Wu Dazhi also sneered, "Young man, you really don't take Guo Mo seriously. He is one of the eight top powerhouses in the martial world."
"His strength is immense, capable of shattering rocks with a single punch."
"He possesses impenetrable defense."
"And all his disciples are masters."
"With your delicate and tender appearance, if you encounter them, you'll surely lose half your life!"
Wu Qianru said, "Grandpa, Uncle is my savior. Now he needs that ten-thousand-year lightning-struck wood, shouldn't we show some gratitude?"
"Perhaps we can offer the elders a different condition?"
Wu Qianru also didn't believe Chen Nan could defeat Guo Mo's people.
However.
She also hoped her grandfather would give the ten-thousand-year lightning-struck wood to Chen Nan.
"Let's not mention this matter again!" Wu Tianquan said expressionlessly, "Though I, Wu Tianquan, am not a great figure, I keep my word. A spoken word is a bond."
"Now, friends from the martial world are gradually arriving at my Wu family."
"Their purpose is all for that ten-thousand-year lightning-struck wood."
"If my Wu family were to change the reward for the elders midway."
"Wouldn't that be breaking my word and making a fool of friends in the martial world?"
"If that were truly the case, how could my Wu family stand in the martial world in the future?"
"Since young friend Chen saved your life, please stay for lunch and then depart!" He said, heading towards the backyard, as a competition would be held there.
The winner would become an elder of the Wu family.
Wu Dazhi looked at his daughter's arm around Chen Nan and felt a surge of displeasure, "Chen, you are not worthy of my daughter. I advise you not to have any improper thoughts."
"After lunch, you should leave!"
"We are not people from the same world."
"Of course."
"To thank you for saving my daughter's life, we will give you a sum of money." He said and flicked his sleeve, following his father's footsteps.
"Uncle, I'm sorry." Wu Qianru lowered her head, her face full of dejection, as if blaming herself for not being able to help Chen Nan obtain the lightning-struck wood.
Chen Nan smiled, "It's alright, let's go and watch the excitement!"
"Mhm mhm."
Wu Qianru nodded vigorously, then holding Chen Nan's arm, they went to the backyard.
At this moment.
More than fifty elderly men were gathered in the Wu family's backyard.
Without exception.
They were all masters who had cultivated martial arts for decades.
Their blood qi was robust, and they appeared aged.
Seeing those powerful individuals, Wu Tianquan cupped his hands towards them in martial arts etiquette, then said, "Thank you, friends, for thinking highly of my Wu family and traveling great distances to be here."
"You have all heard of the matters my Wu family has encountered. Without further ado, let us begin the competition!"
"The competition rules are divided into three rounds."
"I will explain the rules."
"The first round is very simple, lifting stone locks."
"The pair of stone locks on the ground weighs four hundred catties."
"Whoever can lift it and support it for three minutes will enter the second round."
Everyone couldn't help but look at the two stone locks made of granite on the ground.
Their faces revealed expressions of ease.
With their current cultivation, lifting four hundred catties of stone locks was not difficult.
Wu Tianquan continued, "The second round is crossing a sea of fire!"
"I have already ordered someone to prepare a path of fire."
"It is covered with burning charcoal."
"This path is about a hundred meters long. Whoever can cross this path of fire will enter the third round."
Upon hearing this.
Many people's expressions changed.
An elder couldn't help but ask, "Elder Wu, is the charcoal you mentioned wood charcoal or coal?"
As everyone knew.
The temperature of wood charcoal and coal was different.
Even if many of them could walk across a path of fire on wood charcoal,
Coal was no child's play.
A hundred-meter path of fire could cook their soles.
Wu Tianquan smiled, "Naturally, it is wood charcoal."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as it was wood charcoal, they still had confidence in giving it a try.
"The third round is also very simple." Wu Tianquan said, "I have asked someone to prepare a bamboo pole about twenty meters high, and on top of it, I placed my seal."
"Whoever can climb to the top and retrieve my seal will become an elder of the Wu family and receive that ten-thousand-year lightning-struck wood."
An elder asked, "Is it really that simple?"
Wu Tianquan smiled, "I have merely asked someone to tie some long knives onto the bamboo pole. You will need to climb up barefoot!"
Everyone was greatly shocked.
Good heavens!
You are assessing them based on the standard of a mountain of knives and a sea of fire!
If someone could truly reach the third round.
They would have to possess the strength of a Half-step Grandmaster.
Indeed.
Several of Guo Mo's disciples had the strength of a Half-step Grandmaster.
To contend with them.
Wouldn't one need the strength of a Half-step Grandmaster?
"Everyone, that ten-thousand-year lightning-struck wood is prepared for those who are prepared." An elder spoke, "Youngsters who have just stepped into the Heavenly Pivot realm should not interfere."
"These three rounds are not easily passed."
"I have another question." A white-haired and youthful-faced elder asked, "If, by any chance, multiple people complete these three rounds, who will the ten-thousand-year lightning-struck wood belong to?"
Wu Tianquan said, "Whoever it is, as long as they pass these three rounds, they can become an elder of my Wu family, with an annual salary of ten million."
"Without any restrictions on their freedom, they only need to assist my Wu family in times of need."
"As for the final ownership of the ten-thousand-year lightning-struck wood, you can discuss it amongst yourselves."
Chen Nan couldn't help but look at Wu Tianquan with renewed respect.
Using a ten-thousand-year lightning-struck wood to bind multiple experts.
One had to say.
This old fellow was quite cunning.
"If that's the case, let's begin!"
A lean old man directly walked to the center of the courtyard.
He grasped the handles of the stone locks with both hands, let out a soft shout, and directly lifted the stone locks above his head.
The four-hundred-catty stone locks seemed as light as nothing in his hands.
Three minutes later.
He suddenly released his hands.
The two stone locks heavily landed on the ground.
"Everyone, I'm moving on to the second round!" The old man laughed heartily, then took off the cloth shoes on his feet and walked barefoot to the path of fire.
Although it was wood charcoal, it still emitted a terrifying heat.
The old man's eyes became solemn.
He then took a deep breath.
Like a dragonfly skimming over water, he stepped onto the charcoal and quickly sped towards the end of the fire path.
After he passed.
The scene erupted with cheers.
Everyone could see that he had passed with ease.
Chen Nan looked at Wu Tianquan and politely asked, "Old Master Wu, may I attempt to pass these three rounds?"
Chen Nan did not want to become an elder of any faction.
But now.
Did he have a choice?
Upon hearing Chen Nan's voice.
Everyone looked over in unison.
Seeing that he was a young man in his twenties.
Everyone's face revealed a look of disdain.
He, wanting to pass these three rounds?
Heh!
Simply overestimating himself!
Wu Tianquan's face was filled with disgust, believing Chen Nan to be boastful and ignorant. He snorted, "Chen, do you think this is a child's game?"
"These three rounds are life-threatening. What if something unexpected happens during your attempt?"