?

The next day, before the sun had fully risen and the rooster had only just crowed, Old Master Tang was already standing outside the main gate.

This was the seventh day in a row he had done so.

The season had already reached late autumn, and early winter was drawing near. Even Old Master Tang, a Black Rank Ninth Grade expert, had put on a padded robe.

Time slipped by little by little. Dew gathered on his hair and brows, but he was in no mood to wipe it away. The anxiety on his face only deepened.

Today was the day Yun City would choose its candidates for the Eastern Region Grand Competition, yet his grandson still had not returned.

It was not that he feared Tang Yan would miss the selection. Rather, according to their agreement, that brat should have been back by now. Two full months had passed without even a single word. Had something happened to him?

For a moment, Old Master Tang regretted it. Back then, he should never have agreed to Tang Yan's request so hastily.

At the hour of si, Uncle Mo walked out from the courtyard and said softly, "Old Master, Young Master has already reached Yellow Rank Seventh Grade. Second-Rank Spirit Beasts should not pose too great a threat to him. Even if he cannot defeat one, he should still be able to flee. Besides, Young Master said his master would protect him in secret. Young Master will certainly return."

"Ah, it has been two whole months!" Before Uncle Mo, his old companion of many years, Old Master Tang did not hide the worry in his heart.

"Perhaps Young Master lost track of the days. If Young Master still has not returned by tomorrow, we shall send out all our elites to Cangyun Mountain to search for him," Uncle Mo suggested.

"That is all we can do." Old Master Tang nodded. He glanced at the sky and instructed, "The selection for the Eastern Region Grand Competition is about to begin as well. Though Tang Yan has not arrived, we must still attend such an important event. Make preparations. We will go and have a look."

The two old men brought several Tang Family attendants with them, boarded a carriage, and headed toward the Cloud Platform at the heart of Yun City.

The Cloud Platform stood in the center of Yun City. It was an arena of roughly two thousand square meters, built from fragmented ironstone. Incomparably sturdy, it could withstand a full-force strike from a Heaven Rank expert.

On ordinary days, it was rarely opened. Even during the Mid-Autumn Conference, the Cloud Platform had not been used.

Only when something of great importance occurred, or when Yun City's honor was at stake, would this arena be opened.

At this moment, the center of Yun City was bustling beyond measure. Most of the city's people had set aside their work for the time being and were gathering there one after another.

There were only three places for the competition this time.

In the eyes of Yun City's people, one of those places would certainly go to Liu Zhi of the Liu Family, and another to the City Lord's daughter, Lin Dongxue.

The greatest point of interest this time was who among the younger generation of the great families would seize the one remaining place.

Qin He of the Qin Family, Wu Feiming of the Wu Family, and Tang Yan of the Tang Family were all popular candidates in Yun City.

This was also the first time Tang Yan had been placed alongside outstanding youths like Qin He and Wu Feiming in a formal occasion.

After all, Tang Yan's duel with Liu Zhi last time had shocked everyone far too deeply. With Yellow Rank Sixth Grade strength, he had been able to contend against someone at Yellow Rank Ninth Grade. Such courage and strength were not things an ordinary person could possess.

Of course, there were others whom Yun City's people also had expectations for, such as Qian Rulong of the Qian Family, Zhao Chen of the Zhao Family, and Li Xingfeng of the Li Family. It was said that all of them had also reached Yellow Rank Sixth Grade.

By the time Old Master Tang arrived, the people from the other four great families were already present.

As one of Yun City's four great families, the Tang Family's standing was now rather delicate. The Tang Family had originally ranked last among the four great families, yet now everyone regarded it as the only family capable of contending with the Liu Family.

Seeing the Tang Family arrive, the onlookers ahead immediately opened a path.

Soon after, puzzled looks appeared on many faces.

Where was Tang Yan, the one they had also thought highly of?

This discovery quickly spread through the crowd. Gazes kept falling on the Tang Family's seats, and from time to time, people pointed and whispered.

Perhaps the impression of Tang Yan as a wastrel young master had been too deeply rooted. Although his battle with Liu Zhi had been stunning, most of the talk now was that Tang Yan did not dare to participate.

There were also rumors claiming that Tang Yan had never possessed Yellow Rank Sixth Grade strength at all. Last time, he had merely relied on some Dharma Treasure to forcefully raise his strength. Now that the Dharma Treasure had been used up, he naturally could not fight.

Some rumors went even further, saying that Tang Yan had not shown himself for two months because he had suffered severe hidden injuries in his duel with Liu Zhi, and that no one knew whether he was alive or dead.

Rumors grew fierce when repeated by many mouths. The Tang Family had not even been present for fifteen minutes before these seemingly absurd claims quietly spread through the crowd-and some people truly believed them.

Seeing that nearly everyone had arrived, City Lord Lin Xiao stepped onto the Cloud Platform.

After sweeping his gaze around, his eyes paused for a moment on the Tang Family's seats. He also found it strange.

Where exactly had Tang Yan gone?

The informants in his residence truly had not found any news of Tang Yan for two months.

The boy had vanished as if from the face of the earth. Could it be that, as the rumors said, he had really died?

But when Lin Xiao thought of his previous dealings with Tang Yan, he found the idea utterly absurd.

Tang Yan looked extremely young, yet his steadiness in handling matters and his clarity in seeing through situations were far beyond ordinary people. How could such a monstrous brat die so easily?

Tang Yan had not come, but Lin Xiao could not wait especially for him. Gathering his thoughts, he cleared his throat and said in a loud voice, "One month from now will be the Eastern Region Grand Competition. This is a trial of the younger generation among the cities of the Eastern Region, and it concerns the honor of our Yun City!"

"Our Yun City has three places to send competitors. Since this concerns Yun City's honor, we must choose the finest talents in our city! Those ultimately selected will represent Yun City in battle!

"If you achieve brilliant results in the Eastern Region Grand Competition, not only will your name resound through the Eastern Region, you will also receive a generous Return, and Yun City will share in your glory!"

Lin Xiao's words carried great force. Among the young people present, more than a few felt their blood begin to heat.

To represent Yun City and fight for honor-was this not precisely the kind of thing young people often dreamed of?

"This selection will not be limited by status, nor will it ask whether one's birth is rich or poor. So long as you are a person of Yun City, and so long as you have confidence in your own strength, you may register to participate!"

As soon as Lin Xiao said this, many young people's eyes lit up.

They had originally thought they had no chance to take part, but who would have expected the selection to be so open?

Compared to the liveliness at the Cloud Platform, the Tang Family estate was much quieter.

"Ah!"

Tang Yan had just finished refining pills. After washing up and changing his clothes, he was about to go look for his grandfather when he heard a scream.

That piercingly clear woman's cry truly gave Tang Yan a start. He glared at Xiaocui in displeasure. "It's broad daylight. Why are you screaming like you've seen a ghost?"

"Young Master! You really came back?" Xiaocui's eyes went wide, as if she truly had seen a ghost.

Hearing her words, Tang Yan said irritably, "It's only been two months. You don't even recognize me anymore?"

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