C12 Family Great Competition(part I)

The man had grown accustomed to wielding power by exploiting his association with Chen Ke, so when he heard Chen Bai order him to slap himself, he shrieked, "You! What do you think you are?! The Young Lord has shown you favor, and you actually believe you're somebody?"

Chen Bai simply watched him with an amused smirk, as if observing someone with a mental deficiency.

"Enough! Wang Cai, you've truly lost all sense of respect! Slap yourself!" Chen Ke's eye twitched at the sight of Chen Bai's scornful grin.

Publicly commanded by Chen Ke to slap his own face, Wang Cai's complexion turned a lively shade of alternating green and white. After a moment's hesitation, he began to strike himself across the face.

"Smack."

"Have you not eaten? How disgraceful!" Chen Bai commented, his face etched with derision.

Wang Cai, catching a glimpse of Chen Ke's ashen expression, put even more force into his blows.

"Smack! Smack! Smack!"

The bystanders began to murmur among themselves at the spectacle.

"Isn't Chen Bai supposed to be the Chen family's good-for-nothing? How does he still command such respect?"

"You just don't get it. No matter how worthless Chen Bai may be, he's still a direct heir of the Chen family. Regardless of the chaos he stirs up at home, he must present a united front in public."

"So, it looks like this cur has made his own bed!"

"Exactly! This animal has been strutting around like Chen Ke's lapdog, causing no end of trouble for us townsfolk. He's getting what he deserves!"

As the crowd's chatter continued, Wang Cai's face became a bloody mess. But he dared not stop; his master had not yet given him permission.

Chen Bai gave Chen Ke a respectful nod and said, "Elder brother's governance is truly admirable. I am in awe. However, I must attend to other urgent matters, so I shall not impose on Brother Ke's enjoyment any longer."

With that, Chen Bai departed without waiting for Chen Ke's consent.

Watching Chen Bai walk away, Chen Ke gestured for Wang Cai to cease and casually tossed him a small porcelain bottle. Though his action was swift, some keen-eyed onlookers noticed his hand was slightly misshapen. They involuntarily gasped.

WangCai, who had been harboring a grudge, instantly switched to a sycophantic smile the moment he got his hands on the porcelain bottle. He bowed subserviently and followed Chen Ke out of the room.

After parting ways with Chen Ke, Chen Bai made his way to the Chen family's general store. With a smile, he stepped inside.

"Shopkeeper, look what I've brought for you!"

However, the moment Chen Bai laid eyes on the shopkeeper, his excitement turned to shock.

"Shopkeeper, what happened to your arm?"

The shopkeeper was left with only one arm; the other sleeve hung empty, exuding a sense of forlornness.

Noticing Chen Bai's reaction, the shopkeeper gave a wry smile and shook his head. "I appreciate your concern, Young Master Bai. I lost my arm in an unfortunate accident recently."

A young assistant in the corner grumbled, "Accident? It was that scoundrel WangCai's fault."

Chen Bai, overhearing the assistant's comment, demanded, "What about WangCai? What exactly happened? Tell me the truth."

"Little third brother, don't spout nonsense!"

"Hmph! There's nothing to hide, shopkeeper. I'm going to speak up." The young assistant then explained to Chen Bai, "Ever since you, Young Master Bai, made a purchase here and the shopkeeper refused to take your money, WangCai sneaked off to inform Young Master Ke. As a result, the shopkeeper had his arm chopped off as a punishment."

Chen Bai fell silent for a moment before addressing the shopkeeper, "This incident is my fault. I promise you, I will seek justice on your behalf."

With that, Chen Bai returned to the Chen family home, his expression unreadable.

Upon his arrival, the Chen family members showed no signs of alarm at the sight of their formidable relative. Some even pointed and whispered about Chen Bai.

"Hey, the Foundation Stage prodigies who were in seclusion for the Great Competition have emerged. Looks like Chen Bai will soon be humbled and start acting like a proper person!"

Chen Bai ignored their comments and continued on to his quarters.

Reaching his still-damaged door, he let out a rueful chuckle before stepping inside and immersing himself in his cultivation practice.

On the third day, the resonant chimes of a bell roused Chen Bai from his slumber. He opened his eyes slowly and made his way to the Martial Training Field. The Great Competition was about to commence.

