C15 Longhu Brothers

Shen Tao stood out as a shining star among the younger generation of the Shen family. At the youthful age of nineteen, he had already reached the formidable rank of a half-step Martial General, securing his position as one of the top talents in Emergence City.

His build was robust, exuding the aura of a mighty warrior.

As Shen Tao made his entrance, the Shen family members watched on without surprise.

He had boldly declared his intention to challenge Shen Xuan at the upcoming succession ceremony. Moreover, he was skeptical that a youngster with little aptitude for cultivation could ever be a true prodigy. If such a thing were possible, he mused, what value would the term 'genius' hold?

On the Spirit Beast Continent, the criteria for being dubbed a genius were straightforward: achieve the status of Martial Warrior by nine and ascend to Martial Master by fifteen. The sooner one reached these milestones, the greater their potential for future greatness.

Shen Xuan, however, had no cultivation to speak of at nine and was still secluded in a back mountain courtyard by fifteen.

"I apologize for the challenge, Young Patriarch," Shen Tao declared, looking at Shen Xuan without a hint of concern for the disparity in their ages. He clenched his fists and lunged at Shen Xuan with determination.

Shen Xuan stood motionless, calmly awaiting Shen Tao's advance.

The crowd watched intently. Shen Wentao's two formidable guards were strong, but Shen Tao's prowess was undeniable. A frontrunner among the Shen family's youth, he was a contender for the esteemed title of Martial Grandmaster.

What unfolded next left the onlookers with their jaws agape, their expressions frozen in disbelief.

As Shen Tao barreled forward, fist at the ready, Shen Xuan stomped the ground, vaulting into the air. With a swift aerial punch, he struck Shen Tao's back.

Without even a chance to harness his full power, Shen Tao was sent hurtling from the arena, crashing to the ground with a thud.

The battle was over in a single round.

Shen Lang nodded, pleased. This brief exchange spoke volumes.

Shen Wentao watched the scene unfold in the arena, his eyes betraying a flicker of calculation. He pondered the true extent of Shen Xuan's strength. What emboldened him to stand up to him that day? Could he truly possess the might to contend with him?

A bewildered Shen Tao rose to his feet, still trying to piece together how he had been bested. His punch had been fierce, one that even a Martial General would think twice about facing. How, then, was he so effortlessly defeated?

For Shen Xuan, the answer was simple. Cultivation was about harnessing the power of the entire body, reaching a pinnacle of combined physical and spiritual might, with an emphasis on balanced development, particularly speed.

This world, however, had neglected speed in favor of brute strength. But strength without the ability to connect was futile.

"Who's next? Step up!" Shen Xuan called out from the arena, his voice steady and commanding.

At his challenge, the arena erupted into a frenzy, with many cheering for Shen Xuan's commanding presence.

A true Patriarch should exude such authority.

In that moment, Shen Wentao caught the attention of two individuals below the arena with a knowing look. In response, they leaped gracefully onto the stage, ready to face what was to come.

"Shen Long."

"Shen Hu."

"Let's learn from each other."

The two Shen family members, both in their early twenties, flipped onto the stage and gave Shen Xuan a slight bow with their fists clasped.

"They've stepped up!"

"This is going to be tough! They've mastered the fusion techniques!"

"Alas, it looks like the Young Patriarch can't keep up the act any longer."

Beneath the stage, the Shen family crowd shook their heads in dismay, surprised by the duo now facing off. They knew that either brother had the capability to challenge Shen Xuan. Together, they would surely overpower him.

The Shen brothers were the family's prodigies, groomed from a young age. Grandsons of Shen Wentao, these twins had displayed remarkable gifts since birth, later confirmed to possess the rare fusion ability.

On the Spirit Beast Continent, fusion abilities were exceedingly scarce, typically found only among beast clans. Yet, the Shen brothers had it. The family had nurtured them in secrecy for years.

While Shen Lang was the Shen family's current Martial Grandmaster, these brothers were poised to be the future Martial Grandmasters, or perhaps even surpass that.

The Han family's reluctance to overtake the Shen clan stemmed from Shen Lang's influence and the potential of the Longhu brothers.

Shen Xuan eyed Shen Long and Shen Hu thoughtfully. He remembered them well – the family's shining stars.

"Martial General, Intermediate Rank!"

Shen Xuan whispered to himself, his level on par with Han Feng's.

"What? They've reached Martial General Intermediate Rank! That old man dared to keep this from me."

Han Feng, seated nearby, was taken aback by the revelation on stage. Shen Wentao had downplayed their abilities, claiming they were merely at the Elementary Rank.

"The Shen family does have some depth. They meet the Sword Sect's affiliate criteria."

Jian Wuchen's lips curled into a smile as he nodded in approval.

"Young Master Jian, these two are a surprise. I'm confident I can bring them over to our side."

Hearing Jian Wuchen's comment, Han Feng quickly interjected, anxious to prevent the Shen family from aligning with the Sword Sect.

Sima Wan'er sat quietly to the side, meditating. The spectacle held no interest for her; she would have never returned to the Shen family if not for her mother's wishes. Watching Shen Xuan now only reinforced her belief that her time was being wasted.

"Please."

Shen Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, extending one hand towards the brothers.

Shen Long and Shen Hu exchanged a glance before advancing in unison, fists clenched, their approach measured and deliberate.

They reached Shen Xuan and launched their punches simultaneously.

Shen Xuan had been tracking their movements closely. Their true attack lay not in their fists, but in their coordinated steps, each one linking their energies, amplifying their combined force.

Moreover, their punches seemed to home in on him, leaving no room for evasion, forcing him to meet their assault head-on.

"Dragon Tiger Fist, strike!"

They bellowed together, their fists now unavoidable, hurtling towards Shen Xuan's face.

In a split-second of peril, Shen Xuan unleashed two simultaneous punches, colliding with his adversary. Upon witnessing Shen Xuan's counterattack, a smirk unfurled on Shen Wentao's lips as he watched from his seat.

"I thought you had some real skill, but it seems you're just mediocre."

The assembly of elders and deacons at the elder's bench collectively shook their heads in disappointment. Yet, they couldn't really blame Shen Xuan. Both contenders had been honing their skills in secret, their martial techniques undisclosed to outsiders. Plus, Shen Xuan had spent countless years in seclusion in the backyard, so his ignorance of such an attack was understandable.

And even if he had been aware, evading it would likely have been a formidable challenge!

Shen Lang's gaze was sharp and discerning as he surveyed the unfolding drama. He had anticipated Shen Wentao's move to deploy these two fighters. For Shen Xuan to ascend to the role of Patriarch, he would need to overcome these adversaries.

While the crowd below murmured and shook their heads in doubt, Shen Xuan's fists met their mark.

A tremendous force surged through his fists and into Shen Xuan's body, but in that same moment, his feet soared off the ground, striking precisely three inches below the duo's knees.

Suddenly, the tide of the battle turned!