"It's still early, so let's hunt a few more prey before heading home," Jian Ning thought as he rushed into the dense forest to track new targets.
Naturally, Jian Ning isn't reckless enough to challenge formidable beasts like the saber-toothed tiger or even more powerful creatures. Although he had won the previous fight without much difficulty, that confrontation had still cost him dearly in terms of spiritual energy for such a small reward.
Therefore, Jian Ning prefers to hunt beasts of mid-level rank 2 or early rank 2, which are much easier to handle and take down.
Time passed quickly. In addition to hunting, Jian Ning had taken the time to have lunch amidst the wild nature. It is currently 2 PM, and Jian Ning had just finished his meal, regaining his strength before continuing his quest in the mysterious forest.
"It is time for me to go home. I am curious to know who won the family competition and who will take the other places for the Lingyun Sect trials," Jian Ning thought as he finished eating the prey he had just hunted.
Of course, Jian Ning already knew the answer.
How could the son of fortune not win? Obviously, Jian Ning was practically sure that it was Jian Shi who had won.
Jian Ning had already experienced the benefits of great luck. After all, even though he had Ling's help, Jian Ning strangely headed directly towards the spirit sword tree initially, as if guided by an invisible force.
Thus, he did not doubt that a person with as much luck as Jian Shi could easily win this competition, even though Jian Ning still did not understand why his brother hadn't had this amount of luck before. Did it appear suddenly? Or had it been sealed like his own?
If it was the latter, then who had sealed it? And why had they done it?
-----------------------------
While Jian Ning was enjoying the spirit sword fruits, in the Jian family, the tournament to select places for the Lingyun Sect trials had already reached its final stage.
"The final of the competition starts now. It pits Jian Shi, who is at rank 7 of Body Tempering, against Jian Wang, who is at rank 9 of Body Tempering," said the second elder loudly, his voice echoing through the arena.
As the two young men faced each other in the arena, the first young man displayed an aura of rank 9 of Body Tempering, with sword-shaped eyebrows, starry eyes, a pointed chin, and a clean, fair face. This was Jian Wang, the son of the first elder, known for his arrogance and fierce combat skills.
The second young man had more common features. Only his eyes stood out with their brilliant golden color, which would even put the sun to shame. This young man was obviously Jian Shi, who had recently risen in prominence within the family.
"Trash! I don't know what kind of dog luck you have, but after all, trash remains trash. Even if you manage to cultivate, you are far from comparable to me. As long as you leave the arena, I will leave you alone," Jian Wang taunted, his voice dripping with contempt and scorn.
"Leave the arena?! Who said I was going to lose?!!" said Jian Shi, looking at Jian Wang with a provocative and defiant gaze, his eyes blazing with determination and an unyielding spirit.
"Haha, if trash like you manages to defeat me, Jian Wang, I am no longer a man," declared Jian Wang with a tone full of ridicule and contempt, confident in his superiority.
In response, Jian Shi just looked at him coldly with a deep anger in his eyes, a dark fury simmering beneath the surface.
Seeing that Jian Shi did not respond, Jian Wang thought he was scared and took Jian Shi's silence as a victory. He wanted to twist the knife in the wound by taunting him again, further humiliating him in front of the spectators.
But before he could say anything, he was interrupted by the second elder who announced the start of the fight: "Begin!!" shouted the second elder at the top of his lungs, his voice resonating across the arena.
The voice of the second elder carried on the wind to the finalists and the spectators. At this signal, Jian Shi and Jian Wang leaped at each other, their movements swift and decisive.
"Burning Monkey Fist!" shouted Jian Wang as he launched himself with his right fist, which immediately burst into flames, creating an intense heat wave that rippled through the air.
The spectators were quite surprised to see Jian Wang use this technique so early in the fight, as it was known to be Jian Wang's trump card, a technique he usually reserved for desperate situations.
"Wow! The young master is already using 'Burning Monkey Fist,' which is a high-level technique," whispered one spectator, clearly impressed.
"It looks like he wants to end this fight quickly," another commented, nodding in agreement.
"Jian Shi doesn't stand a chance against the young master's attack," a bold onlooker declared, certain of Jian Wang's victory.
The crowd began to whisper, and some bold ones even started to ridicule Jian Shi, mocking his apparent disadvantage.
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Meanwhile, Jian Shi observed Jian Wang's attack with a frigid, impassive stare before raising his hands, executing mysterious movements akin to a dance.
"Sky Crumbling Palm," Jian Shi murmured, his palms radiating a dazzling golden light.
Woush!
Jian Shi swung his palms, unleashing a gust of wind.
Observing Jian Shi's employment of an unfamiliar martial technique, Jian Wang began to mock: "Haha! Do you truly believe your unknown technique can rival my 'Fiery Monkey Fist'?"
"You'll soon find out!" Jian Shi retorted, his first words since the skirmish's onset.
Boom!
Their attacks collided, resulting in a monumental explosion.
A cloud of dust billowed in the arena.
"Who do you think emerged victorious?"
"Undoubtedly the young master!!"
"Despite Jian Shi's stroke of luck, he remains significantly behind the young master."
"Yes, except for Jian Ning, the young master is the brightest among our generation."
As the dust gradually settled, the audience below vigorously discussed the outcome. Their collective astonishment was palpable.
The scene unveiled a gravely injured Jian Wang sprawled on the ground, while Jian Shi stood over him, his palms stained with blood and a few beads of sweat adorning his brow.
"It appears your lofty words have amounted to naught. You deemed me trash earlier, but now that you've fallen to me, what does that make you?!" Jian Shi taunted, regarding Jian Wang with undisguised contempt.
Meanwhile, Jian Wang, confronted with Jian Shi's scornful demeanor, nearly choked on a mouthful of blood.
How could he, Jian Wang, accustomed to ridiculing others, now find himself subjected to scorn and ridicule by what he deemed trash?!! Unacceptable!!
Gazing toward his father, Jian Wang pleaded, "Father, avenge me!!"
Enraged beyond measure at his son's plight, his father's fury surged.
"You insolent wretch, daring to harm and humiliate my son!! Do not presume that your father or adoptive brother can shield you from retribution!!" the eldest bellowed, leaping from his seat to launch a lethal assault on Jian Shi.
Thus ensued a ferocious battle between the fourth and eldest, concluding with the former's victory, fueled by the consumption of a fruit obtained by Jian Shi to achieve a breakthrough.
Nevertheless, Jian Shi bore the wounds inflicted by the eldest's onslaught.
Ultimately, the tournament concluded, yielding the following rankings:
— — — — — — — — —
No. 1 - Jian Shi
No. 2 - Jian Wang
No. 3 - Jian Mei
No. 4 - Jian Wei
...
No. 14 - Jian Gu.
— — — — — — — — —