Chapter 50: The Tri-Origin Martial Gathering

Silver Moon City.

At this moment, the newly decorated City Lord's Mansion was adorned with lanterns and colorful streamers, radiating a festive and joyous atmosphere. People came and went in an endless stream of carriages and horses, creating an immensely bustling scene.

Most of those who had arrived at the City Lord's Mansion converged toward the center of the main plaza. In the middle of the plaza stood a raised arena constructed specifically for martial arts duels. Surrounding it were spectator stands of various sizes, packed to capacity with enthusiastic guests and friends.

Inside the largest spectator stand, three powerful figures at the Soul Molding Realm sat prominently in the center. Right in the middle sat a fierce-looking, stocky middle-aged man with a thick, bushy beard. Despite his menacing appearance, his face was wreathed in broad smiles. He was none other than the City Lord of Silver Moon City, Xiong Yinghao.

The City Lord's Mansion was so lively today because the Tri-Origin Martial Gathering was about to commence.

The Tri-Origin Martial Gathering was held once every three years. In previous editions, Xiong Yinghao had always remained calm and indifferent. Only this time was he filled with unprecedented excitement. His son, Xiong Chumo, had already been pre-selected as an inner disciple of the Qingtian Sword Sect. Therefore, during this Tri-Origin Martial Gathering, his son would be the true protagonist. Even though his admission was already secured, the formal procedures of the gathering still had to be observed.

Seated to his left and right were the patriarchs of the Ouyang and Dongfang families, respectively. Ouyang Xiu of the Ouyang family, at the sixth layer of the Origin Sea Realm, had also been pre-selected to enter the Hunyuan Sword Sect. Dongfang Yu of the Dongfang family, at the fifth layer of the Origin Sea Realm, had been pre-selected to enter the Azure Cloud Sect. In recent years, Silver Moon City had produced a bumper crop of supreme talents, resulting in a rare three pre-selected slots.

The Tri-Origin Martial Gathering was divided into three tiers: the Heaven Origin, the Earth Origin, and the Human Origin. His son, Xiong Chumo, claimed the Heaven Origin position. Ouyang Xiu occupied the Earth Origin position. Dongfang Yu held the Human Origin position.

In past Tri-Origin Martial Gatherings, fierce battles always had to be fought before the top three positions could be decided. But this time, the three major sects had long since pre-determined the slots. Consequently, the Heaven, Earth, and Human Origins already had their rightful owners. Everything was a tacit understanding among them. Whether it was the Xiong family, the Ouyang family, or the Dongfang family, everyone knew the score in their hearts, yet no one would dare to break the silence.

Today's Tri-Origin Martial Gathering remained lively all the same because the other lesser families within Silver Moon City and various external forces in the surrounding areas were still entirely unaware of this news.

Just as the Tri-Origin Martial Gathering was about to officially open, a black carriage slowly drove into Silver Moon City.

"It's been quite a few years since I last came to Silver Moon City. Still the same old look, hasn't changed a bit..."

The large black cat lay lazily on the carriage, letting out a sigh.

The large black horse turned its head and glared back with an expression of annoyance.

"Lord Horse, it was my big mouth. I'm just a cat now, I shouldn't be running my mouth so much."

Panicked, the large black cat hurriedly raised a paw and slapped its own furry face. Before entering the city, the large black horse had repeatedly instructed it that this place was crowded with people of all backgrounds, so it should speak as little as possible. The moment the large black cat entered the city, it had completely thrown those words to the back of its mind.

Su Wanyi, sitting inside the carriage as well, could not help but smile gently as she watched the large black cat punish itself. "Senior Cat, there is truly no need to punish yourself like this."

Not daring to speak aloud, the large black cat shook its head frantically and hastily transmitted its voice mentally, " Eldest Miss, please never call me Senior Cat. Just call me Little Cat from now on." The large black cat said in a fluster.

"Senior Cat, your seniority is higher than mine, and you even saved my life. I cannot break the proper etiquette," Su Wanyi said with a soft smile.

The large black cat shook its head repeatedly, refusing to relent no matter what. "Eldest Miss, if you insist on calling me senior, how could I ever face the Sect Master? How about this, you can just call me Little Black. Don't worry, my cat-skin is thick enough!"

Su Wanyi: "..."

Having no other way to deal with it, Su Wanyi could only shake her head with a bitter smile.

After entering the city, the large black horse seemed to know the way intimately, navigating a series of winding streets before pulling up in front of a towering structure. Su Wanyi looked up and saw a grand and imposing vermilion gate, decorated everywhere with lanterns and ribbons. With throngs of people coming and going, the scene was exceptionally bustling. A massive golden plaque stood proudly above the gate, inscribed with three large, striking characters: "City Lord's Mansion."

