C13 Family Great Competition(part II)

Upon witnessing Chen Bai's three-layered Dao Base, a hush fell over the Martial Training Field. Everyone was struck speechless. Even Chen Lieh found himself rubbing his eyes in disbelief.

Chen Bai, seeing the astonishment on everyone's faces, allowed himself a satisfied smile. He didn't withdraw the projection, letting his Foundation Stage Level Three cultivation be on display for all to admire.

After a moment, Chen Lieh was the first to snap out of his stupor, his voice tinged with incredulity, "Bai, have you truly attained the Foundation Stage?"

Chen Bai responded with a smile and a nod.

"Hahaha! The heavens are just! Do you all see this?! My son, Chen Bai, is no failure!" Chen Lieh's voice boomed across the skies, seemingly scattering the clouds above with its force.

Following his laughter, Chen Lieh's presence surged, the energy around him intensifying by the second.

Eventually, Chen Lieh's aura settled. Smiling, he revealed eight Golden Core projections from within himself.

"This... Second Brother, you've actually advanced to the eighth level of the Golden Core!" Chen Loong's voice, filled with surprise, set the Chen family abuzz once again.

Chen Yuan stood to the side, fists clenched, his eyes flashing with an unreadable intensity.

"Tsk, just Foundation Level Three? Such cultivation doesn't impress me. Elder Lie, perhaps it's best not to get overly excited," a voice chimed in. A young man with blond hair, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, yet with a rather plain face, stepped forward.

This was Chen Yunfeng, whose cultivation had reached Foundation Level Five, the highest among the Chen family's younger generation. Despite this, his lineage from a side branch meant his status wasn't particularly high.

"Indeed, Second Uncle. Yunfeng has a point. While it's commendable that Mr. Bai has reached the Foundation Stage, there's no need for such exuberance," added Chen Ke, stepping forward in agreement.

Chen Bai, not waiting for Chen Lieh to respond, retorted, "Aren't you two embarrassed by your own words? How old am I? And how old are the two of you? Yunfeng, feeling superior at Foundation Level Five is understandable, but Brother Ke, I'm genuinely puzzled as to where your sense of superiority comes from!"

Upon hearing Chen Bai's mockery, Chen Ke's face shifted from pale to flushed with anger, and he couldn't help but raise his voice, "You! Alright, Mr. Bai, since you're brimming with confidence, why not spar with me first? Let's see if my cultivation at Foundation Stage Level Four can gain any advantage over you!"

Chen Ke looked ready to throw the first punch.

"Outrageous! The Great Competition has its rules. What kind of behavior is this? You're bringing shame upon yourself and tarnishing your father's reputation!" Chen Lieh rebuked as he saw Chen Ke gearing up for a fight.

Chen Loong, standing to the side, was so infuriated by the exchange that he nearly lost his breath and couldn't resist countering, "Brother, aren't you being a bit harsh? Ke is my son, after all. Please, spare yourself the concern."

Chen Lieh burst into another fit of laughter and added, "It seems Chen Ke's lack of discipline can be credited to you, great elder!" He placed a pointed emphasis on the title "great elder," his voice dripping with resentment.

Third elder Chen Faang watched the unfolding drama with a look of amusement, as if enjoying a theatrical performance.

While Chen Lieh and Chen Loong were at odds, Chen Bai and Chen Ke were on the verge of clashing.

It took a while before Chen Yuan spoke up with a somber tone, "Since I'm presiding over this year's Great Competition, I'd appreciate it if both parties would show me some respect and allow me to make the decisions."

Upon hearing Chen Yuan intervene, both sides backed down, though they still eyed each other with thinly veiled hostility.

Chen Yuan then cleared his throat and announced, "I hereby declare the start of this year's Great Competition. As per tradition, we'll begin with the Qi Refining Stage matches. The top ten will be granted access to the Chen family's library to select a Low Grade Profound Rank Spirit Spell. The top three will be awarded five hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones."

