The System Arrives: Leading My Clan to Become the Strongest

105: Chapter 105 Zhao Jiang’s Grudges Remain Unabated“However, it seems the Zhao Family harbors ill will toward the Jiang Family. Do they have some sort of feud?”

Asked the Emperor of Yuan Kingdom. Although he had been aware of it before—after all, the Zhao Family’s gaze towards the Jiang Family was hostile from the start.

He hadn’t paid much attention, but now, the Jiang Family was increasingly intriguing him, so he didn’t mind learning more.

The Emperor of Yuan Kingdom took a sip of wine, his gaze sweeping over the Zhao Family’s section below the stage, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity.

After all, ever since the Martial Arts Tournament began, the gazes of the Zhao Family group hadn’t left the few Jiang Family Clansmen participating in the matches. Their looks were like ice-tempered knives, wishing they could carve holes into the opponents. Especially Zhao Kun, whose eyes, when looking at the Jiang Family, were so venomous they almost spilled out.

They hadn’t noticed Jiang Chen and the others before, only realizing their presence after seeing Jiang Feng return and following the line of sight.

“Heh heh, their grudge is merely due to a small incident on the street a few days ago.”

Hearing that the Emperor of Yuan Kingdom was interested, Huangfu Jinghong slowly began to speak. Huangfu Canglan, who had been silent beside him, also slightly opened his eyes, revealing an expression that indicated he wanted to listen as well.

Only Huangfu Xuance let out a cold snort, turning his head to look at the battle stage, showing not the slightest interest in what Huangfu Jinghong was about to say.

“Oh?”

The Emperor of Yuan Kingdom became intrigued.

“Old Ancestor Jinghong, please elaborate?”

“I also heard it from that Shenghua boy. A few days ago, Zhao Kun was strolling down the main street with a few servants. You know what kind of person Zhao Kun is—he stirs up trouble and looks for fights. He just happened to run into a few Jiang Family Clansmen who were visiting the street for the first time.”

Huangfu Jinghong said slowly.

“What followed was Zhao Kun deliberately seeking trouble with the Jiang Family. However, due to the influence of the Zhao Family, such incidents usually ended without resolution so as not to offend them. But this time, the Jiang Family did not allow Zhao Kun to get away with it, and he ended up losing some Spirit Stones. That’s how the feud began.”

“So that’s what happened.”

The Emperor of Yuan Kingdom suddenly understood and couldn’t help but shake his head and laugh.

“This Zhao Kun is quite petty. To harbor such hatred just because he lost some Spirit Stones and some Face.”

“Don’t underestimate this resentment.”

Huangfu Jinghong said:

“Because of the Zhao Family’s presence, Zhao Kun is used to running rampant in the capital city. When has he ever suffered such a setback? Especially at the hands of the Jiang Family, whom he always looked down upon. Since then, the Zhao Family has held a grudge against the Jiang Family, always looking to regain Face. During this Qingfeng Martial Meet, they have probably been itching to humiliate the Jiang Family.”

As they spoke, a loud crash suddenly echoed on the arena stage—Zhao Yan of the Zhao Family, having already been defeated by the Fifth Elder, lost again after encountering the Young Man surnamed Li of the Tianxuan Sect.

The Zhao Family camp below the viewing platform instantly erupted. Zhao Kun slammed the armrest, stood up abruptly, veins throbbing on his forehead. His gaze was so venomous it looked like he wanted to devour someone, staring fiercely at the Young Man surnamed Li who defeated Zhao Yan, his teeth grinding audibly.

The surrounding Zhao Family Members also had bloodshot eyes, clenching their fists and muttering curses under their breath.

The matches proceeded quickly; some won, some lost.

The Fifth Elder, Jiang Beiyuan, however, left everyone in the dust, resolving every battle in no more than five moves.

Finally, the Foundation Establishment Stage matches concluded.

In the end, there were no surprises. The Fifth Elder, Jiang Beiyuan, won first place, followed by the Young Man surnamed Li from the Tianxuan Sect, and the stout man, who claimed second and third place, respectively.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yan and that Tianxing secured fourth and fifth place.

“The Foundation Establishment Stage Grand Competition has reached a Perfection conclusion!”

The Golden Core True Person presiding over the Martial Arts Tournament announced loudly, his voice wrapped in Spiritual Qi, spreading throughout the entire venue.

