Gathering of Heroes

"Today is the Family Grand Competition. This time, it could be called unprecedentedly grand. I heard even the Su Family Patriarch will come to watch."

"This competition is far fiercer than before. Shen Li, Shen Hong, and Shen Qingkong are all Qi Refining Sixth Layer experts—it will be a clash of dragons and tigers."

"Did you forget Shen Feng? He is the uncrowned king of the younger generation."

"Brother, your news is outdated. Shen Feng broke through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining long ago. There is no suspense at all over first place."

"My heavens! Shen Feng is only twenty-three, right? He has already broken through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining. He has the potential to reach Golden Core!"

"..."

Everyone was discussing the Family Grand Competition, commenting on the top experts of the younger generation.

Among them, Shen Feng received the most attention. The other geniuses might also have shone brightly, but compared to him, they were as different as clouds and mud.

Besides Shen Feng, the three Qi Refining Sixth Layer experts were also frequently mentioned.

Shen Li and Shen Hong were both captains of the Guard Team. They were proficient in swordsmanship and skilled in the path of slaughter, and like Shen Feng, they belonged to the Lightning Vein.

Shen Qingkong, meanwhile, was proficient in spell arts. It was said that he had cultivated the Earth Wall Technique and Wood Spear Technique to Minor Achievement. With both offense and defense at his command, his combat strength surpassed the other two.

However, he was the Wind Vein's sole pillar, making him seem somewhat isolated and alone.

Aside from these renowned figures, several dark horses also received particular attention.

"I heard Shen Qingruo is participating too. Competing after cultivating for just a year seems a little too hasty."

"What do you know! Miss Qingruo has already broken through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. Her talent is beyond anything you can imagine."

"It seems Miss Qingruo truly possesses the legendary spirit body. Perhaps she can rise into the top ten."

Shen Qingruo's reputation had risen sharply. Many claimed that she was the Shen Family's greatest genius, and even Shen Feng had not spoken out to deny it.

A voice suddenly rang out. "Do not forget Shen Yun. He is that monster who cultivated to the Qi Refining Third Layer in just one month."

"Who is Shen Yun? Why have I never heard of him?"

Many people looked bewildered. Shen Yun had only revealed his cultivation during the family test, and his reputation circulated only among the newcomers.

As his deeds spread, some know-it-alls could not help but change expressions.

A youthful genius, praised by the First Elder, with poor results in the spirit root test—only to rise again afterward, suppressing a Dual Spirit Root genius and stealing the spotlight alone.

One matter after another was brought up. It sounded like some fantastical street-stall fiction, leaving everyone staring at one another.

"You are not making up stories, are you? This is too fantastical."

Someone voiced his doubts. The speaker immediately pointed into the crowd and shouted, "That is Shen Qiu, the one Shen Yun suppressed. Every word I said is true."

Following his voice, everyone looked over and saw Shen Qiu standing out from the crowd like a crane among chickens. Clad in a black robe, his face was dark as water, carrying the air of an unfathomable genius.

"It really is Shen Qiu. I heard he possesses a Dual Spirit Root and is a top genius of the Lightning Vein."

"To surpass Shen Qiu, Shen Yun is indeed extraordinary. Perhaps he may achieve excellent results in the competition."

"..."

Shen Qiu crossed his arms over his chest, his expression arrogant. A bunch of ignorant fools. Today, I will prove who is superior.

During this time, he had kept a low profile, painstakingly honing his cultivation on Misty Peak, all to wash away his past humiliation in the competition.

"To fuse spiritual power in the Qi Refining Realm, one must cultivate multiple cultivation methods to the realm of mastery and comprehend the Great Five Elements Dao. This is a domain only Peerless Heavenly Talents can enter."

"However, you possess the Nine Nether Spirit Body and can contain all negative forces. As long as you taint your spiritual power with demonic nature, you can control and fuse spiritual power."

Under Azure Venerable's guidance, Shen Qiu had finally cultivated Gold-Fire Spiritual Power at the final moment. Though he had only fused a tenth of it through a trick, his combat strength had undergone a heaven-overturning transformation.

The competition was held at the Martial Arts Arena at the foot of the mountain. By the time Shen Yun arrived, the enormous Stone Platform was already surrounded three layers deep and three layers beyond.

Numerous young geniuses had gathered together, poised and ready to strike.

"Shen Feng is here. Such a powerful aura—he truly seems to have broken through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining."

Dressed in black like ink, Shen Feng strode forward. Every gesture of his was grand and imposing, and everyone was won over by his bearing.

"Shen Li and Shen Hong have appeared too. They joined the Guard Team years ago and possess extremely rich combat experience. They are strong contenders for the top three."

The two tall young men stood before the platform and looked like brothers, but their appearances were actually worlds apart. Shen Li's facial lines were harder and more rugged, while Shen Hong had delicate brows and eyes, making him somewhat androgynous.

Yet their temperaments were far too similar, both carrying the chilling murderous air forged through blood and rain, making them difficult to tell apart.

"Shen Qingkong is still so low-key. I nearly failed to notice him."

In a corner before the platform stood a slender youth with light brows, large eyes, and thin lips. Though handsome, he had little presence, like sunlight itself—right before one's eyes, yet making people instinctively forget it existed.

As the Four Great Experts competed on the same stage, the audience's anticipation was instantly pushed to its peak.

A cry of surprise suddenly came from the crowd. "Look, Miss Qingruo is here!"

Shen Yun looked ahead and, in an instant, met a pair of bright eyes.

Her brows and eyes were like a painting, her face like peach blossoms. A year had passed, and Shen Qingruo had changed greatly. Her slightly matured features had become even more captivating—elegant and lively, like a snow lotus atop Heavenly Mountain, unforgettable at first sight.

Shen Yun walked over and stopped beside her. He had much he wanted to say, but in the end, it became only one sentence.

"I am very good."

Shen Qingruo said the same words almost at the same time. Perhaps guessing what the other wanted to ask, they spoke in perfect unison, as though their hearts understood one another.

The two could not help smiling at each other.

As the Patriarch and five elders arrived, the atmosphere was instantly ignited.

At the same time, Su Yu arrived alongside Su Yu'er. Shen Leiyuan wore a broad smile as he invited them to take a seat together.

"The rumors were true. The Su Family Patriarch has come here to watch the competition."

"That person is Su Yu'er, right? I heard she is the Su Family's greatest genius, already possessing Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivation at sixteen. I wonder whether it is true."

"..."

With a wave of Shen Leiyuan's hand, the noisy venue gradually quieted, and every gaze gathered on the High Platform.

"Today is the day of the Shen Family Grand Competition. All of you present are the Shen Family's future. I hope you can display your abilities and achieve excellent results in this competition..."

Shen Leiyuan gave his opening remarks. When he spoke of the rewards, everyone held their breath...

"...Fourth through tenth place: thirty thousand Contribution Points and one first-tier high-grade Magic Tool. Second and third place: one hundred thousand Contribution Points, one second-tier Magic Tool, and one bottle of high-grade Qi Replenishing Pills. Top of the Ranking: two hundred thousand Contribution Points and a piece of high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill."

The venue erupted with sharp intakes of breath. The generosity of these rewards exceeded everyone's imagination.

"Let it begin already. I can barely wait."

The many contestants rubbed their hands together, ready to display their grand ambitions.

"The competition begins!"