My Wife is Unbeatable in the Whole World, Touch Me If You Dare!-Chapter 347 - 223: Mutual Overcompetition

Returning from the Jade Sound Pavilion, Li Nuo sat down in the courtyard, still reminiscing about the feeling of being with Anning just moments ago.

His wife was truly too indifferent; when the two of them were together, one could hardly sense an intimacy between man and woman.

This only strengthened Li Nuo's resolve to help her break free from the influence of the Yuqing Heart Technique sooner.

If his wife became as clingy as Anning...

What bliss that would be.

A figure hopped and skipped into view, Song Yiren was holding a candied haw in each hand, skewered with various fruits, and handed one to Li Nuo.

Li Nuo casually took it and bit into it. Song Yiren asked, "Tasty, isn't it?"

Li Nuo nodded.

Watching her contentedly eat her candied haw, Li Nuo thought to himself, without cultivating that defective technique, would his wife also be as lively as Yiren?

As Song Yiren munched on her candied haw, she suddenly seemed to smell something, leaned in close to Li Nuo, and sniffed, asking, "Why do you smell so heavily of woman?"

Her keen senses detected some powder-like substance on Lii Nuo's chest.

It was the perfume powder used by women.

She then looked at Li Nuo's face and on his lips, she saw a trace of faint red.

That was the mark left by lipstick.

He had not only been with a woman but had even kissed one!

Song Yiren glared at him and demanded, "Where did you go just now?"

Li Nuo felt no need to hide it from her and said, "I went to see Anning."

He went to see his fiancée, wasn't it right for them not to hug or kiss?

Song Yiren's lips quivered, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words.

If a man went to meet his future wife, what was wrong with a hug and a kiss? Not to mention her, even Song Jiaren couldn't interfere.

But she was still angry.

She snatched the candied haw from Li Nuo's hand and said, "Give me back my candied haw!"

One after the other, she quickly finished both candied haws.

Li Nuo shook his head, walking into his room, feeling relieved that the one left at home was not Yiren...

After having dinner, Li Nuo headed to the Ministry of Rites.

Although he had not officially taken up his post, his business was piling up.

To demonstrate the court's sincerity, the ceremonial clothing for the Grandmasters of the different sects should be designed distinctly.

Furthermore, since the court was the one inviting them, it naturally had to take care of their food and lodging.

The Examination Halls near Chang'an were only used during the Imperial Examination; they sat empty otherwise. With a little renovation by the Ministry of Industry, they could serve as the venue for the Martial Arts Tournament.

Li Nuo was considering holding various types of contests.

Around the arena, stands would be built, and they could collect a ticket fee as a way for the Ministry of Rites to generate revenue.

Of course, the most important thing was to acquire the experience of those Grandmasters through legal means.

After all, that was his purpose for holding the Martial Arts Tournament.

...

Heng Mountain Sect.

Although the Heng Mountain Sect was not near the capital region, they were actively participating in the Martial Arts Tournament called by the court this time.

At first, they thought this Martial Arts Tournament would be the same as the ones previously held by the Sanqing Sect, where the Grandmasters traveled to the Sanqing Sect, exchanged experiences for a few days, and then returned to their own sects.

The matter was not taken to heart by everyone.

However, within several days, local officials arrived with court gifts at Heng Mountain.

The gifts were not extremely valuable: an exquisitely made crown clothing and a waist card inscribed with "Master of a Generation."

The clothing was so grand that all three Grandmasters loved it.

And that waist card was even more precious.

With this card in hand, not only could one see officials without kneeling and be given a seat in public halls, but one could also impeach officials.

It was the first time people from the Martial Arts community had special privileges at the court.

The local officials, who had always looked down on the Martial Arts community, were now bowing and scraping before them, almost begging, telling them to point out any dissatisfaction with the government in the future; they would change whatever they could, just don't go to Chang'an to impeach...

After seeing off the local officials, the Heng Mountain Sect Leader stood a bit straighter.

He felt a sense of finally being able to hold his head high.

However, he soon realized something was amiss.

Turning his head, he saw a figure not far away looking at him with a resentful gaze.

It was Junior Brother Xu who had been left behind to watch over the sect this time.

Of the sect's four Grandmasters, three had been given crown clothes and tokens, leaving him as the only one without.

Although Junior Brother Xu hadn't spoken, the Sect Leader could feel the thick resentment.

The Heng Mountain Sect Leader cleared his throat and said, "Junior Brother Xu, I will write a letter to the court right away, informing them that all four Grandmasters of our Heng Mountain Sect will attend the Martial Arts Tournament..."

No sooner had this letter been dispatched than a disciple approached and said, "Sect Leader, Senior Zhao of the Song Mountain Sect has come to our Heng Mountain Sect. He says he has something to discuss with you…"

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Moments later, the Heng Mountain Sect Leader entered a spacious hall and greeted the waiting figure with a fist and palm salute, saying, "Junior Brother Zhao, it's been a long time."

The Song Mountain Sect Grandmaster looked at the Heng Mountain Sect Leader before him and a look of surprise surfaced in his eyes.

He had seen the Heng Mountain Sect Leader before, but his impression had not been particularly profound.

But today, dressed in this extremely lavish clothing, an ethereal presence enveloped him. Befitting of a Sect Leader, not just anyone could possess such an aura.

He composed himself and said with a smile, "Sect Leader Brother, long time no see."

The two exchanged simple pleasantries before the Grandmaster of the Song Mountain Sect revealed his purpose, saying, "Brother, you must already know about the court's upcoming Martial Arts Tournament. I am here by the Sect Leader's orders to discuss this matter with you..."

