Out of the two hundred selected individuals, some were unharmed and in good condition, while others sustained serious injures. It could be seen that their strengths were not equal.
After a quick, sweeping glance, Gu Zuo used his formidable psychic power, and discovered the physical conditions of these people.
Gongyi Tianheng gently smiled at him: “Ah Zuo, you can divide them into groups.”
There really was no one who had greater authority in matters of this aspect than Gu Zuo. He nodded his head: “Okay.”
Following this, Gu Zuo raised his voice, and organized these people into groups of two. Those who were paired up didn’t know why an outsider was calling the shots, but when they saw their own opponents, they couldn’t help feeling admiration.
This was due to the outcome of the final separation into pairs. The seriously injured faced off against the seriously injured, the lightly wounded confronted the lightly wounded, and those who were in good condition were also put together. In short, the physical fitness of both people were as similar as possible. It was to the point that even their realms were relatively close — Of course, in terms of realms, the majority of those who lasted to the end had about the same realm anyway. Otherwise, it would’ve been hard to get the real results.
Below the platform, the members of the Gongyi Clan were also satisfied. If they were to divide the participants themselves, they definitely wouldn’t have been this comprehensive.
Subsequently, among the two hundred people, the competition started with the candidates who were in good condition. This was for the sake of giving those injured people some time to heal. When it was their turn to compete again, it would be much easier.
Numerous youthful talents swiftly started fighting one another.
This time around, the battles were duels. However, because they already used up a lot of strength and their realms didn’t even reach Xiantian, the time of each match wasn’t long. The battles between the wounded were finished even faster. After a few hours, a new hundred winners appeared. The rest were losers.
Immediately following which, Tianheng opened his mouth: “After resting for one hour, the losers in the previous round or those who didn’t register can challenge the winners on the raised platform. If you’re able to defeat them, you can take their place. However, each person has only one chance to issue a challenge. And among the winners, each person will only accept one challenge at most.”
This kind of rule was also considered fair.
It gave those unlucky younger generations with actual capabilities a chance. In addition, due to this restriction, the original winners wouldn’t suffer too much.
The numerous children of the Gongyi Clan heard this, and their states of mind became bright and clear.
No matter what, they still had a chance!
It was just that they also understood that this was a matter where quick hands grabbed something and slow hands grasped nothing. One hundred winners meant one hundred chances, but unlucky fellows like them numbered far more than a hundred.
Right away, a younger generation with a tall and mighty stature jumped onto the platform, and directly pointed at a lightly-wounded winner who looked weak and small: “I want to challenge you! Do you dare or not?”
The short and small child swiftly leaped onto the arena. His posture was agile, and after a few ups and downs, he knocked the tall and large younger generation off the platform.
This short and small child was able to keep his own spot.
Shortly after that, a youthful girl got onto the stage. The one she challenged was a younger generation with an average appearance. Although this person was stunned by the girl’s beauty, he still quickly knocked her off the platform, too.
As far as he was concerned, charm and beauty clearly weren’t as important as getting a placement.
One after another, many younger generations fought and scrambled to seize this opportunity. However, when all was said and done, those winners only won their places after going through bitter and violent battle. Strength and tenacity were no small matters. Even though those younger generations strived their hardest, they still ultimately lost again and again.
There truly wasn’t a single person who could snatch a spot.
And these winners became even more convincing after going through another round of testing.
None of the clan members at the venue could say anything inappropriate.
Tianheng saw that the placements were confirmed, and was rather satisfied.
Afterwards, he called out: “Dragon 21.”
A streak of shadow swiftly flickered out, and kneeled on the ground.
Seeing the shadow’s taut muscles, some clan members sensed the powerful strength coming from his body, and felt their hearts palpitating.
They didn’t have this type of feeling even when facing the strongest powerhouses of their branches! And this person was merely the young lord’s subordinate…
Many clan members heard what Tianheng called out, and knew that this was one of the rumored Tianlong Guards under the young lord’s command. However, what they didn’t expect was that the Tianlong Guards the young lord didn’t bring away also had such strength. This made them even more convinced that the young lord had the capability to improve the power of their branches’ younger generations.
Soon after, Tianheng instructed: “Record the names of these clan members.”
His decision was to bring away three hundred people from the Gongyi Clan. The hundred who were chosen had excellent aptitudes and battle awareness. They were also the ones he would focus on nurturing. As for the remaining two hundred, he would use other methods to make a selection.
These hundred winners and the clan elders of their branches discovered something, and their hearts were full of joy.
In addition, several thoughtful people felt that Tianheng’s move might have some deeper meaning.
