Chapter 53: Maneuvers of the Three Major Forces

The news of Wu Tian's victory in the Qitian Sect Sect Competition quickly spread throughout Pingyang City, stirring up a commotion, especially among the other three major forces.

Nie Family Mansion.

"Report to the family head, according to intelligence, the Qitian Sect Sect Competition is reaching its conclusion. Although the final decision on the top ten is pending, the first place has already been determined," a subordinate reported to Nie Yuntian, the patriarch of the Nie Family.

"Oh, is it that young man Long Zhan?" Nie Yuntian asked indifferently.

"No, it's Wu Tian."

Nie Yuntian's eyes widened, and he asked in surprise, "Is it that useless Wu Tian? Are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"

"Indeed, there is no mistake! I don't know why, but he has become even more formidable than before. He single-handedly defeated the other 36 disciples on the stage, all elite members of the younger generation in the Qitian Sect. He has surpassed our expectations!" the subordinate reported.

Nie Yuntian stood up abruptly from his chair, furrowing his brows tightly. "Last time, Xiao Xiang mentioned that a dozen guards from the Nie Family were killed by Wu Tian, and I didn't take it seriously. Now, it seems that Wu Tian, this waste, has indeed regained his cultivation. However, his meridians were clearly severed, and his dantian shattered. How did he recover his cultivation?"

"From his performance at that time, it seems that Wu Tian has reached the realm of a Martial Spirit at the first level. Such cultivation makes him invincible among the younger generation in the entire Pingyang City."

"Martial Spirit at the first level? A young lad of 18 has actually reached such a realm?" Nie Yuntian took a deep breath, and after a long while, he regained his composure. "No! No matter how he recovered his cultivation, we cannot continue to ignore him. Notify several stewards of the Nie Family immediately; I have important matters to discuss!"

"Yes, family head!"

After the subordinate left, a cold light flashed in Nie Yuntian's eyes. "Wu Tian, I didn't expect you to stand up again despite your dantian being shattered. However, this time, you won't be so fortunate. I guarantee it!"

After speaking, Nie Yuntian quickly left the room.

Surprise was not limited to the Nie Family; it also reached the City Lord's Residence.

"Captain Ma, what did you just say? Are you saying that Wu Tian has become the first in the Qitian Sect Sect Competition, overwhelmingly defeating other disciples?" Song Ke looked incredulously at Captain Ma, unable to believe that Wu Tian could achieve the first place.

Captain Ma smiled bitterly, nodding. "City Lord, indeed, Wu Tian, with his sole strength, defeated 36 elite disciples without a doubt, securing the first place. Even if we don't believe it, it is the truth."

"Impossible! Wu Tian is just a useless individual. How could he become the first in the Sect Competition? No, something must be wrong!" Song Qianqian said in shock, covering her head.

"Wu Tian has obtained the first place. In the future, he will definitely enter the Qitian Sect headquarters in the imperial city for cultivation. Even if he doesn't achieve much in the future, he will still be beyond our reach. We've missed such a good opportunity. Regretting the decision to break off the engagement was truly unnecessary! And we even publicly humiliated him. If he grows in the future, he will surely come to settle scores with us!" Song Ke expressed his concerns.

"City Lord, what should we do now?" Captain Ma asked.

"We have only two options before us. One is to eliminate him, and the other is to reconcile with him!"

"Dad, you are the lord of the city, with thousands of soldiers and horses under your command. Why worry about revenge from a useless person? I think it's best to get rid of that kid once and for all!" Song Qianqian suggested.

"Qianqian, there are things you don't understand. Although I am the lord of Pingyang City, Pingyang City is insignificant in the Kuanwu Empire. The Qitian Sect has been on friendly terms with the imperial royal family for generations. If Wu Tian becomes influential in the future, what significance do I have in the eyes of the royal family?" Song Ke shook his head. Having been the city lord for decades, he had a broader perspective.

"Hmph! Dad, you don't care at all. You keep saying you'll help me get justice, but now that Wu Tian has only won the first place in a sect competition, you won't help me. If you won't help, then you won't. I don't care!" Song Qianqian pouted and left angrily.

"Qianqian, Qianqian..." Song Ke called out several times but couldn't stop her. "Captain Ma, send someone to follow Qianqian. Don't let her do anything foolish. Also, send a few people to give Wu Tian a generous gift, consider it a congratulation for winning the first place in the Sect Competition!"

"Yes, City Lord!"

North of Pingyang City, the Sun Family.

"I heard that Wu Tian became the first in the Qitian Sect Sect Competition. Master, what is your opinion on this?" In the courtyard, Sun Siqing asked a middle-aged man. Sun Siqing was the senior from the Sun Family who had appraised Wu Tian's pill at the auction.

"Wu Tian? Is it the young disciple who was once considered the top talent in the Qitian Sect and even in Pingyang City, then suffered a broken dantian, rendering his cultivation useless?" The middle-aged man asked in surprise.

Sun Siqing nodded and said, "Yes, that young disciple. It's not surprising for him to become the first in the Qitian Sect Sect Competition. However, what's noteworthy is that it was a 38-person stage match. Wu Tian single-handedly defeated 36 other elite disciples, making him quite remarkable for an 18-year-old."

"You're saying he defeated the other 36 disciples in one move. Are the other disciples very weak?" The middle-aged man asked in amazement.

"As far as I know, it's not the case. One of the Qitian Sect disciples named Long Zhan is already at the eighth level of Martial Master realm. Others also have cultivation levels ranging from the fourth to fifth level. With so many people defeated by Wu Tian in one move, it shows how powerful this young man is!" Sun Siqing shook his head, a glint of admiration in his eyes.

The middle-aged man fell into silence for a moment, then said, "If that's the case, Wu Tian has already reached the Martial Spirit realm. To reach the first level of Martial Spirit at the age of 18, his future is unimaginable! Such a young talent should be befriended early on. Sun Elder, how about this? You personally prepare some high-quality elixirs as a gift for Wu Tian, acknowledging his first place in the Sect Competition. What do you think?"

"Absolutely no problem. I also want to meet such an outstanding young man. I'll prepare it right

 away." Sun Siqing nodded in agreement.

...

As for the external reactions, Wu Tian was completely unaware. At the moment, he was dealing with an important matter. He received information from Qin Long stating that He Jiang was secretly in contact with the Nie Family. This information made Wu Tian pay attention; as long as the murderer of his master and the one who crippled him were not eliminated, he would always be in danger.

The system hinted that his master's death and his own crippling were related to the Nie Family Patriarch. Now, with He Jiang secretly contacting the Nie Family, it corroborated the system's clues. Tonight, Wu Tian decided to investigate He Jiang thoroughly. If given the opportunity, he wouldn't hesitate to kill the old scoundrel.