"Whether a city flourishes in the years to come rests on the caliber of its younger generation. For this Martial Contest, I will serve as judge. Anyone who can break into Yun City's top eight earns a Reward."

"Among Yun City's younger generation, the eight who placed highest in strength last session were Liu Zhi of the Liu Family, Lin Dongxue of the City Lord's Manor, Wu Feiming of the Wu Family, Qin Guang of the Qin Family, Liu Changyu of the Liu Family, Qin Yi of the Qin Family, Wu Ding of the Wu Family, and Qian Rulong of the Qian Family."

"The rules are the same as before, split into two parts. The first is the preliminary round. Anyone but last session's top eight may register. The five who finish at the top may then challenge the previous top eight. Win, and you take their place in the rankings."

"The second part is a direct challenge to the top eight. So long as you possess strength of Yellow Rank Third Grade or above, you need not enter the preliminaries-you may challenge outright. And if in the end no one challenges the top eight, then tonight's eight contestants will fight the finals directly, to settle this year's Mid-Autumn Conference Martial Contest rankings."

"The Martial Contest begins. Those entering the preliminaries, go to the side platform on the left. Those above Yellow Rank Third Grade who wish to challenge last session's top eight, step onto the main stage. Let the Martial Contest begin!" City Lord Lin Xiao's voice rang out, and the drummers waiting in the distance swung their sticks at once, the war drums booming-dong, dong, dong.

"Haha, Brother Tang, the Tang Family is counted among Yun City's four great families, yet not one of you made the younger generation's eight great experts. I'm ashamed to be named alongside the Tang Family among the four!" The arena bouts had not even begun when Liu Wuhui pointed at Tang Ling and laughed, his mockery thick.

At Old Master Liu's words, every gaze swung back to where the Tang Family sat. This year's Mid-Autumn Conference, with the Tang and Liu Families at each other's throats, had turned uncommonly lively.

Fortunately, Old Master Tang had braced himself well in advance. Far from angry, he smiled and tossed the jab right back. "When Yan'er entered the Literary Competition, your Liu Family sneered at us too-and in the end wasn't it my Tang Family that swept first place? An old dog who can't read the wind and just barks away should have learned to hold his tongue long ago."

Polished as Old Master Liu's composure was, he nearly leapt from his seat. After several deep breaths he finally smoothed his temper, shot Tang Ling a cold glance, and sneered, "The Martial Contest isn't the Literary Competition. If my memory serves, your grandson is only Origin Rank Eighth Grade-he doesn't even qualify to challenge the top eight. Such a grand Tang Family, and not a single worthy successor. How pitiful."

"Liu, you old dog, whose family did you say has no successor?" Tang Yan had always been Yun City's foremost wastrel, and he wore that shameless, rascally air with perfect ease. He jabbed a finger straight at Liu Wuhui's nose and began to curse.

"Insolent wretch!" Liu Wuhui flew into a rage on the spot, and the rest of the Liu Family fixed Tang Yan with hostile glares.

"Enough!" Just as the two families looked ready to come to blows, the City Lord cut in, displeased. "The Mid-Autumn Conference Martial Contest is for friendly sparring. There's no call to stir up a feud between your houses. Cursing and snarling in front of all Yun City's kinfolk-what kind of conduct is that?"

At the City Lord's rebuke, the Liu Family could hardly press the matter. But before so many eyes, Old Master Liu had been called an old dog by Tang Yan. If they failed to win back face, the Liu Family would lose face in Yun City all over again.

Liu He rose. "City Lord, calm your anger. My Liu Family only saw that the Tang Family has no worthy successor and felt pity in our hearts. We meant no harm."

"Well said, eldest brother. After all, a clan's sole direct heir still standing at mere Origin Rank Eighth Grade by now-against an Origin Rank Ninth Grade he might yet put up a fight, but face a Yellow Rank martial artist and what is he but a punching bag?" Liu Jing chimed in from the side, playing along.

"Nonsense. That son of yours last time-Liu Quan, wasn't it, Yellow Rank First Grade? Didn't I still beat him down like a dog?" Tang Yan shot back at once.

The muscles in Liu Jing's face jerked violently. The son he had pinned such hopes on had had his Dantian crippled by this brat, doomed to hold at Yellow Rank First Grade for the rest of his life. He roared, "Last time Quan'er was careless and fell for your tricks! In a fair, open fight, you brat would have been sent off to reincarnate long ago!"

"Quit your damn bragging. Of your Liu Family's Yellow Ranks, send one and I'll cripple one, send two and I'll cripple the pair!" Tang Yan declared, brazen.

At his words, the Liu Family trembled with fury.

"Since Young Master Tang is so formidable, why not a wager?" A flicker of murderous intent crossed Liu He's eyes. "My Liu Family will field one Yellow Rank First Grade martial artist. Beat him, and my Liu Family will stake three Tier 3 Beast Cores. Lose, and your Tang Family owes my Liu Family three Tier 3 Beast Cores. How about it?" So long as Tang Yan dared accept, he would make the brat regret it.

Three Tier 3 Beast Cores were no small fortune, and Young Master Tang truly was tempted.

But if he agreed too readily, and his grandfather raised no objection, might the other side grow wary and go back on the bet?

Seeing his grandson waver, how could Tang Ling not read his mind? He shot to his feet with a whoosh, leveled a finger at Liu He, and cursed, "You shameless dog, have you no face at all? Why don't the two of us go at it-lose, and I'll give you a hundred Tier 3 Beast Cores."

Liu He gave a sheepish smile. Trading blows with Old Master Tang-that he truly did not dare.

But he was unwilling to let such a fine chance to be rid of Tang Yan slip by, and he goaded, "The young one's so full of confidence, yet the old one's gone soft? The Tang Family grows more spineless by the year! Dare or not-give a straight answer. If you don't dare, then have Tang Yan apologize to my Liu Family!"

Lin Xiao made no further move to halt the quarrel. His face was still as an ancient well, but inwardly he burned with curiosity over whether the Tang Family would take the bet, so he held his tongue and watched in silence.

"There's no need to worry, Grandfather. If Liu Quan couldn't manage it, the rest surely can't withstand a single blow!" Tang Yan said, itching for the fight.

"Fine, then-be careful. If you're no match, just yield of your own accord." Old Master Tang feigned reluctance and agreed.

Tang Yan and Old Master Tang traded lines back and forth, and within a few sentences they had everyone truly convinced that Tang Yan held no more than Origin Rank Eighth Grade strength.

"City Lord, the hour is still early. Why not let Liu Xing and Tang Yan spar on the stage first?" Liu Wuhui rose and said.

Both families had agreed, and this was just the sort of spectacle Yun City loved to watch, so Lin Xiao did not refuse. "Since Old Liu asks it, I'll make an exception this once. But fists and feet have no eyes-mind you stop short, and no deliberate wounding. The moment one side yields, no further attacks are allowed. Violators will be punished severely!"

"Liu Xing, go up and trade a few pointers with Young Master Tang." Liu He summoned a clan disciple and murmured, "Don't give Tang Yan the chance to cry surrender."

Liu Xing nodded and strode toward the arena, long spear in hand.

Liu Xing was not tall, but his frame was thick and solid, like a small iron tower.

"Ai, Tang Yan's got a fair bit of flair, but he's a little short on brains. Below Yellow Rank, they're all ants. Last time, the way I heard it, Liu Quan simply didn't know he was Origin Rank Eighth Grade and got caught off guard-and now the fool really thinks he's something."

"Right. At Origin Rank Eighth Grade, he won't last ten moves." The crowd murmured back and forth, deep in eager speculation.

Once both were ready, Lin Xiao announced the start.