Chen Zong strode purposefully toward the Chen Clan Hall, sword in one hand and a 200-pound bronze medicinal cauldron in the other, drawing surprised stares from passersby.
Nine Revolutions Blood Return Pill... one million White Jade Coins... Seven-Leaf Blood Lotus... two million White Jade Coins... he pondered as he walked.
For him, prices in the millions of White Jade Coins were prohibitively high. Even for the entire Chen Clan, such sums would be a tremendous burden.
As for the so-called "opportunity" Qian Huan had proposed later, Chen Zong rejected it without hesitation.
The Cauldron Heaven Pavilion engaged in all manner of business, some of them extremely dangerous. To manage these risks, they cultivated their own martial artists. Qian Huan, impressed by Chen Zong's talent, had urged him to sign the Cauldron Heaven Contract.
The contract stipulated that from the date of signing, Chen Zong would become a member of the Cauldron Heaven Pavilion, to be trained and deployed as they saw fit. Frankly, the Cauldron Heaven Pavilion was immensely powerful, their wealth and influence far surpassing that of the Chen Clan. To receive their training would be an extraordinary opportunity. The problem lay in the contract's duration: a full thirty years.
Even for a martial artist at the True Martial Realm, a natural lifespan barely exceeds a century. Thirty years is an incredibly long time.
However, if signing the Cauldron Heaven Contract would immediately grant him a Nine Revolutions Blood Return Pill, Chen Zong wouldn't hesitate. But according to Qian Huan, he would first need to undergo training at the Cauldron Heaven Pavilion, complete assigned tasks, and prove himself. Only then, within three years, could he potentially exchange for a Nine Revolutions Blood Return Pill, or even a Seven-Leaf Blood Lotus.
Being restricted for thirty years, unable to obtain the Nine Revolutions Blood Return Pill immediately, and even after years of effort, there was no guarantee he'd get it. Naturally, Chen Zong refused. This further revealed the Cauldron Heaven Pavilion's business philosophy: they never operated at a loss, always squeezing every last drop of profit.
Returning to his residence after the Clan Hall, Chen Zong carefully stored the bronze medicinal cauldron he'd purchased for 1,000 White Jade Coins and the medicinal ingredients worth 6,600 White Jade Coins.
"Chen Zong, the Elite Disciple Challenge is set for tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Please arrive on time," he was informed shortly after returning.
"I understand," Chen Zong nodded.
After cultivating the True Sword Heavenly Extinction Technique for a while, Chen Zong washed up and went to sleep.
Before dawn, Chen Zong rose. After washing up, he practiced the True Sword Heavenly Extinction Technique for a while, had breakfast, and then went to a corner of the Martial Training Ground to practice with his sword.
As the clock approached nine, Chen Zong headed to the challenge site, a platform located between the Earth Courtyard and the Heaven Courtyard, surrounded by numerous Clan Hall disciples.
"It's Chen Zong, he's here."
"Chen Zong may be one of the Wind Martial Four Young Heroes, but he's been cultivating for too short a time. To challenge elite disciples now is simply overestimating himself."
"I agree. And he even wants to challenge both Chen He and Chen Xia in succession!"
"Ignorant fool." Chen Zhong glanced at the speaker and smirked coldly.
Over a month ago, Chen Zong had already been able to slay a High-Grade Level One demon beast, the Ironback Azure Wolf, and had survived over a month in Subduing Dragon Mountain. His strength had undoubtedly grown stronger; ordinary Sixth Layer Qi Blood Realm cultivators were no match for him.
Chen He and Chen Xia were indeed formidable, but their cultivation bases were also at the peak of the Sixth Layer of the Qi Blood Realm. Chen Zong might not be outmatched in a fight.
"Chen Zong, your challenge application against Chen He and Chen Xia has been approved. You may now choose one to challenge first," the Hall Elder announced from the platform, his voice cutting through the chatter.
Chen Xia smiled faintly as he watched Chen Zong, while Chen He wore a dark expression, a flicker of disdain deep in his eyes.
