The Liu family's series of plots against the Tang family had been systematically dismantled.

With every provocation and attack, the Tang family not only endured but also revealed a sharper edge, leaving countless onlookers stunned.

Everyone knew that Tang Yan and Liu Zhi still had a considerable gap in strength. However, Tang Yan was still young—who could say for certain who would be the strongest in Cloud City in the years to come?

Even the previous top eight contenders of Cloud City watched the young man on stage with complicated expressions. The so-called "Cloud City's most notorious wastrel" had fought evenly against a ninth-tier Yellow Rank opponent, and even forced Liu Zhi into a wretched state.

Deep down, they knew they couldn't have done the same.

"Well done!"

The families that aligned themselves with the Tang family erupted in cheers. Their confidence in the Tang family had never been higher.

Liu Zhi's face twisted in frustration. "What are you so proud of? If you take one more of my moves, you will surely lose!"

Tang Yan sneered. "A loss is a loss." Without another word, he turned and left the stage.

With the Mid-Autumn Gathering's purpose fulfilled, he had no interest in the rest of the event. Returning to his family’s seats, he exchanged brief greetings before swiftly departing, utilizing Phantom Shadow Step to disappear into the moonlit night.

STRENGTH IS NEVER ENOUGH

The battle with Liu Zhi made one thing crystal clear: he was still too weak.

If he wanted to grow stronger, he needed relentless training.

Back in his room, Tang Yan swallowed a High Spirit Pill and began cultivating.

By dawn, golden rays spilled through his window as he slowly opened his eyes. After a night of recovery, the exhaustion from his battle had fully dissipated.

Just as he stepped outside, a crisp voice greeted him.

"Young Master, the Old Master wishes to see you once you’re awake."

Tang Yan frowned. Grandfather is calling me this early?

With curiosity, he made his way to Tang Ling’s courtyard.

After knocking a few times, his grandfather’s voice came from within. "Come in."

Upon entering, Tang Yan was shocked.

His grandfather sat at a table covered with wine bottles.

Did he drink all night?

Frowning, Tang Yan strode forward, snatching the wine cup from Tang Ling’s hand and replacing it with a cup of hot tea. "Grandfather, why did you drink so much?"

Tang Ling chuckled as he took the tea. "Brat, I didn’t drink too much. Back in my younger days, I drank far more."

Tang Yan was puzzled. "Why did you call for me?"

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His grandfather’s gaze deepened. "You'll understand soon. Wait here."

A short while later, Tang Ling emerged in a fresh set of clothes and waved his hand. "Follow me."

Still confused, Tang Yan trailed behind him.

Before long, they arrived at the Tang Family’s Ancestral Hall.

After paying respects to their ancestors, Tang Ling’s expression turned solemn.

"Yan'er, for sixteen years, I have never spoken to you about our family’s past."

Tang Yan's heart tightened.

Though he wasn’t originally from this world, his soul had fully merged with this life’s memories. Tang Ling’s meticulous care over the years had made him truly accept this family.

Having never experienced familial love in his previous life, Tang Yan felt his heart tremble upon hearing his grandfather’s words.

"Grandfather, I’m listening."

Tang Ling sighed. "Sixteen years ago, your mother met your father by chance, and they fell in love at first sight. Then… you were born."

"But your mother’s background was mysterious. She had actually fled from an arranged marriage."

"The family behind your mother, as well as the one she was betrothed to, stormed into our Tang family and forcibly tore your parents apart."

"The Tang family was shattered in that calamity. If not for your mother threatening to take her own life, we would have been completely wiped out."

Tang Ling’s eyes were filled with sorrow. "After your mother was taken away, your father left to search for her. To this day, he has never returned."

Tang Yan clenched his fists. "No one knows where my mother’s family is from?"

His grandfather shook his head. "We don’t know. But their strength far surpasses the Heaven Rank…"

Tang Yan’s heart shook violently. "Stronger than Heaven Rank?"

Tang Ling nodded. "Yes. Martial arts has no true limit. The Tianxiang Kingdom is nothing more than a small corner of this continent. When you reach the Heaven Rank, you’ll realize that’s merely the beginning of the true martial path."

He fixed his gaze on Tang Yan. "I’m telling you this because you must never become arrogant. Your current strength in Cloud City means nothing in the grand scheme of things!"

Tang Yan took a deep breath. "Grandfather, our Tang family wasn’t originally from Cloud City, was it?"

Tang Ling sighed. "Correct. Sixteen years ago, we lived in the Northern Spirit Realm. But after the chaos from your parents’ situation, we had no choice but to go into hiding here."

Tang Yan looked at his grandfather, whose once-mighty frame had been worn down by time and hardship. His heart ached. "Grandfather, don’t worry. I will find them."

Tang Ling smiled faintly. "Do your best. That’s all I ask."

THE SECRET CHAMBER

After a brief silence, Tang Ling’s expression turned serious. "There’s something else. Come with me."

Tang Yan followed him to the rear of the ancestral hall.

His grandfather knocked thirteen times against a seemingly ordinary wall.

Rumble—

A stone door appeared, revealing a hidden chamber.

Tang Yan’s eyes widened. The Tang family had a hidden chamber? Why had he never known about this?

Inside, four luminous Night Pearls lit up the room. The only object within was a jade scroll placed upon a table.

Tang Ling carefully picked up the jade scroll and handed it to him.

"What is this?" Tang Yan asked curiously.

His grandfather exhaled. "Before your mother was taken away, she left this behind for you. I’ve tried to decipher it before, but the techniques are too complex for me to understand. She said if you can learn it, you should practice it diligently. If not, you can abandon it."

Tang Yan’s breath quickened. His mother had left behind a martial technique?

He sent a wisp of spiritual sense into the jade scroll.

"Flameburst Palm."

As he scanned further, his expression turned to shock.

In his past life, his expertise had been in alchemy rather than martial arts, but he had still encountered countless powerful techniques.

Yet this technique’s intricacy rivaled the most advanced martial arts he had ever seen.

In fact… it seemed even more complex!

The difficulty of the technique was astonishing. However, rather than discouraging him, it ignited his excitement.

"Flameburst Palm" had three forms:

1. Flame Fierce Palm

2. Flame Break Palm

3. Explosive Flame Palm

Each form exponentially increased in power.

Tang Yan absorbed every detail, his astonishment growing deeper.

Tang Ling observed his expression. "Did you understand it?"