Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

The spring breeze is fragrant, and the morning mist in Qufu Haodu drifts over the bluestone road, enveloping the Qinglao Courtyard, which the Hao family specially arranged for the people of Laoshan.

Built in accordance with the spirit of Laoshan Mountain, the courtyard is lined with green bamboo, and the stone tables and benches are simple and clean, without any luxurious carvings, yet it reveals the respect that the Hao family has for Laoshan Mountain. In the center of the courtyard is a small pond, with a gentle ripple of spiritual energy, which blends with the ritual and musical atmosphere of the surrounding ancient city of Qufu, combining the tranquility of a fairyland with the orderliness of the heartland of the Eastern Yi people.

The people of Laoshan had already settled in. Master Xuanyang, dressed in a plain Taoist robe, stood with his hands behind his back under the bamboo in the courtyard, exuding a serene and otherworldly aura. Lin Yan and the other Laoshan disciples stood quietly to the side, all tidying their clothes and awaiting the Master's instructions.

Master Xuan Yang raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the courtyard wall and looking towards the direction of the various forces in Haodu City. He slowly spoke, carefully explaining the connections between the powerful forces of Qi and Lu to his disciples beside him: "We have already settled in the Qinglao Academy arranged by the Hao Clan, which is located at the core of the Eastern Yi's ritual system. This time, the Mountain and Sea Alliance is surrounded by the top forces of Qi and Lu. We must recognize the foundation of each family and adhere to the Laoshan position."

He slightly raised his fingertips, and a wisp of spiritual energy transformed into a pale blue phantom, unfolding a virtual map of Qilu before everyone's eyes: "The Hao clan, which resides in Haodu and governs the etiquette of the Eastern Yi, controls the main city of Qufu and a hundred miles of fertile land on both sides of the Wen River. They are the hosts of this alliance. Their direct line is prosperous, with the eldest son Hao Chengming being steady and in charge, the eldest daughter Hao Bailian being gentle and courteous, the second daughter Hao Qingyan being proficient in runes, and the youngest son Hao Chengle being quick-witted and agile. The family has a profound heritage and adheres to ancient etiquette in its actions."

"Looking north, the Hao clan occupies a thousand miles of territory at the foot of Mount Tai and west of the Ji River. They have established themselves through martial prowess and have a strong and ruthless presence in the region. Their eldest son, Hao Jingchuan, is the most outstanding young man in the Hao clan and has exceptional combat skills. Their second son, Hao Lie, is kind and brave. Only their grandson, Hao Lei, is spoiled and arrogant. He abuses his family's power and is likely to cause trouble in the alliance."

"The Wang family of Langya, located on the coast of the East China Sea, controls Langya Port and three coastal prefectures. They are a wealthy merchant family with influence across the world. Their eldest son, Wang Jingxing, is skilled in business, while their eldest daughter, Wang Shiya, is adept at social maneuvering and navigating various situations to seek profit. Meanwhile, the Mo family of Jimo in the south, based in Jimo City and the surrounding artisan villages, specializes in mechanical craftsmanship. They do not engage in power struggles and rely solely on their skills. Their direct descendants, Mo Cangshu and Mo Qiaoxin, are both mechanical geniuses."

Master Xuan Yang spoke calmly, yet each word was clear: "Our Laoshan Mountain guards the East Sea barrier, and does not get involved in the disputes of worldly forces. We reside here, quietly observing the movements of various powerful forces and the anomalies of the earth's veins. Apart from participating in the Grand Competition to compete for a spot in the secret realm, remember to remain impartial and not get involved in the entanglements of various factions."

Lin Yan bowed his head in agreement, memorizing the various forces, territories, and direct descendants of each family. His gaze inadvertently swept across the courtyard, and he could already sense the undercurrents surging throughout Haodu—the Hao family, the Hao clan, the Wang family, and the Mo family were all busily preparing for the alliance meeting in their respective residences.

Hao Clan's Wenyuan Pavilion Side Hall

Not far from Qinglaoyuan, the side hall of Wenyuan Pavilion is the core meeting place of the Hao clan. The hall is filled with sandalwood incense and warm candlelight.

