The Martial Arts Tournament was actually a "friendship first, competition second" event jointly organized by various martial arts schools.
The so-called "friendship first" was just empty words - the real purpose was naturally to win first place, boost their school's reputation, and attract more students.
These days, competition for martial arts school enrollment was fierce!
There were also many disciples taught by "independent martial artists" participating, aiming to make a name for themselves, though some were after the top ten prizes.
Zhou Enxian said: "Martial arts shouldn't be practiced behind closed doors. Exchanging skills with peers leads to faster improvement. At Pingfu's age, he should gain some experience."
Among village peers—no, even those older than Li Pingfu—none could defeat him now.
Sometimes Zhou Enxian even doubted whether a Blood Qi Realm martial artist like himself could properly teach such a martial arts genius.
Whether for Li Pingfu's future or his own reputation, this Martial Arts Tournament was a good opportunity.
Li Rongzhou thought for a moment and said: "Ask Pingfu. He can make his own decision."
But this wasn't cowardly avoidance—he'd note down grievances and seek proper opportunities to settle scores.
Hearing Zhou Enxian's words, Li Pingfu asked: "Master, what are the tournament rewards?"
"Don't aim for top three—not because you lack skill, but because your master lacks influence," Zhou Enxian sighed.
The tournament had youth, junior, and adult divisions. At fifteen, Li Pingfu would compete in the junior division (sixteen and above being youth division).
A Tendon Realm practitioner in the junior division was somewhat like bullying, but not without challengers.
As for top three prizes—Blood Qi Pills, genuine immortal-refined elixirs—each school had their prearranged winners.
If you didn't understand this and somehow won, someone would later "educate" you.
Li Pingfu nodded. He was no longer the child seeking "justice and law"—he understood the world's inherent unfairness.
Zhou Enxian continued: "But top ten is achievable. The reward is a Mind Awakening Talisman that temporarily enhances comprehension, greatly benefiting martial arts cultivation."
This was also an immortal's talisman. Compared to Blood Qi Pills' tangible effects, the talisman's results varied—some benefited greatly, others felt nothing—hence Zhou Enxian thought it worth pursuing.
Most school heads were Dragon's Blood or Divine Execution Realm martial artists, giving them some bargaining power against early-stage Qi Refinement cultivators.
Hearing "Mind Awakening Talisman," Li Pingfu's heart stirred: "Master, I want to participate."
"Then prepare yourself. We leave for Flat Peach Town tomorrow."
Initially just Zhou Enxian and his disciple were going.
Eventually the whole family decided to accompany Li Pingfu and cheer him on.
"Father, it's just a competition. No need for the whole family to come."
Seeing his younger siblings' excitement, Li Pingfu—originally unworried—felt slightly nervous.
"I'm taking your mother to tour the town. Watching you fight is secondary."
Li Rongzhou hired an ox cart for the family. Passing a Peach Blossom Village household, they heard whip cracks and pained wails.
Li Pingcan glanced with mushroom vision and gasped.
This was the "possessed" child's home. To "exorcise evil," the parents beat him with salt-coated willow branches.
Unwilling to pay for an "expert," they used folk remedies—whipping him daily while demanding "Are you still possessed?" until the child cried "I'm not!"
Even evil spirits would fear this treatment!
Li Pingcan thought his insect pranks were harsh, but these parents were brutal!
Flat Peach Town had blue-bricked buildings, complete with markets, taverns and inns.
Despite claiming to sightsee, Li Rongzhou bought candied hawthorns for Li Pingcan and Xie Yuan. Before the matches, they secured good viewing spots.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The gong sounded—the tournament began.
Schools displayed banners: Azure Dragon, Black Bear, Vermillion Bird... like a zoo.
Perhaps ancient people viewed such beasts as epitomes of fearsome power.
Soon martial artists paired off, some tumbling offstage.
Perched on his father's shoulders, Li Pingcan noticed school disciples had stronger Blood Qi than independent students.
Flat Peach Town residents were wealthier than villagers, though Peach Blossom Village prospered from peach sales, allowing many children to train.
Still, the wealth gap showed—village disciples lost nine out of ten matches.
More like lack of money!
The rich rely on technology, the poor on mutation—truer words never spoken.
When his brother's turn came, Li Pingfu didn't attack first. Waiting for openings, he cleanly body-slammed opponents headfirst into the ground!
The Li family cheered excitedly.
After consecutive wins, he reached finals.
Then commotion—school heads, impressed yet wary, suddenly changed rules:
One-on-one became free-for-all.
Li Rongzhou frowned: "Trouble. As an outsider, Pingfu will be targeted."
The rule change itself was targeting.
Even a tiger struggles against wolf packs.
Li Pingcan glared—were they really monopolizing even a talisman?
Different schools unusually teamed up against Li Pingfu.
Neither status nor pride allowed outsiders at their table.
"Advice, bumpkin—leave now and save yourself a beating!"
Li Pingfu calmly replied: "I just want the talisman."
"You?!" The boy scoffed, then gasped as Li Pingfu pounced like a tiger!
Take down the leader first!
Ignoring punches from all sides, Li Pingfu pummeled the mocker until he quit!
Then he disabled another.
Fierce moves left him battered!
Vision blurred—was that sweat or blood? Salty, like mother's egg soup.
Finally, he stood alone, surveying cowering opponents: "Who's next?"
None dared approach this human tiger among sheep.
"Pingfu, you made top ten!"
Leaving the stage bruised and bloodied:
"Pingfu!" Lady Qin fretted: "They clearly ganged up on you! You should've quit!"
"Mother, martial artists don't quit easily."
"Son's right," Li Rongzhou applied medicinal oil.
Zhou Enxian sighed: "Our influence is lacking."
They couldn't even secure fair competition.
The painful ointment made Li Pingfu grimace, but he wasn't upset.
Secretly, he felt proud—he'd held back his trump card despite the beating. Such restraint surprised even himself.
Meanwhile, Li Pingcan memorized those schools' names—revenge could wait ten years!
At dusk, Li Pingfu sneaked into Li Pingcan's room.
"Big bro?" Li Pingcan had noticed his furtive movements.
"Good news." Grinning mysteriously, Li Pingfu produced the talisman.
"Little brother, use this during your spiritual root test."
"Brother, no! You earned this!" And took so many hits!
"Take it. Listen to me!"
Forcing it into his hands, Li Pingfu patted his shoulder—then winced from his wounds.
"Don't worry about the test. Move forward bravely. Spiritual root or not, you're my brother."
Clutching the talisman warmed by his brother's touch, Li Pingcan's heart swelled like spring wind filling a barren valley.