Chapter Two: Attending the Family Grand Tournament in Person

“System, show me my attribute panel!”
Lu Qingyun suppressed the excitement in his heart and silently recited the words.

“Ding! Host: Lu Qingyun
Martial Spirit: Azure Dragon (Soul of the Nine Heavens Dragon, Growth Stage: Juvenile)
Level: Body Tempering, First Layer (0/100)
Cultivation Method: ‘Azure Cloud Technique’ (Yellow Grade, Lower Tier, First Layer)
Martial Skill: ‘Azure Cloud Swordplay’ (Yellow Grade, Upper Tier, Not Yet Initiated)
Attribute Points: 10
Special Abilities: None
System Evaluation: Combat Strength of Five Trash Cans. It is advised the host improves strength as soon as possible!”

Looking at his attribute panel, Lu Qingyun’s mouth twitched slightly.

Combat strength of five trash cans?

This system really has a sharp tongue!

Still, Lu Qingyun knew the system wasn’t wrong. He was only at the first layer of Body Tempering. In a world teeming with powerful cultivators, he was hardly considered an expert.

“It’s time to begin cultivation!”

A trace of determination flickered in Lu Qingyun’s eyes. He clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within him, his heart brimming with confidence.

Cross-legged on his bed, Lu Qingyun swallowed a cultivation experience pill for the ‘Azure Cloud Technique.’ At once, a vast energy surged through his limbs and bones, flooding him with a warm, indescribable comfort.

Boom!

It felt as if something exploded in his mind. The cultivation method for the ‘Azure Cloud Technique,’ along with insights into its first layer, flooded his consciousness. It was as if he had practiced for years, completely mastering the technique.

“So this is what cultivation feels like?”

Lu Qingyun closed his eyes. Following the method of the ‘Azure Cloud Technique,’ he began to circulate his true qi.

Time slipped by. The aura surrounding Lu Qingyun grew increasingly powerful, and streams of white energy, visible to the naked eye, converged from all sides, drawn into his body and refined into pure true qi.

“Haa…”

No one knew how much time passed before Lu Qingyun exhaled deeply and slowly opened his eyes.

“Body Tempering, Third Layer!”

Feeling the abundant true qi within him, a smile touched Lu Qingyun’s lips.

In just a few hours, he had broken through from the first to the third layer of Body Tempering. Such cultivation speed was nothing short of terrifying!

Ordinary martial artists would need months, even years, to progress from the first to the third layer of Body Tempering.

And yet, he had done it in mere hours!

“So this is the power of the system?”

Lu Qingyun marveled inwardly. With the Nine Heavens Dragon Soul System, his cultivation soared as if riding a rocket, advancing by leaps and bounds.

“It’s time to try out the power of the ‘Azure Cloud Swordplay’!”

Lu Qingyun stood and picked up the longsword resting on the table.

This sword was a family heirloom, named the Azure Cloud Sword, a lower-tier Xuan Grade weapon of formidable sharpness.

Swish!

Lu Qingyun drew the sword. A cold gleam flashed as the blade hummed, as if rejoicing.

“‘Azure Cloud Swordplay,’ First Form: Azure Cloud Unleashed!”

He called out in a low voice. With a flick of his wrist, a blade of azure sword qi tore through the air, striking a slab of bluestone in the courtyard.

Boom!

With a thunderous crash, the bluestone split cleanly in two, the cut as smooth as a mirror, a testament to the sword’s astonishing power.

“What a sword technique!”

Lu Qingyun’s eyes shone brilliantly, his heart pounding with excitement.

This was only the first form of the ‘Azure Cloud Swordplay,’ yet its power was already so immense. If he could master the entire set, how terrifying would its might be?

“Continue cultivating!”

Suppressing his excitement, Lu Qingyun resumed his training.

…

At dawn the next day, the Lu family’s martial arena bustled with noise and activity.

Today was the clan’s annual grand competition, where all the children of the Lu family would participate to test the fruits of a year’s cultivation.

Lu Qingyun arrived early at the arena, but his appearance did not go unnoticed.

“Look, isn’t that Lu Qingyun? Why did he come?”

“Is he planning to join the family competition? Don’t be ridiculous—at his level, he probably can’t even pass the first round!”

“Hmph, I bet he’s only here to embarrass himself! Why doesn’t the patriarch do something about him?”

Whispers and scornful laughter rippled through the crowd, full of ridicule and disdain for Lu Qingyun.

“Qingyun, are you really going to participate in the family competition?”
Lu Zhantian looked at his approaching son, his eyes tinged with complicated emotion.

He knew Lu Qingyun’s resolve, but he worried the boy would be hurt in the competition.

“Father, don’t worry. I know my limits.”

Lu Qingyun gazed at Lu Zhantian, his eyes shining with confidence. Only he knew what those limits were—and soon, he would crush the others.

“All right, I believe you.”

Lu Zhantian finally nodded, moved by the confidence in his son’s eyes. He didn’t know where this self-assurance came from, but today’s Lu Qingyun exuded a pressure he’d never felt before.

He knew that Lu Qingyun had grown up. Some things, his son had to face and resolve on his own.

“Hmph, how arrogant.”

Nearby, Lu Zhanxiong snorted coldly, a flicker of malice in his gaze.

He had thought Lu Qingyun would, as always, cowardly avoid the competition.

He never imagined Lu Qingyun would actually dare to show up.

“If you’re so eager to die, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Lu Zhanxiong sneered inwardly. He’d already decided to teach Lu Qingyun a harsh lesson in the family competition, to show him just how vast the world truly was.

The Lu family’s martial arena was packed to the brim, the atmosphere electric.

The family competition was an annual grand event, not only determining the rankings and rewards of the family’s disciples, but also offering a rare chance for them to display their prowess and make a name for themselves.

At that moment, a high platform stood at the center of the arena, upon which sat several elders and the family head, Lu Zhantian, who would serve as judges and witness this grand occasion.

Below the platform, hundreds of Lu family disciples stood in separate groups, ordered by age and cultivation level, each one eager for the challenge.

“Qingyun, are you sure you want to do this? Maybe… maybe you should sit this one out. Those guys are ruthless—what if you get hurt…”

Behind Lu Qingyun stood a girl in a pale blue dress, her eyes filled with worry.

Her name was Lin Qingxue, his childhood friend, who had always been close to him since they were young.

“Don’t worry, Qingxue. I’ll be fine.”

Lu Qingyun turned and offered her a reassuring smile.

“But…”

Lin Qingxue tried to protest, but Lu Qingyun gently interrupted her.

“Don’t worry about me. I know what I’m doing.”

He gave her a comforting glance, then swept his gaze around the arena, finally settling on a group not far away.

They were dressed in matching outfits, each radiating a powerful presence. They were the cream of the Lu family’s younger generation, and favorites to win this year’s competition.