Chapter Forty-Two: A Fierce Duel of Sorcery

Scarlet leaves drifted and blanketed the earth; in the blink of an eye, late autumn had arrived. Today marked the beginning of the grand tournament among the Four Great Families, open to all juniors under the age of fifteen. The tournament would consist of three rounds: the elimination round, the arena challenge, and the final championship.

The elimination round was a random draw, with victors advancing and losers forfeiting their right to compete. The arena challenge was a defense match; those who successfully defended the arena ten times would automatically qualify for the next round, with the top eight advancing to the finals. The finals would follow a knockout format—eight to four, then four to two—ultimately deciding the top three.

At dawn, the juniors of the Gu family gathered in the Martial Hall. Gu Jun sat upright at the head, his expression stern as he swept his gaze across the clan members in the hall. He spoke, “This tournament sees fifteen participants from our Gu family. Remember, the outcome concerns our family's honor—give it your all and achieve great results!”

“We will give our best and bring glory to the clan!” rang out a unified, spirited reply, brimming with youthful vigor.

Gu Jun smiled, stroking his beard with satisfaction, and reminded them, “The tournament is important, but so is your safety. Do not force what cannot be done.”

“Yes!” The juniors in the Martial Hall felt warmed by his words, anticipation for the coming matches causing their blood to surge.

Standing among them, Gu Weiyu clenched her fists, something within her ready to burst forth.

Gu Jun glanced down at Gu Yu and Gu Hui, who would be leading the team to the tournament.

“Let's depart!” Gu Hui produced his treasured Spirit Boat, enlarging it to three zhang in length, and everyone boarded for the journey to the tournament venue—the Duel Pavilion.

The Duel Pavilion was located in the western outskirts of the county city, rarely visited except during the grand tournament of the Four Great Families, when its doors were thrown open.

Gu Hui and Gu Yu stood fore and aft on the Spirit Boat, in a protective stance, while the juniors sat in the middle. Soon, they arrived outside the Duel Pavilion.

Everyone disembarked in turn and entered the Pavilion. Its grounds were vast, surrounded by spectator stands, and at the center stood three jet-black arenas, remarkable in their appearance.

The Gu family was not the first to arrive; others had already claimed their place.

“Brother Yun—”

“Brother Gu—”

Gu Yu and the leader of the opposing group exchanged bows from afar, a gesture of greeting, and the Gu family found a place to sit.

Gu Weiyu glanced at the group opposite them—it was the Yun family.

Within a quarter hour, the Lu and Lian families arrived as well, filling the Duel Pavilion with lively chatter.

“Cousin Xingyun!” came Gu Weifang’s cheerful voice as she bounded over to Lu Xingyun, who had just entered.

The Gu juniors stood to greet them. “Tenth Aunt, Cousin Xingyun!”

Lu Xingyun nodded warmly. Gu Qing accompanied him on a tour of the Lu family, then returned with Gu Weifang to sit with the Gu family.

Following the juniors, each family's elders arrived in pairs, with the family heads and elders coming last.

The host of this tournament was the Lian family’s Third Elder, a portly man dressed today in a reddish-purple robe, a jade gourd at his waist, lending him an air of authority.

Seeing everyone assembled, he stepped forward and bowed to all sides, his voice booming through the Pavilion, “Greetings to you all—Lian extends his respects!”

At his words, the idle chatter ceased, and all eyes turned to him.

“Will all tournament participants please step forward to draw lots,” he announced, producing a wooden lot container.

The juniors from the four families rose and, led by their elders, went to draw their numbers. Though the matches had not yet begun, the queue was alive with furtive glances and subtle tension.

“Those who have drawn, come forward to register!” called the registrar.

“Wow, I drew number six—what a lucky number!” Gu Qingyun said with a smile. “Ninth Sister, Eleventh Sister, what numbers did you get?”

“I’m number thirty-eight,” Gu Weihuan replied, raising her wooden token.

“I’m sixty-three.” Seeing their gaze, Gu Weiyu unfolded her token, revealing the number “63.”

After registering their numbers, they returned to their seats.

“Now, I will announce the rules for the first round: the elimination round. There are sixty-three participants; number sixty-three has a bye. The rest will compete—number one versus sixty-two, two versus sixty-one, and so on!” declared Third Elder Lian. “Numbers one to three, sixty to sixty-two, please step up to the arena!”

No sooner had he finished than six participants walked to the three central arenas.

“Eleventh Sister, you got a bye!” Gu Qingyun exclaimed, envy in his tone.

“Hehe, lucky today,” Gu Weiyu replied, leaning back lazily as she gazed at the arena.

“Why couldn’t I be so lucky?” Gu Weifang muttered under her breath, biting her lip.

“Let the matches—begin—” The call resounded as three arched shields rose over the arenas, and the contestants sprang into action.

All eyes were fixed on the arenas, attention riveted on the matches.

“That one is strong!” Gu Weiyu’s gaze fell on the black-clad youth in the central arena, whose fierce, precise moves defeated his opponent within three exchanges.

Before a quarter hour had passed, he stood calmly, looking to Third Elder Lian, while his opponent lay sprawled, struggling to rise.

“Number one is victorious!” Third Elder Lian announced.

“Well done, Fifth Brother!” Cheers thundered from the Lu family’s section.

So that youth was the Lu family’s Fifth Son, Gu Weiyu mused.

“Fifth Cousin is amazing!” Gu Weifang exclaimed, eyes sparkling as she watched the youth leave the arena.

“Numbers four and fifty-nine to the arena!” Third Elder Lian gestured to the available stage.

The other two arenas were also nearing their conclusions, and soon the winners were decided. Third Elder Lian began announcing new matches.

“Numbers six and fifty-seven!”

Gu Qingyun stood. “It’s my turn!”

“Twelfth Brother, go for it!”

“Twelfth Brother, do your best!” The encouragement from his siblings rang from behind, bringing a confident smile to Gu Qingyun’s lips as he strode to the arena.

This time, the Gu family’s attention was drawn to the rightmost stage.

Gu Qingyun’s opponent was a girl about his age, small and delicate in appearance, evoking sympathy.

“Let the match—begin—” Third Elder Lian called, and both sprang into action.

Fireball technique! Gu Qingyun swiftly launched his attack, not daring to underestimate his opponent; his sisters might look gentle as lambs, but in battle they transformed into fierce tigresses.

The girl was startled, quickly dodging as she muttered to herself—how could he be so oblivious to her delicate charm?

A fireball grazed her dress, a faint smile appearing on her lips, but before she could relax, a powerful strike came from behind.

“Ah—” Pink-clad, she collided with the shield, producing a resounding bang.