C42 Five Years

As spring gave way to autumn, five years seemed to slip away in the blink of an eye.

During this time, the Hanyu Family saw fewer children at play and more teenagers immersed in diligent study and rigorous training. Following the trials at the Qi Pavilion and Scripture Pavilion five years prior, nearly all participants had retreated into seclusion to cultivate. This half-decade marked an explosive growth in their abilities, with no one daring to slacken their efforts.

These teenagers were on the cusp of eighteen, soon to embark on their worldly cultivation as dictated by family tradition. Who wouldn't want to leverage the family's resources to maximize their potential before setting out? Who wouldn't aim to gain an early advantage, to carve out a notable place in the world and secure impressive accomplishments?

At a minimum, they sought the recognition of the Family Elder Council to ensure their return to the main branch, avoiding relegation to a subsidiary line.

But of even greater significance was the upcoming Soaring Dragon Martial Meet, a decennial event hosted by the Hanyu Family.

With a history spanning centuries, the Soaring Dragon Martial Meet was initially conceived to ignite the martial fervor of the family's youth and perpetuate the clan's ethos. As the era of personal prowess dawned and the practice of Ancient Martial Arts became ingrained in every Chinese citizen, the desire to become a Martial Cultivator intensified. Yet, the Hanyu Family chose not to abandon the meet but to uphold and refine it as a benchmark for the upcoming generation, a reflection of the family's latent potential and a forecast of its future trajectory.

Indeed, the wisdom of the Hanyu elders was evident: the emergence of a prodigy at the Soaring Dragon Martial Meet often heralded a century of prosperity for the clan. Conversely, consecutive mediocre performances signaled an impending decline and a break in the lineage.

The event was later christened the Soaring Dragon Martial Meet, symbolizing the family's hope that each emerging generation would ascend to great heights and traverse vast horizons.

Under the rules of the Soaring Dragon Martial Meet, all teenagers under eighteen could register. Thus, many from the branch families entered their most promising descendants. While they harbored no illusions of top rankings, the possibility of an underdog rising to catch the main branch's eye could signal a resurgence and even a return to the main line.

For these youths, brimming with vigor, the allure of the competition was not solely the envy-inducing prizes. The mere prospect of demonstrating their prowess and earning widespread acclaim was enough to set their hearts racing.

Hanyu Xiaotian was no exception to this fervent preparation. In these five years, he had undergone a profound transformation. He had found the key to unlock the forbidden power within his mind, and nothing could hinder his quest for enlightenment.

Throughout this period, Hanyu Xiaotian's God of Stars had not only solidified but grown significantly. His mastery over the Power of the Stars had become as effortless as wielding his own limbs.

He had also made some headway with the Chaotic Universe Stellar Scripture. "Dioscorea Corylifolia Maxim" and "Southern Armageddon" were two Astral Divine Powers he had painstakingly deduced over five years, finally achieving a minor level of mastery.

Yet, he was haunted by a tinge of regret; the first divine power he had acquired, the Codex of the Peacock, remained frustratingly elusive in manifesting the Peacock's Dharma body. This challenge had stymied Hanyu Xiaotian for nearly two years. He recognized that further grueling practice would be futile. What he was missing was likely a stroke of fortune or a sudden insight. Thus, he decided to set it aside for the time being.