hen Yan while waving his shoe.
Seeing Chen Yan already drenched in sweat, Chen Wenzhong couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic.

"Alright, now let’s welcome the heads of the four families with applause!"
The judge, Captain Helian of the City Lord’s Guard, took the stage. Given this grand competition involved four major families, it was essential for the City Lord’s mansion to send someone to oversee it.

"Clap, clap, clap!"
"Great!"
As the audience clapped and shouted, four imposing figures dressed distinctively walked out from the tunnel leading to the main stage seats.
The first was a middle-aged man wearing a headband, with a purple crystal embedded in the center. The crystal, presumably from some demonic beast, shimmered faintly under the sunlight. (Wang Family Head, Wang Shao, Early Spirit Martial Realm)
As Wang Shao took a seat, another figure appeared, an elderly man with gray hair. Despite his age, his robust physique, scarred face, and powerful gaze belied his years. (Lu Family Head, Lu Wu, Mid Spirit Martial Realm)
The elderly man sat down grandly, looking sternly at all the competitors.
Following him were two more individuals: Chen Family Head Chen Zhan and a middle-aged man in a bright red coat with a scholarly appearance, joking as they walked to their seats. (Zhao Family Head, Zhao Chen, Mid Spirit Martial Realm; Chen Family Head, Chen Zhan, Peak Spirit Martial Realm)

"Old Chen, that wasn’t right of you. I heard your son beat up someone from my family. He’s still unconscious!"
Lu Wu said sternly to Chen Zhan.
"It’s good you mentioned this! I’m furious! You don’t discipline your family who bullied a child begging for his mother’s burial fees on the street. If not for my son intervening, that child would’ve been kicked to death!"
Hearing Lu Wu's words, Chen Zhan’s forehead veins bulged as he shouted back.
"What! Such a thing happened? It seems that little rascal omitted key details. My Lu family values honor. A branch family member dared ruin our reputation. See if I don’t skin him when I get back!"
Lu Wu realized the matter wasn’t so simple, growing even angrier, eager to go back and deal with the rogue immediately.
"Alright, alright, don’t let this delay the main event!"
Zhao Chen and Wang Shao both tried to pacify the situation, finally diverting Lu Wu and Chen Zhan’s attention.

"Alright, I hereby announce the start of the competition!"
The judge proclaimed.
"Would the representatives of the four families please step forward to draw lots!"
With that, a sealed box appeared in the judge's hands.

From the Chen family, it was Chen Wenzhong stepping forward. Representing the Wang family was Wang Jie, a red-haired young man. For the Lu family, it was a muscular man with a bare torso named Lu Jian. The Zhao family was represented by a

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