This announcement set the Qi Refining Stage clansmen abuzz with excitement. One of them stepped forward and questioned, "In past competitions, the top three in the Qi Refining Stage received a thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones, with the first-place winner receiving two thousand. Why is this year's reward so much less?"

Chen Yuan greeted the newcomer with a smile, "Chen Ming, I'm well aware of you. You stand a solid chance of claiming first place in the Qi Refining Stage this year, don't you? Unfortunately, there's little I can do regarding the reward. As everyone is aware, the Chen family spent a staggering two hundred thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones on a Marrow Cleansing Pill for Chen Bai, leaving our finances rather bleak. Managing to allocate five hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones for the top three is truly the best the family can do without dampening everyone's enthusiasm."

He paused, shaking his head with a sigh, "Alas! It's not just you folks at the Qi Refining Stage; even the top three winners at the Foundation Stage in this year's Great Competition will receive a mere five hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones—hardly any more than yours."

The revelation set off a commotion not only among those at the Qi Refining Stage but also within the Foundation Stage ranks. Subsequently, all eyes turned to Chen Bai, filled with a fury that seemed to wish him torn to shreds.

Chen Bai simply shrugged, offering no response. On the stands, Chen Lieh's face flushed with embarrassment as he spoke, "I will make up for this expense to the Chen family. There's no need for such uproar."

With his father having spoken, Chen Bai leapt onto the stands in a single bound and bellowed skyward, "Master! Do you hear that? Someone here believes your disciple has squandered two hundred thousand Spirit Stones of the family's wealth! Can you hear that?!"

...

Silence followed. While everyone stared at Chen Bai as though he had lost his mind, suddenly, a vast quantity of Spirit Stones materialized from thin air, engulfing him until he was completely buried. The Martial Training Field was swiftly blanketed in Spirit Stones, with the excess cascading down the stone steps toward the crowd like a river.

The sight of Spirit Stones tumbling toward them left the entire Chen family in stunned silence. It took a moment before they came to their senses, their gazes fixed on the stones with burning desire.

Chen Lieh bowed deeply toward the heavens, respectfully addressing the unseen benefactor, "I do not know which esteemed Senior graces us with such generosity. These Spirit Stones are exceedingly precious. For my son to have caught your esteemed eye is a great honor. We humbly request that you reclaim your Spirit Stones."

Chen Yuan, Chen Loong, and the third elder, Chen Zhou, bowed in respect upon hearing the words. At the periphery of the Martial Training Field, Elder Mo, who had been observing, quietly turned and walked away.

After a lengthy silence with no response, Chen Bai noticed his father still maintained his bow without any reply. He spoke up, "Father, you can stop bowing now. My master dislikes commotion and won't make an appearance."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lieh rose and murmured to himself, "Indeed, a senior capable of sending such a quantity of Spirit Stones from a distance must have attained the Void Discerning Stage. It's understandable that he wouldn't concern himself with our Chen family."

Chen Lieh's words, though spoken softly, were clear to all who were present, and they found themselves in agreement. The way they looked at Chen Bai shifted. Someone whispered enviously, "What stroke of luck has Chen Bai had to catch the eye of an Almighty with just a Common Spirit Root?" But the comment, barely audible, went unnoticed by those nearby, and everyone's attention remained fixed on the Spirit Stones before them with eager eyes.

Chen Yuan, realizing the situation, quickly scanned the area for Elder Mo, only to find an empty space where he had been. Internally, he cursed Elder Mo thoroughly, yet his face bore a grateful smile as he addressed the sky with a fist-and-palm salute, "Thank you for your generous gift, Senior. Would you mind if I collect these Spirit Stones?"

Still, no one responded. Chen Bai then added, "My master has already sent me a message, instructing me to handle things as I see fit before departing."

Witnessing Chen Bai's self-satisfied demeanor, no one felt the urge to put him down; instead, a palpable envy hung over the Chen family estate.

Seeing Chen Bai's smugness, Chen Lieh couldn't help but laugh and tease, "You little rascal, still putting on airs. Come on, everyone! Let's get these Spirit Stones counted and organized!"