Chapter Four: Establishing Authority (Part I)

Wuneng was about the same age as Wushu and was the eldest son of their eldest uncle, Wu Xiang. By family hierarchy, Wushu should even address Wu Xiang’s mother as Third Grandmother.

What Wushu did not expect was that now his parents had mysteriously disappeared, and with Wu Xiang in power, the eldest uncle relentlessly suppressed their clan members. What angered Wushu even more was that Wuneng had the audacity to mock his younger brother in times of trouble. Had the family truly fallen so low that even a man’s pride was lost?

Fury boiling within him, Wushu made a silent vow.

Clan rivalry? The Heroes of East Su City?

Now that I, Wushu, have returned, no matter who you are, no matter how powerful, I will make you realize that the strength of the Wu family is not to be trifled with.

In the coming month, I will make you all tremble.

Though burning with anger, Wushu calmly said, “Uncle Niu, strengthen the rear guard defenses in the coming days. As for the clan rivalry and the Heroes list, I will personally take action.”

Upon hearing Wushu’s words, a sharp gleam flashed in Wu Niu’s eyes. Wu Niu was no fool; knowing his place, he bowed respectfully and said, “Young master, this old servant believes that with your return, great achievements will surely come.”

“If there are no other instructions, this old servant will take his leave.”

After Wu Niu left, Wushu’s mind was filled with questions about his younger brother’s situation. If the family’s various branches were being sidelined under Wu Xiang’s rule, why was the business in Jutu Town still under Wu Niu’s control?

Could it be that Uncle Niu was involved somehow?

Once Wu Niu had departed, Zhao Fenxing disregarded her refined demeanor and drank the tea in large gulps.

“I’m parched. If not for…”

She had intended to complain a little but, realizing that her relationship with Wushu wasn’t as close as she thought, quickly changed the subject. “Wushu, Wu’s injuries have improved. What are your plans moving forward?”

Wushu had indeed given it some thought.

On the Forgotten Continent, even though his mastery of formation techniques had reached heights that others could hardly attain, a lingering confusion remained in his heart. The purpose of cultivation was nothing more than to achieve immortality or to be unshackled wherever one went.

Setting aside immortality, even on the Forgotten Continent, where Wushu was so powerful, the natural laws remained difficult to break.

Knowing Zhao Fenxing’s distinguished background—and that Wushu had fallen into slumber since age six—he suspected that Zhao Fenxing’s knowledge of the Thick Earth Continent far exceeded his own. Tentatively, he said, “From what I understand, although people on the Thick Earth Continent revere physical training, many great families also have their descendants study profound internal secret techniques, allowing them to cultivate both divine physique and internal power.”

“Divine physique and internal cultivation?”

Though Zhao Fenxing was familiar with the term, she could hardly believe that the Wu family of the Kun Kingdom would have exposed Wushu to such advanced knowledge. It seemed that the knowledge Wushu had acquired on the Forgotten Continent far surpassed that of many prestigious families’ heirs.

Zhao Fenxing smiled sweetly. “Divine physique cultivation? After such a long sleep, you must have become foolish. Even in the Thick Earth Continent, not even our Eastern Empire has heard of such a thing. Our combined internal secret techniques and physical training are called ‘internal-external dual cultivation.’”

“Internal-external dual cultivation?”

Recalling the profound mysterious techniques cultivated on the Forgotten Continent, Wushu muttered to himself, “I wonder if I can continue cultivating the profound techniques on the Thick Earth Continent. My greatest regret on the Forgotten Continent is that when cultivating the profound techniques, only profound energy can be formed inside. If I could cultivate profound power instead, I believe my strength would be terrifying.”

Seeing Wushu’s thoughtful expression, Zhao Fenxing thought he did not understand internal-external dual cultivation and explained, “Don’t underestimate those who cultivate both internal and external. Anyone with such aptitude is a one-in-a-million genius. In your Kun Kingdom, under equal conditions, they can truly contend with the kingdom’s top prodigies. Internal cultivation not only strengthens the body but also develops an inner breath. When this inner breath reaches a certain level, it condenses into a type of power. Among prestigious sects, this power is called ‘Earth Force.’”

“Earth Force?” Wushu thought the name was rather unimpressive, almost rustic.

But on the Thick Earth Continent, everything was related to earth, so the name was fitting.

“Earth Force?”

He recalled his father once mentioning an ancient secret technique within the family. If a peerless genius among the descendants could successfully cultivate it, the family’s fortunes would soar overnight.

Regardless of the name, many understood that to rise above on the Thick Earth Continent, mere physical training was insufficient. The top-tier elites were all cultivators of internal-external dual cultivation.

Thinking of the many prodigies on the continent who practiced both, Wushu asked, “Are there many who have cultivated Earth Force on our Thick Earth Continent?”

Zhao Fenxing was well-informed about the Eastern Empire, at least. Many internal-external dual cultivators could produce Earth Force before the age of ten. She said, “Hmm, how should I explain this? If you judge a person’s strength only by their ability to cultivate Earth Force, then if you ever travel to the Eastern Empire to train, you will understand what it means to see prodigies everywhere.”

So many such prodigies existed, at least in the Eastern Empire.

