Chapter 327: The Situation of the Fourth Branch

Li Cang quickly filled Fang Chen in on everything he knew.

It turned out that there were various types of competitions set up every year for the disciples to spar in, and they were organized by every branch. These were referred to as “Minor Competitions.”

In addition to the Small Competitions, there were also Grand Competitions, and these were held once every five years, in which every member of the family needed to participate. The next Grand Competition was just half a year away.

The third branch’s Minor Competition would be held tomorrow. The competition was split into three sections: pill refinement, talisman crafting, and techniques. The pill refinement and talisman crafting competitions were bearable as they were more of a demonstration rather than a competition. And since there weren't many disciples in the third branch who pursued these two paths, the results of these two were usually quite ordinary. After all, if a cultivator didn’t have sufficient talent, then pursuing any of these two paths could prove to be a waste of precious cultivation time.

Now came the techniques section, which was the highlight of tomorrow's competition. The most outstanding disciples of the third branch would be present to demonstrate their techniques to the other disciples. During the competition, the Foundation Building Realm cultivators of the third branch would be the judges. The top ten in the Minor Competition would receive varying spirit stones as rewards. If a third rank disciple entered the top ten, they could be promoted to the second rank.

“Young Master Fang Chen, Fang Jue is the most well-received person in the third branch. He’s Elder Fang Ao's eldest disciple, so I don’t need to speak about how talented he is. He has been cultivating since young and has already reached the 11th stage of the Qi Refining Realm,” said Li Cang. “His comprehension of techniques surpasses ordinary people. Among the disciples of the same level in the third branch, no one can beat him. For the Minor Competitions that have been set up in the last ten years, Fang Jue has always come out on top.”

Fang Chen asked with a faint smile, “Besides Fang Jue, are there any other remarkable people in the third branch?”

Li Cang was slightly taken aback. He could sense that Fang Chen didn’t put Fang Jue in his eye at all!

“Young Master Fang Chen, the technique competition does not allow for the use of external powers, which means... spiritual treasures and talismans cannot be used,” Li Cang reminded Fang Chen tactfully.

Fang Chen nodded lightly. “Tell me about the other remarkable individuals.”

Li Cang continued, “Other than Fang Jue, several disciples under the Foundation Building Realm elders of the third branch are also remarkable. They are all at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Only those who have reached this stage will be considered first rank disciples.”

After some thought, Li Cang reminded Fang Chen again, “Since you understand the Dao of Talismans, you don’t have to participate in the techniques section of the competition.”

Fang Chen chuckled. “Are you afraid that I will lose to Fang Hao and the others tomorrow?” he asked. “Do you know what they say about blessings in disguise and unavoidable disasters? I am a newcomer; either I bite my lip and endure being trampled on, or I trample on them first and secure a peaceful future for myself.”

Li Cang's thoughts stirred slightly. He suddenly became curious about Fang Chen's Qi Refining cultivation level.

He must be above the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm or he wouldn't be so confident. It seems like I've really chosen the right person. As long as he doesn't get defeated by Fang Hao and the others this time, his future days will naturally be better.

Fang Chen changed the subject sharply. “How strong is the third branch in comparison to the other branches of the family?”

“Well... I dare not comment on this matter..” Li Cang's expression changed slightly. He could inform Fang Chen of the formidable individuals in the third branch, but he dared not compare the difference in strengths between the branches. That involved the elders of the Foundation Building Realm and above, who were the true core of the Fang Family.

After all, one of the two Golden Core Realm ancestors enjoyed drinking and didn't bother with worldly affairs, while the other had been in seclusion for many years.

Fang Chen smiled. “I'm the one asking you so it doesn't count as you gossiping. Just tell me what you think, and I'll take it into consideration.”

Gritting his teeth, Li Cang said in a low voice, “There are four branches in the Fang Family, with varying strengths. Taking the main branch as an example, since the Head originates from there, they are the strongest. It has over eight hundred family members, nurturing thousands of martial artists and servants, with eight Foundation Buildings Realm cultivators and dozens of disciples at the 12th stage of the Qi Refining Realm. In the younger generation, there are talents like Young Lady Fang Lingxing, who has already reached the 12th stage of the Qi Refining Realm and is halfway into the Foundation Building Realm.

