Lu Yang Palace
The Lu Yang Palace was a large hall about 300metres by 400metres. The walls of the Palace were decorated with the finest gold. Paintings of the Vermillion Bird filled the hall.
"Son, nephew, welcome back. I trust your hunting was profitable" Lu Shantian said.
"Actually, it wasn't. However, you should have seen how senior brother Zhao killed three rank 3 water beasts in one move!" Lu Zheng exclaimed excitedly.
"Family head, it was my fault that the beast cores of the water beasts also got eliminated with the beasts" Lu Zhao apologised whilst taking a bow.
"That's no problem. One's life is more important than beast cores. You can always return to the Dark Forest for more beast cores" Lu Shantian said. "I called you two here to inform you that the bi-annual inter-clan tournament between the five clans under Juanshei Sect will soon begin. Remember that it would be a bloody tournament and death would come as easily as breathing. It is open to warriors in the first five realms. I want you to summon all of the younger generation to have them prepare for the tournament. It would be a very good chance to temper yourselves"
~Hmmm, the Bai clan should be this year's hosts. They have the sexiest women ever. I would love to meet one of them. Who knows? Perhaps… ~
"Father, I am interested in this tournament, can I also participate?" Lu Zheng asked.
"Son, although you are only five, you have somehow received natural inspiration and reached the Refinement realm. You are a child with peerless potential and most importantly, you are my child. I don't want you to die" Lu Shantian replied.
"But father, you know that in the cultivation world, one needs to temper oneself with near-death experiences. Only then can one be a formidable warrior. Or what, you want me to be useless trash just because I am your son?" Lu Zheng said in an attempt to convince Lu Shantian.
Lu Shantian shook his head and sighed: "You and your mother are alike. I can never win in a verbal fight with you two"
"So I can go?" Lu Zheng's lips curled into a smile.
"Yes, yes but you must prioritize keeping your life. When the tournament starts, search for your cousins first to keep you safe. Whenever you meet someone you can't beat, run" Lu Shantian said in response.
Lu Zhao who stood by Lu Zheng was unable to believe his ears. Who would have thought that the mighty Lu Shantian was very soft with his own son?
"Thanks father, you won't regret this" Lu Zheng said excitedly.
"Hmm. Zhao'er, go and round up every warrior below the age of twenty now" ordered Lu Shantian. "Zheng'er, do not forget to leave five drops of your blood with your mother. There is something that I must test"
"Yes, family head!" Lu Zhao said as he took his leave.
"Okay father" Lu Zheng said as he left quickly.
After both of them had left, a woman's silhouette formed beside Lu Shantian before gradually taking form. It was Lu Zheng's mother, Song Bing.
"Darling, you asked Zheng'er for his blood. What's the matter?" Song Bing asked affectionately.
Lu Shantian let out a worried sigh as he replied: "Our family's bloodline gets thinner as every generation passes by. I, I am worried…"
"You're worried Zheng'er won't inherit our family's bloodline" Song Bing completed Lu Shantian's sentence.
"Yes" Lu Shantian heaved a heavy sigh.
Song Bing's eyelids drooped as she moved to lift Lu Shantian off the family head throne before hugging him tightly: "Don't be worried. Zheng'er is a talented child. Even without Lu Clan's bloodline, he will still become a formidable warrior"
"Hmm" Lu Shantian nodded as he returned the hug.