"I challenge Chen He first," Chen Zong declared, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. He smiled briefly at Chen Xia before focusing on Chen He.
"Overestimating yourself, aren't you?" Chen He sneered coldly, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes.
Having been rejected by Chen Zong earlier and humiliated at the Soaring Dragon Assembly, Chen He harbored deep resentment. His failed attempts to have Chen Zong targeted left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he had even celebrated with excessive drinking upon hearing of Chen Zong's supposed death on Subduing Dragon Mountain.
"Challenging me will be your greatest mistake," Chen He growled, leaping onto the arena stage with a sinister grin. This was his chance to publicly teach Chen Zong a lesson—and he wouldn't hold back.
After donning his boxing gloves, Chen He spread his arms like a white crane unfurling its wings. He soared upward like a crane in flight, letting out a piercing cry before swooping down with hawk-like speed. His arms whirled like flapping wings, creating a blur of phantom strikes that blurred truth and illusion as they all converged on Chen Zong.
Foundation Establishment Fist Technique: White Crane Fist.
This technique, not taught in the Clan Hall, possessed formidable power. After years of cultivation, Chen He had refined it to a point that hinted at transcending the Perfection Realm.
Sword light flashed, accompanied by a shrill eagle's cry that pierced the sky, capable of splitting metal and shattering stone.
The Subtlety Realm Eagle Strike Sword Technique moved with the grace of a circling eagle, its razor-sharp claws extending to tear into Chen He.
Eagle-Crane Clash!
Both combatants unleashed their full repertoire of techniques, the battle remaining evenly matched.
Chen He, while lacking exceptional talent, compensated with years of cultivation and extensive experience in life-or-death struggles, making him a formidable opponent.
"Chen Zong is actually holding his own against Chen He?"
"Incredible!"
The crowd below the arena gasped in astonishment.
Hearing the crowd's gasps, Chen He's expression darkened. He activated the second layer of the Fierce Tiger Art, channeling his Qi Blood Power to dramatically increase his strength. Each strike now carried over four thousand catties of force, enough to shatter boulders.
Activating the True Sword Heavenly Extinction Technique, Chen Zong also channeled his Qi Blood Power, amplifying his strength. Though his strikes carried a thousand catties less force than Chen He's, his superior sword technique compensated for the difference.
"Flying Crane Palm—Crane Peck Triple Strike!"
The first-level Crane Peck Triple Strike of the low-grade Human-Rank Flying Crane Palm had already reached a level of minor mastery. Chen He's attack was merciless, accompanied by a piercing whistle that seemed capable of piercing eardrums.
In an instant, Chen He's palm transformed into the beak-like shape of a white crane, delivering three rapid, beak-like strikes toward Chen Zong. Each strike carried over four thousand catties of force, a terrifying display of power.
The Hall Elder's expression changed. It was clear that Chen He was holding nothing back; a direct hit on Chen Zong would undoubtedly result in severe injury.
Chen Zong unsheathed his sword, unleashing eight dazzling sword glares that instantly merged into four, then two, and finally one—blindingly radiant, as if slicing through the air itself.
Under the sword glare, the Crane Peck Triple Strike shattered instantly. The dimmed sword glare then slashed directly into Chen He, sending him flying backward. A wound gaped from his left shoulder to his right waist, blood spurting forth.
"You... you're ruthless..." Below the platform, Chen He struggled to his feet, his face pale with shock. He pointed at Chen Zong, his voice trembling with fury, as he sprinkled medicinal powder on his wound to stop the bleeding before hastily departing.
Chen Zong merely glanced at him indifferently, paying him no heed.
Just now, he had restrained some of his strength, inflicting only a superficial wound. Otherwise, a single strike would have severed him completely.
The crowd's gaze toward Chen Zong shifted, now a mix of admiration and fear.
"Next is Chen Xia. Would you like to rest for a moment, Chen Zong?" the Hall Elder asked, ignoring Chen He. After all, Chen He had been the one to strike with no mercy first, and the Hall Elder could tell that Chen Zong had indeed held back at the last moment.
