National Division

Chapter 108 My grandson Cui You possesses the potential of a celestial being!

Cui Residence, Dunbentang
A large crowd gathered, all members of the Cui family.

Cui Yan's face was ashen. He waved the challenge letter in his hand and sneered, "Shen Xian, you little brat, you're overestimating yourself. You dare to challenge me the day after tomorrow?"

Then, looking at Cui Ang, who was seated at the lower seat, he asked, "Have you investigated thoroughly?"

“Reporting to Father, Shen Xian is a descendant of Shen Bin, a concubine of the Shen family of Lanxi. This lineage mainly focuses on martial arts. Previously, the Shen father and son lived in Guhe County, Anzhou. Shen Bin’s cultivation was at the Innate Realm, while Shen Xian’s cultivation was only at the Acquired Realm.” Cui Ang held a book in his hand, which contained information about Shen Xian.

"The Acquired Realm? How dare you be so reckless!" Cui Sheng sneered.

Cui Ang lowered his voice and said, "I heard from the palace that he received a reward from the Empress and, with the help of the power of the cave, broke through to the Grandmaster realm."

As a prominent family, the Cui family had accumulated a wealth of knowledge and influence over the years, and they also had some information channels within the palace.

Cui Sheng's expression changed slightly, and he asked, "Grandmaster Realm? How could it be so fast? Wasn't he in the Acquired Realm before?"

Cui Ang and the others exchanged glances and looked at each other blankly.

A thoughtful expression appeared on Cui An's solemn and resolute face.

Sitting not far away, Lu Ziling scoffed, "A mere pseudo-grandmaster, not worth mentioning!"

Cui Kun asked in confusion, "Nephew, what do you mean by that?"

Lu Ziling looked somewhat unnatural and explained, "In my estimation, Shen Xian most likely obtained the royal family's martial arts resources and entered the Eternal Green Tower to cultivate. That's why he leaped to the Grandmaster realm in just a few days."

Upon hearing this, Cui You suddenly realized what was happening, his sharp eyes flashing as he asked, "Ziling, are you referring to the pagoda within the Great Crimson Cloud Cave?"

Not far away, Cui Mei frowned and said, "I remember that this tower requires a powerful immortal to use for cultivation, right?"

Clearly, Cui Mei, who was in the Yuqing Sect, had also heard people mention this treasure, and some of her fellow disciples even used it to supplement their martial arts cultivation.

Zheng Nianxi frowned, her voice soft and gentle: "I've heard before that this treasure can accelerate cultivation. It's said that before reaching the Grandmaster realm, one can accumulate martial arts resources."

Cui Ang frowned and said, "Is there such a thing as getting something for nothing in this world?"

“I’ve heard of that too.” Zheng Ya’s face showed a look of recollection. “Back then, my master said that the royal family used this method to mass-produce grandmasters to serve as guards for nobles. It seems that some guards in the clan also used this method to cultivate martial arts.”

Zheng Nianxi said, "Then it matches up."

"What kind of treasure can make someone quickly become a martial arts grandmaster?" Cui Yan asked, frowning.

In recent years, this head of the Cui family has focused more on expanding the clan's power and competing for fame and fortune in the imperial court, and has known little about the secrets of immortality.

"The sixth level contains the power of time and void. It was originally intended for great supernatural powers to comprehend, but somehow it was modified to assist in martial arts cultivation," Cui Mei explained. Beneath her delicate eyebrows, her almond-shaped eyes stared blankly at Lu Ziling and asked, "Ziling, how do you know the details of this tower?"

Facing the questioning gazes of the crowd, Lu Ziling hesitated for a moment before saying, "Back then, an uncle prepared a lot of martial arts elixirs. I stayed among them for more than ten days and entered the Innate Realm."

This young master entered the Innate Realm at the age of fourteen, which can be described as a genius, but it caused quite a stir in the capital.

For this, he even won the favor of Prince Qing, who specifically requested that his daughter, Li Tianxia, ​​marry Lu Ziling, and the two families later made a marriage agreement.

I never imagined there was such a hidden story?

As the eldest son of the Cui family, Cui Kun was very good at dealing with people. He said, "Nephew, rest assured, everyone here is a close relative of the Cui and Lu families. This matter will not be spread."

Cui Shangdao said, "I have also heard of this tower. It is said that one day in heaven is equivalent to one year on earth. A year inside the tower is equivalent to ten days outside."

