Representatives from various forces stepped forward one after another to present their congratulatory gifts.

Seeing Old Wang receive a large number of gifts, Wang Hao was extremely envious. No wonder he held a Foundation Establishment ceremony. The gifts he received were probably worth tens of thousands of Spirit Stones—equivalent to a year’s output from Wang Hao’s farm.

The ceremony was presided over by another Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Wang family, Wang Longyou of the “Long” generation.

The Wang family’s generational naming order was: “Ye, Ji, Qian, Guang; Dao, Long, Yan, Wen; Wu, Ben, Xue, Zheng; Xi, Xian, Li, Zhi.” Cultivators typically married and had children later in life. Despite being passed down for over three hundred years, the Wang family had only reached the “Wu” generation. The backbone of the family was still the “Yan” generation, while most of the “Wen” generation had just grown up and lacked experience.

The current clan leader was from the “Guang” generation, Wang Guang’an, who was already two hundred years old. However, it was said that he had been seriously injured during the last beast tide and had been living in seclusion to recuperate, rarely involving himself in clan affairs.

After presiding over the gift-giving segment, Wang Longyou cupped his hands and spoke loudly. “Thank you all for attending our Wang family’s Foundation Establishment ceremony. We have prepared wine and food; please enjoy yourselves to the fullest. There are many Fellow Daoists who have come to offer congratulations. If there are any shortcomings in our hospitality, we ask for your understanding.”

“Fellow Daoist Wang, you jest. Who hasn’t witnessed the Wang family’s dignity today? This old man offers you a toast,” said Li Yaozu, the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Li family, with a smile.

Lei Liheng, the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Lei family, chimed in, “Fellow Daoist Li, don’t mistake the protagonist. Today is Fellow Daoist Wang Yanzhao’s Foundation Establishment ceremony. Fellow Daoist Wang, please lead this toast!” As he spoke, he raised his wine cup towards Wang Yanzhao in the center of the high platform.

Hearing this, Wang Yanzhao smiled and raised his cup in response.

This scene isn’t much different from a company annual meeting, thought Wang Hao, sitting in a back row, quietly enjoying the fine wine and delicacies.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, just drinking is rather dull. So many cultivators have gathered here today, along with young talents from various families. How about holding a martial arts competition for some friendly sparring?” proposed Zhao Gaofang, a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Zhao family.

Lei Liheng’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. “This old man agrees. However, if it’s just sparring, it might be rather boring. Without rewards, the juniors might not put in their full effort. How about we all contribute some prizes? Fellow Daoist Wang, your Wang family is the host. What do you think?”

Wang Longyou smiled slightly. “Since everyone is interested, this old man will accompany you to the end. Our Wang family will offer three bottles of Yellow Dragon Pills as rewards for the top three contestants, five Golden Silk Spirit Apricots for the top five, and additionally, each of the top ten will receive a bottle of Gathering Spirit Pills!”

“Fellow Daoist Wang is generous! My Li family will also join in the fun. We’ll contribute three Tier 2 Low-Grade spirit talismans as rewards for the top three. The top ten will each receive one Tier 1 High-Grade spirit talisman!” As relatives by marriage to the Wang family, the Li family was also extremely generous.

“Well then, my Lei family will offer three High-Grade magical instruments as rewards for the top three!” The Lei family started with artifact forging and was also quite extravagant. High-Grade magical instruments were worth over a hundred Spirit Stones each; this amounted to over three hundred.

“My Zhao family will contribute five jars of Tier 1 High-Grade spirit wine, Crimson Snow Brew!”

“Then my Cheng family will offer three Zephyr Horses!”

Once the rewards were settled, Wang Yanzhao said with a smile, “Then let’s proceed to our Wang family’s martial arts arena. It’s spacious there and has protective formations installed, perfect for sparring! Everyone can go confirm their participating members. For rogue cultivators, our Wang family will take responsibility!”

With such generous rewards, applicants immediately became enthusiastic.

Old Wang walked straight towards Wang Hao. “You’ll participate later!”

“Should I really join this commotion?” To be honest, his farm produced Spirit Apricots in bulk; he wasn’t short on cultivation resources and hadn’t planned on joining the fray.

