Sovereign of Stars

Chapter 9 – The battle for dominance begins

"Young friend, here is the Supreme-Grade Spirit Gathering Pill you requested."

Yuan Qing handed an exquisite jade box to Su Xin. Su Xin opened it for a glance before carefully putting it away.

"Thank you." After expressing his gratitude, Su Xin took his leave.

In front of the True Martial Pavilion, a dense crowd of martial artists gathered, all filled with awe and reverence as they watched Su Xin depart.

"Supervisor, should we send someone to follow him and find out his identity and background?" asked a black-clad steward.

"No need," Yuan Qing shook his head. "Since he used an alias, he clearly doesn't want his identity known. Our task at the Crimson Dragon Tower is to befriend top talents like him, so they feel grateful to us and might serve the dynasty in the future. If we insist on digging too deep or secretly send people to follow him, it could backfire if he finds out."

"Moreover, being able to reach the fourteenth level of the True Martial Pavilion at the eighth level of the True Martial Realm, such a super talent in skill won't remain unknown forever. Sooner or later, he'll become famous throughout Heavenflame. We just need to watch."

...

Su Xin cautiously made his way back to the Su Family after ensuring no one was following him.

Inside his room, Su Xin looked at the twenty milky-white pills emitting a rich fragrance inside the jade box, feeling quite pleased.

"The Supreme-Grade Spirit Gathering Pill is dozens of times more effective than ordinary ones. With fifteen days until the Sword Order Battle, I can take one pill a day. Combined with the cultivation speed of my inherited technique... In half a month, breaking through to the ninth level of the True Martial Realm is definitely possible, maybe even the tenth level," Su Xin smiled.

From that day on, he devoted most of his time to cultivation.

With the Supreme-Grade Spirit Gathering Pill assisting him and his inherited technique's cultivation speed, his cultivation level was rising at an alarming rate.

Days passed by.

During Su Xin's secluded cultivation, the Su Family was not at peace.

First, the more outstanding young members of the Su Family, like Su Qinghong and Su Yuning, returned to the family. They had been training outside to enhance their strength, aiming to challenge Zhao Ling in the Sword Order Battle. Their training had yielded progress.

Especially Su Qinghong.

Rumor had it that Su Qinghong's cultivation had also reached the peak of the tenth level of the True Martial Realm, not weaker than Zhao Ling.

This sparked hope within the Su Family, with many believing he could truly defeat Zhao Ling in the Sword Order Battle.

But a few days later, Zhao Ling returned.

On the day of his return, he went straight to the Crimson Dragon Tower and passed the eleventh level of the True Martial Pavilion!

The news shook the entire Su Family.

It's known that passing the tenth level of the True Martial Pavilion at the True Martial Realm already marks one as a top talent, rare in the entire Yongning Prefecture. Passing the eleventh level is even more remarkable.

Although there was recent news of someone named 'Sword One' at the eighth level passing the fourteenth level of the True Martial Pavilion, 'Sword One' wasn't from the Su Family, so it didn't cause much of a stir within the family. Zhao Ling, however, was from the Su Family, causing a much bigger sensation.

The Su Family was astounded.

The Faction of Retainers was ecstatic, cheering, while the Core Bloodline Faction was deeply suppressed, especially those who had high hopes for Su Qinghong, thinking he could defeat Zhao Ling. They fell silent upon hearing the news.

There was no way around it. Even if their cultivation levels were similar, Su Qinghong had only passed the ninth level of the True Martial Pavilion, still a bit short of the tenth. Zhao Ling, however, had passed the eleventh level, showing a significant skill gap.

This left the younger generation of the Su Family feeling very downcast, with many losing hope.

But regardless, the day of the Su Family Sword Order Battle arrived!

...

"CREAAAK!"

Su Xin opened the door and stepped out.

"Young master," Hong Shan had been waiting outside.

"The Sword Order Battle is today," Su Xin said, looking into the distance.

"Judging by your expression, has your cultivation improved?" Hong Shan asked.

"Improved? You could say that. Although I didn't fully reach my expectations, it's still quite good," Su Xin smiled slightly.

In half a month, his cultivation had been rapidly advancing. He initially hoped to reach the tenth level of the True Martial Realm in one go, but unfortunately, he stopped at the peak of the ninth level, just half a step away from the tenth.

If he had two or three more days, he was confident he could break through to the tenth level. But the Sword Order Battle was about to begin.

Of course, even if it wasn't perfect, having the peak of the ninth level was already enough for Su Xin.

