feng and his brother Han Zhong were also in the center of the tower, along with several unfamiliar faces whom Han Zhong introduced as Shi Family retainers. These retainers usually managed affairs in other cities but had been reassigned here by Shi Jian specifically for the tournament.
Conversely, Yang Hai was absent from the tower. This was because Yang Hai did not cultivate martial arts; the martial arts masters from other cities had been recalled, forcing Yang Hai to take up garrison duties in those cities to prevent any mishaps during the tournament.
Every year, the martial arts tournament was divided into five tiers of competition: Acquired, Innate, Human Rank, Hundred Calamities, and Earth Rank. However, the Earth Rank contests were often more symbolic than serious.
Generally speaking, even independent martial artists who managed to reach the Earth Rank would already possess their own established cultivation paths; they rarely coveted the prizes offered by the five great families.
Martial artists who reached the Earth Rank were already considered masters, whether within the Merchant Alliance or across the Blazing Fire Empire and the Divine Blessing Empire.
Such individuals did not need to participate in the tournament; they could seek a superior cultivation environment by taking up retainer positions in any major power.
When major powers learned of an Earth Rank master who hadn't yet pledged allegiance to an organization, they would invariably extend an invitation, hoping to recruit them.
Therefore, despite establishing a competitive tier for Earth Rank martial artists, very few practitioners of that level actually showed up.
Even Hundred Calamity Realm martial artists rarely participated; only a handful would sign up for the bouts each year.
Those who truly attended the tournament were mostly cultivators in the Acquired, Innate, or Human Rank.
These three groups were the most numerous, representing the lower levels of cultivation. They typically lacked established connections and were forced to enter the competition, hoping either to win rare cultivation treasures or to secure a favorable retainer position among the five major families.
The tournament usually concluded in five days.
The first four days were dominated by the practitioners seeking prizes or official posts. The five major families observed these contests to scout for martial artists they favored, subsequently extending them offers.
The final day was reserved for the true highlight of the tournament.
This concluding day belonged exclusively to the five great families!
On this day, the five houses would send forth their retainers and direct descendants to clash with the masters from the rival families. It was through this final day’s battles that the families gauged each other’s true strength.
This day was also when the five great families unveiled their might to the outside world!
The clashes between the five families on the last day often involved immense stakes and could feature staggering gambles.
Mines, commercial streets, specific arcane treasures, or bizarre martial arts techniques would all become bargaining chips between the noble houses!
A single tournament could potentially grant a family astonishing wealth, or conversely, wipe out years of accumulated savings. The results of the final day’s duels often became the dominant topic of discussion for years to come.
On this day, the experts from the great families would display their genuine power, revealing rarely seen martial skills and Martial Souls. During the fierce exchanges, various secret artifacts would suddenly emerge.
Most martial artists arriving from the outside world were also drawn specifically for the final day’s events.
By observing these final contests, they could clearly discern the difference between themselves and the warriors of the five great families. Through watching the intense confrontations, they could recognize their own shortcomings, broaden their horizons, and elevate their cultivation.
It was even possible that witnessing those intense exchanges might catalyze a breakthrough in their own realm after the tournament concluded.
This, truly, was the most captivating aspect of the martial arts meet!
Shi Yan stood on the tower, his expression calm, surveying the participating martial artists on the arenas below.
On the Beiming family's tower, two hundred meters away, two graceful figures ascended the high structure alongside Beiming Ce.
On the summit, Mu Yudie and Di Yalan stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Beiming Ce, overlooking all the combat rings from the tallest structure.
Mu Yudie, clad in a white dress with her dark hair flowing, appeared ethereal and captivating on the high tower, like an elf made manifest.
Di Yalan remained in her familiar dark-red armor. The contours of her fiery figure were alluringly displayed beneath the plating, though her eyes held a deep, preoccupied melancholy.
