C17 Clan Competition

Chen Chu returned to his cabin with a weight lifted from his shoulders. Lying on the small bed, he gazed up at the ceiling beams, lost in thought.

He had given it his all. What tomorrow would bring was now in the hands of fate.

Deep into the night, the Chen Family estate fell silent, save for one room still aglow with candlelight.

Chen Tong was drenched in sweat, his body rigid. He was at a pivotal moment of advancement, his Genuine Qi swirling around him, eventually enveloping him like a cocoon.

As time slipped by, a crimson sun leaped above the horizon, bathing every nook of Wanbei City in its light. Sunbeams streamed through the window, illuminating the Qi cocoon. Suddenly, the room quivered, a soft heartbeat echoed from within the cocoon, and then the white Genuine Qi shell burst open. A figure shot out, shattering the sturdy roof with a palm strike and soared into the sky with an intricate step pattern.

Chen Tong was beside himself with excitement, his Genuine Qi flooding into his feet recklessly. The azure cloud beneath him grew denser and sped off toward a corner in the northwest with incredible velocity.

In a short while, Chen Tong arrived at Chen Chu's courtyard. He pushed open the wooden door with gusto, only to find the room deserted.

"Where did the kid run off to this early?" he muttered, a tinge of disappointment in his voice. Remembering that today was the day of the Clan Competition, and his duties as the host awaited him, Chen Tong shook his head in resignation and hurried off.

It was hard to fault Chen Tong's restlessness; the shock Chen Chu had delivered was immense. An enigmatic pill had elevated his level overnight, without a single adverse effect.

The disparity in strength at each level of the Genuine Essence Stage was vast. With his newfound power, Chen Tong could easily best two of his former selves. The fear he once held for the Jinye Family had dissipated. Rising to the top of Wanbei Town's families was just a matter of time.

Should such pills be produced in bulk, the Chen Family might even dominate Qingzhou. But Chen Tong quickly snuffed out such a fantasy. Pills that could enhance one's strength were exceedingly rare; dreaming of mass production was nothing short of folly.

Chen Chu, who had come up empty-handed in his attempt to catch Chen Tong, was now diligently practicing the Diamond Hands technique in the secluded bamboo grove on the back mountain. The upcoming clan competition was critical, as it would determine who would secure the Chen Family's two coveted spots at the Heavenly South Academy. More than ten young clansmen, all above the seventh level of the Qi Refinement Stage, were usually visible around the estate. But in recent weeks, they seemed to have vanished into seclusion to intensify their training.

Chen Man, at the ninth level of the Qi Refinement Stage, was the frontrunner. Her formidable strength commanded respect from all the younger members of the clan, and her natural talent was only surpassed by Chen Chu's three years prior.

In addition to her, there were two other promising youths at the eighth level of the Qi Refinement Stage: Chen Su, who had previously clashed with Chen Chu, and Chen Miao, with whom Chen Chu had little interaction. Yet, for someone to reach such a level at only seventeen, mediocrity was out of the question.

"This is going to be tough," Chen Chu gasped, surveying the bamboo he had decimated during his training.

Realizing morning had arrived, he decided to call it quits and bounded down the mountain with a burst of enthusiasm.

At the heart of the Chen Family compound, next to a towering platform constructed of red cedar, Chen Tong was busy schmoozing with the elite guests from across Wanbei City, exchanging pleasantries and compliments.

Tables and chairs encircled the platform, and many guests were already seated. Observing his father frantically managing the event below, Chen Chu couldn't suppress a chuckle.

"Young Master, what's amusing you so?" Xiaowan inquired, approaching from behind.

Chen Chu gestured for her to take the seat next to him before replying, "Father is always so poised when handling family matters. It's rare to see him this flustered."

Xiaowan giggled behind her hand at his comment. Meanwhile, Chen Chu, finding himself with nothing to do, leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rejuvenate.

Within ten minutes, the majority of the guests had arrived, including a host of familiar faces from the ranks of the wealthy and noble. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and chatter.

With the shrill clang of a gong, Chen Chu was yanked from his chair by the Second Elder and brought to the gathering of clansmen beside the high platform. He was surrounded by familiar faces—all those who had reached the fifth level of the Qi Refinement Stage or higher were in attendance. Chen Man, at the head of the line, was currently leading the youths onto the stage to draw lots. Feeling a disturbance behind him, Chen Chu glanced back to catch Chen Su's glare from a short distance away.

Ignoring the unfriendly stare, Chen Chu faced forward again just in time for his turn to draw. He strode confidently onto the stage.

Chen Su, seething from being disregarded, silently vowed vengeance, "Just wait until the Family Competition. I'll make sure to knock your teeth out!"

Chen Chu selected a bamboo stick from the box, which bore a red character at its tip. The Family Competition had drawn over forty eligible youths, divided into 21 pairs. Chen Chu found himself in the eighth pair. The drawing wasn't over, so he didn't yet know his opponent, but he was certain of victory against anyone below the Eighth Stage of Qi Refinement.

The drawing concluded quickly, and the stage came alive with the contests of the various groups. The audience's cheers and applause added to the vibrant atmosphere.

As a War God, Chen Chu found the bouts of the younger generation uninteresting and made his way to his father, seated at the heart of the VIP section. It was best to check in personally, just to be sure.

With a nonchalant air, Chen Chu navigated through the seats, soon reaching his father. Chen Tong, who had been conversing with a middle-aged man, excused himself and drew Chen Chu closer, whispering, "Chu'er, what was that pill you gave me yesterday?"

Chen Chu almost laughed at his father's cautious demeanor, so at odds with his usual sternness.

"It was a second-grade pill, with a slight chance of enhancing the power of someone at the Genuine Essence Stage."

To avoid startling his father too much, Chen Chu concocted a benevolent fib. With a hint of resignation, he shrugged and explained, "Refining that item took a whole week out of me. Plus, one of the ingredients, the Marrow-Cleansing Flower, is incredibly scarce. I just happened to come across a bit of it by chance."

Chen Tong, who had never even heard of the herbs Chen Chu mentioned, reluctantly let go of the unease stirring within him.

"Why is Father asking about this? Has Father made a breakthrough?"

Chen Chu casually posed the question, only to be cut off mid-sentence as his father swiftly covered his mouth and subtly nodded in affirmation.

"Next up, Group Eight."

The Third Elder's voice echoed from the stage. Suppressing a smile, Chen Chu hurried from the VIP seating toward the family competition platform.

"Go for it, Young Master!"

The tinkling sound of Xiaowan's voice reached him. Flashing an OK sign, Chen Chu briskly ascended the stage.