The triennial Martial Arts Conference is a grand event in the martial world. No matter the size of the sect, as long as they have the strength, they seize the chance to make a name for themselves. Except for those truly unable to attend, every qualified sect brings their most outstanding disciples in hopes of rising to fame.
Back in the day, young martial prodigies like Bu Jingyun and Linden Ling made their names through the Martial Arts Conference. And as for Jason Lan? He rose to fame by stepping over Bu Jingyun, defeating the conference’s top champion so thoroughly that Bu Jingyun couldn’t even fight back.
The day before the conference begins, Fortress Lord Ling, as usual, hosts a grand banquet for all the martial experts and observers from various kingdoms and cities.
Each year, counties near Skyvault Fortress send their magistrates to attend. First, to remind these martial world figures that the court is always watching them, and second, to scout for talents willing to serve the imperial government.
Of course, this is mostly a formality. In times of peace, martial artists who join the court end up just following orders like any other official, losing their independence. True masters refuse to serve, while the court has no interest in those with mediocre skills.
Over the years, a subtle balance has formed between the martial world and the imperial court—until today’s conference. With Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan appearing at Skyvault Fortress, some smaller sects start scheming.
To master both literary and martial arts, and sell your skills to the imperial family—if you could attach yourself directly to Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan, becoming his trusted subordinate, that would be far better than slowly climbing the ranks. You might even soar to the top overnight.
Some are tempted, but Nolan’s cold demeanor keeps them at bay. Instead, they set their sights on Serena Feng. Following Nolan’s instructions, Serena accepts their gifts but promises nothing—everything is up to Nolan.
At Skyvault Fortress’s banquet, the minor sects arrive early, the mid-sized ones a bit later, and the major sects right on time. Top leaders like the Moonvault Palace Lord, Skyvault Palace Lord Sean Xuan, and Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan enter together, escorted personally by Fortress Lord Ling.
As these figures arrive, the hall falls silent. Someone takes the lead and calls out, “Greetings to Ninth Royal Uncle!”
Everyone snapped back to attention, rising to their feet and cupping their hands in salute to Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan, loudly greeting him: "Greetings to Ninth Royal Uncle!"
As for those beside Nolan, people only greeted them casually.
That’s just how martial artists are—unconcerned with formality. Nolan’s status is exceptional, and greeting him costs nothing; who knows when they might need his help? It never hurts to curry favor now.
Such a difference in treatment!
Sean Xuan and the Moonvault Palace Lord are used to it, but Fortress Lord Ling finds it hard to swallow. On his own turf, Nolan steals his thunder—what gives him the right?
Aside from his superior birth, what does Nolan have over him? Yet that birth has overshadowed him his whole life—no matter how hard he tries, he can’t match Sean Xuan, born in Skyvault Palace, or Nolan, born into royalty.
Linden Ling envies Sean Xuan for being younger yet ranking higher in the sect, and holding more status in the martial world. Likewise, Fortress Lord Ling can’t accept that a man his son’s age stands as his equal—or that he must bow his head to him.
Thinking of how Sean, like himself, gained influence in the martial world by leveraging the Demon Sect, Fortress Lord Ling feels even more bitter. He schemed for years but never managed to wipe out the Demon Sect, while Sean succeeded with ease.
Truly, these are lucky young men!
Fortress Lord Ling’s gaze flickers between Nolan and Sean Xuan. Though his movements are subtle, neither Nolan nor Sean misses it. Both lower their eyes and share a cold, mocking smile: he’s a dead man—they won’t bother with him for now.
As the heir of Skyvault Fortress, Linden Ling’s job today was to receive guests. Everything was going smoothly—until Nolan and Sean Xuan appeared in the spotlight, leaving Linden deeply uneasy.
Same age, equally gifted, yet worlds apart in how they’re treated. Thinking of the compliments he just received, Linden can’t help but find it all painfully ironic.
All that talk of youthful promise and being a rising star in the martial world—what a joke. Compared to Nolan and Sean Xuan, he’s nothing.
Linden’s smile stiffens. Nolan gives a silent smile, while Sean Xuan, always direct, steps up and greets him: "Sean greets Little Junior Uncle. How have you been? The grandmaster and master often speak of you. If you have time, you should visit them more often."
Trying to use his Little Junior Uncle status to pressure Serena? Hmph...
"So the Skyvault Palace Lord and Young Master Linden are uncle and nephew by sect ties?" Not many knew this, so when Sean Xuan announced it in public, quite a few people grew curious: "How come we’ve never heard about this before?"
No wonder—Linden’s ‘nephew’ status actually puts him below Sean Xuan, which is hardly something to brag about. Of course he wouldn’t go around advertising it.
Sean Xuan never cared about such things—he has plenty of junior uncles, one more or less doesn’t matter. To be honest, if it weren’t for his trip to find Serena, he’d have nearly forgotten Linden existed.
Linden’s smile grows even more unnatural as Sean Xuan cheerfully explains: "Little Junior Uncle was accepted by the grandmaster late in life, after my master had already set up his own branch." In other words, their relationship is mostly nominal—a matter of generation, not closeness. Sean is just being polite by calling him Little Junior Uncle.
With that, everyone understood. Linden’s face turned slightly green, but he forced a smile. He’s no fool—he knows Sean Xuan is warning him not to exploit that status.
Seeing the atmosphere shift, Fortress Lord Ling stepped forward with a broad smile: "Skyvault Palace Lord, you’re too eager. If you two want to catch up, at least wait until we’re seated. You’re still blocking Ninth Royal Uncle’s way." With that, he dragged Nolan into the conversation.
As if being quiet means easy to bully—Nolan looked up coldly and replied, "No need to rush. I’m in no hurry. If Skyvault Palace Lord and Young Master Linden want to chat, take your time. I find it quite interesting. After all, Little Junior Uncle is just the heir of Skyvault Fortress, while his nephew is the master of a major sect. So which etiquette will you follow—martial world protocol or sect seniority?"
Nolan’s words set off a storm of lively debate: "Of course martial world protocol! Even Fortress Lord Ling wouldn’t dare act out in front of Skyvault Palace Lord, so how could Young Master Linden play the senior in front of him?"
"It should be martial world protocol. Skyvault Palace Lord’s status is extraordinary. If we insist on sect etiquette, how will he handle affairs in the future?"
"Sect etiquette can’t be forgotten. Young Master Linden is Skyvault Palace Lord’s Little Junior Uncle—Skyvault Palace Lord ought to show him respect."
"As long as you remember basic etiquette, that’s enough. But if you treat him as Little Junior Uncle in everything, where does that leave the seating? Skyvault Palace Lord belongs at the main table—Young Master Linden doesn’t quite measure up."
...
After all the discussion, it comes down to this: sect etiquette can’t be forgotten, but in the martial world, status and protocol take precedence. Sect seniority is only for inside the sect—otherwise, chaos would ensue.
With Sean Xuan’s status, even Fortress Lord Ling has to treat him politely. If Young Master Linden insists on playing the Little Junior Uncle card, he’ll only embarrass his own father.
The more heated the debate, the worse Linden’s expression became. He tried several times to interrupt, but Fortress Lord Ling kept stopping him.
Fortress Lord Ling kept smiling at Nolan and Sean Xuan, but his eyes glinted coldly. He was sure they were doing this on purpose—to humiliate Linden.
But even knowing it was deliberate, he could only grit his teeth and endure—until the gatekeeper loudly announced...