The System Arrives: Leading My Clan to Become the Strongest

107: Chapter 107 The Martial Arts Tournament Ends, the Zhao Family Harbors Malicious IntentThe bluestone path wound along as the Jiang Family party walked into the Jingyun Elegant Courtyard deep within the Royal Courtyard under the twilight.

”Everyone, disperse. Especially Jiang Feng and Xue Qin, although I used spiritual power to help clear some of your fatigue, you should still return to your rooms to meditate and recover.”

Jiang Chen stood in the center of the courtyard, his gaze sweeping over the slightly tired Clan Members. His voice remained gentle yet carried an unquestionable steadiness.

”Fifth Elder, arrange for two people to rotate on night watch. Keep your Divine Sense extended for surveillance; there must be no slackening.”

”Yes, Clan Chief!”

Jiang Beiyuan responded and immediately picked two Early Foundation Establishment Stage Clan Members to guard both sides of the courtyard gate.

The Clan Members dispersed in an orderly fashion, as did Jiang Feng and Jiang Xueqin. Before long, only Jiang Chen and Jiang Beiyuan remained in the courtyard.

Jiang Chen walked into the main room alone and pushed open the window. The distant clamor drifted in from time to time; the Qingfeng Martial Meet’s excitement had not diminished because of their departure.

He did not let his guard down due to the small victory at the Martial Arts Tournament. His Divine Sense quietly spread out, his Nascent Soul Stage spiritual sense like an invisible giant net, enveloping the entire Jingyun Elegant Courtyard airtight.

”Clan Chief, the Zhao Family lost face today. Could they...”

Jiang Beiyuan walked in carrying a cup of green tea, his tone tinged with worry.

Although his Clan Chief had the strength of a Nascent Soul Ancestor, it was impossible for him to watch everything at every moment. Having witnessed the Zhao Family’s arrogance at the Martial Arts Tournament, he was well aware of the nature of such families who would use any means to achieve their goals. As the saying goes, it is easy to dodge an open attack but hard to guard against a hidden backstabber.

Jiang Chen took the teacup, the warmth at his fingertips steadying his mood.

”The Zhao Family is narrow-minded; they certainly won’t let this matter rest.”

Jiang Chen spoke indifferently, but his tone didn’t fluctuate much. As a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator, if he were to be timid when facing a mere Golden Core Family, then his Nascent Soul Realm cultivation would have been in vain.

”But don’t worry. I hope the Zhao Family has the strength to make me take them seriously. Otherwise, heh...”

Jiang Beiyuan felt a chill in his heart and quickly responded before withdrawing.

He knew well that while this young Clan Chief appeared indifferent, he had actually calculated everything beforehand.

The Jiang Family’s ability to rise from a small Qi Refining Family on the brink of erasure to carving out a place in the Great Desolation and occupying a fifth-tier spirit vein to this day was all thanks to the Clan Chief before him.

At the tournament venue, the retreating backs of the Jiang Family members were like a thorn, stabbing deep into the hearts of the Zhao Family camp.

Zhao Kun clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white and his nails almost sinking into his flesh, his eyes filled with venomous resentment.

”A bunch of country bumpkins! They just got lucky, having three Clan Members enter the top three. Even so, they dare to run wild in the Capital! Once the Martial Arts Tournament is over, I’ll make them pay the price!”

The Zhao Family Disciples nearby chimed in one after another, but no one dared to make a loud noise.

The Zhao Clan Chief, Zhao Lifeng, had an ashen face, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

The Jiang Family’s sudden departure was like a silent mockery, making him feel even more uneasy.

He turned to look at the viewing platform; Huangfu Xuance’s seat was already empty. Finally, he spotted him in the air above the Golden Core final battle stage.

Huangfu Xuance immediately sensed Zhao Lifeng’s gaze and knew what the other party wanted to say, but he didn’t pay any attention to him at all.

Since he had decided to abandon the Zhao Family, he needed to state his position early.

Now that it was the final Golden Core battle, as the proctor for this Golden Core competition, he naturally had to keep a personal eye on it this time.

”Regarding Ancestor Xuance...”

Seeing that Huangfu Xuance had no reaction at all, a White-Haired Elder asked in a low voice, his tone filled with anxiety.

The Zhao Family was able to develop in the Capital to a scale second only to the Imperial Family entirely because they offered rare treasures to Huangfu Xuance year-round; it was by relying on this protection that they dared to act so unscrupulously.

Zhao Hongye snorted coldly, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.

”Hmph, Huangfu Jinyuan, after today’s Qingfeng Martial Meet ends, I will need an explanation.”

Seeing that Huangfu Xuance continued to ignore him, Zhao Lifeng became even more dissatisfied.

