C18 The Pinnacle!

Standing across the high platform was a somewhat unfamiliar face, a young man whose age mirrored Chen Chu's own. He watched Chen Chu in silence, not uttering a single word.

The Third Elder, observing that both competitors were in place, announced loudly, "In this clan contest, stop at the point of contact."

No sooner had the Third Elder descended from the stage than the youth in grey robes opposite Chen Chu sprang into action. His Genuine Qi began to flow slowly, and with a swift motion, he charged at Chen Chu, his movements carrying a certain gravitas.

Closing in to just a few meters from Chen Chu, the youth leapt into the air. A pale white glow flickered on his right foot, signaling the unleashing of a martial technique.

It was a low-grade Yellow Rank martial skill, the Stone Splitting Kick.

Chen Chu, realizing his opponent was merely a sixth-level Qi Refinement Stage cultivator, flashed a grin. His Genuine Qi coursed through his meridians to his palm, and instead of backing away, he advanced, launching a palm strike at the incoming leg.

Their Genuine Qi clashed. The youth's face contorted in shock, as if he had kicked a steel wall. He was blasted away by a formidable force, tumbling off the platform.

"Ah, Chen Chu won? I thought his martial arts were destroyed, and he'd been bedridden for three years!"

"That's old news. I heard Chen Chu made a sudden recovery two months ago, and he's regained a lot of his strength."

Chen Tong was taken aback. The energy he had sensed from Chen Chu the day before wasn't a figment of his imagination after all. Chen Chu had indeed reached the sixth level of the Qi Refinement Stage. That explained his absence; he had been secretly training.

"Reaching the sixth level of the Qi Refinement Stage in just two months is incredibly fast, even for someone who's traveled this path before," remarked an elder standing nearby, his voice laced with wonder.

Meanwhile, Chen Su, who had been waiting on the sidelines, was thoroughly impressed. Just a month prior, he had felt Chen Chu's Genuine Qi, which was unmistakably at the fourth level of the Qi Refinement Stage. To think that in merely a month, Chen Chu had advanced so significantly, it almost made Chen Su question his own achievements.

"Heh, sixth level or not," Chen Su mused, "he's still capable of beating him to the point where he's scrambling to find his teeth."

Chen Su grumbled under his breath, feeling indignant, and turned his attention away from the young man descending from the stage.

After some time, the first round of competition had yielded its victors—twenty-one clan members had emerged successful. Aside from one fortunate enough to have luck on his side, the rest of the youths would need to continue in further contests to establish a clear winner.

In the VIP section, Chen Tong was intently watching the wooden platform. An elderly man with a head of white hair to his right inquired, "Patriarch Chen, what is the current level of strength of Young Master Chen Chu?"

This elder was a prominent pharmaceutical merchant from Wanbei City, with whom the Chen Family had a long-standing and positive relationship. Chen Tong replied with a smile, "Chu'er is at the sixth level of the Qi Refinement Stage."

The old man seemed skeptical of this assessment. After observing the young man on the stage for a moment, he uttered just two words, "Doesn't seem so."

"The youth Chen Chu just defeated was also at the sixth level of the Qi Refinement Stage. For Young Master Chen Chu to have vanquished him so swiftly, his strength must be at the very least at the seventh level of the Qi Refinement Stage," commented a man in his thirties seated to Chen Tong's right. He was the vice-captain of the Night Blade Mercenary Group, with strength at the fourth level of the Genuine Essence Stage. Known for his directness and dependability, he had collaborated with the Chen Family for several years.

A smile of pride spread across Chen Tong's face as he continued to watch the competition with rapt attention.

The first round had weeded out the less adept competitors, leaving behind youths who had reached at least the sixth level of the Qi Refinement Stage. Achieving such a level before turning eighteen boded well for their future prospects.

Before long, it was Chen Chu's group's turn to compete again. Chen Chu took his place on the stage with confidence, awaiting his next challenger.

Upon seeing his opponent, Chen Chu inwardly let out a wry smile. It was none other than Chen Ao, the youth recently bested by Chen Su.

Chen Chu vividly recalled Chen Ao's defeat, the image of his disheveled state etched in his mind. If he could triumph over the youth before him, he was sure he wouldn't cower before Chen Su.

"The competition begins."

With those four words, the Third Elder quickly descended the stage, leaving a palpable tension in the air.

"Elder Huang, how do you rate Young Master Chen Chu's odds?" asked the vice-captain of the Night Blade mercenary group. Having dealt with many high-ranking individuals, he was particularly acquainted with the elder known as Elder Huang. Noticing Chen Tong deep in thought, he struck up a conversation.

The elder's keen eyes darted over the two young competitors. After a brief moment of reflection, he asserted, "It seems the Chen Family's young master has met his match. The calluses on that white-clothed youth's palms suggest a deep mastery of martial skills. I'd wager the odds favor the young man before us."

The young vice-captain chuckled. "That's not necessarily true. Cultivation hinges on innate talent. Three years ago, the young master had already peaked at the Qi Refinement Stage. Despite some setbacks, his command of Genuine Qi is undoubtedly refined. My money's on the young master to win."

The elder hummed softly, then with narrowed eyes, continued to observe Chen Chu, choosing to remain silent.

Chen Tong, caught between the two, couldn't suppress a smile, though his concern for Chen Chu remained unabated. He recognized that Chen Ao might possess greater strength, yet he held onto a sliver of hope for Chen Chu.

"Please enlighten me," said Chen Ao, bowing respectfully before seamlessly shifting into combat readiness. His focus locked onto Chen Chu, Genuine Qi flowed into his arms, readying for the imminent clash.

This wasn't Chen Chu's first time punching above his weight class, yet the thrill was undeniable. As Chen Ao bore down on him, Chen Chu's right leg shot back, and he launched a punch at the swiftly approaching figure.

Chen Ao, delighted by Chen Chu's direct approach, felt his Genuine Qi surge. His right arm, now shrouded in a white mist, was primed for the confrontation.

Two formidable energies burst forth in the sky above, and as Chen Chu made contact with the Genuine Qi, it was as if he'd been struck by a massive boulder, weighing a thousand kilograms. He was propelled backward, his feet pounding the wooden platform several times before he managed to regain his balance.

Chen Chu massaged his numb right arm, sizing up the young opponent who had barely taken half a step back.

"Chen Chu, it seems your so-called genius is merely a facade," Chen Ao taunted with a sneer.

Chen Chu's brow furrowed at the sound of Chen Ao's mocking tone, unable to recall any past grievances with him.

"That kid Chen Chu is going down."

The onlookers could tell from the initial clash that Chen Chu was outmatched in both the density of his Genuine Qi and physical strength. The outcome of the match seemed imminent.

Ignoring the buzz of speculation from the crowd, Chen Chu returned to his starting position and fixed Chen Ao with an undaunted gaze.

Chen Ao met Chen Chu's defiant look with a contemptuous snort. His Genuine Qi surged forth once more, charging at Chen Chu with the force of an arrow leaving its bow. His right arm began to glow with the luster of white jade, signaling the unleashing of his ace move, the Mountain Breaking Strike—an intermediate Yellow Rank martial skill.

The strike was so swift it created oppressive ripples in the air, carrying an unstoppable momentum as it aimed straight for Chen Chu's face.