The Clan

"This is what a true genius looks like!"

Even Meng Wentao, who possessed the highest talent, could not help but sigh aloud.

Tang Mu's talent, even among those with superior-grade bones, was likely a cut above the rest.

His own top-tier middle-grade bones seemed dull and lusterless at this moment.

"The Martial Arts Hall's resources will likely be tilted toward Junior Brother Tang. If I want to advance further, I must find a way to join the City Guard."

While sighing, Meng Wentao also began planning his own future.

Originally, he had intended to suppress his peers and seize the championship at next year's Martial Exam.

But now, he had changed his mind.

Given Tang Mu's terrifying talent, by next year, he would likely be able to beat him with one hand tied behind his back.

That was no exaggeration.

Crossing the Qi and Blood Realm in half a month.

Stepping into the True Martial Realm in a month.

What level could he reach after cultivating for a year and a half?

Therefore, he could not wait until next year.

He had to join the City Guard this year and distinguish himself as soon as possible.

Looking across the entire Anning Prefecture, the faction with the deepest foundation and the most resources was undoubtedly the True Sun Sect.

As long as he stood out in the City Guard, he could secure a spot to enter the True Sun Sect.

Once he entered the True Sun Sect, he would be like a carp leaping over the dragon gate, destined to soar upward from then on.

"Is this the talent of superior-grade bones..."

Among the elite disciples, Jiang Xuan, dressed in green, also clenched his fists in secret.

Ever since he was tested and found to have middle-grade bones, he had considered himself a martial arts genius; he even harbored the ambition to compete with the chief personal disciple, Meng Wentao.

After all, more than a month ago, he had already achieved perfection in the Three Qi and Blood Gates.

In other words, it had only taken him a little over four months to cross the Qi and Blood Realm.

The reason he had not yet attempted to break through to the True Martial Realm was that he wanted to consolidate his foundation and make a stunning debut.

But the sudden emergence of Tang Mu felt like a massive mountain, placing infinite pressure upon him.

In front of such a prodigy, no matter how hard he worked, he would eventually be reduced to a mere foil.

It was an indescribable sense of powerlessness!

"I must go back and break through to the True Martial Realm!"

Thinking this, Jiang Xuan did not hesitate and hurried out of the Martial Arts Hall.

With only cultivation at the Qi and Blood Realm, he didn't even have the qualifications to be a foil.

Only by stepping into the True Martial Realm could he make the Martial Arts Hall take another look at him.

Half an hour later, he returned to the Jiang Clan ancestral home.

"Young Master!"

Seeing Jiang Xuan return, the ancestral home guards immediately went to notify the clan elders.

"Xuan'er, why have you returned today?"

Before long, led by Jiang Guiyuan, a group of core clan elders appeared together.

They were all very surprised by Jiang Xuan's sudden return.

Since entering the Martial Arts Hall half a year ago, Jiang Xuan had spent all his time in hard training, except for the three days of rest each month when he returned home.

With excellent bones and great perseverance, this was the reason the entire Jiang Clan held Jiang Xuan in such high regard.

"Great-grandfather, Seventh Great-grandfather, Second Grandfather... I have returned this time because I wish to go into seclusion to break through to the True Martial Realm!"

After greeting them one by one, Jiang Xuan went straight to the point.

"Break through to the True Martial Realm?"

Hearing Jiang Xuan's words, the Jiang Clan elders were both happy and surprised.

They were happy, naturally, about the progress of Jiang Xuan's cultivation.

They were surprised, however, by the change in Jiang Xuan's attitude.

When he had achieved perfection in the Three Qi and Blood Gates last month, Jiang Xuan had said he wanted to consolidate his foundation further to ensure a powerful breakthrough. Why had he suddenly changed his mind now?

If one considered the timeline, there were still more than five months until the Martial Exam at the end of the year.

"Xuan'er, has something happened at the Martial Arts Hall?"

Jiang Guiyuan, with his white hair and beard and spirited demeanor, turned to ask Jiang Xuan.

"A few days ago, the Martial Arts Hall took in a new disciple. According to the Hall Master's assessment, he possesses a one-in-ten-thousand superior bone structure..."

Jiang Xuan did not hide anything and revealed the existence of Tang Mu.

"Superior bone structure?!"

"Three Qi and Blood Gates in half a month?!"

"Entering the True Martial Realm in a month?!"

Hearing Jiang Xuan's words, Jiang Guiyuan and the other clan elders were all shocked.

Those who could become clan elders were all martial artists with decent bone structures.

Precisely because of this, they knew exactly how terrifying this cultivation speed was.

Could their lifetime of bitter cultivation not even compare to someone else's few months of practice?

The magnitude of such a gap was simply despair-inducing!

At the same time, they understood why Jiang Xuan wanted to push for the True Martial Realm.

Being able to cultivate to the perfection of the Three Qi and Blood Gates within a few months meant Jiang Xuan's talent was undoubtedly outstanding, and he would be enough to become a personal disciple of the Martial Arts Hall in the future.

But now, with such a monstrous talent appearing, Jiang Xuan would naturally be affected.

"Xuan'er, go ahead and enter seclusion. We will handle the matter of resources."

Jiang Guiyuan made the decision immediately, and the other clan elders expressed their agreement one after another.

Ever since they learned that City Lord Yu was about to leave his post, they had pinned all their hopes on Jiang Xuan.

As long as Jiang Xuan became a personal disciple of the Martial Arts Hall and achieved a high rank in the year-end Martial Exam, they would be able to continue establishing themselves in the Prefecture City.

Therefore, no matter how much they invested, even if it meant exhausting their family fortune, it was worth it.

