Zhang Family Upheaval, Inner City Crisis

Wang Yuan successfully brought the Vajra Skill to the entry level, and the atmosphere in the inner courtyard immediately grew quite lively.

After Wang Yuan took a moment to regulate his breathing and familiarize himself with that newly born thread of qi and blood, Zheng Shan dismissed the two staff-wielding disciples. His expression returned to its usual severity as he summoned Wang Yuan, Shi Long, and Zheng Ying before him.

"Yuan'er has just entered the Second Blood Change and has also obtained a Body Refinement Technique. His strength has improved greatly—truly cause for celebration."

Zheng Shan first acknowledged Wang Yuan's progress, then shifted the topic.

"However, on the path of martial arts, shutting oneself away to build a cart is no good. Only real combat and sparring can test one's true mettle and reveal one's own shortcomings."

His gaze swept over the three disciples as he said gravely, "Seven days from now, the martial arts academies of the outer city will jointly hold a Martial Arts Gathering."

"At that time, every somewhat prominent martial arts academy in the outer city will send their True Disciples to participate."

"The matches will be divided into three levels: Third Blood Change, Second Blood Change, and First Blood Change."

"Of course, there will be rewards for the gathering as well."

"This time, the academies have really bled themselves dry. First place in each level will receive ten thousand taels of silver, along with a great medicine. Second place will receive five thousand taels of silver, and third place three thousand taels."

"A Martial Arts Gathering?"

"First place gets ten thousand taels of silver and a great medicine?"

Wang Yuan's heart stirred. This was the first time he had heard of it.

Shi Long, meanwhile, grinned and rubbed his fists together.

"Hehe, finally, there's work to do again!"

"I didn't get my fill of fighting at the last gathering."

Zheng Ying was comparatively calm, but a trace of anticipation flashed through her eyes as well.

Zheng Shan continued, "This Martial Arts Gathering is, first, to let the disciples of each academy verify what they have learned against one another and broaden their horizons."

"Second, it is an opportunity for the academies to display their strength and contend for resources and reputation."

"After all, in literature there is no first, but in martial arts there is no second. The proceedings will not be too gentle, so all of you must be prepared."

He looked toward Shi Long and Zheng Ying.

"Long'er, Ying'er, the two of you have both reached the Third Blood Change. You are the face of Panshi Fist Academy. When the time comes, give it your all. Do not tarnish the academy's name."

He was still confident in the strength of his son and daughter.

Shi Long possessed overwhelming strength, while Zheng Ying was nimble in movement and superb with the sword. Neither was an ordinary hand.

"Father, Master, rest assured!" the two answered in unison.

Next, Zheng Shan's gaze fell on Wang Yuan, and his tone softened somewhat.

"Yuan'er, you have only just entered the Second Blood Change. Though your foundation is solid, the time you have spent cultivating is still short."

"The main reason for taking you along this time is to let you see the world and experience the methods and styles of the True Disciples from other martial arts academies. It will be of great benefit to your future cultivation."

He paused, seeming afraid of placing too much pressure on Wang Yuan, then added, "As for victory or defeat, there is no need to take it too much to heart."

"Among the Second Blood Change True Disciples of the various academies, there are many who have immersed themselves in this realm for years, having already reached Major Accomplishment or even perfection in the Second Blood Change."

"Their qi and blood are abundant, their martial skills refined, and their practical combat experience extensive."

"If your strength falls short and you lose, that is perfectly normal. Just learn from the experience."

Zheng Shan's tone was very calm. He truly held no unrealistic expectations for Wang Yuan.

In his view, although Wang Yuan was talented, he had cultivated for far too short a time.

If he could exchange a few moves with the established Second Blood Change True Disciples and gain some experience, that alone would accomplish the purpose.

Hearing this, Wang Yuan's expression remained calm as he answered respectfully, "This disciple understands. I will certainly cherish this opportunity and observe and learn as much as I can."

Yet deep within his lowered eyes, a faint glint flashed.

This Martial Arts Gathering might be the perfect chance to test his true combat strength as it stood now.

And first place came with a reward of ten thousand taels of silver.

He could achieve Qi and Blood Pill freedom in one stroke.

If he had to save up tael by tael, he would probably need to wipe out at least five or six small gangs like the Black Tiger Gang before he could gather enough.

Seeing Wang Yuan's proper attitude, Zheng Shan nodded in satisfaction.

But then, as though recalling something, his brows knitted slightly. He sighed softly, looking somewhat troubled.

"Sigh. Speaking of which, although Panshi Fist Academy is considered the leader among the outer city's martial arts academies and has many disciples,"

"we have quite a few promising talents at the First Blood Change, and Long'er and Ying'er hold things up at the Third Blood Change."

