Hundred Clans Trial Battle

As the patriarch, Yang Jinhe held the Yang family's highest authority over life and death. Even a casual remark from him carried boundless majesty. All the more so when his voice had turned cold and his stance was already unmistakably clear. That single rhetorical question made the Eighth Elder's whole body tremble.

Was today's meeting related to Yang Chen?

Yang Jinhe had no intention of continuing to make things difficult for Eighth Master Yang. Sitting in the seat of honor with his hands behind his back, he said powerfully, "Yang Chen, come here!"

"Yes." Yang Chen stepped before Yang Jinhe.

Smiling, Yang Jinhe said, "Yang Chen, don't move. Let me take a rough look at your innate talent and bone structure."

For those who cultivated martial arts, innate talent and bone structure were especially important.

In the past, rumors had spread among the Yang family, and everyone believed Yang Chen's aptitude was terrible, that he could not cultivate martial arts. Thus, no one had ever truly examined his innate talent and bones. But who could have expected this day?

Yang Chen's performance yesterday had undoubtedly smashed those old rumors to pieces!

Therefore, as the Yang Family Patriarch, Yang Jinhe had no choice but to personally investigate Yang Chen's innate talent and bone structure.

Yang Chen did not resist such an examination.

After all, his own talent was there for all to see, so he truly had nothing to worry about. Besides, the Great Wilderness Hundred Clans inhabited a remote region. Unlike those powerful sects, their methods of testing aptitude were crude, and the results would not be overly precise.

Just as Yang Chen had expected, after examining him, Yang Jinhe's eyes lit up. "Indeed, not bad, not bad. Yang Chen, your talent and bone structure are both first-rate. Remember, do not forget your original purpose in cultivating martial arts because of yesterday's achievements. And even more so, do not waste the talent and bones Heaven has bestowed upon you."

"Yang Chen will remember the patriarch's teachings!" Yang Chen hastily said.

"No need for such ceremony. You are an adult now, and I believe you can distinguish right from wrong in certain matters yourself. Next, I have something important to tell you. It is also the topic of today's meeting, and it concerns you." Yang Jinhe's expression gradually turned solemn.

Everyone present also sharpened their attention.

Naturally, Yang Chen did not dare be careless. He could tell that this matter was of immense importance to the Yang family; he simply did not know what it was.

With his hands behind his back and a blank expression, Yang Jinhe said, "I believe all of you have some understanding of the Hundred Clans Trial War."

"The Hundred Clans Trial War?"

"The Trial War? So it is this matter... could it be..."

Yang Jinhe said stiffly, "Indeed, you guessed correctly. The Hundred Clans Trial War is about to begin."

"Could it be that those bandits caused our Yang family so much trouble yesterday because of the approaching Hundred Clans Trial War?"

"Of course." Yang Jinhe said coldly, "Yesterday, I was still wondering why those bandits were so intent on causing trouble for our Yang family, and why they specifically targeted our talented youths. Just as doubts arose in my heart, those great clans came to the Yang family last night for overnight discussions. Only then did I learn that the Hundred Clans Trial War was about to begin."

Standing to one side, Yang Chen was puzzled. "Patriarch, what exactly is this Hundred Clans Trial War?"

"It is normal that you do not know of it. The Hundred Clans Trial War is a method by which the Great Wilderness Hundred Clans distribute resources," Yang Jinhe said slowly.

"Distribute resources? How does that work?" Yang Chen was taken aback.

Yang Jinhe said earnestly, "This matter is related to Demon Beast Mountain. Yang Chen, your sister often goes in and out of the outer perimeter of Demon Beast Mountain, so I believe you know about this. But what you know is only one part of it. Demon Beast Mountain is a treasure trove. Of course, ordinary people can only enter its outer perimeter!"

"What about the inner area?" Yang Chen grew even more curious.

"The inner area is guarded by the Great Wilderness Hundred Clans," Yang Jinhe said.

"Guarded? Why?" Yang Chen did not understand.

Yang Jinhe laughed. "Because the inner area of Demon Beast Mountain is the heart of its treasures. Demon Beast Mountain is filled with demon beasts, but it is also full of heavenly treasures and earthly wonders. Many medicinal herbs and resources grow better there! Thus, every year, the clans of the Great Wilderness try every possible means to enter Demon Beast Mountain and fight over its internal resources."

"But such struggles would cause untold casualties. Therefore, the Twelve Great Clans jointly proposed ending the conflicts and using another method to determine the distribution of Demon Beast Mountain's resources!"

Yang Chen stroked his chin. "Could this method of distribution be the Hundred Clans Trial War the patriarch just mentioned?"

"Exactly!" Seeing how perceptive Yang Chen was, Yang Jinhe revealed a gratified smile. "The Hundred Clans Trial Battle is this alternative method of distribution. The Great Wilderness Hundred Clans hold a competition among youths under fifteen from each clan. Great clans may send three talented youths to participate in the Hundred Clans Trial War, while medium-sized clans like ours may only send two, and small clans may only send one!"

Yang Chen nodded. It was only normal for great clans to enjoy certain privileges in this regard.

Yang Jinhe continued, "And in the Trial War, the talented youths who place in the top thirty may represent their Lineage and enter Demon Beast Mountain to freely gather its internal resources. Yang Chen, do you understand the significance of this?"

"In the past five years, the best result our Yang family achieved was only twenty-first place in the Trial War!"

"Yes. After that time, our Yang family never entered Demon Beast Mountain again," someone echoed.

"Have we truly failed to reach the top thirty in the Hundred Clans Trial Battle even once over these past five years?" Yang Chen could not help asking.

"How could it be so easy?" Yang Jinhe sighed bitterly. "Those great clans may each send three carefully trained geniuses. The twelve great clans alone account for thirty-six people. It can be said that every year, the top thirty spots are nearly monopolized by the great clans! Medium-sized and small clans can only slip through the cracks."

Yang Chen drew a deep breath, yet he could not refute it. If your strength was inferior to others, you could only slip through the cracks.

The key was that, from Yang Jinhe's words, it was obvious that even slipping through the cracks was difficult.

Second Master Yang said heavily, "The geniuses cultivated by our medium-sized clans are still a notch below those raised by the great clans. Last year, we fell just a little short. No matter what, we have not entered Demon Beast Mountain for five years. Our resources could easily run dry. This year, we must find a way to enter Demon Beast Mountain once more!"

At that moment, everyone's gaze fell upon Yang Chen.

With a solemn expression, Yang Jinhe said, "Yang Chen, you understand the importance of the Hundred Clans Trial Battle now, don't you? It will determine the Yang family's future. If our Yang family still cannot enter Demon Beast Mountain this year, there will be a severe gap in our ability to cultivate talented youths!"

Yang Chen pondered briefly, then said slowly, "Patriarch, do you want me to participate in this Hundred Clans Trial Battle?"

"You are more outstanding than any Yang family genius from previous years." Yang Jinhe said with great expectation, "Therefore, Yang Chen, you will represent the Yang family in battle. Whether we can obtain the resources within Demon Beast Mountain will all depend on you."