19. The Three Clans Tournament (1)
Jiu Yin stood in the courtyard of the small Jiu family compound as the first light of dawn broke over Snow Wind City. He wore a dark, hooded cloak pulled tightly around his shoulders, the fabric thick enough to shield him from as much sunlight as possible. Even the early morning rays felt like faint needles pressing against his skin. He adjusted the hood slightly, making sure it covered as much of his face as he could without looking too suspicious. The sun was his greatest weakness in this world. Today, of all days, he could not afford to be weakened.
To his quiet delight, he had learned the competition itself would take place in a mostly covered arena. The grand structure had high walls and a partial roof designed to protect spectators from the elements. There would be plenty of shaded areas for the civilians to watch and place bets. That small mercy gave him some confidence.
The Lu Clan had gathered all the selected young people from their assessment. The procession was headed by Lu Clan Elder Lu Feng, a stern middle-aged man with a sharp beard and an aura of authority that commanded respect. The clan’s wealth was on full display. Dozens of ornate carriages lined the street outside the main Yin family compound. Each carriage was crafted from fine dark wood, decorated with intricate carvings of dragons and clouds, and pulled by strong spirit horses whose coats shimmered with faint Qi. Servants in matching uniforms moved efficiently, loading supplies and helping the selected youths and their families board.
Jiu Yin clicked his tongue softly under his breath. Everything in this world was immense in scale. The carriages alone were larger and more luxurious than anything he had seen in his previous life. The sheer number of them, the quality of the horses, the number of guards and attendants — it all spoke of power and resources far beyond what a minor branch like theirs could ever dream of.
The part of the city they traveled through was clearly the wealthier district where the three main clans resided. Tall, elegant buildings with tiled roofs and private courtyards lined the wide streets. Spirit lanterns hung from ornate poles, glowing softly even in daylight. Servants in fine uniforms swept the roads, and guards from the Yin, Lu, and Shi clans stood watch at strategic points. The air here smelled cleaner, carrying the faint scent of expensive incense and blooming spirit flowers from private gardens. It was a far cry from the cramped, rundown streets of the outer districts where the Jiu family lived.
Jiu Yin rode in one of the simpler carriages with his mother, sister, and Yan Qing, who had been introduced as his new steward. The carriage was still luxurious by their standards, with cushioned seats and small windows covered by thin curtains. Jiu Ping sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap, a mix of nervousness and hope on her face. Jiu Lan sat beside her, fingers occasionally brushing the hilt of her thin blade, her green eyes sharp and focused. Yan Qing remained silent, her golden-yellow eyes occasionally flicking toward Jiu Yin with a mixture of wariness and reluctant obedience.
The procession moved slowly through the wealthy district, drawing stares and whispers from the locals. Other carriages from the Yin and Shi clans joined them as they converged toward the city’s central arena. The streets grew wider. The buildings grew taller. The sense of anticipation in the air was palpable.
Jiu Yin kept his hood low, staying in the shade of the carriage as much as possible. He could feel the sun’s presence even through the curtains. It drained him, but not as badly as it would have without the cloak. He watched the passing scenery in silence, his mind already turning over strategies for the battles to come.
The grand arena rose into view as they approached the center of the city. It was a massive structure of stone and reinforced wood, large enough to hold thousands of spectators. Banners from the three great sects of the kingdom fluttered in the wind. The air hummed with excitement. Vendors sold food and betting slips along the outer walkways. The roar of the growing crowd could already be heard from inside.
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The arena wasn’t immense by the standards of the great sects, but it stood proudly above the rest of the buildings around it. Its stone walls rose high into the sky, reinforced with dark wood and carved with intricate patterns of dragons and clouds. Jiu Yin had never seen anything like this in his previous life. The scale, the craftsmanship, the way the structure dominated the central district — it all spoke of power and resources far beyond what he had known. Even the air around it felt thicker with gathered Qi from countless cultivators.
The Lu Clan carriages came to a stop in the designated waiting area. As the selected youths and their families began to exit, murmurs rippled through the growing crowd of spectators. Among the group representing the Lu Clan, the highest rank was Iron Warrior rank 10. Lu Hei, a tall young man with sharp features and a confident stride, stepped out of the lead carriage. Some in the crowd spoke out loud as they watched.
“Look, it’s Lu Hei! Rank 10 at his age. Exceptional talent.”
“He’s one of the top three of his generation. The Lu Clan has high hopes for him this time.”
Jiu Yin observed everything quietly from beneath his hood. Lu Hei carried himself with the natural arrogance of someone born with both talent and status. He would be one to watch.
The Lu Clan had arrived first. Elder Lu Feng’s face showed clear irritation as he stepped down from his carriage. Being the first to arrive made it seem like the Lu Clan was at the beck and call of the other two. He barked a few orders to the attendants, trying to maintain dignity, but the slight scowl on his face betrayed his annoyance.
Time passed as the crowd continued to grow. Vendors moved through the stands selling snacks, betting slips, and spirit drinks. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement.
Then the Shi Clan arrived.
Their carriages were even more ornate, decorated with silver and deep blue accents. The Shi Clan youths stepped out with graceful confidence. Among them, one young woman immediately drew the attention of the crowd. Whispers spread quickly.
“It’s Shi Mei! The number one beauty of the city.”
“And the number one cultivator of her generation. They say she has limitless talent.”
“She’s already at Iron Warrior rank 9. The Shi Clan is favored to win several categories this year.”
Jiu Yin studied her from a distance. Shi Mei had long, flowing silver-black hair and delicate features that seemed almost ethereal. Her presence was calm and refined, but there was a sharp intelligence in her eyes. She would be dangerous.
A few more names floated through the crowd as other representatives stepped forward.
From the Lu Clan, besides Lu Hei, there was Lu Jian, a sturdy young man known for his strong defensive techniques, and Lu Qing, a swift sword user with a reputation for speed.
From the Yin Clan, Yin Zhao stood out. He was tall and broad-shouldered, already at Iron Warrior rank 8, and considered one of the strongest physical fighters among the younger generation. Beside him was Yin Lihua, a graceful girl with a water-based trait that made her movements fluid and hard to predict.
The Shi Clan had more than just Shi Mei. Shi Feng, a cold-looking young man with a fire trait, and Shi Lan, a quiet girl known for her precise spear work, rounded out their stronger contenders.
Jiu Yin assessed them all as they gathered. The differences in talent and background were obvious. The main branches of the three clans had resources and training far beyond what a minor branch like the Jiu family could offer. Yet he felt no fear. Only calculation. He would use this stage to his advantage.
The Lu Clan Elder Lu Feng stepped forward to greet the representatives from the other two clans. The tension between the three groups was subtle but present. Polite bows were exchanged, but the undercurrent of competition was clear. The crowd watched eagerly, already placing bets on which clan would perform best.