Seven Mysterious Spaces: My Rise to Power in the Cultivation World

Zhuang Yu followed the family members and traveled quickly, finally returning to the family mansion he had been away from for so long.

The building was ornately decorated and magnificent, but this opulent scene did nothing to ease his mind.

Instead, it felt like an invisible hand pressing down on him, making it hard for him to breathe.

As soon as you step into the council hall, a solemn atmosphere hits you.

The sharp gazes of various forces swept over him like knives.

He felt like a little lamb that had wandered into a pack of wolves, trembling with fear, yet trying to appear calm.

This is no family meeting, it's a massive battleground!

The Zhuang family patriarch, an elderly man with white hair and beard but vigorous spirit, was the first to break the silence.

"Zhuang Yu, your strength has improved by leaps and bounds, which makes the family very proud. Now is a time when the family needs capable people, and it is time for you to contribute your strength to the family." The seemingly gentle tone concealed a sharp edge, as if fangs were about to be revealed at any moment.

As soon as the clan chief finished speaking, several elders eagerly jumped out, like a flock of vultures fighting for food.

"The clan leader is absolutely right! Nephew, I see you have extraordinary talent. Why don't you join my lineage? I guarantee you'll be showered with cultivation resources!" The First Elder, with his protruding belly and beaming smile, looked just like a Maitreya Buddha.

"Hmph, old man, all you do is make empty promises! Nephew Zhuang Yu, come over here, I'll teach you my secret techniques and guarantee you'll advance quickly!" The Second Elder glared and puffed out his beard, looking defiant.

The Third Elder, not to be outdone, offered an even more tempting deal: "Zhuang Yu, if you choose me, I will immediately betroth my precious granddaughter to you! She is a renowned beauty in the family!"

In an instant, the hall erupted into chaos as various promises and temptations rained down on Zhuang Yu like snowflakes, leaving him overwhelmed.

This isn't a family meeting; it's a massive matchmaking event!

He felt like his head was about to explode.

Zhuang Yu took a deep breath, suppressing his irritation, and forced an awkward yet polite smile onto his face.

"I appreciate the elders' kindness..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Fourth Elder slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups jump.

"Stop arguing! Zhuang Yu is mine!"

...What's going on here?

Zhuang Yu was not affected by their argument; he remained completely calm and even felt a little amused.

This chaotic scene was far more exciting than any dramatic conflict he had ever witnessed before his transmigration!

He thought to himself: They want to use me as a pawn?

You've probably miscalculated.

He outwardly feigned hesitation, but inwardly thought: You bunch of old foxes, you think you can outsmart me?

I'm a man with a system!

He was observing everything around him, just like an old lady picking vegetables at a market, only missing a magnifying glass to examine them closely.

One of the elders, the Fifth Elder—an old man as thin as a stick, but with eyes as sinister as a venomous snake—was clearly impatient.

He secretly instructed a member of his family, a young man whose face seemed to say "I'm just cannon fodder," to provoke Zhuang Yu in an attempt to test Zhuang Yu's strength.

The young man charged aggressively at Zhuang Yu, shouting, "Boy, let me see what you've got up to!" At the same time, he unleashed a secret technique of his family—"Blazing Palm"—his palms turning bright red as if they were about to breathe fire.

Zhuang Yu remained completely unmoved; in fact, he even felt a slight urge to yawn.

That's it?

You still have the nerve to call it a secret technique?

I bet you picked it up from some street stall.

He cursed inwardly, but outwardly pretended to be flustered and staggered backward.

Just when everyone thought he was about to be roasted into a pig by this "Flaming Palm," Zhuang Yu remained calm and composed, a wicked smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He integrated the power of the cultivation technique "Chaos Technique" and the treasure "Mystic Ice Pearl" that he had obtained from the ruins into his own spiritual power, and casually waved his hand.

"You have a small skill, but you still dare to do the same thing?"

A burst of cold air instantly erupted, freezing the "flames" into a block of ice.

The young man was frozen solid, still in a charging posture, with a look of terror on his face, which looked quite comical.

Zhuang Yu clapped his hands and looked at the Fifth Elder with an innocent expression: "Elder, I'm sorry, I went a little too far. You...you're not going to make me pay for this, are you?"

The Fifth Elder's face was ashen, his lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a single word.

The other elders were also stunned. The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Zhuang Yu saw that all the forces were surprised by his strength... Then, he slowly opened his mouth: "Actually..." Seeing that all the forces were surprised by his strength, Zhuang Yu's lips curled up slightly, and he thought to himself: Little brat, I've finally managed to intimidate you!

He cleared his throat and said, "Actually... I dislike taking sides the most. All of you elders are highly respected seniors, and it is truly difficult for this junior to choose!"

