Chapter 53: The Movements of the Three Great Powers

News of Wu Tian winning first place in the Qitian Sect’s Grand Competition spread swiftly throughout Pingyang City, setting the entire city abuzz—especially the three other great powers.

Ning Family Manor.

“Reporting to the Family Head: according to our intelligence, the Qitian Sect’s Grand Competition has reached its final stage. While the top ten have yet to be finalized, the champion has already been determined,” a servant reported to the Ning family patriarch, Ning Yuntian.

“Oh? Is it that boy Long Zhan?” Ning Yuntian asked indifferently.

“No, it’s Wu Tian.”

Ning Yuntian’s eyes widened sharply as he retorted, “You mean that useless Wu Tian? Are you sure you haven’t made a mistake?”

“Yes, sir, I am certain I saw correctly! I don’t know how he’s become even stronger than before. He took out the other thirty-six disciples on the arena in a single move. You know, these are all the elite young disciples of Qitian Sect. He defeated them alone—his strength has surpassed anything we could imagine!” the subordinate reported.

Ning Yuntian stood up abruptly, frowning deeply. “When Xiao Xiang reported that more than a dozen of our family guards were killed by Wu Tian, I didn’t take it seriously. Now it seems that this so-called useless Wu Tian has indeed restored his cultivation. But his meridians and core were shattered—how could he possibly recover his strength?”

“Judging by his performance, Wu Tian has reached the first stage of Martial Spirit. At this level, he is unrivaled among the younger generation in Pingyang City.”

“The first stage of Martial Spirit? An eighteen-year-old brat has reached such a level?” Ning Yuntian gasped, taking quite a while to regain his composure. “No! Whatever method he used to regain his strength, we can no longer stand by and do nothing. Immediately notify several elders of the Ning family—I have an important matter to discuss!”

“Yes, Family Head!”

After his subordinate left, cold light flashed in Ning Yuntian’s eyes. “Wu Tian, I never thought you’d stand up again after your core was shattered. But this time, your luck has run out. I guarantee it.”

With that, Ning Yuntian hurried out of the room.

The Ning family was not the only one shocked; so was the City Lord’s Mansion.

“Captain Ma, what did you just say? You’re telling me Wu Tian won first place in the Qitian Sect’s Grand Competition—and overwhelmingly defeated the other disciples?” Song Ke stared at Captain Ma in disbelief. No matter how hard he tried, he could not have imagined Wu Tian would win.

Captain Ma managed a bitter smile and nodded. “City Lord, it’s true. Wu Tian single-handedly defeated thirty-six elite disciples. He won first place beyond any doubt. Even if we can hardly believe it, that’s the fact.”

“Impossible! Wu Tian is just a useless good-for-nothing. How could he possibly win first place in the Grand Competition? No, something must be wrong!” Song Qianqian clutched her head, utterly shocked.

“Now that Wu Tian has won first place, he will surely be admitted to the Qitian Sect’s headquarters in the Imperial City. Even if he accomplishes nothing else in the future, he will surpass ordinary men. We… we missed such an opportunity! Breaking off the engagement was a mistake! Not only that, we humiliated him in public. If he rises in the future, he will surely come for revenge!” Song Ke said anxiously.

“City Lord, what should we do now?” Captain Ma inquired.

“We only have two options: either eliminate him, or try to make amends and befriend him!”

“Father, you are the City Lord and command thousands of soldiers. Are you really afraid of revenge from a useless brat? I think it’s best we end him—once and for all!” Song Qianqian suggested.

“Qianqian, there are things you don’t understand. Though I am City Lord, Pingyang is insignificant in the eyes of the Kuangwu Empire. The Qitian Sect and the Imperial Family have always been close. If Wu Tian gains influence, what do you think I would be in the eyes of the Imperial Family?” Song Ke shook his head. He had been City Lord for decades and saw things from a broader perspective.

“Hmph! Father, you don’t care about me at all. You always say you’ll stand up for me, but now that Wu Tian has only won first place, you refuse to help. Fine, I don’t care!” Song Qianqian pouted, storming off in a huff.

“Qianqian, Qianqian…” Song Ke called after her several times to no avail. “Captain Ma, assign someone to keep an eye on Qianqian. Don’t let her do anything foolish. Also, send some men to deliver an extravagant gift to Wu Tian—congratulate him on winning first place in the Grand Competition.”

“Yes, City Lord!”

North of Pingyang City, the Sun family.

“I’ve heard Wu Tian won first place in the Qitian Sect’s Grand Competition. What do you make of it, Family Head?” In the courtyard, Sun Siqing spoke with a middle-aged man. Sun Siqing was the Sun family elder who had previously appraised Wu Tian’s pills at the auction.

“Wu Tian? Is it the same Wu Tian once hailed as the greatest genius in both Qitian Sect and all of Pingyang, the one whose cultivation was destroyed when his core was shattered?” the middle-aged man asked in surprise.

Sun Siqing nodded. “Yes, that very same young disciple. Honestly, it’s not so surprising for him to win the competition. What’s remarkable is that it was a thirty-eight-person arena battle. Wu Tian faced thirty-six others and defeated all the young elites in a single move. For someone eighteen years old, such strength is extraordinary.”

“You say he defeated thirty-six disciples in one move—were the others all weak?” the middle-aged man asked in astonishment.

“Not at all. One of them was Long Zhan of Qitian Sect, already at the eighth stage of Martial Master. The others had at least fourth or fifth stage Martial Master cultivation. For Wu Tian to defeat so many in one move—imagine how powerful he must be!” Sun Siqing shook his head, a glint of admiration in his eyes.

The middle-aged man pondered for a moment before saying, “If that’s true, Wu Tian has already reached the Martial Spirit stage. To do so at eighteen—his future is simply unimaginable! Such a young man should be befriended as soon as possible. Steward Sun, how about you personally deliver some top-grade pills to Wu Tian, as a congratulatory gift for his championship?”

“Certainly. I too wish to meet such an outstanding young man. I’ll make preparations at once,” Sun Siqing agreed.

…

Wu Tian remained oblivious to the stir he’d caused in the outside world. He was preoccupied with a pressing matter: he had received word from Qin Long that He Jiang was secretly contacting the Ning family. This information demanded his attention—so long as his master’s murderer and the one who crippled him remained at large, he would always be in danger.

The system had hinted that his master’s death and his own ruin were tied to the head of the Ning family. Now, He Jiang’s secret dealings with them confirmed the system’s clues. Wu Tian resolved to investigate He Jiang thoroughly that night—and if the opportunity arose, he would not hesitate to eliminate that old scoundrel once and for all.