35: Chapter 35: The first round is a free-for-all; whoever lasts until the end wins!

At this moment in Snow Moon City, crowds were converging on a single location from all directions.

Even those not trained in martial arts wished to witness the grandeur of this Northern Li Jianghu gathering.

The Snow Moon City Grand Competition, held once every five years, had gathered nearly all the Geniuses from the various Schools across the entire Northern Li Jianghu.

And the scale of this one surpassed all previous competitions.

There were also many outstanding young talents from places like Great Qin and the Great Tang.

It was said that many major figures from the Martial Forest had personally arrived at the scene.

Even some who knew their own strength was lacking hoped to be noticed by some esteemed Senior.

While they might not necessarily win the Grand Competition, being accepted into a prestigious School would be akin to ascending to heaven in a single step.

In past Snow Moon City Grand Competitions, there were certainly Jianghu newcomers who came to make a name for themselves.

But never had there been such a spectacular scene.

When Su Rui arrived at the location of the Jingwu Platform with his five Disciples...

Sixteen massive Jingwu Platforms stood in neat rows, imposing and majestic.

Around them were tiered spectator stands, already filled to capacity.

Just then, a young man dressed in Snow Moon City Disciple attire hurried over, bowing respectfully to Su Rui.

This drew the attention of quite a few people.

Immediately after, his gaze was drawn to the five women behind Su Rui.

Various looks of curiosity, envy, and jealousy fell upon Su Rui.

Everyone was speculating about who this young man was, to be accompanied by five women of breathtaking beauty, each with her own distinct charm.

Su Rui wore a Confucian scholar's robe. Though clean and neat, it was clearly old, and the fabric was not of fine quality.

Yet, paired with his face, handsome as a banished immortal, and the starlight-like brilliance in his eyes, his entire person still exuded an extraordinary Aura.

"Senior, Elder Baili requests your presence at the main spectator stand."

Baili Dongjun?

Su Rui gave a slight nod, offering no refusal.

Led by that Snow Moon City Disciple, he headed towards the main spectator stand with Li Hanyi and the others.

The main spectator stand was more spacious, with many seats already occupied by guests.

Attendant maids stood by their sides.

The arrival of Su Rui and his party attracted considerable attention.

Gazes, some cold, some scrutinizing, fell upon Su Rui, all curious about this young man's identity.

Su Rui's expression was calm and composed, a gentle smile still playing on his lips.

His eyes swept over the surroundings, but he did not recognize the origins of these people.

"Teacher!"

As a young Elder of Snow Moon City, Yin Luoxia ultimately could not participate in this Grand Competition.

She had been dissuaded from doing so by the combined efforts of Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng.

Now, seated on the main spectator stand, she immediately rose to greet Su Rui upon seeing him appear.

Behind her, Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng followed suit.

"Teacher?"

Yin Luoxia's form of address caused everyone present to freeze.

Her identity was naturally clear to all.

The daughter of the Gambling King. At the age of ten, she won three consecutive matches at the Thousand Gold Terrace, reclaiming the Gambling King title for her father.

Later, for reasons unknown, she joined Snow Moon City.

Not only was her gambling skill superb, but her martial arts talent was also astonishing.

It was said she was now only a hair's breadth away from the Carefree Heaven Realm.

But no one had ever heard she had a teacher!

Most people were filled with doubt.

Only a few individuals' expressions shifted slightly, vaguely guessing Su Rui's identity.

Their gazes also held a bit more probing intent.

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng approached side by side, clasping their fists in salute.

"There's no need for such courtesy from you two. I also thank you both for the invitation this time!" Su Rui replied softly.

"Your Excellency flatters us!" Baili Dongjun gave a gentle smile. As the current de facto person in charge of Snow Moon City, his response was perfectly measured.

"It was only thanks to Your Excellency's intervention previously that the spread of the plague poison was avoided."

"Didn't you already thank me for that?" Su Rui reminded with a smile.

Baili Dongjun was slightly taken aback.

"Peach Blossom Brew!" Su Rui lightly mentioned.

Only then did Baili Dongjun realize.

"How can a few bottles of wine repay Your Excellency's great kindness? After the Grand Competition concludes, Snow Moon City will surely present a generous gift. Please!"

With that, he personally escorted Su Rui to his seat.

Sikong Changfeng did not accompany them, as his daughter was tugging on his arm, shaking it back and forth.

But in front of so many people, he could only force himself to appear nonchalant.

In the end, unable to withstand his daughter's insistence, he comforted her with a few words, then found an excuse to hurriedly leave.

Leaving Sikong Qianluo stamping her foot in anger on the spot.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Baili Dongjun took his leave.

Yin Luoxia then motioned for an approaching maid to step back, personally standing by Su Rui's side to attend to him.

"You don't need to do this."

Su Rui spoke up.

"This is a Disciple's duty." Yin Luoxia's expression was frank and unashamed, remaining neither servile nor overbearing even under everyone's gaze.

Su Rui smiled helplessly, his gaze sweeping over this grand arena.

On the surrounding spectator stands, probably tens of thousands of people had gathered by now.

Looking across, the crowd was dense and packed.

Even low conversations, gathered together, created a cacophony of noise.

Su Rui naturally attracted the attention of many competitors as well.

After all, those seated on the main spectator stand were either leaders of various factions or masters renowned across the land.

