In the center of the training ground stood two circular martial arts stages, elevated more than two meters above the ground.
The stages were vast, spanning approximately a hundred meters in diameter.
About twenty meters from the stages was the VIP seating area, where Zi Wenchang, the seven great families, and the four major powers were seated.
Behind the VIP section, numerous small areas had been sectioned off, marked with the names of various factions.
At this moment, the most outstanding young disciples from each faction were already in their designated spots.
Their purpose here was twofold: to attend the ceremony alongside their elders and to spar with disciples from other factions.
On the martial arts stage, Zi Yangchun, the second elder of the Zi family, smiled as he addressed the surrounding noise, "Could everyone please be quiet!"
As his voice, imbued with spiritual energy, spread outwards, the area immediately fell silent.
Zi Yangchun nodded with satisfaction and continued, "Welcome, everyone, to the Zi family. We are here to witness the Zi family's grand competition and the succession ceremony of our ninth-generation patriarch. On behalf of the Zi family, I, Zi Yangchun, extend our warmest welcome and sincere gratitude for your presence!"
Zi Yangchun proved himself to be the Zi family's most adept elder in handling social affairs. With just a few words, he delivered a dignified speech that also managed to ignite the atmosphere of the training ground.
"Good!"
Cheers and applause erupted, forming a continuous wave of sound.
At this moment, both guests and hosts alike looked on with anticipation, awaiting the commencement of the ceremony.
Zi Yangchun raised his hands, and the crowd instantly quieted once more.
He then continued, "I now officially announce that the Zi family's grand competition and the succession ceremony of the ninth patriarch officially begin!"
As his voice faded, a distant roar echoed.
Immediately, fireworks bloomed across the Zi family's sky.
This spectacle lasted for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before slowly drawing to a close.
Zi Yangchun returned to the stage, his face beaming, "The younger generation of a family showcases its spirit and determines its vitality."
"Therefore, like many other families, the Zi family upholds the glorious tradition of the grand competition."
"On the stage, we compete fiercely, but off the stage, we remain family!"
"Today, let our Zi family's children display the prowess of our younger generation!"
"I declare: The grand competition now commences!"
The training ground once again filled with enthusiastic applause.
The young generation of the Zi family gazed with hope, their hands itching for action, eager to begin.
The patriarchs of the eight great families wore smiles, though their true thoughts remained their own.
"Next..."
"His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, has arrived!"
Zi Yangchun was about to continue speaking when he was interrupted by the announcer's voice from outside the gate.
Following this, the Crown Prince, Ye Yuanhao, appeared in the training ground under the gaze of all.
It had to be said that the bloodline of royalty was indeed powerful.
Setting aside all else, their appearance alone was enough to deem the men of the Ye family as peerlessly handsome.
Crown Prince Ye Yuanhao was already the object of pursuit for countless young maidens, and now, adorned in his imperial robes and peacock feathers, he exuded an even more extraordinary demeanor.
The moment he entered, the gazes of all the women in the training ground were drawn to him. Su Dan Novel Network.
These women blushed coyly, their hearts filled with girlish fantasies.
"The Crown Prince is so handsome!"
"If I could only receive a glance from the Crown Prince, my life would be complete."
"I wish to turn myself into the moon, to shine upon your windowpane every night."
...
At this moment, countless young hearts secretly pledged their affections.
But there was one exception: Zi Lingling, seated in an inconspicuous corner.
Upon seeing Ye Yuanhao, she felt an urge to vomit.
"He looks like a decent person, but alas, his virtue does not match his position!"
Zi Lingling muttered to herself and continued to nibble on her sunflower seeds.
Meanwhile, Zi Jinling, on the Zi family's viewing platform, had eyes sparkling as she saw Ye Yuanhao slowly approaching.
Disregarding the surprised looks of others, she gleefully lifted her skirt and rushed towards him.
"Crown Prince brother, you're here!"
Her sweet, flirtatious voice sent shivers down one's spine.
However, Ye Yuanhao seemed to relish it, his eyes filled with tender affection as he looked at Zi Jinling.
"Jin'er, run slowly, be careful not to fall."
As he spoke, he reached out to steady Zi Jinling.
Having performed this action many times before, he did so with practiced ease.
"Crown Prince brother, I'm fine!"
Zi Jinling casually linked her arm through Ye Yuanhao's, staking her claim.
Ye Yuanhao did not find anything inappropriate about it, as they typically interacted this way.
However, others did not share this view, especially those women who harbored feelings for Ye Yuanhao.
Unable to openly criticize the Crown Prince, they directed their ire towards Zi Jinling.
"Shameless!"
"What kind of behavior is this in public!"
"The women of the Zi family truly broaden one's horizons!"
"Disgraceful!"
...
Though they spoke in hushed tones, everyone attending the ceremony was a spiritual cultivator.
Therefore, even the quietest whispers could not escape the ears of the crowd.
Zi Jinling, of course, heard them, and her face flushed with shame.
In her panic, a single sentence blurted out.
"This young lady and Crown Prince brother are already betrothed, what is wrong with being a little affectionate?"
This news struck everyone like a bombshell, leaving them stunned.
Zi Lingling smirked and shook her head, "Fool! You reap what you sow! If you don't court disaster, you won't die!"
The training ground fell silent for a moment before being filled once again with a cacophony of murmurs.
"I heard that the Crown Prince and that good-for-nothing from the Zi family were betrothed since childhood. Could this be that good-for-nothing?"
"It should be, right? With such a damaged mind, it's likely only that good-for-nothing."
"No, no, I know her. She's the second young lady of the Zi family, not the third young lady who's a waste."
"If that's the case, this is getting interesting. The elder sister snatching the younger sister's fiancé. This drama is worth watching."
"These women of the Zi family truly make one look at them in a new light!"
...
Every word of their discussion reached Zi Jinling's ears, causing her to feel utterly humiliated.
Yet, even so, she tightly held Ye Yuanhao's arm, refusing to let go.
On the VIP seating, the patriarchs of the seven great families and the leaders of the four major powers, who had been preparing to welcome Ye Yuanhao, now looked at Zi Wenchang with strange expressions.
Bai Tao, who already disliked Zi Wenchang, would not forgive himself if he missed this opportunity to humiliate him.
Thus, he addressed Zi Wenchang with a sarcastic tone that reached his ears.
"Second Master Zi, you teach your daughters well!"
Yang Dezhi added, "Second Master Zi, your daughter is so uninhibited. Does she inherit your personality? Hahaha..."
Although the others remained silent, their eyes clearly held a trace of amusement.
Zi Wenchang's face turned as dark as ink.
He had never imagined that his own daughter would publicly slap him in the face like this.