Wu Zheng narrowed his eyes, contemplating the intricate web of alliances and rivalries within the Huang kingdom. After some time, he spoke, "From what I know, the Jiang family is collaborating with Wu Cheng for the upcoming 100-Year High-Tier Battle."
The Huang kingdom, home to numerous cultivators and powerful families, operated under a unique resource distribution system orchestrated by the Huang family. They supplied resources to various sects and families, but their resources were not limitless. Thus, they established a ranking system: low-level sects, mid-tier sects, high-tier sects, and great sects. This ranking determined the allocation of resources.
Currently, within a 300-kilometer radius of the Wu family, there were two high-tier families, the Zihar and Jiang families, ranked 39th and 58th, respectively. The Wu family held a respectable rank of 36 among high-tier families. Additionally, two high-tier sects, the Golden Feather Sect and the Black Rose Sect, occupied 16th and 49th positions.
Cultivators from different families and sects tended to engage in conflict only within their respective groups, adhering to a code of conduct that avoided interference with others.
The 100-Year High-Tier Battle was a significant event that occurred every century, with the next competition scheduled in 36 years. During this event, all families within the designated area would battle, with the family boasting the most cultivators emerging victorious, thus altering their ranks.
At present, the Wu family stood as the strongest high-tier family within the 300-kilometer radius. However, the family could only challenge stronger high-tier families in a 1,000-Year High-Tier Battle, a historic event established in 700 CE. There were still nearly 500 years remaining before the Wu family could even consider such a challenge. The Wei family, positioned as the strongest family near the Wu family, held the 9th rank among great families. Although the Wu family could not challenge a stronger high-tier family for another five centuries, they could still engage in a great battle against a great family in 500 years, but that was not an immediate concern.
A 500-Year Great Battle occurred every five centuries, allowing any great family or sect to challenge another without regional limitations. Mid-tier sects followed a similar pattern but fought every 50 years, while low-tier sects, which received no resources, were constantly engaged in battles throughout the year, striving to merge with others and ascend to low-tier family status.
The strongest sect near the Wu family was the Jade Pure Sect, holding the 5th rank among great sects.
Wu Zheng took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief. He realized that even if the Jiang family plotted against the Wu family, their chances of success were minimal. Two factors bolstered his confidence: the Wu family's overwhelming strength compared to the Jiang family and the fact that the Jiang family was preoccupied with defending against the Asghar family, ranked 81st among high-tier families.
The Asghar family, a high-tier family located within a 300-kilometer radius of the Jiang family, was a potential threat. The Wu family was situated about 200 kilometers away from the Jiang family, while the Asghar family was 250 kilometers from the Jiang family, further away from the Wu family.
As for the Zihar family, Wu Zheng saw no immediate threat of an attack. The narrow three-rank gap between the Zihar and Wu families meant that their resources and power were closely matched, making it unlikely for them to take risks when they could wait for the 1,000-Year High-Tier Battle to challenge a family with more substantial rewards.
"I should increase my strength as soon as possible," Wu Zheng thought with determination. "Although there is no current danger, nothing is absolute. Who knows what variables might arise in the upcoming battle?"
Concerning the 1,000-Year High-Tier Battle, Wu Zheng felt relatively unconcerned, as he had nearly 500 years to prepare. He was confident he could reach the nascent soul realm—or even surpass it—by then.
With that in mind, Wu Zheng resolved to extend his seclusion from one month to six months. Although his mother, sister, and father might worry about his prolonged absence, they understood the importance of dedicating time to cultivate and break through to the Qi Condensation Realm.
"I should be able to reach the early stage of the 5th stage of Qi Condensation," Wu Zheng mused, feeling a surge of ambition. "On the surface, I should project the cultivation of a peak 2nd stage Qi Condensation."
With a renewed sense of purpose, Wu Zheng settled back into his seclusion.
---
Meanwhile, in the hall of the Jiang family, a man with bronze skin, a high nose, and curly hair sat upon the throne. An indescribable aura emanated from him, ferocious enough to compel any onlooker to bow voluntarily. This imposing figure was none other than Jiang Lu, the head of the Jiang family.
"Did you meet Wu family's second child?" Jiang Lu asked, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Yes, Father," replied Jiang Bao in a low tone.
"Good! Verify whether he is genuinely submissive or merely acting."
"Yes, Father."
"If he is sincere, provide him with resources and support to help him rise within the Wu family," Jiang Lu instructed, his eyes sharp.
"I understand, Father."
As Jiang Bao, the second young master of the Jiang family, stood to leave, he suddenly paused, turning back to face his father. "Father, may I ask something?"
"Ask!" Jiang Lu commanded, his demeanor still impassive.
"Why are we doing this? If we can subdue the Wu family with our trump card, why go to such lengths to recruit a member of their family?"
Jiang Lu remained silent for two minutes, contemplating his son's question. Finally, he spoke, "Bao, you do not understand my ambition."
A chuckle escaped Jiang Lu's lips as he continued, "Yes, we could use our trump card to intimidate them without a bloodbath. But if you think they will submit to us without a fight, you are mistaken. The most they will do is admit defeat and relinquish their rank."
"But..." Jiang Bao hesitated.
"I do not want to be stuck at 36th rank for 500 years," Jiang Lu interjected, his voice low but intense. "I do not wish for the Wu family to be eradicated; I want their strength. That is why I am taking this approach. The battle will last five years. We will first subdue the Asghar family within three years. Then, when the Wu family relaxes, thinking they cannot be defeated in the final two years, we will strike. We will use our trump card from the outside and Wu Cheng from within."
"Do you believe they will have any choice but to submit to us afterward? Once they do, I will elevate our clan to new heights and challenge the Wei family in the 500-Year Great Battle."