The battle for the top four today has finally come to an end.
However, the ripples caused by its results continue to spread.
Dongfang Dieyu fought fiercely but was ultimately defeated by Dongfang Ba—an outcome everyone had anticipated. Yet, the unexpected rise of Dongfang Shuoming drew even more attention and became the talk of the town.
With just a gray wolf, he actually managed to defeat Dongfang Shuwen, the top contender and direct disciple of the Second Elder!
Undoubtedly, this is a rising new star among Spirit Taming prodigies!
Unfortunately, Wu Ming, the person himself, showed no sign of excitement and returned calmly to his courtyard.
After all, compared to the vast Flame Continent, the Dongfang Family was simply too small. What significance could the genius of a minor family possibly have when compared to those blessed with heavenly fortune?
However, when he returned to his courtyard, he couldn’t help but smile inwardly: “The fat pig has finally come knocking!”
Moonlight poured down.
As Wu Ming pushed open the door, he saw a graceful beauty standing by the flowerbed in his courtyard, seemingly admiring the flower varieties.
Yet, how could the beauty of ordinary flowers even compare to a fraction of this woman’s charm?
“My name is Dongfang Rouxin. Congratulations, Shuoming, on advancing to the final round!”
The beauty turned around and bowed gracefully.
“I’m afraid I don’t deserve such praise… Are you from the First Elder’s faction?”
Wu Ming asked directly.
“That’s correct…” Dongfang Rouxin smiled gently, and it seemed as if spring had arrived in the courtyard, blooming with flowers: “Your garden contains many rare flower species, but the soil lacks nutrients. I took the liberty of adding some fertilizer. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Fertilizer?”
Wu Ming stepped forward, catching a whiff of a bloody scent. As he slightly dug into the soil, he saw a face frozen in shock and filled with hatred.
Unfortunately, Luo Geng was already devoid of life by now.
“This is the tragedy of being a servant—once you lose your value, you’re discarded like worn-out shoes!”
He sighed inwardly, accurately grasping the First Elder’s intent. This act was both a gesture of goodwill and a show of power!
Killing an enemy was naturally a sign of friendliness.
But to bury the corpse as flower fertilizer right in front of him? Wu Ming looked at Dongfang Rouxin’s smiling face and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. If it were any ordinary teenager, he would probably be terrified out of his wits by now.
However, what kind of person was he? Could he really be frightened by such a minor display?
He smiled immediately and said: “Excellent! With such rich fertilizer, my courtyard will surely be filled with blooming peach and plum blossoms next spring. Thank you very much!”
Dongfang Rouxin looked at Wu Ming in surprise.
At merely fifteen years old, Dongfang Shuoming’s frame was thin and frail, yet she could not detect the slightest trace of fear in his eyes.
Sighing inwardly, Dongfang Rouxin smiled again: “My coming here is also for a small favor I wish to request from you, and I promise a generous reward…”
She then presented her conditions.
As Wu Ming listened, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. These were exactly the same conditions he had proposed to Dongfang Jin yesterday. He hadn’t expected that they had even managed to uncover that. It was evident that the First Elder’s faction still controlled the majority of the Dongfang Family’s power, making it unwise to confront them directly.
“However, winning the family competition doesn’t just bring honor—it also brings a reward of tens of thousands of spirit coins and the chance to choose from the treasure vault…”
He spoke calmly: “But these… are not enough!”
Dongfang Rouxin was slightly surprised: “Then what else do you want?”
“I need spirit crystals—more the better!”
Wu Ming said firmly: “I can compromise on all other conditions, but regarding the spirit crystals, I must have at least fifty standard portions!”
“You’re dreaming!”
Dongfang Rouxin’s expression changed: “Do you even realize how precious spirit crystals are? The First Elder and Ba’s Hellish Wolf both rely on them…”
“They can use them, so why can’t I?”
Wu Ming’s face carried a teasing smile: “Isn’t Ba’s Hellish Wolf still at the mid-stage of its juvenile phase? Against my Gray Wolf at the peak of its juvenile stage, its chances of victory are no more than seventy or eighty percent!”
“At least you know that much…”
“But with a failure rate of merely twenty or thirty percent, they can’t afford to take that risk!”
Wu Ming stated confidently: “Dongfang Ba is the future heir of the First Elder. Every step must be taken carefully. Securing the first place in this competition and establishing his reputation is essential for him to always stay ahead and eventually lead everyone. Not only can’t he afford a twenty or thirty percent failure rate, but even a one percent chance of failure is too risky for him!”
“I’ve already stated my conditions. You pay first, and I’ll fulfill my end later! Please think it over carefully!”
After finishing his words, he firmly waved his hand, giving the impression of seeing her off.
Dongfang Rouxin didn’t leave immediately. She bit her lip, clearly still weighing her options. After several expressions flickered across her face, she finally let out a bitter smile: “You win. I’ll deliver the spirit crystals tonight!”
She truly admired this young man. His conditions were precisely set at the critical threshold.
Had he asked for just a bit more, the First Elder would surely have been furious. He might have even risked a confrontation with the Third Elder to secretly harm this young man.
However, as things stood now, the requested amount of spirit crystals, although painful, was actually just a slight reduction in the Hellish Wolf’s supply. Ultimately, it would still come out of the family’s general funds.
Compared to secretly harming Wu Ming, angering the Third Elder, and causing public outrage, the cost-benefit ratio of compromising was clearly the best option.
Therefore, the decision had essentially been made from the very beginning!
…
“First Elder, everything has been settled!”
Late at night, Dongfang Rouxin appeared in Dongfang Ying’s bedroom, kneeling slightly as she reported.
