Chapter 1 : Breakthrough in the Tian Yuan Realm

Eastern Xuan Domain, Tianlin Dynasty, Zhou Family Martial Arts Arena. 

The Martial Arts Arena serves as a place for martial arts exchanges within the Zhou family, mostly practiced by the younger generation. In one corner of the arena, a young man in a green robe sits cross-legged on the ground, his face pale as paper, seemingly experiencing some kind of pain.

"No, I can't give up!" The young man in the green robe grits his teeth, but his body can't help but tremble. Beads of sweat the size of soybeans drip from his forehead, and his complexion becomes increasingly unpleasant, drawing the attention of onlookers.

"If Zhou Tong breaks through today, he will be the youngest Heaven Element Realm in the family's history."

"I wonder if he can make a breakthrough today?"

"I heard that it's been two years since Zhou Tong broke through to the Earth Element Realm."

Whispers and discussions abound as people look at the young man with a mixture of envy and awe.

Breakthrough!

Zhou Tong has only one thought in his mind.

Among the third generation of the Zhou family, he is the youngest. At the age of thirteen, he broke through to the Earth Element Realm, becoming the second youngest in the family's history. This achievement only fueled his thirst for more power.

"Breakthrough..." Zhou Tong grits his teeth, squints his eyes, and clenches his fists.

Muffled sounds continue to echo, and the elemental force flows through his body like surging waves, violently impacting Zhou Tong's physique. His face turns crimson, blood trickles from the corners of his mouth, and the struggle to make a breakthrough becomes apparent.

Zhou Tong's face is red, and blood trickles from the corners of his mouth. Making a breakthrough is no easy task.

In the Zhou family's younger generation, only two people have reached the Heaven Element Realm. Zhou Tong is determined not to miss this opportunity, even if it means enduring excruciating pain.

"Pfft..."

Suddenly, Zhou Tong's body shudders, he opens his eyes, and with a spray of blood, the majestic sun-force completely integrates into his body.

Boom!

A terrifying aura erupts from Zhou Tong's body, sweeping through like a hurricane.

This momentum is enough to dominate the Earth Element Realm.

"Sun-force integrated into the body! This is a sign of breaking through to the Heaven Element Realm!" Someone nearby exclaims.

"Did he succeed?" The surrounding crowd watches intently as Zhou Tong, who is seated in the center, stands up.

"Phew!"

Zhou Tong exhales deeply, opens his eyes, and smiles.

"Congratulations to Zhou Tong for breaking through. I wonder when I can spar with Brother Zhou Tong?" A young man approaches, congratulating him. This person is none other than Zhou Xi, a junior disciple of the Zhou family, seventeen years old, and the grandson of Zhou Ming, the great elder. He reached the Earth Element Realm before the age of thirteen and the Heaven Element Realm at sixteen, making him the strongest among the younger generation of the Zhou family. However, Zhou Tong has just broken his previous record.

"If today is not convenient, some other time then." Zhou Tong waves his hand, ready to leave.

"Zhou Xi, if Zhou Tong breaks through today, he will be the youngest Heaven Element Realm in the family's history."

"I wonder if he can make a breakthrough today?"

"I heard that it's been two years since Zhou Tong broke through to the Earth Element Realm."

Whispers and discussions surround Zhou Xi as he looks at Zhou Tong with a mixture of envy and awe.

Breakthrough!

Zhou Tong has only one thought in his mind.

Among the third generation of the Zhou family, he is the youngest. At the age of thirteen, he broke through to the Earth Element Realm, becoming the second youngest in the family's history. This achievement only fueled his thirst for more power.

"Breakthrough..." Zhou Tong grits his teeth, squints his eyes, and clenches his fists.

Muffled sounds continue to echo, and the elemental force flows through his body like surging waves, violently impacting Zhou Tong's physique. His face turns crimson, blood trickles from the corners of his mouth, and the struggle to make a breakthrough becomes apparent.

Zhou Tong's face is red, and blood trickles from the corners of his mouth. Making a breakthrough is no easy task.

In the Zhou family's younger generation, only two people have reached the Heaven Element Realm. Zhou Tong is determined not to miss this opportunity, even if it means enduring excruciating pain.

"Pfft..."

Suddenly, Zhou Tong's body shudders, he opens his eyes, and with a spray of blood, the majestic sun-force completely integrates into his body.

Boom!

A terrifying aura erupts from Zhou Tong's body, sweeping through like a hurricane.

This momentum is enough to dominate the Earth Element Realm.

