Chapter Twenty-Three: The Great Cat!

The Demon-Slaying Tournament had begun!

Chen Fan heard the announcement and immediately turned to his senior brothers. “My fellow brothers, I have some matters to attend to, so I must take my leave for now,” he declared, then strode off without hesitation.

The people around him, including Lin Shiyu and the others, exchanged bewildered glances. Naturally, they suspected that Chen Fan’s departure was prompted by the announcement, yet they could hardly believe it.

Lin Shiyu forced a laugh. “Perhaps Junior Brother Chen already arranged a meeting with the master, and it’s possible he has reached the third level of martial arts. Still, he only broke through recently—I doubt he’d be foolish enough to challenge a beast.”

Even though Chen Fan had defeated Xiao Chunkong a month ago, Lin Shiyu could not imagine him participating in the Demon-Slaying Tournament. Xiao Chunkong was nearly at the peak of the third level, but without any unique attributes, he couldn’t compare to beasts of the same rank.

Yet as Lin Shiyu spoke, his voice grew weaker. Chen Fan’s remarkable feats had often astonished him; perhaps if Chen Fan did dare challenge a beast, it would not be so surprising after all.

Everyone understood Lin Shiyu’s meaning, their expressions growing increasingly strange.

Every year, the Demon-Slaying Tournament saw disciples gravely injured or even killed. Beasts of equal rank were always much stronger than martial artists. Even those at the peak of their level were far weaker than their beast counterparts. Martial artists’ advantage lay in their mastery of true skills, but third-level practitioners were the lowest in skill and faced the greatest danger.

Chen Fan was still young, his foundation not yet deep.

Lin Qingyu frowned slightly. “When the tournament officially begins, we’ll witness it ourselves. Whether Junior Brother Chen has reached the third level, and whether he participates, we’ll soon find out!”

As the event truly began, the crowds naturally gathered at the central arena to witness the fierce battle between man and beast.

…

Beneath the city walls stood a massive arena reminiscent of a coliseum, guarded by iron gates on either side.

At the same time, countless martial artists pressed forward, climbing the high platforms to view the enormous arena and stage below, waiting for the tournament to commence.

Chen Fan had already reached the iron gate at the side of the “coliseum.”

“Which sect are you from? You can’t enter at will. Only disciples registered for demon-slaying may go inside,” a guard barked.

Chen Fan quickly produced his waist token. “I am Chen Fan of White Cloud Martial Hall, registered for the Demon-Slaying Tournament.”

The guard took the token in surprise, checked the list of participants, and found Chen Fan’s name. His demeanor immediately changed to one of respect. To dare register at such a young age, regardless of his strength, was courage worth praising.

Chen Fan entered the arena, following the guidance on the wall until he arrived at a massive stage. Before it lay an open space, already crowded with many people.

His master, Dong Guzhi, was laughing and chatting with someone near the stage. Chen Fan hurried forward.

“Master!”

Dong Guzhi saw Chen Fan and could not help but smile. “You rascal, just broke through to the third level and already registered for demon-slaying—do you care nothing for your life?”

Though his words were reproachful, his eyes held an unmistakable admiration.

Beside Dong Guzhi stood a tall armored man with piercing eyes, fixed on Chen Fan in mild surprise. “Even your newest disciple has reached the third level?”

Dong Guzhi smiled. “This lad has a solid foundation, so his cultivation was a bit swifter. Nothing remarkable, really.”

He turned to Chen Fan and introduced him. “This is General Yin Hang, one of the leaders of the Serpent Army and deputy commander. He’s also responsible for many aspects of this tournament.”

Chen Fan, who had seen the Serpent Army’s prowess upon arriving in Yan Capital, straightened. “Greetings, General Yin.”

Just then, another tall man walked up. “Master, Uncle Yin!”

It was Chen Fan’s eldest brother, Fan Zhong, who had also registered for the tournament.

Yin Hang greeted him warmly, pulling Fan Zhong into a bear hug. “You look even stronger since last we met!”

Clearly, their relationship was close.

Chen Fan had heard his eldest brother came from the military, but did not know the details. He watched in surprise.

Dong Guzhi noticed Chen Fan’s curiosity and smiled. “Your eldest brother’s father is Fan Lin, General Fan of the Serpent Army. Yin Hang here is the deputy commander. How could they not be close?”

