Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

On the surface, Zhao Yunsheng appeared kind and even friendly to others, but deep down, his stubbornness had reached an unimaginable level.

Being the sect's top genius and eventually taking the position of Sect Master—these were his obsessions, instilled in him since childhood.

He had to be the "perfect child" that others looked up to! He was willing to sacrifice for honor, to save others at his own expense, but... he would not allow anyone to steal his glory!!

With such a mindset, he gradually began to harbor a certain hostility toward his dear Junior Brother Qin Zi.

Although he knew it was wrong, he couldn't control his emotions, just as he couldn't control his happiness, anger, or sorrow.

His inner world was quite strange.

He knew that as long as Qin Zi remained below him, he would continue to regard Qin Zi as his beloved junior brother.

He might even feel genuine goodwill towards him.

But if Qin Zi surpassed him, there would be no room for reconciliation. They would inevitably become adversaries! And on this day.

Their confrontation began.

The Death Canyon Trial!! This was one of the major trials within the Seven Martial Sect, accurately measuring the strength of its disciples and held almost every year.

Death Canyon had a total of twenty-three levels, and the deeper one ventured, the stronger the traps and puppet warriors became.

Typically, reaching the thirteenth level was already considered quite an achievement, and the strongest disciples in the sect averaged around the fifteenth level.

Last year, Zhao Yunsheng reached the seventeenth level! For several years in a row, Zhao Yunsheng had been unrivaled, firmly holding the title of the sect's top genius.

But this year, things might be different.

"Bang bang bang!"

"Ah!!"

"My waist is broken!"

"I can't go on, I'm out!"

"I give up!"

Inside Death Canyon, various sounds could be heard—sounds of battle, explosions from traps, and cries of pain.

Each level of Death Canyon was monitored by hidden observers, ready to pull out any disciple who couldn't continue.

So while many were injured, few ever died.

As time passed, more and more disciples were carried out of Death Canyon, each bearing a tag around their necks.

The number on the tag represented their performance.

"Hahaha, I finally made it to the tenth level this year. Looks like I have a chance with Junior Sister after all."

"Hehe, Junior Sister is great. After making it to her last year, I managed to push two more levels this time!"

"Junior Sister Huang Die doesn't seem light; how's your waist holding up?"

"Well... I won't lie, my waist gave out earlier, otherwise I could've gone another level."

The disciples chatted among themselves.

At the same time, they kept a close eye on the exit of Death Canyon, eagerly awaiting the results of the top geniuses.

"Senior Brother Wu Cen, eighteen levels!"

"Senior Brother Wu Xiu, seventeen levels!"

"Senior Brother Lu Chong, seventeen levels!"

"Senior Sister Zuo Xuan, eighteen levels!"

...

As the geniuses emerged one after another, the anticipation grew. This year's main attraction was, of course, Senior Brother Zhao Yunsheng and Senior Brother Qin Zi! Some people had even started placing bets in secret.

Would Senior Brother Zhao Yunsheng retain his crown, or would Senior Brother Qin Zi rise to the top? They were eager to find out.

"He's out, Senior Brother Zhao Yunsheng is out!"

Finally, they saw a figure slowly walking out, leaning on a sword with his right hand, his body stained with blood.

His steps were unsteady, causing the tag around his neck to sway back and forth. The crowd squinted and strained to see the number on it, and finally, they made out the number... twenty-one!

"Twenty-one levels!!"

"Senior Brother Zhao Yunsheng reached the twenty-first level!"

"I heard that the twentieth level represents the power of the first stage of the Nirvana Realm, and the twenty-first level is equivalent to the second stage!"

"He's actually crossed that massive chasm between the Pure Yang Realm and the Nirvana Realm, and even took another step forward!"

"That's terrifying!"

"I think this year's top spot is pretty much decided. Senior Brother Zhao is truly impressive."

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

And the admiring gazes from all around brought an unconscious smile to Zhao Yunsheng's face.

This was the feeling he craved.

He glanced back at Death Canyon, thinking that Qin Zi shouldn't have gone farther than him, right?

Even though he'd heard that Qin Zi had escaped from five Nirvana Realm experts before, that was just an escape.

Who didn't have a few tricks up their sleeve to run away?

Being able to escape didn't necessarily mean being able to fight.

And those five Nirvana Realm experts were probably just newly advanced, nothing too extraordinary.

With these thoughts, his hostility toward Qin Zi lessened, and he once again referred to him as "Junior Brother" in his mind.

"Junior Brother Qin Zi probably struggled a bit, since it's his first time. Maybe he got stuck at the nineteenth level, wasting some time..."