"The Tri-Origin Martial Gathering is being held right here. Su Wanyi, go and participate!"

Just as Su Wanyi was feeling puzzled, the voice of the Old Ancestor suddenly echoed in her ear.

"What is the Tri-Origin Martial Gathering?"

Su Wanyi felt a wave of internal confusion. However, since the Old Ancestor had given the command, she dared not disobey. Su Wanyi quickly stepped down from the carriage and walked toward the entrance of the City Lord's Mansion.

Ye Yun opened his eyes, gazed at Su Wanyi's departing back, and gently instructed, "Little Cat, you go along with her too."

"You got it, Master!"

The large black cat was instantly overjoyed. Transforming into a streak of black light from the carriage, it immediately landed on Su Wanyi's shoulder. Having shrunk down to the size of a palm, its two black, jewel-like eyes darted around briskly. Cradled on Su Wanyi's shoulder, it looked exceptionally adorable.

Recalling the teachings of the large black horse, the large black cat immediately suppressed its cultivation aura. To the casual observer, it now looked just like an ordinary, tiny kitten.

"Lord Horse, do you think I look alright like this?"

The large black cat specifically sent a mental transmission to the large black horse to check.

"Acceptable... Remember, your only task is to protect the safety of the Eldest Miss. You must maintain a low profile and never steal the limelight from the Eldest Miss!"

Nearby, the large black horse bared its teeth and likewise sent a mental transmission, affirming the low-profile behavior of the black cat.

Su Wanyi felt something land gently on her shoulder. Looking down, she was surprised to find that it was the large black cat. Before Su Wanyi could speak, the large black cat grinned and sent a mental transmission with a smile, "Eldest Miss, you don't need to speak out loud. It was the Master who told me to follow along."

Su Wanyi nodded gently, a wave of warmth washing over her heart, filling her with infinite emotion. It was because the Old Ancestor was worried about her safety that he had sent the large black cat to stay by her side and protect her.

The moment Su Wanyi appeared outside the gates of the City Lord's Mansion, her dazzling golden Daoist robe instantly captivated the gazes of the crowd. With her slender, graceful figure and a red precious sword strapped across her back, she exuded a valiant and heroic aura. Her breathtaking beauty and peerless grace were simply beyond the power of words to describe.

"This elder sister, may I ask if you are also here to participate in the Tri-Origin Martial Gathering?"

A young girl in green robes, carrying a treasured sword on her back, hurried forward by two steps to catch up with Su Wanyi, asking with a bright smile.

"Yes!" Su Wanyi nodded.

This green-robed young girl appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, roughly the same age as Luo Li, but her cultivation base was remarkably high, having already reached the second layer of the Origin Sea Realm. She possessed a plump, apple-round face, a pair of watery, bright eyes, and long, fluttering eyelashes, making her look exceptionally cute.

"That's just wonderful! Elder sister, I'm here to participate in the Tri-Origin Martial Gathering too!" the green-robed girl said with a smile.

"Then let's go together."

Su Wanyi smiled, and the two of them walked side by side toward the City Lord's Mansion.

Entering the estate, Su Wanyi looked around, pondering her next step. At that moment, she heard the green-robed girl beside her say with a smile, "Elder sister, judging by your appearance, this must be your first time attending the Tri-Origin Martial Gathering, right?"

Su Wanyi nodded. Although the Old Ancestor had brought her here and she was now inside the City Lord's Mansion, she was still completely clueless and knew absolutely nothing about this so-called Tri-Origin Martial Gathering.

With smiling eyes and arched brows, the green-robed girl eagerly explained, "The Tri-Origin Martial Gathering is held once every three years by all the major forces surrounding Silver Moon City. Anyone under the age of twenty with a cultivation base in the Origin Sea Realm is eligible to participate. The top three finishers of the gathering represent the Heaven Origin, Earth Origin, and Human Origin. Not only will these three receive generous rewards from the City Lord, but they will also catch the eye of powerful sects and be recruited as inner disciples."

Listening to the green-robed girl's introduction, Su Wanyi nodded. She finally had a basic understanding of what the Tri-Origin Martial Gathering was all about.

Boom!

Not far away, a sudden, loud explosion rang out, instantly followed by enthusiastic cheers and applause from the surrounding crowd.

The green-robed girl looked toward that direction, her face lighting up with excitement. Tugging gently at the hem of Su Wanyi's robe, she smiled and said, "Elder sister, over there is the Force-Testing Stone. Let's hurry over and test our strength!"