Supernatural Insight Eyes
Chapter 285 - 0284 The Fifth Owl, Meng Pengxiao

Chapter 285: 0284 The Fifth Owl, Meng Pengxiao

Atop Mount Hua.

Upon the battle platform, figures were already engaged in combat.

Though the clashes were intense, they failed to attract much attention—these contests were merely appetizers for the martial arts competition between the northern and southern realms.

The combatants vying on the platform, as well as those young Martial Artists eagerly waiting their turn, wished not to rank within the top few but simply to make an appearance in the martial world, especially before numerous highly esteemed seniors.

The competition between the martial artists of the north and south could be described as a grand festival within the martial world; everyone present belonged to this community. Aside from those inexperienced youngsters, those who drew the most attention were the veteran elders.

If one was lucky enough to be appreciated by one of the elders, they might be taken on as a disciple, thoroughly turning their life around. This was the thought of many young Martial Artists preparing to take the field first.

Those young ones who had toiled in obscurity without success viewed this martial arts tournament as extremely important, their performance could completely change their destinies.

Some had been taken as disciples by highly respected figures in the martial world on the very first day of the tournament, and their martial paths had advanced by leaps and bounds, eventually becoming renowned figures within the martial arts community.

To many, this martial arts gathering offered a stage to showcase oneself, so even if they were not aiming to become one of the top few, they still came for better chances of advancement, giving their all and hoping to attract more attention.

This battle platform could lift someone to instant fame overnight, making them the lucky carp that leaps through the dragon’s gate.

But it could also subject one to everyone’s discussion or even ridicule.

There was much to gain and much to lose; comparatively speaking, though the chance of gaining was small, it was still a golden opportunity to stand out.

Therefore, to grasp this slim chance, those young Martial Artists eager to try spared no effort in using their best moves, striving to stay on the battle platform as long as possible.

Beneath the platform, Lan Bing stood with her father, Lan Xiaosheng, watching the two shadows sparring in silence.

It was Lan Bing’s first time attending the north-south martial arts tournament, and excitement flickered in her eyes; although the combat on the platform didn’t win many gazes, Lan Bing was deeply engrossed.

"What do you think?" asked Lan Xiaosheng. Seeing the expression on his daughter, Lan Bing’s face, he smiled faintly.

"They seem not much different from me. I wonder how long they can last on the battle platform?" Lan Bing said.

Lan Xiaosheng laughed heartily, "How far do you think this level of strength can go?"

"Can’t guess," Lan Bing shook her head. According to her own thoughts, these two fighters’ strength wasn’t much different from hers, but it seemed like they wouldn’t last long.

"These two are using standard moves. The fight seems exciting, but it’s rather superficial. To reach the end and fight until the last, relying on such skills alone won’t suffice; there’s a long road ahead," said Lan Xiaosheng.

Lan Bing nodded. She was very aware of her own strength; with a mid-level capacity for force, she believed many wouldn’t consider her a threat.

Lan Bing wasn’t upset with her father’s frankness; after all, even the slightest discrepancy could lead to a vast difference among Martial Artists.

Moreover, with many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the martial world, as a girl, she might not be the strongest compared to males of her age, but she was certainly not the weakest. As for comparing with those top martial talents, that was a different matter entirely.

For some reason, watching those two young Martial Artists on the platform who were about her age, Ye Qiu abruptly came to mind.

If that guy were to attend the martial arts tournament, he would surely cause a sensation, she thought.

Although Lan Bing wasn’t clear about Ye Qiu’s true strength, she sensed that his skills were quite formidable—far surpassing her own. Otherwise, her father wouldn’t have mentioned Ye Qiu several times after their meeting.

There were not many youngsters whom her father regarded highly, and Ye Qiu was one of them.

"I wonder if he can make it here..." Lan Bing murmured.

...

Ye Qiu, Mu Zhige, Lin Wurou, and Li Xiaohu, four people, ascended the stone steps, gradually making their way toward the summit of the mountain.

These stone steps, one layer stacked upon another, appeared from the base of the mountain like a ladder reaching to the heavens, twisting and turning, daunting to anyone who looked up.

If an ordinary person wished to reach the summit, it would be impossible without a full day, as the steps numbered ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine, and climbing them was no easy task.

However, for Martial Artists, it was much easier. After all, their physical strength was formidable, far beyond that of ordinary people, almost not needing to rest, they could reach the top directly.

Many wished to ascend to the summit, but fortunately, the steps were wide enough that with a light step, one could float upward without causing congestion.

These days marked the grand convention of Martial Artists, which wasn’t easy for ordinary folks to partake in.

The four of them climbed one step at a time, and in less than half an hour, had ascended thousands of steps.

As the view beneath them grew smaller, they were near the mountainside before they finally took a rest.

After waiting for ten minutes, they continued on their way. An hour later, Mu Zhige suddenly stopped in his tracks.

His gaze turned to two figures not far ahead.

The young man took leisurely paces that seemed like leaps, ascending one step at a time, with the big man following closely behind him.

Lin Wurou frowned; those two figures in the distance were familiar, the very same pair who had confronted them earlier.

One was arrogant and bold, the other mysterious and indifferent.

Li Xiaohu’s eyelids twitched as if the blow he had previously received from the big man still lingered, causing him to grit his teeth without his usual playful smile.

Aware of being watched, the young man and the big man turned around simultaneously, their gaze colliding with that of Mu Zhige and the others.

The big man laughed, "Haha, these little shrimps also want to attend the Wulin Convention; how amusing," he said.

The young man showed little expression, glancing over indifferently before looking away and saying, "No need to waste time on them. They are but at the level of Vigor Boundary. Do you really want to tease that woman?"

"Hehe, the young master knows me too well. That woman is like a wildcat that can’t be tamed, and I like it the most. However, the young master’s matter is the most important right now. These trivial things should be set aside. Anyway, they have also come up here; it won’t be too late to tease them after the Wulin Convention has ended," the big man said with a laugh.

The young man smiled faintly without warmth, turned his head, and continued onward.

Ye Qiu had already noticed the shift in everyone’s expressions and couldn’t help but focus on the big man and the young man. After a moment, Ye Qiu asked, "Do you know them?"

Mu Zhige nodded: "Those two are highly skilled; we’ve had friction with them before..."

"What happened?" Ye Qiu asked.

There was silence among Mu Zhige and the others for a while, until Li Xiaohu interjected, "Let me explain..."

After listening to Li Xiaohu’s account, Ye Qiu frowned. No wonder their expressions were off; they had a past conflict with the other party.

"Who could this person be?" Ye Qiu wondered aloud.