“We now announce the final rankings and confer the rewards—”

“First place: Jiang Beiyuan of the Jiang Family! Awarded one condensing gold pill, one thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, and the right to freely choose a Martial Skill or Cultivation Technique from the Royal Armory!”

As the Golden Core True Person’s voice faded, Jiang Beiyuan slowly stepped forward and accepted the presented rewards.

The moment the brocade box opened, a completely white Medicinal Pill, radiating dense Spiritual Qi, came into view. It was the condensing gold pill—this pill can directly increase the probability of a Breakthrough at a Bottleneck, and it is already a top-tier Medicinal Pill in Yuan Kingdom.

However, this Medicinal Pill was not of much use to him, but he did not refuse it. If he couldn’t use it, other Jiang Family Clansmen could.

One thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones were piled up in the Storage Pouch. The heavy Spiritual Qi fluctuations made the surrounding Cultivators envious, while the right to freely choose a Martial Skill or Cultivation Technique was represented by a token, just like Jiang Feng’s.

On the Jiang Family’s side, the Jiang Family Clansmen erupted in thunderous cheers upon seeing the Fifth Elder win first place, with applause and cheers lasting endlessly.

“Second place: Li Jingchen of the Tianxuan Sect! Awarded one condensing gold pill, eight hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones, and the right to freely choose a Martial Skill or Cultivation Technique from the Royal Armory!”

“Third place: Wang Tieniu of the Tianxuan Sect! Awarded one condensing gold pill, five hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones, and the right to freely choose a Martial Skill or Cultivation Technique from the Royal Armory!”

...“Clan Chief.”

The Fifth Elder quickly returned to the Jiang Family’s side, presenting the brocade box and Storage Pouch in his hand to Jiang Chen with a respectful tone.

“I was fortunate enough to win first place this time. Please decide how to handle these rewards, Clan Chief.”

Jiang Chen raised his hand in a gesture of support, his gaze falling upon the condensing gold pill, a faint smile flashing in his eyes:

“Although you cannot use this pill immediately, since you obtained it yourself, you should decide what to do with it. As for the Spirit Stones and the token to enter the Royal Armory, you should use those yourself. I have ways to manage the Jiang Family, so don’t worry about it.”

Hearing this, Jiang Beiyuan bowed and replied, “Thank you, Clan Chief.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Feng sidled over, his eyes sparkling.

“Fifth Elder, that move you used against Zhao Yan was too magnificent! You finished the fight in three breaths—it was thrilling just watching it!”

Jiang Xueqin also nodded, her small Face filled with admiration.

“That’s right! The moment the Fifth Elder unleashed the Nirvana Sword Art, Zhao Yan didn’t even have a chance to fight back!”

The surrounding Clan Members also gathered around, praising him enthusiastically, and the atmosphere grew lively.

In the Zhao Family camp not far away, Zhao Kun watched this scene, his Face so gloomy it looked like water could drip from it.

He tightly clenched his fists, his nails almost digging into his flesh. His gaze toward the Jiang Family crowd wished it could transform into tangible sharp blades to tear apart their smiling Faces.

The Zhao Family Disciples beside him were also gnashing their teeth, whispered curses rising and falling, yet they dared not be too ostentatious, forced to bottle up their resentment.

Zhao Lifeng said nothing, but the cold glint in his eyes did not diminish; rather, it intensified.

On the viewing platform, Huangfu Jinghong took in the entire scene, slowly sipping his wine before saying:

“The Jiang Family’s cohesion is far stronger than the Zhao Family’s. Zhao Kun is narrow-minded, but that old fox Zhao Lifeng cannot be underestimated. If they truly push the Zhao Family too far and force the Zhao Family Old Ancestor to intervene, I don’t know if the Jiang Family can resist.”

Huangfu Canglan nodded slightly, his gaze resting on the Jiang Family Clansmen. His eyes held a hint of approval mixed with further consideration:

“The most commendable thing about the Jiang Family is the vitality of their younger generation. Look at Jiang Feng; he dominates the competition while only in the Qi Refinement Stage, merely eleven or twelve years old, yet his Heart-Nature and strength far surpass those of the same stage. Jiang Xueqin, who is around the same age, is similarly impressive. The Fifth Elder, Jiang Beiyuan, possesses astonishing combat power, resolving opponents in just two or three moves. Such talent and perseverance are truly rare among the young Cultivators of Yuan Kingdom.”

“Indeed.”