Cui Shang, the sixth son of the Cui family, is a disciple of the Yuqing Sect and a powerful cultivator at the fifth level of the Immortal Path. He is also one of the most powerful members of the Cui family present.

Cui An, who had been frowning in thought, relaxed his brows and said loudly, "Father, this makes sense. Shen Xian received a spiritual medicine bestowed by the Heavenly Empress and cultivated in the Everlasting Green Tower. He thought he had something to rely on and has now broken through to the Grandmaster level in one fell swoop."

The unease he had felt earlier finally found its source.

Cui Yan frowned and said, "But this is too fast?"

Cui Shang thought for a moment and said, "Father, you may not know this, but many disciples in the Jade Purity Sect cultivate martial arts as an adjunct, and there are many who have entered the Innate Realm within a hundred days. Shen Xian has been using the entire royal family's unlimited supply of pills to condense his true essence, which is not considered fast."

In fact, it was pretty much as Cui Shang estimated. Shen Xian said that he broke through to the peak of the Grandmaster after half a year of cultivation, but apart from the necessary two hours of rest, he had been cultivating almost non-stop for the entire six months.

Moreover, Shen Xian started at the seventh level of the Acquired Realm!

Even considering the foundation laid from childhood, normal cultivation would be enough to break through to the Innate Realm within a month. With the royal family's martial arts pills readily available, working overtime for half a year to go from the Innate Realm to the peak of the Grandmaster Realm and condense true qi into true essence is not fast at all.

Cui Yan nodded, then turned to look at Cui You, who was seated below him, and asked in a hoarse voice, "You'er, Shen Xian has already broken through to the Grandmaster level. Do you have any idea how he'll fare?"

"What do I have to fear from a mere pseudo-grandmaster?" Cui You said with an arrogant expression.

Cui Kun's expression turned serious, and he instructed, "Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit; never underestimate your opponent!"

Cui You said loudly, "Father, even if that brat Shen Xian can break through in cultivation, his martial arts skills cannot be perfected without years of honing. How could he be my match? My Cui family's Seventy-Two Styles of Cloud Hidden Sword Technique has reached a state of consummate skill!"

"The Cui Family's Seventy-Two Styles of Hidden Cloud Sword Technique is a high-grade Xuan-level martial art. You'er has mastered it to perfection, and I'm afraid he has already condensed sword intent, right?" Cui Shang, a person of the immortal path, asked in surprise.

"Replying to Sixth Uncle, I have reached the fifty percent of sword intent," Cui You said.

If his sword intent hadn't been stuck halfway, preventing him from reaching a bottleneck, he could have broken through to become a Grandmaster of Martial Arts.

After the competition, he planned to travel around.

In his master's words, he lacked too many life-or-death battles.

No one understood Shen Xian's mastery of martial arts better than him.

Vulnerable!
Cui Shang nodded in praise: "At the peak of the Grandmaster realm, you have cultivated 50% of the sword intent. It seems that you have studied your family's sword techniques very thoroughly."

Upon seeing this, Cui Yan stroked his beard, a look of satisfaction appearing on his aged face: "My grandson Cui You possesses the qualities of a celestial being!"

Cui Kun quickly replied, "Father, you flatter me."

Although he was being modest, a smile still played at the corners of his mouth.

Cui Sheng smiled and said, "Yes, Father, Shen Xian thinks he has gained the Empress's favor and has broken through to the Grandmaster level in martial arts. But does this clerk from a small family think that martial arts are as good as his sharp tongue? When the time comes, You'er can easily suppress him and put an end to his arrogance!"

Cui Yan looked at Cui An, who was always cautious and shrewd, and asked, "How successful do you think You'er's trip will be?"

“Father, Shen Xian probably doesn’t have any extraordinary martial arts skills.” Cui An’s face showed a thoughtful expression as he said, “Cultivation is easy to improve, but the will and skills of a Grandmaster’s martial arts can only be acquired through hard work and perseverance.”

Upon hearing this, Cui Yan was completely relieved and sneered, "They think that by relying on the royal family's resources, they can compete with my Cui family in martial arts. They are truly frogs in a well, unaware of the vastness of the world!"

The Cui family members and others in the hall all seemed to agree.

How could the profound heritage of a prominent family be compared to that of the humble Shen clan of Lanxi?
Cui Mei and Zheng Nianxi exchanged a glance, thinking to themselves that they had almost worn out their ears from hearing Shen Xian's name these past few days, and they were also curious about what Shen Xian looked like.

