Chapter 184: VOL 3 - 22: A casual arts competition.
"I'll try."
After speaking, Chen proceeded to taste the exquisite tea—tea that was not only ridiculously expensive, but also something money alone couldn't buy. It relaxed his mind and slightly nourished his mana. Then he set the cup on the table and began recounting his story in a serious tone.
"Well, actually, it all happened during the family gathering. At first, everything was going pretty well. All the younger generation members of the clan were showing their progress in formation techniques, and I managed to stand out quite a bit—I was the only one who could deploy all the formations. The problem began when the youngest son of my third uncle showed up."
"I still can't get used to the way you number your relatives..." Erik commented casually in the middle of Chen's story, to which Chen quickly replied in a calm tone.
"It's by seniority. I've told you this already. And don't interrupt my story."
"Alright, alright, carry on." Erik said casually while taking a cookie, and Chen nodded before continuing seriously.
"Anyway, as I was saying, everything was going well. I was the best among the younger generation, and my father was quite proud. But then Zhang Ming, the son of my third uncle, showed up—and everything changed. I don't know how he did it, but the bastard managed to master two of the ancestral formations."
"Ancestral formations?" Erik asked back, a bit confused, to which Chen replied in a serious tone.
"The secret ones."
"Ohh, I see. So he totally crushed you."
Erik commented with realization, understanding the core of the problem—since the techniques were supposed to be secret, getting outside help was difficult, and if someone managed to master them before everyone else, they'd naturally be seen as more talented. At that moment, Chen nodded and continued speaking.