Chapter 8: Little Chick

In the depths of the night, after bidding farewell to the enthusiastic Lin Dongcheng, Zhang Tianlong summoned Zhang Yu for a private conversation. He wanted to have an honest discussion with his eldest son.

“Zhang Yu, tell me, why do you harbor animosity towards your own kin? Little Shen is far from threatening your position,” Zhang Tianlong questioned, his gaze sternly fixed on Zhang Yu.

The family had never discouraged competition, but if one initiated suppression the moment they saw a budding potential and rapid ascent in the younger generation, what would such a family’s future hold?

The rivalry should only begin once both sides have reached their maturity. This was the family’s philosophy for survival, particularly in the Endless Wilderness, a place seething with constant fighting.

Other family elders grumbled about Zhang Shen monopolizing excessive resources without making any substantial contributions, but Zhang Tianlong discerned that this was not the cause of Zhang Yu’s disagreement.

After an extended silence, Zhang Yu began, “Shen may not be a threat now, but he is destined to become one soon.”

Opting to voice his thoughts, Zhang Yu ceased hiding his sentiments and honestly revealed his intentions.

“If he were simply superior to me, I would naturally be overjoyed by his accomplishments. He is, after all, my nephew, and my wishes for him are nothing but positive. However, his brilliance is overwhelming, so much so that I harbor a foreboding feeling. He is on the verge of seizing the resources meant for my breakthrough into the Innate Stage.”

Zhang Yu met Zhang Tianlong’s gaze firmly.

“In a certain time frame, there’s only so much a family can do. We can only help a few of us reach the Innate Stage at a time. We simply don’t have enough resources for more. Over the last decade, we’ve gathered just enough resources sufficient for just one to make a breakthrough into the Innate Stage. That opportunity was rightfully mine. But Zhang Shen’s advancement is too fast, so fast that it’s become apparent to me. If I don’t intervene, he’ll undeniably take these resources.”

Zhang Yu’s eyes gradually hardened, “I’m already in my fifties. I am confident that in a decade, I can advance from the Acquired 8th Layer to the peak of the 9th Layer, but I lack the confidence to wait for another decade.”

Zhang Tianlong fell into contemplation. He empathized with his son’s predicament.

In the relentless harshness of the Endless Wilderness, if one exhibited remarkable talent from an early age, they were bestowed certain protections, provided with a relatively stable growth environment, and given sufficient time to increase their strength.

However, once someone reached Acquired 7th or 8th Layer and demonstrated the potential to ascend to the Innate Stage, they might receive slightly more attention from the family, providing them with enhanced safety.

Barring these exceptions, every other individual had to toil for the family, daily risking their lives in battles against terrifying beasts, barely finding time for rest and recovery. The mortality rate amongst them was high. To put it bluntly, they were the sacrificial pawns safeguarding the family’s survival.

Even a potential candidate for the Innate Stage, like Zhang Yu, had to confront these beasts. Though he could enjoy slightly more rest and cultivation time, he was only granted a marginally extended period to boost his strength after completing a mission.

In the span of a decade, there existed a likelihood that Zhang Yu might perish during one of these missions, not to mention the risks over two decades.

Although even the cultivators of the Innate Stage struggled to secure their survival in the Endless Wilderness, Hongyuan City was situated on the periphery. The survival rate of the Innate Stage practitioners was significantly higher than those within the Acquired Stage.

It was about martial arts, about breaking into the Innate Stage, about life and death. There was nothing that couldn’t be understood.

Having watched Zhang Shen mature, Zhang Tianlong held a stronger conviction than Zhang Yu that the upcoming quota of Innate Stage resources from the family would undeniably be allocated to Zhang Shen. He remained silent for a moment before raising a question.

“Given you’re already thinking this way, why did you only place minor obstacles in his path and refrain from any major actions?”

Zhang Yu fell into silence this time, his stern and ruthless gaze flickering with complexity. “He’s my nephew, after all.”

With a soft sigh, Zhang Yu said, “Even though I have these thoughts, I wouldn’t act on them. But I also can’t remain idle, waiting for my doom.”

