The Martial Artists on the training grounds began to stream toward the outside of the enclosure.

Yang Jing also stood up, patting the dust from his lapels. He blended into the crowd and headed for the exit.

The afternoon sun shone through the sparse clouds, casting long shadows across the training grounds.

He followed the throng out of the enclosure, preparing to meet up with his master.

Just as Yang Jing walked out of the enclosure, he saw Xu Hong walking toward him.

The matches in the eighth ring had also concluded. As a Peak of Dark Energy Martial Artist, Xu Hong’s advancement was a foregone conclusion. He was now looking at Yang Jing with a calm gaze.

"Junior Brother Yang, you’re looking steady." Xu Hong spoke first, his tone carrying a note of praise.

Yang Jing cupped his hands. "It was just a stroke of luck. I must also thank you for your earlier guidance, Senior Brother."

"Don’t mention it," Xu Hong said with a smile and a wave of his hand. The two walked side-by-side toward the gathering spot for the Sun’s Martial Arts Hall members. "To advance so easily in the second round, defeating a Peak of Mingjin master in three steady moves, shows your foundation is truly solid. But the afternoon matches are what’s crucial. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and then the final to determine the ring’s champion—every single match will be a tough fight."

Yang Jing nodded. "You’re right, Senior Brother. I’ll be careful."

Xu Hong paused and turned to look at him, his expression growing more serious. "Be especially careful of Shen Lie. I just watched two more of his fights. His Dark Energy has reached its peak, his fist techniques are tyrannical, and he shows no mercy when he strikes. There’s a gap between your realms. If you really run into him..."

He paused, his tone becoming heavier. "Whatever you do, don’t try to tough it out. Shen Lie’s Mountain-Breaking Fist is incredibly fierce and powerful. Once he gets the upper hand, it’s very easy to get injured. If things look bad, concede immediately. Protecting yourself is what matters most. The tournament happens every year, but your life and strength can’t be so easily thrown away."

Every word was sincere, clearly spoken out of genuine concern for him.

Yang Jing was touched. ’I haven’t interacted much with this senior brother before, but he’s a surprisingly good guy.’ He then solemnly cupped his hands again. "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother. I understand."

Seeing that Yang Jing had taken his words to heart, Xu Hong breathed a sigh of relief. He added, "Don’t underestimate Chen Wu and Qian Feng either. Chen Wu is ruthless, and Qian Feng’s Body Technique is slippery. You’ll need to be on your highest alert when facing them."

"Mm, I’ll keep that in mind," Yang Jing replied.

Chatting as they went, the two made their way through the crowd. In the distance, they could see the gathering place for the Sun’s Martial Arts Hall, with the faint figure of their master, Sun Yong, among them.

The disciples of the Sun’s Martial Arts Hall gathered, and the area quickly grew lively.

All six Dark Energy disciples had successfully advanced to the third round, while the seventeen Mingjin Disciples gathered in small groups.

Seven or eight of the eliminated Mingjin Disciples sat to one side, looks of disappointment on their faces.

They hadn’t expected to make it to the end anyway. They had come to the tournament with the mindset that participation was what counted. If they happened to catch the eye of some dignitary or noble, that would be even better.

Though defeat was expected, now that it had actually happened, they couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholy.

"Sigh, I’m still so far behind," a square-faced man sighed. "That guy surnamed Li hit me with one punch, and my arm is still numb."

His companion clapped him on the shoulder. "Come on, at our level, it’s good enough that we made it past the first round. Look at our senior brothers in the Dark Energy realm. Now that’s real skill."

Despite his words, his tone held a hint of relief. They never expected to make the list anyway. A loss was a loss. They would just go back and train harder.

As for the Mingjin Disciples who had advanced to the third round, they were all flushed with excitement, practically spitting with every word.

"You should have seen it! My opponent was all for show. He looked tough, but he was useless. I kicked him right off the stage!" A young disciple named Wei Maolin gestured wildly, drawing a round of laughter from those around him.

Someone else sidled up to Lin Yue, their face full of admiration. "Senior Brother Lin, you must be confident about the afternoon matches. I’ve been watching the other Dark Energy fighters in the third ring, and I don’t think any of them are a match for you!"

Yang Jing had just reached the edge of the crowd when someone clapped him on the back.