After a moment, his expression turned surprised, uncertainly saying, "For this Martial Arts Tournament, all four Grandmasters of the Heng Mountain Sect are attending?"

It should be understood that even for a Martial Path conference organized by the Sanqing Sect, other sects would only send one or two Grandmasters.

The Heng Mountain Sect Leader nodded and said, "Not just our Heng Mountain Sect, all three Grandmasters from the Hua Mountain Sect will also attend."

The elder surnamed Zhao was greatly taken aback upon hearing this.

He had not expected that both the Hua Mountain Sect and the Heng Mountain Sect would place such importance on the tournament.

In that case, wouldn't all three Grandmasters from his Song Mountain Sect also need to attend?

The Five Mountains Sword Sect were closely connected.

If both Hua Mountain and Heng Mountain gave this much weight to the event, while they treated it lightly, the court might think the Song Mountain Sect had some objections.

The Heng Mountain Sect Leader then said, "You go back and tell the Sect Leader that the Grandmasters participating in the Martial Arts Tournament will each be tailor-fitted with crown clothes, as well as receive a token issued by the court. This token is quite special..."

Given the ties between the Five Mountains Sword Sects, he naturally held nothing back, informing the elder surnamed Zhao of all the details.

After listening, the elder Zhao said with a fist salute, "Thank you, Brother."

He did not stay long at Heng Mountain and soon took his leave.

He returned to Song Mountain at the first opportunity and found that representatives from Mount Heng and Tai Mountain Sects were also present.

After he shared the decisions of the Heng and Hua Mountain Sects with them, the people from all three sects quickly reached a consensus, besides being surprised.

The Five Mountains Sword Sects advance and retreat as one.

With Hua Mountain and Mount Heng committing their full strength, the other three sects could not afford to hold back.

Moreover, who wouldn't covet the title "Master of a Generation"?

This honor either belonged to everyone or no one.

As fifth realm martial artists, others could casually stay in court-appointed inns and sit at the same level as local officials, while one had to pay to stay in an inn and show respect when meeting an official. Could one still shamelessly claim to be a Grandmaster?

...

Ministry of Rites.

Li Nuo had already collected the responses from all the Five Mountains Sword Sects.

Hua Mountain and Mount Heng, with three Grandmasters each, would be present.

Both Heng Mountain and Tai Mountain Sects, with four Grandmasters each, would not miss the event.

All together, seventeen Grandmasters from the Five Mountains Sword Sects would partake in this tournament.

There are only six first-class sects within the Daxia martial arts world.

The Five Mountains Sword Sects, plus Shu Mountain.

Shu Mountain's prowess was somewhat greater than the Five Mountains Sword Sects, with five Grandmasters within the sect.

Besides, there was also a powerhouse at the Heavenly Heart Realm, topping the list among first-class sects.

Second-class sects referred to those with one or two Grandmasters.

There were many such sects, around twenty, with the vast majority having only one Grandmaster.

Those without a Grandmaster, but with more than five martial artists of the fourth realm, were considered third-class sects, numbering over a hundred.

Sects that could not even muster five fourth realm martial artists were considered to be below standard, with numbers too great to be tallied.

Li Nuo's aim was solely those Grandmasters.

Therefore, this time, he only invited sects above the third-class, thus minimizing investment and simplifying management.

He procured a memorial to the throne and personally penned an invitation letter.

This invitation letter was meant for Shu Mountain.

Daxia martial arts were renowned for their Sword Dao, and among them, Shu Mountain stood at the very pinnacle.

The sect's strength might not match that of Sanqing Sect.

But in terms of Sword Dao, even Sanqing Sect could not surpass Shu Mountain.

If he could get Shu Mountain to attend as well, his Sword Dao would likely reach perfection.

And with Shu Mountain included, all first-class sects would be accounted for. How could the second-class sects justify their absence?

...

Shu Land.

Mountains stretched endlessly, each perilous peak like a sharp sword thrusting into the heavens.

The cliffs were as straight as a knife's edge, upon which ancient pines stood tall and old vines coiled.

A streak of silver light flew through the mist, landing on the summit of a peak.

The figure, with white brows and beard, leaped from the sky with a sword returning to its scabbard beneath his feet.

A tall figure had already been waiting there for quite some time.

He first greeted the elder respectfully with a bow and then said, "Master, we have received an invitation from the Da Xia Court, inviting us to attend the Martial Arts Tournament to be held in Chang'an three months from now..."

The elder's expression remained indifferent as he said, "We will not go."

Shu Mountain had never been under the thrall of Sanqing Sect and didn't even attend Martial Path conferences they organized, let alone one by the court.

The so-called Sanqing Sect was nothing more than the forced union of three sects.

If they operated separately, Shu Mountain would indeed be Daxia's premier sect.

Then the Shu Mountain disciple said, "The invitation states that the Sanqing Sect will also participate in the Martial Arts Tournament, and all Grandmasters from the Five Mountains Sword Sects, including the Sect Leaders, will be in attendance…"

The elder was taken aback upon hearing this, the indifferent expression vanishing from his face as he uttered in disbelief, "What did you say? Say it again?"

The Sanqing Sect was about to host its own Martial Path conference, so why would they bother with the Da Xia Court?

As for the Five Mountains Sword Sects, though they were not as strong as Shu Mountain, they were still first-class sects. How could they all suddenly decide to make an appearance?

Had something major transpired in the martial arts world recently that Shu Mountain was unaware of?