C40 Fighting

At the Central Battle Platform in Clear Water Town, Qiao Kai, accompanied by the formidable members of the Qiao family, took their seats with a detached air. Flanking him were his eldest son, Qiao Junhan, and his youngest, Qiao Mingfan, who stood by respectfully.

Once the Qiao family's experts were seated, the Jiaang family, headed by Jiaang Zhengzu, arrived shortly after.

"Mr. Jiaang, it's been too long. I trust you've been well," Qiao Kai said, rising to greet Jiaang Zhengzu with a warm smile.

"Brother Qiao, I appreciate your concern," Jiaang Zhengzu responded, offering a polite fist-and-palm salute, engaging in what appeared to be friendly small talk with Qiao Kai.

"Nonsense, our families are about to be united. It's only natural for me to take an interest in your well-being," Qiao Kai replied with a chuckle.

Jiaang Zhengzu, however, remained silent, his heart seething with rage. He understood all too well that Qiao Kai's remarks were a veiled jibe at his son, Jiaang Lin, who was unlikely to best Qiao Junhan. Consequently, his adopted daughter, Jiaang Xue, would have to honor the betrothal agreement and join the Qiao family.

Despite his inner turmoil, Jiaang Zhengzu maintained his composure, his face still adorned with a forced smile.

"Mr. Jiaang, Xiaoyu, please, take your seats," Qiao Kai said, dropping the pretense as he noticed Jiaang Zhengzu's silence and gestured for them to sit.

The Qiao family members occupied the left side of the platform, while the Jiaang family settled on the right. With the arrival of both families, leaders of the Martial Dao Forces from around Clear Water Town ascended the platform. They made a beeline for the Qiao family's side, greeting Qiao Kai with enthusiasm before taking their seats behind the Qiao contingent.

The Jiaang family, on the other hand, found themselves largely overlooked, receiving scant attention from the other attendees, with hardly anyone approaching Jiaang Zhengzu for pleasantries.

In Clear Water Town, the Qiao family's influence was on the rise, bolstered by the emergence of a Martial Dao Talent like Qiao Junhan and the presence of a distinguished Pill Refining Master within their ranks.

In contrast, the Jiaang family lagged significantly behind. They were burdened with a member who had been considered useless, and despite some recent signs of competence, he still paled in comparison to Qiao Junhan. Moreover, the absence of a Pill Refining Master meant their foundations were nowhere near as robust as those of the Qiao family.

As a result, when leaders from various forces arrived to observe the battle, they all flocked to greet Qiao Kai, blatantly disregarding the Jiaang family. Such was the harsh reality on the Divine Martial Continent: respect and flattery were reserved for those with strength and a solid foundation, while those lacking in power faced neglect.

"Protector Tian, it's a surprise and an honor to have you here today," Qiao Kai said during a lull in the pleasantries with other Martial Dao Force leaders.

His sharp eyes caught sight of a middle-aged man in a purple brocade robe, accompanied by several similarly attired men, ascending the platform. Qiao Kai immediately recognized them as the Seven Great Protectors of the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, individuals of considerable strength and high standing in Clear Water Town, with a reputation and status to match.

The Myriad Medicine Pavilion's roots in the town were nearly as deep as those of the Qiao family. The man at the forefront was Tian Yuan, the Great Protector of the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, a cultivator at the Qi Gathering Level Nine Peak Stage, and a peer to Qiao Kai in terms of power.

Recognizing the importance of such a dignitary, Qiao Kai quickly led the Qiao family people forward to welcome Tian Yuan and the other Protectors as they approached the platform.

"You flatter me, Patriarch Qiao," Tian Yuan responded with a fist salute, the epitome of courtesy.

"Protector Tian, and esteemed guests, please, have a seat."

Qiao Kai offered a welcoming smile and gestured for Tian Yuan and his companions to join him at the Qiao family's area.

However, to his surprise, Tian Yuan turned and led the six protectors of the Myriad Medicine Pavilion straight to the Jiaang family's side.

"Patriarch Jiaang, may we join you?" Tian Yuan approached Jiaang Zhengzu with a polite bow, his hands clasped in a traditional gesture.

His stern features were softened by a friendly smile.

"It would be an honor. Please, take a seat," Jiaang Zhengzu replied, rising to return the gesture and inviting Tian Yuan and his group to sit.

From a distance, Qiao Kai watched the exchange, a barely noticeable flash of annoyance crossing his eyes. He felt a deep sense of displeasure.

He had assumed that Tian Yuan and his party had come to observe the battle as a gesture of goodwill towards his family.

Instead, Tian Yuan had snubbed him completely, choosing to sit with the Jiaang family and ignoring the Qiao family's invitation.

Qiao Kai had been nothing but warm and polite to Tian Yuan, only to be met with indifference—it was like offering a warm greeting to a cold shoulder.

With a disdainful "Hmph!" Qiao Kai turned and strode back to his seat.

