Ye Xiaofan and Ye Xiaoyue headed for Star Moon City at the same time.
Two miles outside Star Moon City, at the top of a certain mountain peak.
Two figures stood quietly atop the forest, overlooking the oldest and largest Martial Arts Arena at the center of Star Moon City.
It was already a sea of people, and the stands, capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands of cultivators, were nearly full.
This was one of the most glorious tournaments in the history of Star Moon City. Some prodigious talents would make a name for themselves today, stepping into a broader world.
"Star Moon City hasn't seen a scene like this for centuries. Remember the last time? It was when you participated in the tournament. In the blink of an eye, hundreds of years have passed; how things have changed."
Beside Dugu Nan, the middle-aged man looked down at the ancient city with continuous sighs.
Dugu Nan stood with his hands behind his back, recalling the year when he amazed everyone with a single sword move at that Martial Arts Arena, successfully entering the Divine Sword Sect, thus beginning his path as a Sword Saint.
The middle-aged man finished his lament and, as if recalling something, couldn't help but look at Dugu Nan.
"By the way, you said you passed 'Sword Break' to a young boy in the forest half a month ago. How about it? Who is more likely to become your disciple, that boy or Ye Xiaotian?"
Faced with the middle-aged man's inquiry, Dugu Nan remained silent.
"Haha."
The man shook his head in disappointment, smiling wryly and helplessly.
"I understand, neither of them caught your eye. After all, how could the chosen heir of Nanming's number one Sword Dao master be found so easily?"
"Or is it that you favor Ye Xiaotian a bit more?"
Seeing Dugu Nan still silent, the man wasn't upset but just shook his head slightly, saying:
"Brother Nan, if I may, aren't you being too harsh on the two of them?"
"In such a short half-month, who in the entire Nanming Country could comprehend the Sword Intent of 'Sword Break'?"
"Unless it's a Sword Dao genius whose talent rivals yours."
Dugu Nan, hearing this, finally showed emotion, with regret in his eyes, he sighed: "I don't expect them to comprehend Sword Intent, but if they can grasp even a trick of 'Sword Break,' that would be sufficient."
After he spoke, he coughed repeatedly, evident that he, knowing his time was short, had drastically lowered his expectations.
Unbeknownst to him, a pearl of wisdom covered in dust was slowly making its way to the tournament site. His appearance would shine brightly, illuminating the life of Sword Saint Dugu Nan and brightening the entire Martial Soul Continent.
At this moment, Ye Xiaofan had already entered the Martial Arts Arena, but instead of heading towards Ye Wuyuan and others, he quietly blended into the crowd, making his way to the registration area for the tournament.
"Hey, look over there, isn't that Ye Xiaofan?"
In the corner at the back of the arena, someone from the Ye Race accidentally noticed Ye Xiaofan and Ye Xiaoyue heading towards the tournament registration area, immediately attracting the attention of the whole clan.
"It really is him. What is this good-for-nothing doing at the tournament site? Does he intend to embarrass the Ye Race again?"
"Who let him in?"
"Damn it, didn't I tell you to guard the entrance to the city to prevent this good-for-nothing from entering Star Moon City? What are you doing?"
An elder of the Ye Race was furious, quietly reprimanding two Ye Race cultivators:
"Watch him, don't let him come near here. Today's tournament is unprecedented; if those Sect Elders know our Ye Race has such a wastrel, my old face will be lost beyond the territory of Star Moon City."
After the elder finished speaking, he seemed to remember something, his expression turning ugly: "Who knows, he might even affect the results for Tian'Er and the others in the upcoming tournament."
Awakening a Plant Martial Soul also indirectly indicates some bloodline issues, causing many sects to question the future potential of the offspring, which directly affects their tournament scores.
"Someone, expel that ingrate from the Martial Arts Arena. We absolutely cannot let him ruin the first impression Sects have of the Ye Race. If he causes Tian'Er and the others to be overlooked by Sect Elders, I'll personally ruin him."