"Only at the Second Blood Change level are we truly caught between the old and the new..."

He cast Wang Yuan a helpless look, as though he were seeing some other troublesome fellow through him.

"Other than you, Yuan'er, there's only your Third Senior Brother, Shang Yong.

"But his attainments in martial arts..."

"Ah, they're an utter mess. All day long, he only knows how to fuss over his business schemes. He neglects his training, and his actual combat ability is even more mediocre."

"It'll be hard to expect him to achieve anything at the Martial Arts Gathering."

Zheng Shan rubbed his brow.

"Enough, enough. The capable must bear more burdens. Yuan'er, just do your best. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"Long'er, Ying'er, win a few more prizes in your respective tiers and help take some of the pressure off your Junior Brother."

"Don't worry, Master—Father!" Shi Long thumped his chest until it boomed.

Zheng Ying nodded seriously as well.

They were both considered strong among those at the Third Blood Change. Winning a few prizes would be easy enough for them.

Wang Yuan took his master's words to heart and understood.

Panshi Fist Academy truly had a weakness at the Second Blood Change level.

As for himself, although his master did not expect too much of him, he had still placed some hopes on him.

"Second Blood Change Major Accomplishment, perfection..."

Wang Yuan murmured inwardly, a concealed fighting spirit quietly rising within him.

In literature, there was no first; in martial arts, there was no second.

Now that he had broken through to the Second Blood Change, his qi and blood had surged greatly. With all the martial arts he possessed, even he no longer knew just how far his strength had reached.

Seven days from now, the Martial Arts Gathering.

He wanted to see just how much substance the True Disciples of the various outer-city martial academies truly had!

There were still seven days left. First, he would break Chasing Wind Leg through to the second level and reach the Second Blood Change realm.

After leaving the inner courtyard, Wang Yuan was still savoring that trace of mysterious sensation from beginning Vajra Skill.

He was just about to return home and ponder it carefully.

But as he passed through the central courtyard, the conversation of two young disciples drifted into his ears on the wind.

"Hey, did you hear?"

"Something huge happened in the inner city today!"

"What happened? Hurry up and tell me!"

"Around noon, I saw it with my own eyes. Good lord—a huge squad of soldiers in Iron Armor, brimming with murderous intent, headed straight for the Zhang Family in the inner city."

"They surrounded Zhang Manor so tightly it was like an iron barrel!"

"The Zhang Family? What did they do?"

"Shh, keep your voice down!"

"I heard the soldiers talking with people by the roadside. They said..."

"They said Zhang Song, the Zhang Family's head, wanted to break through to Transformation Force, and somehow got himself involved with the Incense God Cult."

"He wanted to borrow the Incense God Cult's power, work from within and without, and overthrow the rule of the Three Great Families of the Inner City!"

"Colluding with the Incense God Cult? Overthrowing their rule?"

"Has Zhang Song gone mad? He's only a Force Martial Master—where did he get the nerve?" One of the disciples sucked in a sharp breath.

The other disciple nodded fiercely. "Exactly!"

"But the rumors say that he'd been stuck at Force Martial Master for more than a decade. Seeing his family decline and knowing his own breakthrough was hopeless, he took the risk and somehow made contact with the Incense God Cult..."

"Then it was exposed, and the Huang Family discovered it!"

"Now the Gao, Ye, and Huang Families have joined forces, directly mobilized the City Guard, and are suppressing the Zhang Family with thunderous force. They're ransacking the estate right now."

Buzz!

What had been nothing more than idle chatter between two disciples struck Wang Yuan's ears like thunder exploding on level ground.

His steps abruptly halted, and his entire body froze in place.

The Zhang Family of the inner city?

Wasn't that Zhang Mingyuan's family?

His elder sister was still with the Zhang Family!

She was still working there as the stewardess in charge of laundry.

The Zhang Family had been branded traitors for colluding with the Incense God Cult. That was a crime that implicated nine generations of kin.

With those City Guard soldiers as vicious as wolves and tigers ransacking the estate, how could they distinguish between the chief culprits and mere servants?

They had always preferred to kill by mistake rather than let a single one slip through!

His sister Wang Yu was a weak woman, trapped in that dragon's pool and tiger's den...

Wang Yuan abruptly turned and glanced toward the inner court, his teeth clenched tight.

There was no time to explain.

For every moment he delayed, his sister Wang Yu would be in that much greater danger.

The instant he left the Fist Academy's grounds, Wang Yuan pushed Chasing Wind Leg to its absolute limit.

He turned into an arrow loosed from the bow, charging madly toward the inner city.

Pedestrians on the street felt only a gale sweep past them; they could not even make out his silhouette.

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