His words were so sincere, it was an Oscar-worthy performance.

The elders looked at each other, and each saw doubt and a hint of barely perceptible annoyance in the other's eyes.

Zhuang Yu paused for a moment, then continued, "However, although I don't want to get involved in family disputes, there is one thing I can do for the family."

Upon hearing this, everyone's ears perked up.

The Fifth Elder was the first to ask, "Oh? What insightful opinion does Nephew Zhuang Yu have?" Nephew?

I was just thinking of freezing myself into an ice sculpture, and now I'm a nephew?

Zhuang Yu inwardly complained, but remained outwardly calm.

"I heard that the family's cultivation resources have been a bit tight lately?" Zhuang Yu asked, feigning concern.

Everyone nodded in agreement; it was no secret.

Seeing this, Zhuang Yu confidently said, "I am willing to find a new cultivation resource site for the family!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

This is a huge achievement!

If a new resource site can be found, one can imagine how high one's status will be within the family.

"However..." Zhuang Yu changed the subject, "I need the support of the elders. After all, finding resource sites requires manpower and resources, and I can't handle it all by myself." He phrased this cleverly, neither explicitly stating which side he would support, but implying that he needed the resources and manpower of all parties.

Upon hearing this, the elders exclaimed, "This kid has quite the appetite!"

But in order to win him over and for the sake of their family's future, they eventually agreed to Zhuang Yu's request.

Thus, a "battle for Zhuang Yu" turned into a "battle for resources".

In an effort to curry favor with Zhuang Yu, various factions brought out their most prized possessions, including rare materials and cultivation manuals, which poured towards him like a flowing river.

Zhuang Yu accepted all offers without hesitation, his heart pounding with joy: This is a huge profit!

In this way, Zhuang Yu successfully exploited the conflicts between various forces, not only escaping the predicament of being courted, but also acquiring a lot of resources for himself.

When he walked out of the council hall, everyone in the family looked at him with new respect, and his prestige within the family greatly increased.

Wang Yao was waiting for him outside. When she saw him come out, her eyes were full of admiration.

"Young master, you are truly amazing!"

Zhuang Yu smiled slightly, just about to speak, when suddenly... "Young Master, be careful!" Wang Yao pushed him away abruptly.

Zhuang Yu was suddenly pushed by Wang Yao, staggered a few steps, and almost fell flat on his face.

He steadied himself and looked at Wang Yao with a bewildered expression: "What's going on? Are you playing a push-up game?"

Wang Yao's face turned deathly pale. Pointing behind Zhuang Yu, her voice trembled, "Young Master, look..."

Zhuang Yu turned around and saw something amazing!

A huge crane was swooping down on him menacingly.

This crane was enormous, with a wingspan of ten zhang (approximately 33 meters). Its feathers were as white as snow, and its eyes were sharp; it was clearly not a friendly creature.

"Holy crap! What's going on? Is this thing trying to scam me?" Zhuang Yu muttered, quickly dodging the attack.

The crane was incredibly fast, reaching Zhuang Yu in the blink of an eye, its massive claws lashing out at him with a sharp, swift wind.

Zhuang Yu dared not be careless and quickly circulated his spiritual power, using his movement technique to dodge.

"boom!"

The crane's claws missed, leaving a huge crater in the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

Zhuang Yu dodged the attack, secretly thinking how close he had come to disaster.

"Young master, be careful!" Wang Yao warned again.

Zhuang Yu looked up and saw the crane swooping down again, this time targeting Wang Yao!

"Damn it! This hairy beast is quite vengeful!" Zhuang Yu cursed angrily, and without thinking, rushed forward and blocked Wang Yao's path.

He formed a hand seal, and a golden light flashed, revealing a huge golden shield that blocked the crane's attack.

"clang!"

With a loud bang, the golden shield shook violently, and Zhuang Yu was also knocked back several steps, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

"Young Master!" Wang Yao exclaimed in surprise and quickly helped Zhuang Yu up.

Zhuang Yu waved his hand, indicating that he was fine.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stared coldly at Linghe.

This crane was clearly released deliberately to target him.

who is it?

Other forces within the family?

Or are they enemies of other families?

Just then, a cold voice came from afar: "Zhuang Yu, I didn't expect you to be so lucky, actually escaping this calamity."

Zhuang Yu looked in the direction of the sound and saw an old man dressed in a black robe slowly descending from the sky.

The old man's face was gloomy, and his eyes were filled with murderous intent.

"Who are you?" Zhuang Yu asked coldly.

The old man sneered, "I am Zhuang Xiong, the Grand Elder." He paused, his tone chilling, "Today is your death day!"