Chapter 967: Chapter 967

"This... was my oversight, but now that things have come to this, we can’t just change the lineup last minute, can we?"

Su Tianyu glanced guiltily at Tang Ming and shrugged helplessly.

"What do you mean by that?"

Tang Ming pushed Lin Canghai in confusion, not quite understanding what Long Aiyu and Su Tianyu were talking about.

"The development models of the Dark Group and the Ming Group are different."

Lin Canghai stared straight ahead, speaking softly: "Within the Ming Group, there’s an internal struggle for power, with each family seeking to gain benefits, so their leaders are usually people from within the few major families. For instance, the current deputy director of the Ming Group, Fu Tianyou, is from the Fu Family."

"What about the Dark Group then?"

Tang Ming frowned slightly and glanced at Zhou Xiong, seemingly noting that the Zhou Family was not among the nine major families.

"To strengthen internal unity and motivate its members, the Dark Group has an unwritten rule that family disciples cannot serve as deputy directors, only those who are absolutely loyal and exceptionally capable can take on the role."

Lin Canghai continued explaining, adding helplessly: "In other words, if you participate in this martial arts competition as the Su Family’s son-in-law, you’ll be just like us family disciples, ineligible to become the deputy director of the Dark Group in the future."

Tang Ming came to a sudden realization and pouted indifferently: "I’m not interested in the deputy director position of the Dark Group, it doesn’t matter to me."

"Father, there’s no need to worry about choosing people; after all, they’re just taking up space."

Just as Su Tianyu and Long Aiyu were discussing, Long Tianyu, who had been resting with his eyes closed, leisurely spoke up, "Since I’m participating in the competition this time, I alone can secure the victory."

"Exactly, Long Ao is indeed number one among the younger generation, we must ensure he takes first place in this martial arts competition."

Wu Xiaoyu quickly chimed in, full of confidence in Long Ao.

Long Aiyu nodded, equally full of confidence in Long Ao.

"Oh my, who is this Long Ao? Why does he seem like an even bigger show-off than me?"

Tang Ming asked Lin Canghai in surprise.

"Well, Long Ao does have the credentials to be a show-off."

Lin Canghai looked at Long Ao with some apprehension and explained: "The Long Family is one of the main families controlling the Dark Group, with strength naturally a cut above the other three families. Long Ao is a once-in-a-century martial prodigy, now a Seven-star Martial Master, ranking quite high among the younger generation of the nine major families."

"Seven stars? Is that supposed to be impressive?"

Tang Ming scoffed, but after thinking it over carefully, he realized that those who could cultivate to Seven-star Martial Master before the age of thirty could indeed be called geniuses. Long Ao truly had the right to be proud.

"Do you think everyone can be as monstrous as you?"

Lin Canghai rolled his eyes at Tang Ming, saying gloomily: "Wu Xiaoyu and I, who are also family disciples, are only at Five-star Martial Master level right now. Do you see the gap?"

"Oh, I see, there is indeed a bit of a gap."

Tang Ming nodded repeatedly, though in his heart he looked down on them; in his view, Lin Canghai and Wu Xiaoyu’s lack of strength only indicated their lack of competence.

"Everyone, now that we’re all here, let’s discuss the strategy for this martial arts competition and how we can win."

Zhou Xiong spoke again, steering the conversation towards the main topic, "Now that the registration is over and the list of participants has been announced, despite Long Ao’s strong capabilities, winning will likely still require teamwork."

As the words fell, a multifaceted virtual image appeared in the middle of the conference table, displaying information about each participating contestant.

Lin Family represented by Lin Canghai, Male, 24 years old, Five-star Martial Master...

Wu Family represented by Wu Xiaoyu, Female, 23 years old, Five-star Martial Master...

Long Family represented by Long Ao, Male, 25 years old, Seven-star Martial Master...

Su Family represented by Tang Xin, Male, 18 years old, Seven-star Martial Master...

Fu Family represented by Fu Renjie, Male, 24 years old, Six-star Martial Master...

Zhao Family represented by Zhao Tianba, Male, 29 years old, Seven-star Martial Master...

Qian Family represented by Qian Bujun, Male, 23 years old, Six-star Martial Master...

Wan Family represented by Wan Yong, Male, 19 years old, Seven-star Martial Master...

Meng Family represented by Meng Shuangfei, Gender unknown, Age unknown, Strength unknown...

Upon seeing this list, the heads of the families immediately began to discuss.

"Hey, why does this contestant’s information differ from the others?"

Tang Ming stared at the virtual screen for a while, then, puzzled, focused on Meng Shuangfei’s details: "How did this guy pass the registration audit with such incomplete information?"

"Ahem, brother, you don’t understand the situation here."

Lin Canghai gave an awkward chuckle and quickly explained: "The Meng Family is a unique presence among the nine families and can be classified as a neutral family. In past martial arts competitions, they have always conceded by default. If it weren’t for the rule that the nine families can’t abstain from the martial arts competition, the Meng Family probably wouldn’t even participate."

"What does that mean? Is it because the Meng Family is too weak, so they can’t participate?"

Tang Ming frowned in confusion, uncertain as he asked.

"Quite the opposite."

Lin Canghai gave a bitter laugh and sighed: "The reason the Meng Family acts is that their strength is just too overwhelming, surpassing the other families by several levels, and they disdain competing for these empty titles and resources."

"Then what’s the point of playing around? If they’re really so powerful, they should have long retired from the martial arts world and become a hidden family or sect, shouldn’t they?"

Tang Ming mumbled, furrowing his brows in thought.

"Heh, do you think there’s no influence from a hidden family behind the Meng Family?"

Lin Canghai gave Tang Ming a sidelong glance, speaking with caution: "According to uncertain intelligence, it’s suggested that a hidden sect might back the Meng Family, and that sect could potentially be a dominant force in the real martial arts system, which is why the Meng Family is so indifferent to urban system martial arts and commercial resources."

"Alright, hearing it that way, they really do seem quite impressive, you have to respect that."

Tang Ming nodded repeatedly, admitting that if they were truly strong enough to ignore urban system martial arts and commercial resources, there really wasn’t much one could do.

"Sigh, though the Meng Family tends to forfeit in various competitions, during the final voting, they possess voting rights equivalent to the Dark Group and Ming Group."

Lin Canghai sighed again, his feelings towards the Meng Family quite complex.

"Voting rights? What’s that supposed to be?"

Tang Ming’s curiosity was piqued once more.

"You don’t need to concern yourself with that; after all, the Meng Family will ultimately choose to forfeit, no need to understand."

Lin Canghai shook his head, focusing on the virtual screen: "Our current opponents are the other four, all are formidable characters."

"They do seem quite troublesome indeed."

Tang Ming gave a quirky smile, sneering: "Even though four participants are entering the competition, the Ming Group has two Six-star Martial Masters and two Sevens, while you guys have two Five-star Martial Masters holding you back, it’s no wonder you can’t win."