paranoianovel Chapter 2 Clan Competition
Chapter 2 Clan Competition
Three days later, the Ling family held a competition.
The news spread throughout Qingzhou City, and even several small families in the surrounding area sent people to witness the ceremony.
Although the Ling family is a second-rate power in Qingzhou, they have produced several promising talents in recent years, especially Ling Hao from a collateral branch, who was already at the peak of the Body Tempering Realm at the age of eighteen, and is said to be just one step away from the Qi Gathering Realm. In this clan competition, the Ling family intends to showcase the strength of the younger generation to the outside world and build momentum for the upcoming "Qingzhou Sect Selection".
On the training ground, a high platform was erected, and colorful flags fluttered in the wind.
Elder Ling Tiefeng of the Ling family sat in the main seat, flanked by Elders Ling Tieshan and Ling Tiehe, as well as several elders of the clan. Representatives from various major families in Qingzhou City were present at the guest seats, whispering and sizing up the young members of the Ling family.
"I heard that the Ling family has produced a Ling Hao in this generation. He has a top-grade fire-type spiritual root and his future is limitless."
"Indeed. But I remember the young master of the Ling family... isn't he Ling Tianxiao's son?"
"Shh. That kid's name is Ling Chen. He hasn't awakened his spiritual root in five years. He's a useless cripple. He probably won't dare to show his face in a situation like today."
A few soft laughs rang out from the guests, full of schadenfreude.
Ling Tiefeng took all these words to heart, his expression remaining unchanged, though his hand holding the teacup tightened slightly for a moment.
"Elder, the time has come," the Second Elder, Ling Tieshan, reminded him in a low voice.
Ling Tiefeng put down his teacup, stood up, and announced loudly, "Gentlemen, today is the annual clan competition of my Ling family. The rules remain the same—all disciples at the Body Tempering Realm will draw lots to determine the winners, who will receive preferential treatment from the clan's resources. The top three will represent the Ling family in the Qingzhou sect selection next month."
As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of excited noise erupted in the training ground.
The Qingzhou sect selection! That's the only chance for ordinary cultivators to rise above their station. If one can join one of the major sects in Qingzhou, even as an outer disciple, it's enough to bring glory to one's ancestors.
"Now, let's begin the draw."
Ling Hao was the first to step forward, pulled out a bamboo stick from the divination tube, glanced at it, and a disdainful smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and announced loudly, "Good luck with the draw. First round, I'll be facing Ling Chen."
The entire room fell silent.
A burst of laughter immediately followed.
"Ling Chen? That piece of trash dares to sign up?"
"Isn't he not even at the early stage of Body Tempering? Go up there and get beaten up?"
"I don't think he'll dare to come at all."
Ling Hao crossed his arms, a playful smile on his face. He had deliberately chosen this lot—the clan competition list had been announced three days prior, and he had bribed the steward in charge of assigning the lots to place himself next to Ling Chen. He wanted to trample this so-called young master underfoot in front of the entire city.
"Where is Ling Chen?" Second Elder Ling Tieshan looked around, frowning. "If he is too cowardly to fight and fails to appear, according to clan rules, he should—"
"I am coming."
A calm voice rang out.
The crowd automatically separated.
Ling Chen, dressed in a faded blue robe, slowly walked into the martial arts arena. He didn't look at anyone, went straight to the drawing table, and took his own bamboo slip.
"Number 7 of the Geng series will face Ling Hao."
He read it casually, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.
Ling Hao narrowed his eyes.
For some reason, he felt that Ling Chen was different today than usual. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but those eyes lacked their usual restraint and timidity, and instead held something unsettling.
It's like... a blade.
No, that's not right. He's just a piece of trash, what kind of trouble could he possibly cause?
Ling Hao shook his head, suppressing the slight unease in his eyes, and sneered, "Ling Chen, it's not too late for you to admit defeat. Kneel down and kowtow three times, call me 'Brother Hao,' and I might go easy on you."
Ling Chen glanced at him.
There was no anger, no fear.
His gaze was calm to the point of being indifferent.
"No need."
He turned and walked towards the training area of the martial arts arena, his back straight as a pine tree.
-
The competition proceeded round after round.
Most of the younger generation of the Ling family were at the mid-stage of the Body Tempering Realm, with only a few at the higher level, drawing cheers from the audience. Ling Hao, in particular, decisively defeated two opponents, each in no more than three moves, drawing continuous praise from the spectators.
"With such a son in the Ling family, the future is bright!"
"A top-grade fire-type spiritual root, truly living up to its reputation."
Ling Hao basked in the adulation of the crowd, feeling triumphant and full of confidence.
Finally, it was the seventh game's turn.
"Number 7 of the Geng series, Ling Chen, versus number 3 of the Geng series, Ling Hao!"
As soon as the referee finished speaking, a chorus of boos erupted in the training ground.
Ling Chen stood up and walked to the center of the martial arts stage.
Across from him, Ling Hao was already waiting, arms crossed, looking down at him from above.
"Your last chance." Ling Hao grinned. "Kneel down and admit defeat."
Ling Chen did not respond.
He simply assumed a starting stance—the starting stance of the Ling family's basic boxing technique, "Wind-Breaking Fist."
This set of boxing techniques was first learned by the Ling family members at the age of ten, and it is the most basic introductory skill.
Ling Hao was stunned when he saw the starting stance, then burst into laughter.
"Wind-Breaking Fist? You want to fight me with the Wind-Breaking Fist? Hahahaha! Ling Chen, did you get your brain caught in a door—"
His laughter stopped abruptly before he could finish speaking.
