Chapter 8

Young Master Zhao Yan, I know your attire is very fashionable, but this time it is a bit too avant-garde!" Zhao Tianhan turned his face and smiled, saying: "Moreover, your hair styled in that tornado fashion is quite creative; it truly looks as if you haven't combed it after sleeping for hundreds of years!

Hearing such a title within his family, Zhao Heng couldn't help but smile even more happily: "This name is quite good! It truly reflects my personality. I like it! I wonder who gave me this title; it's so creative!"

Zhao Tianhan does not belong to the Zhao family by blood; he grew up in a branch family and they do not know much about this unremarkable-looking young man. It was only during the initial phase of this year's trials that his outstanding performance led to his promotion within the family.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng's thoughts stirred: "Could it be that the initial phase of this trial has already begun? And that many people have been eliminated?"

It seems to be our highly capable head of the family, Zhao Xiu. Zhao Tianhan was frightened by Zhao Heng's smiling face and could only throw out such a shield. At this moment, he realized that he was actually sweating profusely.

Zhao Heng waved his hand and said, "Why is it just the two of you? Where are the others? What about the old man?"

Upon entering, Zhao Yan was already fuming. Hearing this, he could no longer contain his anger, and his face twisted in rage: "Damn it, today in the North Latitude Barrier City, I nearly collided with someone’s wind car. Then a powerful gust of wind came and knocked me and my car over. If it weren't for my flame protection, I would probably have fallen to my death."

Zhao Tianhan, have you not heard of the person in our family... the one whom even the Lian family cannot control?" Zhao Shi was about to mention Zhao Heng's name, but considering that he could not guess Zhao Heng's thoughts, he unconsciously changed his approach and said instead.

At that moment, a man burst in from outside, dressed entirely in tattered rags. His agile steps revealed glimpses of his muscular physique through the worn fabric, reminiscent of a retro, disheveled style. His jet-black hair stood upright, swirling as if blown by the wind, giving him the appearance of a rock star just stepping onto the stage rather than an elite member of Weilong City.

Is that so? Would you like it? Zhao Zheng has already seen that Zhao Heng's heart seems to be plotting to tear apart the person who gave him that title into pieces

One of the fair-skinned young men looked at him and asked, "Who are you?"

"Brother Shi, who is he?" the young man with a pale face asked softly. Looking at the man in front of him, he seemed somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recall where he had seen him before.

Upon his return, Zhao Heng no longer heeded the commands and arrangements of the Zhao family, instead wandering freely among other barrier cities. The members of the Zhao family were perplexed as to why the family head would be so lenient with Zhao Heng, consistently turning a blind eye, as if he were an outsider.

Since the establishment of the Zhao family, in order to ensure the stability of the family's power, the Zhao family has held various trials every year to inspire the potential of its descendants and spur their growth. According to Zhao Heng, every generation of Zhao family descendants must undergo a series of trials, and as they age, the difficulty of these trials gradually increases. Only after experiencing the final and most difficult trial at the age of twenty can one be considered to have truly passed all the trials of growth. Of course, the adult trial at the age of twenty differs in purpose from previous trials, being divided into an initial stage and a secondary stage. In fact, those who endure the initial stage are generally considered to have passed the trial, while only one person is selected from the winners in the secondary stage to qualify as the heir to become the head of the Zhao family. Each year, candidates for inheritance, such as He Tushu, are produced. The next generation head of the Zhao family will be chosen from the victors of each year in the next generation.

Recalling the rumors about Zhao Heng, Zhao Tianhan's surprise had transformed into admiration, and he excitedly approached him: "Big Brother! You are truly my idol! I have always admired you! I just hope to meet you and venture into the world together!"

Having finished speaking, a sudden instinct caused a flash, and the chair behind was split in half by the fierce wind generated by Zhao Zheng.

"Why don't you tell me?" Zhao Heng said with a smile, though a hint of doubt lingered in his heart. The trial had already concluded, so why were they pulling him over now? It seemed that the matter was not as simple as it appeared

Zhao Tianhan was momentarily taken aback, a word flashed through his mind

Zhao Heng casually sat on the stool, comfortably stretching his back, which startled Zhao Tianhan into retreating a few steps in vigilance

Regarding Zhao Heng's reputation within the family, it can be considered a typical example of a negative case. While everyone else was eager to squeeze into Weilong City, this young master showed no enthusiasm for family affairs. Throughout various trials since childhood, he did not demonstrate any unique abilities, relying solely on his outstanding martial skills to handle everything. Five years ago, an accident occurred during one of the trials, resulting in the disappearance of all participants. While everyone believed that those individuals were undoubtedly dead, he returned safely four years ago. This incident caused quite a stir in Weilong City; Zhao Heng was only sixteen at the time, the youngest among all the trial participants. In a situation where everyone else had gone missing, his safe return was an unusual occurrence that could not help but attract attention.

Is it merely being eliminated? It is as if one has walked through the gates of hell and returned! Zhao Tianhan exaggeratedly grimaced, noting that the initial phase had nearly cost him his life, and he wondered how he would survive the subsequent phase.

Fortunately, Zhao Heng did not cause any trouble for the family. The woman who came with him, named Chi Xie, after a period of evaluation and scrutiny, also became a key warrior in Weilong City due to her own strength and achievements

Zhao Heng looked at his sudden fan with a smile and said, "Do you want to explore the world? You must be from the branch family, right? As long as you don't stand out too much during the trials, you should be able to escape the clutches of our family, right?" Upon hearing Zhao Heng compare his family to claws, Zhao Zheng, who had been silent all along, couldn't help but cast a cold glare at him.

