"Your eldest senior uncle, Chen Qiusheng, a Grandmaster, is approaching the Innate Realm."
Hong Tianbao coughed violently and took a sip of the medicinal soup handed by his young apprentice.
"He originally had three apprentices. I killed one, so two are left. One is called Lu Zheng, no need to worry about him."
"The other is called Wang Tianlong; his Spiritual Domain has reached the level of a Grandmaster, only lacking the body like a furnace."
He looked at the frail young man with a complex expression, neither shocked nor startled.
When one faces things far beyond imagination, shock and astonishment seem so powerless, not even leaving room for amazement.
Numbness.
"Drink slowly," Zhang Fusheng advised, kicking a piece of broken wood on the floor.
He said calmly:
"So, my main competitor is this Wang Tianlong?"
"And also your second senior uncle’s eldest disciple, Jin Qiuyue."
The fat old man sighed again:
"So-called competition..."
He briefly described the relationships between him and the two other senior uncles, down to the master Yuan Feidao...
Raising insects, competing, fighting.
He narrated the matters one by one.
Zhang Fusheng, Chen Yuque, and Lin Dongxi listened silently, gaining some vague understanding.
"So..."
Zhang Fusheng muttered thoughtfully:
"The competition day is February 9 next year. Among us apprentices, whoever wins will get the master’s full inheritance?"
He squinted slightly, suspecting that the inheritance might include the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle Iron.
But the problem now is, it’s unknown who is spreading the news about the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle Iron, and it can be foreseen that Chongyang City will gradually become chaotic.
Who could be the one stirring the pot?
Clearly, it’s a method of baiting.
Could it be...
That master?
Hong Tianbao nodded slightly:
"The competition isn’t about the level of cultivation or strength in martial arts—it’s about enlightenment and talent."
He sighed lightly:
"That’s why I thought about having the three of you and Strong participate in the competition."
"After all, speaking solely about cultivation, you are far behind those few... uh, previously, I mean."
Zhang Fusheng pondered silently:
"So both senior uncles and their disciples will first think about eliminating other competitors?"
"That’s correct."
Hong Tianbao nodded affirmatively:
"Besides, your previous idea of lying low won’t work—after five days, those participating in the competition all have to listen to teachings from the master."
Zhang Fusheng asked curiously:
"Why is that?"
"The Great Sun Illuminates 72 Snow Mountains Scripture," the fat old man sighed lightly, "contains the Refining Technique but not the accompanying Killing Technique."
"On August 9, your master will pass down the Killing Technique to you, and then on February 9 next year, he will assess everyone’s progress."
"This is part of the competition."
Zhang Fusheng frowned, half a year, huh?
That’s not really the problem.
The problem is not being able to continue to hide oneself; this inevitably means trouble will come knocking,
those two senior uncles and their disciples won’t leave him in peace.
He doesn’t like trouble.
Then, take the initiative.
Hong Tianbao seemed to see the flicker of resolve in his young disciple’s eyes, unsure whether to be gratified or sigh,
he paused and said:
"Additionally, three days later, I plan to hold an apprenticeship banquet for you."
Zhang Fusheng came back to his senses, looked at his master, and asked curiously:
"Master, what’s this about?"
"Your two senior sisters and elder brother held apprenticeship banquets when they came to Chongyang City."
Hong Tianbao spoke softly:
"Now that you plan to involve yourself in this whirlpool, the apprenticeship banquet must be held, and it should be grand."
The fat old man exhaled a turbid breath:
"I have many old friends, and although most of them have lost contact, considering past friendships, if I send out invitations, they or their disciples, descendants,
will likely attend."
Zhang Fusheng understood, pondering:
"If it can’t be avoided, then face it openly... are you trying to create momentum for me?"
"The greater the momentum, the more famous you become, the less likely your two senior uncles will act against you secretly, as they all have public identities."
Hong Tianbao stood up and placed the White Bone Lotus Seed into Zhang Fusheng’s hand.
"My old friends all hold not insignificant positions publicly; of course, in reality, they are all followers of some sect..."
He changed his tone and spoke softly:
"Since you’ve made your decision, I won’t say more. Preserve your life, and if possible, also preserve your two senior sisters’ lives."
Zhang Fusheng nodded silently.
......
"Apprenticing and accepting a disciple, how did Old Hong even end up contacting me?"
Golden City.
Golden University.
The old scholar adjusted his glasses, showing some interest:
"Is Old Hong in some kind of trouble?"
He pondered for a moment and recalled the recent rumor circulating among various sects.
The Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle Iron, in Chongyang City.
This news is hardly believable.
But what if?
The old scholar took off his glasses and placed them on the table, and made a phone call.
"Master, it’s me."
"Ah, Dongyan," the old scholar said calmly, "take your junior brother with you and head to Chongyang City... actually, bring your senior sister as well."
The refined youth on the other end of the line paused:
"Chongyang City? Is it because of the recent rumor?"
"Yes."
The old scholar nodded slightly:
"Also attend an old friend’s apprenticeship banquet; I’ll send you the details later."
"Yes, Master," Kong Dongyan replied respectfully.
A similar scene played out in city after city.
The fat old man lowered his face, toned down his demeanor, and contacted one old acquaintance after another.