"When he comes out, how should I comfort him? Hmm, maybe I could say he's still young, no need to rush... Hmm?!"

Suddenly, his brow furrowed.

Young?

Thinking about it, Qin Zi was only eighteen, while he was nearly twenty, almost two years older! So, at the same age, Qin Zi had actually surpassed him—and by quite a bit...

He took a deep breath after a long pause.

Then, trying to comfort himself, he thought, "It's fine! I'm two years older than him now, and I'll always be two years older, my whole life!"

"As long as my absolute strength is greater, he won't catch up to me. Besides... I'm the type who matures late."

He tried hard to suppress his darker emotions.

He really didn't want to turn to the dark side.

Who wouldn't want to be a righteous, united, guilt-free, and respected person? "Look, Senior Brother Qin Zi is out!"

"Check his tag!"

"Gasp!! That... that's..."

"Impossible, this is impossible!!"

Cries of shock rang out, nearly causing chaos.

Zhao Yunsheng's heart skipped a beat, suddenly filled with a sense of foreboding. He took a deep breath and slowly turned to look.

Qin Zi limped out of Death Canyon, also covered in blood, and the number on his tag read... twenty-three!

Cleared all levels!! At that moment, Zhao Yunsheng's mind went blank, as if struck by lightning, and a wave of unprecedented shame swept over him.

He glanced down at his own tag, the golden "twenty-one" glaring back at him.

Twenty-one levels, once a mark of honor, now filled him with utter humiliation!

He had lost to Qin Zi, and lost completely.

His eyes reddened.

He felt a burning sensation in his eyes, as if blood or even tears might start to flow.

But he gritted his teeth and held it in.

He told himself he had to endure it. Even if he lost the competition, he couldn't lose his composure in front of everyone!!

"Junior Brother Qin Zi, congratulations on clearing all twenty-three levels. I've heard the sect gives out special rewards for that."

Zhao Yunsheng said with a smile as he walked over.

"Huh? Really? I didn't even know that."

Qin Zi scratched his head and smiled awkwardly. "I was just practicing a martial art and got so absorbed that I cleared the levels without even realizing it."

Zhao Yunsheng felt his heart tighten, a rush of blood filling his throat and leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

But he swallowed it back down.

"Heh, is that so? Junior Brother Qin, you're really diligent. No wonder you cleared the levels. I should learn from you."

Zhao Yunsheng said with a forced smile.

"Ahem, you're too kind."

Qin Zi coughed awkwardly, sensing that it wasn't the right time to act arrogant.

"I had a sudden insight during the trial. I'll head back to seclusion to meditate on it. Keep up the good work." Zhao Yunsheng patted Qin Zi on the shoulder, then turned and walked away.

"Goodbye, Senior Brother Zhao."

Qin Zi quickly said, sensing that Senior Brother Zhao wasn't too happy, which was understandable.

No one likes to lose.

But how unhappy Senior Brother Zhao really was, he couldn't tell. After all, everyone's perspective, personality, and resilience differ.

"Senior Brother Qin Zi, you're amazing!"

"Senior Brother Qin Zi, can I get your autograph? Right here."

"Senior Brother Qin Zi actually cleared all twenty-three levels. This is unprecedented! You're the sect's top genius!"

"Tsk tsk, I can't believe it."

A group of disciples surrounded Qin Zi, showering him with praise and compliments, each trying to outdo the other.

And every word reached Zhao Yunsheng's ears as he walked away, making him quicken his pace.

His steps grew faster and faster.

Finally, he reached a place where no one was watching, soared into the air, and flew into a desolate valley.

The Seven Martial Sect covered a vast area, with many deserted valleys often used as secret rendezvous spots for couples.

"Ahhhh! How could I lose? I can't accept this!!"

He roared in fury, his power surging uncontrollably, unleashing wild energy in all directions!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Crash! Crash! The valley walls kept exploding, sending rocks tumbling into the river below, creating huge splashes.

Even the river water began to explode violently under the force of his power, evaporating into thick steam.

After a long while, his rage finally subsided. He collapsed to his knees, hands on the ground, gasping for breath.

"Why, why!!"

He growled quietly, filled with frustration and an overwhelming sense of powerlessness—why was Zhuge born before Liang! "Alright, that's enough."

At that moment, a calm, elderly voice spoke, tinged with a sigh.

Zhao Yunsheng slowly raised his head and looked forward.

An imposing elder in green robes stood with his hands behind his back, perched on a large stone in the middle of the river.

"Grandfather."

Zhao Yunsheng murmured softly.