The next day.
Today was the most anticipated day of the tournament.
The day the Champion of the Clan Competition would be decided.
In previous years, there was suspense—bets were placed, predictions made.
But this year, things were different.
Everyone already knew who the champion would be.
Xiu.
Naturally, that referred to Hun Xiu.
On the Grand Plaza.
It was packed with spectators eager for drama.
In past years, everyone would be discussing who had the best shot at becoming the champion.
But not this time.
There was no suspense.
Everyone believed the outcome was already decided.
No one was asking who would win—They were now wondering how Hun Xiu would win.
A mid-tier Dou Sect cultivator among the crowd spoke:
"So, what do you think? How many moves will Young Master Hun Xiu need to claim victory?"
"One move?"
"Or three?"
"Definitely one."
"No, I say three."
Lively debate and speculation rippled through the crowd, sweeping across the plaza like wildfire.
The voices below naturally reached the four participants standing above, on the floating dueling arena.
Hun Xiu pretended not to hear a thing, quietly holding his wooden sword with a calm demeanor.
The other three—Hun Feng, Hun Yu, and Hun Huan'er—couldn't help but twitch at the corners of their mouths.
Their thoughts were the same:
"Is everyone really counting us out like that?"
But then they recalled the terrifying strength Hun Xiu had already displayed—
And all they could do was smile bitterly.
Indeed.
With the level of power he had shown—this year's championship was already his.
None but Xiu.
They honestly had no right to compete for first place.
Elder Hun Dun looked at the trio and spoke slowly:
"Standing here, I'm sure you've already realized it yourselves—""You four are the strongest contenders for the championship this year."
As soon as he said that, Hun Feng, Hun Yu, and Hun Huan'er each gave a forced smile.
Clearly, they didn't agree with that statement.
Contenders for first place? Them?
Ha.
All three of them knew deep down—they were just here to go through the motions.
First place?
It had already been reserved by Hun Xiu.
They were just there to make up the numbers.
To be honest, even Hun Dun himself didn't believe his own words.
He knew it too—this year, barring any surprises, none but Hun Xiu could take first.
But still, the ceremony had to be followed.
What if some miracle happened?
So Hun Dun continued:
"This year's final round will be different from previous ones."
"The rules have changed."
"Today, the last one standing on the dueling platform will be declared the winner."
Then, in a sudden twist, he added:
"In other words… you're allowed to team up and eliminate the strongest contender first."
"Hm?"
This unexpected rule caught everyone off guard.
Even Hun Xiu looked up sharply at the main platform where the clan leaders sat.
His eyes met those of Hun Tiandi.
Hun Tiandi noticed his gaze and smiled faintly.
His meaning was clear:
"Yes, I arranged this.""Did you really think becoming first would be that easy?"
Hun Xiu lowered his gaze.
He understood.
He was being deliberately targeted.
In the crowd…
After a brief stunned silence, the audience began murmuring, whispering back and forth:
"Doesn't it seem like this rule is meant to target Young Master Hun Xiu?"
"Bro, be more confident. Drop the 'seems like.' It definitely targets him."
"Still… it kinda makes sense. With his strength, unless the other three gang up on him, they wouldn't stand a chance."
"Heh… sounds like even if they gang up on him, they still wouldn't stand a chance."
"True. They can't beat him alone, and they can't beat him together either."
"Sigh… honestly, being a genius in the same generation as Hun Xiu must be tragic. There's no room to shine."
"He's just too strong, too perfect. I feel bad for the others."
Meanwhile, Hun Feng, Hun Yu, and Hun Huan'er momentarily brightened—only to exchange glances and sigh in resignation.
They knew very well:
Even if they teamed up, they still weren't a match for Hun Xiu.
Rather than walk up there and get humiliated together, it might be wiser to just step aside.
Hun Dun noticed the trio's hesitance and frowned.
This wasn't the result he'd hoped for.
He subtly looked toward the center seat on the platform—Hun Tiandi.
As if asking for guidance.
Hun Tiandi, having read their thoughts as well, gave a small nod.
Though he didn't say anything, he was clearly disappointed.
"I went through all this trouble… and you still plan to waste my efforts?"
Truly disappointing.
But Hun Dun now knew what to do.
His gaze shifted to Hun Xiu.
"Hun Xiu."
"Yes."
Hun Xiu, still holding his wooden sword, took a step forward.
Hun Feng, Hun Yu, and Hun Huan'er saw this and thought:
"Is the elder about to just declare Hun Xiu the champion outright?"
Not only they thought so—Even the spectators quieted down.
Everyone held their breath.
They felt like they were about to witness history.
But then…
Hun Dun said:
"Hun Xiu, tell us—what is your current cultivation level?"
"…The hell?!"
The crowd was stunned.
Utterly dumbfounded.
Like someone who'd just been betrayed after taking off their pants.
This was it?After all that hype… they just wanted to hear his level?
A spectator couldn't hold back:
"What kind of nonsense is this?! I thought they were going to declare him champion already!"
"All that buildup—for this? Waste of emotion."
"Exactly. What a letdown."
But then, one voice rang out:
"Aren't you at least curious what Young Master Hun Xiu's level actually is?"
"Hm?" × many
"Now that you mention it… yeah, I kinda want to know."
"Same here."
"Honestly, more than hearing he's the winner, I want to know just how strong he really is."
"What do you think his level is? Dou Sect? Dou Venerate? Dou Saint?"
"Shut up and listen. We'll find out."
Sure enough—
The once noisy crowd fell completely silent.
So quiet you could hear the fall of a single leaf.
All ears turned toward the lone white-clothed figure standing on the platform.
All eyes locked onto him.
Every soul present held the same burning question:
Just what is the true cultivation level of Young Master Hun Xiu?
Dou Sect?
Dou Venerate?
Dou Saint?
Even Hun Feng, Hun Yu, and Hun Huan'er—his so-called "opponents"—strained their ears.
They had always wondered.