Chen Fan was startled. His eldest brother’s background was extraordinary! The hundred-strong Serpent Army could slay grandmasters, and Fan Lin commanded three thousand troops—a force beyond Chen Fan’s comprehension.

“No wonder the soldiers treat our White Cloud Martial Hall with such respect…”

A figure like Fan Lin would trust Dong Guzhi with his son’s training, proof of Dong Guzhi’s skill with disciples.

As they discussed, more disciples registered for demon-slaying gathered. The heads of Yan Capital’s major factions, including the city lord, assembled as well.

Dong Guzhi and General Yin Hang soon joined the gathering. Chen Fan observed that his master and Yin Hang were closest, their relationship clearly distinct from the others.

Chen Fan frowned. “The Serpent Army is supposed to be a special force of the Great Qian Dynasty. Why would its commander be closer to my master than to the imperial court?”

He did not understand these complicated alliances.

“The tournament is about to begin! All disciples participating in the assessment, gather here!” called an official from the city lord’s manor.

“Third-level martial artists, over here! Fourth-level, over there…”

Chen Fan hurried to his assigned place and soon spotted Senior Brother Chi Liuguang, whom he had met once before.

Chi Liuguang had mastered footwork at the subtle level, and among third-level martial artists, could walk unchallenged. Though he had just broken through, he certainly would not lose to beasts of his rank.

“Junior Brother Chen!”

Chi Liuguang was surprised to see that White Cloud Martial Hall’s second third-level participant was the newly promoted core disciple, Chen Fan.

Both had only just reached the third level yet had come to challenge beasts.

Chi Liuguang frowned and shook his head. “Junior Brother Chen, your vital energy is strong, which gives you an advantage against men. But against beasts, it’s useless. You only just broke through to the third level—challenging beasts now is too reckless!”

Chen Fan laughed heartily. “Don’t worry, Senior Brother! I have some confidence in myself!”

Chi Liuguang, recalling Chen Fan was the master’s personal disciple and exceptionally gifted, did not pursue the matter.

After some time, one participant did not arrive—whether delayed by urgent matters or fleeing at the last moment, none could say. Regardless, the dignitaries departed to their elevated positions, and the iron gates were locked; no one else would enter.

Now, only General Yin Hang and a squad of heavily armored guards remained around the arena.

“Bring in the beasts!” Yin Hang ordered.

Amid a chorus of animal roars, massive prison carts were wheeled into the arena, each holding a beast.

All the beasts were bound by special chains, unable to move, yet their every roar shook the heavens, filled with murderous intent.

The enormous arena echoed with the cries of beasts, not as loud as the earlier announcement but still intimidating.

Around the circular arena, countless spectators screamed and cheered in excitement.

Chen Fan’s gaze swept across the beasts.

Called “beasts,” their difference from ordinary animals was their size and some unusual features.

There was a wild boar with a single horn, a golden-furred bear, a deer-shaped beast with razor-sharp teeth...

Chen Fan’s gaze finally settled on one cage and could not move away.

It was a “big cat”—a tiger-shaped beast! Its size was not the largest among them, merely larger than the tigers Chen Fan remembered, with no other remarkable features.

The reason Chen Fan could not look away was because the martial technique he was currently practicing was the “Nine Yang Dominant Tiger Fist.”

…

As the beasts were brought in, the martial artists crowding the platforms screamed and shouted with renewed excitement, and the atmosphere reached its peak.

Bao Tianyou, Lin Shiyu, and other disciples pressed through the throng, scanning the arena below for Chen Fan.

“Look over there, second row near the edge—could that be Junior Brother Chen?” Bao Tianyou, who was not particularly skilled but had sharp senses, was the first to spot him.

Lin Shiyu and the others looked and quickly confirmed.

“It really is Junior Brother Chen—he actually registered for the Demon-Slaying Tournament!”

Lin Shiyu’s emotions were complex.

He was the top talent in Feiling County, not yet twenty-five, already at the fourth level of martial arts, and considered above average in White Cloud Martial Hall.

But compared to a third-level martial artist not yet fifteen, the gap felt daunting…

Most embarrassing of all, Lin Shiyu had been at the fourth level for half a year without mastering any subtle techniques, and still could not claim he could defeat a beast of the corresponding third level…