Being Targeted

Chen Cheng had no idea that his appearance had thrown the Imperial Family into complete chaos.

Today was the Chen Family Grand Competition. Some of those who had just undergone cultivation testing would display what they had learned during this event.

If anyone from a branch family demonstrated exceptional combat talent and caught the attention of the Chen Family's higher-ups, they would have a chance to remain with the main family, receive more advanced training, and enjoy greater resources.

"Everyone, this Grand Competition will last only one day, and not all of you will be competing. The clan elders will draw lots to determine who among you will participate. The two names drawn together will be opponents. One hundred pairs will be selected." Chen Guang stood high above the crowd and loudly explained the rules of the competition.

"This competition will end at the appropriate point. If one side admits defeat or is knocked out of the arena, the match will be over," Chen Guang continued.

After all, they were members of the same family. It was impossible for anyone to truly lose their life or suffer broken limbs.

"If no one has any objections, then let the elders draw lots to determine the participants." Seeing no dissent from below, Chen Guang announced the start.

As soon as Chen Guang finished speaking, the young disciples below the stage began rubbing their fists and warming up, ready to undergo the baptism of this family competition. All of them wanted to display their strength. If they were truly noticed by a clan steward or elder, the benefits would be enormous.

Chen Cheng sat high in his exclusive seat. The view here was excellent, allowing him to see everything on the arena clearly.

Several servants carrying wooden boxes stepped onto the arena, while Chen Ming, seated among the elders, leaped up and landed on the stage.

"I will personally oversee this drawing of lots. Those whose names are called will come up and compete." Chen Ming's voice was loud and clear. He himself was quite charismatic, and the moment he stepped onto the stage, he drew everyone's goodwill.

Chen Ming walked to one of the boxes held by a servant and drew out a token. Then he went to another wooden box and drew another one.

"Chen An of Iron Salt City versus Chen Yi of the main family. Come onto the stage immediately," Chen Ming announced loudly, then drew two more tokens from the boxes.

He looked at the names on them and smiled faintly. "Chen Linna of the main family and Chen Xiaoyue of East Mountain Town, prepare for the next match."

The first two people called had already stepped onto the stage. After greeting each other, they began fighting at the signal of a referee steward.

Meanwhile, two young girls spoke softly amid the crowd.

"Why do bad things always fall on my head? I'm just too unlucky," Chen Linna complained with a pout.

The girl beside Chen Linna was none other than Chen Yunrou. They had fallen out a few days ago, but now they had made up again. All those men who had eagerly tried to court them had wasted their efforts.

"Alright, Nana, stop complaining. During the test five days ago, Chen Xiaoyue only had nine stages of Dou Qi. At most, she's only a One-Star Dou Zhe now. Her realm is already one level below yours, and you have a Cultivation Method. She might not have even started cultivating one yet. You have a huge advantage. Just go up there without worry. I'll cheer for you from below," Chen Yunrou encouraged her.

"But I don't like cultivating, and I don't like fighting either." Chen Linna frowned and muttered.

"Nana, go on. Your name was called, so you can't just refuse to fight. Fine, fine. I'll treat you to a big meal at Jade Boat House tonight, alright?" Chen Yunrou said, patting Chen Linna on the shoulder.

"You said it." At the mention of a big meal, Chen Linna immediately perked up, and her earlier gloom vanished without a trace.

At the family head's seat, Chen Yuan heard the match-up announced by Chen Ming and raised the corners of his lips slightly. "He said he would personally select an opponent for Chen Xiaoyue, but I never expected him to choose his own daughter as her opponent. This is interesting."

"Haha, that boy Ming has his reasons. His youngest daughter's talent isn't bad, but she spends all day fooling around and has delayed her cultivation. Using a branch family girl as her opponent can, first, spur Nana on, and second, test Chen Xiaoyue's combat ability. It kills two birds with one stone, so of course he would do it," Chen Yang explained with a laugh.

Chen Cheng watched the battle on the arena.

The two competitors' cultivation levels were not far apart: one was a Two-Star Dou Zhe, while the other was a One-Star Dou Zhe. Both had honed their fighting techniques over a long period and performed remarkably well. After more than ten minutes, Chen Yi used a Profound Rank Dou Technique to defeat his opponent and claim victory.

"Chen Yi wins this match," the referee announced loudly.

He then took the tokens Chen Ming handed him and called out, "Chen Linna and Chen Xiaoyue, take the stage. Chen Xuanmian of the main family and Chen Wang of the main family, prepare."

Upon hearing the referee call her name, Chen Linna reluctantly walked onto the arena.

"Hello, Sister. My name is Chen Xiaoyue. Please instruct me," Chen Xiaoyue said politely to Chen Linna after stepping onto the stage.

After several matches, there were indeed some outstanding performers. Several family stewards each selected a few exceptional branch family disciples to join the main family.

After lunch, the matches continued into the afternoon.

Chen Ming walked over to a wooden box and drew a token. But when he saw the name on it, his expression tightened. He secretly glanced at Chen Yuan, who was seated in the family head's seat, thought for a brief moment, and then handed the token to the steward in charge of the matches. As usual, the steward began reading the names.

"Chen Yuan of Square Rock Town and Chen Shouyi of Xinning Town, take the stage. Chen Xiangnan of Hundred Leaves Town and Chen of the main family—"

The steward had been about to blurt out the name, but upon seeing it on the token, his voice abruptly stopped. He then turned his head and gave Chen Ming a puzzled look. Chen Ming nodded at him.

Only after receiving Chen Ming's signal did the steward dare continue.

"Chen Xiangnan of Hundred Leaves Town and Chen Cheng of the main family, prepare for the next match."

Chen Cheng, seated above, was somewhat stunned upon hearing his own name. Logically speaking, Chen Yuan should not have added his name to the list of competitors.

Although Chen Cheng had displayed the talent of gaining four stages of Dou Qi in ten days, his current realm was still too low. It truly was not suitable for him to fight on an occasion like this.

"Master, it seems someone is targeting you." Yan Lingji, seated beside Chen Cheng, covered her mouth as she laughed softly.

"Then I'll have to find this person. I'm in the open while he's in the shadows. That won't do me any good." Chen Cheng's lips curled up slightly, but his voice turned serious.

Chen Cheng did not like this feeling of things being beyond his control. He had to drag out the person hiding in the shadows.

"I clearly gave the order that Cheng'er did not need to participate in this competition. Who exactly added his name to the list?" Chen Yuan's expression turned cold. Clenching his fists, he spoke solemnly.

Someone in the Chen Family was actually targeting his son. This was something he would absolutely not allow.

His son had been missing for eleven years, and they had only just found him. Chen Yuan did not want anyone to harm Chen Cheng.

"Family Head, I was unaware of this as well. I'll personally investigate who tampered with the list." Chen Yang's expression also grew grave.

Neither of them had changed the list, yet Chen Cheng's name had appeared in the box. This was no small matter.

Among the spectators, Chen Zihang heard Chen Cheng's name and wore a meaningful smile.

"Chen Cheng? That works too. Let me see how capable you are in actual combat, and whether you truly have the qualifications to be the Young Family Head."