However, Wang Yanzhao’s tone brooked no refusal. “You must participate, and you must achieve a place within the top ten. The position of market manager isn’t so easily obtained. Although I secured it for you, if you don’t demonstrate sufficient strength, there will inevitably be those who are unconvinced and target you! If you want to cultivate peacefully in the future, you must use your strength to intimidate them!”

“Uh… alright then. I’ll do my best!” Wang Hao could only agree.

The arenas were ready-made and didn’t require much preparation. After discussing some rules among themselves, several Foundation Establishment cultivators gave the order to begin.

The participating cultivators were mostly mid-to-late stage Qi Refining cultivators, totaling one hundred and twenty-one people. Among them, members of the five major families accounted for seventy. The Wang family had home-field advantage and sent the most participants: twenty people. They were divided into pairs by drawing lots for matches.

The rules were simple: no talismans or magical instruments exceeding Tier 1 High-Grade were allowed; no lethal attacks were permitted; victory was achieved by knocking an opponent off the arena or forcing them to concede defeat.

The martial arts field was divided into four areas with four matches conducted simultaneously. Wang Hao drew lot number nine and would compete in the third match on Arena One.

Wang Hao went to occupy a spot below Arena One. At that moment, two cultivators were already on the arena platform: one was very familiar—Wang Wenzhi—and judging by his attire, the other seemed to be a rogue cultivator.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator served as referee beside them. A simple formation had also been set up around the arena to prevent stray attacks from affecting spectators outside.

Without further ado, after cupping their hands in salute to each other, they took up positions and began sparring immediately upon seeing the signal from the referee.

Wang Wenzhi took out a large black iron rod and brandished it with such force that it whistled through the air, creating intimidating sound waves. He pressured the rogue cultivator into passive dodging maneuvers, unable to mount an effective counterattack under the relentless assault.

“So Wang Wenzhi really is a body refiner,” thought Wang Hao. He had suspected it when they first met, and now it was confirmed seeing him in action.

A loud clang rang out, drawing attention back to the arena. The rogue cultivator stood stunned, looking at his broken magical instrument, now split into two pieces lying on the ground useless.

Wang Wenzhi did not press the advantage further. Instead, he slammed the iron rod heavily onto the ground, creating a small crater at the impact point and sending shockwaves radiating outward, visibly shaking the platform.

“Still want to continue fighting?” he asked calmly.

“Fellow Daoist’s cultivation is profound; this humble one admits defeat!” the rogue cultivator said with an ugly expression.

The second match featured a young female Qi Refining mid-stage cultivator from the Zhao family facing a male Qi Refining late-stage cultivator from the Lei family. The disparity in cultivation levels was too great, resulting in a quick victory for the Lei family cultivator.

Now it was Wang Hao’s turn.

He walked onto the arena platform, meeting an opponent similarly dressed in red robes, indicating membership in the Li family. She was a female cultivator at the sixth layer of Qi Refining, not stronger than himself. This put his mind at ease somewhat. Never having engaged in actual combat before, he lacked experience significantly. If he faced a late-stage opponent right from the start, he would likely be eliminated in the first round.

Both stood ready facing each other. The female cultivator stared intently, asking, “You are Wang Hao?”

“Oh? You know me?” Wang Hao had no recollection of encountering her previously.

“Li Dexi is my aunt. What do you think? If you know what’s good for you, surrender now. Otherwise, later I’ll definitely make you lose face!”

Wang Hao, amused, replied, “Miss, have you ever heard a saying?”

“What?”

“You are very beautiful!”

“Hmph, obviously! But do you think flattery will make me let you off easy?” Hearing the compliment, a pleased expression appeared on her face.

“Then don’t think too beautifully!”

“Hahaha, really interesting!” The crowd couldn’t help but burst into laughter, finding the exchange humorous.

“You bastard!”

“Enough talk, start already!” The referee, growing impatient, urged them to begin the match.

“Then I begin!” Saying this, Wang Hao pulled out a whole stack of talismans from his chest pocket—Fireball Talismans accumulated over the past three years. His father had instructed him to achieve a top-ten placement. Later opponents would become increasingly stronger, so he couldn’t afford to expend too much Qi in the early rounds.

Dozens of fireballs shot forth simultaneously. The temperature on the arena rose sharply, instantly creating a sweltering heatwave.