"Then I shall return to my room first."

Jiang Xuan nodded, stood up, and returned to his small courtyard to prepare.

"Since Xuan'er is going to push for the True Martial Realm, the resources in the treasury should be put to use."

After Jiang Xuan left, Jiang Guiyuan began to mobilize the clan's resources.

Fortunately, they had already gathered resources from various branches previously, so they would not be caught in a panic now.

"Fellow clan elders, the resources from Jiang Sihai's side have not been handed over yet. Should we..."

Jiang Xuan's father, Jiang Junyue, who was responsible for handling clan affairs, brought up Jiang Sihai.

He still did not want to miss out on the six thousand taels of profit each year.

Resources were too important to a martial artist.

Without sufficient resource assistance, even with Jiang Xuan's talent, it would be absolutely impossible to reach the perfection of the Qi and Blood Realm within a few months.

"Didn't Sihai agree last time? Why haven't they been handed over?"

Seventh Uncle and the other clan elders were surprised.

They had gone there specifically last time, and Jiang Sihai had agreed readily.

How much time had passed since then? Why had he gone back on his word?

"I know about this matter; the resources from Sihai's family will not be handed over for the time being."

Jiang Guiyuan frowned slightly.

Jiang Junyue was still too impatient. If he brought the matter to a head now, it would be difficult for him to squeeze Jiang Sihai in the future.

In terms of character and vision, Jiang Junyue was far inferior to Jiang Sihai.

It was a pity that Jiang Sihai lacked martial bone structure, and Jiang Xuan was not living up to expectations either.

Otherwise, Jiang Sihai would have been much more suitable for handling family affairs than Jiang Junyue.

"Why?"

The group of clan elders became even more surprised.

Gathering resources from all branches to cultivate Jiang Xuan with all their might was the result of a joint discussion at the clan meeting, and it was beneficial to Jiang Guiyuan's branch with no downsides.

Now, Jiang Guiyuan was actually giving special treatment to Jiang Sihai's family?

If there was no reasonable explanation for this, the other families would inevitably feel dissatisfied.

Differential treatment was a major taboo.

"A few days ago, Jiang Sihai sent a letter saying that Jiang Chen had broken through the Second Qi and Blood Gate. Not only did he refuse to hand over the tribute money, but he also demanded that the clan allocate resources to him."

Before Jiang Guiyuan could speak, Jiang Junyue revealed the reason.

His words seemed to be an explanation, but in reality, they harbored malicious intent.

"Jiang Chen?"

"The Second Qi and Blood Gate?"

"Nonsense. That brat has been at the White Ape Martial Hall for half a year and hasn't even grasped the White Ape Stance. Where would he find the ability to step into the Second Qi and Blood Gate?"

"What is Jiang Sihai thinking? Even if he wants to pull the wool over our eyes, he should at least come up with a better excuse."

"Given the current situation, which concerns the survival of the entire clan, how can Jiang Sihai be so oblivious?"

Sure enough, upon hearing Jiang Junyue's words, the clan elders were all filled with dissatisfaction and doubt.

When they had originally decided to throw their full support behind Jiang Xuan, they had carefully investigated Jiang Chen's situation.

After all, Jiang Chen and Jiang Xuan were the only two in the new generation with the aptitude for martial arts.

However, what they found was that Jiang Chen was a hopeless case who spent his days chasing after a woman, with his mind nowhere near cultivation.

Not long ago, he had even nearly lost his life trying to play the hero.

How much time had passed since then, and now Jiang Sihai was claiming that Jiang Chen had stepped into the Second Qi and Blood Gate?

How could they possibly believe that?

"This kind of deviant behavior must not be encouraged. Otherwise, if other branches follow suit, wouldn't the main clan become a mere figurehead?"

"Exactly. In my opinion, we should simply convene a clan meeting and heavily punish Jiang Sihai."

"Well said..."

Immediately, some elders expressed their stance, and the others chimed in one after another.

Going all out to support Jiang Xuan's cultivation was a matter of life and death for the entire clan.

Every other family had contributed their resources; it was impossible to let Jiang Sihai get away with deception.

If they allowed preferential treatment, the clan would fall apart sooner or later.

"Sihai is acting according to clan rules; it is hardly deviant behavior."

Jiang Guiyuan deflected the issue.

"Are you saying that the boy, Jiang Xuan, has truly stepped into the Second Qi and Blood Gate?"

"If that is really the case, then summon him to the ancestral residence. I want to see for myself how he managed to reach the Second Qi and Blood Gate in such a short time."

"That's right. Have him come to the ancestral hall for testing; that will silence the critics."

"I agree. Once the White Ape Martial Hall is on break, we will summon him."

Even with Jiang Guiyuan speaking up, the elders remained unconvinced, and with a few exchanges, they settled the matter.

"Then let it be done."

Jiang Guiyuan had no choice but to agree to the elders' decision.

He had originally intended to wait for Jiang Sihai to realize the situation himself and come forward voluntarily.

Now, with Jiang Junyue stirring the pot, he had to abandon his original plan.

And with things turning out this way, draining Jiang Sihai's family assets would likely be impossible.

"Very well, you may all disperse."

With that, Jiang Guiyuan waved his hand.

The other elders left one by one, all excitedly discussing Jiang Xuan's seclusion.

Jiang Xuan was only fifteen this year and had only been practicing martial arts for half a year, yet he was already capable of pushing toward the True Martial Realm.

As long as they cultivated him with all their might, he would be able to protect their Jiang Clan within a few years.

If he could also join the True Sun Sect, it would be a great honor for their ancestors.

As for Jiang Chen, he was nothing but a pile of mud; no one held any hope for him.