The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

Ba Mountain City, Ye Family.

At this moment, the Ye Family estate, one of the three great families in Ba Mountain City, was bustling with activity and lively chatter. The reason for this excitement was naturally the upcoming Ba Mountain Vientiane Trial, which was to be hosted by the Ye Family.

The fact that the trial was being held at the Ye Family's estate came as a surprise to many in Ba Mountain City. They had grown accustomed to the trial always being hosted by the Bai Family.

In the front courtyard of the Ye estate, there was an exceptionally large square, capable of holding at least 100,000 people. This space was typically used by the Ye Family for major events and gatherings, and it was also where the younger generation would practice and spar.

Now, the square had been cleaned and arranged meticulously. Several viewing platforms encircled the square, and all the various forces of Ba Mountain City, both large and small, had taken their seats.

Of particular note were the three most luxurious platforms on the northern side, reserved only for the three great families of Ba Mountain City.

On the platform to the right, the Li Family had already taken their seats, and their numbers were noticeably greater than in previous years.

What truly captured everyone's attention, however, was the sight of the Ye Family head, Ye Nanxin, seemingly in a heated discussion with the city lord, Bai Zun.

"Brother Bai, the central seat has always belonged to the Bai Family. How can the Ye Family occupy it? Are you still angry with me for refusing the marriage proposal? I assure you, it's not that I don't respect you; it's just that Ye Xin really didn't want it, saying that cultivation was more important..." Ye Nanxin spoke apologetically to the middle-aged man with the long beard before him.

The bearded man, dressed in a black and white formal robe, responded with a gentle smile, quickly waving his hand dismissively. "Brother Ye, even my son, Bai Ren, blamed me for acting on my own and said I shouldn't have proposed. So no, I'm not angry with you. Since the trial is being hosted by the Ye Family, it's only right that you take the central seat."

With that, Bai Zun led the Bai Family members toward the left viewing platform.

"Uncle Ye," Bai Ren said respectfully, bowing slightly to Ye Nanxin before turning to follow his father to the left.

"This..."

Ye Nanxin stood there in a daze, his expression one of confusion.

Yesterday, after he had declined Bai Zun's marriage proposal, Bai Zun had flown into a rage, hurling insults at him, and the two had even come to blows.

Given how things had turned out, Ye Nanxin had fully expected Bai Zun to show him no courtesy today. But contrary to his expectations, Bai Zun was now being so warm and friendly that it was almost unsettling, as if he were a completely different person.

What was even more peculiar was that when Ye Lin returned from spending the night at the Bai estate, she was getting along famously with the two disciples from the Vientiane Sect, laughing and chatting as if they had known each other forever.

This scene naturally delighted Ye Lin's father, Ye Nanxin's younger brother Ye Nanyi, who couldn't stop grinning.

With things having developed this way, Ye Nanxin had no choice but to lead the Ye Family members to take their seats in the central viewing platform, traditionally reserved for the city lord.

Once everyone had taken their seats, the brothers Zhao Qiang and Zhao Jian leaped into the air and landed heavily on the arena in the center of the square.

The appearance of the Vientiane Sect disciples instantly drew the attention of everyone in Ba Mountain City to the arena, which was made of blue steel rock.

"The Ba Mountain Vientiane Trial is open to anyone under the age of sixteen!"

"No pills may be taken, and only white-grade soul weapons may be used!"

After taking the stage, the Zhao brothers took turns reciting the rules of the trial clearly and concisely.

The young men and women who were preparing to participate in the trial listened intently, while their elders looked on with puzzled expressions.

They had assumed that Bai Ren, who had just returned from the Vientiane Sect, would be the one to announce the rules as he was likely the patrol envoy from the sect. Yet, Bai Ren remained seated below, quietly listening, while the two sect disciples took on the task.

After announcing the rules, the Zhao brothers declared the trial officially open, left the arena, and took their seats beside Ye Nanxin on the Ye Family's viewing platform.

The trial had begun!

The young talents of Ba Mountain City took to the stage one by one, showcasing their skills. Most of them were still in the Entry Realm and had not yet learned to gather soul power on the surface of their bodies, so the competition was primarily about martial skills.

Even the younger members of the three great families were mostly at this level, with only a few talented individuals having broken through to the Gathering Realm, allowing them to gather soul power and manifest soul energy.

Among them were Ye Long and Ye Feng, the son and daughter of Ye Nansheng, the third son of the Ye Family.

Their names alone reflected the high hopes their father, Ye Nansheng, had for them, and they did not disappoint. At fifteen, Ye Long had already reached the second level of the Gathering Realm, and his fourteen-year-old sister Ye Feng had reached the first level.

"Just winning the first round, and they're already so smug," muttered Ye Lin, sitting nearby and rolling her eyes at the siblings' haughty demeanor.

Ye Feng, hearing this, sneered. "Is that so? Some people, however, are too cowardly to even step onto the stage, choosing instead to forfeit the trial, and still have the nerve to grumble."

"Ye Lin, with all the attention Sister Ye Xin has given you, you still haven't reached the Gathering Realm. What right do you have to speak?" Ye Long added arrogantly. "You're just like that useless Lin Qian—hopeless."

"I used to be narrow-minded like you, but now I know that Lin Qian is a hundred times stronger than you. What gives you the right to insult him?" Ye Lin retorted angrily.

Ye Feng burst out laughing, shaking her head as if she had heard the funniest joke. "Lin Qian, stronger than my brother by a hundred times? You must be joking."

The other members of the Ye Family, who had been watching the younger generation argue with amusement, also burst into laughter at this.

"Silly girl, what are you saying?" Ye Nanyi, sitting nearby, whispered harshly to his daughter.

Ye Lin, her face flushed, turned her head stubbornly. "Just wait until Lin Qian comes back—you'll see."

Meanwhile, over at the Bai Family's platform, Bai Ren was fidgeting with his folding fan, frowning. "Senior Brother Lin, what are you up to? Why haven't you returned yet?"

At that moment, as the first round of the competition ended and the arena was empty, a shadow was thrown from afar, landing heavily on the stage.

"What the..."

Everyone was instantly stunned. The figure that had been thrown onto the stage was none other than the corpse of an effeminate-looking man.

Simultaneously, a figure emerged from the southern aisle, walking toward the arena.

When he reached the stage, he smiled at the Li Family's platform. "Hey, Overlord Blade Sect, do you recognize this guy?"

"Lin Qian?" Ye Nanxin, sitting in the viewing platform, stood up in surprise as he recognized the young man on the stage.

The one who had stepped onto the stage was none other than Lin Qian, known throughout Ba Mountain City as the useless wastrel.