Chapter 1228: Chapter 12128: Eldest Young Master of Qin Family
"Hmm?" The Fang Family Master looked at the martial artists on the Martial Arts Arena who kept forfeiting and frowned.
The surrounding factions were already in an uproar.
After a whole hour, when the last family’s martial artist forfeited and then left, the vast City Lord’s Mansion was dead silent.
All the martial artists were in shock.
Since the Four-direction Competition began, this was the first time so many martial artists and families forfeited simultaneously.
"What does the Qin Family mean by this?" The Fang Family Master frowned deeply.
"The families and factions that just forfeited are all supporters of the Qin Family."
At this time, from the Qin Family’s seating, Elder Qin slowly stood up.
"Our Qin Family will also forfeit this round of the competition, but we will continue to participate in the team battle."
"If other factions or families wish to compete, they may start now."
With simple words, the Qin Family’s intentions were made clear.
Under the deep cultivation, the words spread throughout the City Lord’s Mansion.
"The Qin Family wants to speed up the Four-direction Competition," the Fang Family Master said with a frown.
The Qin Family’s intention was actually quite clear.
Their Heavenly Talents and martial artists would not participate, including nearly one-third of the major forces supporting the Qin Family.
This would drastically reduce numbers for this round, naturally speeding up the competition process.
"Does it matter?" Fang Muxue asked.
The Fang Family Master shook his head and then looked over at the Old Master Guu on the other side.
The two exchanged a glance and then nodded.
"Since the Qin Family wants to speed up the competition, let it be so," the Fang Family Master said in a deep voice.
"The remaining factions mostly support our Fang and Guu Families, so the upcoming competitions should be mere formalities and not fought to the death."
"For the few neutral factions and martial artists, it will be enough to determine ranking superiority."
The competition on the Martial Arts Arena began once more.
Families and factions supporting the Fang and Guu Families sent their martial artists to compete, stopping as soon as a point was made, causing each match to end quickly.
When it came to martial artists from the few neutral factions, however, the competition remained intense.
Xiao Yi watched from the audience, not knowing why the Qin Family acted this way, but he was happy for it.
The Four-direction Competition ending early meant he could take his reward and leave, continuing his training.
Just then, an elder from the Fang Family suddenly leaned in to whisper a few words to the Fang Family Master.
The Fang Family Master nodded and smiled upon hearing this.
"Is this also the opinion of the Old Master Guu? I thought as much," he said.
"What happened?" Fang Muxue asked.
The Fang Family Master smiled, "The Qin Family is aiming at the next round of team battles."
"Hmph." Fang Muxue snorted coldly, "They’ll be defeated even quicker in the team battles."
"What does Young Master Xiao Yi think?" The Fang Family Master smiled as he looked at Xiao Yi and asked.
Xiao Yi frowned and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, the Fang and Guu Families, joining forces in the team battle, should easily defeat the Qin Family."
"You guessed wrong this time, Young Master Xiao Yi," said the Fang Family Master, shaking his head.
"To be more precise, if no accidents occur, the Fang and Guu Families together should narrowly win against the Qin Family in the team battle."
"Narrowly win?" Xiao Yi frowned.
"Yes," the Fang Family Master nodded, "Initially, the Three Great Families of Four-direction City were indeed a tripartite balance."
"However, starting a few years ago, for reasons unknown, the Qin Family’s power suddenly rose rapidly."
"In just a few years, they have easily surpassed both our Fang and Guu Families; even together, we can barely match them."
The Fang Family Master paused, then continued, "In terms of support, the Qin Family has either suppressed or forcefully recruited various factions."
"The support for the Qin Family even surpassed either of ours at once."
"Especially from major cities far from the Four-direction City, where our Fang and Guu Families’ influence is hard to reach, they’ve all suddenly turned coat."
"Like the Nangong Family, who were originally neutral, suddenly declared their support for the Qin Family."
"And Coldrain City, which was initially inclined towards supporting the Guu Family, suddenly changed their mind."
The Fang Family Master shook his head, his face solemn. "In short, the Qin Family has grown too quickly in these past few years."
"Except for our Fang and Guu Families’ elders and top martial artists, the Qin Family’s forces are much larger than ours."
"In terms of team battles, combining the power and number of Heavenly Talents, even if our Fang and Guu Families work together, it would only barely allow us to overpower them."
"If we don’t join forces and instead split our efforts, we’ll undoubtedly lose."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi frowned.
Indeed, judging by his few interactions with the Qin Family and the Qin Family powerhouses seated in the audience now,
the martial artists at the top level of strength in the Qin Family are far stronger than any other single family.
Xiao Yi shook his head. Though he didn’t know what was happening, he couldn’t be bothered to think too much or get involved.
These factional rivalries have lasted many years and are exceedingly complicated.
The battles on the Martial Arts Arena continued to conclude.
At this pace, the first round might finish within today.
After all, the factions supporting the Qin, Fang, and Guu Families make up more than 80% of all forces in the Four-direction Domain.
The Qin Family forfeited, while the Fang and Guu Families stopped at just a point.
Naturally, the competitions among the factions ended quickly.
What was left was only a few neutral factions where the battles were more intense and slower.
By late noon,
it was already afternoon, and the sky was gradually darkening.
The competitions among the factions were nearly over.
Just then, an elder from the Fang Family rushed in anxiously.
"Hmm?" The Fang Family Master frowned at the elder, a hint of unease appearing on his face.
"Family Master," the Fang Family elder quickly said, "I know why the Qin Family suddenly forfeited this round."
"What is it?" the Fang Family Master asked.
The Fang Family elder replied, "The Eldest Young Master of the Qin Family is coming out of seclusion tonight, and they’ve already started preparing for a celebration banquet."
"The Eldest Young Master of the Qin Family? Qin Hao?" The Fang Family Master’s expression changed, "Wasn’t he supposed to be in closed death seclusion? Why is he suddenly coming out?"
"Damn, quickly send a message to that rebellious son and tell him to get back here."
"Hmm?" Xiao Yi furrowed his brows. This was the first time he’d seen the Fang Family Master look so anxious.
Seeing this, Fang Muxue, standing nearby, explained, "Qin Hao is the Eldest Young Master of the Qin Family, once ranked second among the Heavenly Talents of the Four-direction Domain."
"Once?" Xiao Yi frowned and said, "If I’m not mistaken, the former number one was Fang Shushu, always slightly ahead of him."
"Yes," Fang Muxue nodded, "But since my brother left the Four-direction Domain, Qin Hao has been ranked first."
"Though, even when my brother was around, he said he only had just over a 50% chance of beating him."
"In tomorrow’s team battle, if the Qin Family’s forces are led by him, I’m afraid even if our Fang and Guu Families joined forces, there would be no hope of victory."
At this moment, the Fang Family elder bitterly smiled at the Fang Family Master, "Family Master, the Young Master is currently far away in the Heavenly Hidden Territory. Even if we send a message now, there’s no way he can make it back in time."
"Perhaps," the Fang Family elder hesitated for a moment, glancing towards Xiao Yi, "we can only rely on Young Master Xiao Yi now."
...
Third update.
