55: Competition for the right to participate

"I'm currently at Xuan Yang Tower."

Jiang Ding said, "I heard Xuan Yang Tower has two top-tier Cultivation Techniques. Have you practiced them?"

"Yeah, I've mastered both."

"Wow! You mastered both? How long have you been at Xuan Yang Tower?"

"A little over a year."

"Huh? Doesn't Xuan Yang Tower say you have to be a member for over five years before you can practice those two techniques? You've only been there for a year and you've already mastered both?"

"Oh, it's because I joined with two friends. We each practiced one and then taught each other."

"Holy crap! You can do that?"

"Yeah! The three of us are pretty badass, so Xuan Yang Tower made an exception for us."

Jiang Ding was a bit speechless. "Hehe, then you really are badass. You mastered two in just over a year, while others might not even master one in ten years."

Jiang Shanba said, "Alright, come! Let's all welcome Little Ye home. Let's have a drink!"

"Grandpa! I don't know how to drink," Jiang Xiaoqi said suddenly.

"Hahahaha!!!! You don't have to drink. If you do, your grandmother will scold me later."

Jiang Shanba was very happy today. The Family reunion he had been looking forward to the most had finally arrived.

The next day.

Jiang Yilong convened a Family meeting to determine the candidates for the Battle of the Ten Great Families.

"The purpose of this meeting is to decide the five people who will represent our Jiang Family in the battle. They are Jiang Luo, Jiang Yang, Jiang Jing, Jiang Zheng, and Jiang Ye."

Jiang Xian, a grandson of Jiang Yilong's second younger brother, said, "Old Family Head, Jiang Ye just returned, and we aren't clear on his strength. Can he really represent the Family in battle?"

If not for Jiang Ye, he would have been the one going. He was now very dissatisfied that his spot had been taken away.

Jiang Yilong said, "None of you need to doubt his strength. Since I've arranged for him to fight, I must understand him well enough to make such an arrangement."

"I don't believe a teenager like him can be that strong. I want to fight him. If I lose, I'll have no further objections."

Jiang Yilong was somewhat helpless, but he also wanted to be as fair and just as possible; otherwise, the Family's unity would crumble. He looked toward Jiang Ye.

"Little Ye, why don't you two have a match then? Keep it brief and stop when the point is made. Remember, no one is to be hurt; we are all Family."

Jiang Ye nodded and said, "Alright! Cousin, let's go outside."

Jiang Xian and he went to an open space outside. Jiang Yilong and the others followed, and other juniors of the Jiang Family also rushed over upon hearing the news, waiting to watch a grand battle.

The two of them stood facing each other; the match was about to begin.

Jiang Ye drew his long saber. "Cousin, are you ready? Be careful, I won't be holding back."

Jiang Xian said, "Come! Fight with all your might, don't hold back!" Immediately, he also drew the longsword in his hand.

Suddenly, bang! The floor beneath Jiang Ye's feet exploded, and he vanished! When everyone saw him again, he was already behind Jiang Xian, holding his saber with both hands, the blade pressed against the back of Jiang Xian's neck.

Just as Jiang Xian was about to rush forward, a wave of heat brushed past the back of his neck, leaving him completely stunned.

The other Family disciples had the same reaction. Too strong! A seventh-stage Heavenly Profound Realm was defeated in an instant before he could even move!

Jiang Xian's Great-Grandfather, Jiang He, had originally thought Jiang Yilong was being a bit unfair, favoring a great-grandson from his own lineage. Now he finally understood that among the five people chosen for battle, the strongest was likely Jiang Ye.

Jiang He said, "What a lad! At his age, even Ling Yi probably couldn't compare to him, right?"

Jiang Yilong and his third younger brother also nodded. Jiang Yilong finally understood what Jiang Shanba meant when he said the two of them had joined forces to kill the Wang Family Head, Wang Mang.