"See that? That's just the tip of the iceberg. I can't even remember what year it was. I was still young then, so I hid away." Old Clam's voice grew softer and more embarrassed as he spoke.
"So you don't know what happened back then?" The scene immediately sparked some wild, unbelievable ideas in Evan Yang's mind.
"I really didn't know at the time. Later on, I slowly pieced it together. Basically, it was a clash between the people on land and the sea beasts. Humans were afraid of sea beasts invading the land, and the sea beasts reproduced really fast. To fight for better resources, they had to leave the sea, so conflict was inevitable. In the end, the number of sea beasts dropped, but humans lost a lot too. Things have been relatively calm ever since." Old Clam explained the reason to Evan.
"That's terrifying. It's basically a massacre," Evan said helplessly.
"That's the cultivation path. You've only seen a little bit of it," Old Clam said, already immune to such slaughter—it had become second nature to him.
After hearing Old Clam, Evan glanced around at the crowd, feeling more at ease. He squeezed into the masses and started to learn about the general situation of this initial test.
The host for this preliminary round of the Hundred-Year Grand Festival was none other than the Huang Clan. Evan had no real impression of them—only when others mentioned how the Huang Clan controlled the Chu Family and other major clans and sects did he finally understand.
Why was it only the Huang Clan? Evan found it puzzling.
This mountain was called Eight-Tier Infinity Peak. From a distance, you could see the eight terraced levels, like a giant staircase. The very top was a massive platform that could hold tens of thousands, while the other seven tiers were even broader. Even with all the cultivators present, only the first five tiers were packed. If you wanted a clear view of the battles on the main platform, you had to be in one of the ten thousand seats at the top—or just hover in the air to watch from above.
That's why the outer area was filled with Core-Formation cultivators flying in midair, watching the action on the platform.
Just one Huang Clan controlled hundreds of families and sects, plus other major clans. This competition had participants from thousands of families and sects—and that was after the initial screening. Many didn't even qualify for the prelims. After all, the Eastern Continent had at least seventy or eighty thousand families and sects, if not over a hundred thousand.
Watching all these families and sects with people flying in the air to watch the platform, Evan immediately felt the tense atmosphere as soon as he entered.
"Strange, it's just the prelims for the Hundred-Year Grand Festival—why does everyone act like they're heading into battle?" Seeing the fierce, restless aura on so many people, Evan muttered to himself.
He slowly made his way to the first tier. Since it was already packed, he could only hover onto the platform, joining the crowd to watch the changes on the stage.
When Evan stopped to look closely at the platform, he saw it had already been split into many small arenas. Each arena had a designated spot for its referee, who controlled the formation to prevent outside damage.
"There must be at least fifty," Evan exclaimed, staring at the dense formations.
There were protective barriers set up around those formations. On top of that, the very top tier was surrounded by a massive formation; outsiders couldn't enter, and only participants or their close associates were allowed inside.
Inside, many people were flying around to help maintain order. Evan glanced over and spotted quite a few familiar faces.
Gerald 'Old Ghost' Bai of the Bai Family, Tara Chu of the Chu Family, Skyward Situ of the Situ Clan, plus Rockwell Nance, Forden Wayne, and others. Most eye-catching of all was a middle-aged man sitting behind these powers, flanked by rows of cultivators whose realms were beyond Evan's ability to sense.
"Are those people from the Huang Clan?" Evan muttered, his gaze finally settling on Tara Chu.
Looking at the girl, Evan felt an indescribable emotion. He sighed helplessly, 'Forget it, let things take their course.'
'What are you thinking about, kid?' Old Clam asked, curious as he saw Evan's uncertain expression.
'Nothing,' Evan replied, not wanting to share his embarrassment with anyone.
'Still acting mysterious!' Old Clam laughed.
Hearing Old Clam's laughter, Evan felt goosebumps and ignored him, continuing to watch the changes on the field.
Rockwell Nance and his companions were frustrated, unable to find Evan and worried he might participate in the Hundred-Year Grand Festival. They kept a close eye on the crowd and outsiders, but seeing so many people in the air, they had no choice but to withdraw their spiritual sense and sit there, faces full of gloom.
'Brother Nance, why hasn't that kid shown up yet?' Gerald "Old Ghost" Bai had lost two sons; aside from the Wong Clan, he bore the deepest grudge against Evan and treated him as a thorn in his side.
'I don't know. I wish he'd show up too.' Rockwell Nance helplessly sent a voice transmission to Gerald "Old Ghost" Bai.
'I heard he's involved with the Chu Family's young lady?' Gerald "Old Ghost" Bai muttered, glancing at the Chu Family members not far ahead.
'Yes, I've heard he caused a stir at the Chu Family and even cured that girl's illness, raising her cultivation to peak Foundation-Building.' Rockwell Nance answered, looking toward Tara Chu.
'Hmph, if he doesn't show up soon, don't blame me!' Gerald "Old Ghost" Bai looked at Tara Chu as if she were prey.
