Clan Training Day

After winter set in this year, a chill wind blew down from the boundless frozen lands in the north, dyeing most of the empire white.

Great snow fell like cotton quilts covering the earth, piling thick across the broad training ground before the Luo Family gates.

On Clan Training Day, the Luo Family's servants cleared the snow from the training ground. Twelve groups of Luo Family Disciples stood in neat ranks upon it, awaiting inspection by the Luo Family elders.

The Luo Family had originally possessed thirteen branches, but only twelve teams were present now, because the Eldest Branch had ceased to exist two years ago.

To urge the Luo Family Disciples to train without pause, Clan Training Day was held once every year. Whether Luo Family Disciples or Meat Targets, this was an important day for all of them.

The Luo Family Disciples' performance on Clan Training Day determined their resource allocation for the following year. Those who performed well naturally received more resources, such as body-refining pills that increased cultivation speed, Rejuvenation Holy Medicine that could quickly heal injuries, and so on.

For the Meat Targets, however, this day determined their lives, deaths, and freedom.

Luo Zheng entered the training ground with the other Meat Targets. Every one of them wore a grim expression today, as though they were prepared to throw everything away. This day was simply too crucial for them.

In a Death Duel, Meat Targets had only two choices: win and gain a free life, or lose and die.

But for the Luo Family Disciples, a Death Duel was merely a test. Winning earned them the Lineage's rewards and support, while losing was nothing more than a little embarrassing.

Many Noble Clan Descendants were quite formidable. Their cultivation techniques and strength were no worse than anyone else's, but because many of them had little real combat experience, they often dropped the chain at crucial moments. It was common for them to lose to opponents weaker than themselves.

The original purpose behind establishing the Death Duel rules was to drive the Meat Targets into a Dead End, stimulating their potential to the greatest extent before having them Fight to the Death against the Luo Family Disciples. Only then could the Luo Family Disciples receive true combat training.

Before long, a middle-aged man in a green robe stepped onto the High Platform. He had five long locks of beard beneath his chin and a face like a jade crown. He was Luo Zheng's Third Uncle, Luo Junyi.

At the sight of him, a cold glint flashed through Luo Zheng's eyes. This man was one of the murderers who had killed his father. He looked every inch the modest gentleman, yet he had used poisonous schemes to murder his own elder brother. He was a complete hypocrite.

If not for his inadequate strength, Luo Zheng would have loved to flay this man alive. Unfortunately, Luo Junyi was an expert of the Viscera Refining Realm. His five viscera and six bowels had been fully tempered, and his strength had reached the power of three cauldrons. He could tear tigers and leopards apart barehanded and smash down City Walls with his fists!

Once Luo Junyi had taken his place on the High Platform, he drew a deep breath and said softly, "Today, I have joyous news to announce. The young family head of our Luo Family, my nephew Luo Peiran, has been exceptionally admitted by the Azure Cloud Sect and directly accepted as an Inner Sect Disciple."

Luo Junyi did not speak loudly, yet everyone heard him clearly. After entering the Viscera Refining Realm, one's internal organs were tempered, and one's breath became exceptionally deep and sustained.

Upon hearing his words, every Luo Family Disciple revealed an envious expression.

Luo Peiran's acceptance into the Azure Cloud Sect had practically been expected. However, Azure Cloud Sect disciples were divided into many ranks. Many people passed layer upon layer of examinations and stood out among countless competitors, only to secure a position as an Outer Sect Disciple.

Yet Luo Peiran had ascended to the heavens in a single step, exceptionally accepted as an Inner Sect Disciple. This was beyond everyone's expectations, so it was no wonder they envied him.

Luo Zheng's body also trembled. That Heaven and Earth Creation Pill was actually so miraculous—it had directly sent Luo Peiran into the Azure Cloud Sect's inner sect. He clenched his fists tightly, worry weighing heavily on his heart.

Second Uncle and Third Uncle had not eliminated him because they believed he posed no threat to the Luo Family. But they would certainly not spare Luo Yan. Luo Yan had escaped disaster previously because she was in the Azure Cloud Sect. Now that Luo Peiran had become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect, he would surely harm her. I must leave for the Azure Cloud Sect at once!

"Nephew Peiran is the pride of our Lineage. Everyone should take him as your goal. Today is Clan Training Day. The Luo Family Disciples will each choose a Meat Target for a Death Duel. If you defeat your Meat Target in the Death Duel, next year's allocation of Cultivation Pills will be doubled, your monthly allowance will also be doubled, and you will receive one Violet Luo Pill besides..."

This reward was quite tempting to many collateral branch disciples. The moment it was announced, many Luo Family Disciples began discussing it heatedly...

The Meat Targets' expressions grew even heavier. The richer the rewards, the more viciously the Luo Family Disciples would strike, and the slimmer the Meat Targets' chances of survival became.

After Luo Junyi finished speaking, he sat down in a chair on the High Platform. At that moment, the chief steward Huang Ge leaped onto the High Platform. His gaze swept over the Meat Targets before settling on Luo Zheng. A vicious gleam flashed in his eyes. Kid, you won't survive today!

Huang Ge then said in a shrill voice, "The Luo Family Disciples may now choose their targets. The first Luo Family Disciple to take the stage is the eldest son of the Third Branch, Luo Chengyun!"

Luo Chengyun leaped onto the arena at the center of the training ground. After bowing to his father, Luo Junyi, he turned around to select a Meat Target.

