506: Family competition

"I wonder if, with my current strength, I can go toe-to-toe with a Dao Monarch..."

Mo Xuan's eyes were deep and contemplative, but he did not act rashly; he never did anything without certainty.

In this entire Li Luan Sea Region, aside from the two Dao Monarchs of Cen Ling Dao Palace and Xiwu Island,

he could only come into contact with the Black Demon Dao Lord within the clan-guarding divine stele.

However, the Black Demon Dao Lord's strength was incomplete, and he could not be released for the time being.

"Forget it."

Mo Xuan shook his head, abandoning the fleeting thoughts in his mind.

However, having reached the Void Refinement Late-stage Realm, there were only two figures in this Li Luan Sea Region whom he needed to fear.

"Dao Monarch Cen Ling, Dao Lord Xi Wu..."

Mo Xuan thought to himself, wondering if he would have the chance to see these two take action, which would allow him to roughly gauge the gap between him and the Dao Integration Realm.

As Mo Xuan pondered, at the bottom of the sea, the Black Giant Serpent, over thirty thousand zhang long, coiled its body once more and fell into silence at the seabed.

A few months later.

Gui Zhou Island, on Martial Arts Peak.

Young figures gathered one after another on the huge open-air martial arts stage.

At the head of the martial arts stage, rows of Dao platforms were set up.

Disciples dressed in various Zhou Family dharma robes, with snake-patterned zhou character tokens hanging from their waists, performed their respective duties, maintaining good order on the martial arts stage.

At this moment.

Below Martial Arts Peak.

Two young figures, appearing to be in their twenties, were heading up the mountain.

"Xingqun, hurry up."

The delicate-looking Zhou Xingnian waved at the slightly plain, silent figure behind him, his tone somewhat helpless.

How could Zhou Xingqun be so indifferent to such a major event?

He had been coveting that Xiaoyao Secret Scroll for too long; after two years of preparation, he had to fight for the top ten in the Mid-stage Qi Refining group no matter what.

Only his childhood friend seemed not to care about it at all.

"I know."

Zhou Xingqun sighed softly, but he did not refuse; his pace quickened slightly as he caught up with Zhou Xingnian.

"Tell me honestly, are you really striving for the top ten entirely for the Xiaoyao Secret Scroll?"

After catching up with Zhou Xingnian, the slightly plain-looking Zhou Xingqun asked the delicate youth beside him.

"Uh~ of course, that is a Tier 6 Legacy; aren't you tempted?"

Zhou Xingnian's eager expression faltered, but he then calmly masked the slight strangeness on his face and continued speaking to Zhou Xingqun.

In the past, there would have been no such opportunity; unless one's talent was high enough, or one proved to the Family that they had the ability to cultivate such a profound Legacy, it would not be taught.

Otherwise, rashly imparting high-tier Legacies would only harm them.

As for how to prove one's ability, whether by exchanging contribution points or other methods, it was all acceptable.

"Is that so?"

Zhou Xingqun remained unmoved, his eyes fixed on Zhou Xingnian.

"Alright, alright, nothing can escape you after all."

Being stared at like this, Zhou Xingnian quickly gave in and smiled sheepishly.

"It's for Li Li, isn't it?"

Zhou Xingqun asked abruptly.

"You know about that?"

Zhou Xingnian gasped, his steps faltering, and he looked at Zhou Xingqun with some shock.

"Your thoughts are written all over your face; how could I not know?"

Zhou Xingqun glanced at the delicate youth, did not stop, and passed by him to continue heading up.

"Hehe~ you know Li Li's situation; if I cannot prove my ability in this Clan Competition, her Family will not betroth her to me."

Zhou Xingnian smiled bitterly. Li Li was the granddaughter of the Zhou Family's Golden Core Guest Elder Li Changrui. Although he and Li Li were childhood sweethearts, his parents and Elders were merely Qi Refining Cultivators.

Although his talent was not bad, he had never gained the approval of Li Li's Elders.

Therefore, he wanted to use this opportunity to demonstrate his value to Li Li's parents and grandfather.

"Li Li..."

Zhou Xingqun's heart stirred as he thought of something, but turning back to see Zhou Xingnian's current state, he held back his words.

Based on his experience, Li Li was not a good match, but it was not the right time to say these things.

"Xingqun, you are truly amazing. I thought I had hidden it well enough, but you found out anyway."

Zhou Xingnian quickly caught up, the bitterness on his face swept away, and he looked at Zhou Xingqun with admiration.

"Sigh... forget it..."

The slightly plain-looking Zhou Xingqun sighed helplessly and said nothing more.

Some time later.

Young, vibrant, and confident figures appeared before the two of them.

"We're here."

Zhou Xingnian shouted excitedly at Zhou Xingqun.

Zhou Xingqun rolled his eyes.

In such a grand scene, even a blind person could see it; did he really need to say it? Zhou Xingqun couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Disciples from the Zhou Family Affairs Hall, who were already guarding the side of the martial arts stage, stepped forward. After confirming their identities and cultivation levels, they led the two to the right side of the martial arts stage.

Zhou Xingnian greeted the familiar peers beside him, but his eyes kept scanning the surroundings.

After a while, Zhou Xingnian was somewhat disappointed; he did not see that pretty figure.

"Hm?"

Not long after, Zhou Xingnian's eyes narrowed as he looked toward where they had come from; there, a figure that often appeared in his heart had appeared.

But beside that pretty figure, there was also a young man in his twenties with a dashing appearance.

"Why is Li Li here with Zhou Xinghu?"

Zhou Xingnian felt some confusion in his heart.

But before he could explore the reason for this.

Beside the Dao platforms at the head of the martial arts stage, figures descended from the sky.

"Greetings, Head of the Family, and all Elders!"

Looking at the figure in the lead—whose gaze was peaceful yet carried a sense of invisible pressure—figures all around the martial arts stage bowed in salute.

The person in the middle was none other than the Head of the Zhou Family, Zhou Leyi.

Beside Zhou Leyi were various Zhou Family Elders in the Golden Core Realm, both of the Zhou surname and others.

"No need for formalities."

Zhou Leyi waved his hand, his upright and calm voice falling into everyone's ears.

"Has everyone arrived?"

Zhou Leyi asked a Foundation Establishment deacon of the Tai generation who was presiding over the situation.

"Reporting to the Head of the Family, all clansmen participating in this Clan Competition have arrived."

The Tai-generation deacon bowed and replied.

"Good."

Zhou Leyi nodded.

He then floated up and came before the gathered Zhou Family Xing-generation and other peer Disciples, speaking in a loud voice.

"This Clan Competition will be held within the precious bead. You already know the rules, so I will not repeat them. There is only one thing: show your strength to your heart's content."

Zhou Leyi's face was amiable and his eyes gentle, but his words carried an inherent majesty, and the Disciples below were all solemn.

"We obey the order of the Head of the Family!"

As Zhou Leyi finished speaking, the combined voices echoed over Martial Arts Peak.

"Summon the precious bead!"

After the voices died down.

Zhou Leyi stepped into the void, his expression solemn as he bowed and said loudly.

Hum!

Space trembled, and invisible ripples spread out.

A huge, azure precious bead, revealing the phantom of mountains and seas, appeared quietly above the martial arts stage like an azure full moon, releasing profound Dao aura.

mountain sea pearl.