"The Determined Path: Overcoming Obstacles and Embracing Martial Arts"
Huang Ming looked at Huang Peng as he turned around to leave, secretly sneering in his heart. He didn't believe for a moment that Huang Xiaolong would have the same stroke of luck at the next annual meeting and win over his son.
Therefore, the idea of obtaining 100 Battle Qi Pills was simply impossible! As for an apology, that was even more out of the question!
Inside the main hall, the elders looked at each other in dismay, too afraid to speak up. Meanwhile, in the eastern palace, Huang Xiaolong had just taken a seat when he saw his father, Huang Peng, returning from the northern palace, his face filled with indignation and panting.
"Father, what happened?" Huang Xiaolong asked, with Su Yan also standing up to greet him.
Huang Peng, feeling guilty upon seeing his son, remained silent. He took his seat in the main hall, lowered his head, and felt an even stronger surge of anger.
"This is going too far!"
"This is going too far!"
Recalling the indifference and favoritism of his older brother Huang Ming towards Huang Wei, Huang Peng couldn't contain his anger. His right palm slammed onto a nearby chair, causing it to collapse and shatter.
Su Yan was startled by Huang Peng's palm shattering the chair. "Brother Peng, what's wrong? What happened?" she anxiously asked.
Huang Peng raised his head and looked at his wife Su Yan and son Huang Xiaolong. He sighed inwardly and finally revealed what had happened in the main hall. He spoke about how Huang Qide, their father, had opened the Spirit Pond for Huang Wei, giving him the opportunity to practice instead of Huang Xiaolong. Huang Peng was filled with anger and frustration, so he angrily smashed the nearby chair with his palm.
"Father has gone too far! In his eyes, there's only Huang Wei, his grandson!" Su Yan's almond-shaped eyes widened in anger. "Does he not see Xiaolong as his grandson?!"
Huang Xiaolong remained silent but sneered inwardly. Even though he had defeated Huang Wei a couple of days ago at the annual meeting and had demonstrated his Rank 2 strength in front of his grandfather Huang Qide, his grandfather still didn't truly recognize him. Huang Qide believed that his breakthrough to Rank 2 was nothing but a stroke of luck, and in his eyes, Huang Wei's achievements would always surpass Huang Xiaolong's.
"And that Zhou Guang dared to say that Xiaolong's use of the Spirit Pond for practice wasted the Spirit Medicine's power!" Su Yan exclaimed angrily. "That son of a bitch relies on support from Big Brother Huang Ming, that's why he dares to say such things!"
Although Zhou Guang held the position of an elder, his status in Huang Family Manor was still lower than that of some high-ranking guards. Ultimately, he was just a lackey.
"Xiaolong, I'm sorry!" Huang Peng's voice sounded low and guilty as he looked at his son. "I'm useless. This time, the Spirit Pond's opening qualifications couldn't be fought for, and instead, they were given to Huang Wei."
Upon hearing his father's words, Huang Xiaolong gave a calm smile. "Father, mother, rest assured. At the next annual meeting, I won't only make Huang Wei unable to recognize his father, but I'll also make him unable to recognize his grandfathers!"
Since his grandfather Huang Qide was so biased and considered Huang Wei, the grandson with a "Level 7" Martial Spirit, as his treasure, Huang Xiaolong understood that his luck would improve and he would become stronger. In every future annual meeting, he would surpass Huang Wei and become an invincible hunter.
Hearing Huang Xiaolong's words, Huang Peng and Su Yan thought it was their son comforting them, trying to alleviate their worries. However, in Huang Peng's heart, guilt still lingered.
To both Huang Peng and Su Yan, it seemed logical that with their son having a Level 7 Martial Spirit, the gap between him and Huang Wei would only grow wider with time. In a year's time, Huang Wei would likely break through to Rank 3 or even higher, whereas their son with a Level 7 Martial Spirit would need about two years to make the same breakthrough from Rank 2. Would their son really be able to defeat Huang Wei at the next annual meeting?
"Unless... unless our son can stumble upon three Spirit Medicines like the Yang Fruit again!" Huang Peng sighed inwardly. But in reality, how likely was it for their son to encounter such fortuitous circumstances and find as many Spirit Medicines as the Yang Fruit once more?
Seeing his parents' expressions, Huang Xiaolong knew they didn't believe he could defeat Huang Wei at the next annual meeting.
"Father, mother, from now on, I want to practice in the mountains behind the village!" Huang Xiaolong spoke up, considering the matter. It would be more convenient for him to practice the Body Metamorphose Scripture in the mountains. Otherwise, constantly traveling back and forth would be troublesome. Furthermore, at present, he didn't want to reveal his practice of Asura Arts.
"No, it's not good!" Su Yan immediately opposed without much consideration upon hearing this suggestion.
Huang Peng added, "Xiaolong, I know you want to practice in the mountains to feel at ease, but you only have Rank 2 strength right now. It's too dangerous."
Huang Xiaolong had already expected his parents' opposition. After all, he was just a seven-year-old child. What parents would feel at ease letting their young child leave the village to practice?
"Father, mother, as long as I stay around the outskirts of the mountains and don't venture deep into them, there won't be any danger," Huang Xiaolong said reassuringly.
But no matter how much Huang Xiaolong tried to persuade them, Huang Peng and Su Yan remained adamant.
"In that case, if I can defeat Huang Wei at the next annual meeting?" Huang Xiaolong felt helpless in his heart. Finally, he changed his approach and spoke.
"Defeat Huang Wei?!" Huang Peng and Su Yan were taken aback.
"If I can defeat Huang Wei at the next annual meeting, will you allow me to practice in the mountains?" After a moment of hesitation, Huang Peng agreed, "But you'll have to wait until after the next annual meeting to defeat Huang Wei before we make a decision."
"Okay!" Huang Xiaolong agreed. Since that was the case, he would have to wait another year. There was no other choice.
In the northern palace, Huang Wei, upon hearing his grandfather Huang Qide's decision in the main hall, wore a bright smile. "Grandfather is wise! He knows it would be a waste to let that boy practice in the Spirit Pond!"
Returning from the main hall, Huang Ming was also pleased and smiled. "Since your grandfather has given you the opportunity to practice in the Spirit Pond, don't disappoint him, Huang Wei. Although your talent is exceptional, you still need to work hard!"
Huang Wei smiled and said, "Father, rest assured. After entering the Spirit Pond for practice, I won't need more than a year to break through to Rank 3!" His eyes filled with intense hatred as he continued, "At the next annual meeting, I'll make that brat kneel before me. I'll shatter both his hands and feet!"
Returning to his small courtyard in the eastern palace, Huang Xiaolong didn't continue practicing Asura Arts. Instead, he retrieved the Asura Arts manual. Having reached Rank 4, he was now capable of practicing battle skills.
The manual contained two sets of battle skills: Asura Sword Arts, which complemented Asura Blade's attacks, and Asura Ghost Claw, a shorter set of techniques that focused on the use of five claws.
After reviewing both Asura Sword Arts and Asura Ghost Claw, Huang Xiaolong's attention was drawn to the first diagram of Asura Sword Arts. He decided to begin practicing with Asura Sword Arts first.
Stepping out of his room and into the courtyard, Huang Xiaolong summoned his Asura Blade. He recalled the first attack position and the method of channeling qi according to the diagram. Swinging his Asura Blade, several blade lights appeared out of thin air, rotating slowly and forming two whirlpools that spun ceaselessly in the yard.
This was the first move of Asura Sword Arts: Infernal Wind.