Dongfang Ying pushed open the window and gazed at the moonlight. After a long silence, he sighed: “This child is truly brilliant!”
Patient! Resilient! Ruthless! Most importantly, at critical moments, he also knew how to yield!
In comparison, although Dongfang Ba was naturally dominant, there always seemed to be something lacking.
“You’ve done well. A few spirit crystals are truly nothing. You may go now!”
Dongfang Ying waved his hand: “Also… don’t mention this to Ba.”
“As you command!”
A flicker of something unusual passed through Dongfang Rouxin’s eyes as she slowly withdrew, glancing once more toward Dongfang Ba’s courtyard.
Since defeating Dongfang Dieyu, Dongfang Ba had been diligently training his Hellish Wolf in the courtyard, clearly feeling a sense of urgency.
“Aowww!”
Suddenly, a boiling wolf howl echoed from the courtyard, causing Dongfang Rouxin to look surprised…
…
The day of the Dongfang Family’s final competition had arrived.
Dongfang Ba stood in the arena, arms crossed, eyes tightly shut, eagerly awaiting his opponent.
On the spectator stands, numerous clan members were restless:
“Have you heard? Dongfang Ba’s Hellish Wolf actually broke through to the advanced stage right before the match!”
“Truly a genius!”
“The Hellish Wolf is an outstanding breed. The Gray Wolf is sure to lose!”
An outstanding breed breaking through class limits, although the Hellish Wolf’s strength had not yet reached the level of a soldier-class spirit, it had undoubtedly surpassed the power of a typical juvenile-stage spirit.
Even though Dongfang Shuoming had repeatedly created miracles before, a common breed was still a common breed—its peak was still at the juvenile stage!
The Concealment Technique couldn’t hide a full class difference in power.
Therefore, Dongfang Shuoming was destined to lose!
This was the consensus among everyone.
“What a pity… If Dongfang Shuoming had received a better spirit at the beginning, even just an elite breed, he would have had a chance to fight!”
Dongfang Yue and Dongfang Ao lamented deeply.
“What a shame… If I had arrived just a little later last night, I wouldn’t have foolishly handed Wu Ming that money!”
Dongfang Rouxin was even more furious.
If only she had known the Hellish Wolf would break through, she would have been an idiot to go give Dongfang Shuoming money.
Unfortunately, there were no “what ifs” in this world. The First Elder would certainly not agree to her retrieving the resources, or else he would completely lose face.
“What a lucky little brat!”
She thought bitterly.
…
Time passed, but Wu Ming’s figure never appeared.
“What’s going on?”
Dongfang Ba opened his eyes: “Could it be… he’s forfeiting?”
“Could Ming have given up knowing Dongfang Ba’s spirit has improved?” Dongfang Dieyu thought similarly: “That would actually be a smart move. After all… Dongfang Ba has always disliked Ming. If he went all out and killed Ming during the duel, just like Ming did to Luo Geng, Ming would be finished. Preserving his strength is also a wise decision!”
“Has he really forfeited?”
On the spectator stands, members of the Dongfang Clan looked at each other in confusion.
“The time is up!”
At noon, the announcer glanced at the gate and finally declared: “Dongfang Shuoming is absent. This is considered a forfeit! The winner of this family competition is Dongfang Ba!”
“What’s going on?”
Many who had come to watch the match were dissatisfied: “How can he forfeit? That’s so cowardly!”
More people shared Dongfang Dieyu’s thoughts: “Dongfang Ba is unbeatable. Preserving his strength is also a wise decision! Dongfang Ba deserves to be first in this family competition!”
“Congratulations, congratulations!”
The Second and Third Elders both offered their congratulations to the First Elder.
“Haha… I never expected my grandson Ba to be so outstanding! I am indeed fortunate to have such a successor!”
Dongfang Ying laughed heartily, his face filled with pride.
“Congratulations, Ba! Please come to the stage, as the First Elder will personally award you!”
The announcer stepped forward, his smile laced with flattery.
“Get out of my way!”
Dongfang Ba opened his eyes, his gaze as sharp as a sword. He pushed the announcer aside and ran outside.
“Where are you going?”
Dongfang Dieyu shouted in shock: “Could it be he still won’t let Ming go? No, I must follow him!”
“What the hell is he doing?”
Dongfang Ying was anxious in his heart but, constrained by his image, he waved his hand. Dongfang Rouxin immediately chased after him.
“I refuse! Winning by default! I, Dongfang Ba, will absolutely not accept such a result!”
As he walked, Dongfang Ba roared furiously: “Dongfang Shuoming, come out! Don’t hide like a coward! I, Dongfang Ba, am a born ruler. Fight me head-on! I will step over your corpse and ascend to the peak of endless glory!!!”
Of course, he wasn’t willing!
Previously, he had felt some unease toward the sudden rise of Wu Ming, so he trained hard through the night, and finally, his efforts were rewarded.
But now, he had broken through, yet his opponent had avoided the fight. What kind of result was this???
Poor Dongfang Ba still didn’t know that last night, his servant Luo Geng had already been ordered by Dongfang Ying to be killed and delivered to Wu Ming’s courtyard…
Bang!
He pushed open the door to Wu Ming’s courtyard, suddenly freezing in place!
In the courtyard, Wu Ming was looking at a massive black light orb, not even turning his head: “It’s Dongfang Ba, right? Sorry… My spirit just happened to evolve, so I missed the match!”
“Your Gray Wolf was already at the peak of the juvenile stage, what more evolution could there be… Wait, you mean evolution, not advancement!!!”
Dongfang Ba’s eyes nearly popped out.
Then, within the courtyard, a unique aura of a War-Born Spirit surged into the sky!
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