Chapter 64

Three days later, the Song Family conference hall.

"I said, the quota for our branch has already been filled by a better candidate. Since the Second Elder and Third Elder think so highly of Tian Bai, just give him your quotas."

In the hall, Song Yan straightened her posture, facing off against the two elders seated in the upper positions, her tone icy.

"Nonsense!"

Second Elder Song Ci's face darkened, and he shouted sternly: "Song Yan, the contest for the Earth Cave concerns the family's honor and disgrace—how can you just say you'll change personnel and do so?"

"Besides, he's just a country bumpkin from some backwater—what does he even amount to? Dare to meddle in Song Family affairs."

Song Ci raged like a furious lion, his eyes glaring like copper bells, berating Song Yan.

"He's my junior brother. My quota, I'm happy to give him—what's wrong with that?"

Song Yan showed no fear, standing firm against Song Ci.

Back then, if it weren't for the other side using her father's battlefield death as an excuse—claiming the family urgently needed a Tongmai Realm expert from the Tian Family to support them—they would have overridden opposition and betrothed her to Tian Bai.

How else would she have fled her homeland, escaping to Black Water City to avoid the marriage?

"Little Yan, I know you and Tian Bai have some misunderstandings.

But now, the contest for the Earth Cave is about to begin.

I heard your Qin junior brother is merely at Inner Strength Great Success—such strength, how could he possibly win the Earth Cave's usage rights for our Song Family?

This Earth Cave contest is extremely important.

If we let those juniors from the Fang Family break through to the Tongmai Realm first, our Song Family's position in the prefectural city will be in danger.

Be good, listen to Grandfather Third—don't throw a tantrum.

Once Tian Bai wins the Earth Cave contest for our Song Family, Grandfather Third will decide and have the family compensate you—how about that?"

Beside Song Ci, a slightly younger elder spoke earnestly, trying to persuade Song Yan to give up this Earth Cave quota.

Meanwhile, the white-clad Tian Bai stepped forward, his face sincere, saying:

"Ah Yan, I know you hold prejudices against me. But everything I've done today is for you, for the Song Family!

Looking at the younger generation in the prefectural city, aside from me, Tian Bai, who else could counter Fang Lin? Relying on your Inner Strength Great Success Qin junior brother?"

"Exactly! Just rely on my Qin junior brother."

Song Yan's tone rose, she declared proudly: "Moreover, my Qin junior brother has already reached Inner Strength Great Perfection—not Inner Strength Great Success—and is fully qualified to represent our branch in battle."

"That brat has reached Inner Strength Great Perfection?"

Song Tianlin, who had been silent beside them, suddenly spoke up—first startled, then his face turned cold:

"Song Yan, the Earth Cave contest is no child's play.

Do you know what happens when you deceive the clan elders in a family meeting?

As far as I know, your Qin junior brother only reached Inner Strength Great Success a month ago—how could he possibly reach Inner Strength Great Perfection in such a short time?

I know you have grievances against the family, but lying now—do you want the family to lose this Earth Cave contest?"

"Me? Lying?"

Song Yan sneered: "If you don't believe me, ask Second Uncle—he personally tested my Qin junior brother's strength."

Upon saying this, everyone turned to look at Song Tianhao seated in the chief position.

"Qin Xiaoxiong is indeed at Inner Strength Great Perfection." Song Tianhao spoke with certainty.

But his heart was not at peace at that moment.

Originally, he only thought Qin Shuo had outstanding talent, young yet already at Inner Strength Great Perfection—enough to rival the scions of prefectural city clans.

Yet he hadn't expected that, just a month ago, the other had only reached Inner Strength Great Success.

In such a short time, from Inner Strength Great Success to training up to Inner Strength Great Perfection.

Such cultivation speed—looking across the entire prefectural city, one couldn't find a second.

Even Song Xuan and Song Shan, whom the Song Family had high hopes for, from Inner Strength Great Success to Inner Strength Great Perfection, took nearly a year.

And he—this one praised as the prefectural city's first Tongmai Realm expert, the Storm-Raging Divine Palm—had also taken over half a year to train from Inner Strength Great Success to Inner Strength Great Perfection.

Compared like this, he only felt Song Yan's junior brother's cultivation speed was terrifyingly fast.

"Hmph! Inner Strength Great Perfection—so what? Does our Song Family still lack a martial artist at Inner Strength Great Perfection?"

Song Tianlin, slapped in the face on the spot, had a grim expression, speaking coldly:

"In this Earth Cave contest, the toughest opponent is Fang Lin of the Fang Family.

This youth has not only transformed Inner Strength into Qi, his strength has reached Half-Step Channel Opening.

Moreover, he has trained the Fang Family's superior martial art, Hanshan Fist, to the profound level of Immovable as a Mountain.

