Chapter 59

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Chen Zong held a sword in one hand and a two-hundred-jin heavy bronze medicine cauldron in the other, walking briskly toward the Chen family hall under the curious gazes of passersby.

"Nine-turns blood-restoring pill... one million white jade coins... seven-leaf blood lotus... two million white jade coins..." As he walked, Chen Zong pondered.

Prices in the millions of white jade coins were far too high for him at the moment.

Even for the entire Chen family, one million white jade coins was a significant burden.

As for the opportunity Qian Huan proposed afterward, Chen Zong rejected it without hesitation.

The Dingtian Pavilion did all kinds of business, some of which were very dangerous, so they needed to cultivate their own martial artists. Qian Huan saw Chen Zong's talent and wanted him to sign the Dingtian Contract.

The content of the contract was that from the day of signing, Chen Zong would become a member of the Dingtian Pavilion, receiving training and assignments from them. To be honest, the Dingtian Pavilion was much larger and more prosperous than the Chen family, and getting their training would be a great blessing. The problem was the duration of the Dingtian Contract, which was a full thirty years.

Even for a True Martial Realm martial artist, a natural lifespan was only about a hundred years, so thirty years was a very long time.

However, if signing the Dingtian Contract could immediately get him the nine-turns blood-restoring pill, Chen Zong wouldn't hesitate. But according to Qian Huan, he would need to receive training from the Dingtian Pavilion and complete assigned tasks. If he performed well enough, he could obtain the nine-turns blood-restoring pill within three years, and even the seven-leaf blood lotus might be possible.

Being restricted for thirty years and not being able to immediately get the nine-turns blood-restoring pill, and even after several years of effort, there was no guarantee, Chen Zong naturally wouldn't agree. He also further understood the Dingtian Pavilion's survival philosophy: they didn't do losing deals but tried to maximize their benefits.

Returning to his room in the clan hall, Chen Zong put away the bronze medicine cauldron he bought for one thousand white jade coins and the herbs worth six thousand six hundred white jade coins.

"Chen Zong, the elite disciples' challenge is ready and is scheduled for 9:00 AM tomorrow. Please be on time," someone came to inform him shortly after he returned to his room.

"I understand," Chen Zong nodded.

After practicing the True Sword Heaven-Defying Technique, Chen Zong washed up and went to sleep.

...

Before dawn, Chen Zong got up, washed up, practiced the True Sword Heaven-Defying Technique for a while, had breakfast, and then went to a corner of the training ground to practice his sword.

Just before nine o'clock, Chen Zong headed to the challenge location, which was not far, a platform between the Earth Courtyard and the Heaven Courtyard, surrounded by many clan hall disciples.

"It's Chen Zong, he's here."

"Although Chen Zong is listed as one of the four young heroes of the Wind Martial, he has only been practicing for a short time. Challenging elite disciples is too presumptuous."

"I also think so, and he even wants to challenge Chen He and Chen Xia in succession."

"Clueless." Chen Zhong glanced at the speaker and smiled coldly.

More than a month ago, Chen Zong could slay a first-class superior demon beast, the Iron-Backed Green Wolf, and survive for over a month in the Dragon Subduing Mountain. His strength was definitely much stronger, and ordinary Sixth Layer Blood Qi Realm martial artists were no match for him.

Chen He and Chen Xia were indeed very powerful, but their cultivation was also at the peak of the Sixth Layer Blood Qi Realm. Chen Zong might not be unable to fight them.

"Chen Zong, your application to challenge Chen He and Chen Xia has been approved. Now, you can choose one to challenge first," the official on the platform said, his voice silencing the many discussions.

Chen Xia smiled at Chen Zong, while Chen He had a gloomy face, his eyes filled with disdain.

"I will challenge Chen He first," Chen Zong scanned the crowd, smiled at Chen Xia, and then looked at Chen He.

"Overestimating yourself," Chen He sneered, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Previously, Chen Zong had rejected him, and then he lost face at the Ascending Dragon Assembly, which made Chen He harbor resentment. He had people try to cause trouble for Chen Zong, but it didn't work out, and he had been holding a grudge. When he heard that Chen Zong had died in the Dragon Subduing Mountain, he had celebrated with a lot of wine.

"Challenging me is your biggest mistake," Chen He jumped onto the platform, laughing sinisterly. This was a good opportunity to teach Chen Zong a lesson, and he could be a bit harsh.

Putting on boxing gloves, Chen He spread his arms like a white crane spreading its wings, leaped up, and flew like a crane, making a sharp and loud sound as he dived down, his arms flapping like wings, creating multiple illusions, all aimed at Chen Zong.

The Foundation Establishment Fist Technique—White Crane Fist.

This fist technique was not a clan hall technique, but it was quite powerful. After years of practice, Chen He had a hint of transcending the perfected realm.

Sword light rose, a sharp eagle's cry echoed through the sky, piercing metal and splitting stone.

The Subtle Realm Eagle Strike Sword Technique, like a majestic eagle circling, extended its sharp claws and fiercely grabbed at Chen He.

Eagle and crane fought!

The techniques were evenly matched.

Chen He's talent was average, but he had practiced for a longer time and had experienced many life-and-death battles, making his combat experience and strength considerable.

"Chen Zong can actually fight Chen He to a draw?"

"Incredible."

