CHAPTER 197: CHAPTER 156: AMBIGUOUS TRUE ENERGY, ZHANG YUNSU’S SWORDSMANSHIP

Zhang Ruo, although a member of the Zhang Family, was, after all, not from the main branch. Her knowledge was limited, far surpassed by Jiang Shu’s high-level perspective.

The Zhang Family appeared to be one of Yongning County’s ten great clans, but in reality, any major clan would experience periods of prosperity followed by decline.

The family’s genius, Zhang Yunsu, had only advanced to the Refining Internal Realm at nineteen, and there had been no sign of a breakthrough since.

This signified that the Zhang Family’s current younger generation was no longer capable of fully supporting the clan.

To maintain their foothold in Yongning County, the best method was through marital alliances, binding their interests with other major clans while waiting for the emergence of a genius in the next generation.

The so-called "Talent Meeting" hosted by the Zhang Family was, in reality, likely a marriage assembly for Zhang Yunsu.

As for someone like Zhang Ruo, she was merely an add-on. Perhaps she would be gifted as a concubine to a genius from another major clan, or perhaps she would be married to a disciple of another prominent family. Everything depended on the choices made by the Zhang Family elders at the Talent Meeting.

"Thank you, Big Brother Shang..." Zhang Ruo’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s hum. She took a jade bottle from her pouch and said, "This is a bottle of Inner Strength Pills, a small token of my appreciation..."

"There’s no need. This time, I also felt the urge for some activity after a period of quiet. Perhaps I should be thanking you for the invitation." Jiang Shu laughed heartily and pushed the Inner Strength Pills back to her. At his cultivation Realm, Inner Strength Pills were practically useless to him, like chicken ribs.

Considering Zhang Ruo’s current financial situation, offering a bottle of Inner Strength Pills was a clear display of her sincerity.

"You should be at the peak of the Bone Forging Realm by now. You must have acquired a Middle Grade Cultivation Technique from the Zhang Family, right? It’s time to start learning it. To break through to the Refining Internal Realm, pay attention to these key points..."

In the courtyard, Jiang Shu explained the crucial points for achieving a breakthrough. Relying on others is never as good as relying on oneself; giving a person a fish is far inferior to teaching them how to fish.

The primary reason he was attending the Talent Meeting in the county city was that he had recently solidified his cultivation.

The path of Martial Arts involves scaling lofty mountains and wading deep rivers; it is a process of sublimation through successive battles, not something achievable through mere meditation and cultivation.

In his own experience, progressing from manifesting vigor to Dark Force was due to the insights gained into the mysteries of Dark Force during his battle with Shang Jibei.

The battle by West Lake and the one in Tokyo further catalyzed his transformation from transformed vigor to Dan vigor.

Without these pivotal battles, reaching his current Realm would have taken him considerably longer.

Now, having reached the Blood Exchange Realm, he similarly needed to interact with his peers.

Although Su Mingchun was in the Blood Exchange Realm and held a high-ranking vice-chairman position, his drive in Martial Arts could no longer match the fervor of young geniuses. Consequently, his combat strength would also have declined.

Instead of seeking a sparring match with Su Mingchun, it would be better to see if any geniuses of the same Realm would compete at this county city Talent Meeting.

After all, Zhang Yunsu had reached the peak of the Refining Internal Realm by the age of twenty; her innate talent in Martial Arts was clearly not lacking.

If the Zhang Family intended to marry her off for a strategic alliance, they would undoubtedly choose a genius in the Blood Exchange Realm.

「Five days later.」

In East City of Yongning County, the entire street where the Zhang Family resided was festively decorated.

Countless guests queued outside the Zhang Family compound.

This Talent Meeting was divided into an outer venue and an inner venue.

The outer venue was arranged with great pomp and grandeur, designed to show outsiders that the Zhang Family possessed the magnificence befitting one of the ten great clans.

The inner venue, however, was primarily accessible only to the county city’s geniuses, who could converse and rest inside.

Zhang Ruo, clad in a simple and elegant long dress, leaned closer to Jiang Shu and whispered cautiously, "Big Brother Shang, when you go inside, please don’t say anything. Just stand with me."

To her, the Zhang Family was truly a colossal entity.

This time, it would be best if the elders didn’t single her out. She still had enough time to cultivate to the Refining Internal Realm.

Although reaching the Refining Internal Realm wouldn’t allow her to decide her own marriage, at least she would be considered part of the clan’s core strength and wouldn’t be so easily manipulated.

"Alright." Jiang Shu nodded and followed her inside.

The Zhang Family truly lived up to its reputation as one of the county city’s ten great clans; there was more to them than met the eye.

After passing through several courtyards, an expansive plaza appeared before Jiang Shu.

At the center of the plaza stood a simple, ancient-looking fighting stage. Rings of stone steps encircled it, upon which cushioned seats were arranged in neat rows.

The Clan Leaders of the ten great clans had all gathered, occupying the ten most prominent cushioned seats directly facing the stage.

"Those seated at the front are either geniuses from the major clans or Refining Internal Realm experts from those clans. We should head further back."

Choosing a particularly secluded spot, Zhang Ruo sat down and continued, "Actually, the major clans hold this Talent Meeting periodically. Sometimes it’s informal, other times it’s quite formal. It all depends on the prizes they offer."

"This time, our Zhang Family seems to have invested heavily, so it’s a genuine Talent Meeting. Many people should be attending."

"The initial events are just some duels between geniuses, which don’t really concern us. The most important part is going to the inner venue after the Talent Meeting concludes. If I’m actually chosen then, Big Brother Shang, you must help me a little. I’ll tell the clan elders that we are mutually in love and see if we can buy some time."

Zhang Ruo’s heart was filled with apprehension. Before she realized it, the surrounding seats had filled with people.

On the stage, a Refining Internal Realm expert from the Zhang Family stepped forward, his voice resonating clearly, "This is the second Talent Meeting our Zhang Family has hosted in ten years."

Amidst thundering applause, he continued, "Any genius in Yongning County who has reached the Refining Internal Realm is welcome to come on stage and compete. Our Zhang Family has prepared ten bottles of Inner Strength Pills for every participating genius."