I Was Forced To Marry The Phoenix Empress-Chapter 130: Registering for the Clan Tournament

"A few days ago, an unaffiliated cultivator in the Sixth Meridian Refinement Stage registered himself as an external disciple.

Since his age was within the thirty-year bracket, it was natural that he attracted the attention of several elders from the clan who approached him to register for the Inter-Clan Tournament.

In this meeting, the said cultivator agreed to participate in the tournament, but he placed a condition.

The condition, as you would have guessed by now, was a claim in the last remaining seat of the Azure Sect’s entrance test.

Since the clan is at a dire position right now, one where they could lose their status as a major clan, it’s natural that they would give preference to him, and since the rest of the nineteen spots were already filled, they gave your spot, which had been vacant, to him."

Elder Lei explained with an unbothered tone. It felt as if the clan’s dire straits and Yi Chen’s situation had nothing to do with him, and he was just an observer of the said events.

As for Yi Chen, he couldn’t help but feel annoyed at this change of events when he heard Elder Lei’s explanation. A feeling that something that belonged to him was snatched away from him rose up in his chest.

However, he had no clue how to go about this problem, so he asked Elder Lei for guidance.

"...Then what should I do now? Should I participate in the entrance test as an unaffiliated candidate?"

In general, anyone could participate in the entrance test of the Heavenly Azure Dragon Sect and in the testing phase, whether one is recommended from a clan or not doesn’t make any difference. It’s only after one joins the sect that the differences become apparent.

Knowing about this, Yi Chen had asked the follow-up question. However, a hesitant expression was apparent on his face.

"If you’re willing to let go of the special benefits, then that would be an easier option," Elder Lei stated with a subtle nod. However, Yi Chen could gauge from his manner of speaking that Elder Lei didn’t want him to follow that path.

So, he asked the next moment.

"Then, what’s the other option?"

"To participate in the tournament. Prove yourself in front of the three elders and the Patriarch and make them change their decision.

However, be sure that even if you’re able to convince them, it won’t make any difference if the clan loses its spot as a major clan in the Inter-Clan Tournament, as the special benefits sponsored by the Imperial family are only limited to the ten noble clans and the twenty major clans."

Elder Lei finished.

"So that’s how it is." Yi Chen nodded while stroking his chin in thought. The next instant, he met eyes with Elder Lei, who had been observing him and said, "I’ve decided. I’ll register myself for the Inter Clan Tournament after today’s lesson."

"Good." Elder Lei nodded and said, "The path laid with comfort is always the path that kills one’s potential. Whenever you’re confused in the future, always go by this dictum."

His words were not just directed to Yi Chen but also to Qin Yao.

Hearing it, the two of them responded simultaneously.

"Yes, Master,"

"Yes, Elder Lei,"

With a short nod, Elder Lei continued on with the rest of his lesson and, after two more hours, left the residence as usual.

"Brother Chen, I’ll go and get ready immediately, let’s go together!" Qin Yao exclaimed.

Although initially Qin Yao was a little frustrated about Yi Chen’s spot being taken away, that feeling subsided when he heard Yi Chen agreeing to participate in the clan tournament, and thus his mood was quite good right now. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Yi Chen nodded, hearing him, and waited for Qin Yao to get ready. A while later, Qin Yao had completely changed into tight robes which were suitable for combat.

With his spear’s shaft firmly placed behind his back, Qin Yao said the next moment, "Brother Chen, I’m ready. Let’s go,"

"Alright," Yi Chen nodded with a smile, and the two of them soon left the residence and started walking towards the north of the clan.

Along the way, Yi Chen saw many cultivators, both teens and adults, who were in the Third Level of Meridian Refinement Stage moving alongside them.

They all were moving towards the same destination, the clan’s fighting arena. The place where the final eight spots for the Third Meridian Refinement Stage cultivators were going to be decided today.

"It’s great that the Registration Hall is just beside the arena. Thanks to it, Brother Chen would be able to witness my matches today as well," Qin Yao said gleefully.

Initially, Qin Yao had thought that he would have to come alone for the match, but thanks to how things have evolved, he was able to come along with Yi Chen.

"Indeed. I’m looking forward to seeing how strong you’ve become in this period," Yi Chen said with a smile.