Does it have three heads and six arms?

……

……

Shen Residence
Several days have passed since Shen Xian arrived in the capital, but the commotion in the Lanxi Shen family has not subsided.

Shen Lin sat down on the pearwood armchair on the left side of the hall, a thoughtful look on his aged face, while he held the Qilin report in his hand.

"What is Mu Zhi's martial arts cultivation level?" Shen Lin asked suddenly after a moment of silence. Shen Zheng replied softly, "Reporting to Father,"

Shen Qian frowned, forming a deep frown, and said, "It seems to be the Acquired Realm."

Shen Lin put down the "Qilin Report" in his hand, and a troubled look appeared on his aged face: "Now that Mu Zhi has gained the Empress's trust, with the royal family's resources, he may be able to improve his cultivation quickly, but it is a bit hasty to accept the challenge in this way."

As Shen Lin was the Junior Supervisor of the Secretariat, he had some knowledge of the royal family's martial arts traditions.

Shen Zhai took his seat at the lower end of the table. This former pride of the Shen family now looked much thinner and more haggard.

Shen Lin pondered for a moment, then asked, "Zhai'er, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhai gave a wry smile. After thinking for a moment, he still expressed his opinion: "Father, I think Mu Zhi is exceptionally talented in literature and has unparalleled strategic skills, but my Lanxi Shen family is not a family that has passed down martial arts. My third brother and second brother are only at the Innate Realm in martial arts."

It's like how later generations, before commenting on a novel, first put on a layer of armor and then start making things up and spouting nonsense.

Seeing that Shen Lin did not seem offended, Shen Zhai mustered his courage and said, "I think Mu Zhi was a bit reckless. Now that he has gained the Empress's trust, he is riding high. He should be taking things one step at a time. But he offended the Cui and Lu clans before. It's a bit too much to be so proud of himself to have such a deadly situation."

In his view, it was purely a case of a petty person getting their way.

Of course, his father wouldn't like to hear that.

Shen Lin frowned, remaining noncommittal.

Based on his adherence to the doctrine of the mean, he also felt that Shen Xian, upon entering the court, had made too many enemies by directly confronting the Cui and Lu clans.

Of course, Shen Lin had been navigating the political arena for many years and was quite composed, not in a hurry to draw conclusions.

Shen Zhengdao said, "Father, Mu Zhi's actions were indeed somewhat reckless. Even if the Cui and Lu clans provoked us, how could we fall into their pre-set trap? To use our weaknesses to attack the enemy's strengths?"

With Shen Zheng's agreement, Shen Zhai became even bolder and said, "Yes, Father, Mu Zhi really should take some time to reflect. Why should we pay attention to the challenge issued by the Cui and Lu clans? A gentleman uses words, not fists. Now look what's happened. If he loses to the young lads of the Cui and Lu clans, he will be utterly disgraced."

Shen Lin sighed and said, "I don't know the details of this matter unless I see Mu Zhi."

He couldn't help but recall the scene from his time in Dali Temple prison, but he remained calm and composed.

"Could it be that Mu Zhi also has something to rely on in this matter?"

This thought suddenly arose in Shen Lin's mind, and a surge of hope welled up within him.

Shen Qian suddenly spoke up: "Uncle, since nephew Shen Xian accepted the challenge and made such a big fuss about it, he must have something to rely on. Otherwise, with his intelligence, how could he possibly meet the enemy?"

This is based on an understanding of Shen Xian's temperament.

“Even the wisest person can make a mistake,” Shen Zhai couldn’t help but retort.

Shen Qian glared at Shen Zhai and said coldly, "I think you're just hoping your nephew will lose. You're so gloating!"

"Hey, what are you saying? When have I ever not hoped that Mu Zhi would be well?" Shen Zhai seemed to have his secret exposed, his face flushed, and he argued.

Shen Qian snorted coldly: "You know what you're thinking."

Shen Zheng stopped Shen Zhai from defending himself and smoothed things over: "Alright, we're all brothers, how could we not want our own family to be well?"

Shen Qian's face was gloomy, and he remained silent.

Shen Lin glanced at Shen Zhai and said coldly, "You can't write two Shen characters with one stroke. You should put away your thoughts as soon as possible."

