The Zi Family, located a million li from Shengshi City, had yet to receive news from the city.
At the Zi Family headquarters, Zi Gong, the Great Elder, the Second Elder, the Fourth Elder, and over a dozen Ninth Stage Martial Lords, along with countless other members of the Zi Family, stood atop the city walls, awaiting the return of the team that had attended the assembly.
The results of each assembly were the Zi Family’s primary concern during this period.
These results determined the Zi Family’s reputation and the resources they would gain or lose, a matter of great significance. “In the past, the Southeast Region Youth Assembly teams would return around this time. It’s been several days past due, and they still haven’t returned. Could there have been significant changes to this assembly’s schedule?” the Fourth Elder said, unable to contain his impatience.
“The assembly has many events, so some changes in timing are normal. It’s also possible that Zi Huang went to handle some matters. Let’s wait a bit longer,” the Second Elder said.
“I wonder what kind of results our Zi Family will achieve this time?” Great Elder Zi Gong said, his eyes filled with anticipation.
After their previous battle with the Jin Family, the Zi Family had become much more united, setting aside much of their usual internal strife.
“With Zi Long’s strength, our Zi Family should rank in the top fifteen of the assembly’s initial list this time,” Zi Mo said confidently. “And Lin Xiao should have a chance to aim for the top fifteen as well. Zi Ling and Zi Huan might also achieve some results in the first or second rounds.” But another Ninth Stage Martial Lord elder shook his head. “Elder Zi Mo is too optimistic. Though we all hope the Zi Family and even the Ling Family’s teams can achieve great results, the Southeast Region Youth Assembly gathers the most monstrous geniuses of this generation from the entire region. Apart from Zi Long, it’s difficult for anyone else from our two families to achieve notable success!”
Another elder nodded in agreement. “Exactly. It’s fortunate we have Zi Long this time, or we’d fall behind again.”
“If Zi Long can enter the top fifteen of the assembly’s initial list, surpassing most Martial Emperor forces, that would already be an excellent result for our Zi Family.” “If there’s a chance to aim for the top ten, that would be a cause for celebration for the entire clan. As for Lin Xiao, though his talent is extraordinarily monstrous, he’s too young and his cultivation is too low. It’s almost impossible for him to enter the top fifteen of the initial list. It’s even questionable if he can make it to the third round.”
Other elders nodded in agreement.
Lin Xiao’s talent and combat strength were indeed impressive, but his cultivation was too low. The chances of him matching Zi Long’s achievements and entering the initial list were slim.
Still, when they thought of Zi Long possibly reaching the top ten, their eyes gleamed with excitement.
The top ten of the assembly’s initial list was a feat the Zi Family hadn’t achieved in a long time, as those spots were typically dominated by the most powerful Martial Emperor families.
“Brother Zi Long will definitely not disappoint us!”
“With Brother Zi Long’s powerful spear techniques and his extraordinary dantian phenomenon, he’ll surely rank in the top ten of the initial list, or even higher.”
“Zi Ling, as a fifth-grade advanced spiritual controller, will surely achieve great results in the early rounds and seize cities.”
“With Lin Xiao’s ability to sweep through the Martial Venerable realm at the Fifth Stage and dominate First Stage Martial Lords at the Sixth Stage, he’ll rank high in the first and second rounds, winning cities for our Zi Family. This time, our Zi Family will definitely secure resources.”
…
The Zi Family’s young members discussed fervently, their blood boiling with excitement.
The one with the most complex expression was Zi Yuan, the strongest among the Zi Family’s younger generation.
After his seclusion, his cultivation had broken through to the Fifth Stage Martial Lord realm.
At twenty-nine years old, reaching such a level was considered a peak among the Zi Family’s geniuses.
However, his only flaw was that he wasn’t of Martial Emperor direct bloodline, so his potential was less than Zi Long’s.
He was eager for Zi Long to bring glory to the family and secure resources with a high ranking.
Yet, he also worried that if Zi Long achieved too much, his own status in the Zi Family would be threatened.
Zi Huang might even immediately designate Zi Long as the future heir of the family.
If that happened, it would be a significant blow to him.
“Swoosh!”
Amid the crowd’s various hopeful voices, a golden light streaked across the sky. A Skyship sped toward the Zi Family.
“They’re here, they’re back!” The crowd grew excited, their eyes widening as they fixed their gazes on the Skyship.
