The Clan

"This is a true genius!"

Even Meng Wentao, the most gifted among them, could not help but sigh aloud.

Tang Mu's talent was likely outstanding even among those with Superior Bone Aptitude.

His top-tier Medium Bone Aptitude seemed utterly dim and lifeless at this moment.

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

Amid his sighs, Meng Wentao also began planning his own future.

Originally, he had intended to suppress all those in the same realm and seize the championship in one stroke at next year's Martial Imperial Examination.

But now, he had changed his mind.

With Tang Mu's terrifying talent, by next year, Tang Mu would probably be able to beat him down with one hand.

That was not an exaggeration in the slightest.

Crossing the Blood Qi Realm in half a month.

Entering the True Martial Realm in a month.

After cultivating for a year and a half, just what level would Tang Mu reach?

Therefore, he could not wait until next year.

He had to join the City Guard this year and make a name for himself there as early as possible.

Looking across the entirety of Anning Prefecture, the force with the deepest foundations and greatest resources was undoubtedly the True Sun Sect.

As long as he stood out in the City Guard, he would be able to obtain a place in the True Sun Sect.

Once he entered the True Sun Sect, he would be like a fish leaping over the dragon gate, soaring straight into the sky from then on.

"So this is the talent of Superior Bone Aptitude..."

Among the elite disciples, Jiang Xuan, dressed in green, secretly clenched his fists as well.

Ever since his Medium Bone Aptitude had been detected, he had considered himself a martial genius. Even when facing Meng Wentao, the chief personal disciple, he had harbored the desire to compete.

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

In other words, he had crossed the Blood Qi Realm in only a little over four months.

The reason he had not attempted the True Martial Realm was because he wanted to build up his foundations and make a stunning debut.

But Tang Mu's sudden emergence was like a great mountain, placing endless pressure upon him.

Before such a prodigy, no matter how hard he worked, he would ultimately become nothing more than a green leaf.

It was an indescribable sense of powerlessness!

"I'm going back to attempt the True Martial Realm!"

Having thought that far, Jiang Xuan did not hesitate and swiftly left the Martial Hall.

At the Blood Qi Realm, he was not even qualified to serve as a green leaf.

Only by entering the True Martial Realm could he make the Martial Hall spare him another glance.

Half an hour later, he returned to the Jiang Clan's Ancestral Residence.

"Young Master!"

Upon seeing Jiang Xuan return, the Ancestral Residence guards immediately went to notify the clan elders.

"Xuan'er, why have you come back today?"

Not long after, Jiang Guiyuan led a group of core clan elders out together.

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

Since entering the Martial Hall half a year ago, apart from the three days of rest he took home each month, Jiang Xuan had spent all his other time cultivating bitterly at the Martial Hall.

He had excellent bone aptitude and great perseverance.

That was also why the entire Jiang Clan thought so highly of Jiang Xuan.

"Great-Grandfather, Seventh Great-Grandfather, Second Grandfather... I came back this time because I wish to enter seclusion and attempt the True Martial Realm!"

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

"Attempt the True Martial Realm?"

Upon hearing Jiang Xuan's words, the Jiang Clan elders were both delighted and surprised.

They were naturally delighted by Jiang Xuan's cultivation progress.

What surprised them was Jiang Xuan's change in attitude.

When he had perfected the Three Qi and Blood Gates last month, Jiang Xuan had still said he wanted to settle himself further, to accumulate strength before bursting forth. Why had he suddenly changed his mind now?

As for time, there were still more than five months before the Martial Exam at the end of the year.

"Xuan'er, did something happen at the Martial Hall?"

Jiang Guiyuan, whose beard and hair were entirely white yet whose spirit remained vigorous, asked Jiang Xuan.

"A few days ago, the Martial Hall accepted a new disciple. After the Hall Master tested him, it was discovered that he possessed a Superior Bone Aptitude, one in ten thousand..."

Jiang Xuan did not conceal anything and revealed Tang Mu's existence.

"Superior Bone Aptitude?!"

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

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

Upon hearing Jiang Xuan's words, Jiang Guiyuan and the other clan elders were all stunned.

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

Precisely because of that, they knew just how terrifying such cultivation speed was.

They had cultivated bitterly for an entire lifetime, yet could not compare to someone else's few months of cultivation?

Such an enormous gap was simply enough to drive one into despair!

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

To cultivate to the perfection of the Three Qi and Blood Gates within a few months, Jiang Xuan's talent was unquestionably exceptional. In the future, he would be more than capable of becoming a personal disciple of the Martial Hall.

But now, such a monstrous genius had appeared. Naturally, Jiang Xuan would be affected.

"Xuan'er, go into seclusion without concern. We will settle the matter of resources."

Jiang Guiyuan immediately made a decision, and the other clan elders all voiced their support.

Ever since they learned that City Lord Yu would be leaving his post, they had placed all their hopes on Jiang Xuan.

As long as Jiang Xuan became a personal disciple of the Martial Hall and achieved outstanding results in the Martial Exam at the end of the year, they would be able to maintain their footing in the Prefecture City.

