C47 Family Trials Began

The Hong family's patriarch spoke with unwavering conviction, "You're aware of it too, I see. Yes, my investigations confirm that the Chang family is indeed involved in all of this!"

"Clearly, the Chang family has the backing of a formidable force, but given the current state of Renzhong City, that support seems limited."

"It's possible that only certain members of the Chang family are serving that power."

"But that's the situation at present. The future remains uncertain."

"Old Han, given these circumstances, our families must unite to clamp down on the Chang family. We need to crush them before their backers can step in and lift them up."

"If we don't, and the Chang family rises to become the preeminent family in Renzhong City, the tactics they employ could spell disaster for both of our families..."

The Hong patriarch left the dire consequences unsaid, but Han Yu's grave expression suggested he understood the gravity of the situation all too well.

Han Yu's eyes narrowed as he nodded in agreement. "I'm on board with a partnership, but we'll need to hash out the details later. Right now, we must focus on surviving the Family Trials."

"We suffered heavy losses last time. This time..."

The Hong patriarch chuckled heartily, "No matter the Chang family's strength, they are but one family. If our two great families stand united and support each other within the Jade Peak Mountain Range, I doubt the Chang family will be able to touch us."

"I've already covertly allied with several smaller families. If the Chang family still manages to eliminate half of our brightest talents, we might as well concede our place in Renzhong City altogether."

Han Yu was inwardly alarmed, having not anticipated the Hong patriarch's clandestine alliances.

Suddenly, Han Yu regarded the Hong patriarch with a newfound sense of wariness.

And so, they made their way to the Jade Peak Mountain Range.

...

Numerous families had already gathered there.

With over a hundred families, large and small, calling Renzhong City home, the assembly numbered in the thousands.

The Chang family had arrived well in advance.

Their patriarch bore a menacing scar that ran from the bridge of his nose to his right ear.

Amidst the crowd, Han Feng observed the scarred man, comparing the leaders of the three families. Though all were Human Rank Ten-star powerhouses, he concluded that in a true battle, the Chang family's patriarch might very well come out on top.

Merely sensing the killing intent radiating from the Chang family's head, it was clear that this was a man not to be taken lightly.

Upon laying eyes on Han Yu and the head of the Hong family, the Chang family's patriarch grinned menacingly, "Has your clan come looking for trouble again?"

The expressions of Han Yu and the Hong family's leader turned grim.

Han Yu let out a cold snort, "You seem awfully sure of yourself. Do you truly believe the Chang family has first place in the bag?"

The head of the Hong family also let out a series of mocking laughs.

Yet, both felt an ominous premonition stirring within them.

Despite past animosities, the Chang family's head had never been so brazen. Was it possible they were gearing up for a confrontation?

Or perhaps, the Chang family's prodigy in the Family Trials had become so formidable that their patriarch no longer regarded the talents of the other two families?

Just how formidable would that make him?

Either scenario spelled trouble.

With a taunting look, the Chang family's head addressed them, "Well then, we shall see what unfolds."

The smaller families nearby watched the three titans clash with trepidation.

Being minor clans, backing the wrong side could spell their doom.

"We'll pledge allegiance to the victor," was the prevailing thought among the leaders of these lesser houses.

Chang Wenjun's gaze bore into Han Feng with pure malice.

Unfazed, Han Feng met his stare head-on. To Han Feng, with his current prowess, Chang Wenjun was hardly worth noting.

Next to Chang Wenjun, a youth with a resemblance chuckled coldly, "He's quite the arrogant one, isn't he? It looks like he doesn't take you seriously at all."

Seething, Chang Wenjun vowed, "Once we enter the mountain range, I'll show him the price of crossing me. I'll sever all his limbs!"

Chang Wenhua offered a reassuring smile, "Relax. After consuming so many Level 2 and Level 3 Pills, you've opened six main bloodlines and your martial foundation is solid. Unless you face Han Rou, there's no one here who can match you."

Chang Wenjun offered a sycophantic smile. "Han Rou is yours. May all your wishes come true!"

Elbowing Han Feng, Han Lin warned, "Chang Wenjun bears a deep grudge against you. His Third Brother, Chang Wenhua, is no ordinary man. To this day, we can't pinpoint his exact level of cultivation. Be on your guard."

"The Han family would face a tremendous loss if anything were to happen to you."

Han Lin had learned from his father, Han Tianmu, about Han Feng's encounter with the Savage Bear. Beyond branding Han Feng as freakishly strong, he, along with Han Yu and several elders, saw Han Feng as the beacon of the family's future.

Han Tianxing, Han Tianli, and Han Tianmu were deep in conversation with Han Tiancheng.

Had it not been for Han Feng, Han Tiancheng would have never considered stepping out of the family bounds; their reunion had been hard-won.

Within the Han family, Han Tiancheng led a life akin to captivity, careful not to trouble his father and brothers, rarely seeking them out.

Aware of Han Tiancheng's sacrifices, Han Tianxing and the others refrained from overtly seeking him out, opting instead to support him from the shadows.

With palpable excitement, Han Tianxing exclaimed, "Feng's stock is rising within the family. If he clinches first place this time, we brothers can proudly stand before the Han family, beyond reproach."

"Exactly. If he secures substantial gains for the family, they'll have no grounds to hold the events of a decade past against us," Han Tianli said with a chuckle.

As more families poured in, the clamor grew.

Conversations filled the air, ranging from strategic alliances among family leaders to outright slander between rival heads.

Then, abruptly, the chatter subsided.

In unison, the voices of the three Family Heads rang out, "We pay homage to the City Lord!"

The City Lord, dispatched by the royal family of the Great Jin Nation, remained neutral in the squabbles of the three families. Nevertheless, they accorded him the utmost respect.

A formidable presence in his forties, the City Lord's aura was unmatched by any of the Family Heads.

He stood as the undisputed top warrior of Renzhong City, a master of the Human Rank at the Twelve-star level.

The City Lord reciprocated the bows of the three Family Heads before speaking, "It looks like everyone is ready. Now, let's have the young participants of the Family Trials step forward."

Each family presented ten representatives. In short order, a throng of over a thousand youths assembled before the City Lord. They each bowed slightly, a gesture of deep respect for the City Lord's authority.