CHAPTER 976 THE HONG CLAN
"Both the Hong Clan and the Chu Clan live under the rule of the Spirit Sect, one of the five major
forces," Hugh explained.
"There are seven steps to cultivate the Fire Transforming Formula, and there should be four years
between each step. That means, after finishing one step, Carney needs to wait four years before he
can continue to the next step. Now, there are still four months left before his next cultivation.
We have two and a half months before the Spirit Sect will conduct their selection competition, and
those who rank in the top ten would be recognized as core disciples of the Spirit Sect.
And there is no doubt that they will exert a lot of effort to train those core disciples.
The Chu Clan will be extremely cautious of the Spirit Sect since even though Carney is a genius, he
isn't strong enough to protect his clan. In contrast, the Spirit Sect has two middle spiritual emperors
who can help the core disciples grow more quickly."
"Okay, I think I understand," Ricky said, nodding. "However, I think Carney will take part in the
competition as well since he is qualified to be in the top ten. Didn't he also receive appreciation from
the emperors of the Spirit Sect?"
"Ricky, if Carney is only a genius from the demi-spiritual emperor force, he will certainly be appreciated
by the Spirit Sect.
But he also is actually from a spiritual-emperor force, and once he becomes strong enough, the Chu
Clan is very likely to replace the Spirit Sect to be the new ruler. So, how would the emperors of the
Spirit Sect appreciate him? No matter what they give to him, his loyalty to the Chu Clan will never
waver,"
Hugh said as he shook his head. He couldn't blame Ricky for not immediately seeing the implications,
as it was quite political in nature.
"That's also the reason why the Spirit Sect decided to hold the selection competition. They want to
select and cultivate a disciple that can rival Carney. Or else, after twenty or thirty years, Carney will
govern the whole Western Land."
"Is there anyone in the Spirit Sect that can fight against Carney?" Ricky asked doubtfully.
"Yes, but in the future, no one will stand a chance against him. The Spirit Sect plans to select someone
who can be his equal, instead of doing something devious to hurt Carney. Thus, I think the Spirit Sect
can be regarded as a decent faction."
"Oh, I see. Now I get it." Ricky nodded, his face brightening with sudden clarity.
"Look, there is no doubt that you are qualified to be a core disciple. Besides, if you show them your
chaotic power, you might be recognized by the two middle spiritual emperors of the Spirit Sect. Then,
you can claim that Amelia and you have fallen in love with each other, and Carney will have no choice
but to give up..." Content provided by .
Ricky's eyes bugged out at Hugh's sudden segue, and his cheeks and the tips of his ears flushed red.
"What?! Wait a minute! That is too ridiculous!" Ricky interrupted Hugh with embarrassment.
When they heard that, Soar, Hannah, and Sheila smiled mischievously, while Pearl suddenly looked
sullen, her lips pulled into a tight frown. She had been worrying about this before, and now it was
happening.
In the Massacring Zone, Tina's face also turned somber, and the light in her eyes dimmed slightly.
However, the two ladies knew that Ricky wouldn't just stand by if his friends needed help. He would go
all out to fight for them, even though it could lead to his death.
What was more, Amelia was a beauty. They didn't think that Ricky would have any reason to refuse.
"What's wrong? It's not a big deal. Amelia is gorgeous, and she owns the Rainwater Mutant. There is
no reason for you to reject her, Ricky." Hugh smirked at Ricky's blushing face as he teased him.
Ricky sputtered, and his mouth closed and opened repeatedly like a fish. His words seemed to
disappear before he could say it.
But his silence satisfied Hugh greatly, who continued to persuade Ricky, saying, "That is a great
opportunity! Amelia won't refuse to be your girlfriend! Anyway, in the martial world, it is normal for an
ace genius to be accompanied by a few pretty ladies.
What do you think, Pearl?"
Hugh even asked for Pearl's opinion, which just embarrassed her more. In the end, she chose to
remain silent.
"Ricky, you know my sister. She's exceedingly fascinating and charming. She would be an asset for
you!" Amanda suddenly piped in, unable to stay quiet. Even if it seemed desperate, she wanted to
strive for her sister's happiness.
And above all, she didn't want such an ace genius like Ricky to slip between her sister's fingers.
"Guys, let's talk about this later. The most important thing for me right now is to prepare for the
selection competition. I need to be chosen as the core disciple of the Spirit Sect." Ricky bashfully
scratched his head and changed the topic.
"Besides, what if someone from the Hong Clan is selected as the core disciple?"
"That's a possibility, but that person should first be recommended by two middle spiritual emperors.
Only then can he be qualified to fight against the Chu Clan. And, in the whole Eastern Land and the
Western Land, only you can do that," Hugh said sincerely, as he persuaded Ricky.
Again, Ricky fell into a thoughtful silence.
"Congratulations to you. It seems that you've gotten another beautiful girlfriend!" Tina said sharply, with
a hint of jealousy in her voice.
"Tina, you know what kind of person I am..." Ricky started to explain once he heard Tina's words. After
all, he also cared about what she thought of him.
"Oh, I know you well, all right. Once you meet a beautiful girl, your eyes will light up," Tina muttered
darkly, her lips curled in a deep frown.
"Uh..." Ricky hesitated.
He didn't know what to say or how to explain himself, and he wasn't sure that Tina would listen anyway.
"Ha-ha. Ricky, since you didn't say anything, I'll take your silence as your acquiescence. Amanda, now
that Ricky has agreed to our suggestion, I will go back to the Heavenly Sword Sect first, and then I will
pay a visit to the Hong Clan afterward," Hugh said decisively, as he was also worried about his force.
Thus, as soon as he said that, he turned away and left.
"Goodbye, everyone!"
The Heavenly Sword Sect was a force that was almost as strong as the Hong Clan, and it was also
under the rule of the Chu Clan.
Meanwhile, Amanda led Ricky and his companions toward the large city where Hong Clan was.
This large city was named Crimson City, and it stood in front of a big mountain that overshadowed the
city.
A grave atmosphere had shrouded the Hong Clan like a shadow for almost two years.
The Chu Clan was like a mountain that suppressed them under its looming presence, and it was
because of this situation that Amelia became the Hong Clan's hope for revitalization.
But today, the atmosphere was even much graver, especially in the cultivation square of the Hong
Clan. All the disciples of the Hong Clan were furiously staring at the central arena.
Disciples of the Hong Clan were scattered around the arena. Some of them were completed spiritual
kings, but they stumbled like young colts, as they tried to get up from the ground. Their robes were
ragged, and their bodies were battered and broken.
Behind the arena, several young men in red sneered down at those disciples dismissively.
Meanwhile, on top of a distant building, a few middle-aged men and old men stared at that scene, with
their fists tightly clutched. The fingernails on their fingers sank deep into the flesh of their palms,
making crescent-shaped wounds that bled lightly. They wanted to help their disciples, but the battles
were between the juniors alone.
In the middle of the arena stood a young man in a red robe with long crimson hair. His mouth was
turned up into a disdainful smile, as his eyes scanned around the disciples of the Hong Clan that were
present. He eyed them with scorn.
Then, the young man said indifferently, "Well, is there anyone else who wants to join this battle on
behalf of the Hong Clan? I, Curran, allow you five, so-called completed spiritual kings, to attack me
together!"