Falling in Love with a 500-year-old female elder - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Tenth Place on the Heavenly Pride List, Return of the Blood Iron Mountain!

Ning Chuan’s words silenced those who had initially questioned him. The skeptics were now uncertain about their doubts. Could Ning Chuan truly provide evidence for Iron Mountain’s ranking?

Meanwhile, the veteran listeners, who had been through a similar phase of skepticism before, smiled knowingly. They recalled how they had once doubted Ning Chuan’s words but ended up with swollen faces. They couldn’t help feeling a sense of nostalgia.

…

On the high platform, Ning Chuan opened his folding fan with a light snap and continued:

“Iron Mountain, also known as the one-armed gnarled side burner, hails from Yan State’s Iron family.”

“Unfortunately, he was born as the result of a union between the Iron family’s patriarch and a maid, born out of a drunken stupor.”

“From the outset, Iron Mountain’s fate was marred by ill fortune.”

The audience below were taken aback.

No wonder they hadn’t heard of Iron Mountain before – he was born as the result of a liaison between the Iron family’s patriarch and a mere maid.

“The Iron family’s patriarch is known for his firm grasp on internal affairs, and his wife, Yan State’s Iron Lady, is equally well-regarded. Unfortunately for Iron Mountain, he found himself in a life of obscurity,” someone in the crowd explained, grasping the situation in Yan State.

Iron Mountain, beneath the stage, silently lifted his wine cup and took a sip, the rough beverage burning his throat.

A rush of memories surged forth. He recalled that rough and tough time.

Back on the high platform, Ning Chuan recalled Iron Mountain’s past, sighed softly, and continued his narrative:

“Growing up, Iron Mountain was confined to a woodshed day and night.”

“No one acknowledged his status as an heir of the Iron family, and the family patriarch never spared him a glance.”

“From a young age, Iron Mountain was subjected to bullying and insults, even by the offspring of the family’s servants, who labeled him a bastard.”

“However, Iron Mountain’s unwavering tenacity allowed him to endure and survive, even in the harshest circumstances.”

“Not only did he survive, but he grew stronger than any other member of the Iron family, boasting a strength dozens of times that of his peers.”

“At the tender age of nine, Iron Mountain’s mother passed away from illness. Her body was rolled up in a mat and carelessly discarded in the wilderness.”

“From that moment on, Iron Mountain became utterly alone in the world.”

“At just nine years old, Iron Mountain understood that only strength could reshape his destiny. Only strength could shield him from oppression, and only strength could restore his mother’s dignity.”

“As a result, while he toiled in wood-chopping, Iron Mountain would secretly observe the Iron family’s legitimate heirs practicing martial arts.”

“Though these heirs struggled to learn even the basics of cultivation, he recognized their techniques at a glance. Despite spending months on training, they still couldn’t take the first steps in cultivation.”

“Meanwhile, Iron Mountain took only three days to grasp the basics and embark on the path of cultivation.”

“Once he stepped onto that path, his progress skyrocketed, surpassing that of his peers by leaps and bounds.”

“While it took others three to five months to toughen their bodies and advance to the next cultivation stage, Iron Mountain would break through each stage in a matter of days.”

“What’s more, his strength was astonishing.”

“Once, while herding cattle deep in the mountains, Iron Mountain confronted a fierce beast in the spiritual realm.”

“That fearsome creature, which should have posed a grave threat, was torn apart and defeated by Iron Mountain’s bare hands.”

“This remarkable feat occurred when Iron Mountain was only ten years old and had just embarked on the path of cultivation.”

“In addition to his rapid cultivation, he exhibited an extraordinary phenomenon as he advanced.”

“Every full moon night, his blood would boil, his eyes would gleam red, and his entire being would erupt with aggression, resulting in a surge in his combat prowess.”

“A faint totem of a ferocious beast would appear on his chest.”

At this point, Ning Chuan paused, and a wave of murmurs swept through the audience.

“The Ancestral Return of Bloodline? Is Iron Mountain’s bloodline reverting?”

“I’ve heard that the Iron family’s progenitor once consumed the heart of a Highland King Hybrid Beast and bathed in its blood to cultivate his iron fist technique. Could this be why Iron Mountain’s bloodline is awakening?”

“Could that totem pattern signify a Hybrid Beast?”

“Wait, Iron Mountain achieved such feats when he had just embarked on his cultivation journey at the age of ten?”

Exclamations of astonishment echoed through the crowd as they began to comprehend why Ning Chuan ranked Iron Mountain in the tenth spot.

Ning Chuan smiled faintly, acknowledging the newfound understanding, and continued:

“As Iron Mountain continued to mature, his appetite grew.”

“But within the Iron family, there was little food to spare for him.”

“Thus, under the guise of cattle herding, Iron Mountain would venture into the 100,000 Mountains, daily battling fierce beasts to consume their flesh and blood for sustenance.”

“This practice not only sped up Iron Mountain’s cultivation but also granted him unparalleled combat experience.”

“He surpassed his peers in strength and skill, emerging as a formidable contender.”

“Within the Iron family, Iron Mountain’s exceptional abilities gradually drew attention.”

“During an internal family competition, an incident inadvertently revealed Iron Mountain’s prowess, earning him recognition from the Iron family’s patriarch.”

“The patriarch praised him, ‘Well done!’ – the first words of praise Iron Mountain had ever heard from him.”

“Iron Mountain, who had longed for his father’s approval, felt elated, believing that he had finally gained acceptance.

“He threw himself into rigorous training, hoping to earn genuine recognition from the Iron family.”

“However, what Iron Mountain didn’t realize was that his growing achievements had ignited envy and resentment among certain members of the family.”

“Amidst his efforts, Iron Mountain found an unexpected ally in the family patriarch.”

“His breakthrough to the Saint Waiting Realm at the age of twenty-three set a record in the Iron family and even within Yan State.”

“Unbeknownst to Iron Mountain, his recent success stirred animosity from the legitimate heirs, as well as Iron Wei, the patriarch’s disciple.”

“In the meantime, rumors began to circulate. Some believed that if Iron Mountain’s achievements continued, he could potentially become the future patriarch, a prospect that terrified Iron Wei’s mother and son.”

“At twenty-three, Iron Mountain reached the Sealed Waiting Realm, becoming the youngest ever in the Iron family, and indeed, in all of Yan State, to attain that level.”

“Iron Mountain, however, held his tongue. He intended to surprise the Iron family with his accomplishments in due time.”

“Not only did he plan to announce his advancement to the Marquis Realm, but also his awakened bloodline.”

“Yet, on the night before his intended revelation…”

“The family patriarch’s eldest son and his mother approached Iron Mountain with offerings of food and wine, suggesting they settle their differences over a friendly drink.”

“Eagerly accepting the invitation, Iron Mountain was blissfully unaware that the food and wine were laced with potent poison, procured by the family patriarch’s wife and Iron Wei through connections at Pill King Valley!” **