Therefore, no matter how much they had to invest, even if it meant spending every last coin, it would be worth it.

"Then I'll return to my room first."

Jiang Xuan nodded, rose to his feet, and returned to his small courtyard to prepare.

"Since Xuan'er is going to attempt the True Martial Realm, it is time to use the resources in the storehouse."

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

Fortunately, they had already gathered the resources of every branch beforehand, so they would not be caught scrambling now.

"Clan Elders, Jiang Sihai's resources have not yet been handed over. Should we..."

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

He still did not wish to let go of the annual profit of six thousand taels so easily.

Resources were far too important to martial artists.

Without sufficient resources to assist him, even with Jiang Xuan's talent, he absolutely could not have perfected the Blood Qi Realm within a few months.

"Didn't Sihai agree last time? Why has he not handed them over?"

Seventh Great-Uncle and the other clan elders were surprised.

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

How long had it been? Why had he changed his mind?

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

Jiang Guiyuan frowned slightly.

Jiang Junyue was still too impatient. If he exposed the matter now, it would instead become difficult for Jiang Guiyuan to squeeze Jiang Sihai in the future.

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

Unfortunately, Jiang Sihai did not possess martial bone aptitude, and Jiang Chen was not promising either.

Otherwise, Jiang Sihai would actually be more suitable than Jiang Junyue for handling clan affairs.

"Why?"

The clan elders became even more surprised.

Gathering the resources of every branch to devote all their efforts to nurturing Jiang Xuan had been a decision jointly discussed at the clan assembly. Moreover, it was entirely beneficial to Jiang Guiyuan's branch.

Yet now, Jiang Guiyuan was giving Jiang Sihai's household special treatment?

If he could not provide a reasonable explanation, the other households would surely become dissatisfied.

Differential treatment was a great 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 would he not hand over the tribute money, he even demanded that the clan allocate resources to him."

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

His words appeared to be an explanation, but in truth, they hid malicious intent.

"Jiang Chen?"

"The Second Qi and Blood Gate?"

"What nonsense? That brat entered the Martial Hall half a year ago and still has not comprehended the White Ape Stance. How could he possibly have entered the Second Qi and Blood Gate?"

"What is Jiang Sihai trying to do? Even if he wants to fool us, he should at least find a better excuse."

"At a time like this, when the survival of the entire clan is at stake, Jiang Sihai is actually so unable to distinguish what matters?"

Sure enough, upon hearing Jiang Junyue's words, the clan elders all questioned the matter in dissatisfaction.

When they had decided to fully support Jiang Xuan, they had also carefully investigated Jiang Chen's circumstances.

After all, Jiang Chen and Jiang Xuan were the only two among the younger generation who possessed martial bone aptitude.

But what they had found was that Jiang Chen was mud that could not be plastered onto a wall, spending all day circling around a woman. His mind was not on cultivation at all.

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

Yet only a short time had passed, and Jiang Sihai was claiming Jiang Chen had entered the Second Qi and Blood Gate?

How could they possibly believe that?

"This crooked wind must not be encouraged. Otherwise, if the other branches follow suit, would the clan not become nothing but an empty display?"

"That's right. In my opinion, we should simply convene a clan assembly and severely punish Jiang Sihai."

"Well said..."

At once, some clan elders voiced their stance, while the others echoed them in agreement.

Devoting all their efforts to supporting Jiang Xuan's cultivation was a major matter tied to the survival of the entire clan.

Every other household had handed over resources. They could not allow Jiang Sihai to muddle through.

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

"Sihai is also acting according to clan rules. It does not count as some crooked wind."

Jiang Guiyuan deflected the matter with vague words.

"So you are saying that Jiang Chen truly entered the Second Qi and Blood Gate?"

"If that is truly the case, then summon him to the Ancestral Residence. I would like to see exactly how he entered 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 also silence all the chattering mouths."

"I think that works. Once White Ape Martial Hall has its rest day, summon him here."

Even though Jiang Guiyuan had spoken, the clan elders still did not believe it. Amid their back-and-forth discussion, they settled the matter.

"Then let us do that."

Jiang Guiyuan was helpless and could only agree to the clan elders' decision.

Originally, he had wanted to wait for Jiang Sihai to notice things himself and come to him voluntarily.

Now that Jiang Junyue had stirred things up like this, he could only abandon his original plan.

And with that, it would likely be impossible to bleed Jiang Sihai's household dry.

"Enough. Disperse."

Jiang Guiyuan then waved his hand.

The other clan elders left one after another, all excitedly discussing Jiang Xuan's seclusion.

Jiang Xuan was only fifteen this year and had practiced martial arts for merely half a year, yet he was already capable of attempting the True Martial Realm.

As long as they nurtured him with all their strength, it would not take many years before he could shelter the Jiang Clan.

If he could join the True Sun Sect as well, that would bring glory to their ancestors.

As for Jiang Chen, he was merely a pile of mud. No one held any hope for him.