In no time, the Skyship arrived in front of the Zi Family’s city gate, level with the city walls.
Inside the Skyship, Zi Jinchen, Zi Huan, Zi Yi, Zi Hui, Liu Yiran, and Pan Zihao appeared in everyone’s view.
“Third Elder, where are the Clan Leader and the others?” Seeing that Zi Huang, Zi Long, and others weren’t in the Skyship, Zi Gong said, stunned.
The others, who had been ready to welcome the triumphant return of the group, were also dumbfounded.
Only Third Elder Zi Huan and five others were in the Skyship. Where were the Clan Leader, Ling Huang, and the rest?
Facing the puzzled Zi Family members, Zi Jinchen’s expression was complex as he said, “It’s a bit complicated. For now, there’s some good news and some bad news.”
The crowd froze. Good news and bad news?
“The bad news is that during this assembly, two members of our two families’ teams died in battle: Lu Qingyu and Zi Long,” Zi Jinchen said directly.
“What, Zi Long died in battle?”
The Zi Family members were stunned, their expressions stiffening.
The one they were most hopeful for in this Southeast Region Youth Assembly was undoubtedly Zi Long, the Zi Family’s strongest Martial Emperor direct bloodline.
They had just been discussing the achievements Zi Long might attain.
And now, Zi Jinchen was telling them that Zi Long had died?
The Zi Family’s genius with boundless potential had fallen just like that?
Didn’t this mean the Zi Family had suffered a tremendous loss? Had they completely failed at the Southeast Region Youth Assembly?
At this moment, even Zi Yuan felt a complex mix of emotions.
Logically, Zi Long’s death was good for him, as the Zi Family’s focus would shift to him in the future.
Yet, hearing of Zi Long’s death, he felt an inexplicable sense of loss, pity for Zi Long and for the Zi Family.
“Though Zi Long fell, he died with honour. Zi Long achieved seventh place on the assembly’s initial list,” Zi Jinchen added.
The crowd was shocked. Zi Long had reached seventh place on the initial list?
That was higher than their expectations of the top fifteen or even top ten.
Zi Long’s strength truly hadn’t disappointed them.
But such a monstrous genius of their Zi Family had fallen?
“Third Elder, who killed Brother Zi Long?” Zi An stepped forward first, his eyes filled with intense killing intent.
“Exactly, no matter who it is, we must avenge Brother Zi Long!” another youth echoed.
“Avenge Brother Zi Long!” the group of youths shouted coldly, their emotions spiralling.
“Everyone, calm down!” Zi Jinchen raised his hands to quiet them, saying, “Zi Long was killed openly on the battlefield. The one who killed him was Ren Jinghua, the second-ranked disciple from Absolute Blade Sect at the assembly.”
“However, Ren Jinghua has already been killed by Xie Ya of the Evil Sect. If you want revenge, you can openly challenge Absolute Blade Sect’s disciples in the future.”
“But first, you need sufficient strength. Otherwise, you’ll only die in vain and disgrace the Zi Family.”
At Zi Jinchen’s words, the countless youths fell silent.
The disciple who killed Zi Long was from Absolute Blade Sect, one of the eight major sects, and had already been killed. To seek revenge, they could only target other Absolute Blade Sect disciples.
This vengeance felt aimless.
Moreover, Absolute Blade Sect, one of the eight major sects, was filled with monstrous disciples. Even if they wanted to avenge Zi Long, how could they?
“Third Elder, I will avenge Zi Long!” Amid the silence, a twenty-year-old youth stepped forward, speaking with firm resolve.
Seeing this youth, Zi Jinchen’s face showed surprise.
He knew this youth, Zi An, one of the Zi Family’s key nurtured talents with the Purple Lantern bloodline.
He hadn’t expected Zi An to show such determination and courage.
“Well done. The Zi Family looks forward to the day you return after avenging him!” Zi Jinchen’s face showed deep gratification.
He had only intended to reprimand them, but someone stepping forward so resolutely was unexpected.
With such youths and such spirit, the Zi Family would not decline.
“Strong warriors face countless dangers and tread on bones. The fall of any genius is commonplace. Everyone, please grieve in moderation,” Zi Jinchen said soothingly, then continued, “Though Zi Long fell, our Zi Family is not without monstrous geniuses.”
“And the good news is that in this assembly, our Zi Family achieved unprecedented success.”