"Sun-force integrated into the body! This is a sign of breaking through to the Heaven Element Realm!" Someone nearby exclaims.

"Did he succeed?" The surrounding crowd watches intently as Zhou Tong, who is seated in the center, stands up.

"Phew!"

Zhou Tong exhales deeply, opens his eyes, and smiles.

"Congratulations to Zhou Tong for breaking through. I wonder when I can spar with Brother Zhou Tong?" A young man approaches, congratulating him. This person is none other than Zhou Xi, a junior disciple of the Zhou family, seventeen years old, and the grandson of Zhou Ming, the great elder. He reached the Earth Element Realm before the age of thirteen and the Heaven Element Realm at sixteen, making him the strongest among the younger generation of the Zhou family. However, Zhou Tong has just broken his previous record.

"If today is not convenient, some other time then." Zhou Tong waves his hand, ready to leave.

"Hmph." Watching Zhou Tong leave, Zhou Xi snorts.

He certainly wants to seize the first place in the family competition, as it is related to the honor and future of the Zhou family. Moreover, his grandfather, Zhou Ming, values this family competition greatly. It is said that the first-place winner will receive additional rewards. If Zhou Xi can secure the first place, he will be able to establish his position among the younger generation of the Zhou family.

"Zhou Tong, wait and see. The first place in the family competition is mine!" Zhou Ming mutters, his eyes revealing a sharpness.

...

"Fourth brother, wait for me!" Just as Zhou Tong leaves the martial arts arena, a young man catches up with him.

"Big brother?" Zhou Tong raises an eyebrow, showing surprise.

The newcomer is dressed in white, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, exuding an elegant and noble aura. This person is none other than Zhou Xuanfei, the son of Zhou Xuan and Zhou Tong's elder brother. At seventeen, he became the second youngest to reach the Heaven Element Realm among the younger generation.

"Little brother, I heard you broke through just now. How about sparring with your big brother to help me practice? I've been looking forward to it for a long time," Zhou Xuanfei says with a smile.

"Let's wait until the family competition," Zhou Tong replies with a faint smile.

He is well aware of his big brother's character. Although the Zhou family primarily practices boxing, Zhou Xuanfei insists on practicing swordsmanship, causing many disputes within the family. This

 may lead to potential conflicts in the future.

"Why are you here on the main peak? Aren't you usually practicing your sword on the back mountain?" Zhou Tong asks with curiosity.

"Dad found me a sword technique, so I came to the martial arts arena to find someone to spar with and get familiar with it in battle. I'm going to master it during the fight," Zhou Xuanfei explains with a grin.

Zhou Xuanfei has been at the Heaven Element Realm for half a year, and there are few within the family who can match him.

"Did your father agree to you practicing swordsmanship?" Zhou Tong inquires.

"It's been long enough. Dad should have figured it out. Instead of arguing about it, he might as well let me practice swordsmanship directly. After all, I will never practice boxing," Zhou Xuanfei sneers.

"Even though the family's boxing techniques are strong, you still aren't interested in the potential of Lingwu techniques? Are you sure you want to study outside?" Zhou Tong warns.

"Lingwu techniques?"

Zhou Xuanfei is taken aback.

In the world of martial arts, there are nine grades and three realms. The first three grades are the lower realms, the next three are the middle realms, and the last three are the upper realms. Beyond the nine grades are more powerful cultivation techniques, and among them are Lingwu techniques. Lingwu techniques involve the essence of the creator and, when executed, can summon a trace of that essence. Even in the Tianlin Dynasty, Lingwu techniques are legendary.

"The family's martial arts techniques are said to be obtained from ancient ruins or certain sites. Outside, you might have to fight for them. Are you sure you want to study outside? What if you don't learn well and end up embarrassing yourself when you return?" Zhou Tong warns.

"Alright, forget it. I'll go outside to learn," Zhou Xuanfei shakes his head and sighs. "Even though the family's boxing techniques are powerful, swordsmanship looks cooler and suits me better."

"You..." Zhou Tong shakes his head and doesn't say more.

"Well, I won't bother you. By the way, don't forget to go to the medicine storeroom to get some spirit medicine after breaking through to the Heaven Element Realm. Go check it out. I'll go first," Zhou Xuanfei waves his hand and leaves in a hurry.

"Sure." Zhou Tong nods and watches Zhou Xuanfei leave.

"Spirit medicine, not a bad choice." Zhou Tong murmurs to himself, then leaves the martial arts arena to go to the medicine storeroom and collect some spirit medicine to stabilize his cultivation.