Chapter Twenty-Six: The Martial Arena—A Pearl Steals the Art

The next morning, Hua Mingzhu rose early as usual. Under their master’s guidance, she and Mei Yuchen trained for three hours before sharing breakfast together.

Their master announced that he would be going out with the young master today and would not have time to instruct them. He handed her a pouch containing one hundred spirit coins and told her to take Chen out for a stroll. He specifically emphasized that they must go to the martial arena in the central district to watch others spar and learn from their duels.

Hua Mingzhu tucked away the money and made a point to visit her second sister in the east wing. Her sister had the day off and could return home, so Mingzhu asked her to bring a message to their parents: she had been busy cultivating with her master lately and would visit them when she had time.

Second Sister was delighted; her youngest sibling was now the most accomplished among them, lacking nothing in the Yang household and even able to follow an immortal in cultivation. The whole family feared Mingzhu might neglect her training if she visited too often, and would never blame her for seldom returning home. Second Sister reminded her: listen to your master, practice diligently, and don’t slack off.

Mingzhu was never one to shirk her duties, and as an elder sister, she still offered a few words of advice. Now Mingzhu was the most outstanding, but Second Sister was not far behind—hardworking and clever, she often used her free time to develop the young master's products, and soon two or three varieties would bear fruit. The people at the food workshop envied her, praising her limitless prospects.

After bidding farewell to her sister, Hua Mingzhu called Yuchen and set out. The servant guarding the gate heard they were headed to the central district—a long way off—and kindly arranged two newly purchased riding beasts for them.

These riding beasts were taller than horses, with deer-like heads and gentle temperaments. Their speed far exceeded that of horse-drawn carriages, but their price was many times higher, unaffordable to most. The two mounted the beasts—it was their first time riding—and looked particularly impressive, feeling a surge of excitement. With a gentle squeeze of their legs, they set off for the city center.

Both were brimming with excitement; they hadn’t had a chance to play outside in some time. Hua Mingzhu, conscious of her humble origins and the gift of fate that allowed her to cultivate, feared falling short in her training and never dared to ask her master for leave. Mei Yuchen had been gloomy for months, weighed down more than other youth, but finally found relief in the Yang household.

Today, their master (adoptive father) actually encouraged them to go out and enjoy themselves. Still children at heart, they looked here and there along the way, delighted by everything.

Wuzhou’s main road formed a cross, with east-west and north-south avenues running through the city. Since the Cloud Kingdom banned flying in all its city-states, and the cities were too vast for easy travel, the main roads were built for swift-running beasts like these, akin to highways in Yangcheng’s previous world. Countless winding side roads branched off, forming endless neighborhoods and alleys; the Yang residence lay at the end of a small lane on the southern edge.

Once on the main road, their speed increased greatly. The avenue was broad and empty of pedestrians, so they raced their beasts at full tilt, taking nearly four hours to reach the city center. They left their mounts by a tavern’s stable and went to seek the martial arena.

In the central plaza, the most striking sight was the grand and imposing City Lord’s Mansion, which Mingzhu estimated was dozens of times larger than the Yang residence. The vast square in front of it was adorned with statues several times taller than a man—dozens of them, lifelike and commanding. It was said they depicted the heroes who had emerged throughout the region’s history: some had fought in the founding wars supporting the royal house, others had led cultivators against monstrous beasts, and still others had joined in the suppression of the demon clan.

Each statue told a moving story. Though these mighty figures had vanished into history, they remained revered by the people of Wuzhou for generations, their memory sacred and never to be profaned.

On the eastern side of the square stood the martial arena, rectangular outside and circular within, guarded by the City Lord’s soldiers. Every year, both large and small tournaments were held here. Rival families’ disciples, eager to prove themselves, often clashed here; cultivators would settle grievances and feuds within its walls, and sometimes the City Lord arranged spectacles, forcing prisoners to duel.

To fight here meant life or death, and the authorities could not intervene. Moreover, the martial arena was the only place in the city where the flight-ban array did not apply, allowing cultivators to unleash their full power.

With the city so populous and duels so frequent, the arena was never empty. If one wished to challenge someone on short notice, they might not even get a slot. Spectator fees were high, making the arena a major source of income for the City Lord.

Hua Mingzhu and Mei Yuchen decided to fulfill their master’s instructions first and observe the martial arena, before considering other amusements. At the entrance, they asked the guard about the prices: twenty-five spirit coins for the regular section, fifty for the premium. They paid fifty spirit coins in total and exchanged glances—so expensive! In the past, they would never have been able to afford it in a lifetime; they resolved to make the most of this rare opportunity.

Inside, they were led to the regular section, essentially a series of tiered steps. In the arena, a duel was underway, and the two found seats closest to the stage to watch carefully.

The martial arena was the only place in the city exempt from the flight-ban array; combat could unfold freely on land or in the air, and the space was ample for cultivators to fully display their abilities. At that moment, two young men from the Zhang family of the western city and the Wei family were battling, both at the early Foundation Establishment stage. They seemed to have longstanding grudges, their blade and spear trading deadly blows, each attack aimed at the other’s vital points.

The Zhang family youth wielded the “Mountain-Splitting Blade,” his technique refined to perfection. Blade shadows layered and heavy, each slash directed at the Wei family youth. The latter held a mysterious iron spear, using the “Golden Swan Spear” to counter every attack and occasionally exploiting the other’s weaknesses.

Neither would yield, the fight fierce and heated. Blade and spear clashed, stirring waves of spiritual energy that shimmered in the sunlight, a spectacle for the audience. But for the combatants, it was perilous in the extreme; a moment’s carelessness could mean injury or death.

The battle raged on, and Mingzhu and Yuchen watched with fervor—neither had often witnessed such mortal contests. Mei Yuchen, with his own unique insight into combat, occasionally discussed tactics with Mingzhu beside him. “Senior Sister, that move just now—if it were me, I’d do this…” He had never truly fought before, so observing was invaluable, quickly boosting his understanding of combat.

Hua Mingzhu, after watching for some time, though unaware of the precise names of their techniques, gradually discerned their patterns. She felt an uncanny familiarity, beginning to replay their moves in her mind and speculate on what would follow.

She was only newly initiated into cultivation and did not think herself special, believing her familiarity with others’ techniques was normal, never pondering it deeply. Her diligence and love for studying and analyzing these arts only added to her progress.

The duel remained evenly matched, their cultivation levels equal. The Wei family youth, more experienced, deliberately feigned weakness, his spear flickering. The Zhang youth, thinking victory was at hand, abandoned his defense and swung his blade with full force, its momentum like a mountain crashing down. But it was a trap.

Mei Yuchen gasped, “Oh no!” as the Wei youth smirked, dodged swiftly, and stabbed straight through. The Zhang youth sensed danger, but his attack was too committed to evade. A chilling sound of steel piercing flesh echoed as the iron spear penetrated his abdomen. Eyes wide with shock, the Zhang youth staggered and collapsed.

Cheers and curses erupted from the audience.

Members of the Zhang family rushed forward, checked his wounds, saw he could still be saved, shot a glare at their rivals, and promptly carried him away for treatment.

The Wei youth seemed unconcerned; this victory would surely enhance his reputation, drawing greater attention from his family and earning him more resources for cultivation.

The arena’s host proclaimed loudly, “Wei Guang wins this match!” Instantly, another wave of cheers and jeers swept the crowd.

“Next round: Wen Yubo of the Wen family, northern city, versus Xiang Junpei of the Xiang family, northern city!”