Patriarch Hao Cang sat in the main seat, with all the clan elders and direct descendants of the Hao clan present, the atmosphere solemn and orderly. "The people from Laoshan have been settled in properly, and their hospitality has been impeccable. Today, we must finalize the rules for the most crucial part of the alliance, the grand competition and the secret realm. This is a matter of great importance concerning the inheritance of the Dongyi descendants and the future of our clan," Hao Cang said in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "Especially the allocation of secret realm slots, it must be absolutely fair to win everyone's hearts and solidify the Hao clan's position as the host."

The eldest son, Hao Chengming, stepped forward, holding a bamboo scroll filled with vermilion annotations, and reported loudly: "Father, clan elders, the final rules regarding the Grand Competition and the Secret Realm have been decided."

Hao Bailian, dressed in a plain white gown, stood with her robes drawn up and softly added, "The ritual implements for the Ritual and Music Platform and the Grand Competition arena are all ready. Qingyan's rune barrier can protect the secret realm's scriptures and the arena, ensuring fairness. Chengle will lead people to keep an eye on the disciples of each family, focusing on preventing the Hao family from using force to exert pressure, ensuring that the Grand Competition and the allocation of secret realm slots can be carried out smoothly."

Hao Qingyan stood there aloof, his fingertips lightly forming a jade incantation: "The secret realm map and ancient forbidden texts within the Wenyuan Pavilion have been reinforced with barriers. No one may touch them without permission."

Hao Chengle patted his chest confidently and said, "Don't worry! I've been keeping a close eye on Hao Lei's whereabouts. If he dares to cause trouble and break the rules or try to grab more spots, I'll report back immediately!"

Elder Hao Boyong stroked his beard and nodded: "The patriarch's arrangements are thorough! This rule, which determines the number of places based on ranking, is both fair and emphasizes strength. The Hao family's strength and the Wang family's scheming are both impeccable, and our Hao family's position in the line of rites will become even more secure."

Inside the hall, everyone finalized the details of the grand competition format and the allocation of slots for the secret realm, proceeding steadily and firmly, maintaining control over the core of the alliance.

Hao Family Mansion Villa

The Hao family's villa in Haodu was magnificent, with towering walls and rows of armored soldiers, exuding a fierce and martial spirit. The atmosphere inside the hall was intense and awe-inspiring.

Patriarch Hao Qingyue sat upright in the hall, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, exuding a chilling aura. The Hao family's direct descendants and military leaders stood on either side, their eyes sharp. "In this alliance meeting, the Grand Competition and the Secret Realm slots are everything!" Hao Qingyue's voice boomed, causing the teacups on the table to tremble slightly. "Our Hao family must secure a top position in the Grand Competition, especially the leadership qualifications for the top three teams. This concerns the future of the entire Hao family's descendants!"

The eldest son, Hao Jingchuan, clasped his hands and bowed, his eyes arrogant and his whole body radiating a fierce fighting spirit: "Father, rest assured, I will definitely win first place in the competition! As long as I win first place, I can take five people into the secret realm: Jingchuan, Brother Lie, and the other elites of the clan that I have my eye on, they can all go in!"

Hao Lie, standing to the side, replied earnestly, "Big brother, I will also do my best to strive for a higher ranking and try to secure a solo spot, so as to earn another place for the family!"

Hao Lei, the eldest grandson, sat up straight, toying with the jade pendant at his waist, a greedy glint in his eyes: "Five people? Three? Hmph, as long as my cultivation is high enough, first place isn't impossible! Then, the treasures in the secret realm will be mine to choose from!"

Hao Lingjun, the chief clerk of the military headquarters, stepped forward and reported in a low voice: "Patriarch, the Hao Clan has announced the rules for the Grand Competition and the quota for the Secret Realm, and is finalizing the details for all parties according to these rules. The Wang Clan and the Mo Clan are also discussing their participation and quota acquisition matters. The people of Laoshan are in quiet cultivation and have not made any unusual moves."

