Invincible Divine Sword Chapter 4 - 4 A Friendly Competition

4 Chapter 4 A Friendly Competition

Translator: 549690339

“You, how could you be so ruthless toward your own flesh and blood!” Distressed by the state of Yang Zhong’s bruised face and arms, Yang Ming pointed an accusing finger at Yang Xiaotian, his voice trembling with a mix of fury and indignation.

Unfazed, Yang Xiaotian countered, “He struck my sister’s face first and lashed her with a belt!”

At that moment, the crowd noticed the inflammation on Yang Ling’er’s face and the horrific welts marking her small arms.

At least seven whip marks scarred her slender limbs.

Yang Ming, however, ignored the evidence. His beard shook with rage as he pointed at the boy. “You have the audacity to talk back after assaulting your brother! Servants, confine him to the ancestral home for an entire day. No one is permitted to bring him food during this time!”

No food for a full day?

Yang Chao’s expression shifted instantly. “Father!”

It was currently the height of winter; the ancestral home was notoriously freezing, and the temperature dropped even further at night. For a seven-year-old child like Yang Xiaotian to be trapped there without sustenance for a day would be an agonizing ordeal.

“Why are you standing still? Lock him in the ancestral home!” Yang Ming barked at a manager of the Yang Family Manor.

As the manager stepped forward to take her brother, Yang Ling’er burst into tears. She clung to Yang Xiaotian and sobbed, “Grandfather, please don’t lock him away, I beg of you!”

Yang Ming remained cold and unmoved.

Ultimately, Yang Xiaotian was hauled away and locked within the ancestral home on the back mountain.

Once the heavy wooden doors clicked shut, the world became silent. Peering through the shadows at the rows of Yang Family ancestral tablets, Yang Xiaotian felt a strange, unexpected peace settle over him.

Forbidden from eating for a day?

He hadn't anticipated that his grandfather’s contempt would reach such lengths just because he had awakened a "Level Two" Tortoise Martial Soul.

Sitting cross-legged, Yang Xiaotian initiated the Prajna Skill, focusing his Martial Soul on the task of drawing in the natural spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Isolated within the ancestral home, he found himself free of distractions. The rate at which he absorbed energy seemed to accelerate, steadily converting into spiritual power within his Dantian and limbs.

As night descended, icy winds whistled through the building, yet Yang Xiaotian felt neither the bite of the cold nor the pangs of hunger.

In this quietude, his perception expanded outward. He could clearly hear the faint chirping of insects over a hundred meters away.

After an unknown amount of time, a sound like a butterfly breaking from its cocoon vibrated through his body.

Yang Xiaotian beamed with joy.

He had successfully achieved another breakthrough, reaching the third rank.

Furthermore, he sensed a fundamental change in his constitution; his senses were now far more acute than ever before.

This punishment in the ancestral home had effectively become a hidden blessing.

A day later, the doors finally opened. His father Yang Chao, mother Huang Ying, and sister Yang Ling’er were waiting anxiously. The moment he stepped out, Huang Ying wiped away her tears and pulled him into a fierce embrace.

Yang Ling’er was even more emotional, her eyes red from crying.

“Mother, I’m alright,” Yang Xiaotian said with a bright, wide smile. “I actually wouldn't have minded staying in there a few more days.” He was being entirely honest.

In the days that followed, Yang Xiaotian maintained his routine, rarely leaving his courtyard as he focused on his Cultivation.

Following that physical confrontation, Yang Zhong had also become much quieter, remaining in his own quarters to train diligently.

Yang Xiaotian remained composed despite knowing about Yang Zhong’s seclusion. He understood exactly what his brother was planning.

Yang Zhong was desperate to reach the first tier as quickly as possible so he could humiliate Yang Xiaotian during the family’s year-end gathering.

You won’t let me off?

Recalling Yang Zhong’s boastful threats about the upcoming meeting, Yang Xiaotian suddenly threw a powerful punch. His spiritual power surged, and a massive stone in the courtyard was instantly reduced to rubble.

Time passed steadily.

