Provocation at the Door

"Our future Martial Immortal, why haven't you gone to the training grounds these past few days? Don't tell me you know you're about to be kicked out, so you're trying to cling on and refuse to leave?"

The fat youth arrogantly kicked Zhang Yunhao's door open. The moment he saw Zhang Yunhao, he immediately began mocking him loudly.

Zhang Yunhao stared coldly at the fat youth. Come to think of it, their grudge went back a long way.

Back when Zhang Yunhao's belongings had been stolen, he could not defeat the adults responsible, so he vented his anger by savagely beating up their descendants at the training grounds. This fat youth, Zhang Yunyi, had been one of them.

That was how their enmity began. Afterward, Zhang Yunyi had repeatedly caused trouble for Zhang Yunhao, but Zhang Yunhao had carefully avoided him every time. This only made Zhang Yunyi more dissatisfied; whenever they met, he would sneer and mock him. Now, he had come knocking right at his door.

Zhang Yunhao snorted. "Zhang Yunyi, you've got some nerve. In our Zhang Clan, do you not know what happens to someone who trespasses into another person's residence?"

"Our Zhang Clan's rules are strict. It is indeed forbidden to trespass into another person's residence. But unfortunately, you're about to be driven out, and this house will be reclaimed. That means I've done nothing wrong."

The fat youth Zhang Yunyi had clearly come prepared. He first looked disdainful, then said smugly, "Oh, right. I've already applied to the clan for this house. When the time comes, I'll tear it down completely and rebuild it. After all, a useless cripple once lived here. It stinks too badly."

"You..."

Zhang Yunhao glared at Zhang Yunyi, rage surging within him. It was not enough that they had stolen his belongings—they even wanted to demolish his home?

Zhang Yunyi only became more pleased and arrogant at Zhang Yunhao's fury. "What about me? Zhang Yunhao, what do you think you are? You're about to be kicked out. From now on, whenever you see me, you'll have to treat me with utmost respect, because you'll be a lowly servant."

Zhang Yunhao took a deep breath and calmed himself before asking coldly, "Can you decide whether I'll be driven out?"

"Of course I... can't. But Sixth Steward can."

Zhang Yunyi had initially wanted to boast, but after recalling something, he hastily pointed respectfully at the stern-faced steward behind him.

The stern-faced steward ignored the conflict between Zhang Yunhao and Zhang Yunyi. He stepped forward two paces and said coldly to Zhang Yunhao, "You turned eighteen today, yet you have not broken through to the True Qi Realm. That means you are no longer worth cultivating. Come with me."

Even though it was Zhang Yunhao's birthday, the other man showed not the slightest mercy. This was what Lineage was like!

It was not only the Zhang Clan. Most Lineages in the Martial Immortal Empire were the same: clan members without value or relatives were of no concern to anyone!

Zhang Yunyi chuckled grimly, eagerly waiting for Zhang Yunhao to beg and weep, to collapse in despair, so he could deal with him properly afterward!

Yet Zhang Yunhao remained calm. He clasped his hands toward the stern-faced steward and said, "Sixth Steward, I broke through to the True Qi Realm yesterday. I was just about to go report it at the steward's hall."

"You broke through?"

The stern-faced steward was somewhat surprised. What a coincidence?

Zhang Yunyi immediately refused to believe it and shouted, "If a useless cripple like you could break through, wouldn't this young master become number one in Qianshan City? You must be lying! Zhang Yunhao, let me tell you, deceiving a steward is an aggravated offense. You're finished!"

"Since when was it your place to speak before Sixth Steward? Could it be that you can make decisions for Sixth Steward?"

Zhang Yunhao sneered. At that, the stern-faced steward turned and gave Zhang Yunyi a cold glance. Zhang Yunyi hurriedly waved his hands and forced a smile. "Of course not. I only meant that Sixth Steward sees through everything; no one can deceive him."

"Your hand!"

The stern-faced steward ignored Zhang Yunyi and spoke to Zhang Yunhao. Zhang Yunhao obediently extended his hand. The steward placed two fingers on Zhang Yunhao's wrist, and a stream of True Qi entered Zhang Yunhao's Meridians to inspect his Dantian.

He did not investigate further. Once he confirmed that Zhang Yunhao's Dantian had been opened, the stern-faced steward withdrew his True Qi and nodded. "You have indeed broken through. You may remain. Your monthly allotment will increase, and you may attend lectures from the clan elders and receive some additional cultivation."

At this point, the stern-faced steward's voice turned cold again. "However, remember this: our Zhang Clan does not raise useless cripples. There is an assessment every year. If you fail, you will still be sent away."

Zhang Yunhao said respectfully, "Yes, Sixth Steward. I understand."

Seeing that Zhang Yunhao had truly broken through to the True Qi Realm, Zhang Yunyi cried out in disappointment and disbelief, "How is that possible? How could that useless cripple really break through?"

The stern-faced steward turned around and asked coldly, "Are you questioning me?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!"

A chill ran through Zhang Yunyi's heart, and he hastily forced a smile. Zhang Yunhao gave him a half-smiling look and said, "Does even Qianshan City's number one, Zhang Yunyi, have things he doesn't dare do?"

Zhang Yunyi's face flushed crimson with anger and embarrassment. He gritted his teeth, glared at Zhang Yunhao, and prepared to leave so he would not remain here and humiliate himself further.

But at that moment, Zhang Yunhao added, "Sixth Steward, should one be punished for breaking into another person's house?"

"Of course. Zhang Yunyi, come with me to receive your punishment: ten heavy iron-whip lashes."

The stern-faced steward glanced at Zhang Yunhao, then turned and barked at Zhang Yunyi before striding away.

Zhang Yunyi nearly wanted to cry. He had never imagined Zhang Yunhao had truly broken through. Otherwise, how would he have dared kick down the door so arrogantly?

"Zhang Yunhao, just you wait."

Zhang Yunyi left behind a vicious threat, then followed the stern-faced steward away dejectedly. This time, he was truly in for it.

This is only a minor matter. At most, it can make him suffer a little. If I truly want revenge, I still have to enter the Heavenly Fist Sect. Once I become a disciple of the Heavenly Fist Sect, they will fear me. When that time comes, everything they took from me, they will return twofold.

A cold glint flashed through Zhang Yunhao's eyes. Besides, although I have the Martial Immortal Inheritance System, cultivation cannot do without guidance from seniors and sufficient resources. After joining the Heavenly Fist Sect, I'll have both.

Afterward, Zhang Yunhao tidied himself up and headed for the clan's competition registration site. That was the real key.

The Heavenly Fist Sect was a renowned major sect in Luoyun Prefecture, occupying the three southern commanderies. Every sect and Lineage within this region had to pay tribute to the Heavenly Fist Sect each year, or they would not be able to survive.

A Zhang Clan ancestor had once been an inner disciple of the Heavenly Fist Sect. Later, he left to establish his own Lineage. Because of that lingering connection, the Zhang Clan received two slots to join the Heavenly Fist Sect every ten years.

Now that the ten-year term had arrived, one slot was firmly in the hands of the clan leader's daughter. Her aptitude was terrifyingly high, and someone in the Heavenly Fist Sect had already designated her as a disciple. The remaining slot would be fought over within the clan, with strength deciding all.

This was a competition that could determine one's fate. Once someone joined the Heavenly Fist Sect, it would be like a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, with boundless prospects ahead.

By all rights, such a competition should have been a fierce clash of dragons and tigers. Yet in truth, only a handful of people had registered.