Huang Tianji knelt before Dragon Emperor Lord.
He seemed to age instantly: "It was your uncle's fault. I haven't achieved anything all these years, always being a failure. That's why I had this wicked idea. Dragon, for the sake of my years of assistance, spare my old life. I'm willing to hand over all family power. I, I just want to find a place to retire peacefully."
Dragon Emperor Lord smiled faintly: "I've found the place for you. You can go into retirement anytime."
Really?
Huang Tianji was overjoyed: "No matter what place it is, I'm willing."
He was cunning and had long cultivated a group of men outside the family. As long as he could leave Wanchun Lake alive today, within a few years, he, Huang Tianji, could still return.
Dragon Emperor Lord's smile was sinister at this moment. He pointed to the edge of Wanchun Lake: "This place is excellent. Beautiful scenery, and the birthplace of the Tortoise Dragon. I've selected a prime spot here for your retirement. The coffin is bought, and the grave is dug. You can now rest assured and 'retire'!"
What?!
Huang Tianji was greatly alarmed.
Dragon Emperor Lord raised his hand and unleashed a palm strike with immense power, directly hitting Huang Tianji on the head.
Huang Tianji's eyes widened as he fell.
"Throw him into the lake, even a coffin would be a waste!" Dragon Emperor Lord spat. "You, wanting to be the head of the Dragon family? You're not worthy!"
Turning, he looked at the fanatical family disciples: "The Tortoise Dragon now belongs to our Dragon family. Everyone will have a share. First, rewards for merit. This Tortoise Dragon essence blood..."
The entire crowd waited expectantly.
Dragon Emperor Lord's eyes flickered. Black markings appeared and disappeared on his forehead, yet he felt his internal energy surging, possessing inexhaustible strength.
In his great mood, he pointed to the chief steward, Long Jianye: "Ah Jian, this essence blood belongs to you. You are well-deserved."
Long Jianye knelt respectfully and ecstatically drank the so-called Tortoise Dragon essence blood.
Thus, the representatives for the Huanglong clan to participate in the World Martial Arts Gathering were decided.
"Chen Baidi will be the vanguard..." Dragon Emperor Lord chuckled, "He can deal with the small fry then, preserving our strength and clearing the obstacles."
"After we're done with him, we'll take the resources from the Western Border military and get rid of Chen Baidi!" Long Jianye had already grasped the patriarch's intentions.
The two shared a sinister grin.
At the Wanchun Lake restaurant, Jun Mengyao and Li Tianxing and the others also began to withdraw.
This was Jun Mengyao's order.
Li Tianxing and the others now recognized Jun Mengyao's strength and leadership. They had unconsciously acknowledged her position.
"Brother Li, we've recorded everything the Dragon family has done. These will be evidence at a crucial moment," Jun Mengyao said coldly. "Although they are an reclusive clan and don't care about our worldly laws, we must handle them according to the rules. That's the right way!"
Li Tianxing nodded: "They can act with impunity, but in my position, I must act according to the law. Mengyao, your thinking is very thorough."
Jun Mengyao glanced at Zhu Tianqi sitting in the corner and continued, "We must participate in this martial arts tournament. It's a three-person team battle. I'd like to ask Brother Li and Brother Ye to assist!"
Her words were polite and tactful.
Because Jun Mengyao had obtained the true Tortoise Dragon essence blood and escorted the Tortoise Dragon back to the sea, her cultivation far surpassed everyone else's.
She would undoubtedly be the main commander in the competition.
Ye Fangjin and Li Tianxing bowed together: "Then we'll prepare immediately."
The World Martial Arts Gathering began lively against this backdrop of brewing storm.
The ancient city of Chudu immediately became the focus of the world.
Since live broadcasting was not allowed, but on-site viewing was, all tickets were sold out.
The venue was changed to "Wanliu Mountain Villa" in the southwest suburbs of Chudu, as the old venue collapsed due to a "natural accident" last time.
This villa was said to have a history of several hundred years. Its earliest owner was a mysterious wealthy merchant from ancient times.
Numerous legends remained about this ancient wealthy merchant who called himself "Qin Sanren."
Twelve hours before the World Martial Arts Gathering began, the registration point was in an uproar.
Four large arena platforms were set up in the vast garden of Wanliu Mountain Villa.
"This villa was listed as a protected cultural heritage site a long time ago. It's now specially opened for the World Martial Arts Gathering. You can see that its garden is larger than Chudu's city park, covering an area equivalent to two medium-sized counties!"
In fact, it was a primeval forest.
The arenas were placed in four different locations. To travel from Arena One to Arena Four, one even needed to take a special internal park bus.
This demonstrated how vast it was.
"This competition is divided into four levels. Our specially invited masters and the top hundred masters from the last competition will directly enter the Level Four King's Arena. Others will be assigned to arenas from the lowest Bronze level to the advanced Gold level based on their rank, fame, and of course, their overall strength..."
No one had the patience to listen to the guide and host.
"Quick, take us to see the mansions inside the villa! I heard there are many treasures hidden here?"
The guide was embarrassed: "Those are not real. The owner of this place was a wealthy merchant several hundred years ago, who called himself Qin Sanren. It is said he was a reclusive old man who never married, so he left behind countless treasures buried in the villa..."
The crowd listened intently.
Qin Yexuan, accompanying Su Bingyan under the names Mr. Wang and Mrs. Wang, couldn't help but shake his head upon hearing this: "How could Qin Sanren be an old man? And reclusive? The liveliest times here saw scholars, celebrities, and nobles from hundreds of years ago gather together, drinking and chatting with the host. It was a grand feast..."
Su Bingyan listened in amazement: "Brother-in-law, it's as if you were there."
Qin Yexuan smiled mysteriously and said nothing more.
Not that he was there, but the owner of this place was...
Never mind, it would scare Bingyan if he told her.
Su Bingyan was filling out the registration form. They were naturally assigned to the lowest level, the Bronze Arena.
"Brother-in-law, it requires three people to register, and a deposit of one hundred thousand. Other fees add up... Ah, at least ten million? So much money?"
Qin Yexuan smiled: "This is to raise the barrier to entry for participants. Otherwise, anyone would sign up."
As such, the Bronze Arena had over three hundred participants.
The money collected alone exceeded three billion...
"For the organizers of the World Martial Arts Gathering, money is a small matter. The most important thing is that life and death are not accounted for, and participants are responsible for themselves. We also have to sign many waivers!"
Su Bingyan was eager to try: "But we're short one person now, what should we do?"
Qin Yexuan maintained his mysterious smile: "We're not short of anyone. I've already found our helper."
He then gestured towards the lush forest.
Over there, under a large tree, Zhu Tianqi, with a flushed face, was using her own money to register Qin Yexuan and Su Bingyan.