Upon Chen Bai's arrival, he found the Martial Training Field teeming with spectators. A few eagle-eyed individuals spotted him and began to shout.

"Look over there! That failure, Chen Bai, has shown up!"

"Wow, he's got some nerve showing up here. Isn't he scared of getting thrashed?"

"He's probably lost his mind!"

Unperturbed by the jeers, Chen Bai found a vacant spot, sat down cross-legged, and ignored the surrounding mockery. His indifference soon made the onlookers lose interest and turn their attention elsewhere.

After some time, several figures ascended the viewing platform, and the once boisterous crowd fell into silence.

"Cough, cough. I am Chen Yuan, and I shall preside over this Great Competition," announced a voice from above.

The crowd bowed in unison, "We welcome the Patriarch, the Law Enforcing Elder, and the third elder."

Chen Loong cast a slightly displeased glance at Chen Yuan. The Patriarch hadn't even spoken, yet Chen Yuan, the Law Enforcing Elder, had already taken the initiative.

Chen Yuan surveyed the crowd with a satisfied gaze until his eyes landed on a figure who remained standing. He hadn't noticed him before due to his short stature.

"Chen Bai, why do you not bow in my presence?" Chen Yuan demanded.

Chen Bai responded with a laugh, "Why should I bow when my father, Chen Lieh, doesn't even have a place on the stands? Besides, neither the Patriarch nor the third elder has said a word. You seem quite presumptuous for a Law Enforcing Elder."

Chen Yuan bristled at the retort but managed to reply with a cold snort, "So, you wish to see Chen Lieh? Very well, I'll grant your wish. He can witness firsthand how his worthless son is defeated in the Great Competition."

Despite his outward rage, Chen Yuan was secretly delighted, confident that he had everything under control.

Soon after, Chen Lieh was escorted to the Martial Training Field. His fiery red hair billowed in the wind, and he wore a robe of the same vibrant hue, resembling a majestic red lion. His high cultivation level within the Chen family was evident, as he showed no signs of mistreatment, though his spirits seemed somewhat dampened.

As Chen Lieh approached the stands, Chen Bai's knees buckled and he dropped to his knees with a thud. Grinning, he said, "Dad, I've been a burden for so many years. But today, I'm going to make us proud!"

Chen Lieh was momentarily taken aback, then burst into hearty laughter. "That's my boy! You're truly my son, Chen Lieh! I've been worried sick about you up in the back mountains, afraid you'd lose heart. But it looks like I was worried for nothing. Hahaha!"

Chen Yuan, observing the invigorated Chen Lieh whose body was now radiating powerful energy, couldn't help but grimace. He stepped forward and announced, "Enough, enough. We've got an audience here. The Family Great Competition is officially underway! Those in the Qi Refining Stage and Foundation Stage, please separate yourselves accordingly."

Following Chen Yuan's instructions, the Chen family people quietly divided themselves into their respective groups.

To everyone's astonishment, Chen Bai nonchalantly joined the ranks of the Foundation Stage.

While the crowd was still processing the scene, Chen Lieh was the first to react with urgency.

"Foolish boy! That's the Foundation Stage group. Haven't you learned anything after all these years? Get yourself over to the Qi Refining Stage group, quick!"

Chen Loong, the current head of the family who had remained silent until now, intervened with a raised hand, "Hold on, Brother Lieh, you're mistaken. Once a group is chosen, it can't be changed. Maybe my nephew is looking to challenge a Foundation Stage opponent. You might find it hard to believe, but just the other day, he defeated and killed Chen Hu, who was at the ninth level of the Qi Refining Stage."

Upon hearing that Chen Bai had indeed slain Chen Hu of the ninth Qi Refining Stage, Chen Lieh was visibly taken aback, but he still shook his head, "Bai is still in the Qi Refining Stage. It's too much to ask him to take on the Foundation Stage."

From below the stands, Chen Bai flashed a slight smile and called out to Chen Lieh, "Dad, you're selling your son short. Since I've already declared that today I'll earn us some respect, I certainly won't break my promise!"

As he spoke, his Spiritual Force shimmered, and a three-layered milky-white Dao Base gradually materialized before him.