"I’ll make sure not to disappoint Brother Chen!" Qin Yao thumped his chest enthusiastically the next moment.

The two of them soon reached the arena where the knockout matches were going to be organised.

Qin Yao first guided Yi Chen to the registration hall, which was a building built right next to the arena. Since most of the registrations were already done, it was quite empty, and they soon made their way towards the person who was sitting behind a table.

"A Fifth Meridian Refinement Stage cultivator? Great!" The person exclaimed with a brightened expression when he heard Yi Chen’s cultivation level and began looking for something in the drawers.

He was a Sixth Meridian Refinement Stage Expert, but unlike Yi Chen and Qin Yao, he was already in his thirties and was no longer eligible for the tournament.

"Those minor clans have been acting haughtily for a while now. I’m glad we have enough experts now to finally teach them a lesson at the tournament!" the person snorted, and the next moment, passed a form to Yi Chen.

"Carefully fill it all up and ask me if there’s anything you have doubts over."

Yi Chen nodded at his words and began filling out the form. While he was at it, he exchanged some small talk with the Senior, and the two of them got to know each other better.

"It’s done," Yi Chen said while handing out the form to Wu Jian.

Taking the form from Yi Chen’s hands, Wu Jian passed a blue slip to Yi Chen and said energetically.

"Brother, the clan’s depending on young experts like you. Those minor clan bastards have been on the high horse for way too long. Please show them their place!"

"Leave it to me, Senior Brother Wu Jian!" Yi Chen responded in the same spirit.

"Good!" Wu Jian patted Yi Chen on his shoulders cheerfully, "You’d better keep your words."

After that brief exchange was over, Yi Chen, along with Qin Yao, soon left for the arena.

"I’ll be going in then, Brother Chen, you may take a seat over there," Qin Yao said while pointing in a certain direction, "Choose a good one and make sure to not miss my matches!"

With that said, Qin Yao waved his hands and joined the line, which was reserved for participants only.

"Alright," Yi Chen muttered with a smile and turned towards the rows of seats which were placed around the square arena.

Most of the seats near him were filled, so he started walking towards the other side with his eyes scanning for an empty spot.

"Brother Chen! Brother Chen!"

All of a sudden, he noticed a hand being waved at him from one of the seats, which attracted his attention.

"Miss Ning?" Yi Chen raised his eyes in realisation when he saw the person’s appearance, and with a pleasant smile on his face, made his way towards him.

"Greetings, Miss Ning," Yi Chen greeted her with a subtle bow when he came near her.

"Greetings, Brother Chen, please sit," she gestured towards the seat next to her, which was empty.

"Feng Min is participating in today’s knockout matches, so I came here to cheer her from the crowd," Feng Ning explained, and suddenly asked the next moment.

"Speaking of knockout matches, didn’t Brother Chen participate in the ones held for the First Meridian Refinement Stage cultivators? What was its result?"

"No, I didn’t, I was too focused on something else back then," Yi Chen said with an embarrassed smile.

’Besides...I’m already at the Fifth level.’

He wanted to say it out loud, but not wanting to create a scene in public, he withheld that information from her for now.

"Ah...is that so?" Feng Ning responded in a disappointed tone when she heard this.

"Indeed, I came here to witness Qin Yao’s match today," Yi Chen responded the next moment.

A subtle frown appeared on Feng Ning’s face when she heard this and asked, "Isn’t Junior Brother Qin Yao in the Second Level...wait, did he break through to the next level?!"

"Yes, his months of efforts finally paid off, and he entered the Third Level a few weeks ago," Yi Chen said with a smile that contained a hint of pride mixed in it.

"That’s amazing! I’m so glad for him. At the same time..." an amused expression soon formed on Feng Ning’s face as she said, "I can’t wait to see my sister’s expression when she finds that Junior Brother Qin is also competing in today’s matches."

"Haha, that would indeed be fun," Yi Chen too chuckled back as his gaze momentarily glanced through Feng Ning’s status panel.

’Seems like it isn’t just Qin Yao whose efforts have paid off,’

Yi Chen thought to himself while glancing at her Cultivation which had reached the Sixth Level of Meridian Refinement Stage.

The two of them began interacting in miscellaneous things to pass the time, as all the seats were soon filled and the knockout matches finally began.