Clang!
Their fists collided.
The sound of metal clashing rang out.
Tang Wen perked up.
Neither side had unleashed their Visualization Force, yet the sheer physical power they displayed was already awe-inspiring.
What would happen if he were to face them?
The Martial Masters present couldn't help but wonder.
When the fists met, Black Fang from the Black Mountain Camp took half a step back.
Young Master Wang, however, retreated two steps.
Seeing his advantage, Black Fang pressed on without mercy, lunging forward with explosive force.
Boom!
The collision of Visualization Forces produced a thunderous explosion.
A circular shockwave erupted from the two, shaking the air and scattering the dust beneath their feet.
Black Fang quickly regained his footing and unleashed another barrage of punches.
Young Master Wang leaned back, his feet shifting rapidly to barely block the onslaught.
Qian Sanduo squinted and commented, "This Young Master Wang is indeed a prodigy, but he's still too young. He's likely no match for Black Fang."
It was clear to everyone that Young Master Wang was in trouble.
The techniques they practiced were meant for killing—there was no room for flashy moves.
Nor was there any room for holding back.
Strength was strength, and weakness was weakness.
The onlookers exchanged glances. Were the two scions of Five Families City really going to fall like this?
Was Miss Zheng destined to marry an outsider?
"If she were to marry the seventh leader of the Six Mountains and Eighteen Villages, it wouldn't be a big deal—just a matter of those two families growing stronger," Commander Qian whispered. "But what if she were to marry one of those Black Mountain Devils?"
A glint of severity flashed in Tang Wen's eyes.
It was clear that Black Fang was a peak first-class Martial Master.
If he were to marry into the Zheng family, with their resources, he might very well break through to the Transcendent realm.
The pressure on the Flame Camp would only increase.
"Nothing is certain yet."
As soon as Tang Wen finished speaking, the situation on the battlefield changed.
Young Master Wang suddenly took a punch to the chest from Black Fang, while simultaneously striking at Black Fang's ribs.
Boom!
Both men staggered back.
Black Fang's mouth was bleeding.
Young Master Wang's face was as pale as paper, his entire body trembling.
Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd.
Tang Wen frowned. "Is this the Wang family's Tough Skill?"
"It must be. Otherwise, that punch would have taken half his life!"
On the dueling stage, Black Fang cursed angrily:
"Trading injury for injury? You've got guts, kid! It seems you really want to go toe-to-toe with me, Black Fang!"
His eyes gleamed with ferocity as he lunged forward, his Dark Night Divine Fist raining down like a storm.
Young Master Wang moved deftly, calm and composed, parrying each blow with precision.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Their clothes tore, and their shoes disintegrated into fragments, scattering with each fierce collision.
Such intensity couldn't last forever. Both men were pushing their limits, and it was unsustainable.
Black Fang's combat experience far surpassed that of Young Master Wang. The only way the latter could inflict damage was by relying on his Tough Skill, preparing to trade injury for injury.
Boom!
Several more rounds of explosive clashes followed.
Both men were drenched in sweat, gasping for breath, their energy nearly spent.
Black Fang recovered first, launching one final burst of power that sent Young Master Wang flying out of the arena.
Tang Wen's eyes lit up.
Both scions of Five Families City had been eliminated.
Now, it was certain that the Zheng family would have to form an alliance with an outsider.
The Zheng Family Head's expression remained unchanged.
But Miss Zheng's smile had completely vanished.
The first round of the Martial Masters' competition had concluded.
The twelve Martial Practitioners would have to fight several more rounds to determine the ultimate winner.
The martial practitioners' competition didn't hold much interest for Tang Wen and his companions, so they left the scene and entered the Duobao Building behind them.
The upper floor of the building wasn't just a tavern; it was also a place where various major factions conducted trade and exchanged resources.
The group discussed the recent martial competition and matchmaking event:
"Commander Qian, what do you think about the Black Mountain Camp forming an alliance with the Five Cities through marriage?"
"Chief Li, if you have something to say, why not speak directly?"
"We all know what kind of person the Black Mountain Devil is. If the Five Cities get involved with them, I wouldn't dare to visit the Five Cities anymore!"
"Exactly, we'll have to find ways to avoid them in the future."