“As for the second branch, it is led by Elder Fang Long, with four Foundation Building Realm cultivators and over a dozen disciples at the twelfth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. In the younger generation, there are talents such as Young Master Fang Jue, who’s in the 11th stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

“As for our third branch... It is led by Elder Fang Ao. It has two Foundation Building Realm cultivators and five to six members at the 12th stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Fang Jue is the most outstanding member of the younger generation."

“And lastly, for the fourth branch...” Li Cang's expression became strange. “There’s only one Foundation Building Realm elder in that branch, and he rarely appears in public. Their branch is not very prosperous, it has only a dozen or so members. However, it has Fang Xiu, who is exceptionally talented. It is rumored that he is about to advance to the 12th stage of the Qi Refining Realm.”

The difference in numbers between the fourth branch and the first branch was...quite significant. However... There was still a young genius in the fourth branch who was comparable to Fang Lingxing. That proved that the fourth branch should not be underestimated.

“Is Fang Lingxing a representative of the younger generation in the Fang Family?” asked Fang Chen.

Li Cang thought for a moment and nodded. “She should be.”

Fang Chen added, “I heard there’s a genius in the younger generation of the Jue Family who is now a Foundation Building Realm cultivator.”

Li Cang's expression changed. “You're talking about Jue Wudi. This young master is exceptionally talented and overshadows his peers in the imperial capital. He’s as strong as the members of the imperial family and no one in the same generation can compete with him,” said Li Cang. He then hesitated, seemingly wanting to say something more. “But....”

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“Go on,” said Fang Chen.

“I heard rumors that when Jue Wudi was young, someone took him in as his disciple. His master is highly likely to be from a third-tier empire, with an unfathomable cultivation. However, I’m not sure if the rumors are real as I’ve only heard of them from other people,” said Li Cang respectfully.

A powerful figure from a third-tier empire might be backing up Jue Wudi?

***

“Who are we killing this time, Big Brother?”

In the courtyard of Lord Tiger, an unknown figure stood in the shadows, seamlessly blending into the darkness. If he hadn’t spoken, ordinary cultivators wouldn't notice his presence.

Lord Tiger had been drinking a cup of tea when he heard that voice, and it started him into spilling his tea. He hurriedly stabilized the falling cup lid with his spiritual energy then looked toward the shadow and sighed. “Fourth brother, I've told you countless times that you need to give me a heads-up before you come here. I am getting old and I can't handle these surprises anymore.”

Ever since a certain someone had pointed a flying sword at his forehead, Lord Tiger had been feeling quiet on edge.

The figure paused for a moment, then continued with a hoarse voice, “Got it, Big Brother. Who's the target this time?”

“All the information is in this jade slip. After you’re done reading, burn it immediately.”

With a flick of his hand, Lord Tiger tossed out a jade slip.

After a moment, the figure crushed the jade slip with his hand and said in a deep voice, “Fang Lingxing from the Fang Family? With a Golden Core Realm expert in the Fang Family, I might not be able to leave the Great Qian imperial capital safely after making my move.”

“With your concealment technique, Fourth Brother, even a Golden Core Realm expert would find it difficult to find you even if they want to. Besides, we’ll be catching them off gua—” Lord Tiger’s eyes suddenly turned wary. “Wait, are you trying to bargain with me?” he asked. “The boss only offered six hundred low-grade spirit stones. It's fair for me to pocket a hundred. Don't push your luck.”

“Five hundred and fifty, and I'll take the job,” said the figure.

“Go to Hell! I'm working hard here taking all the risks and you want me to only get fifty low-grade spirit stones? These aren’t even enough to support my men.” Lord Tiger’s eyes narrowed glaringly. “Five hundred and twenty is my last offer. No more bargaining!”

The figure nodded in agreement. “Deal.”

A moment of silence ensued, and after a while, Lord Tiger probed, “Fourth Brother, are you still there?”

There was no response.

Fang Chen’s divine soul had been standing in the void this whole time, and he had seen the entire scene from start to finish, causing a strange light to flash in his eyes.

That figure’s technique was quite interesting. If he wasn’t watching this with his divine soul, he wouldn't have been able to detect that figure.

“A Golden Core Realm can’t split his soul from his body yet, which means that they’ll probably not sense anything, ” mused Fang Chen.