Invincible Divine Sword Chapter 4 - 4 A Friendly Competition

Chapter 4: A Friendly Competition

Translator: 549690339

“How could you be so ruthless toward your own flesh and blood!” Yang Ming’s voice trembled with a mixture of fury and indignation as he gestured toward the bruised face and battered arms of his grandson, Yang Zhong, before glaring at Yang Xiaotian.

Yang Xiaotian remained undeterred, stating, “He was the one who struck my sister’s face first and lashed her with a belt!”

At that moment, the crowd noticed the inflammation on Yang Ling’er’s face and the horrific welts marking her small arms.

At least seven whip marks were visible on Yang Ling’er’s delicate limbs.

However, Yang Ming chose to ignore this. His beard shook with rage as he pointed a finger at Yang Xiaotian. “You have the audacity to argue after assaulting your brother! Servants, confine him in the ancestral home for an entire day, and let it be known that no one is to provide him with food during that time!”

A full day without food?

Yang Chao’s expression shifted instantly. “Father!”

The peak of winter had arrived, making the ancestral home bitterly cold, especially once night fell. For a child of only seven years like Yang Xiaotian, being imprisoned there without sustenance for twenty-four hours would be a brutal ordeal!

“Why are you stalling? Lock him in the ancestral home immediately!” Yang Ming barked at a manager of the Yang Family Manor.

Seeing the manager approach to take her brother, Yang Ling’er sobbed and clung to Yang Xiaotian, pleading with Yang Ming, “Grandfather, I beg you, please do not lock my brother in the ancestral home!”

Yang Ming’s expression remained cold and unfeeling.

Ultimately, Yang Xiaotian was taken to the back mountain and locked within the ancestral home.

Once the heavy wooden door clicked shut, a profound silence enveloped the world. As Yang Xiaotian gazed through the shadows at the rows of ancestral tablets belonging to the Yang Family’s many generations, he felt an unexpected wave of serenity wash over him.

Deprived of food for a day?

He had not anticipated that his grandfather’s contempt would reach such heights simply because he had awakened a “Level Two” Tortoise Martial Soul.

Yang Xiaotian assumed a cross-legged position and began circulating the Prajna Skill, focusing his Martial Soul on the task of thoroughly absorbing the natural spiritual energy around him.

While confined within the quiet sanctuary of the ancestral home, Yang Xiaotian found himself without any distractions. The rate at which he pulled in nature’s spiritual energy seemed to accelerate, steadily converting it into internal spiritual power.

As night descended, freezing winds whistled into the hall, yet Yang Xiaotian felt neither the bite of the cold nor the pangs of hunger.

In that silent realm, his sensory perception expanded continuously; he could even clearly distinguish the sound of insects chirping a hundred meters away.

After an unknown amount of time, a sound like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon resonated within his body.

Yang Xiaotian was filled with excitement.

He had achieved another breakthrough, successfully reaching the third rank.

Furthermore, he realized his body had undergone a transformation, granting him a level of perception that far exceeded his previous limits.

His punishment in the ancestral home had unexpectedly become a stroke of good fortune.

A day later, Yang Xiaotian was finally set free. His father Yang Chao, his mother Huang Ying, and his sister Yang Ling’er were all waiting outside the gates. The moment he stepped out, Huang Ying embraced him tightly, silently wiping away her tears.

Yang Ling’er was even more distraught, her eyes red from crying.

“Mother, I am perfectly fine,” Yang Xiaotian said, giving her a bright, toothy grin. “I actually wouldn’t have minded staying locked up for a few more days.” He was being entirely honest.

In the days that followed, Yang Xiaotian maintained his routine, rarely leaving his courtyard as he focused on his cultivation.

Following that slap, even Yang Zhong had become notably more reserved, remaining in his own quarters to practice diligently.

Yang Xiaotian remained composed, despite knowing that Yang Zhong was staying indoors and training just as hard as he was. He understood exactly what motivated Yang Zhong’s sudden work ethic.

Yang Zhong was desperate to reach the first tier as quickly as possible so he could humiliate Yang Xiaotian during the family’s year-end assembly.

You won’t let me off?

Recalling Yang Zhong’s vow to settle the score at the year-end gathering, Yang Xiaotian suddenly threw a powerful punch. His spiritual power surged outward, causing a massive stone in the courtyard to explode into a thousand fragments.

Time marched on.

The conclusion of the year drew near.

