Chapter 1454: The Grand Competition Begins

This time, it took an extremely long time. It was not until the eastern sky was fully bright that Zhang Jiuxiao slowly opened his eyes, a glint of wisdom in his gaze.

"How is it?"

Zhang Xuan looked over.

"Reporting to Master, my primordial spirit has already deduced the cultivation technique to the peak of the Saint Domain Seventh Layer Entering Void stage. As long as I cultivate now, it shouldn't take long to raise my cultivation level!"

Zhang Jiuxiao was filled with excitement.

Although the Blood Pool could turn one month into a year, it only affected the primordial spirit, not truly slowing down the flow of time.

Now, Zhang Jiuxiao, using the twelvefold time, had already mastered the cultivation and strength of the Entering Void stage, but in reality, his own cultivation had not yet broken through; he was still only at the initial Domain stage.

However, with the cultivation experience gained by his primordial spirit, as long as he started, it shouldn't take long for him to advance step by step.

This was precisely why the many geniuses of the Zhang family surpassed others.

"It's dawn, and the competition should have already started. You no longer have time to raise your cultivation. Go out now, absorb spiritual energy on the way, and strive to break through before the match begins!"

Glancing at the sky to confirm the time, Zhang Xuan frowned.

If the other party had understood faster, there would have been enough time. Now that the night had passed and the competition had already begun, it was too late to raise his cultivation.

The only way was to improve while moving.

"Alright!"

Knowing that time could not be wasted, Zhang Jiuxiao nodded, grasped a top-grade spirit stone, absorbed spiritual energy, and closely followed his master as they flew out.

"The competition is held in the clan's training ground, but... Master is an outsider and probably cannot enter."

Leaving the Blood Pool, Zhang Jiuxiao couldn't help but say.

The Zhang family's internal competition did not allow outsiders to watch; Master probably could not enter.

"Can servants follow in for this kind of competition?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"Of course. The competition can easily lead to injuries, and at such times, servants are needed to attend..." Zhang Jiuxiao nodded.

"That's good. I'll disguise myself as your servant and follow you in," Zhang Xuan said.

"You are my master; how can I allow this..." Zhang Jiuxiao was troubled.

Treating his master as a servant was a great disrespect!

"Although you have gone through deduction in your current cultivation, there will still be many mistakes. If you truly want to quickly break through to a higher realm, you still need my on-site guidance," Zhang Xuan said.

The other party's primordial spirit had experienced the Blood Pool and had deduced his cultivation to the peak of the Entering Void stage. Cultivating again would be familiar, but during actual cultivation, various problems would still arise. He needed his master to personally guide him on the spot to ensure everything went smoothly.

"Alright!"

Understanding his master's intention, Zhang Jiuxiao paused and nodded in agreement.

"Hmm." With a gentle shake, Zhang Xuan's appearance changed from before, turning into a slightly sallow middle-aged man.

Although his disguise technique was superb, the Zhang family had many experts. Disguising as a servant would go unnoticed, but if he disguised as Zhang Jiuxiao to participate in the competition, he would likely be discovered quickly.

If the number one family lacked even this ability, it would have been destroyed long ago.

For this reason, although he resented the Zhang family's actions, he could only help Zhang Jiuxiao raise his cultivation and let him act on his behalf, rather than charging in himself.

After the disguise was complete, even he could not recognize himself. Zhang Jiuxiao finally breathed a sigh of relief and led the way, flying straight toward the training ground.

"By the way, your bloodline was mediocre before, but now it has become so pure. It's best not to use it lightly, or it will be inexplicable," Zhang Xuan added.

A bloodline upgrade would drive all families in the continent crazy. Once news leaked, it would truly be troublesome.

Even if he brought out Master Yang, he could not withstand it.

Now, it was just a family competition. As long as his strength was sufficient, there was no need to display bloodline power.

"Rest assured, Master!"

Knowing the gravity of the matter, Zhang Jiuxiao nodded solemnly. The two, one after the other, quickly flew toward the training ground.

......

At the Zhang family training grounds, all the Zhang family disciples gathered together.

The Grand Elder sat at the highest platform, looking at all the disciples. Their spirit soared to the heavens, carrying an invincible aura, and he nodded with satisfaction.

Normally, in some large families, as time passes, there would be a mix of good and bad, hard to control. The Zhang family, after tens of thousands of years of inheritance, despite having some prodigal sons, on the whole, were still all striving upward.

Precisely because of this, they could remain evergreen in the world, always the first family, unshakable by anyone.

"In this competition, regardless of auxiliary studies or talents, only strength matters! Those with strong strength advance; those with weak strength retreat... You may each use your own methods, but once discovered using deadly poison, witch souls, or other despicable means forbidden by the Master Hall, you will not only be eliminated but also punished!"

The voice resounded all around, the Grand Elder's gaze like lightning.

"Yes!"

The crowd below answered in unison.

In the clan competition, those with means of sound magic could use them, those with means of heavenly craftsmanship or beast taming could also use them... but poisoning and the like were certainly not allowed; otherwise, so-called fairness would lose its meaning.

"Alright, the competition begins!"

Whoosh!

With the sound, the eight arenas of the training grounds started simultaneously. One by one, Zhang family disciples, hearing the call, leaped onto the platforms.

"Arena Ding, number four, Zhang Linqing versus Zhang Jiuxiao!"

After three matches, a presiding elder called out.

Whoosh!

Zhang Linqing leaped onto the platform, shook his body, and released his power: Saint Domain Sixth Level, Domain Realm Peak!

He was a core disciple on the fringes, usually receiving few good resources, but compared to Zhang Jiuxiao, he was still far stronger.

"Zhang Jiuxiao? Could it be he doesn't dare to come up?"

Looking around, Zhang Linqing slightly raised his eyelids.

This opponent, he had specifically inquired about before—a branch disciple who, by some stroke of luck, had managed to enter the Saint Son Hall and received an invitation. Otherwise, with such status, he couldn't even get through the door!

So, in his view, this match was just a formality; he could easily advance without much effort.

"I know his strength—only Out-of-Body Realm Peak. Hearing that he's up against Linqing, he's probably scared stiff, too afraid to even show up!"

"Just a branch disciple, nothing worth mentioning!"

"Elder Fengchen, I think this guy definitely won't come; just declare him the loser!"

Seeing no trace of Zhang Jiuxiao, the crowd below erupted in uproar.

A branch disciple, even if he came, would just be going through the motions. It would be better to directly rule him as forfeit, no need to waste time on this.

The Zhang family, after all, was the domain of their core disciples!

"Wait for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. If he doesn't come, then he forfeits!"

Elder Fengchen, presiding over the match, raised his hand to suppress the surrounding chatter and said calmly.

Each of the eight arenas had a presiding elder to ensure fairness and justice in the matches.

This Zhang Jiuxiao had signed up for the competition. Although he hadn't appeared yet, they still needed to wait a while before ruling him as forfeit.

"What's there to wait for... He's definitely too scared to show up!"

"Waiting a few minutes is fine. To be honest, I'd like to see him come, get beaten up, and look miserable..."

The core disciples below all chuckled lightly, each showing disdain.

Branch disciples, in their eyes, had no status and were beneath notice.

"It seems he really doesn't dare to come..."

Amid the chatter, time slowly passed. Soon, the time for a cup of tea was almost up. Seeing the surroundings empty, indeed no one had come, Elder Fengchen shook his head and announced loudly: "Zhang Jiuxiao forfeits, Zhang Linqing wi—"

"Sorry... I'm late!"

Just as the words were about to end, a faint voice slowly rang out on the arena.

Then, a tall, handsome figure landed.