Clan Turmoil Chapter 16: The Ten-Day Pact

The blue veins on the rootstock of the Blue Vein Grass became distinctly visible, imbued with a vibrant spirit. Yet, they stubbornly refused to sprout. All the seeds were stuck at the final step before breaking through the soil. The flicker of hope had just ignited, only to be doused by a cold splash of reality.

Chu Xing stopped in his tracks, brows furrowed in deep puzzlement. He could sense with certainty that the problem was neither in his primordial energy nor the seeds themselves. But what exactly was missing? He simply could not figure it out.

After much effort with no progress, his internal energy was nearly drained. Chu Xing exhaled slowly, suppressing the disappointment and confusion in his heart. Although he hadn't succeeded in awakening the seeds, at least their vitality had grown stronger than ever, their condition unprecedentedly good. It was far from a total loss.

Weary, he moved to the far corner of the cave, seated himself cross-legged, and began to regulate his breath. Outside, the sky was beginning to lighten.

Chu Xing opened his eyes slowly. A night of meditation had restored him to peak condition. Rising to his feet, he approached the Blue Vein Grass he had carefully tended. His gaze swept over the few crystal-clear roots. After a moment’s contemplation, he carefully plucked three of the plumpest blue seeds from the roots and tucked them close to his chest.

He stood once more, casting a final glance at Mu Wanqing, who was still sound asleep, confirming her breathing steady and without danger before slipping away silently.

Back at his dilapidated courtyard, Chu Xing gently closed the door behind him. Though he had not slept all night, he felt no fatigue. His cultivation at the seventh stage of Body Refinement granted him far greater stamina than before—his entire being brimming with inexhaustible energy.

He carefully took out the three spirited blue seeds from his bosom and placed them on the table, his eyes flickering with thought.

Suddenly, a loud bang shattered the quiet as the already fragile courtyard door was violently kicked open from outside.

"Damn it, this broken house even locks its door," came a cursing voice at the entrance.

Chu Xing’s gaze sharpened as he slowly rose, his eyes cold and piercing toward the doorway.

Two figures blocked the entrance, one behind the other.

The one in front was Zhao Hu, his arm bound awkwardly at his chest with a strip of cloth. His face was pale, but his eyes were filled with bitterness and a cruel satisfaction.

Behind him stood a towering young man with a rugged face. Bare-chested, his bronzed skin revealed powerful, bulging muscles. His aura was far stronger than Zhao Hu’s, radiating an overwhelming pressure that clearly surpassed the Body Refinement realm.

"Chu Xing, you didn’t expect this, did you?" Zhao Hu shouted, his voice distorted by excitement. "Weren’t you arrogant yesterday? Today, I’ve got the top disciple of the Outer Sect here to play with you!"

Chu Xing ignored Zhao Hu’s bellowing and calmly fixed his gaze on the young man before him.

"And you are?" he asked coolly, his tone unreadable.

The young man stepped forward, baring his white teeth in a smug grin.

"Wang Meng of the Outer Sect," he said. "Sent by Senior Brother Zhou Yuan to have a chat with you."

At the mention of Zhou Yuan’s name, Zhao Hu straightened instinctively, his eyes gleaming with even more arrogance as he looked at Chu Xing.

Chu Xing suddenly understood. "I thought it was someone else. Turns out you’re just Zhou Senior Brother’s lapdog."

"That explains the stench. You’ve been attracted by your master’s scent. What do you want?" Chu Xing jeered.

"You’re asking for death!" Zhao Hu trembled with rage, instinctively readying his primordial energy.

But Wang Meng didn’t even glance at him. Instead, he calmly lifted a hand and pressed it on Zhao Hu’s shoulder. A fierce gleam flashed in his eyes, quickly replaced by a cold, mocking smile.

"Sharp tongue," Wang Meng snorted. "I like that. The harder the bone, the sweeter the sound when it breaks."

Without further ado, he said, "I’m here on behalf of Senior Brother Zhou to notify you of two things."

"First, from today onward, you must hand over your daily moon tribute to Zhao Hu."

He paused leisurely, then added, "Of course, if you’re dissatisfied, feel free to come find me anytime. I quite enjoy sparring with junior brothers."

Chu Xing laughed, glancing at Zhao Hu beside him, then back at Wang Meng. "This guy said something similar yesterday. Now his arm’s in a sling. So, all of Zhou Yuan’s lapdogs are the same—only bark, no bite?"

"You!" Wang Meng was caught off guard by Chu Xing’s biting retort, his momentum faltering.

But Chu Xing gave him no chance to flare up and continued, "If you want me to pay tribute, have your master Zhou Yuan come in person. You’re not worthy."

"Fine! Fine! Fine!" Wang Meng laughed bitterly, clenching a fist thicker than Chu Xing’s thigh, the knuckles cracking loudly.

"I want to see if your bones are as hard as your mouth!"

"According to sect rules, Outer Sect matches are limited to disciples at the Body Refinement stage. Since I’ve surpassed that, I’m not allowed to attack you openly. But as your senior brother, dropping by every day to teach you a few moves—no one will say a word."

"And if I accidentally don’t hold back and beat you half to death during instruction, well, you can only blame your lack of skill."

A playful smile deepened on Chu Xing’s face. "In the end, you’re just afraid to fight fairly, resorting to these shabby tactics. Enough—tell me the second thing. I’m in a hurry."

Wang Meng, furious at Chu Xing’s brazen attitude, suppressed his urge to strike immediately and snorted coldly. "The second thing."

"I just came from the Affairs Hall."

He deliberately paused, watching Chu Xing’s reaction. Seeing no change in expression, he continued.

"You’ve been in the sect for three years now, right? Almost time?"

Chu Xing finally responded, raising his eyelids slightly, as if awaiting Wang Meng’s next words.

This subtle movement made Wang Meng think he’d found Chu Xing’s weak spot, his smile growing crueler.

"According to sect rules, Outer Sect disciples who fail their final assessment after three years must pack up and leave."

Wang Meng waved a finger mockingly before Chu Xing’s face.

"Count the days—less than ten left."

He looked Chu Xing up and down with disdain.

"You’re only at the sixth stage of Body Refinement, right? Even if you got lucky beating Zhao Hu yesterday, I doubt you’re qualified to step onto the assessment stage."

Zhao Hu smugly chimed in, "Exactly! You don’t even qualify for the exam!"

Wang Meng savored this feeling of complete control, leisurely delivering the final news.

"But it doesn’t matter. Senior Brother Zhou has already spoken to the sect on your behalf."

"Your final assessment will proceed as scheduled in ten days."

"And your opponent for the exam..."

Wang Meng tapped his broad chest heavily with his thick index finger.

"Will be me!"