The spectators below were amazed.

Hearing the exclamations, Chen He's face turned even uglier. He activated the second level of the Fierce Tiger Technique, his Blood Qi power surging, his strength greatly increased, each strike having the force of four thousand jin, easily shattering large rocks.

The True Sword Heaven-Defying Technique activated, Chen Zong's Blood Qi power surged, his strength greatly increased, though still a thousand jin weaker than Chen He, his sword technique was more advanced.

"White Crane Palm—Three Pecks!"

The first level of the Human Rank Lower Grade White Crane Palm, the Three Pecks, had reached the minor accomplishment stage. His strikes were merciless, the sharp sound piercing the ears, as if piercing through the eardrums.

In an instant, Chen He's hand formed a white crane's beak, pecking three times in quick succession, transforming into three sharp cones, each strike having the force of over four thousand jin, extremely terrifying.

The official's face changed, seeing that Chen He was striking mercilessly. If Chen Zong were hit, he would surely be seriously injured.

Chen Zong's sword flashed, eight dazzling sword lights merging into four, then two, and finally one, shining brilliantly, as if slicing through the air.

Under the sword light, the Three Pecks were instantly shattered, the dimming sword light directly striking Chen He, sending him flying. A wound ran from his left shoulder to his right waist, blood spurting out.

"You... you are so ruthless..." Chen He struggled to stand up, his face pale and frightened, pointing at Chen Zong with a stern voice, applying medicine to stop the bleeding, and quickly leaving.

Chen Zong just glanced at him coldly, ignoring him.

That strike, he had held back some force, causing only flesh wounds. Otherwise, a single strike would have severed and killed him.

The crowd looked at Chen Zong with a mix of admiration and fear.

"Next is Chen Xia. Chen Zong, do you want to rest for a moment?" the official asked, not paying attention to Chen He, as Chen He had struck mercilessly first, and the official could see that Chen Zong had held back at the last moment.

"Clan brother, if I'm not mistaken, the sword technique you just used was the second level of the Light Splitting Sword Technique, and it had reached the major accomplishment stage," Chen Xia smiled and said.

"Clan brother has good eyesight," Chen Zong smiled.

"Although I know I'm not your match, I still hope to spar with you, using Foundation Establishment martial arts," Chen Xia smiled freely. His strength was slightly better than Chen He's, but not by much, and he knew he wasn't Chen Zong's match, but he was a bit itchy.

"Please." Since it was a Foundation Establishment martial arts spar, it wouldn't consume much Blood Qi power.

Chen Xia practiced a saber technique, his saber a precious iron saber, shining brightly. His saber technique was continuous, almost reaching the Subtle Realm.

Chen Zong used the Willow Breeze Sword Technique to respond, with the intention of guiding Chen Xia to see if he could seize the opportunity and reach the Subtle Realm.

Unfortunately, after the battle, Chen Xia's insight was limited, and he did not break through.

"Thank you, clan brother. I admit defeat." Chen Xia sheathed his saber and stepped back. Sparring with Chen Zong, he had also hoped to break through, but unfortunately, it didn't happen.

"Chen Zong, you defeated Chen He and Chen Xia. You can choose a small courtyard. Which one do you want?" the official nodded, the best situation being that clan hall disciples could compete and remain united.

"Number One Small Courtyard." Chen Zong said without hesitation.

"Chen Xia, go back and pack up, and move out of Number One Small Courtyard," the official said to Chen Xia, then looked at Chen Zong, "Chen Zong, you can also prepare to move in."

"Official, can I apply to challenge Chen He?" Chen Xia smiled.

"Um..." Chen Zong was speechless, and the official was also helpless, "I will notify Chen He to move out first. Once he recovers, he can challenge you."

"Thank you, official." Chen Xia smiled.

The disciples around the platform, whether from the Heaven Courtyard or the Earth Courtyard, looked at Chen Zong with amazement and reverence.

It was hard to imagine that Chen Zong's strength was so great, already the best in the clan hall.

Especially those who entered the clan hall with Chen Zong felt like they were in a dream.

Chen Fenghua, Chen Guzhan, and others smiled bitterly, Chen Yidao and Chen Yurao were already numb, Chen Zhigang was completely stunned, no longer daring to compete with Chen Zong, let alone teach him a lesson.

"Clan brother, I'll help you move your things," Chen Xia smiled.

"I'll help too," Chen Zhong also joined in.

Chen Zong's belongings were not many, just a bed, some bedding, and a large bag of herbs and a bronze medicine cauldron.

"Clan brother, you have a medicine cauldron. Do you want to refine medicine?" Chen Xia looked at Chen Zong with a strange expression.

"Just a hobby," Chen Zong smiled, not saying more, and Chen Xia didn't press further.

The three of them each carried some things, left the room, and headed to the Number One Small Courtyard in the elite area.

Stepping into the familiar courtyard again, Chen Zong felt a bit excited.

"Clan brother Chen Xia, where did the heavy iron balls and other things in the courtyard go?" Chen Zong asked, scanning the area.

"Clan brother knows?" Chen Xia realized, "I forgot, you once came here to practice sword with Chuyun. It seems your purpose in challenging me was not to be the best in the clan hall, but to get this courtyard. I didn't throw those things away; I stored them in the storage room."

"Thank you, clan brother." Chen Zong said gratefully.

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