The Banquet

After hearing Zhang Youde out, Chen Yiming suddenly spotted a flaw in his plan.

He had intended to stay at the Praying Mantis Snake Sword Academy, draw out the full potential of Mantis Snake Swordsmanship, and reach the same level as the academy master.

But becoming a Core Disciple alone would leave him stuck at his ninth Body Metamorphosis, with no technique to take him further. Only if he were chosen as the academy's successor would he be taught the missing portion needed to break through to the Warrior Realm.

Below the third Body Metamorphosis, showing genius-level potential was like being a high school student in his previous life. Even a top scorer on the college entrance exam would soon be forgotten.

At the sixth Body Metamorphosis, showing that same potential was more like being a young PhD with a reputation. People would start paying serious attention.

As for the ninth Body Metamorphosis, anyone who broke through to the Warrior Realm would become a rising top-tier power all on their own. It was like being a renowned scientist in some field in his previous life: one wrong move, and foreign forces might try to assassinate him.

Unless he was willing to expose himself in the future, he would have to find a technique for breaking through to the Warrior Realm on his own.

"What exactly do we do?" Chen Yiming asked, interested.

Working with Zhang Youde did not mean joining the fight over the Swordsmanship. This upheaval in the Li Family was bound to draw plenty of skilled swordsmen, and Chen Yiming wanted to test his true fighting strength against them.

"If you're interested, do you have time now? We can head straight to the Li Family Manor and I'll show you around," Zhang Youde suggested.

Chen Yiming nodded. Zhang Youde called a waiter over to settle the bill, and the two set off.

Before long, Zhang Youde brought Chen Yiming near the Li Family Manor.

"Look. That's the Li Family Manor," Zhang Youde said, pointing ahead.

Chen Yiming followed his finger and saw a cluster of two- and three-story buildings.

Isn't that just a row of townhouses? he thought.

The Manor covered roughly ten acres and was decorated in an old-fashioned style. Servants stood guard at the main gate.

"Now look at those people over there." Zhang Youde pointed in another direction.

Several people in leather armor, armed with sharp weapons, were openly watching the Li Family Manor.

"The Li Family controls most of the shops along the roads around the Manor," Zhang Youde explained.

Chen Yiming looked at the nearby shops and found that most were operating as usual. Thanks to the Li Family's presence, this district had evidently maintained normal order.

"What properties are we after?" Chen Yiming asked quietly.

"Homes, shops, companies. Is there anything you particularly want?" Rather than answer at once, Zhang Youde asked for his preference.

Chen Yiming fell silent and weighed his options.

He thought for nearly a minute.

"Shops, then. In the city center, if possible," Chen Yiming said.

Shops in the city center were largely unaffected by unexpected trouble, unless it was serious enough to engulf all of East Lake City.

"Shops in the city center might be hard to secure. Our strength is a bit lacking, and we're mostly relying on the reputations of the forces behind us. I can only do my best," Zhang Youde said earnestly.

Zhang Youde then took Chen Yiming on a circuit around the Manor. Chen Yiming took note of the surroundings wherever they went.

"The Li Family is holding a banquet around six tonight to discuss dividing up its properties. Do you want to come in with me?" Zhang Youde asked.

Chen Yiming checked the time. It was almost five in the afternoon.

"How about we meet back here at five thirty? I'll go home first," Chen Yiming suggested.

He planned to buy a new outfit and keep it ready in case he had a chance to use it.

"All right, five thirty. I'll ask around about the Li Family's properties some more," Zhang Youde said with a nod.

After parting from Zhang Youde, Chen Yiming went home and told his family he had something to do that night and they should eat dinner without him. Then he hurried to the shopping district in the city center and picked out a black outfit for moving at night.

At six o'clock sharp, inside the Manor's great hall.

Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, exquisite porcelain stood in every corner, and the wooden floor was made entirely of fine timber.

Li Tiancheng looked down at the crowd gathered in the hall, his face dark.

He was the eldest son of Li Changhe, who had died unexpectedly after reaching his seventh Body Metamorphosis. Li Tiancheng had been the leading choice for the next head of the family, but on his very first day in charge, he faced losing most of the family's properties.

Chen Yiming and Zhang Youde stood in a corner, speaking quietly.

"Junior Brother Chen, I've told the Li Family which shops we want. They've agreed in principle. The shops are near the Praying Mantis Snake Sword Academy's headquarters, but there aren't many—only three in total," Zhang Youde said in a low voice.

"Three is fine. I have no objections," Chen Yiming replied.

"Why are there so many people here? No matter how much the Li Family owns, there can't be enough to go around," Chen Yiming asked quietly.

Nearly a hundred people had entered the hall. It was normally spacious enough for performances, but now it felt cramped. No one dared speak too loudly for fear of being overheard.

"There are probably a dozen or so factions. Many brought their younger family members to broaden their horizons. My family is one of them." Zhang Youde pointed out his third uncle, Zhang Ziyi.

"Will giving up most of its properties be enough for the Li Family to keep the Swordsmanship?" Chen Yiming asked.

He wanted to use the opportunity to learn more of the inside story from Zhang Youde.

"Of course not. Giving up most of its properties only buys the support of a dozen or so Mid-sized Martial Arts Families, enough to help the Li Family hold its ground among those at the third through fifth Body Metamorphosis.

"As for the incomplete Warrior-level Sword Technique, the Li Family plans to give it to Zheng Qiming of the Zheng Family, also in the south of the city, in exchange for the Zheng Family's protection," Zhang Youde continued.

The Zheng Family was one of East Lake City's seven great Martial Arts Clans. It had a Warrior Realm fighter and several experts at their ninth Body Metamorphosis. A new Warrior Realm fighter emerged every generation or two, ensuring the family's survival.

"So they've found a backer and given up their share. Sounds like there's nothing worth watching." Chen Yiming's interest waned.

He had expected something like the novels he had read: a contest where the winners chose first until everything had been divided.

"The division of the properties is more or less settled, but there might still be a good show later," Zhang Youde said with a chuckle.

"What kind of show?"

"Even an incomplete Warrior-level technique might offer useful insights. There are always unaffiliated experts stuck in the Apprentice Realm who are willing to risk offending the Zheng Family to get their hands on it.

"Once someone reaches their seventh or eighth Body Metamorphosis, they generally need to start thinking about a technique for breaking through to the Warrior Realm. If they wait until their ninth to start looking, it'll be too late," Zhang Youde explained.

Every realm on the path of cultivation had an age limit. The ninth Body Metamorphosis in the Apprentice Realm merely slowed the body's aging. Once someone passed the prime age for cultivation, breaking through any further was almost impossible.