He set down the Jade Pendant, his fingertips tapping lightly on the tabletop. "You’re fellow disciples, so you must be familiar with him. Think carefully. Does he have any particularly outstanding qualities? In terms of aptitude, for instance..."

Qi Yun’s hand, holding her teacup, tightened. The cup clinked softly against the tabletop.

"He’s just a country bumpkin. What outstanding qualities could he possibly have?"

Her tone grew impatient. "I’ve interacted with him a few times. That man is as stubborn as a rock. Our Martial Arts Hall, the Weiyuan Martial Arts Hall, and the Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall formed a joint sparring team to get more combat experience before the tournament and prepare better. But we invited him twice, and he refused to join us. All he knows is how to practice his punches alone with his head down."

Qi Yun paused, a flicker of humiliation and anger in her eyes.

She remembered her master had once said she and that Yang Jing fellow were a good match, even suggesting they get together. For someone as proud as Qi Yun, this was the ultimate humiliation.

She’d never told her family. Just thinking about it made her chest tighten.

"Anyway, the guy has no potential and certainly isn’t worth sponsoring," Qi Yun said, shaking her head. "Brother, forget about him."

Seeing his sister’s clear dislike for the man, Qi Kang gave a slight nod and didn’t press the matter. He began toying with the Jade Pendant again. "Alright. I’ll listen to you."

Qi Yun took a deep breath, raised her teacup for a sip, and her tone softened. "If you ask me, if you’re going to sponsor someone, it should be a genius like Lin Yue. He has a superior constitution, and his cultivation speed is astonishing. He’s so young and already about to reach the Peak of Dark Energy. And his aptitude is undeniable—even Master praises his talent. Now *that’s* a prospect worth betting on."

Then, her tone shifted, tinged with regret. "A pity, though. I hear he’s been so brilliant that he’s already caught the eye of the Xiao Family, one of the six great families. They say the Xiao Family is backing him completely now, providing a constant stream of top-tier resources."

Qi Yun clicked her tongue, sounding impressed. "I also heard that a certain Miss Xiao might be married off to Lin Yue. My, oh my. Who knows what the future holds..."

Qi Yun’s voice trailed off. She didn’t finish the thought, but her meaning was perfectly clear.

"I’ve heard about him. That Lin Yue from your Martial Arts Hall is truly remarkable. No wonder the Xiao Family values him so much they’re even willing to promise him one of their daughters," Qi Kang said.

"Tsk, tsk. If Lin Yue really does choose the Xiao Family and become their son-in-law, I’m afraid my master is in for a disappointment," Qi Yun said with a teasing smile.

"Oh?" Qi Kang looked surprised. "How so?"

"Lin Yue is incredibly talented, and my master values him highly. He puts far more effort into teaching him than any of the other Dark Energy disciples. He’s also given him many Elixirs and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Otherwise, even with a superior constitution, there’s no way Lin Yue would be approaching the Peak of Dark Energy so quickly."

Qi Yun said lightly, "Besides his talent, the reason Master values him so much is that, as far as I know, he also intends to match his own daughter, Sun Ningxiang, with Lin Yue. If Lin Yue were to actually marry Sun Ningxiang, I imagine the entire Sun’s Martial Arts Hall would be handed over to him one day."

At this thought, a nameless anger flared within Qi Yun.

She didn’t like Lin Yue much either, but it just felt so unfair.

’Master is going too far.’

’He tries to match his own daughter with a genius like Lin Yue.’

’But for me, he suggests a marriage with a country bumpkin like Yang Jing.’

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

But the thought that Lin Yue and that Miss Xiao were apparently growing closer, and that her master might end up furious as a result, actually made her feel a bit better.

"So there’s that angle to it as well," Qi Kang said, surprised.

Qi Yun hummed in agreement and sighed softly, her voice tinged with envy. "The returns a talent like Lin Yue could bring the Xiao Family in the future can’t be measured in gold or silver. It’s enough to make anyone jealous."

Hearing this, however, Qi Kang gave a cold laugh, his fingers tapping the tabletop. "You need to take a longer view."