This seemingly frail and scholarly young man before them left some who hadn't yet guessed his identity quite puzzled.

Could he be from the Confucian School?

Not far away, Ji Ruofeng, seated on one side of the main spectator stand, also fixed his gaze on Su Rui.

He had roughly ascertained the sequence of events that had occurred in the city recently.

He had also investigated the reason why Li Hanyi had challenged several major Schools with her sword over the past two days.

And he had heard about the myriad Sword Qi that hovered over Snow Moon City that night.

"It must be him," Ji Ruofeng thought to himself.

His only regret was not having witnessed the soaring Sword Intent of that night with his own eyes.

Thus, he was unable to judge the true strength of the person before him.

But from others' descriptions, this young man had probably already stepped into the Great Freedom realm within the Carefree Heaven Realm.

Such a master was extremely rare in the Jianghu.

Although he currently wasn't on the liangyu list or the hundred weapons ranking, Ji Ruofeng had been gathering information.

Once the lists were released, the guanjue ranking would naturally be revealed as well.

He speculated that if the rumors were true, this person could at least rank within the top five of the guanjue ranking.

Of course, further confirmation was needed.

Just as he was pondering, Su Rui seemed to sense something and turned to look.

Ji Ruofeng was staring at him intently.

Su Rui merely gave a faint smile, nodded slightly, and turned his head back.

Ji Ruofeng couldn't help but sigh softly.

Previously, he had always thought the phrase 'a Young Master unparalleled in the world' was mere hearsay—how could such a person exist?

But just now, with that glance and smile, those words involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Truly, his elegance was matchless, his demeanor extraordinary.

He resolved that no matter what, he must get to know this person.

At that moment, a shout infused with Internal Energy resounded throughout the arena:

"Silence!"

Before the sound even faded, it was as if thunder had exploded above the Jingwu Platform.

Sikong Changfeng stepped forward.

Only when the arena quieted down did he continue speaking.

"This Grand Competition is divided into two rounds. The first round is a screening process."

"All competitors may freely choose one Jingwu Platform. Only one person from each platform will advance."

Sikong Changfeng's explanation was concise and clear.

Su Rui frowned slightly.

"So, it's a melee?"

"That's right, Teacher, it's a melee!"

Sikong Qianluo patted her own small head, answering with a hint of shyness.

"Teacher, the first round is a melee. Whoever lasts until the end wins."

"The losers will have no regrets."

"Although it's possible for several experts to be assigned to the same platform, that's also part of the test. My father says the choice itself is very important!"

Su Rui nodded gently, showing understanding.

"Blades and swords have no eyes, but Snow Moon City hopes everyone will show restraint during the matches, stopping at the appropriate point."

Sikong Changfeng added this final sentence.

Some people breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Others showed expressions of disdain.

In this kind of competition, how could there be no injuries, no bloodshed?

"Understood? Then step onto the platforms!"

Following Sikong Changfeng's command, competitors from all around leaped up, landing on the platforms like flying birds.

Fortunately, the platforms were sufficiently spacious.

As Sikong Changfeng said, everyone could freely choose their platform before the fighting began.

But once the fighting started, platforms could no longer be changed.

Li Hanyi watched as people began ascending the platforms, then turned and bowed solemnly to Su Rui.

"Teacher, I'm going."

Sikong Qianluo, Mu Liangyue, and the other two women also bowed one after another.

"Go ahead. With this competition format, situations where several people join forces to attack one person might occur. Be careful in how you handle it."

Su Rui reminded them.

"Thank you for the reminder, Teacher. But for this first match, I am determined to succeed."

Hearing Su Rui's words, Li Hanyi straightened her back, her eyes filled with determination.

From the main spectator stand, people also began leaping out one after another, flying onto the platforms.

But what drew the crowd's attention the most was still Su Rui's side.

Five young women of stunning beauty leaped into the air simultaneously, like Fairies descending to the mortal realm.

A sight that made one forget all worldly cares.

The five seemed to have agreed beforehand, each flying off in a different direction.

Li Hanyi headed straight for the largest platform in the center, her figure cutting through the air as she landed, her Aura sharp and fierce.

Some recognized her, their expressions changing as they immediately jumped away, switching to other platforms.

Those who didn't know her wore puzzled looks.

This astonishingly beautiful young woman—could she be a master?

Although they didn't recognize Li Hanyi, over the past two days in Snow Moon City, they had long heard of her reputation.

Upon learning that the person before them was the Li Hanyi who had single-handedly challenged several major factions in the city, many people's faces changed dramatically.

Some immediately left this platform, moving to another.

Of course, there were also stubborn ones who disbelieved the rumors, remaining on the platform.

Li Hanyi held her long sword, paying no mind to the surrounding stares.

Those who remained exchanged glances, reaching a tacit understanding.

They would deal with the most troublesome person first.

And at the moment, the most troublesome person was undoubtedly Li Hanyi.

She sensed their intention but remained unmoved.

When no more people leaped onto the platforms, each platform had gathered over a hundred individuals.

If not for the platforms' vastness, they could never have accommodated so many competitors.

Sikong Changfeng waited a moment longer, then formally announced the start.

"Hah, Prairie Fire Hundred Strikes!"

As soon as the words fell, a clear shout rang out first.