"You're welcome to come to our Yan Mountain Camp. Hehe, we welcome everyone."
"But you're in the mountains, which is a bit inconvenient."
Some nodded, some shook their heads, and some sighed...
Tang Wen glanced around and noticed that, apart from the person from the Yan Mountain Camp, no one seemed pleased about the alliance between the two factions.
The Black Mountain Devil's reputation was indeed terrible.
Qian Sanduo also sighed and glanced at Tang Wen without speaking.
As a seasoned veteran, he understood their concerns about the Black Mountain Camp not following the rules. But if it were their Flame Camp forming an alliance with the Five Cities, they wouldn't be happy either, fearing that the Flame Camp would become too powerful.
In short, this had been the case for the past decade or two, and it was best to maintain the status quo.
This was in line with the interests of all parties.
"High-Level Elixir? Your Flame Camp is impressive! You even brought out something like this!"
"Only for a waterwheel? The waterwheel blueprint and craftsmen?"
"Old Qian, your Queen is too kind-hearted! Could the drought really affect your core members?"
"..."
Various major factions occupied several tables in the second-floor hall.
They displayed samples or lists of items they had brought for sale.
After all, the room was too small for large quantities of goods.
The second floor was bustling.
When Commander Qian brought up the topic of grain trade, everyone shook their heads.
What a joke! In the current situation, grain was life itself. Who would dare to sell it?
"I heard that in the distant Xia City, they've produced something called 'fertilizer.' It can double the grain yield. I wonder when we'll be able to use it."
"Can it really double the yield? It should reach the Tri-Alliance City soon."
"The Tri-Alliance City is too far, and they're greedy. They might not sell the formula."
"..."
This place was remote, with little trace of civilization. Whenever people heard about something new, their first thought was always about the formula.
Little did they know that the production of fertilizer likely involved industrial methods.
The group chatted and boasted, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Commander Qian!" someone from the Zheng family called out.
"Yes?"
"Our family head would like to have a word with you and this commander. Would that be convenient?" The person who came was from the Wang family.
Qian Sanduo gave Tang Wen a look: "Of course, we were just thinking about discussing the waterwheel with you."
"Good, please follow me."
Tang Wen didn't think much of it and followed to the backyard. Upon entering the main hall, he realized that it wasn't just the Wang family who had invited them; the Zheng family was also present.
Miss Zheng was there as well.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Tang Wen removed his bamboo hat as a sign of respect, though he kept the black cloth covering his face.
Once seated, the Zheng family head got straight to the point:
"If our Five Cities were to form an alliance with the Black Mountain Camp through marriage, how would your Flame Camp view it?"
Tang Wen and Qian Sanduo exchanged glances.
What's this?
Your Five Cities' grand plan isn't working out, and now you don't want to marry off to the Black Mountain Devil.
Want us, the Flame Camp, to step forward?
Qian Sanduo smiled: "What a coincidence, I just asked someone the same question. That person said, why not just move the trading location to the gates of your Five Families City in the future. We think that's a pretty good idea."
Qian Sanduo wasn't falling for it.
Just as the Huang Family Head was about to say something.
Suddenly, a girl with a high-pitched voice asked Tang Wen: "Big brother, why aren't you participating in the martial contest? Is it because Sister Zheng isn't beautiful enough?"
Tang Wen looked over; the girl was about seventeen or eighteen years old.
She was blinking her sparkling eyes at him.
She was pretty, but not as pretty as his three maids.
Tang Wen picked up his teacup and sniffed it. Hmm, green tea. He calmly replied: "I have a wife. Moreover, I don't like the idea of marrying into a family."
"Uh," the high-pitched girl was at a loss for words.
She hadn't expected Tang Wen to refuse so bluntly, cutting off what she was about to say.
Zheng Nanzhu, with her striking beauty, looked at Tang Wen with a hint of peculiarity in her eyes.
Since childhood, no one had been able to resist her charm and family background.
The Huang Family Head and the Wang Family Head exchanged glances, and the former spoke up: "Commander Qian, let's not beat around the bush. We want the Flame Camp to intervene and disrupt this marriage proposal."
The cards were on the table!
Qian Sanduo glanced at Tang Wen; neither of them was surprised.
(End of Chapter)