"Thank you for your concern, Elder Wu," Chen Nan said. "If anything unexpected happens, it will have nothing to do with the Wu family."
Wu Tianquan snorted impatiently, "Since you won't listen to advice, so be it!"
"But you must wait until everyone else has challenged before you make yours."
"I don't want to be the one calling an ambulance for you mid-challenge. That would be too disappointing."
He actually quite liked this young man. After all, he had saved his granddaughter's life. But now, it seemed he was too arrogant. Youngsters who didn't listen to advice needed to learn a lesson.
"Fine, I'll do as you say, Elder. I'll take on these three trials after everyone else has finished," Chen Nan replied.
"Uncle, please don't push yourself. The danger factor for these three trials is very high," Wu Qianru said with a worried expression. "You must take responsibility for your own safety. If anything happens, I will be worried."
A slight smile played on Chen Nan's lips. "It's not a big problem."
Wu Qianru didn't believe Chen Nan. Even though he had saved her life, lifting stone locks, walking through fire, and scaling mountains of blades were not things ordinary people could do. Now, she didn't know how to dissuade him.
She then released Chen Nan's hand and pulled her father to the side, whispering, "Dad, no matter what, you cannot let Uncle participate in these three trials." "I don't want anything to happen to him."
Wu Dazhi pouted. "If he wants to die, who can stop him?"
"Bah! Shut your jinxing mouth!" Wu Qianru glared at her father and whispered, "After these old men finish their assessment, have someone remove all these stone locks. You absolutely cannot let Uncle participate." This was the only thing she could do for Chen Nan.
"If you don't do this, then we'll see!" Wu Qianru threatened through gritted teeth, "If you're old and lying on your deathbed, I'll be the first to pull your oxygen tube."
Wu Dazhi felt like crying. "Alright, alright, I'll do as you say, okay?"
"That's more like it."
------
Chen Nan hadn't heard the conversation between Wu Qianru and her father. He was watching the ongoing assessment. Indeed, among these fifty-odd elders, there were some masters. They could lift stone locks weighing four hundred jin with their bare hands without changing their expression or breathing heavily. It was evident they possessed real skills.
After an assessment that lasted over an hour, all the elders had participated. Except for five who braved the three trials, the rest failed to complete the final assessment. Especially the third trial, which stumped many. After all, it was a true mountain of blades. This tested not only strength but also good psychological fortitude. One could not be lacking in either.
"Huh? Where did those two stone locks go?"
Just as Chen Nan was thinking about participating in the assessment, he was surprised to find that the two stone locks had vanished.
"Young man, know when to quit!" an eliminated elder said indignantly. "Miss Wu couldn't bear to see you die too miserably, so she specifically had someone remove those stone locks. This was for your own good, don't be ungrateful."
"Exactly! These three trials seem simple, but they are fraught with peril!" another elder said, sitting on the ground, his face contorted in pain. His foot was burned, and he was in agony.
"Uncle, I was also thinking of you. I hope you won't be angry," Wu Qianru said, her head bowed, like a child who had made a mistake, not daring to meet Chen Nan's eyes.
Chen Nan looked dejected. Although he didn't want to be a retainer for the Wu family, that thousand-year-old lightning-struck wood was crucial for igniting the Everlasting Flame. Only by obtaining it could he ignite the Everlasting Flame and attract the reincarnated celestial beings. But now... Wu Qianru had ordered the stone locks to be removed. Although it was a good intention, it had disrupted his plan.
At this moment, a resonant voice boomed from outside, "The Wu family must have selected a retainer, right?" "If so, then accept my challenge!"
Upon hearing the resonant voice, everyone's expression changed drastically. Especially Wu Tianquan and his son. They never expected someone from Guo Mo to issue a challenge at this crucial juncture. It was obvious that Guo Mo's people had been keeping tabs on them. Otherwise, they wouldn't have shown up now. Taking a deep breath, Wu Tianquan said, "Everyone, please follow me to accept the challenge!" Although he feared Guo Mo's people, he had recruited retainers precisely to counter Guo Mo. Some things were unavoidable.
Thus, everyone followed Wu Tianquan to the entrance of the Wu family residence. There, they saw a bare-footed, middle-aged bald man standing quietly. He had no hair, not even eyebrows. A sharp glint emanated from his slender eyes, indicating he was no ordinary person. Due to his lack of hair, his age was difficult to determine. Seeing this person, the elders who had come for the assessment showed signs of apprehension.
"I never imagined Guo Mo would send his third disciple, Jin Gang. It is said that his overall strength ranks second among Guo Mo's disciples, and his physique is formidable."
"Indeed. Even Guo Mo marveled at Jin Gang's physique, claiming it to be the strongest in this era."
"Even a Grandmaster would need more than ten moves to defeat him."
Wu Tianquan also hadn't expected Guo Mo to send Jin Gang to the Wu family. It was evident that this was an attempt to seize seventy percent of the Wu family's assets. This filled him with anger. He then turned to the five elders who had passed the three trials and said courteously, "I trouble you five to help my Wu family fend off this person." Although the five elders were wary of Jin Gang's strength, they also knew this was an opportunity to make a name for themselves. If they, the five of them, could jointly resist Jin Gang, who would dare look down on them in the future?
The five exchanged glances and then stepped forward simultaneously. Jin Gang saw this and grinned, "The five of you think you can stop me? That's a pipe dream. Come at me together. If I take even one step back, consider me defeated!"
"Arrogant! I shall have to test your strength!" one elder shouted, and he, along with the other four, charged at Jin Gang. They had all cultivated external martial arts for many years, and their strength was extraordinary.
"Even these five together are no match for him," Qinglong's voice sounded. "After all, this is the reincarnation of the Barefoot Immortal." "With your strength, you could subdue him. Use this opportunity to recruit him."
Chen Nan's eyes lit up. The Barefoot Immortal was an extremely powerful being in the celestial realm. Although he held no divine title, no one dared to underestimate him. Chen Nan hadn't expected to encounter the reincarnation of the Barefoot Immortal.
At this moment, screams echoed through the air. The five elders, attacking together, were unable to withstand Jin Gang's single blow. One could imagine how powerful Jin Gang was.
"Is that all?" Jin Gang asked disdainfully, then looked at Wu Tianquan, who was stunned, "Wu, according to the rules, do you have to cede seventy percent of your assets?"
Wu Tianquan's heart turned to ash. He had never imagined this person's strength to be so terrifying. Just as he was sinking into despair, Chen Nan, hands in his pockets and a cigarette in his mouth, walked out. "If you want the Wu family's assets, you'll have to defeat me first!"