Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

Among them, naturally, was Songyin Sword Mansion's sworn enemy: the Qingyue Sword Mansion.

The moment the members of the Qingyue Sword Mansion arrived, their eyes scanned the surroundings. Upon spotting the people from Songyin Sword Mansion, they immediately let out cold snorts. The gazes of the two factions clashed, and it was as if countless sparks flew through the air.

One of them, an imposing figure who seemed to exude boundless Sword Qi, fixed his gaze on Ye Chen.

His gaze was as sharp as a blade. Lin Heng and Qu Yuanfei, who were weaker, felt a piercing pain in their eyes and terror in their hearts just from a single glance!

"Li Changhe's gotten even stronger!"

Ji Yuanshan said gravely, his expression solemn.

"Don't feel too pressured," Yu Xiaoran said from the side. "Don't forget, you still haven't fully recovered."

"I understand," Ji Yuanshan said with a nod.

'So that's the number one genius of the Qingyue Sword Mansion, Li Changhe?' Ye Chen mused, studying the distant, sword-straight figure with interest.

'So this is Li Yue's older brother.'

'If he's foolish enough to provoke me, I'll just cut him down with a single strike.'

"Hmph!"

Seeing that Ye Chen was completely unfazed by his gaze, Li Changhe let out a soft snort of his own.

"Changhe, you must have seen him. That's the one who murdered Li Yue."

Hong Zhi said gravely from the side, "Given Ji Yuanshan's condition, he most likely won't be able to compete."

"What I didn't expect was that those fools from the Songyin Sword Mansion came prepared. I have no idea where they found a young genius who's every bit as strong as Ji Yuanshan."

"Don't worry. If he dares to get on that stage, I won't let him leave it alive," Li Changhe said, his voice frigid and his tone so detached it was devoid of all emotion.

"Are you planning to kill someone during the tournament?" Hong Zhi frowned, hesitating. "That would have a negative impact on our Qingyue Sword Mansion's reputation."

"He killed Li Yue. I cannot let him live." Li Changhe's gaze was chilling, as if he had already passed a death sentence on Ye Chen.

"Sigh..." Hong Zhi shook his head. He knew how stubborn Changhe could be and didn't bother trying to persuade him further.

Aside from the Qingyue Sword Mansion, there was also Xuanfeng Manor, the top power from Song Province.

Unlike Xu Province, Song Province had only one top power, so no other factions from there were in attendance.

The leader of Xuanfeng Manor was a middle-aged noblewoman. Her face was as delicate as a girl of seventeen or eighteen, but her full figure overflowed with mature allure, and from time to time, fiery gazes would linger on her.

Among the disciples by her side—some of whom had clearly just been brought along for the experience—the strongest was undoubtedly the young woman standing at the very front.

Her expression was aloof, but her face was stunningly beautiful. Her well-fitting robes accentuated a slender waist, and her gorgeous eyes shone with an arrogant light. She seemed quite confident about the coming battle.

"That's Han Qinglu, the daughter of the Xuanfeng Manor Lord!"

"She's also the most talented of Xuanfeng Manor's younger generation. Despite her youth, she's already reached the half-step Primordial Mansion Realm. The one representing Xuanfeng Manor in this competition can be none other than her."

Yu Xiaoran explained at just the right moment.

Hearing this, Ye Chen nodded and asked, "If only a few people are competing for first place, this tournament should be over pretty quickly, shouldn't it?"

'If the only point was to fight for a spot at the Peach Blossom Banquet, there would be no need for such a grand tournament.'

'After all, the only real contenders are Ji Yuanshan from Songyin Sword Mansion, Li Changhe from Qingyue Sword Mansion, and Han Qinglu from Xuanfeng Manor.'

'A contest between the three of them would probably be decided in no time.'

Yu Xiaoran chuckled. "A tournament like this is naturally about more than just fighting for first place."

"You must have noticed, young friend, that besides their strongest geniuses, the major powers also brought many other disciples."

"After the spot for the Peach Blossom Banquet has been decided, these disciples will compete and spar with one another. That is the true purpose of this tournament!"

Upon hearing this, realization dawned on Ye Chen.

However, the tournament held little appeal for Ye Chen to begin with, so sparring matches between ordinary disciples sounded even more tedious.

Ye Chen was even thinking that once a winner was decided for the Peach Blossom Banquet spot, he would take the Realm Spirit and leave, preparing to head to Kunlun Mountain with Song Yubing.

Once all the factions were seated, the City Lord of Kunlun City, Nie Kun, suddenly rose to his feet.

He scanned the entire audience, and all eyes turned to focus on him.

Just as everyone expected him to announce the start of the tournament, he spoke. "For this tournament, in addition to the Songyin Sword Mansion, the Qingyue Sword Mansion, and Xuanfeng Manor, there is one more power that wishes to participate!"

"Another power wants to participate?"

His words instantly sent a wave of commotion through the crowd.

Even Yu Xiaoran couldn't help but frown. "How come I haven't heard anything about this?"

But this was understandable. After all, he had arrived in Kunlun City two days later than planned. He had only just gotten settled when the tournament began the next day. It was inevitable that he might have missed some news.

After making this shocking announcement, Nie Kun declared in a loud voice, "Let us welcome the Black Tiger Gang!"

The iron-armored guards in the distance slowly parted, and several figures with powerful auras strode forward. Their expressions were defiant and their presence overbearing, as if they paid no mind to anyone else in the arena.

"The Black Tiger Gang?"

Yu Xiaoran and the others' pupils instantly constricted.

Ye Chen's eyes narrowed slightly as well.

Everyone knew the Black Tiger Gang was a group of bandits who ran rampant along the borders of the Great Hong Dynasty.

They committed countless evil deeds, plundering passing merchants and acting with tyrannical impunity, earning them both hatred and fear.

And yet, this very group of villainous bandits had now been formally invited here by Nie Kun, the City Lord of Kunlun City.

The figures strode up to Nie Kun's side. Not only did he show no displeasure, but a look of reverence even appeared on his face as he said politely, "My lords, please, take your seats."

At his words, the members of the Black Tiger Gang casually sat down in the seats the City Lord's Mansion had prepared for them long in advance.

As he watched the arrogant members of the Black Tiger Gang look down disdainfully on the entire arena, Ye Chen's expression flickered. He had spotted a familiar face.

Chen Lie!

The Black Tiger Gang member who had fled injured after his fight with Song Yubing was now sitting brazenly on the high platform reserved for the City Lord's Mansion, looking down on the crowd with cold indifference.