Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

"Does it hurt?"

The old man in green robes looked at his grandson and asked calmly.

Zhao Yunsheng lowered his head and remained silent.

He was too ashamed to respond.

The old man shook his head and continued, "You lost. So what? It's not a big deal. The world is vast, and there are many who are stronger than you."

"Just within the Nine Yang Dynasty alone, there are a few young prodigies you would find difficult to defeat. I'm sure you know that."

"If that's the case, why be so fixated on others being stronger than you? Let them be strong. Like a breeze brushing over a mountain."

Hearing this, Zhao Yunsheng clenched his fists tightly.

He stayed silent for a long time before finally looking up and gritting his teeth, saying, "I don't care about anything else. I never wanted to be the number one in the dynasty, but in the Seven Martial Sect, I must be the best! This is my obsession!"

The old man in green robes also fell silent.

He gazed at the distant horizon for a long time before retracting his gaze and giving his grandson a sidelong glance. In a casual tone, he said, "Then go ahead and become the best."

His words struck Zhao Yunsheng speechless, causing his face to flush with shame.

Yes.

If you want to be the best, then go ahead and be the best. No one's stopping you. If you can't do it, why are you shouting here?

He gritted his teeth, holding his breath until he could no longer contain it, then let out a long, agonizing howl.

"Ah—"

The old man in green robes watched him quietly.

He could understand his grandson's feelings. After all, he had lived for over a hundred years and had seen countless young people.

There were many young people with such thoughts. Not to mention, his son, Zhao Panlong, had been like this in his youth.

But his son had been luckier. He had always been unrivaled in the sect, never meeting a worthy opponent.

As a result, his son maintained a positive mindset, never showing a dark side, which eventually faded away as his cultivation and experience grew.

After a long while, Zhao Yunsheng calmed down again.

The old man in green robes said, "Qin Zi's talent is indeed higher than yours, and by more than just a little."

"If nothing unexpected happens, you'll never surpass him in this lifetime. You might even end up living in his shadow."

Zhao Yunsheng's body trembled!

The old man continued, "Now, you have two choices."

"Either let go of the desire to compete with him and focus on supporting him, helping him to revitalize the sect."

"Or... eliminate him!"

As he spoke the last three words, a cold glint flashed in the old man's eyes.

"This... are these really the only two choices?"

Zhao Yunsheng gritted his teeth, struggling internally.

Though he was unwilling to lose to Qin Zi, he had never considered killing anyone, as he didn't see himself as a bad person at heart.

He just wanted to rightfully become the sect's top genius and then be a beloved sect master.

He wanted to live with a clear conscience.

Only then, when he ascended to the position of sect master, would he feel honor, not shame!

"Having two options is already fortunate. It's because your father and I are strong enough that you have two paths to choose from."

The old man in green robes said calmly.

"If you were just an ordinary disciple with no background, you wouldn't have any choice at all. No matter how unwilling you were, you would have to endure it. And if you couldn't, you'd likely be killed."

Zhao Yunsheng was left speechless.

Indeed.

Having a choice was already a blessing. To be picky would be ungrateful.

He thought for a moment, then asked with a frown, "But if this leads to internal strife and is exposed, won't our branch be treated like outcasts? Besides, Elder Qin Chuan... doesn't seem like someone to be trifled with."

In truth, he was still reluctant.

He hoped that this reasoning would make his grandfather reconsider, leading him to back down. That way, it wouldn't feel like he was the one giving up.

It would help him feel more balanced.

"Heh, do you think I'm telling you to kill him?"

The old man in green robes chuckled and shook his head, saying meaningfully, "Killing is a crude method. Anyone with eyes can see through that."

"When I say 'eliminate him,' I mean eliminating his talent, so he no longer has the qualifications to compete with you!"

With that, he flickered forward to stand before Zhao Yunsheng, extending his right hand and slowly opening it.

In his calloused palm lay a dark blue pill, with six intricate patterns etched on its surface, emitting a strange, chilling light.

"What is this?"

Zhao Yunsheng's body tensed up.

He could sense that this thing was as dangerous as a wolf or a tiger, capable of breaking a person's spirit. He didn't even want to touch it, let alone think about it!

"This is a sixth-grade pill, the Great Calamity Pill. Once ingested, it will subtly erode a person's talent, eventually reducing them to mediocrity."

"It's highly regarded as a sixth-grade pill because it works slowly, taking two to three years to fully take effect. Once consumed, it becomes completely integrated into the body, leaving no trace behind."

The old man in green robes explained gravely, "All you need to do is dissolve this pill in tea and have Qin Zi drink it. That will take care of this major problem!"

Zhao Yunsheng took a deep breath, then, with trembling hands, accepted the sinister pill.

"Go on, find an opportunity to invite Qin Zi for tea."

The old man instructed calmly.

"Okay."

Zhao Yunsheng nodded and silently left.

The old man remained where he was, watching his grandson, whose hands were slightly trembling, seemingly trapped in some sort of inner turmoil. He sighed softly.

"Sigh..."

As a senior member of the sect, was he truly so unscrupulous that he would harm a talented junior just to secure his grandson's place as sect master?

In truth, he had no other choice.

Because he could see far ahead.

He knew his grandson's character well. Now that his grandson couldn't surpass Qin Zi, but was unwilling to remain beneath him, his inherent and nurtured stubbornness was unchangeable.

If this situation of two tigers fighting continued, the conflict between his grandson and Qin Zi would only escalate. In the end... his grandson would most likely die at Qin Zi's hands! He had seen this happen too many times.

So, between his grandson and Qin Zi, he could only choose one.

People are inherently selfish.

Of course, he would choose his grandson.

"The Great Calamity Pill's effects take time. Qin Zi still has two or three years. With his talent, and if I secretly push him a little... he should reach the peak of the Nirvana Realm. He could still become a sect elder, which would be a small compensation for him."

He thought to himself.

...

The next day.

Qin Zi received a pleasant surprise.

Because he had cleared all twenty-three levels, the elders decided to make an exception and allow him to enter the Nirvana Pool!

The Nirvana Pool.

This was a treasured location in the Seven Martial Sect, featuring a spring brimming with spiritual energy and infused with various precious herbs!

For a Pure Yang Realm warrior, entering the pool brought immense benefits. As long as one's talent wasn't too poor, a breakthrough to the Nirvana Realm was almost guaranteed! And there were no side effects.

Due to the high cost, it was rarely opened, only for those who had performed great service to the sect.

Qin Zi was overjoyed at the opportunity, and the blonde woman warned him to be cautious.

Don't drain it dry.

Qin Zi entered the pool for a full day and night, until a beast-like roar echoed from within.

"Ah!!"

"Boom!"

A pillar of milky-white light shot into the sky, rising from the valley where the Nirvana Pool was located and piercing the clouds.

"Look at that pillar of light!"

"It's huge!"

"Senior Brother Qin Zi has broken through to the Nirvana Realm!"

"Wait, isn't the Nirvana Realm's light supposed to be golden? Why is Senior Brother Qin Zi's light white?"

"Uh... maybe it's mixed with something else. I don't know, don't ask me."

Everyone marveled, astonished.

On a distant cliff, Zhao Yunsheng watched the massive light pillar, first clenching his fists, then slowly releasing them.

"Xiao Lu."

He took a deep breath and called out softly.

"Senior Brother Zhao."

A maidservant behind him responded respectfully.

"Invite Senior Brother Qin Zi for tea and tell him I'm congratulating him on his breakthrough to the Nirvana Realm." Zhao Yunsheng said expressionlessly.

"Yes."

The maidservant nodded and left.