After witnessing Wang Chen's dazzling technique, Wang Teng's mind suffered a heavy blow. His hand trembled involuntarily, and the carving knife slipped, causing the core array on the rare metal to go crooked.
"Damn it!" Wang Teng cursed as he looked at the ruined array he had drawn.
He took a deep breath, steadying his emotions, and comforted himself:
"No matter, no matter. Even if that brat Wang Chen's soul tools are stronger than mine, my soul power is higher, my body is stronger, and I have my powerful thousand-year third soul skill. In the end, the one who wins will definitely be me!"
Thinking this way, Wang Teng's mood instantly brightened. He no longer looked at Wang Chen's impressive craftsmanship and focused all his attention on making his own soul tools.
The other members of the Wang Family, though equally shocked, also began concentrating on their work.
Unlike Wang Teng, their goal had never been to take first place — they simply wanted to achieve as high a ranking as possible.
While all the clan juniors focused on crafting soul tools, the Wang Family clansmen in the stands began discussing animatedly.
"That kid Wang Chen's talent in soul tool crafting is truly terrifying. I doubt there are many in the entire Sun Moon Empire who can compare to him. It's hard to say who will take first place in this family competition."
"I still think Wang Teng has a better chance of winning. The gap between a three-ring Soul Elder and a two-ring Great Soul Master isn't something that can be easily bridged."
Wang Teng's parents sat in the front row of the viewing platform. Seeing their son's spotlight stolen by Wang Chen, they couldn't help shouting, "Our son Wang Teng has the potential of a Title Douluo! When the second round begins, our son will surely defeat Wang Chen with ease!"
Wang Chen's parents were also there watching the competition. Hearing everyone favoring Wang Teng over their son, they immediately began arguing back.
"Our son Wang Chen's talent far surpasses Wang Teng's. If Wang Teng weren't nearly a year older, he would never be our son's match!"
Hearing this, Wang Teng's parents' expressions turned unpleasant. Wang Teng was their pride, and having someone say their child was inferior to another's made them furious. They couldn't hold back and began arguing with Wang Chen's parents.
"You're saying our son isn't as good as yours?"
"So what if we are?" Wang Chen's parents shot back. "Your son just isn't as good as ours! In talent and looks, your boy can't compare to ours at all!"
As the saying goes, the truth cuts sharper than any blade — and in this case, every word from Wang Chen's parents was true. In both talent and appearance, Wang Chen's superiority over Wang Teng was plain to see.
In no time, the argument between the two couples escalated, forcing the surrounding Wang clansmen to step in and mediate. After all, they were all from the same family — shouting and fighting like this was disgraceful.
Just like that, three hours passed quickly.
With the chief referee Wang Yuan's shout of "Stop!", all participants immediately ceased their soul tool crafting.
More than half of the Wang Family juniors were eliminated for failing to successfully craft a Rank-2 soul tool.
Only thirty-six people remained, advancing to the second round of the clan's grand competition.
Wang Chen looked at the two peak Rank-3 soul tools on his crafting table, the corners of his lips curling slightly in satisfaction.
The two Rank-3 peak soul tools were — one offensive and one movement-type.
The melee weapon was a sharp spear, while the movement soul tool was a propulsion device.
This propulsion soul tool, when mounted on the back and powered by soul energy, could generate powerful thrust, allowing the user to move at incredible speeds — comparable to that of an agility-type Battle Soul Master of the Soul Elder rank.
As Wang Chen stored the two peak Rank-3 soul tools into his storage device, Wang Teng walked up to him.
Wang Teng's wide eyes glared at Wang Chen's handsome face, but after a long moment, he couldn't find the words to speak.
Seeing Wang Teng's awkward expression, Wang Chen chuckled. "Cousin Wang Teng, if you have something to say, just say it. No need to hold it in."
With a competitive fire in his eyes, Wang Teng said, "You may have won in soul tool crafting, but don't get too proud. In the end, the one who wins the family competition will definitely be me."
Having said what was on his mind, Wang Teng turned and walked away. Clenching his fists tightly, he thought to himself,
The number one among the Wang Family's younger generation will always be me — Wang Teng!
——————————————
After the first round of the family competition ended, the chief referee Wang Yuan granted Wang Chen and the others an hour to rest and recover the soul power and mental strength they had expended during crafting.
Each contestant sat cross-legged, meditating to restore their soul power, striving to return to peak condition before the second round began.
An hour later, referee Wang Yuan took out a box from his storage soul tool and announced,
"Everyone, line up. You will draw lots from this box. Those who draw matching numbers will face each other in battle.
Remember the rule — the soul tools you use must be the ones you personally crafted in the first round. Otherwise, you will be penalized for violating the rules.
Also, during the matches, go all out without worrying about injuries. We referees will be standing by to protect you. If any danger arises, we'll step in immediately to save you.
However, if we intervene — that means you've already lost.
Alright, the drawing begins!"
Eyes full of fighting spirit, Wang Teng looked at Wang Chen. "I'll go first."
After speaking, he stepped up beside Wang Yuan, reached into the box, and pulled out a slip of paper. Looking closely — Number 3.
After drawing his lot, Wang Teng turned toward Wang Chen and said, "I really hope we end up drawing the same number."
Wang Chen looked up at Wang Teng's fiery gaze and replied calmly, "I hope you can keep that arrogance until the end."
Then he stepped forward, drew a lot, and opened it — Number 5.
Wang Teng walked up beside him, glanced at Wang Chen's number, and quietly noted it down.
After both of them finished drawing, the rest of the Wang Family juniors also stepped forward one after another to draw their numbers.
Once everyone had finished, Wang Teng turned to the group and called out, "Whoever drew Number 5, come here!"
A clan junior replied, "I drew Number 5."
Smiling, Wang Teng strode directly over to the speaker, snatched his slip of paper, and handed over his own Number 3 in exchange.
Then, turning to Wang Chen, Wang Teng challenged, "Wang Chen, do you dare fight me?"
As soon as he spoke, Wang Teng's martial soul was released. Three soul rings — two yellow and one purple — rose and spun around him.
The power of a Soul Elder burst forth, his soul energy surging violently toward Wang Chen.