C30 The Two Families' Servants

A prestigious power was seeking disciples, specifically targeting young individuals whose paths in cultivation were not yet set.

The key phase of the selection process was determining the candidates' bone age; anyone over eighteen was ineligible to compete.

This criterion meant the opportunity landed in the hands of Hu Gewan and Liu Xingchang.

Liu Xingchang earnestly promised, "Rest assured, I will take great care of Wannge on our journey."

Patriarch Hu, pleased, responded, "Excellent. I will host a banquet at our home today. As a benefactor of the Linghu Clan, we shall drink until we are content. We depart at the third hour tomorrow. I will personally escort you to the city gates to join the other three."

Liu Xingchang, with a hint of excitement, replied, "Leaving tomorrow? Even better. Sooner is preferable."

Liu Xingchang hadn't forgotten his pact with Zhao Qinglong. With just three hundred days until the 24th of August, he needed to seize every chance to grow stronger.

Zhao Qinglong had already reached the Cultivator's Origin Stage, a whole Great Realm above Liu Xingchang. Could Liu Xingchang close that gap within a year?

As Liu Xingchang was progressing, so too would Zhao Qinglong, who certainly wouldn't pause his advancement to wait.

The pressure on Liu Xingchang was immense.

Under normal circumstances, he was confident he could catch up to Zhao Qinglong within a year. But his Three-Spirit Sacred Body, with its propensity for extravagance, complicated matters.

The burdensome Three-Spirit Sacred Body compelled him, despite his pride as the lord of the Northern Polar Heaven Domain, to acknowledge the times and join a sect within the Azure Sky Realm to access greater resources for cultivation.

Once the assembly dispersed, Liu Xingchang returned to his training.

Though breakthroughs were challenging for the Three-Spirit Sacred Body, perseverance could compensate for shortcomings. The heavens reward the diligent, and there's truth in that.

In his past life, Liu Xingchang's rise to lord of the Northern Polar Heaven Domain was not solely due to his innate talent; without his exceptional dedication, such accomplishments would have been unattainable.

Liu Xingchang was starting his life anew, possessing the Three-Spirit Sacred Body that could overwhelm others. Naturally, he had to exert extra effort.

Linghu Sanlang tried to persuade Liu Xingchang to visit the Happy Forest, but Liu Xingchang completely ignored him. In his view, nothing was more important than cultivating strength.

Although Liu Xingchang emerged from seclusion to share a few drinks with the Linghu Family in the evening, after the third round, he returned to his room to resume his cultivation.

Cultivation sharpens the mind and spirit, which is why Cultivators don't require sleep. They simply meditate and cultivate to rejuvenate their spirit.

...

The night passed quietly. The next morning, Liu Xingchang rose, freshened up, had breakfast, and then headed to the city gates, led by Patriarch Hu.

Today wasn't particularly special for Cloud Ascending City, as the City Lord and the patriarchs of the four great families sent their disciples to the Azure Sky Realm for the Hidden Dragon Sect's selection process every year. Yet, no one had ever successfully passed the selection; they either returned defeated or remained in the central region of the Azure Sky Realm to develop. Those who stayed had either failed to make a name for themselves, returned home in defeat, or ended up as casualties in the power struggles of emerging forces.

Despite the daunting challenges, the spirited young men of Cloud Ascending City never abandoned this chance.

After all, venturing out for an adventure was far better than spending a lifetime confined to Cloud Ascending City.

Due to the dishonorable actions of the Liu Family towards the Linghu Clan, the City Lord's Manor cracked down on them, and this year's competition slot, which belonged to the Liu Family, was awarded to the Linghu Clan.

As Patriarch Hu, Liu Xingchang, and Hu Gewan approached the city gate, they found only an elder from the Hong Family and a slender youth standing against the breeze; the other families had yet to arrive.

Patriarch Hu said to Liu Xingchang, "Don't be fooled by his frail appearance. At three months old, he was carried off by a pack of wolves and miraculously survived. He lived among them until he was seven when he was finally discovered. It turned out he was the long-lost child of the Hong Family's First Lady. His resilience is remarkable, and his abilities are peculiar, making him a mystery to most."

While they were talking, the sound of a carriage and horses broke the silence. A black steed reared up, its hooves striking the air as it let out a piercing neigh. A luxurious and finely crafted carriage came to a steady halt beside them.

The coachman, agile and strong, leapt down from the carriage and knelt before it, his knees touching the ground.

Soon after, a plump hand adorned with jade rings pulled back the elegant curtain, and a rotund middle-aged man clad in mink fur emerged. He stepped onto the coachman's back to alight from the carriage.

Close on the heels of the portly man was a young man whose attire shimmered with jewels and precious stones. His brocade robe was studded with sparkling gems, and a jade pendant at his waist was larger than his own face. His face bore an expression of haughty disdain.

Patriarch Hu explained to Liu Xingchang, "The Gong Family is the wealthiest merchant family in Cloud Ascending City. Though based here, their business reaches across neighboring independent cities and even some sovereign kingdoms. They command a host of experts, and their descendants are lavished with all sorts of resources for cultivation from a young age. While they may not match the scions of noble families in the heart of the Azure Sky Realm, they are far superior to the offspring sent by the lesser powers on the periphery."

Just then, a new figure caught everyone's attention, brought into view by the gentle breeze.

It was a girl, exuding pride like a phoenix.

Upon seeing her, Liu Xingchang was reminded of the Fourth Princess. Yet, while the Fourth Princess's pride stemmed from her status and position, the pride radiating from this girl, who approached with the morning wind, seemed to spring from deep within her bones—a pride that only comes with utmost self-assurance.

Liu Xingchang inquired, "Could she be the daughter of the City Lord's Manor?"

Patriarch Hu nodded, confirming, "Indeed, she is. Blessed with exceptional talent from a young age, she has ventured alone through seven nations and eight cities to hone her skills. Upon her safe return, her strength had significantly increased. She deliberately chose not to enter the Hidden Dragon Sect's trials, opting to wait until she was seventeen, just shy of eighteen, to join the sect in one fell swoop!"

Liu Xingchang pondered, "Does that mean if she didn't succeed at the competition when she was sixteen, she wouldn't have the chance to try again at seventeen?"

Patriarch Hu remarked, "Certainly, she can. Her pride, however, won't tolerate failure. She must succeed on her first attempt."

Liu Xingchang pursed his lips thoughtfully, musing, "Perhaps that's what true pride is?"

Once everyone had arrived, a round of introductions took place. Through these, everyone learned each other's names.

The daughter of the City Lord’s Manor was Yan Tianni, the opulently dressed young man was Hong Tengqing, and the solitary, wolf-like thin boy was simply known as Tong San.

Having met these three, Liu Xingchang was now known to them as well.

But when Patriarch Hu briefly introduced Liu Xingchang's identity, all three wore peculiar looks on their faces.

Hong Tengqing narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Liu Xingchang from top to bottom before scoffing, "Mr. Chen, fighting for the Linghu, and the people of Great Pine fighting for Cloud Ascending City—what a fine pair of family servants you make. If you're willing to serve as my personal attendant, perhaps I might consider allowing you to join our Gong Family Merchant Association."

Accustomed to arrogance, Hong Tengqing didn't even regard the City Lord's daughter, let alone Liu Xingchang.

Yet, as soon as Hong Tengqing spoke, the mood in the room shifted palpably.

Even Yan Tianni, with her phoenix-like pride, joined the rest in directing their icy stares toward Liu Xingchang.