Section Eleven: Ascetic Practice and the Zhou Family

Time slipped by, and Tang Tian’s shouts, once loud and spirited, gradually sank into a hoarse rasp. Only the sound of fists slicing through the air persisted, never ceasing.

Punch after punch after punch…

For lower-tier martial arts, stamina was the foundation of everything. Over the past five years, Tang Tian had trained with fanatical dedication, far beyond what any ordinary person could imagine, forging an astonishing endurance. He was not as strong as Amory when it came to raw power, but in terms of stamina, he was in no way inferior.

His formidable stamina ensured that he could endure an incredible amount of training.

Yet under such mad and relentless practice, even someone as hardy as Tang Tian felt, for the first time, that he could not bear it any longer.

When the last ounce of strength was spent, Tang Tian collapsed onto the ground with a thud, sprawling like a heap of mud. His training was so extreme, so frenzied, that even though true qi continually repaired his body, even though in this strange space hunger was unknown, the toll on his mind was equally staggering.

Each round of exhaustion would be swept away by practicing the Breathing Art to restore his strength, only for him to throw himself into yet another round of training. On and on, never wasting a single moment.

But as time wore on, the strain of this intense regimen grew heavier and heavier on his body. Fatigue became harder to dispel, true qi took longer to circulate, and the agony of training multiplied.

The long hours of intense focus eroded his spirit; his mind throbbed painfully as if about to split apart. The chill of the black stone floor against his cheek brought a fleeting clarity, but he had not a single ounce of strength left—not even to move a finger. His body no longer felt like his own.

This was the moment he should have sat up to circulate his breathing, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not rise.

Fatigue surged over him like a tide, his eyelids growing ever heavier.

Sleep now… just fall asleep here… How sweet it would be to rest…

It was as if a voice inside his head murmured, full of temptation.

Sleep, you’ve done enough. You deserve to sleep now…

It was as if a demon was lodged in his mind, whispering over and over.

Tang Tian forced his eyes open. He wanted to get up, but his body was limp; he could not even twitch a finger.

“No, I won’t sleep! I must train!” Tang Tian screamed within his heart, as if to himself and to the demon.

“You have no strength left. Sleep. After you wake, you can train again. You’ve done your best, trained enough. Why push yourself so hard? Have a good sleep, so sweet, so satisfying…”

“No! I must train! I must train! I will train!”

Something in Tang Tian’s heart suddenly ignited, an overwhelming rage surging up like molten lava, instantly setting every corner of his body ablaze.

His furious roar was filled with stubbornness and defiance.

He was like an enraged lion, his body trembling, his eyes blazing with an inferno.

Wide-eyed and bloodshot, he glared fiercely at the cold, mirror-like floor, a low, hoarse growl squeezed through clenched teeth.

“A man like a god—how can he admit defeat?”

“I will go to the Perseus Constellation! I will find Chihui! We will journey the Celestial Road together!”

“How can I abandon a promise?”

“Tang Tian…”

“Never give up…”

“Never give up!”

Amid his repeated, furious roars, a surge of strength appeared from nowhere. Bit by bit, Tang Tian propped himself up. His eyes were wide, his features twisted with strain, every vein on his forehead bulging.

His body trembled uncontrollably, but slowly, inexorably, he sat upright.

Sweat pooled beneath him, forming a puddle on the polished stone, which reflected the stubborn figure above.

Never give up… Tang Tian… you have already fallen behind others for so long…

The tenth day.

Tang Tian’s mind grew hazy; he could barely make out the red numbers and the passage of time. By now, it was sheer instinct that kept him going, his fists slicing through the air.

Scarlet numbers flickered rapidly.

Tang Tian heard his heart pounding, his breath coming in heavy gasps.

There are so many things I want to do… How can I give up now…

Just hold on a bit longer… Just a bit longer…

He did not know how much time had passed. In a daze, the world spun around him. His mind relaxed, and though his face was weary, a smile appeared.

Ha… I won…

That was the last thing he remembered.

Beyond the gate of light, nothing remained but a string of scarlet numbers.

30000!

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The ancestral hall of the Zhou clan was filled with elders.

“This matter has truly cast a terrible shadow over our Zhou family.” The speaker was an old man, his hair and beard snow-white. Though aged, he leaned on a dragon-headed cane, his gaze piercing, his presence commanding silent respect. He was the clan’s most revered elder—even the head of the family called him Grand Elder.

This family council had been called at the Grand Elder’s command.

“Our Zhou family has stood in Martial Peace Star for over four centuries. The ancestors built this foundation with great hardship. As their descendants, not only have we failed to guard it, we have also brought shame upon their name. I have not slept a peaceful night since.”

His tone was solemn and grave. No one dared utter a sound.

