C20 Hong Tianze

In the Ye family's council hall, Hong Min's laughter boomed. He lifted his tea, sipped, and chuckled, "Our visit has a straightforward purpose: to challenge the Ye family's youth in friendly competition."

He gestured to a boy in his early teens, "Meet Hong Tianze of the Hong family. Should any Ye under fifteen best him, we'll award a hundred Black Tortoise Silver Coins, a hundred low-grade Yellow Rank Profound Qi Pills, and five Yellow Rank Demonic Beast Inner Cores. If the Ye family falls short, we ask for nothing. Do you accept the challenge?"

Hong Min's audacity was clear—he believed Hong Tianze could single-handedly defeat all of the Ye's youngsters.

All eyes within the Ye family fixed on Hong Tianze. His appearance was striking, his demeanor haughty, as if he were above conversing with mere mortals.

Adorned in a dark purple robe emblazoned with the "Hong" character, he bore the unmistakable mark of his lineage.

Ye Yongqing felt a surge of anxiety. The Hong family's preeminence had spanned centuries, their arrogance rooted in undeniable strength.

Legend had it that each Hong generation boasted a prodigy, their fortune attributed to Feng Shui by some, though the true source of their luck remained a mystery.

Rumors swirled that Hong Tianze harbored a Grade 5 martial talent, his path to becoming a Profound Ancestor or Sovereign all but assured. His talent had emerged just a year prior, and in that time, he'd soared to the rank of Profound Warrior Five Star, even besting those above his level in combat.

It seemed unlikely that any Ye under fifteen could hope to triumph over him.

Hong Tianze stepped forward, exuding an aura that sent shivers down the spine, as if his very presence could quell the soul.

He gave Ye Yongqing a cursory nod, a gesture bordering on insolence. As the head of the Fifth Marquis' Mansion's Ye family, Ye Yongqing was a contemporary of Hong Tianze's grandfather. Tradition dictated that Tianze show deference and address him as 'Grandfather'—a courtesy he pointedly disregarded.

"Chief Ye, if anyone under fifteen from the Ye Family can withstand ten moves from me, you will be declared the victor. How does that sound? Who is brave enough to take up the challenge?"

The crowd was momentarily taken aback, their sense of justice deeply offended by Hong Tianze's audacity, which surpassed even that of Hong Min.

Many Ye Family descendants clenched their fists, veins bulging on their foreheads and a fierce light shining in their eyes.

Six or seven young disciples stepped forward, bowing respectfully to the family head, "Grandfather, allow me to test my skills against Hong Tianze."

Ye Yongqing pointed to Ye Xiangtian and said, "Xiangtian, it's your turn."

"Yes, sir." Ye Xiangtian stepped forward, shedding his long green robe to reveal a short garment beneath. Approaching Hong Tianze, he bowed slightly and announced, "I am prepared."

The hall was amply sized for their duel, and all eyes were trained on the impending battle. Over the past year, tales of Hong Tianze's prodigious talent had spread far and wide. Possessing a Grade 5 martial talent, rumors abounded that a prominent figure from the Fire Cloud Sect had spotted his potential and accepted him as a disciple. Should he secure the Marquis title for the Hong family, his master would escort him to the Fire Cloud Sect for further training.

The Jiuzhou Empire fell under the Pill Tripod Sect's domain, yet the Fire Cloud Sect did not indiscriminately recruit disciples, leaving the Pill Tripod Sect without recourse.

The rank of an elder within the Fire Cloud Sect was esteemed, and for Hong Tianze, becoming such a disciple was an extraordinary opportunity.

Today, they would witness just how exceptional Hong Tianze truly was.

Both competitors were ready. Hong Tianze moved, his garments billowing with a sound reminiscent of a military standard whipping in the gale atop a mountain—imposing and formidable.

He extended a finger in a swift motion, unleashing the One Sword Fairy technique.

His finger streaked towards Ye Xiangtian like a meteor from the distant heavens.

The Ye Family onlookers' faces fell as they watched Hong Tianze. They had not anticipated that he would have honed his martial arts to the pinnacle of Great Perfection.

Martial skill cultivation was categorized into five stages: Xiaocheng, Skillful, Great Completion, Flawless, and Completion.

Mastering martial arts to the level of Great Completion is no small feat.

Take, for instance, the Southern Bear Fist of the Ye Family.

The Ye Family's patriarch and the five Grand Elders simultaneously inhaled sharply.

Hong Tianze, with his state of Completion, was indeed capable of challenging those above his level.

It was clear that Ye Xiangtian had been defeated.

Ye Xiangtian felt as if he was surrounded on all sides by an inescapable finger. Hong Tianze's martial prowess seemed to cover every direction, sending a chilling sensation through all thirteen of Ye Xiangtian's major acupoints.

Ye Xiangtian launched an attack on Hong Tianze.

Their fists and fingers met in just two exchanges, signaling Ye Xiangtian's lesser strength.

Hong Tianze's speed was incredibly fast as he charged at Ye Xiangtian.

Ye Xiangtian exuded a wild and fierce aura, charging at Hong Tianze like a sovereign of Demon Beasts.

After three exchanges, Hong Tianze extended his left hand and pressed it onto Ye Xiangtian's right shoulder. With a thud, Ye Xiangtian was struck to the ground by a palm strike.

Ye Xiangtian's right shoulder was broken.

Ye Xiangtian, a Profound Warrior Five Star, had been defeated and injured.

Ye Xiangxiao stepped forward, bowing to his grandfather, "Grandfather, allow me to test the Hong family's formidable techniques."

Ye Xiangxiao, with his Grade 2 martial talent, was slightly older and more advanced in his cultivation than Ye Xiangtian. He had become a leading figure among the Ye Family's younger generation.

Ye Yongqing knew that Ye Xiangxiao was headed for defeat.

The Hong family's intentions were crystal clear. They aimed to have Hong Tianze defeat all the top fighters in Black Tortoise County, cultivating an aura and mindset of invincibility. This would be a tremendous boost to his martial cultivation.

In two years' time, he would easily secure a top three spot in the Jiuzhou Empire Competition.

The Ye Family was merely a stepping stone for them.

Hong Min laughed heartily, "Tianze, make sure not to damage the good relations between our families."

Hong Tianze responded with a faint smile, "Grandfather, I've been holding back."

As Ye Xiangtian administered treatment at his side, the words he overheard left him seething with anger, his complexion draining to a ghostly pale.