Chapter 396: Chapter 281: Upheaval in Central Continent, the Zhao Family Changes Course_2
Zhao Sheng’s re-emergence had an immediate impact, causing the surrounding forces to quickly fall in line, and the myriad disputes thereby greatly diminished.
Thus, the Xinglong Zhao Family welcomed a rare period of stable development.
No matter how treacherous the outside world’s turmoil was, Xinglong Origin paid it no mind, fully engaging in the production modes of Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and talisman making.
In times of looming war, the Zhao Family could never satisfy the insatiable appetite of those gluttonous Taotie, regardless of how many Elixir Pills and Magic Artifacts they refined.
…
Five years later, on the seventh day of the seventh month.
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On this day, the Kun Character Area of Xinglong Underground City was bustling with noise, as a long queue stretched along the underground passage all the way to the end of the corridor.
The line was filled with young and old, all waiting excitedly without a hint of complaint on their faces.
Next to each of them stood two giant wooden barrels, almost as tall as a person, brimming with the bodies of all sorts of low-level bred demon beasts like spirit fish, Gale Rabbits, Meat Armor Pigs, and more.
Five years ago, the Merit Hall issued a major announcement, declaring an unlimited purchase of all types of demon beast meat, regardless of Grade.
Initially, only cultivators participated eagerly in this initiative. Later, when a Mortal Clan member tried selling a batch of the lowest-grade spirit fish to the Merit Hall and received an Essence Qi Pill in exchange, it suddenly triggered a wave of imitation among countless people.
As time passed, a craze for breeding low-level demon beasts swept through millions in Xinglong Origin. Some talentless cultivators from the Zhao Family even enthusiastically hunted all kinds of demon beasts and fierce birds.
Over the years, the Merit Hall seemed to turn into a Taotie, able to swallow down any amount of demon beast corpses, and they even sought to purchase from surrounding forces.
Zhao Shiluo lined up anxiously in the crowd, next to him a wooden barrel holding a fat, skinless pig with a large head,
Watching his clansmen depart from the counter satisfied one by one, Zhao Shiluo turned to his grandfather and couldn’t help asking, “Grandpa, after selling the Meat Armor Pig this time, can you truly send me to the Immortal Martial Hall?”
“My dear grandson, do you look down on your grandpa? Back in the day, your grandpa also came from the Immortal Martial Hall. If I couldn’t even secure this favor for you, I wouldn’t dare make such a grand promise.”
Grandpa was a burly, bearded old man with bulging muscles on his bare arms and hands as large as fan leaves, the center of his palms calloused and thick.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shiluo felt slightly relieved, but he was still anxious.
The threshold of the Immortal Martial Hall grew higher each year, having reached the standard of not accepting anyone below Half-step Innate last year; who knows how strict it will be this year.
“Grandpa, I’m already eighteen and my Iron Body Refining is yet to achieve Great Success, and my Inner Qi is only on a thirty-year level; I fear I won’t be able to enter the Immortal Martial Hall,” Zhao Shiluo said nervously.
“Relax! Today, after we sell these two Meat Armor Pigs and exchange them for two Essence Yuan Pills, I guarantee that you’ll advance to Half-step Innate in three months. Before that, I’ll take you to meet someone, then you’ll know your grandpa hasn’t lived in vain.”
Grandpa’s confidence infected Zhao Shiluo, finally easing his mind.
At that moment, several people ahead and behind in the queue overheard the grandfather and grandson’s conversation and looked at them with envious eyes.
Ever since the “All Clan Weapons” initiative, everyone in Xinglong City knew that the Immortal Martial Hall was the hottest place in the eyes of the Mortal Clan, with countless people desperately trying to squeeze in.
“Big brother, if you have the connections, consider giving your brother a lift. You’ll surely be rewarded handsomely,” someone said.
“I have a Fasting Pill here. If the old man could put in a good word for me, this Spirit Pill would be your token of gratitude,” another offered.
“…I have four Spirit Stones if…”
People eagerly moved forward, preemptively offering potential benefits, which excited Zhao Shiluo.
But his grandpa didn’t bite, merely laughing it off with those nearby, never revealing anything substantial.
Before long, it was our turn.
Grandpa hurried to the counter to exchange the Meat Armor Pigs for two Essence Yuan Pills and even got three extra Wood Armor Talismans.
As soon as the exchange was completed, Grandpa grabbed Zhao Shiluo and quickly slipped away, leaving those nearby unable to follow in time.
An hour later, the grandfather and grandson duo — after making rounds and crossing half of Xinglong City — finally arrived at a vast Dao Field, with thick, sturdy buildings, endless giant stone walls, and ground paved with Blue Steel Rock.
The sound of shouting echoed from the Dao Field, filling the air with a hot and invigorating atmosphere, as pillars of essence rose to the sky as if the area was a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den.
This place was the Immortal Martial Hall, also known as the Immortal Martial Dojo.
“You wait here!” Grandpa Zhao Hong left these words behind and hurriedly entered the Immortal Martial Hall.
After half an hour, Zhao Hong returned with a ruddy-faced middle-aged man by his side.
“Shiluo, don’t dawdle. Hurry and pay your respects to your Ancestor Master Uncle!” As the three approached each other, Zhao Hong quickly gave his grandson a look and loudly commanded.
Seeing this, Zhao Shiluo promptly bowed in salute: “Shiluo pays respect to Ancestor Master Uncle!”
“Hmm, you’ve honed your physique well, but the maturity of your Inner Qi is far from sufficient, and the entrance criteria for the Immortal Martial Hall have risen again this year. Now they only recruit talented youths under sixteen. This child must already be eighteen, right? What a pity,” the middle-aged man said, shocking the grandfather and grandson.
Zhao Hong’s face fell, and he pleaded, “Ancestor Master Uncle, please see if you could make an exception. You know, you are the youngest Martial Arts Grandmaster in the entire clan. What others can’t do, you surely can. Back in the days, my father—”
The middle-aged man raised his hand and interrupted Zhao Hong’s plea, “Enough, stop bringing up your father. Sixteen years is a hard standard set by our ancestors, and I cannot make exceptions. However, I have a miscellaneous position available, which allows for indirect entry into the Immortal Martial Hall. Take it if you want, I have no other solution if you refuse.”