"The Annual Meeting Begins: Huang Wei's Remarkable Progress"
"This time at the family annual meeting, Grandfather Huang Qide actually invited Li Family's Old Patriarch, Li Mu, to come. It seems like he has really put some thought into it," Huang Xiaolong mused.
However, the fact that Grandfather invited Li Family's Old Patriarch, Li Mu, to come meant that there was more to it than meets the eye. Huang Xiaolong made his way towards the eastern palace, and along the way, the guards and maidservants who saw him stopped and greeted him with enthusiasm, saying, "Young Master Xiaolong!"
Huang Xiaolong nodded in acknowledgement. However, as he passed by, he couldn't help but notice the strange looks exchanged between the maidservants and the guards. He realized that the incident involving Huang Wei's plan to embarrass him at the upcoming meeting must have already reached the ears of these guards and maidservants.
Finally, Huang Xiaolong arrived at the eastern palace where his parents, Huang Peng and Su Yan, were waiting. "Father, mother," he greeted them as he entered the main hall.
"Xiaolong, you're here," Su Yan said with a smile, gesturing for Huang Xiaolong to sit beside her. She then asked, "How is your cultivation progressing for tomorrow's family annual meeting?"
Huang Peng also fixed his gaze on Huang Xiaolong, awaiting his response. Huang Xiaolong smiled and replied, "Father, mother, you can rest assured that I won't disappoint you tomorrow."
To his surprise, as soon as Huang Xiaolong finished speaking, Su Yan's eyes lit up with excitement. "Xiaolong, have you broken through to Rank 1 Middle Stage?" she asked eagerly. Su Yan thought that breaking through to Rank 1 Middle Stage was what Huang Xiaolong was referring to.
Huang Peng also smiled and said, "Well done, son! You haven't disappointed me, indeed!"
Huang Xiaolong couldn't help but smile wryly in his heart. So, in his parents' eyes, reaching Rank 1 Middle Stage was the highest expectation they had for him before the annual meeting.
"Father, I heard from the guards that this time at the family annual meeting, Li Family's Old Patriarch, Li Mu, will also be coming," Huang Xiaolong brought up the topic and asked his father.
Huang Peng nodded and said, "Yes, I've also heard about it. In addition to Old Patriarch Li, he's also bringing his granddaughter, Li Lu, along."
"His granddaughter, Li Lu?" Huang Xiaolong was slightly surprised. Then, he smiled and jokingly said, "Is Old Patriarch Li planning to bring his granddaughter for an intimate relationship?"
Huang Peng explained, "Your grandfather and Old Patriarch Li have such intentions. After the family annual meeting, they plan to have Huang Wei and Li Lu engaged. This will strengthen the relationship between Huang Family and Li Family through marriage."
Huang Xiaolong was taken aback by this revelation. He had heard that Li Lu had extraordinary talent and possessed a Level 9 top-grade Martial Spirit, the Dark Divine Sword, as Su Yan mentioned earlier.
A Level 9 top-grade Martial Spirit, the Dark Divine Sword! Huang Xiaolong was surprised. He hadn't expected Li Lu, Li Mu's granddaughter, to have such a rare Martial Spirit. In the world of Martial Spirits, they were classified into different types, including Beast Martial Spirits, Item Martial Spirits, Plant Martial Spirits, and even Nature Martial Spirits like thunder, wind, water, and fire. The Dark Divine Sword was an Item Martial Spirit.
Having contemplated the matter for a while, Huang Xiaolong left the eastern palace and resumed his practice of Asura Arts. As night fell, he made his way to the summit of the mountain behind the estate. Instead of practicing, he stood there silently, gazing at the sea in front of him. As for Huang Wei, he truly didn't care about him.
Huang Xiaolong summoned his Martial Spirit, the Double-Headed Snake, which hovered above his head. After reaching Rank 3 Late Stage Peak, Huang Xiaolong had a deeper appreciation for the immense power of his Martial Spirit. Only he himself truly understood its strength.
