C24 Fighting

"Elder, hello, my name is Wan Xin Er."

Her sweet voice captured the attention of many, intensifying the already fervent gazes upon her. It was clear that a beauty would always find a warm reception wherever she went.

Wan Xin Er quickly retrieved her identity card and stepped down from the stage.

"The young talent this year is quite impressive. Take, for example, one individual from Clear Water City who arrived yesterday. He's reached Spirit Wheel Stage Level Six Heaven and is certainly on par with the prodigies from Azure Sun City."

"We're still two months away from the Hidden Dragon Ranking Great Competition. His chances of advancing further are quite substantial."

"Indeed."

Spirit Wheel Stage Level Six Heaven?

For Zhuang Dou, achieving Spirit Wheel Stage Level Six Heaven seemed beyond the realm of possibility.

He was acutely aware of the immense challenge in advancing one's cultivation. After decades of dedicated practice, he had only reached Spirit Wheel Stage Level Four Heaven. The thought of ascending to Spirit Wheel Stage Level Six Heaven seemed like an eternity away. Yet, these youngsters, barely in their teens or twenties, had already attained such a level.

He had placed great faith in Zhuang Xing, but seeing the multitude of gifted individuals, his confidence wavered. With so many exceptional talents competing in the Hidden Dragon Ranking Great Competition, could Zhuang Xing truly excel?

Zhuang Xing just shrugged. What was so special about being at Spirit Wheel Stage Level Six Heaven? To him, they were nothing more than rubbish.

It wasn't just Clear Water City that had shown promise. Other cities had also made a strong showing. Yu Luo City, for instance, may not boast a Spirit Wheel Stage Level Six Heaven Expert, but they have three at Spirit Wheel Stage Level Five Heaven whose abilities should not be underestimated.

"Their strength is commendable, unlike the likes of Cloud Peak City and Fang La City. Those places are filled with nobodies."

"To my knowledge, Cloud Peak City has only sent two representatives so far, both at Spirit Wheel Stage Level One Heaven."

"Recall the previous Hidden Dragon Ranking Great Competition? Cloud Peak City had a participant who was merely at Qi Refining Stage Level Nine Heaven, not even qualifying for Spirit Wheel Stage cultivation."

"You dare to participate in the Hidden Dragon Ranking Great Competition at Qi Refining Stage Level Nine Heaven? That's laughable."

"Cloud Peak City has always been weak. That's not going to change overnight. Cloud Peak City will surely be at the bottom again this year."

At these words, the faces of those from Cloud Peak City tensed. The city had always been weak, particularly in the last Hidden Dragon Ranking Great Competition, where Cloud Peak City became the butt of jokes from all the other cities, enduring endless mockery.

"Look, someone else is stepping up. This guy's got some decent strength. He's at Spirit Wheel Stage Level Five Heaven."

As all eyes turned, a young man dressed in blood-red attire stepped forward. The crowd began to murmur upon his arrival.

"He looks like he's from Great Harvest City."

"Indeed, he's from Great Harvest City. That's Ma Zhou from the Ma family. He's a Spirit Wheel Stage Level Five Heaven Expert."

"In my recollection, Great Harvest City was pretty poor. They ranked second to last in overall strength in the last Hidden Dragon Ranking Great Competition."

"That doesn't necessarily mean they're still at the bottom this year."

"With Ma Zhou on their side, Great Harvest City could easily outperform many other cities."

"Now, Great Harvest City is hardly weak anymore, but Cloud Peak City remains just as feeble."

Overhearing the crowd's chatter, Ma Zhou swelled with pride, puffing out his chest as if he were above everyone else.

The elder in the linen robe handed an iron plate to Ma Zhou with a smile. Ma Zhou accepted it with gratitude, and a burst of red light emanated from the plate. This glow was more resplendent than any before it and lingered longer, signifying his exceptional strength.

Jealousy was etched on everyone's faces. Why couldn't Ma Zhou be from their family? In comparison, the young people in their own families seemed worthless—they didn't even merit the label of trash.

The people from the Ma family and Great Harvest City wore expressions of pride. With Ma Zhou among them, they were confident of achieving outstanding results in this year's Hidden Dragon Ranking Great Competition.

With the iron plate in hand, Ma Zhou descended from the stage, basking in the envious looks of the crowd. As he stepped down, the youths from Great Harvest City quickly gathered around him, treating him like a star amidst his adoring fans.

"Brother Yu, you're incredibly strong."

"Comparing Great Harvest City to Cloud Peak City is practically an insult to Great Harvest City."

"Exactly, those Cloud Peak City nobodies aren't fit to compete with us."

"The folks from Cloud Peak City better stay away. If I catch sight of them, I'll beat them to a pulp."

"Haha, that trash is probably cowering in some corner. I bet they don't even have the guts to show up in Azure Sun City."

The citizens of Cloud Peak City were seething with anger, their fists clenched tight. They were itching to charge forward and rip apart those from Great Harvest City.

Soon, it was Zhuang Xing's turn.

"Next."

A buzz went through the crowd as Zhuang Xing stepped forward.

"Someone from Cloud Peak City."

"Spirit Wheel Stage Level Two Heaven. He's definitely trash."

"That's not entirely fair. This guy is somewhat better. He's at Spirit Wheel Stage Level Two Heaven, after all. But yeah, he's still just cannon fodder."

"Just as I thought, Cloud Peak City is at the bottom again."

"I had hoped Cloud Peak City would show some improvement over five years. But it looks like they haven't progressed at all; they're still the same weaklings."

"Great Harvest City has shed its reputation as a weak city through sheer effort. Cloud Peak City, on the other hand, was at the bottom last time, and here they are again."

Zhuang Dou, overhearing the crowd, would have been upset in the past and ready to argue. But not anymore. His son was now capable of cultivation. Despite being at Spirit Wheel Stage Level Two Heaven, his true combat power was more formidable than that of a Spirit Wheel Stage Level Four Heaven warrior. When the results were in, everyone would be in for a shock.

The others' eyes shone with anticipation. Zhuang Xing was Cloud Peak City's Supreme Expert, their beacon of hope. They were all rooting for him to put on a stellar performance and bring honor to Cloud Peak City.