15.One move is enough
1810 Words
With all eyes following Chu Yan's sword-drawing movement, their gazes shifted to the front.
Chu Nan, who had unleashed his Origin Soul Technique, was completely petrified. He couldn't believe that the sword that had just flashed past him in a blur possessed such terrifying power in Chu Yan's hands.
However, he had no chance for remorse.
Under the watchful gaze of everyone, a blue sword aura fiercely collided with the sword energy like thunder, almost instantly piercing through and splitting the blade aura in two. Its momentum remained unyielding as it continued its charge forward.
Boom!
A palm strike sent the blue sword aura to the side, and it was Grand Elder Chu Meng who had made the move.
Puff!
Having his Origin Soul Technique shattered, Chu Nan spewed out a large mouthful of fresh blood. His body was sent flying backwards, crashing down to the ground like a rag.
Silence... An absolute silence!
The entire discussion hall was enveloped in a deathly stillness.
In just one move, Chu Nan was defeated!
This... was it a dream?
Both at the fifth stage of Body Tempering Realm, how could there be such a vast difference in strength?
Chu Nan, the most talented individual in the Chu family, had actually lost to Chu Yan, who had just been thought of as waste a moment ago. This was simply inconceivable!
"This... this is the Thundering Sword Technique of Jitian Sect?"
Clan head Chu Hong descended from his high position and stood before Chu Yan. He looked directly at him, a shocked expression appearing on his face for the first time.
"Yes, it is the first style of the Thundering Thirteen Swords!" Chu Yan confirmed.
"Good, good! Truly worthy of being a disciple of our Chu family. Hahaha!" Chu Hong turned towards Chu Jiang, laughing heartily. "Chu Jiang, such a genius descendant has emerged from the Dragon Gate Town branch. Truly a blessing for our Chu family!"
Upon hearing the clan head say this, both Chu Jiang and Chu Yan were taken aback. The elders and officials, including the ones present, couldn't help but twitch their eyes.
Chu Hong had changed his tune so quickly. While everyone was still in shock and not yet able to react, he had already started praising Chu Jiang and his son Chu Yan.
Although Chu Hong wore a smile on his face, his gaze towards Chu Yan was filled with astonishment. As a former disciple of Jitian Sect, Chu Hong had coincidentally heard of the Thundering Sword Technique and was more shocked than the other elders and officials, who were unfamiliar with it.
On the other hand, Chu Jiang, who was Chu Yan's father, also understood Chu Hong's quick change of heart. In the face of family interests, personal matters were inconsequential.
"Hmph!"
As a heavy sound echoed, Grand Elder Chu Meng flicked his robe sleeve, his face turning iron-cold as he briskly left the discussion hall.
"No... this is impossible. How could I be defeated?"
Chu Nan's voice carried disbelief and unwillingness.
Chunan struggled to rise from the ground, staggering towards Chuyan. His expression went from disbelief to contortion, and finally to madness. Pointing at Chuyan, he roared, "You, Chuyan, are trash! I, Chunan, am the genius. This is not real. None of this is real!"
The patriarch, Chuhong, furrowed his brows slightly upon seeing Chunan's state. He gestured to the stewards standing nearby, who nodded in response and strode forward to escort Chunan away.
"Chunan, he who humiliates will be humiliated. There are always greater mountains outside, and realms beyond the heavens. Today, you have been defeated by me. Yet in the future, you may not even qualify for me to make a move!"
"You..." Chunan trembled all over, his face turning crimson. Suddenly, he opened his mouth, and with a splutter, he expelled another mouthful of blood, before fainting completely. Fortunately, two stewards who were nearby caught him in their arms.
"Patriarch, esteemed elders and stewards, with regards to the matter of removing me and my father, what is the current result?" Chuyan spoke softly.
"Hmph, the person who reported this matter must have malicious intentions. I will thoroughly investigate and punish them. As for the matter of removal, it is not up for discussion. Our Chufamily has stood for five hundred years without ever removing any of our kin. Furthermore, sending offspring to Ji Tianzong is a way for the family to cultivate brilliant successors. This matter is beyond reproach," Chuhong declared.
Before Chuhong could finish speaking, the elders and stewards all nodded in agreement, their faces filled with admiration.
"The patriarch is absolutely right. Chuyan's talent may very well surpass that of Chubing. He is the number one genius of the Chufamily, and it is only fitting that he enters Ji Tianzong..."
"I heard that the branch of the Longmen Clan managed by Chujian is becoming stronger day by day, and their family business is flourishing. He truly is an exceptional manager..."
"I believe that what the patriarch said is true. There must be petty individuals who envy us, wanting to sow discord within our Chufamily. We must not be swayed by them..."
"I think the patriarch should consider promoting Chujian to an elder position in our clan..."
Amidst the whispers and murmurs, the attitudes of the elders and stewards towards Chuyan and Chujian underwent a drastic change. Their gazes were filled with flattery and admiration.