"It seems that I'll need to find an opportunity to go to the Book Collection Pavilion and find out the true nature of my Martial Spirit," Huang Xiaolong thought to himself secretly. However, the Book Collection Pavilion in Huang Family Manor was accessible only to disciples who had reached Rank 4. Therefore, Huang Xiaolong needed to break through to Rank 4 as soon as possible.
Under the moonlight, Huang Xiaolong's figure cast a long shadow on the ground. As the night grew darker, he finished his practice of Asura Arts and returned to Huang Family Manor. He headed towards the eastern palace, where Huang Peng and Su Yan were waiting. When they saw Huang Xiaolong, they didn't say much but led him to the Front Hall of Huang Family Manor.
The Martial Competition Palace in the Front Hall of Huang Family Manor was larger than ever, accommodating thousands of people. In the center of the Front Hall stood a martial arts stage, surrounded by seats for the elders and managers. Other disciples had to stand in the open area below the seats.
As Huang Peng and Su Yan led Huang Xiaolong to their seats in the front row of the main hall, he couldn't help but feel a cold, piercing gaze upon him. He looked up and saw Huang Wei sitting opposite him.
At that moment, Huang Wei's gaze met Huang Xiaolong's. Arrogance, provocation, and self-satisfaction were evident in Huang Wei's eyes. Huang Ming sat next to Huang Wei, his face still expressionless. Since their last encounter in the northern palace, they hadn't exchanged a single word, as if they were two strangers.
Not long after Huang Xiaolong and his parents took their seats, a hearty laughter echoed from outside the palace. Everyone stood up as they heard the laughter, and Huang Xiaolong saw Grandfather Huang Qide entering the hall, accompanied by Li Family's Old Patriarch, Li Mu. Walking alongside Li Mu were two charming girls, one of whom was his granddaughter, Li Lu.
"Old Manor Lord!","Old Patriarch Li!"
Everyone greeted them respectfully, and Huang Ming and Huang Peng also stepped forward to greet them. Huang Wei and Huang Xiaolong followed suit, saying, "Grandfather, Old Patriarch Li."
Huang Qide smiled and nodded at the crowd, then pointed at Huang Wei, introducing him proudly, "This is my grandson, Huang Wei." However, he didn't mention Huang Xiaolong.
Li Mu looked Huang Wei up and down, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "Good, good. Brother Qide, I heard that your grandson achieved Rank 1 Warrior in less than two months of practice. It took me five months to reach Rank 1 back in the day!"
Huang Qide chuckled and replied, "Brother Li Mu is too kind. I hope you can guide him more in the future."
Li Mu smiled and said, "Of course, I will."
After a while, everyone returned to their seats. Chief Steward Chen Ying stood up and gave a speech to kick off the annual meeting. Once he finished, he turned to Huang Qide, who nodded, signaling the official start of the meeting.
As Chen Ying's voice fell, the hall fell silent. Following the tradition of previous annual meetings, the disciples who had awakened their Martial Spirits this year were the first to take the stage.
All eyes turned to Huang Wei, as his participation in the annual meeting was the main focus. Huang Qide's presence made it clear that Huang Wei was the center of attention this time.
"Huang Wei, it's your turn to showcase the fruits of your efforts in the past five months. Let everyone witness your achievements!" Huang Qide encouraged his grandson with a smile.
"Yes, Grandfather," Huang Wei responded loudly. With a leap, he flew onto the central martial arts stage in the hall.
After landing on the stage, Huang Wei activated his cultivation technique, releasing his Battle Qi with full force. As his Battle Qi surged, his Level 10 Martial Spirit, the Three Eyes Black Tiger, appeared, emitting a powerful aura.
"Rank 1 Late Stage Peak!"
Sensing Huang Wei's aura, the elders, managers, and disciples of Huang Family Manor were all surprised and astir. In just five months of practicing Battle Qi, Huang Wei had reached Rank 1 Late Stage Peak!