The lunar calendar, the twentieth day of the first month, is auspicious for travel.
After the Lunar New Year, the Dragon Country began to resume its work.
On the twenty-first, the Asian Martial Ranking Tournament commenced.
Participants were required to arrive in the Land of the Rising Sun on the twentieth to verify their information and release the match-ups for warriors from various countries.
Which participating country's選手 dared not arrive at the competition venue on the twentieth?
"Creak—"
The gate of the Qian King's mansion opened, and Chen Jiuyang slowly stepped out.
Behind the gate stood his several confidantes and relatives. They watched him with varied expressions. None of them spoke to Chen Jiuyang, but instead, they respectfully addressed Han Peiling, "We trouble the Old Ancestor to accompany Jiuyang on this journey!"
Han Peiling replied, "It is my duty. You need not worry."
No matter how exceptional Chen Jiuyang's talent or how strong his combat power, he was merely at the sixth level of the Earth Realm, not yet having entered the Heaven Realm. With the Venerable Realm Old Ancestor Han Peiling accompanying him, they could rest assured.
Chen Jiuyang said, "You need not worry. With the Old Ancestor accompanying me, and the Dragon Capital Sword Bearer traveling with us, there will not be much danger under normal circumstances."
Stepping outside the gate.
Chen Jiuyang, however, stopped.
For no other reason than the densely packed crowd of veteran soldiers standing before him.
Apart from Chen Jiuyang, the other nine participating contestants from the Dragon Country's Martial Ranking had already arrived outside the Qian King's mansion. Even the Dragon Capital Sword Bearer was present.
Upon seeing Chen Jiuyang appear, a veteran soldier with white hair walked forward, his expression solemn, and spoke:
"In the year Jiazi, the nation's destiny battles anew. We wish the Qian King great martial fortune and glory for our Dragon Country!"
"We wish the Qian King great martial fortune and glory for our Dragon Country!"
The solemn and awe-inspiring words resounded, stirring Chen Jiuyang's blood and igniting his fighting spirit!
"Rumble!"
A specially modified helicopter slowly descended.
The Dragon Capital Sword Bearer said, "It's time, we must leave."
As Chen Jiuyang walked towards the helicopter, he spoke:
"In this battle for national destiny, we must carry forward the aspirations of our ancestors, fight enemies, and bring glory to our Dragon Country."
"Esteemed elders, please await good news in the Dragon Country, and await our triumphant return."
"Depart."
"Rumble!"
The helicopter took off and soon disappeared into the sky.
...
Land of the Rising Sun.
Tokyo.
There were many foreigners on the streets.
The Tokyo Gymnasium, capable of accommodating one hundred thousand people.
When Chen Jiuyang and his entourage arrived outside the Tokyo Gymnasium, it was already a scene of bustling crowds.
The Asian World Martial Ranking Tournament, held once every sixty years, was taking place in Tokyo.
It attracted warriors from all over the world to watch.
Those who could enter this gymnasium were the top martial artists from Asian countries.
There were also wealthy individuals from various nations who bought tickets to witness the heroic demeanor of their country's warriors.
The Dragon Capital Sword Bearer led Chen Jiuyang and his group into the Tokyo Gymnasium. The staff wore ancient attire and masks, their true faces hidden.
"These are members of the Martial Ranking World Tournament Committee. Countries worldwide can send representatives to join this organization to maintain justice and fairness."
The Dragon Capital Sword Bearer completed the procedures for Chen Jiuyang and the others, and they successfully entered the Tokyo Gymnasium after their identification and verification.
"The logistics volunteer team arrived here ten days ago and has made all necessary preparations. Each person will have a room and a ten-person logistics team. These are pills refined by our Dragon Country's 'Medicine God Valley,' one bottle per person, capable of rapidly restoring blood, spirit, and true qi."
"Unless there are external affairs, you are not permitted to leave the gymnasium. Even if you must leave, it requires my approval. Otherwise, unauthorized departure will be treated as treason."
"Do you understand?"
The Dragon Capital Sword Bearer instructed with a serious expression.
Chen Jiuyang and the other four nodded in unison.
The Dragon Capital Sword Bearer suddenly said with a half-smile, "If anyone tries to provoke you during any downtime, and you are confident in your combat strength, then fight them with all your might."
Chen Jiuyang narrowed his eyes and smiled.
"Rest and prepare for battle. I will go gather intelligence," the Dragon Capital Sword Bearer announced.
After the Dragon Capital Sword Bearer departed, Chen Jiuyang, Yan Hongming, Ye Tiannan, Han Lixuan, and Jiang Lihuo, the five of them, gathered together and began to exchange insights on martial arts.
Having reached this point, they were on the same front, and there was no need for extensive discussion.
Jiang Lihuo, skilled with the bow, whose ancestral "Ming Wang Tian Yi Arrow" was renowned, said, "After the Asian Martial Ranking Tournament, I plan to submit my petition for kingship and advance to the Heaven Realm as soon as possible."
"The Asian Martial Ranking Tournament should not be difficult for us. What truly requires our attention is the World Martial Ranking Tournament."
Ye Tiannan and Han Lixuan also nodded, saying, "We also plan to do so."
"After the Asian Martial Ranking Tournament, I will go into seclusion to break through to the Heaven Realm. Brother Chen, what about you?" Yan Hongming asked.
Chen Jiuyang was silent for a moment and replied, "I'm much the same as you..."
At this moment, a beautiful woman in an OL outfit, holding a microphone, approached Chen Jiuyang and the other four. "Hello, I am Yun Jingbai, a reporter from CCTV. May I have the opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with you?"
Chen Jiuyang's expression faltered, "Jingbai, why are you here?"
Yun Jingbai giggled charmingly, "As I said, I am a reporter from CCTV, just temporarily assigned."
She pointed to the camera behind her, "This is a task assigned by the higher-ups."
"CCTV reporter, exclusive interview?" The remaining four's eyes immediately widened.
This was a CCTV exclusive interview, an opportunity to appear before the entire nation.
Who wouldn't want a CCTV exclusive interview?
And hosted by the well-known celebrity Yun Jingbai.
The powerful martial artists, all grown men, were becoming somewhat restless.
Chen Jiuyang smiled gently.
The rest of the day was largely spent in Yun Jingbai's exclusive interview.
...
The twentieth.
The Asian Martial Ranking Tournament officially commenced.
At six in the morning, the entire Tokyo Gymnasium was already buzzing with activity and a cacophony of voices.
The spectator stands were completely full, packed with a dense crowd, but this scene did not faze Chen Jiuyang and the others.
The Dragon Capital Martial Ranking competition had hundreds of thousands of spectators.
At seven o'clock, the opening ceremony of the Asian Martial Ranking Tournament featured a performance by a popular singer from the Land of the Rising Sun.
At eight o'clock, a person from the judging panel took the microphone and announced:
"I am Ming Kema, the temporary president of the Asian Martial Ranking Tournament Committee. I will now announce the rules for this Asian World Martial Ranking Tournament."
"The first round of qualifiers will be divided into fifteen groups. Each group will consist of contestants from different countries. In the first round of qualifiers, each group of five contestants will each fight against the other four contestants. One victory will earn one point for this competition."
"The country with the most points for its Martial Ranking team in this competition will win the championship. The top three countries, champion, runner-up, and third place, will represent Asia in the World Martial Ranking Tournament."
Upon hearing the news.
The entire venue erupted in an uproar, and countless people's mouths hung open.
"What a brutal competition system!" Many warriors from the Martial Ranking immediately adopted a grave expression.
The first round of qualifiers required each warrior to fight four matches, which presented pressure and challenges in all aspects for any warrior.