The air in the hall thickened. The other elders eyes narrowed, flickers of disbelief flashing across their faces.
"Impossible…" one of the elders muttered "Five years… he's been stuck at the fifth stage for five years"
"And now…" Another elder's eyes widened "The ninth stage? In one night?"
"How could this happen?"
Elder Wang Baolong, the oldest among them, leaned forward, his sharp eyes boring into Wang Jie "From the fifth stage to the ninth stage of Qi Gathering… That's not just progress—that's..."
"Ridiculous!" his fourth uncle's voice was cold "Without a high-grade cultivation technique or a miracle pill, this kind of breakthrough is…" His eyes narrowed dangerously "What exactly have you been practicing?"
The room remained deathly still. Even the servants standing at the edges of the hall exchanged uncertain glances. For five years, Wang Jie had been the joke of the third branch a stagnant talent, stuck at the fifth stage, falling further and further behind his peers.
And now ninth stage? The leap was monstrous Unnatural, Impossible.
"This brat…" Elder Wang Baolong's gaze sharpened "Did he… take some forbidden medicine?"
Wang Jie chuckled "What's the matter, Elder Baolong? I am still young?"
"You—!"
"Enough!"
Wang Yusheng's deep voice cut through the tension. He stood from his seat, his eyes gleaming with sharpness and… pride. Then he laughed "Hahahaha!"
Stepping forward, he clapped Wang Jie's shoulder hard enough to make the younger man stumble slightly "From the fifth stage to the ninth stage! After five years of stagnation this is no small feat!"
The elders exchanged wary glances. Even Wang Jincheng's stiff expression twitched slightly. He believes even his elder brother lacks discipline.
"Uncle" Wang Jie said, raising a brow
Yusheng's grin widened. "My nephew, once branded a disappointment, has now achieved a breakthrough that most suprising way!" He clapped
Wang Jie's shoulder again, nearly knocking him off balance.
"I knew it!" Yusheng laughed "I always knew you had potential!"
"You could do it"
"Well done, Kid" Wang Yusheng said, his expression sharp "It seems the upcoming competition will be more interesting than expected"
Wang Jie's smile widened "Oh, definitely"
"huh? Competition?"
Wang Yusheng's gaze sharpened His smile faded slightly as he studied Wang Jie's expression "You don't know, do you?"
Wang Jie's brow creased "Know what?"
Jincheng scoffed "Of course he doesn't A failure stuck at the fifth stage for five years wouldn't be included in important matters"
Wang Jie remained calm. Elder Wang Baolong's sharp gaze flicked toward Yusheng before he sighed "The main branch sent word last month"
Wang Yusheng's smile returned this time, with a subtle edge "A competition"
"Every twenty years, the Wang family's main branch holds a grand competition" Yusheng explained "They select the most talented disciples from the side branches to participate. The winners are granted entry into the Heavenly Martial Pavilion the core training place of the Wang family"
"The Heavenly Martial Pavilion…" Wang Jie murmured, brows lifting slightly. Even he had heard of it a sacred place where only the most elite disciples could cultivate. It was said to hold high tier techniques and resources beyond imagination.
"The competition will take place in three months. Each branch is allowed to send ten representatives. To qualify, you'll have to compete against the other disciples from our branch"
Wang Yusheng's smile deepened "The winners will receive a fifth-grade pill crafted by the main branch's alchemist"
"Fifth-grade pill"
Wang Jie's pupils contracted. That was no ordinary reward. Even fourth-grade pills were rare, requiring a high-level alchemist to refine. A fifth-grade pill could rapidly increase cultivation or strengthen one's martial body something even core disciples might not have access to.
"It's rare for the main branch to offer such a reward" Wang Yusheng added "Even some core disciples may not have a chance to obtain it"
"Of course…" Wang Jincheng's cold voice cut in "Only those who are truly qualified will participate" His gaze swept over Wang Jie "And for the past five years, you've shown… no qualifications"
"huh?"
Wang Yusheng's expression remained calm, but his smile deepened "But now little Jie… made remarkable progress Perhaps he should consider joining the competition"
"Join?" Wang Jincheng's eyes flashed coldly "We expect to suddenly believe in him because of one breakthrough?"
"From the fifth to the ninth stage isn't 'one breakthrough'" Wang Yusheng said sharply "It's a leap most cultivators would never accomplish"
"But he's still at Qi Gathering" Wang Jincheng countered "Even at the ninth stage, the competition will not be forgiving. The other branches will send Qi Master or more stronger cultivators He'll be—"
"That's his problem and even if couldn't win atleast he will gain some experience" Wang Yusheng's voice was cool. He turned to Wang Jie, eyes gleaming "So, what do think?"
Wang Jie's smiled "I suppose I'll give it a try"
Wang Yusheng's laughter boomed across the hall "Hahaha! That's the spirit!"
Wang Jincheng's cold gaze lingered on Wang Jie for a long moments. He was feeling happy inwardly for Wang Jie but couldn't show because of his nature.
....
The meeting dragged on, with everyone curious about how Wang Jie had suddenly managed to break through to such an extent. Wang Jie somehow handled the situation, not wanting to reveal the truth. Instead, he made up a story, altering parts of the real events.
He claimed that he had obtained a secret method from a mysterious person whose identity he couldn't reveal. He said, a special technique, had helped him break through.
It was difficult for everyone to believe after all, they had tried their best to help him cultivate for years, but nothing had worked. And now, a mysterious figure had supposedly helped him succeed? It sounded ridiculous, yet they had no choice but to accept it, given the undeniable results.
They were eager to know the identity of this benefactor, but Wang Jie firmly refused to reveal it.
Elder Baolong chuckled "Haha, it's fine if you don't reveal his identity But at least send him our gratitude for helping the family"
Wang Jie was the son of the eldest brother in the third branch of the family. For them, it was a great moment the long-awaited heir of their branch had finally begun cultivating.
Elder Wang Baolong began discussing the details of the upcoming Competition things about training schedules, resource allocation, and which elders would oversee the selection process. Politics, Territory disputes, Resource conflicts. The usual sect affairs
Wang Yusheng and Wang Jincheng exchanged sharp words a few times, but nothing serious enough to escalate. A few other disciples threw occasional glances at Wang Jie, some curious, others disdainful. Wang Jie ignored them.
Eventually, the meeting wrapped up. Elder Wang Baolong dismissed them with a final warning about the intensity of the competition.
As the disciples began to disperse, Wang Jie's gaze darkened "hmm... its good if i can win…"
But his expression tightened. Qi Refining and Qi Master—that was a problem. Even if he pushed himself to the peak of Qi Gathering, Qi Refining cultivators would still outmatch him. And at the tournament's level, there would definitely be Qi Master or higher level cultivators.
"I'm still at Qi Refining" Wang Jie muttered under his breath "If I don't close the gap, I'll just be fucked up"
He needed to cultivate fast
'Dual cultivation'
It was the fastest and most effective method to break through his current limit. He had already breakthrough 5th to 9th stage overnight.
But…
"Ruyan…"
Wang Jie sighed, She was good, no doubt But "She passed out last night" he murmured, his expression complicated "If that keeps happening… I doubt she'll be able to keep up"
His eyes narrowed He needed a solution and soon
....
....
"Oh! I almost forgot.... about my dear Xueyi"
A crooked smile crept onto Wang Jie's face 'hehe'
"Let's pay a visit to Elder Lu"
"....Where is Wu Jian"
...