Zhang Tianlong understood, “So, you sought to test Zhang Shen?”

“Precisely,” Zhang Yu took up the conversation. “I wished to see if he was a naive cultivator engrossed solely in his training. If so, regardless of his talents, I would compete with him.”

Zhang Yu paused momentarily, his conflicted expression cleared, and he pronounced calmly, “However, he has proven to be even more exceptional than I anticipated. Father, rest assured, I bear no ill intentions towards Shen.”

The two conversed for a while longer, addressing the tensions that had arisen in this period.

Observing Zhang Yu’s solitary figure as he departed, Zhang Tianlong’s thoughts were similarly complex.

“Come out.”

From behind the study, Zhang Xun and his son, Zhang Shen, emerged. This conversation served two purposes, not only was it a heart-to-heart dialogue with his eldest son, but to also show Zhang Yu’s intentions to Zhang Xun and his son. Even if it was underlying resentments or overt hostility.

“Shen’er, do you bear any grudges against your uncle’s actions?” Zhang Tianlong asked.

Zhang Shen shook his head. If their roles were reversed, he too might have been dissatisfied and conducted a similar test.

“Grandfather, in half a month, allow me to start participating in the family matters.”

Zhang Shen wished to cultivate quietly, yet considering the vast amount of resources he had consumed from the family, he wouldn’t shrink from the responsibilities he ought to shoulder.

A spark of admiration ignited in Zhang Tianlong’s eyes.

“Are you certain? Once you start, your cultivation period will be drastically shortened.”

Zhang Shen confirmed, “Yes, I need to accumulate hands-on experience.”

In the recent grand competition, although Zhang Shen’s victory was absolute, it had also exposed his shortcomings. His real-world experience was lacking, and his techniques lacked precision, decisiveness, and mercilessness. He was still struggling to strike a perfect balance.

Upon returning to his residence, Zhang Shen activated his panel.

The Strongest Physical Body System

Host: Zhang Shen

Physical Level: Acquired Stage 8th Layer 

Progress: 99%

Cultivation: Acquired Stage 5th Layer 

Progress: 99.5%

Technique Progress: Bright Moon Technique 5th Layer (Progress: 100%), Tenfold Power Strike (Progress: 75%), Cold Moon Blade Technique (Progress: 63%), Cloud-Drifting Step (Progress: 80%)

Evaluation: Your physique has reached the pinnacle of the Acquired 8th Layer. Regular Acquired 8th Layer martial practitioners are no match for you, and if you close in on them, you can make them cough up blood within ten punches.

This lavish panel data was the fruit of Zhang Shen’s relentless five-year grind.

“My Bright Moon Technique has been practiced to the completion of the fifth layer, but my cultivation is still at the Acquired 5th Layer, preventing me from practicing the sixth layer of the technique. This recent competition has stirred a fire within me. The breakthrough is right in sight.”

This was the reason why Zhang Shen required half a month.

Without wasting any time, Zhang Shen lit a stick of incense to tranquilize his mind.

He seated himself at the center of the cultivation chamber and commenced circulating his internal energy to achieve a breakthrough. His surging internal energy, under his command, persistently hammered against the barrier of the 6th Layer.

The barrier stood steadfast, unyielding under the continuous onslaught. However, Zhang Shen was patient. He maneuvered his internal energy to relentlessly strike the barrier again and again.

By dawn, the formidable barrier was shattered with a resounding explosion.

Zhang Shen had transitioned into an entirely new layer. At this moment, the panel data underwent another transformation.

The Strongest Physical Body System

Host: Zhang Shen

Physical Level: Acquired Stage 9th Layer 

Progress: 3%

Cultivation: Acquired Stage 6th Layer 

Progress: 0.5%

Technique Progress: Bright Moon Technique 6th Layer (Progress: 0%), Tenfold Power Strike (Progress: 75%), Cold Moon Blade Technique (Progress: 63%), Cloud-Drifting Step (Progress: 80%)

Evaluation: Little chick at the Acquired 9th Layer, remember not to be too arrogant, you’ll get beaten.