Qi Yun froze, frowning. "Brother, what do you mean? Lin Yue is a genius with a superior constitution. It’s a huge win for the Xiao Family to get him on their side. Besides—"

"You should keep your distance from him. Don’t get too close," Qi Kang cut her off, his voice growing serious. "Do you think the six great families all get along? The waters in Yuhe County run deep. Do you really think it’s so easy to be a son-in-law to the Xiao Family?"

At this, Qi Yun’s frown deepened.

Qi Kang stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the deep night. "The Xiao Family has been established for a century; they’ve made countless enemies," he said grimly. "Among the six great families, both the Ye and Li families have a strained relationship with them. With Lin Yue’s talent and constitution, he already had a shot at reaching the Transformation Energy realm. Add the full backing of the Xiao Family, and his chances of breaking through are even higher."

Qi Yun didn’t interrupt, listening intently.

"The Ye and Li families, and many others, have no desire to see the Xiao Family produce another Transformation Energy master. They certainly don’t want to see a promising prospect like Lin Yue, with his potential to reach that realm, become a true member of the Xiao Family," Qi Kang said slowly, his voice cold.

"But—would they dare to make a move against Lin Yue?" Qi Yun looked shocked and incredulous. It was a possibility she had never considered.

"Heh," Qi Kang sneered. "Is there anything the six great families of Yuhe County wouldn’t dare to do? Any discerning person can see Lin Yue has the potential to reach the Transformation Energy realm. Once he marries a Xiao daughter, he’s no longer a ’sponsored genius’—he’s one of their own. With news spreading that he’s about to marry into the family, how many pairs of eyes do you think are watching his every move right now?"

Qi Yun swallowed, her shock unconcealed. "Surely it’s not that serious? Besides, this is all just your own speculation, brother."

"Do you think I’d be saying this if I hadn’t heard certain rumors? The tree that stands tallest is the first to be struck by the wind." Qi Kang turned, his gaze sharp as it landed on Qi Yun. "Someone who draws too much attention, without a strong enough foundation to protect them, might not make it to the end. Remember what I said. If this Lin Yue continues to get closer to the Xiao Family, you keep your distance. Don’t get yourself, or our Qi Family, dragged into a clash between the six great families."

Qi Yun sat stunned in her chair, the proverb—*the tree that stands tallest is the first to be struck by the wind*—echoing in her mind. She was speechless, a sudden chill running down her back.

....

「The next day, September 1st.」

It was also the first day of the tournament.

Before the sky had fully brightened, a faint light flickered on in a small courtyard in Tongyi Square.

Yang An rose and tiptoed to the kitchen, careful not to wake Yang Jing, who had been training late into the night.

He skillfully set up two clay pots, chopped nearly two pounds of tiger meat into chunks, and tossed in a handful of spices. He set it to simmer on a low flame, and soon the scent of herbs and meat began to drift through the courtyard.

At the same time, he took pre-sliced ginseng from a porcelain box, added astragalus root, goji berries, and other medicinal herbs, and set them to stew in the second pot.

By the time Yang Jing woke up, the table was already set with a warm meal: the tiger meat and a bowl of thick, medicinal soup.

After they ate, Yang Jing got up to pack, placing a waterskin and other items into his cloth bag.

Yang An’s lips moved as he watched Yang Jing tie his bag shut. Finally, he managed to get the words out. "Brother Jing, good luck!"

Yang Jing looked at his honest, reserved cousin with a warm glint in his eyes. He smiled and nodded. "Don’t worry. I know."

With that, he picked up his bag and strode out the courtyard gate.

Yang An watched Yang Jing’s retreating figure. His lips moved, but he didn’t say what was on his mind.

’Grandfather, Mother, Second Aunt, and a bunch of people from the village probably followed Yang the Third to the county seat before dawn.’

’But I didn’t tell him. I was afraid it would put too much pressure on him.’

The time it takes to burn an incense stick later, Yang Jing arrived at Chengping Square and pushed open the main gate of Sun’s Martial Arts Hall.

In the front courtyard, a few servant disciples were arranging stone locks and other training equipment. Seeing Yang Jing walk in, they weren’t surprised and called out greetings.

"Senior Brother Yang, you’re here."

"Morning, Senior Brother Yang."

Yang Jing stepped into the dew-covered courtyard. Hearing their greetings, he gave a slight nod in acknowledgment to the servant disciples.