An elder of the Ye Race was seething, grinding his teeth in hatred.
This was no longer just a matter of face; it could potentially drag down the entire Ye Race.
Just as everyone was preparing to send Ye Xiaofan away.
And at this moment.
"Elder, let it be."
Ye Xiaotian stepped forward, first giving a helpless smile, then looking at Ye Xiaofan in the crowd from afar.
"He's already been expelled from the Ye Race, as everyone knows in Star Moon City. Even if he participates in the tournament, no one will pay attention to a wastrel."
After Ye Xiaotian spoke, he pondered a bit before continuing: "Besides, participating in the tournament is his right, and we don't have the ability to drive him away."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone from the Ye Race fell silent.
Though the Ye Race was somewhat well-known in Star Moon City, they were far from being able to influence the tournament proceedings.
Who can participate in the tournament and who cannot, is something that the City Lord's Mansion decides.
According to the City Lord's Mansion's rules, any cultivator who awakened a Martial Soul that year could be included in the tournament list.
Ye Wuyuan, hearing this, also looked displeased, but fortunately, he was still able to maintain composure. Ye Xiaotian was speaking the truth; if they tried to expel Ye Xiaofan, it would be seen as disrespecting the City Lord's Mansion, and the Ye Race would only disgrace themselves.
Seeing Ye Xiaotian's ability to see through things at such a young age, Ye Wuyuan was greatly relieved and no longer focused on Ye Xiaofan, instead turning his gaze to Ye Xiaotian: "Tian'Er, how have you grasped the 'Sword Break' taught to you by the Sword Saint elder? Are you confident?"
"It's already beginning to take shape. Don't worry, Grandpa, I won't disappoint you and the elders. I will definitely become a disciple under the Sword Saint."
Although Ye Xiaotian felt a little uncertain, he still confidently assured.
Beside Ye Xiaotian, Ye Xiaojiang was proud: "Grandpa, rest assured. I saw with my own eyes my brother thrust that sword, and it even induced over an inch of Sword Qi; he'll definitely catch the eye of the Sword Saint elder."
"Hahaha, good, good, cultivating Sword Qi in just half a month. Though it's only an inch, it's enough to stand out among countless peers as a prodigy. Our clan's Tian'Er is undoubtedly a genius in Sword Dao."
Hearing Ye Xiaojiang's words, all the Ye Race people showed signs of joy.
Ye Xiaojiang, seeing this, felt even more proud and continued: "Elders, don't forget, my brother has not only cultivated Sword Qi, his cultivation has also reached the middle stage of the Fifth Layer of Profound Spirit."
Upon this revelation, many clan members gasped, learning only today about Ye Xiaotian breaking through to the Fifth Layer.
He is indeed worthy of being a Level Nine Martial Soul Awakener; Ye Xiaotian is already among the prodigies. During the tournament, he is sure to make a stunning impact.
Moreover, his Martial Soul is a Nine-headed Flood Dragon, with compatibility with Dugu Nan's 'Dragon Emperor Technique' and 'Dragon Emperor Sword,' making his entry into the Sword Saint Sect almost certain.
Thinking this, the Ye Race members were invigorated, and Ye Wuyuan and others' smiles almost overflowed from their faces.
"Hahaha, this is truly a child of our clan, unlike some wastrels."
"Tian'Er, well done."
Listening to the clan's praises, even Ye Xiaotian at this age couldn't help but feel elated.
He subconsciously raised his head to gaze toward a certain mountain peak outside Star Moon City.
There, two figures stood far away, observing everything happening here.
Ye Xiaotian was confident that soon he would make a stunning impression, striking a chord with the transcendent Sword Saint elder.
And at that moment.
The sound of nine deep tolls of a bell echoed.
Signifying that all participants on the tournament list were now in place, the tournament officially began.
Instantly, the originally noisy massive Martial Arts Arena fell silent.