The clan head sat on pins and needles, sweat pouring from his brow. If the elders opposed him, he would lose his position instantly. With the Grand Elder’s prestige, if he moved to depose the clan head, half the elders would surely follow.

“It’s all my fault! I failed in my duties…” The clan head confessed in a low, submissive voice.

The Grand Elder did not even glance at him, snorting coldly. “Your failure of discipline! Who would have thought that the dignified son of our clan head would be nearly killed by a worthless student. If this old man remembers correctly, Zhou Peng is meant to be the next head of the family, isn’t he?”

Immediately, cold sweat streamed down the clan head’s face. Years of careful maneuvering and currying favor with the elders had made Zhou Peng the favored heir, but now, with the Grand Elder’s words, his suitability was doubted—and he was in no position to object.

The disgrace was immense. The whole Starwind City knew of Tang Tian, the infamous perennial flunker, and yet Zhou Peng had been defeated by him—an utter humiliation.

He had already heard rumors and slander these past days, and was worried. Now his fears had come true.

He could only murmur, “Peng’er is still young and reckless, but his talent and foundation are good.”

“Oh, is that so?” The Grand Elder’s face was icy. “If his foundation is so solid, then real gold will withstand the fire. Give him a month to resolve this himself. It was he who tarnished the Zhou name; let him restore it. If he cannot even understand this much, what business has he being heir? Who succeeds as clan head is not important—what matters is that the Zhou family’s legacy must never fall into the hands of a useless fool!”

His voice was cold and forceful, every word ringing out firmly.

“Exactly!”

“Let strength speak!”

“The Grand Elder is absolutely right!”

The elders all echoed their agreement.

Knowing there was no way out, the clan head gritted his teeth: “The Grand Elder is right. If he fails, I will consider him no son of mine!”

The Grand Elder’s face softened a little. “Your efforts these years have not gone unnoticed. But remember always—the Zhou name must never be shamed! You are still young; have more sons, and the family will thrive.”

“Yes!” the clan head bowed in compliance.

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The Zhou clan head watched with a dark expression as Zhou Peng burst into the room, smug and triumphant.

“Dad! I finally found out where Tang Tian is—he ran off to Satchima Academy, ha! The third-worst school in the city!” Zhou Peng crowed. “I looked for so long and found nothing—if Amory hadn’t transferred, I wouldn’t have tracked him down.”

After Tang Tian had beaten him in front of the school gates, Zhou Peng’s father had expelled Tang Tian from Ander Academy, but Zhou Peng had never let go of his thirst for revenge.

Never in his life had he been so shamed in front of so many people!

Tang Tian!

At the memory of Tang Tian’s hand around his throat, of that arrogant, domineering gaze, Zhou Peng’s fists clenched unconsciously.

Tang Tian, you’ll soon learn what I’m capable of!

“Peng’er, there is something I need to tell you,” the clan head said in a low voice.

Zhou Peng finally noticed his father’s grim expression, and was surprised. “What’s wrong?”

“You must handle the Tang Tian matter yourself.”

“Great! Uncle Pan gave me that ‘Golden Dragon Staff’ Soul General card last time—I haven’t even used it yet. A third-tier silver Soul General will beat Tang Tian like a dog!” Zhou Peng was elated.

“No,” the clan head shook his head. “The Grand Elder says you must settle this with your own hands. No one may help you.”

Zhou Peng’s expression froze. “Is the Grand Elder senile?”

“Insolence!” The clan head’s eyes were stern. “It seems I have indeed neglected your upbringing! From today, you will train under Zhou Mu!”

Only then did Zhou Peng notice the nearly invisible presence beside his father.

Zhou Mu, his father’s chief bodyguard, usually silent and unassuming, but his strength was unfathomable. What truly terrified Zhou Peng was that Zhou Mu showed no mercy—he always completed any task his father assigned, no matter what.

“Zhou Mu, he’s yours now. I don’t care what methods you use—I want him at third tier within a month. Draw on any resources you need,” the clan head ordered.

Zhou Mu replied dully.

Zhou Peng nearly fainted, wailing, “Dad, no—!”

His cries were cut short as Zhou Mu knocked him out and carried him away.

A flicker of unwillingness crossed the clan head’s eyes, but he suppressed it.

Tang Tian!

A murderous glint flashed in his gaze. This whole disaster was that boy’s fault! If not for the Grand Elder’s insistence that Peng’er redeem himself directly against Tang Tian, he would already have sent someone to kill him.

Let the brat live a few days longer…

Once Peng’er dealt with him, he would find someone to quietly finish Tang Tian off.

Ha, every year some people disappear in Starwind City—who would even care?

A murderous intent settled over the clan head’s face.

Come, young heroes, defeat me with your votes!

Peerless Tang Gate