Hao Qingyue frowned slightly and sternly instructed everyone: "All of you, calm yourselves down and focus on preparing for the competition! Hao Lei, you better behave yourself. Don't cause trouble on the field or during meetings. If you delay the family's chance to qualify, you'll be severely punished according to family rules!"

Inside the hall, the crowd discussed incessantly the preparations for the Youth Competition, the battle for the secret realm slots, and strategies for balancing the competition, exuding a powerful aura of decisive action.

Langya Wang Clan, Haodu Wangzhu Garden

The Wang family residence was exquisite and luxurious, adorned with pearls and jade, and filled with the fragrance of incense. Everywhere, it exuded the wealth and shrewdness of a merchant family. Inside the hall, everyone sat together, all plotting their interests.

The patriarch, Wang Jizhou, sat upright in the main seat, his face round and his eyes shrewd. He lightly tapped his fingertips on the table: "The rankings in the Grand Competition determine the number of participants in the Secret Realm—this is the established rule! The first-place winner will lead five people, while the last-place winner will only have one. The difference is enormous, so our Wang clan must strive for a high ranking in the Grand Competition, especially the leading positions for the top three. This is the key to seizing the initiative!"

He looked at his eldest son, Wang Jingxing, and instructed him: "Prepare generous gifts and visit various parties. The key is to negotiate the details of the rules with the Hao family, and at the same time pave the way for the family's younger members to strive for good rankings."

The eldest daughter, Wang Shiya, smiled sweetly, her eyes crinkling: "Father, rest assured, I will gather intelligence from all sides, paying particular attention to the strength of Hao Jingchuan and the disciples of Laoshan. If our ranking is not high enough, we will use a large sum of money or resources to 'buy' a spot in the secret realm from those with higher rankings—our Wang family is wealthy and powerful, and we will never miss out on the opportunity of the secret realm because of the limited number of spots."

Wang Jingxing bowed in response, having already prepared a list of gifts and a negotiation plan, intending to exchange supplies for convenience in the competition and a spot in the secret realm; the stewards under his command had also prepared all kinds of rare treasures, just waiting for the right time to make their move, single-mindedly using the opportunity of the secret realm to seek greater benefits and influence for the family.

Jimo Mo Family · Haodu Ingenious Courtyard

The Mo Family Villa appears simple, but it is actually full of ingenious mechanisms. The sound of gears turning is constant and subtle, revealing the meticulousness of a family of craftsmen.

The clan leader, Mo Shouchuan, was discussing matters with his direct descendants, Mo Shu and Mo Qiaoxin, as well as the clan's mechanical craftsmen. Before them lay mechanical blueprints and defense plans related to the secret realm. "The rules for allocating slots in the ancient secret realm are clear: ranking comes first, strength is paramount," Mo Shouchuan said calmly. "The secret realm is filled with numerous restrictions and countless dangers. Only our Mo family's mechanical arts can break through them and provide defense, so we must strive to secure a slot."

Mo Shouchuan looked at the two of them and ordered in a deep voice: "Mo Shu, you adjust the mechanical beasts and break the barriers to make full preparations for the Grand Competition and the exploration of the secret realm; Qiao Xin, you befriend the disciples of various families to avoid being targeted in the Grand Competition and ensure that the disciples of my Mo family can enter the secret realm smoothly."

Mo Shu buried himself in polishing the mechanical parts, carefully adjusting various barrier-breaking and self-defense mechanisms, his face focused: "Rest assured, Master, the mechanical beasts and barrier-breaking mechanisms have been adjusted and can protect the safety of your disciples."

Mo Qiaoxin played with the mechanical sparrow in her hand and replied crisply, "I will give mechanical trinkets to the younger generation to build closer relationships and try to avoid being targeted in the competition so that I can successfully secure a spot."

Everyone knows that the secret realm holds the ancient craftsmanship heritage, an opportunity that the Mohists cannot afford to miss. The Mohists meticulously planned the preparations for the secret realm and their self-preservation during the competition, without engaging in power struggles, only striving for the opportunity to inherit the craftsmanship.

Inside Qinglao Temple, Master Xuanyang withdrew his spiritual energy, and the virtual map slowly dissipated.