C10 Zhou Zhangming

Tang Yuan had become a valued guest at the Treasure Pavilion, where he was now able to take all the materials he needed and pay for them later.

As the Tang family's Clan Competition drew near, Tang Yuan achieved a breakthrough to the Eighth Empyrean of the Spirit Containing Stage just three days before the event. He had been deliberately suppressing his cultivation; otherwise, he would have ascended to the Spirit Sea Stage much earlier.

"Even though I was unmatched in my previous life, my path still had its flaws," Tang Yuan whispered to himself, determined to reach perfection in this lifetime.

After the incident with Nangong Linger, Tang Yuan noticed a significant shift in how the Tang family treated him. He walked out to find Tang Hsing approaching with Tang Ling.

"It's been some time since I've seen you, Tang Yuan. Have you become too scared to show your face after losing your support?" Tang Hsing taunted.

"You seem to have forgotten our last encounter," Tang Yuan replied coolly, his gaze icy. "Move aside."

"Tang Yuan!" Tang Hsing yelled after him. "The Nangong family has left Holy Mountain Town, and yet you remain so brazen. Are you seeking death?"

Turning around slowly, Tang Yuan was suddenly standing before Tang Hsing in a blink. Tang Yuan's Spiritual Force roiled around him like a rising heatwave, an invisible pressure instantly overwhelming Tang Hsing.

Sweat beaded on Tang Hsing's forehead as he realized he was powerless against Tang Yuan. "This is the might of the Eighth Empyrean of the Spirit Containing Stage!" he thought, astonished at Tang Yuan's rapid advancement through three realms.

"If you're looking for death, I wouldn't mind obliging you right now," Tang Yuan stated flatly.

The onlookers were stunned by Tang Yuan's dismissive tone toward Tang Hsing, who was left speechless and trembling under Tang Yuan's intense stare.

Tang Yuan cast a final glance at the crowd before turning to leave, leaving a breathless Tang Hsing behind.

"Brother Tang Hsing, are you okay?" someone asked.

"That Tang Yuan is far too arrogant. He must have forgotten the humiliation of being defeated by Brother Tang Hsing on the Battle Platform!"

"Brother Tang Hsing will definitely cripple him in three days!"

Once Tang Yuan had departed, the onlookers gathered around, buzzing with conversation.

Tang Hsing's eyes were bloodshot as he watched Tang Yuan's retreating figure, his fists clenched in fury.

"In three days, you're dead!" Tang Hsing roared inwardly.

...

"Young Master Tang, welcome. Miss Menng Ya was just speaking of you!" The two guards at the entrance beamed at the sight of Tang Yuan.

Tang Yuan paid them little mind as he strode into the Treasure Pavilion, intent on retrieving his gold coins and some medicinal herbs.

"Miss Menng Ya is currently with another guest. She asks that you wait a moment," the maid at the Treasure Pavilion informed him, having been alerted to his arrival.

Tang Yuan nodded and settled into the lounge to wait.

"Young Master Tang, thank you for your patience," Menng Ya greeted him shortly after, carrying a tray with a gold card and medicinal herbs.

Tang Yuan acknowledged her with a nod and took the items.

Menng Ya smiled at Tang Yuan, clearly eager to share some news.

"Is there something on your mind, Miss Menng Ya?" Tang Yuan inquired, smiling.

"There are two matters I wish to discuss with you, Young Master Tang," Menng Ya responded, playfully rolling her eyes. "The Small Holy Mountain will open in half a year, and the entry requirement has been set to the Spirit Sea Stage."

Tang Yuan's gaze sharpened. His father, Tang Xiu, had vanished after training on the Small Holy Mountain. With its imminent reopening, Tang Yuan was determined to explore it.

"The second matter concerns Zhou Changming's return," Menng Ya continued with a serious tone. "He is Zhou Yang's brother, with a formidable level of cultivation. He's currently training with the Galaxy Sect in the capital and has become an inner disciple."

Tang Yuan nodded in acknowledgment. Zhou Changming and he were once hailed as the twin prodigies of Holy Mountain Town. A year ago, Zhou Changming had gone to the capital and been taken in as a disciple by the Galaxy Sect.

In Jin City, several major forces held sway, with the Galaxy Sect ranking among the top three. Only the Divine Thunder Sect and the Bright Moon Sect stood higher.

"Thank you for the reminder," Tang Yuan said with a nod, appreciating Menng Ya's thoughtful warning.