After that, Tianheng continued to speak: “There are still another two hundred placements. Regardless of whether it’s a main branch or cadet branch, every branch may have three spots. All of you may select the candidates for those placements by yourselves. If they can pass my assessments, I can give a spot. If they fail the assessment, the placement will be transferred to the other branches. If the number of youths brought here is insufficient, the placements will also be transferred to the other branches.”
Once these words were uttered, the crowd of clan members all had different reactions.
Those who had brought many candidates were very happy, and those who brought few candidates were extremely regretful. However, some of the branches whose children failed to make it into the hundred placements were incredibly grateful for Tianheng’s decision.
From this, everyone respected and admired him even more.
Afterwards, numerous branches chose their favored younger generations, and let them step forward one by one. They were examined by Gu Zuo, and tested by Tianheng.
In fact, the two were mainly observing their physical conditions. If there also weren’t any big problems with their personality, then they would be kept.
Some more time passed, and all of the candidates were confirmed. In total, there were three hundred outstanding younger generations. On average, there were three to four placements in each branch.
The many branches saw the final results, and none of them had any objections.
At this time, Gongyi Yan’s expression suddenly turned solemn, and he calmed down the numerous clan members who were still excited. Shortly thereafter, he plainly said: “Everyone, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Next, there are still a few things that must be mentioned first.”
Gongyi Yan briefly explained to these clan members the matters of Qingyun Continent’s Qingyun Sect as well as the passage of the Road of Death from Qingyun Sect to the Central Continent. Of course, Tianheng’s identity and position on the other side, the struggles and dangers that the clan members might face in the future, and other such things weren’t overlooked.
After he finished speaking, he said: “My son went through many hardships and perils to obtain a rare treasure that can break through those shackles and bring some clan members away. But in the end, its capabilities are limited. Those who stay behind will probably have to risk their lives. The entire clan may suffer a disaster!”
Yet, although Gongyi Yan said this, the clan members below weren’t in low spirits once they finished listening. Instead, they spoke one after another:
“Not to mention that this is just conjecture, it might not necessarily be true. Even if it’s true, this is something we must do.”
“The young lord made many achievements, and let our clan share in the benefits. When encountering danger, it’s only natural for the whole clan to bear the burden. How can we only partake in the sweetness of prosperity and refuse to endure the bitterness of hardship?”
“If it wasn’t for the young lord, our clan wouldn’t have had the chance to rise up. How can we let this great opportunity go because of unknown dangers now?”
“The young lord has never forgotten us, and we won’t let the young lord down!”
Gongyi Yan’s voice applauded: “Well said!” Then, he continued, “However, my son won’t disregard everyone’s safety and danger. Now, there are two relatively suitable methods everyone may choose.
“The first one is to break up the whole into pieces. Any properties out in the open will be dispersed, first and last names will be changed, and everyone’s tracks will be concealed such that no one can be found.
“The second is that my son will make a deal with Qingyun Sect. Some clan members will be moved to that place to receive Qingyun Sect’s protection, but they will be restricted by Qingyun Sect to a certain extent. I’m afraid that it won’t be as comfortable as being the master of one’s own household. Moreover, if there comes a day that a great enemy appears that even Qingyun Sect can’t hold back, it will similarly end in the extermination of the clan.
“Naturally, if there’s anyone unwilling to chose these two paths…”
His expression was solemn, and he spoke each word clearly: “My son is concerned with whether the Gongyi Clan can establish a firm foothold on the Central Continent. The most important thing is the continuation of the clan throughout the ages. Other clan members must make way for him. In the future, if someone captures a member of our clan to threaten my son, regardless of that person’s identity, that member must yield to the interests of the entire clan and become abandoned. But I, Gongyi Yan, can guarantee—”
Tianheng took over and said: “I, Gongyi Tianheng, pledge that if anyone dies for this reason, once I have accomplished my studies in martial arts, I will climb the heavens and enter the underworld to fetch the perpetrator’s head, and offer it as a sacrifice to that clan member’s heroic soul!”
Having heard what was said, the crowd of clan members had solemn and respectful expressions.
However, no matter which path they chose, they all acknowledged Gongyi Yan’s words.
They knew that the young lord’s close relatives would definitely be well protected. This was because the young lord’s close relatives were the people who could affect him the most. If anything happened, it might be difficult to make reasonable decisions for the interests of the entire clan. As for the other clan members, the young lord was considered attentive and thoughtful of the branches. Those who were the most gifted among them were already going to be taken away for nurturing. Even if the whole clan was wiped out, their branches could go on and become even stronger.
Besides, everything mentioned before was only the worst calculated scenario. It really wasn’t certain that such a disaster would occur.
Tianheng smiled: “Naturally, if the clan members who are brought away can become powerhouses, they themselves can seize enough resources, and have the qualifications to welcome their own branches to their side for a reunion.”
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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