”But, what should we do about that Jiang Family?”

An Elder looked at Zhao Lifeng and asked.

”There are too many people and ears here; we’ll talk once we’re back at the Family estate after it’s over.”

Zhao Lifeng said indifferently and then fell silent.

The final Golden Core battle went by quickly. The most eye-catching participant was Zhongli Feiyan of the Tianxuan Sect. Having just broken through to the Golden Core, she actually secured fifth place in front of so many mid and Late Stage Golden Core experts.

Zhongli Feiyan stepped down from the battle stage, her pale purple dress still stained with the faint glow of spiritual power collisions. As soon as she returned to the Tianxuan Sect camp, she was surrounded by a group of Junior Brothers and sisters.

”Senior Sister Feiyan is amazing! To break into the top five right after reaching Golden Core, you’re practically a Sect legend!”

”Yes, Senior Sister, even those mid and Late Stage Golden Core Seniors were suppressed by you. You’ll definitely be able to charge for the Nascent Soul in the future!”

Compliments rose and fell, their eyes full of worship.

”Junior Sister Feiyan, congratulations.”

At this moment, Li Jingchen came forward to congratulate her. The thoughts he previously had about Zhongli Feiyan vanished completely after she secured fifth place in the Golden Core competition.

He knew that although he was a Genius, he was not in the same league as someone like Zhongli Feiyan.

”Junior Sister, congratulations.”

Wang Tieniu said as well.

”Mm, congratulations to you too.”

Zhongli Feiyan nodded at the two of them. She had also witnessed their performance on the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, she had a vague impression of that person named Jiang Beiyuan, as if she knew who he was, but she couldn’t figure it out upon careful thought.

Mainly, back in Tianlin City, as a member of a Foundation Establishment Family, she hadn’t paid much attention to a mere Qi Refining Family. She only slightly remembered their main members, and she hadn’t even spared a glance at the younger generation, so she was even less clear.

At this moment, a clear and gentle voice came over:

”Feiyan, come here.”

It was precisely the Grand Elder of the Tianxuan Sect, Su Lingxue.

Dressed in a plain white Daoist robe, her temperament was transcendent. Her gaze toward Zhongli Feiyan was filled with gratification yet remained serious.

”To be able to achieve fifth place at the Early Golden Core Stage this time is indeed rare.”

”But you must not be arrogant. There is still a gap between your spiritual power Foundation and that of top Golden Core Cultivators.”

”This battle is a starting point, not the end. Only by focusing on polishing your Dao Foundation can you go further.”

Zhongli Feiyan bowed in salute, the impetuousness fading from her eyes as she solemnly replied, ”This Disciple will keep Revered Master’s teachings in mind.”

The bell for the finale of the Qingfeng Martial Meet rang. The lingering excitement of the Golden Core final battle had not yet dissipated when the various families began to leave one after another.

On the outskirts of the square, carriages rattled and the voices of people gradually thinned. Only the Zhao Family party had solemn expressions, their hurried steps carrying a suppressed, violent aura.

Returning to the Zhao Family residence, the discussion hall was brightly lit by candlelight. Zhao Lifeng suddenly slammed the jade pendant from his waist onto the table, the sound of it shattering being ear-piercing.

”That group of country-bumpkin brats from the Jiang Family actually dared to make my Zhao Family lose face! That fellow Huangfu Xuance is even more of a fence-sitter, completely ignoring our past ties!”

”Clan Chief, please calm your anger. It’s just a mere Jiang Family. I see that the strongest one is that Jiang Beiyuan who took first place in the Foundation Establishment stage today; the others are not worth worrying about. Compared to our Zhao Family, their Jiang Family has an even shallower Foundation. Tonight is a good opportunity. While they have no roots or support in the Capital, a late-night raid on the Jingyun Elegant Courtyard will surely wipe them out in one fell swoop!”

A White-Haired Elder whispered softly, but no one present was a Mortal, and every single one of them heard him clearly.

”Hmph, my thoughts exactly!”

A ruthless light flashed in Zhao Lifeng’s eyes.

”Third Elder, take twelve Foundation Establishment elites, carrying Blazing Flame Talismans and cloud piercing crossbows. Act at the third watch; you must pull them up by the roots! Do it cleanly. As long as the speed is fast enough, even if the Huangfu Imperial Family finds a trace of evidence, so what? It’s impossible for them to become enemies with my Zhao Family for the sake of some dead people!”

The Third Elder received the order, killing intent boiling in his eyes.

”Rest assured, Family Head. Tonight, I will surely leave not even a chicken or dog alive in the Jiang Family!”

Inside the discussion hall, gloomy gazes met one after another. A plot targeting the Jiang Family members in the Royal Courtyard was quietly brewing in the night.