The news of the martial competition stirred up the crowd and excited the geniuses. Even those with no interest in the marriage alliance wanted to join.

For most great powers, only their successor was chosen to be a candidate, meaning saint childs or princes. Therefore, regular disciples weren’t involved at all. Sending an inadequate candidate would only risk derision and jeers.

This was no longer the case with the martial competition. Confident youths were allowed to fight without any limitation.

This was...