Because Ling Chen moved.
There are no fancy footwork techniques, no complicated moves.
He took just one step, and threw a punch.
But that punch carried a power that made Ling Hao's scalp tingle.
How is that possible?!
Ling Hao didn't have time to think it through. He subconsciously activated his spiritual power and crossed his arms to block.
boom--
Fists collided, producing a dull, loud thud.
Ling Hao felt a brute force coming from his arms, and he was hit hard. He staggered back seven or eight steps before he could barely steady himself.
The entire room fell silent.
Everyone stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they were seeing.
Ling Hao, a peak Body Tempering Realm cultivator, was knocked back by Ling Chen with a single punch?
"you--"
Ling Hao was filled with shock and anger, and looked down at his arms.
His robe was torn to shreds, and a clear purplish-blue fist mark was visible on his bare arm.
"You awakened a spiritual root? Advanced Body Tempering Realm?" Ling Hao exclaimed, "This is impossible! You're clearly a piece of trash—"
Ling Chen did not answer.
He didn't even pursue; he simply stood still, maintaining the same unassuming starting stance.
"continue."
He said.
Those two words felt like two slaps to Ling Hao's face.
"You're asking for it!"
Ling Hao was furious.
He was truly enraged.
He disregarded the rules of the competition, frantically channeling his spiritual power, a faint red glow emanating from his body. Fire-type spiritual power condensed in his fists, and scorching waves of energy spread outwards.
"Raging Sun Fist!"
This is a superior martial art of the Ling family, which can only be learned by core disciples.
The crimson fist energy transformed into a fiery python, carrying astonishing heat, and slammed towards Ling Chen's face.
A gasp of surprise erupted from the audience.
Even a cultivator at the early stage of the Qi Gathering Realm wouldn't dare to take this punch head-on.
Ling Chen did not dodge.
He still took a step forward and threw a punch.
It was still that same Wind-Breaking Fist move.
This time, however, everyone sensed that something was wrong.
As that punch was thrown, a low hum filled the air, as if something was awakening.
Ling Hao's pupils suddenly contracted.
He saw it.
A faint blue light swirled around Ling Chen's fist. The light was extremely faint, yet it contained an aura that made his soul tremble.
What is that...?
boom--
The two fists collided, creating a shockwave that made the flags around the training ground flutter loudly.
Amidst the billowing smoke, a figure was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the martial arts stage, spitting out blood.
It's Ling Hao.
His right arm was twisted at an unnatural angle, clearly broken. His face was covered in blood, and his eyes were filled with disbelief.
Ling Chen remained completely still.
He slowly withdrew his fist, his blue robe untouched by a speck of dust.
"You..." Ling Hao struggled to say something, but spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.
The entire audience erupted in uproar.
The Second Elder, Ling Tieshan, suddenly stood up, his gaze towards Ling Chen filled with shock and gloom.
In the guest seats, representatives from various families stood up one after another, and the discussions surged like a tide.
"Defeated a peak Body Tempering cultivator with a single punch? What's Ling Chen's cultivation level?"
"Wasn't it said that he had no spiritual root?"
"Did you all see that blue light just now?"
No one answered.
Because no one could see it clearly.
Ling Tiefeng sat in the main seat, his fingers gripping the armrest slightly white. He looked at the young man below the stage, his gaze complex.
Ling Chen felt that gaze, but did not look up.
He simply walked to the unconscious Ling Hao, glanced down at him, and then turned around to face the hundreds of Ling family disciples in the martial arts arena.
Is anyone else here?
he asks.
The sound wasn't loud, but everyone could hear it clearly.
No one answered.
Those who had mocked and bullied him now lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.
Ling Chen waited for three breaths.
Then he turned around and walked out of the training ground.
No one dared to stop him.
Only when his figure disappeared at the end of the training ground did the oppressive atmosphere that had enveloped everyone slowly dissipate.
In the audience, someone whispered, "That young man... is he really the useless young master of the Ling family?"
No one answered.
Because this no longer needs an answer.
-
In the dilapidated courtyard.
Ling Chen pushed open the door, and Ling Xue was already waiting at the door, her little face full of worry.
"Brother! Are you alright? I heard you went up against Ling Hao—"
"It's nothing." Ling Chen ruffled his sister's hair, smiled, and said, "We won."
Ling Xue was stunned.
Then those big eyes quickly filled with tears.
"Really? Bro, you really won? That Ling Hao, the Ling Hao at the peak of Body Tempering?"
"Um."
Ling Xue buried her face in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Ling Chen gently patted her back without saying a word.
For five years, his younger sister endured countless cold stares and indifference alongside him. Now, she can finally walk with her head down no longer.
"Xue'er, pack your things."
"Hmm?" Ling Xue looked up, her eyes blurry with tears. "Where are we going?"
Ling Chen looked up at the sky.
In the night sky, stars appeared and disappeared, and a faint call seemed to emanate from the direction of the spirit world.
"Let's go where we're supposed to go."
He didn't say much.
Within his dantian, the ancient scroll was trembling slightly, as if responding to some distant call.
The second seal of the Myriad Paths Return to the Void Diagram is slowly loosening.
What he didn't know was that at the very moment he defeated Ling Hao, countless eyes were opening in the distant depths of the spirit realm.
One of them, deep and unfathomable, glowed with a dark red, blood-red light.
Mo Yuan sat on the pitch-black throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, a meaningful smile curving his lips.
"Heavenly Venerable."
"You're finally back."
-
[End of Chapter Two]
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