CHAPTER 275: SHANG WU!

"If she hadn’t stopped her cultivation when you were born, maybe she would’ve become the second strongest by now." Shang Jiao shook his head regretfully.

Though Ashen felt surprised, he didn’t feel sad for his mother.

It was her choice, and only she had the right to decide whether she regretted her decision or not.

Moreover, not everyone’s goal was to become the strongest in the world. Some found happiness in other things instead of strength.

Maybe his mother’s goals changed when he was born. Only his mother knew what went on in her heart at that time.

Taking a moment to feel pity for his talented sister, Shang Jiao continued forward:

"Now, let me get back to Shang Wu..." Shang Jiao spoke politely.

"Shang Wu was born from the womb of the third concubine of our father. From birth, he had a strong personality and high ambition."

"He was the most manly among his peers. Everyone idolized him."

"He wanted to be acknowledged by everyone, especially our father. There was no one else he looked up to more than him."

"From the moment he awakened his spirit, he remained at the top. He was exceptional."

Currently, Shang Jiao had an idolizing gaze in his eyes, as if he admired Shang Wu.

However, just before, he seemed disgusted by his name.

Ashen was a bit confused to see this contradicting behavior; however, he didn’t interrupt and continued to listen attentively.

"In the Shang Clan, a tournament is held between the children of the Shang Clan once every five years. This is the only event where children have the chance to attract the attention of the Shang Clan and rise in status."

"This tournament is attended by the patriarch himself. This tournament has a division for every realm to let the children compete in the same realm."

"Shang Wu first participated in this tournament when he was only twenty as a body transformation realm third-stage cultivator."

"There were a few children at the peak stage of Body Transformation in his division who were expected to win; however, unexpectedly to everyone, Shang Wu entered the tournament like a predator who is out to hunt his prey."

"Despite his lower cultivation, Shang Wu still defeated everyone and won the tournament in his division, attracting the attention of the patriarch for the first time."

"However, to be acknowledged by the patriarch wasn’t so easy."

"Shang Wu diligently cultivated for another five years. At 25, he entered the tournament again; however, this time as a fifth-stage Nascent Soul realm cultivator."

"This time too, he defeated everyone in his division despite his lower cultivation; however, our father still wasn’t impressed."

"Similarly, he appeared every five years in the tournament, crushing every opponent with ease. He seemed unstoppable."

"His name began to spread in the Shang Clan as a genius destined for greatness. Many predicted him to become the next patriarch."

"And finally, at the age of 40, when he was at the peak stage of the origin realm, he was acknowledged by our father as his son!"

"He became the first child to be acknowledged by the dragon emperor. His name and identity were announced to the world soon after, making him instantly famous across the empire."

Then a frown appeared on Shang Jiao’s face as he spoke through gritted teeth of frustration:

"But Shang Wu then began to show his true nature. He displayed his first act of rebellion against the Shang Clan!"

Shang Jiao clenched his fists.

"That bastard openly chose the lightning path, the symbol of the Lei Clan!"

Ashen’s eyes widened in shock as he heard of this. "What?"

The Lei clan was one of the four sacred clans, just like the Shang clan.

And the one proclaimed as the son of the patriarch of the Shang Clan choosing the path of another sacred clan would surely be embarrassing.

"Yes, he made our Shang Clan a laughing stock!" In a frustrated voice, Shang Jiao continued. "Your grandfather was obviously furious upon finding out about this; however, Shang Wu insisted that he was more talented in the lightning path."

"Your grandfather loved Shang Wu, the one he had accepted as his first son, and thus, he forgave him." Shang Jiao’s gaze softened as he spoke of this.

"Shang Wu cultivated the lightning path openly after this, and at the age of 120, he advanced to the king realm."

"Till then, our father also acknowledged the first elder brother, Shang Xin, who was twenty years older than Shang Wu in age."

"This also birthed a rivalry between the two to prove themselves better than the other."

"And the stage to compete appeared in the form of the tournament of the four sacred clans."

"This tournament was held every 75 years among the descendants of the four sacred clans; however, only king realm cultivators could participate in them."

"From the Shang Clan, both elder brothers, Shang Xin and Shang Wu, participated."

"It was in that tournament that an historical event occurred. Both the finalists were of the same clan."

"On one side stood Shang Xin, and on the other Shang Wu!"

"The both of them clashed like dragons, each of their blows sending shockwaves in the arena; however, only one was destined to be the victor."

"Even though elder brother Shang Xin was older than Shang Wu, he was still at a lower stage than Shang Wu."

"Shang Wu was at the 3rd stage of the King Realm at the time of the tournament, while elder brother Shang Xin was at the 2nd stage of the King Realm."

"Sooner or later, the difference in cultivation was going to reveal itself."

"And it did." Shang Jiao grunted. "Elder Brother Shang Xin held off Shang Wu’s attacks for a very long time; however, soon the disparity in strength was revealed to everyone."

"But, that wasn’t the worst part." Shang Jiao clenched his teeth. "That bastard Shang Wu humiliated Elder Brother Shang Xin in front of everyone, mocking and laughing at him."

"He could’ve finished the match easily if he wanted to; however, he played with him as if he wasn’t even his own brother."

"Even now, I remember his words that he left at the end of the match."

Shang Jiao mimicked the mannerism of Shang Wu, deepening his voice to imitate him.

"I don’t acknowledge this weakling as my brother!!"

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(A/N - Thanks for reading. ^..^)