The end of the year loomed near.

The Yang Family Manor was transformed with festive decorations in preparation for the New Year celebrations.

Amidst the falling snow, Yang Xiaotian practiced the Taiji Scripture. His movements were a blend of softness and hidden strength, sending flurries of snow swirling into the air with every strike.

Since reaching the third rank, his progress had naturally slowed. However, through relentless effort, he had managed to climb to the peak of the fourth rank.

His mastery of the Taiji Scripture had also improved significantly; his martial aura now influenced a three-meter radius around him.

Ending his session, Yang Xiaotian felt heat radiating from his skin despite the cold.

The family clan meeting was scheduled for tomorrow.

It was originally supposed to take place later, but at Yang Zhong’s insistence, Yang Ming had moved the date forward.

The meeting is earlier? It seems Yang Zhong has finally stepped into the first tier and is eager to prove himself by beating me!

Yang Xiaotian walked out of his yard. Having spent so much time in isolation, he wanted to check on his younger sister.

“Did you hear the news? A prominent figure from Divine Sword Academy is visiting our Yang Family Manor for the clan meeting tomorrow!”

“A big shot from Divine Sword Academy? Who? And why are they coming here?”

He overheard the manor guards gossiping in the distance.

Yang Xiaotian was intrigued.

Divine Sword Academy was the most prestigious institution among the four great academies of Divine Sea Country. For any family, having a child admitted there was the ultimate source of prestige.

“The official from the academy heard that Young Master Yang Zhong awakened the Green Phoenix Martial Soul. He’s traveling here specifically to recruit him as a disciple!”

“The news has already swept through Xingyue City. Many local masters are arriving to give their best wishes. The Old Manor Lord is so happy he hasn't stopped smiling.”

The guards continued their excited chatter.

Yang Xiaotian listened, but his face remained a mask of indifference.

The following morning.

The winter sun offered little warmth.

Upon waking, Yang Xiaotian discovered that his grandfather, his uncle Yang Hai, and Yang Zhong had already left to greet the guest from Divine Sword Academy.

Notably, his grandfather had not bothered to invite him or his father to the reception.

The area in front of the Yang Family Manor’s main hall served as the traditional venue for the annual meeting.

When Yang Xiaotian arrived with his parents and Yang Ling’er, the hall was already packed with guests.

The air was thick with boisterous conversation; no one paid any attention to the arrival of Yang Xiaotian’s branch of the family.

Yang Xiaotian looked toward the center of the room. His grandfather and various experts from Xingyue City were all crowding around a man with silver hair.

This was clearly the esteemed guest from Divine Sword Academy.

His father whispered that the man was Chen Yuan, the Vice President of the academy.

Such a man held immense status in Divine Sea Country; even the royalty treated him with the utmost respect. The people of Xingyue City were naturally desperate to impress him.

Shortly after, the clan meeting officially commenced.

With an affectionate look at his grandson, Yang Ming said, “Zhong’er, go up and demonstrate your progress. Let Vice President Chen Yuan witness the fruits of your hard work.”

Yang Zhong nodded and leaped gracefully onto the Martial Arts Stage. He began to circulate his spiritual energy, letting it flow out from his body.

A brilliant light immediately radiated from him.

“The peak of the first tier!” The masters from Xingyue City were stunned by the intensity of Yang Zhong’s aura.

It had been less than three weeks since his awakening, yet he had already reached the peak of the first tier.

Even Chen Yuan looked impressed. “The Green Phoenix is indeed an exceptional level 10 Martial Soul,” he remarked.

The Green Phoenix was a rarity in the kingdom, which was why he had traveled so far.

Yang Zhong had exceeded his expectations by reaching such a level in less than twenty days.

He had only ever seen a handful of geniuses cultivate at such a pace.

Hearing the Vice President's praise, Yang Ming and Yang Hai beamed with pride.

At that moment, Yang Zhong turned his eyes toward Yang Xiaotian in the crowd. He called out loudly, “Xiaotian, I know you’ve been training hard in secret. Do you have the courage to step up here and spar with me?”