Though Chujian's expression revealed discontent, years of experience in maintaining his position made him simply smile lightly, choosing not to take offense.
As for Chuyan, after seeing the faces of the crowd, he fully awakened to the reality before him.
These clan elders and stewards only valued strength. When you are weak, they speak coldly toward you, but the moment you become strong, they immediately change their tune and draw close to you. Such is the ebb and flow of this world.
"Very well then, I thank the patriarch and esteemed elders and stewards. My son and I shall take our leave," Chuhong gestured with a cupped hand, then turned to leave with Chuyan and Chuzhan.
As they walked out of the gates of the Chufamily, Chuyan bid farewell to his father, preparing to return to the sect for the upcoming grand competition.
Although Chujian was eager to know the details of his son's growth, he realized the importance of the sect's grand competition for his son. Frowning, he pondered for a while before reaching into his pocket and handing a bag of gold coins to Chuyan, saying"Xiaoyan, here are one hundred gold coins. Buy whatever you need and if it's not enough, come to me. Also, I want your brother to accompany you for a few days. Once the grand competition is over, he can come back!"
Chuyan was slightly taken aback, looking at his father's shining eyes, he instantly understood what was going on.
"Father, I won't let you down," Chuyan said, accepting the gold coins and leaving with Chuzhan.
On the way, Chuyan remained somewhat silent, focusing on Chuzhan's injuries and contemplating deeply.
He understood his father's intentions. Bringing his brother along had two purposes: if he passed the competition and became an inner disciple, his brother could relay the news. If he didn't pass, Chuzhan could offer him comfort.
Feeling the affection from his father and brother, Chuyan keenly felt the weight of his responsibility.
"I must win! I will definitely win!"
As Chuyan entered the Ji Tianzong's territory, he noticed many disciples whispering to each other, their expressions abnormal.
"Have you heard? After Chuyan awakened his martial soul, he actually killed one of Blue Sea's servants..."
"Hmph! He's audacious. I think he's done for this time!"
"That's right. Blue Sea made an announcement, saying that they will cripple his hands and feet! They want to obliterate his martial soul and turn him into the most useless waste!"
"Blue Sea is quite formidable. Turns out their servants are all Ji Tianzong disciples?"
"Those talented disciples are treasures. It's rare to see any of them accompanied by servants. Plus, the servants can handle certain matters that the geniuses cannot directly deal with..."
Whispers of various kinds faintly reached Chuyan's ears. In response, Chuyan merely smiled lightly and continued on his way to his small courtyard. Chuzhan, on the other hand, became visibly nervous.
"Younger brother, what about Blue Sea's words..." Chuzhan anxiously asked as they returned to the courtyard. "Shouldn't we find him and explain?"
"Don't worry, big brother!" Chuyan smiled gently. "Rest up, I'm going to practice in the mountains."
With that said, Chuyan walked away, heading towards the mountains. Behind him, Chuzhan's eyes flickered with a complex expression.
The sect's grand competition was about to begin, and Chuyan wanted to elevate his strength as quickly as possible. He didn't want to waste any time. He decided to spend the remaining dozen or so days practicing in the mountains, in the hope of coming across some divine herbs or spiritual medicines.
In the pitch-black night, amidst dense forests, Chuyan sat cross-legged, absorbing the visible influx of spiritual energy from heaven and earth. It transformed into true energy within his body, gathering in his dantian.
As the sky turned pale with a hint of dawn, and the sunlight filtered through the dense forest, casting a thousand specks of light, Chuyan finally opened his eyes and ceased his cultivation.
A faint smile played at the corners of his lips as his eyes sparkled with brilliance. With a swing of his fists, he took a forceful step forward, accompanied by the resounding sound of thunder and the whistling of shadowy fists.
The Eight-Dire Break, unleashed in five explosive bursts...
A large tree of waist-thick girth not far ahead trembled and shattered five times in succession, spraying wood chips into the air.
In just one night, Chuyan had further advanced in the Eight-Dire Break, reaching the realm of Fifth Break, significantly enhancing its power.
Taking a deep breath and focusing his spirit, Chuyan slowly retracted his fists.
Looking at the shattered half-height tree stump before him, he furrowed his brow slightly.
Although the Eight-Dire Break was incredibly powerful, it consumed an immense amount of true energy. Surprisingly, a single punch had depleted his second level of true energy.
"This Qianlong Art is still lacking. Otherwise, it wouldn't be this inadequate..." Chuyan thought to himself with a bitter smile.
Shaking his head, he realized that with his current status as an outer disciple of Ji Tianzong, he would have to wait until he advanced to the inner sect before he could obtain better cultivation techniques.
Just then, a sudden sound came from behind him.
Chuyan's heart skipped a beat as he turned to look, only to see a small, pure white bear rushing past, with a large snake chasing after it, flicking its tongue.
"The Violet Heaven Bear!"
- Writer