Don't be impulsive. There are competitions these days, and the Huang Clan hates internal conflict. If you grab her, it'll cause trouble.' Rockwell Nance wanted to act but forced himself to calm down.
'Then what should we do?' Gerald "Old Ghost" Bai asked, forgetting his reason in his urgency.
'She's competing every day. We just need to keep someone watching her. If she contacts any strangers, we can deal with it then.' Rockwell Nance said helplessly.
'I hope that kid comes to find her, otherwise we've come for nothing.' Gerald "Old Ghost" Bai's main focus wasn't the competition, but Evan.
'Don't worry.' Rockwell Nance glanced at Tara Chu's position and reassured Gerald "Old Ghost" Bai.
Evan had no idea those two old foxes were waiting for him to appear.
Just then, someone sent him a voice transmission, 'Brother Mu.'
Evan looked toward the source of the voice and saw a woman appear behind him. It was none other than Faye Violet.
'I didn't expect it to really be Brother Mu,' Faye Violet said with a smile.
Are you Lynn Snowmoon's senior-sister?' Evan was surprised that someone could recognize him here.
Yes, my junior-sister wants you to come over.' Faye Violet pointed to a platform not far away, where a young woman was smiling at Evan. That woman was none other than Lynn Snowmoon.
'How is she here?' Evan wondered silently, but smiled and asked, 'Can I go in?'
Of course, I'll take you in.' Led by Faye Violet, Evan walked into the grand formation under the envious gaze of the crowd.
Since many people had the habit of bringing guests in, the family and sect disciples present didn't find it odd and continued watching the competition. However, a group glared angrily at Evan.
Those people were none other than the four outstanding youths. Ignoring their stares, Evan walked up to Lynn Snowmoon and smiled, 'I didn't expect you to be here, Lynn.'
I thought I was mistaken, but it really is you, Brother Mu,' Lynn Snowmoon said, standing up with a smile.
You truly have sharp eyes, Lynn. To spot me among so many people—I'm really lucky.' Evan was amazed that Lynn Snowmoon noticed him.
Lynn Snowmoon just smiled, 'Not really, I just happened to notice. I left in a hurry the other day and haven't thanked you yet, Brother Mu.'
It was nothing,' Evan replied modestly.
Would you like to sit here, Brother Mu?' Lynn Snowmoon pointed to a few empty seats in her area and smiled.
Thank you, Lynn.' Evan smiled and, having nowhere else to sit, took a seat and started chatting with Lynn Snowmoon about the competition.
Damn!' Gavin Wu, sitting closest to Lynn Snowmoon, could clearly see Evan and Lynn sitting side by side.
Brother Wu, we four can't let one person keep us down, right?' Brandon Tang suddenly chimed in with a smile.
My grandfather told me not to make a move before the Hundred-Year Grand Festival, so I can't do anything to him.' Gavin Wu, knowing Evan's abilities, didn't want to cause trouble.
Brandon Tang had noticed Gavin Wu's concerns and smiled, 'Don't forget, Jude Jiu's hand was crippled that day. If anyone hates that guy most, it's their sect.'
Oh? What do you mean?' Gavin Wu immediately caught on and smiled.
Why not let the Qi-Path Lineage deal with him?' Brandon Tang pointed to the Qi-Path group, where only Jude Jiu was missing, and smiled.
But what if that guy is really strong?' Gavin Wu still felt a bit worried.
No matter how strong he is, it's not our concern. He's not from our sect or your family, right?' Brandon Tang continued to urge Gavin Wu.
Alright, let's give it a try.' Gavin Wu nodded.
Then Brandon Tang and Gavin Wu headed toward the Qi-Path Lineage camp where Jude Jiu's group was.
Outstanding disciples like these four were directly promoted to the Hundred-Year Grand Festival. They only needed to show up, not compete, so they could freely roam the venue and no one bothered them.
What are those two up to now?' Lynn Snowmoon, who was chatting, suddenly spoke up.
'Them?' Evan looked toward Lynn Snowmoon and saw Gavin Wu and Brandon Tang walking somewhere.
Definitely nothing good,' Evan said with a smile.
These people,' Lynn Snowmoon said helplessly.
Evan ignored them and continued chatting with Lynn Snowmoon about the competition. When he heard that disciples from various sects and families had been killed recently, his expression turned strange. 'Don't these big families care?'
Care? They're the ones planning it. Why would they care?' Lynn Snowmoon replied coldly.
They're planning it?' Evan didn't understand what Lynn Snowmoon meant.
This happens all the time. The big families periodically clean out the sects and clans below them, reorganize things, and grab some benefits along the way.' Lynn Snowmoon sent Evan a voice transmission.
Seeing Lynn Snowmoon transmit her voice, Evan realized this was something only discussed in private. Many families and sects knew, but could do nothing except play by others' rules.
Evan replied via voice transmission, 'These families are really selfish.'
When I first came down the mountain, I didn't believe it either. But after everything that's happened lately... sigh, what do people cultivate immortality for?' Lynn Snowmoon said helplessly.