"Even though it's just the peak of the ninth level, my inherited technique allows me to unleash stronger power, not much weaker than a typical tenth level. Plus, I have my bloodline power, which, when fully unleashed, is definitely stronger than the peak of the tenth level!"

Su Xin clenched his fists, his eyes filled with absolute confidence.

"Zhao Ling... an outsider dares to covet the Su Family Sword Order!"

"He must be killed!"

"I've been delayed for three years, and the Su Family has lost the respect they should have for me as the young master. Today, I'll use him to reestablish my authority!"

...

Su Family, Martial Arts Garden.

This was a vast garden, with a training field at its center. Usually deserted, today it was packed with people.

The Su Family held an annual competition for its members in the Martial Arts Garden, but this time it was crucial as it concerned the Sword Order.

The Su Family's Core Bloodline Faction and the Faction of Retainers, along with many maids and servants, gathered, numbering over a thousand.

On the viewing platform above the training field, three seats were arranged, with two already occupied by elders of the Su Family.

The Su Family, beneath the family head, had three elders.

A quick look at tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w will leave you more fulfilled.

The Great Elder, Su Boyong, was the only Void Shattering Realm expert in the Core Bloodline Faction besides the family head, currently stationed elsewhere and not in the family.

Present were the Second Elder, Su Tietong, and the Third Elder, Su Baihu, both peak Sea Transformation Realm experts. The Third Elder, Su Baihu, was the family head's younger brother, making him Su Xin's second uncle.

In front of the two elders stood four Su Family members.

These four were the strongest among the Su Family's younger generation, all having reached the tenth level of the True Martial Realm, including Su Qinghong and Su Yuning.

"Allowing an outsider to participate in our Su Family Sword Order Battle is a disgrace!"

"If that outsider wins and takes the Sword Order, our Su Family will become a laughingstock!"

Second Elder Su Tietong, with a burly figure and eyes like copper bells, roared angrily, "You four are the Su Family's last hope. Whether we can defeat Zhao Ling and restore our family's honor depends on you. Remember, at any cost, bring Zhao Ling down. Even if it means risking your lives, you must do it!"

"Yes!"

Su Qinghong and the others nodded heavily, understanding the importance of today's battle.

The Su Family, as a family and once a prominent clan in the Heavenflame Dynasty, held pride and dignity that could not be trampled by anyone.

If an outsider were to take control of the Sword Order, the Su Family's pride and dignity would vanish, a fate worse than death for many in the family.

Meanwhile, in another direction of the training field, many strong members of the Faction of Retainers gathered, with a defiant man wielding a battle knife standing prominently, like a crane among chickens.

He was Zhao Ling.

Having reached the peak of the tenth level of the True Martial Realm and passed the eleventh level of the True Martial Pavilion, he was a top talent causing immense pressure on the Su Family's younger generation.

"Brother, look, everyone around is watching you, especially those young Su Family members. Their eyes look like they want to swallow you whole."

Zhao Qing, standing beside Zhao Ling, noticed the intense gazes and sneered, "Hmph, these fools, what can they do even if they're unwilling? After today's battle, you'll be the holder of the Su Family Sword Order, and from now on, the younger generation of the Su Family will look up to you. You might even become the family head in the future."

Hearing this, Zhao Ling smiled, "It's a pity that father is in Tianshui City, engaged in a crucial struggle with the Great Elder Su Boyong, and can't come back. If he could see me overpower the Su Family's younger generation, he'd be very pleased."

His father, Zhao Tianlei, as the leader of the Faction of Retainers, had gone to Tianshui City and hadn't returned yet.

"By the way, brother, about that Su Xin I mentioned..." Zhao Qing suddenly said.

"Xiao Qing," Zhao Ling frowned, a bit displeased, "I've told you to broaden your perspective. Su Xin was someone three years ago, but now he's no longer significant. You don't need to concern yourself with such a person."

"Yes," Zhao Qing lowered his head.

Zhao Ling glanced at Zhao Qing, then added, "But since Su Xin did hit you and spoke such arrogant words, I won't let it go. If there's a chance in the battle, I'll take action."

"Thank you, brother," Zhao Qing was delighted.

He knew his brother was indulgent towards him.

At that moment...

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Two figures suddenly appeared on the viewing platform of the training field.

Immediately, all eyes were drawn to these two figures.

"It's the family head!"

"The family head is here!"

The Su Family members were excited.

"Father."

Standing in the corner of the crowd, Su Xin also looked up at the platform.

Proofreader & Editor: Lyra