Soon after, Yinn Shediao, the leader of the Celestial Wolf Gang, arrived with Jee Heishui and others, heading straight to the high platform to exchange pleasantries with Jiaang Zhengzu before taking their seats with the Jiaang family, effectively overlooking the Qiao family as if they were invisible.

Following the Celestial Wolf Gang's arrival, Hua Yuru, the manager of the Dao Artifact Hall, arrived with a contingent of the hall's formidable experts.

Qiao Kai, as he had done earlier with Tian Yuan, stepped forward to greet Hua Yuru, hoping to welcome the Dao Artifact Hall's masters to sit with the Qiao family.

Yet, despite his warm hospitality, Hua Yuru led the Dao Artifact Hall's experts directly to the Jiaang family's side. After a brief exchange with Jiaang Zhengzu, they settled in with the Jiaang family.

This seemingly simple act of choosing where to sit sparked a flurry of excited discussion among the thousands of practitioners on the Central Battle Platform.

"Why have the Myriad Medicine Pavilion and the Dao Artifact Hall chosen to align themselves with the Jiaang family instead of the Qiao family?" someone wondered aloud, clearly baffled by the situation.

The Qiao family was on the rise, swiftly becoming the preeminent Martial Dao Family in Clear Water Town. They boasted not only a Martial Dao Talent like Qiao Junhan but also a renowned Pill Refining Master. When it came to heritage and potential for the future, the Qiao family was unquestionably far ahead of the Jiaang family.

It would make sense for the Myriad Medicine Pavilion and the Dao Artifact Hall to seek favor with the Qiao family, to foster a closer relationship. Yet, they had snubbed the Qiao family, opting instead to support the Jiaang family. This choice sparked intense curiosity and confusion among many cultivators, who speculated wildly but could not fathom the reason behind this decision.

"Myriad Medicine Pavilion, Dao Artifact Hall, to think you would show such disrespect to my Qiao family," Qiao Kai remarked with a cold glint in his eyes as he observed Tian Yuan, Hua Yuru, and others engaging jovially with Jiaang Zhengzu. His resentment only intensified.

"Father, don't let it bother you. There will come a day when our Qiao family will outshine both the Myriad Medicine Pavilion and the Dao Artifact Hall. They will regret their actions today," Qiao Junhan assured him with a serene demeanor. "They will come to realize that the Jiaang family pales in comparison to ours, especially with the likes of Jiaang Lin, who is nothing but a failure. The Jiaang family's decline is inevitable."

"Good. Today, you must demonstrate your talent and strength to everyone here. Show them your true potential," Qiao Kai said, nodding in agreement with his son's confident words.

Qiao Junhan, without a hint of emotion, nodded in response. In a swift motion, he soared onto the vast Central Battle Platform. Casting his gaze over the assembly, he called out to Jiaang Zhengzu on the high platform, "Patriarch Jiaang, where is your esteemed son? Isn't it time for him to step forward and face me in battle?"

"I haven't arrived yet. Please wait a moment, Young Master Qiao."

Atop the high platform, Jiaang Zhengzu responded.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Junhan's brow furrowed, and he was quite displeased.

Not here yet?

Damn it! How dare Jiaang Lin, that good-for-nothing, be late to his own challenge?

And he expects me to wait for him?

"Mr. Jiaang, surely your son isn't chickening out?"

On the high platform, Qiao Kai's smile was strained, and he too was extremely irritated. He hadn't anticipated that the guest of honor would dare to be late and make his son wait.

"My son is a man of his word, not one to break promises. If he has agreed to a duel today, then he will surely appear. Why would he be afraid to fight?"

Jiaang Zhengzu replied, his face devoid of emotion.

"Patriarch Jiaang, even if as you say, your son isn't afraid to fight.

If he doesn't show up today, am I expected to wait for him all day?"

Qiao Junhan spoke gravely from the Battle Platform.

At his words, Jiaang Zhengzu remained silent.

"I'll give him the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. If he's not here by then, we'll consider it a forfeit, and your Jiaang family will have to fulfill your promise. How does that sound?"

After a pause, Qiao Junhan raised his voice again.

"Fine, I agree!"

After a moment's thought, Jiaang Zhengzu answered.

Following his words, someone lit the incense to start the countdown.

"Jiaang Lin, that guy, he's the main event today and he's late?"

In the tavern, Shaang Duoge facepalmed, unable to hold back his tears, at a loss for words about his brother.

Meanwhile, at the Jiaang family residence.

Jiaang Lin was leisurely getting ready, washing up and dressing. Then, he strolled to the kitchen and grabbed a large plate of chicken legs.

Nonchalantly nibbling on the chicken legs, he made his way to the Central Battle Platform in the heart of Clear Water Town.

Looking at his relaxed demeanor, you wouldn't think he was heading into a duel but rather off to enjoy the festivities!