Chapter 5: The Fifth Layer of the Acquired Stage

“Everyone here is well aware of my character,” Zhang Tianlong commenced. “I would never place personal bias above the welfare of the family. If I exhibit favoritism towards my grandson, it is because he merits it.”

The gathered elders exchanged knowing looks and murmured amongst themselves.

“Indeed, the patriarch isn’t of such nature.”

“I disagreed when Yanzhu brought up the proposition.”

“I’ve always trusted in the patriarch’s integrity.”

Listening to their sugared words, Zhang Yanzhu was enraged. When he initially brought up the problem, everyone was all too keen to voice their discontent, as if their peace wouldn’t be restored until Zhang Tianlong was denounced. And now they were backpedaling.

‘What a congregation of spineless men!’

At that moment, a contrary voice reverberated.

“Father, although Uncle Yanzhu’s manner is somewhat brusque, he does raise a valid concern. Shen indeed has not made significant contributions to the family over the past years. If we persist in treating him in this manner, even if the family members refrain from verbalizing it, they might bear grudges internally.”

Zhang Tianlong’s gaze turned frosty. The speaker was his eldest son, Zhang Yu, the one he had always held in high regard. Staring at Zhang Yu’s composed countenance and unwavering gaze, Zhang Tianlong experienced a strange surge of emotions.

From the sidelines, Zhang Yanzhu added, “Precisely, precisely. Nephew Zhang Yu is correct. Cousin, we must not allow the family members to bear any resentment towards young Shen. That would be detrimental to our unity.”

The hall fell into a noticeable hush as the elders ceased their murmurs, all eyes locked onto the unfolding spectacle.

“Father, Shen needs to step forward and prove himself,” Zhang Yu insisted. “At least he needs to show to the family that those resources weren’t wasted.”

Zhang Tianlong fell silent, stunned by the unexpected blow from his own son. However, his years of experience soon helped him regain his composure. While he could still suppress the current situation, a glance around the room made him realize that it was time for Zhang Shen to step into the limelight.

A fledgling must brave the tempest to transform into a majestic eagle.

“Very well,” he finally yielded, “In half a month’s time, we’ll host an intra-family competition. All warriors under the age of thirty are eligible to participate. The top three will be rewarded with cultivation resources, and the victor will receive a high-grade Acquired artifact, the Cold Moon Blade.”

This time around, there was no voice of disagreement. The incentive for the victor was so generous that everyone was subconsciously deliberating on whom their faction should put forward for the competition.

Although it was apparent that the patriarch held an unwavering faith in Zhang Shen, and he might possess some skills, how much prowess could a child of ten command? Only Zhang Yanzhu and Zhang Yu were earnestly pondering over the extent of Zhang Tianlong’s conviction to issue such a proclamation.

As the assembly dispersed, Zhang Tianlong summoned Zhang Xun and Zhang Shen, informing them of the situation.

“Shen, I need you to win the top spot with indisputable strength. Do you have the confidence to achieve that?” Zhang Tianlong inquired gravely. Only a handful were privy to the rapid pace of Zhang Shen’s progress over the years, but he had only sparred in the training arena and had never faced a life-or-death battle. In contrast, many of the family’s warriors under thirty had.

Zhang Shen cast a glance at his own panel and chuckled, “Grandfather, I don’t even know how to lose.”

Hearing such a confident assertion, both Zhang Tianlong and Zhang Xun were visibly relieved.

After Zhang Shen’s departure, Zhang Xun appeared slightly troubled, “Father, concerning my elder brother…”

***

Meanwhile, news of the competition had spread like wildfire, and many of the Zhang family’s warriors under thirty were abuzz with anticipation.

In a ramshackle courtyard, a rugged, muscular man was splitting logs.

“This upcoming intra-family competition may well be my golden ticket. If I claim the title, I won’t need to worry about cultivation resources anymore.”

***

A man with an icy countenance plunged his sword into a martial artist who had violated the Hongyuan City rules, the tip gleaming menacingly with crimson fluid.

“Cold Heart, Elder Yanzhu requests your presence.”

One by one, the young and strong, as well as the elders, were all engrossed in their preparations for the tournament. Only Zhang Yu maintained an air of nonchalance, neither orchestrating anyone nor taking any action. Staring at his face, one could not fathom his inner thoughts.

Half a month later, the clan competition commenced as planned.

The participants totaled 126, and they did not represent all the warriors under the age of thirty. These were individuals who bore some level of confidence in their prowess. The audience comprised not only the Zhang family’s elders but also members from the Lin and Ye families. Even some of the unaffiliated cultivators residing in Hongyuan City flocked to the scene.

The Zhang family did not obstruct these spectators, but they were strictly prohibited from encroaching within ten meters of the stage. Any transgression of this rule would be met with the stern enforcement of the Zhang family’s law.

Only the youngsters escorted by the elders of the other two families were permitted a closer view. This was a stark testament to the close-knit ties between the three families.

With 126 participants, Zhang Tianlong and the others had no inclination to prolong the tournament. They strived to wrap it up within a day.

For this purpose, they promptly set up eleven stages, accommodating six individuals per group. Those who managed to hold their ground on the stage till the end would proceed to the next round.

The rules were simple, yet brutal, with only deadly strikes being expressly forbidden. Numerous medics were on standby outside the arena, eliminating concerns about inflicting fatal injuries.

Zhang Shen was assigned to the ninth group.

On the ninth platform, Zhang Shen was the youngest contestant. The others were either robust men or courageous women, all of whom bore various battle scars on their bodies and faces, appearing extraordinarily fierce.

Zhang Shen’s visage was stern. These battle wounds signified that these family members had endured life-and-death battles, individuals who had put their lives on the line for the family.

“In respect to you all, I’ll take this seriously. Be careful.” Zhang Shen flexed his hands, his body emitting an inspiring aura.

The five contestants in the ring immediately adopted defensive stances, sensing an overwhelming force radiating from Zhang Shen.

The stone floor shattered with a boom as Zhang Shen bolted toward the nearest muscular man, his internal energy strength gushing as he launched a punch, unleashing an explosive force.

The punch obliterated the man’s full defense and catapulted him off the stage, sliding about ten meters before stopping.

“Acquired 5th Layer, he’s genuinely at the Acquired 5th Layer!” As soon as Zhang Shen initiated his move, his cultivation level was exposed for all to witness.

Everyone was dumbstruck. A ten-year-old at the Acquired Stage 5th Layer, this marked a historic record in the annals of the three families.

Among the current contestants, the highest cultivation level was also Acquired Stage 5th Layer, but most of them were around twenty-seven or thirty years old. And on the ninth stage, the rest only boasted cultivation levels of the Third or Fourth Layer.

“Let’s proceed,” Zhang Shen said.

The remaining four managed to subdue their astonishment. Although their chances of victory were slim, none of them conceded. Those dwelling in the endless wilderness inherently embodied a spirit of courage.

“Charge!”

The quartet launched their attacks, their moves were fierce and merciless. Zhang Shen’s eyes sparkled as he retaliated. He had never encountered such a battle during his training sessions. Engaging with those who had blood on their hands just felt different.

After fifteen minutes of intense combat, Zhang Shen was thoroughly enjoying himself.

However, the disparity in cultivation and martial skills gave Zhang Shen an absolute advantage. Thus far, the other four hadn’t managed to land a single hit on him.

“It’s time to wrap this up.”

In this short time, Zhang Shen had already grasped their attack patterns. Perhaps due to the rule against fatal blows, Zhang Shen felt that they hadn’t used all their moves, but it was already more than sufficient.