Chapter 243 - Martial Arts Meet Begins

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Since early morning, the atmosphere in Watermoon City had been intensifying.

The crowd eagerly approached the City Lord's mansion, which was also the Zhao Clan's residence situated slightly to the east in Watermoon City—a castle-like structure standing tall and majestic, symbolizing the authority of the city lord.

The castle's five-meter-tall door, constructed from fine iron, appeared indestructible and spectacular.

A broad road stretched directly into the castle, allowing people to enter and leave as they pleased on this special day—the annual Watermoon City martial arts meet.

Not only could they see the young talents and witness their great strength, but they could also admire the head figures of the city’s prestigious clans during the meet.

Chen Fan and Chen Zhengqing led the Chen Clan members as they headed toward the city lord's mansion. On their way there, the crowd opened up a path as they whispered among themselves.

The Chen Clan had wiped out the Lin Clan a year ago, replacing them and becoming the newest prestigious martial clan of Watermoon City.

Although there was a gap in their foundation and strength compared to the other martial clans, how big could the gap possibly be since they managed to wipe out the Lin Clan?

In this City Clash Convention, the people could see for themselves the strengths of the younger generation of the Chen Clan. They could not help but look forward to it.

“As expected of a city lord. This castle looks so grand and majestic.”

Following Chen Fan and Chen Zhengqing, Chen Qingqing and the others revealed looks of admiration.

The Zhao Clan's castle, serving as both a castle and manor, alone showcased their dominance as the premier clan in Watermoon City.

As they walked into the city lord’s mansion, their field of vision widened, revealing the vast martial arts arena capable of accommodating a hundred thousand people.

This arena, where the Zhao Clan usually trained their private troops, featured five battle platforms—each a thousand feet long and wide. Four platforms were positioned in the cardinal directions, while the tallest main battle platform occupied the center.

Eleven stands encircled the battle platforms, elevated higher than the platforms themselves, serving as viewing galleries for the prestigious clans of Watermoon City. A symbol of their statuses, these galleries currently accommodated the Zhao Clan, Zheng Clan, and the other six allied clans. They were in the east and south stands, sitting side by side.

The participants stood before the leaders of their respective clans. They stood neatly in place, exuding an extraordinary aura and a sense of great strength.

The people from the Qian Clan, Zhang Clan, and the other four non-allied clans similarly occupied the west and north stands.

“Quickly look over there. The Zhao Clan’s and the Zheng Clan’s people are on the east stand. Zhao Kongming and Zheng Qinghu are sitting right in the middle. These two are the strongest martial artists of our city with their cultivation at the fifth level,” murmured onlookers, their gazes scanning the stands in all directions.

Ordinary citizens rarely had the opportunity to see patriarchs like Zhao Kongming and Zheng Qinghu. Grand occasions like the City Clash Convention gave them a unique chance, so they all seemed excited.

“That is Zhao Ziyang. I heard he’s a peak-stage, eighth-level Qigong realm martial artist, only a step away from becoming a Qi Grandmaster. Amazing. As expected of the number one junior of our Watermoon City.”

“Look there. It’s the Qian Clan’s Qian Ling. She’s so pretty! Our Watermoon City’s number one beauty is a little cold, though. I heard she is already at the eighth level of the Qigong realm. Her talent isn’t any worse than Zhao Ziyang.”

“I heard Zhao Ziyang is courting Qian Ling. A golden boy and a jade maiden. It’s a match made in heaven.”

“Look there, the Chen Clan’s people are here!”

The crowd kept gossiping among themselves.

Chen Fan and the other Chen Clan members walked over, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

“The person at the forefront is the Chen Clan’s Patriarch, Chen Zhengqing. When they were eliminating the Lin Clan, he single-handedly faced Lin Hong and Lin Ying, forcing Lin Hong to self-detonate his primeval vessel. He’s powerful, with strength at the peak of the fourth level.”

“That’s right. I heard Chen Zhengqing is likely the third-strongest expert here, behind only Zhao Kongming and Zheng Qinghu.”

“That person next to Chen Zhengqing is so young. Who is he?”

“You don’t even know him? He’s Chen Fan, the Young Patriarch of the Chen Clan. Despite only being around seventeen or eighteen, he's a genuine Yuanfu realm expert! In the battle to wipe out the Lin Clan, he fought Lin Yao and two other Yuanfu realm experts alone! He’s a monstrous genius capable of killing those above his cultivation level!”

“Is that for real? He looks to be around the same age as Zhao Ziyang. To think he is a Yuanfu realm expert... How surprising! And he can even kill enemies above his cultivation level?”

“Haven’t you heard? Don't judge a person by appearance, just as you can't measure the sea with a pint pot. Zhao Ziyang is undoubtedly a genius, but compared to Chen Fan, he's far inferior.”

"Will the Chen Clan let him participate in the City Clash Convention? If he does, it won't be much of a competition for the others!"

“That goes without saying. If Chen Fan steps on the stage, there’s no need for the City Clash Convention. He alone will sweep everyone else aside.”

“......”

When the nearby crowd saw Chen Fan and the other Chen clan members walk over, they acted as if they had stumbled upon a new continent, their murmurs rising and falling.

Everyone knew that the Chen Clan had wiped out the Lin Clan and that Chen Zhengqing was very powerful. However, they were more curious about Chen Fan because few had seen him before.

Everyone was shocked when they noticed Chen Fan was a mere youth.

“Hoho, Brother Chen has come.”

Zhao Kongming stood up, looking towards Chen Zhengqing. A smile appeared on his face.

“Haha, you’re here, Brother Chen. Everyone’s waiting for you.” The Qian Clan’s Patriarch, Qian Tongtian, laughed, cupping his fists.

“Indeed, heroes emerge from the young. To become a Yuanfu realm expert at such a young age, Brother Chen indeed has a great son. It’s truly enviable.”

“......”

The other patriarchs complimented one after another.

Chen Zhengqing looked at Zhao Kongming and the others and cupped his fists. “My apologies, everyone. Our Chen Clan has come late.”

After they exchanged some pleasantries, Chen Zhengqing led the Chen Clan members to the stand at the north, sitting next to the Qian Clan.

“Sure enough, the Chen Clan is a clan from a Grade-3 City, after all. Their foundation is much inferior to the other clans. Without Chen Zhengqing's presence, the Lin Clan's assets might not have fallen into their hands."

“Hehe, I heard that the other clans have joined hands secretly for this City Clash Convention, planning to suppress the Chen Clan and make them bleed. If things go as expected, the Chen Clan will surely take the last place and have to fork over two businesses.”

“......”

A playful look flashed in the eyes of some individuals privy to gossip from undisclosed sources.

All eleven prestigious clans of Watermoon City were now in the Zhao Clan’s mansion.

Zhao Kongming stood up and leaped into the air. He stood mid-air, glanced around the crowd, and smiled. “Everyone, today is our Watermoon City’s annual City Clash Convention, a grand occasion celebrated by the entire city.

“I shall not drone on unnecessarily. Now, let’s invite the various clans’ participants on stage.”

Zhao Kongming finished his opening speech and returned to his seat, nodding at the other patriarchs.

Afterward, the young talents at the front of the various clans stood up and walked to the battle platform.

On the Chen Clan’s side, Chen Qingqing, Chen Lei, Chen Jian, and the others did the same. They strode toward the battle platform with their chests out and heads held high.

If it were half a month ago, they wouldn’t have acted as confidently as they did now. They would have even felt apprehensive inside.

But now, every one of them was filled with endless confidence.