"You are free to damage the public property of the Zhao family, but not only will you have to compensate for the damages, you will also face a fine. Both of you who witnessed this, make sure to report it." Zhao Heng looked at the jade chair with a pained expression.

Zhao Shi was somewhat at a loss for how to respond to this

Zhao Zheng angrily said: "I have already said many times, do not show disrespect to Grandpa Zhang!"

If I do not stand out, I probably would not be able to say these words to you. Upon mentioning the trial, Zhao Tianhan could not help but smile wryly, a hint of fear quickly flashing across his eyes

Following Zhao Zheng, I pushed open the door to the conference hall. Inside was a spacious lobby furnished with several white jade chairs. There were only two people inside, engaged in discussion about something.

Zhao Heng couldn't help but let out a soft sigh. The family headquarters increasingly resembled a massive administrative center magnified several times: "I don't even know what has been going on these past few years. It feels like there's a heavy atmosphere of hostility all the time; I almost think the family leader is a super neurotic person"

In Weilong City, there is no room for idlers! This is the evaluation made by those fortunate enough to visit Weilong City. The people of Weilong City are all elites gathered from various barrier cities, working diligently for the interests of the Zhao family. Anyone who steps out of Weilong City is a seasoned ability user or a highly intelligent scholar, and when their children are born here, they begin receiving the advanced education system of Weilong City, developing a unique maturity and way of thinking from a young age. Among these children, those who stand out exceptionally may be absorbed into the elite organization of the Zhao family early on, becoming special spies and monitors within Weilong City. Therefore, any stranger who has just entered Weilong City is unaware that from the very first step they take, they are already being watched, and that observer may just be a child they do not know. The Zhao family headquarters is the center that manages all of this. Thus, any stranger who has just entered Weilong City is unaware that from the very first step they take, they are already being watched, and that observer may just be a child they do not know. The Zhao family headquarters is the center that manages all of this.

Zhao Heng paid no mind, merely smiling as he looked at Zhao Zheng and said, "Little Zheng Zheng, why aren't you using that trick you just learned at the bar to force me to submit?"

Zhao Tianhan laughed heartily. Zhao Yan, even more enraged, said: "Zhao Tianhan! If you continue to gloat, I will not hold back."

Regarding the events that transpired during that trial, Zhao Heng remained tight-lipped and said nothing. Accompanying him back was a woman of unknown identity. After Zhao Heng had a discussion with the family head, the family head arranged for the girl to be settled in Weilong City. As for everything that happened during that trial, he deflected with an unyielding smile: "I have returned merely to bring you a message. Apart from me, they are all dead!" His smile seemed devoid of emotion, carrying a coldness as if recounting the affairs of others. Those who witnessed that scene felt a chill whenever they spoke of it over the years.

So it was him! We really need to have a good chat when we meet. Zhao Heng's expression was as warm as someone reminiscing about a lover not seen for decades, showing no hint of malice at all. However, the people beside him were already unnerved by his smile.

Zhao Zheng and the young man with a fair complexion were both taken aback; they rarely witnessed Zhao Shi, the renowned Zhao family beast tamer, showing such respect to anyone

What urgent matter could that old man have? It is probably just that new tea products have arrived, and he is busy tasting the tea.

Upon entering, Zhao and the library manager exchanged a hearty laugh, saying, "It seems we haven't arrived too late after all"

Another person respectfully stood up, walked to Zhao Heng's side, and called out: "Brother Heng."

Zhao Tianhan composed himself, as everyone of his generation knew that in the Zhao family, one could provoke anyone, but one must never provoke Zhao Yan when he was angry. This fellow, when enraged, resembled a lion, completely devoid of reason.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shi discreetly cleared his throat and said, "Grandfather Chang has an urgent task and cannot attend the council chamber."

Zhao Yan still wanted to vent his frustrations, but upon turning his head and seeing Zhao Shi's expression darken, he couldn't help but lower his own head, his pent-up anger dissipating rapidly as if it had encountered ice

Zhao Zheng ignored his strange remarks and walked directly to a device in front of the hallway. After entering the password and glancing at the commands set up, she turned to Zhao Heng and said, "We are going to Conference Room 10; they are waiting for us."

Zhao Heng listened as Zhao Tianhan spoke about the content of the initial phase of this trial. This time, the initial trial involved the participants capturing magical beasts in the Magnetic Conduction Harbor, which was significantly easier compared to previous trials. However, Zhao Tianhan and the others never expected that after overcoming numerous difficulties and finally achieving victory, they would encounter an accident on the way back, as Weilong City refused to allow all the participants to enter the shipping lane. Due to the attacks from magical beasts, everyone fought desperately, and although all returned alive, they were severely injured. Zhao Tianhan and another participant named Zhao Yan were among the few who only sustained minor injuries, thus becoming the candidates who passed the initial phase of the trial.

"Are you the notorious scoundrel Zhao Heng in our family?" As soon as the words left Zhao Tianhan's mouth, he regretted it

Zhao Tianhan began to recount the brutal trials he experienced during the initial phase of his training. As he listened to Zhao Tianhan's narrative, Zhao Heng's smile grew increasingly pronounced, while Zhao Zheng, sitting beside him, couldn't help but furrow her brow slightly as she looked at Zhao Heng