When Luo Chengyun's gaze fell upon Luo Zheng, their eyes met. A faint smile rose at the corner of Luo Zheng's mouth. A month ago, he had beaten Huang Ge. He had thought Luo Chengyun would immediately seek revenge, but the past month had remained calm and uneventful. It seemed Luo Chengyun had been waiting for this day—to choose him as his Death Duel opponent and beat him alive to death on the arena?

Yet Luo Chengyun did not choose Luo Zheng. Instead, he selected a solidly built man standing behind him.

That truly lay beyond Luo Zheng's expectations...

The solidly built middle-aged man had just been bought by the Luo Family as a Death Row Prisoner. Thus, he had not suffered serious internal injuries. His complexion was good, his strength was not bad either, and he had reached the Flesh Refining Realm.

After being chosen, the middle-aged man leaped onto the arena without a word. His eyes were likewise filled with ferocity. As Meat Targets, they all understood that a Death Duel was a battle without retreat. To retreat was a Dead End for a Meat Target. Rather than sit and await death, it was better to fight with everything they had. Perhaps they could still carve out a path to survival.

When fighting for life and death, there was no need for so many formalities.

The instant the middle-aged man stepped onto the stage, he seized the initiative. He gathered the strength of his entire body and charged fiercely at Luo Chengyun. Relying on his solid muscles, he barreled forward like a wild bull, making the arena paved with Black Iron Rock boom beneath his feet.

A faint smile surfaced on Luo Chengyun's face. Purple light condensed in his hand, and he curled his fingers into the shape of a bow. When the middle-aged man rushed close to him, Luo Chengyun merely sidestepped lightly, then struck the man from the side with Rosewood Inch Strength.

"Pfft!"

The force of Rosewood Inch Strength was hidden, showing neither mountain nor dew. The middle-aged man stopped in his tracks. Having failed to ram into Luo Chengyun, he turned around to charge again, utterly unaware that Luo Chengyun had already injured him.

But just as he took a step, six dull explosions rang from within his body—bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! Six bloody holes suddenly burst open across the middle-aged Strong Man's body.

His eyes were as wide as a bull's, and his face was filled with confusion and unwillingness. Gurgling sounds came from his mouth, but he could not speak. Then the light gradually faded from his eyes, and he crashed heavily to the ground.

Killed in one move...

The Luo Family Disciples present erupted in cheers, and quite a few took the lead in applauding.

Yet many Luo Family Disciples who witnessed this scene seemed to realize something, their expressions turning somewhat indifferent.

As the eldest son of the Third Branch, Luo Chengyun possessed fairly outstanding cultivation talent within the Luo Family. Since childhood, he had been supplied with all kinds of miraculous pills and medicines, and his cultivation had advanced far faster than that of ordinary Luo Family Disciples.

But his progress could not possibly have been this fast. The only explanation was that he had consumed the Luo Family's second—and final—Heaven and Earth Creation Pill.

Among the Meat Targets, Luo Zheng also shook his head, a bitter smile appearing on his face. Second Uncle and Third Uncle truly did not treat themselves as outsiders. For generations, no one in the Luo Family had dared touch the Heaven and Earth Creation Pill, but after taking power, they each took one and divided them between themselves just like that...

So be it. The first time Luo Zheng saw Luo Peiran say that he had consumed the Heaven and Earth Creation Pill, he had been furious beyond measure. Yet now, Luo Zheng's heart was very calm.

Though the Heaven and Earth Creation Pill was wondrous, it was ultimately only one pill. Once eaten, it was gone.

But Luo Zheng's special physique could cleanse his body continuously without end. Compared to that, the Heaven and Earth Creation Pill was something he could take or leave. Luo Zheng no longer valued it, but the actions of Second Uncle and Third Uncle had truly chilled the hearts of the Luo Family Disciples.

At that moment, Huang Ge's voice rang out. "First Death Duel: Young Master Chengyun wins a great victory!"

Luo Chengyun rolled his wrist, then said to Huang Ge on the High Platform, "Chief Steward, that challenge just now was merely to warm up my hands. I still wish to challenge another person."

Delight appeared on Huang Ge's face. It's finally here. He said, "If Young Master Chengyun wishes to challenge another, you may choose your own target."

Luo Chengyun turned around on the arena and pointed here and there among the Meat Targets. Seeing his finger, the Meat Targets all went deathly pale. They had already seen the strength Luo Chengyun had displayed. To be chosen by this fellow meant certain death. Luo Chengyun's finger was like the scythe of the God of Death—whoever it fell upon could go meet King Yama.

At last, Luo Chengyun's gaze settled on Luo Zheng. He crooked a finger and smiled. "You, come up!"

Everyone followed Luo Chengyun's finger, only to see that the target he had selected was Luo Zheng!

For Meat Targets, a Death Duel was a fight to the death. Either they won, or they died.

Therefore, on Clan Training Days in previous years, the Luo Family Disciples had consciously or unconsciously avoided Luo Zheng when selecting targets. Though Luo Zheng bore the charge of betraying the Lineage, the Luo Family Disciples did not dare truly seek his death so long as the family head had not ordered his execution.

But today, Luo Chengyun had actually sought out Luo Zheng. Anyone with eyes could see that Luo Zheng was likely doomed today.

"It's finally here!"

Without another word, Luo Zheng stepped out from the line of Meat Targets. Expressionless, he climbed onto the arena, cupped his hands toward Luo Chengyun, and said, "Young Master Chengyun, please!"

"Eldest Cousin, why address me so formally?" Luo Chengyun said, narrowing his eyes.