His journey today had been fruitful, as he'd received a crucial piece of information. Zhou Changming, however, was hardly a concern for him at the moment.

"Before Linger left last time, she asked me to give this to you." Menng Ya produced a jade pendant. "This is Linger's keepsake, something she's worn since childhood. You understand its significance, right?"

Menng Ya looked intently at Tang Yuan before handing him the jade pendant, which carried a subtle scent.

Tang Yuan examined the pendant in his hand and shook his head with a smile, charmed by the girl's innocent sweetness.

Securing the pendant, Tang Yuan turned to leave. As he opened the door, Wang Bao approached, accompanied by a young man in a black robe who regarded Tang Yuan with disdain.

Tang Yuan returned the gaze; the man was none other than Zhou Changming. He hadn't expected to encounter him under these circumstances.

"It's been a year, Tang Yuan," Zhou Changming began, his voice even. "You were once my peer, but now you're the laughingstock of Holy Mountain Town, no longer fit to be mentioned in the same breath as me."

Zhou Changming looked down at Tang Yuan dismissively.

"Is being your equal supposed to be an honor?" Tang Yuan retorted coolly.

"I've just advanced to the Eighth Level of the Spirit Containing Stage." Zhou Changming smiled upon sensing Tang Yuan's level of cultivation. "I had suspected you were behind Zhou Yang's death, but it seems I gave you too much credit."

He had thought it impossible for Tang Yuan, who was at the Seventh Level of the Spirit Containing Stage three months prior, to have killed Zhou Yang and his two guards.

But he was mistaken. Three months ago, Tang Yuan was at the Sixth Level of the Spirit Containing Stage, and he had effortlessly dispatched Zhou Yang and the others.

"Tang Yuan is no match for Young Master Zhou," Wang Bao commented dryly. "In just one year, Young Master Zhou has soared from the Ninth Level of the Spirit Containing Stage to the First Level of the Spirit Sea Stage. The Galaxy Sect has taken him on as an inner disciple. His prospects are boundless!"

Facing Wang Bao's flattery, Zhou Zhangming wore a faint smile, looking down at Tang Yuan with a superior air. "I once considered you the only person in Holy Mountain Town worthy of being my rival. But now, you don't even deserve that title."

With those words, he turned and walked away, leaving behind a speechless Tang Yuan and Menng Ya, whose expression was hard to read.

Once Wang Bao had departed, only Menng Ya and Tang Yuan remained in the lounge. Menng Ya gazed at Tang Yuan as though he were a creature from another world.

"You've reached the Eighth Level of the Spirit Containing Stage?" Menng Ya asked, her eyes locked on Tang Yuan's.

Her excitement was palpable as she leaned in close to Tang Yuan, so close she could feel his breath.

"Cough, cough," Tang Yuan cleared his throat and stepped back slightly. "It seems Miss Menng Ya has taken quite an interest in me!"

"Indeed," Menng Ya exhaled, as if relieved, yet her eyes betrayed her astonishment.

Ever since Tang Yuan's first visit to the Treasure Pavilion, which left her with contrasting impressions, Menng Ya had started to dig into his background.

The first shock came when she learned that just three months ago, Tang Yuan had been defeated while at the Fifth Level of the Spirit Containing Stage. Only three months had passed!

"Now I'm convinced; you were the one who killed Zhou Yang," Menng Ya said, her eyes wide with shock.

"Should I kill you now to keep you quiet?" Tang Yuan joked, effectively confirming her suspicion.

Menng Ya stared at him for a long moment before letting out a slow sigh, her voice tinged with a hint of wistfulness, "Linger was right about you. I was completely fooled."

Tang Yuan was at a loss for words. Where did this sudden sense of betrayal come from? Indeed, women are fickle creatures!

"I'll be there to support you at the Tang Family Competition in three days!" Menng Ya said, her gaze playful. "Once your true power is revealed, it's going to shock the entire Tang Family."

"The pills from the Treasure Pavilion really are something, aren't they?" Tang Yuan quipped, giving Menng Ya a knowing wink.

"I mistook you for a frivolous noble, but it turns out you're quite the schemer!" Menng Ya chided him with a playful frown.

The alluring look in Menng Ya's eyes was more than Tang Yuan could handle. He promptly grabbed an item and made his exit, leaving Menng Ya gazing after him, her eyes shimmering with unspoken thoughts.