The Yang Family Manor was swept up in New Year preparations, with festive decorations appearing everywhere.

Standing in his snow-dusted courtyard, Yang Xiaotian practiced the Taiji Scripture. Each movement was a blend of softness and hidden strength, his fists kicking up swirling clouds of snowflakes from the ground.

Since reaching the third rank, his progress had slowed, but through relentless effort, Yang Xiaotian had successfully climbed to the peak of the fourth rank.

His mastery of the Taiji Scripture had shown even more significant improvement; his martial aura now commanded a three-meter radius around him.

After finishing his session, Yang Xiaotian paused, his body radiating a visible steam from the heat of his exertion.

The family clan meeting was scheduled for tomorrow.

The meeting was originally set for a later date, but at Yang Zhong’s insistent pleading, Grandfather Yang Ming had moved the schedule forward.

The clan meeting has been moved up? It appeared Yang Zhong had indeed reached the first tier and was impatient to showcase his strength by teaching him a lesson!

Yang Xiaotian wandered out of his yard; having spent so many days in isolation, he decided it was time to visit his younger sister.

“Did you hear the news? A prominent figure from the Divine Sword Academy is visiting the Yang Family Manor for tomorrow’s clan meeting!”

“An influential person from Divine Sword Academy? Who? And what business do they have with our manor?”

He overheard the manor guards gossiping in the distance.

Yang Xiaotian was caught off guard.

Divine Sword Academy? It was the most prestigious of the four great academies in the Divine Sea Country. For any family disciple to be admitted there would bring immense prestige to their entire lineage.

“The expert from Divine Sword Academy heard that our Young Master Yang Zhong awakened the Green Phoenix Martial Soul. He has traveled here specifically to recruit Yang Zhong as his personal disciple!”

“The news has already swept through Xingyue City. Numerous masters have arrived to offer their congratulations, and the old manor lord hasn't stopped smiling for a moment.”

The guards continued their excited chatter.

Yang Xiaotian listened, but his expression did not flicker.

The following morning.

The sunlight felt thin and cold.

Upon waking, Yang Xiaotian discovered that his grandfather Yang Ming, his eldest uncle Yang Hai, and Yang Zhong had departed early to receive the guest from Divine Sword Academy.

However, his grandfather had not bothered to invite either him or his father to participate in the welcoming ceremony.

The annual Yang Family clan meeting was held in the grand plaza before the main hall.

When Yang Xiaotian arrived with his parents and Yang Ling’er, the area was already overflowing with people.

The air was filled with the hum of cheerful conversation; the arrival of Yang Xiaotian’s family went largely ignored.

Looking toward the center of the crowd, Yang Xiaotian saw his grandfather and various experts from Xingyue City surrounding a man with silver hair.

This silver-haired elder was clearly the dignitary from the Divine Sword Academy.

He learned from his father that the man was Chen Yuan, the vice president of the academy.

The vice president of the Divine Sword Academy held an incredibly high status within the Divine Sea Country; even the royal family treated him with the utmost respect, let alone the residents of Xingyue City.

Shortly after, the Yang Family clan meeting officially commenced.

With a face full of pride, Yang Ming said to his grandson, “Zhong’er, step forward and display your prowess. Let Vice President Chen Yuan witness the fruits of your recent training.”

Yang Zhong nodded and leaped onto the Martial Arts Stage. He immediately circulated his spiritual energy, allowing it to erupt from his body.

In an instant, his entire form was bathed in a radiant light.

“The peak of the first tier!” Sensing Yang Zhong’s aura, many of the gathered masters from Xingyue City gasped in surprise.

It had been less than three weeks since Yang Zhong’s Martial Soul awakening, yet he had already attained the peak of the first tier.

Even Chen Yuan looked impressed, remarking, “The Green Phoenix is truly a magnificent level 10 Martial Soul.”

The Green Phoenix Martial Soul was a rarity in the Divine Sea Country, which was precisely why he had traveled so far.

Young Yang Zhong had exceeded his expectations by reaching the peak of the first tier in such a short window of time.

He had only ever witnessed such a rapid cultivation speed in a handful of geniuses.

Upon hearing Chen Yuan’s praise, the smiles on the faces of Yang Ming and Yang Hai grew even wider.

It was then that Yang Zhong’s eyes locked onto Yang Xiaotian in the crowd. He called out loudly, “Xiaotian, I know you’ve been training hard behind closed doors lately. Do you have the courage to step up here and have a spar with me?”