"Clan Brother Chen Zong, if I'm not mistaken, the Dividing Light Sword Technique you just demonstrated was the second layer of Dividing Light No Shadow, wasn't it?" Chen Xia said with a smile. "And not just that—it was Dividing Light No Shadow at the Great Mastery Realm."
"Clan Brother has keen eyes," Chen Zong replied with a smile.
"Though I know I'm no match for you, I'd still like to spar with my clan brother using Foundation Establishment Martial Arts," Chen Xia said with a carefree smile. His strength surpassed Chen He's, but not by much. He knew he wasn't a match for Chen Zong, yet his hands itched for a fight.
"Please," Chen Zong replied. Since they were sparring with Foundation Establishment Martial Arts, it wouldn't consume much Qi Blood Power.
Chen Xia wielded a treasured iron blade, its gleaming edge flashing as he unleashed a continuous, unbroken series of strikes, his technique just shy of reaching the Subtlety Realm.
Chen Zong countered with the Willow Sweep Sword Technique, subtly testing Chen Xia's ability to seize the opportunity and ascend to the Subtlety Realm.
Alas, after a fierce exchange, Chen Xia's limited comprehension prevented him from breaking through.
"Thank you, clan brother. I concede." Chen Xia sheathed his blade and retreated. His spar with Chen Zong had been an attempt to use the challenge to break through his bottleneck, but his hopes had been dashed.
"Chen Zong, having defeated Chen He and Chen Xia, you may choose a courtyard. Which will you take?" The Hall Elder nodded. The ideal scenario was for Clan Hall disciples to compete fiercely yet maintain harmonious unity.
"Courtyard No. 1," Chen Zong replied without hesitation.
"Chen Xia, return and pack your belongings. You must vacate Courtyard No. 1," the Hall Elder instructed, then turned to Chen Zong. "You may prepare to move in."
"Hall Elder, may I request permission to challenge Chen He?" Chen Xia asked with a smile.
"Uh..." Chen Zong was speechless, and the Hall Elder sighed helplessly. "I'll notify Chen He to vacate Courtyard No. 1. Once he's recovered from his injuries, we'll arrange a fight between you two."
"Thank you, Hall Elder," Chen Xia said with a mischievous grin.
The disciples surrounding the arena, from both the Heaven Courtyard and Earth Courtyard, now gazed at Chen Zong with awe and reverence.
It was hard to believe how formidable Chen Zong had become, already standing as the foremost disciple in the Clan Hall.
This was especially true for those who had entered the Clan Hall in the same cohort as Chen Zong; they felt as if they were living in a dream.
Chen Fenghua, Chen Guzhan, and others forced wry smiles, while Chen Yidao and Chen Yuyao were already numb. Chen Zhigang was completely dumbfounded, no longer daring to harbor even a shred of defiance towards Chen Zong, let alone attempt to discipline him.
"Clan Brother, let me help you move," Chen Xia said with a grin.
"I'll help too," Chen Zhong chimed in.
Chen Zong's belongings were surprisingly minimal: a bed, bedding, and other basic living essentials, along with a large bundle of medicinal herbs and a bronze Medicinal Cauldron.
"Clan Brother, getting a medicinal cauldron... do you intend to concoct medicine?" Chen Xia looked at Chen Zong with a peculiar expression.
"Just a passing interest," Chen Zong replied with a smile, offering no further explanation. Chen Xia didn't press the matter.
After gathering their belongings, the three left the residence and headed toward Courtyard No. 1 in the Elite District.
Stepping into the familiar courtyard once more, Chen Zong felt a small surge of excitement.
"Clan Brother Chen Xia, what happened to the heavy iron balls and other things left in the courtyard before?" Chen Zong asked, scanning the area.
"Clan Brother, you knew about that?" Chen Xia realized. "I'd forgotten—you used to practice swordsmanship here with Chuyun. So your challenge to me wasn't about claiming first place in the Clan Hall, but about securing this courtyard? I didn't discard those items; I stored them in the storage room."
"Thank you, Clan Brother," Chen Zong said gratefully.