With such strength, besides Tian Bai, who also transformed Inner Strength into Qi, who could contend with him?

Even if that Qin-surnamed youth is at Inner Strength Great Perfection—so what?

He's just a country bumpkin from Black Water City—the White Ape Tiangang Saber he practices is merely a mid-tier martial art.

If they really fought, he probably couldn't even beat Song Xuan—how could he defeat Fang Lin, who masters superior arts?"

"Exactly, exactly, Ah Yan—don't cause trouble, just give this Earth Cave quota to Tian Bai this time.

Besides, his strength is plain for all to see—stronger than Xiao Shan and Ah Xuan by a notch.

Having him face Fang Lin gives us hope to win the Earth Origin Magnetic Dungeon." The somewhat younger elder Song Chun and the muddler spoke.

"I think Qin Xiaoxiong is fully capable of defeating Fang Lin."

At that moment, Song Tianhao spoke unhurriedly, clearly showing his support for Song Yan.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed.

Especially Second Elder Song Ci—his face darkened further, as if about to drip water.

Song Tianlin then spoke bluntly: "Family Head, this move is improper. That Qin-surnamed youth has unknown origins, his strength is also unknown—letting him fight for our Song Family will not only give others ammunition, but if he loses, who will take responsibility?"

"What do you mean 'unknown origins'? Qin Shuo is my Song Yan's junior brother—isn't that enough?" Song Yan flared up in anger.

For this group of people who only wanted to swallow her father's inheritance, she had not a shred of goodwill toward them.

Even if the other party was her third uncle, at this moment he was arguing forcefully and would not yield an inch.

"Besides, what if we lose? The family had promised back then that if the Song family won the right to use the Earth Cave, then I, Song Yan, would certainly have a share.

What? Third Uncle, are you trying to go back on your word and defy the family's decision made just now?"

Song Yan spoke word by word, ringing and forceful, making Song Tianlin's face alternate between green and white.

In the end, Song Tianlin slammed the table and stood up, shouting angrily: "Enough! Song Yan, you are just a junior, dare to speak to me like this? Do you still have any sense of seniority and juniority, or do you still have me, your third uncle, in your eyes?"

"Why wouldn't I dare?"

Song Yan's tone was stern, she confronted him head-on: "When Third Uncle used me as a pawn to marry into the Tian family back then, did you ever treat me as your niece?

Now, why bother putting on an act here, talking about uncle-niece affection and family hierarchy?"

"I, Song Yan, lay my words bare today: what is rightfully mine, even if it is wasted and unused, will not be given to a lascivious wastrel."

After saying this, she stared at Song Tianlin with a face full of anger, not yielding an inch.

"Shut up, all of you!"

The ever-silent Second Elder Song Ci suddenly erupted, the powerful aura of a peak Tongmai Realm cultivator instantly suppressing the entire hall.

Song Tianlin and Song Yan both fell silent, not speaking another word, and the others also held their breath like cicadas in winter.

Only the Family Head Song Tianhao remained calm and composed, as if unaffected by that powerful aura.

"Alright, we are all one family, do not harm harmony over an outsider."

Third Elder Song Chun stepped forward timely to mediate: "Since the Family Head and Xiao Yan both feel that Qin Xiaoxiong has the strength to defeat Fang Lin.

Why not let him and Tian Bai spar? Whoever wins will represent the Song family in battle and earn the right to enter the Earth Cave, how about that?"

As he spoke, he turned to Tian Bai and said: "Tian Bai, do you have any objections?"

"Just right, I also want to see what moves this Qin junior brother of Yan'er possesses."

Tian Bai's expression was sinister, killing intent surging in his eyes.

Since that mud-leg refused a toast and chose to drink penalty wine, let him not interfere; if he insists on seeking his own death, then it's not my fault for being ruthless and merciless.

"Family Head, what do you think?"

Seeing Tian Bai agree, Song Chun smiled and turned his head to look at Song Tianhao.

Song Tianhao furrowed his brows and said nothing, lightly tapping his fingers on the tabletop, as if in thought.

Song Chun and the others did not urge him, waiting silently for Song Tianhao's decision.

After a long while, Song Tianhao calmly said: "Then let it be as the Third Elder said; when Qin Xiaoxiong arrives later, let them duel to decide the winner. But only to the point of stopping, to avoid both losing and affecting the subsequent matches."

"Family Head, fists and feet have no eyes; what if I accidentally injure that Qin-surnamed person..."

Saying this, he paused, then revealed a cold smile: "I hope the Family Head will make the decision for me and not pursue my responsibility!"

Song Tianhao did not immediately respond, but instead gave Tian Bai a meaningful look before slowly saying: "Of course!"