"Junior Brother!" Liu Maolin came over, his face alight with excitement, a waterskin in his hand. "I just ran over to watch your match! Those three punches were so steady—much cleaner than my fight this morning!"

Yang Jing took out his own waterskin, took a sip, and smiled. "Didn’t you also advance easily, Senior Brother?"

"Hehe, lucky, just lucky," Liu Maolin said, scratching his head, though he couldn’t hide the pride on his face. "I ran into a guy who was about to break through to Dark Energy. He trained in the Iron Cloth Shirt. The guy was tough as leather, but I still put him down in a few punches."

The two chatted back and forth about the morning’s matches. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling their forms, and the surrounding sounds of laughter and conversation helped to dilute the tension of the competition.

Sun Yong sat in the large chair in the center, watching the scene unfold. He nodded slightly, turned to say something to Sun Ningxiang, and then Sun Ningxiang began to take a headcount of the disciples.

"Senior Brother," Yang Jing said, looking toward where Master Sun Yong was seated and asking casually, "you were in the second ring, so close to Master. Didn’t you feel any pressure while fighting on stage?"

Hearing this, Liu Maolin couldn’t help but chuckle. He glanced over at Sun Yong and lowered his voice. "Pressure? I’d be lying if I said there was none, but Master’s attention wasn’t on me at all."

As he spoke, he jutted his chin toward the third ring and shot a look at Lin Yue in the crowd.

"Did you see? Nine times out of ten, Master’s gaze was glued to Junior Brother Lin Yue. My second ring was right there, right under his nose, but he didn’t even ask how I did. He was staring at Junior Brother Lin Yue the whole time."

Yang Jing followed his gaze and saw that Sun Yong was indeed talking to Lin Yue. His face showed clear concern, and he would occasionally raise a hand to demonstrate a stance, his expression focused.

"So that’s how it is." Yang Jing had a moment of realization, then smiled and shook his head.

Lin Yue was exceptionally talented, only a step away from the Peak of Dark Energy. He was also widely acknowledged as the disciple most likely to pass the tournament. It was only natural that the master valued him so highly.

After all, the Martial Arts Hall hadn’t had a disciple make the final rankings for many years. Sun Yong was anxious and pinning his hopes on his most outstanding student. This was perfectly normal.

Liu Maolin pouted. "Isn’t that the truth. But it’s fine by me. With no one watching, I actually fought more freely."

He patted Yang Jing’s arm. "You, on the other hand... I heard that Shen Lie from the Po Mountain Martial Arts Hall is in the seventh ring. You need to be careful this afternoon."

Yang Jing nodded without saying more, his gaze sweeping past Lin Yue, his heart calm and undisturbed.

’How others are valued has nothing to do with me. I just need to walk my own path and fight every match well.’

Sun Ningxiang counted everyone, and after confirming all the disciples had arrived, she walked to Sun Yong’s side and said softly, "Father, everyone’s here."

Sun Yong grunted in acknowledgment, stood up from the large chair, and brushed the dust from his lapels. "Let’s go. We’ll eat first."

The disciples responded and followed Sun Yong out of the training grounds.

The afternoon streets were growing crowded. The group from the Martial Arts Hall, dressed in their matching uniforms and walking with steady gaits, attracted quite a few sidelong glances from passersby.

Before long, Sun Yong led the group to a stop in front of a large restaurant called "Ju Xian Pavilion."

The restaurant was three stories high with vermilion doors and brass knockers. A gilded plaque hung above the entrance, signaling its high-class status.

"Master, this place can’t be cheap, can it?" Xu Hong couldn’t help but mutter from the side.

Sun Yong didn’t turn around, only saying lightly, "Today, you eat your fill. You still have matches this afternoon. You need a good meal."

Seeing so many customers arrive, a waiter hurried over to greet them.

Sun Yong asked for the largest private room directly. Pushing open the door, they found a spacious and bright room with two round tables. The spot by the window offered a view of the street.

The disciples took their seats according to seniority. Sun Yong sat at the head of the table with Sun Ningxiang next to him. The Dark Energy disciples, including Lin Yue, Xu Hong, Zhao Wenzheng, Qi Yun, Liu Maolin, and Yang Jing, sat on either side. A few older disciples at the Peak of Mingjin also sat at this table.

The rest of the Mingjin Disciples all sat at the other round table.

Yang Jing’s gaze swept past the window, taking in the street scene outside. Suddenly, he froze for a moment and stood up instinctively.