Across the distance, Shi Yan slightly raised his head, glanced at the two women, and a cold sneer of disdain flickered through his heart.
"Boy, you listen to me for these four days and observe closely. You lack real combat experience. Watch how others engage, and don't be idle," Shi Jian said, a hint of displeasure crossing his face as he noticed Shi Yan looking toward the two women on the Beiming tower. "Women are everywhere. Given your prospects, what kind of woman can’t you acquire in the future? Don't let yourself get distracted before you become powerful!"
"Mmm, I understand," Shi Yan acknowledged.
"Big Brother, Kuluo from the Misty Pavilion is here to visit. He says he has something to discuss with you," Shi Tie suddenly called out from the staircase entrance of the tower.
"Kuluo?" A flicker of surprise crossed Shi Jian's face. He paused, then nodded. "Show him up."
"Grandfather, how is the matter concerning the Misty Pavilion progressing?" Shi Yan quietly inquired, lowering his voice.
Shi Jian gave a slight nod and grunted, "Don't meddle in this business, and don't bring it up again, understood?"
"Oh." Judging by his expression, Shi Yan knew Shi Jian must have finalized the details with Zuo Xu, but with retainers like Han Feng present in the high tower, Shi Yan felt a touch of doubt about whether the Shi family had dispatched anyone to assist Chi Xiao at the Misty Pavilion.
Kuluo ascended with a composed smile and settled beside Shi Jian, saying affably, "Patriarch Shi, I’ve come seeking a favor. I wonder where your godson, Yang Hai, is currently located? I wish to invite him to the Misty Pavilion for a matter. Will that cause trouble?"
"Yang Hai?" Shi Jian's face darkened, and he snorted skeptically. "Your Misty Pavilion is searching everywhere for someone named Yang Hai. What exactly do you want with him?"
"A friend of mine arrived from the Endless Sea. An elder of hers lost an infant many years ago—the baby was named Yang Hai—so she asked me to inquire. I hope Patriarch Shi can assist," Kuluo said, offering a polite bow with a smile.
Shi Jian’s heart stirred, a strange light flashing in his eyes. After a long moment, he shook his head. "Yang Hai is not in Heavenfall City temporarily. Because of the tournament, I recalled many people; he is currently stationed in another city. Regarding this matter... we can discuss it another time."
"That is fine, as long as Patriarch Shi remembers," Kuluo didn't press the issue, saying cheerfully, "When he returns, just have Patriarch Shi send him to the Misty Pavilion. Heh heh, I won't make him travel in vain."
"Oh," Shi Jian responded noncommittally.
"Then I will take my leave now." Kuluo did not linger; having concluded his business, he departed downstairs directly.
...
A beautiful and moving cascade of zither music suddenly drifted from the Beiming family’s stone tower.
This celestial melody, reaching directly into the soul, instantly resonated throughout every corner of the noisy Divine Stone Plaza. Mu Yudie was seen sitting cross-legged atop the Beiming tower, playing with intense concentration.
Many martial artists who had come for the tournament were captivated by the ethereal music, their faces showing expressions of enchantment as they craned their necks to gaze at the Beiming structure.
Beiming Ce, standing beside Mu Yudie, wore a proud expression, a hint of disdain for the common masses playing on his lips, as he received the gazes of envy and admiration from the crowd below.
Mu Yudie’s music flowed like a clear spring in a mountain gorge, washing over the hearts of all the martial artists, seemingly purifying their very souls.
When the piece concluded, the crowd remained spellbound, their faces etched with awe.
At that very moment.
Beiming Shang suddenly shot out from the high tower. His magnificent figure suspended magically in the air above Divine Stone Plaza, he looked down upon the multitude like a celestial being and roared, "The Martial Arts Tournament officially begins!"
"Aerial Strolling! An Earth Rank expert!"
The assembled martial artists cried out in astonishment, their expressions filled with reverence as they recoiled from the might displayed by Beiming Shang...
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