Chapter 753: Chapter 755: Enter the Arena!
The assessment gathering took place at Heavenly Mansion.
Instead of typical skyscrapers, there were several parks and scenic spots around.
Surrounded by renowned scenery, Heavenly Mansion thrived auspiciously.
Today, all major scenic spots were sealed off.
Only special vehicles were allowed through layers of checkpoints to enter here.
The office area resembled an ancient palace.
During leisure times, it still served as a scenic spot for tourists to visit.
Externally, it didn’t appear to be a special department.
Internally, only a few were privy to the secrets hidden within this place.
Chen Tian’en and Chen Yan led Xia Liu through several retro-styled city gates, finally approaching the assessment stage.
Chen Yingke had learned her lesson. She kept silent all the way, waiting for the right moment to uncover all of Xia Liu’s secrets.
Today was the busiest day at Heavenly Mansion in several years, with members dressed formally and standing guard at various places.
Seeing Chen Tian’en approaching, they saluted respectfully.
“Chief Chen, the guests have almost all arrived,” a middle-aged martial artist ran over to report just before entering the assessment platform.
“Who’s here?” asked Chen Tian’en, unruffled.
“All four major families have arrived, as well as representatives of other first and second-tier families and sects, and many martial artists from nearby cities,” replied the middle-aged martial artist.
“Good, let them witness the authority of the new Chief today!”
“Daoist Fellow Xia, let’s go in,” Chen Tian’en prompted after getting an update.
Knowing Xia Liu was ready, Chen Tian’en nodded and stepped forward with composed strides.
After crossing a towering gateway, a dueling stone platform at least ten acres large emerged in front of them.
Four large drums around it struck awe into hearts; eight brawny, shirtless men stood rigidly before the drums, awaiting the command to strike a reverberating call to arms.
Many spectator areas were also arranged around the duel stage.
Approximately a thousand people had arrived at the venue.
All thousand pairs of eyes simultaneously shifted to focus on the newcomers.
The feeling of being watched by a thousand people brought an immense pressure that was intangible yet overbearing.
Chen Tian’en was unfazed by this; he had been through many similar occasions.
Chen Yan and Chen Yingke were somewhat uncomfortable, with the pressure making their steps difficult.
“Don’t look at them; just walk your own path,” came a voice in their minds when they struggled to move forward.
Following that voice’s advice, the father and daughter quickly adjusted their composure.
Chen Yingke was completely baffled – the voice seemed to be Xia Liu’s.
But he didn’t say anything; what was going on?
Xia Liu didn’t care about the stares of hundreds. He was more concerned about the Liu Family.
From their specially decorated rest area facing the war platform, Xia Liu saw some familiar faces.
The Liu Family’s second-in-command, Liu Shui, Ye Xuan, Fang Huasheng, Fang Cheng, Ouyang Xiong, and Ouyang Lingtian…
The other five areas belonged to the four super clans, among which Xia Liu didn’t recognize many faces.
As he ascended the steps, attention was drawn once more.
Many fixed their gaze on Chen Yan.
“Could the Chen Family be out of candidates, letting a Half-Step into the Dao martial artist participate in the assessment?”
“It’s peculiar indeed. Although Chen Yan is remarkable, his cultivation hasn’t broken through to Path-Entering. How could he possibly pass the assessment?”
“This is becoming quite interesting.”
“There must be some trickery involved, possibly concerning the four super clans.”
“You actually dare to speculate openly – shut your mouth quickly!”
As Chen Tian’en and his companions proceeded toward the Heavenly Mansion rest area, many people started whispering among themselves.
They were speculating that it was Chen Yan who would be taking the assessment.
Chen Yan’s cultivation level had not reached Path-Entering.
Yet Chen Tian’en had announced he would hand over the Chief’s position.
It was highly likely that the four super clans had meddled somehow.
Those with keen eyes were making such guesses, but whether they were right or not would soon be revealed.
Xia Liu, of course, heard those discordant voices, but he showed no reaction.
He focused more on the super clans.
In the Ye Family’s area, only Ye Xuan, Ouyang Lingtian, and three Heavenly Rank Peak warriors were present, which made it look somewhat desolate.
However, no one dared to underestimate the Ye Family.
The Zhong and Zhao Families had also brought several Half-Step into the Dao martial artists.
As for Path-Entering martial artists, Xia Liu saw none at the scene.
Presumably, the four clans had strong figures lurking outside.
The Liu Family was the same, with Liu Shui and a few Heaven-Rank Warriors in attendance.
Xia Liu of course knew it wouldn’t be that simple.
If it were just these warriors, he wouldn’t fear the combined forces of all four families.
“Lingtian, long time no see, you seem even sturdier, and your energy is richer than before,” Xia Liu greeted heartily as he passed by the Ye Family’s area.
If not for the many eyes watching, he might have gone up to hug his long-lost brother.
“Energy richer?” Ouyang Lingtian was initially very excited, but Xia Liu’s comment perplexed him.
“I’m talking about yang energy; perhaps you could balance it a bit when you have the chance,” Xia Liu winked and said.
Ouyang Lingtian burst out laughing.
He knew exactly what Xia Liu meant. Realizing Ye Xuan’s expression had changed, by the time Lingtian regained his composure, Xia Liu had left; it wasn’t the time for catching up yet.
“Uncle Fang, Old Master Fang, Old Master Ouyang,” Xia Liu greeted with a grin, and for those he didn’t recognize, he could only smilingly nod as he passed by.
“It’s such a coincidence, Xia Liu, to encounter you here,” Fang Cheng was surprised to see his son-in-law at such an event; he was brought by the Old Master to supposedly get a taste of the big scene.
“Hehe, it’s only normal for Xia Liu to be at this level; he’s a talent after all,” Fang Huasheng said, yet he was also surprised, seeing Xia Liu accompanying Chen Tian’en.
Chen Tian’en was, after all, the Chief.