"I, Father..." Shen Zhai's expression changed, and he said in a low voice, "I'm just worried about Mu Zhi."

Just then, a butler ran in from outside, his face showing panic: "Master, there's more news from outside."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lin looked intently at the butler and asked, "What do you mean?"

"People from the Cui and Lu clans are saying that even if our young master received the Empress's elixir as a reward and his cultivation reached the peak of the Grandmaster level, he is still no match for the scions of the prestigious Cui and Lu families," the steward said breathlessly.

Upon hearing this, the members of the Shen family exchanged bewildered glances.

Shen Qian's tone was inevitably excited: "If it's the Grandmaster realm, then the chances of winning will undoubtedly increase several times over."

"The royal treasury has a vast stockpile of elixirs, far surpassing the resources of others," Shen Lin remarked, recalling the matter.

In any case, their cultivation levels are at least at the Grandmaster level, unlike the gap between the Acquired and Grandmaster levels, which is like an insurmountable chasm.

"I just don't know how to improve my cultivation level?" Shen Lin murmured, then asked, "Are there any rumors circulating outside?"

"Reporting to your question, sir, no one outside has mentioned this matter. However, no matter how many secret techniques or martial arts skills one possesses, our young master Shen is no match for the Cui and Lu clans," the steward said.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lin and Shen Qian exchanged a glance, both reading seriousness in each other's eyes.

Shen Zheng asked worriedly, "Father, is it really as the rumors say, that Mu Zhi is no match for the sons of the Cui and Lu clans?"

Shen Lin's aged eyes turned to Shen Qian, and he asked, "What exactly do you mean?"

Shen Qian pondered for a moment and said, "Uncle, martial arts skills are not something that can be honed in a day, unless you envy that your nephew is a martial arts prodigy who is one in ten thousand."

As Shen Zhai listened to the discussion, a cold glint flashed in his eyes beneath his delicate eyebrows. He dared not utter any sarcastic remarks, but he was genuinely relieved.

It seems that Mu Zhi is definitely going to lose face.

Shen Zheng said with concern, "We should have delayed a bit longer and waited until our cultivation was more stable before making a move."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhai scoffed inwardly. How could such a young man, so eager for quick success, possibly wait that long?
He was thinking of breaking through his martial arts cultivation and showing off to the officials and empress in the capital, but in the end, he might end up exposing his true colors.

The Cui and Lu families are aristocratic families with hundreds of years of history. Their children are trained in martial arts from a young age. As the saying goes, "the poor study literature and the rich study martial arts." How can they catch up in a short time?
Just wait and see; he'll sit back and watch them fail.

Father's words are correct. There are two Shens, but there is a difference between legitimate and illegitimate children. If we don't let Shen Xian suffer a bit, I'm afraid he will bully the legitimate child because he is an illegitimate child!
Recalling the kneeling and worship in the ancestral hall, Shen Zhai felt a tightness in his chest.

In fact, this was a blow that Shen Zhai, who had always been proud and arrogant, could not accept.

They have always been the pride of the Shen family.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qian frowned and said, "If we have more time, our cultivation will be more consolidated, and our chances of winning will be greater."

Given the limited vision of the Shen family of Lanxi, they would not have known about the Eternal Green Pagoda, a treasure of unparalleled value, nor would they have known that the Taiqing Three Families possessed a grotto-heaven.

Shen Lin sighed and said, "Let's wait until Mu Zhi returns. Tomorrow, when the competition begins, I will personally attend the ceremony."

It would be a disgrace no matter what. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. The Shen family of Lanxi were not good at martial arts. Mu Zhi was a scholar of the Zhaowen Academy. His courage and ambition in going out to fight were already commendable.

After all, the opposing side consisted of the Cui and Lu families, who had a history spanning hundreds of years. Though they were defeated, they still had a glorious defeat.

However, despite this attempt to comfort himself, a gloom always lingered in Shen Lin's heart.

If they defeat the Cui and Lu clans, the Empress's favor will be even greater. If they lose, will it affect the Empress's trust and regard for them?

It's no wonder Shen Lin was so worried, because that's the truth; one's spirits must be encouraged, not dampened.

If Shen Xian succeeds in everything, he can cultivate an invincible mindset, which will further solidify his special position in the Empress's heart.

Conversely, being humiliated by the counterattack of the Cui and Lu clans in matters of martial arts would cast a shadow over one's future career.

(End of this chapter)