Zhao Fenxing’s words surprised Wushu. On the Forgotten Continent, it had taken him a hundred thousand years to cultivate only profound energy. Although the circumstances there were unique, allowing cultivators to liberate and greatly enhance their spiritual power, as the ruler of the Forgotten Continent, he could only produce a single breath of profound energy in that time. Compared to the present, it was a staggering difference.

Wushu did not believe his talent for cultivation was inferior to others.

Just as Wushu was about to ask more, the old steward Wu Niu returned, his face anxious. Wushu calmly asked, “Uncle Niu, what happened?”

The steward hurried forward. “Young master, bad news. I just received word that the two servants from the ironware shop, whom I accompanied you to the rear yard with, have mysteriously disappeared.”

Wushu’s expression remained calm, but he secretly observed Wu Niu.

Wu Niu had been the loyal attendant of Wushu’s parents for years, managing the Wu family’s ironware shop in Jutu Town. Even with the eldest uncle’s rise to power, no harm had come to Wu Niu, which had long puzzled Wushu. Now, two servants had vanished without a trace.

Though they were called mysterious disappearances, weren’t those two servants just traitors in the ironware shop?

Such mismanagement should not happen under Wu Niu’s watch, in Wushu’s view.

“Uncle Niu, I understand the situation. Continue with your duties.”

After Wu Niu left, Wushu pondered. Whether or not Wu Niu was involved, at least Wu Niu reported the disappearance immediately, and Wushu would need to take precautions.

At present, Wushu understood his own strength well: without spirit stones, his formations could not function, leaving him weak.

Of course, Zhao Fenxing certainly had spirit stones, and since she had shown no ill intent, Wushu felt she was someone he could get along with. After some thought, he turned to Zhao Fenxing and said earnestly, “On reflection, I’m quite the fool. Such a beautiful woman stands before me, yet I’ve only talked about cultivation.”

Wushu believed his sudden display of friendliness would help; even cultivators enjoy being appreciated by those they do not dislike. At this moment, Wushu was all humble charm, a stark contrast to the powerful image he once had. Zhao Fenxing understood there was a reason behind his sudden change.

She was well aware of the Wu family’s predicament but feigned ignorance with a playful expression. “Wushu, stop pretending to be weak in front of me. I don’t want to play guessing games with you…”

Before Zhao Fenxing could finish, Wushu interrupted, “I tell you, I’m just being pragmatic. Besides, even if I want spirit stones, I will repay you double in the future.”

Hearing this, Zhao Fenxing’s expression shifted slightly. She mocked, “Tsk tsk… that doesn’t sound like someone borrowing spirit stones.”

Ignoring whatever Wushu wanted to say, Zhao Fenxing stretched lazily and said, “I haven’t had a good rest in a while.”

Thinking of the mysterious star stone on Wushu’s body, Zhao Fenxing added, “Wushu, I must remind you that the lives of Wu Zuo and Wu You are closely linked to that stone.”

Being with a clever person was fine, but facing one as an opponent would be truly troublesome.

Yet, just as Zhao Fenxing had said earlier, the star stone on Wushu’s body was his last resort for survival; unless in a life-or-death situation, Wushu dared not unleash much of its power.

Wushu said, “Miss Zhao, now that you’ve been so clear, tell me your conditions. What must I do for you to lend me spirit stones?”

Hearing this, Zhao Fenxing tossed several low-grade spirit stones to him, happily saying, “Wushu, spirit stones are external possessions. Giving you some is no problem. But I need you to remember one thing.”

She paused, first looking like one ready to seize the opportunity, then like a sister about to give a warning.

Their unexpected reunion was abrupt, but Zhao Fenxing had shown no hostility toward Wushu or the Wu family. On the contrary, she was well informed and somewhat concerned.

Though he had the spirit stones, Wushu felt he should listen carefully to what Zhao Fenxing wanted to say. He nodded earnestly, “Miss Zhao, tell me. What do you want me to remember?”

Surprised by his willingness, Zhao Fenxing seemed to ponder and said, “Use these spirit stones for now. As for the rest, I’ll tell you when I decide.”

Wushu couldn’t help but feel the spirit stones were like a hot potato. He thought, “Zhao Fenxing, I wonder if you’re really from the Zhao family of the Eastern Empire. Such a powerful family trying to scheme against someone like me, a pauper—you’re truly cunning.”

He also wondered if Zhao Fenxing still held a grudge over matters on the Forgotten Continent and now sought to toy with him through his difficulties. This needed further observation.

Finally, Zhao Fenxing, with a serious expression, said, “Wushu, remember what you promised me today.”

“All right, I’m tired now.”

Then Zhao Fenxing left with her maid, leaving Wushu full of questions.

With the spirit stones in hand, Wushu did not hesitate. He quickly inscribed formation patterns on the stones. When he finished with the first stone, a young man’s sharp voice rang out, “You damned servants, move aside if you want to live! Today is the great day of the return of Wushu’s younger brother. As the elder brother, how could I not come to welcome him? Yet you insolent dogs dare block my way?”

The newcomer was none other than Wuneng.

As the eldest son of the current Wu family head, Wuneng dared not speak out when clan members were bullied in front of outsiders but now swaggered arrogantly before servants. To Wushu, this was the day to put Wuneng in his place and show the clan’s younger generation that he and his brother were not to be trifled with.

Even if he was the clan leader’s son, if he had to fight, he would fight.