Chapter 12: Conch King!

Chapter 12: Conch King! (Seeking Investment! Seeking Monthly Votes!)

A military truck halted at the Jiang Clan estate, where several burly young men were unloading cargo.

Inside the truck bed lay massive slabs of "Jade-White Shells." Jiang Zhe estimated that when pieced together, they'd form a disc nearly two hundred meters wide.

This shell belonged to a deceased Stellar-Rank Beast King—Grandfather Jiang Lie's latest trophy from the hunt.

The wiry old man, over five feet tall and clutching a hand warmer even in midsummer's sweltering heat, strode through the gates with his usual aloof, eccentric demeanor.

No one would guess this frail, elderly figure—seemingly fit only for picking fights on the street—harbored the terrifying power to slay a Beast King.

Jiang Zhe had his suspicions, though.

Historical records showed that during the Hongze Lake Campaign twenty-six years ago, Grandfather Jiang Lie had already reached Invincible War God Rank, anchoring the allied forces. By now—forty-six years old, two decades later—Jiang Zhe had sensed an icy chill radiating from him since childhood. Initially, he'd thought it personal dislike, but years of warm family interactions disproved that.

After his Divine Core Enlightenment, Jiang Zhe finally understood: Hydroline Genetic Primordial Energy.

The icy energy classification explained everything. Over a decade ago, Grandfather had already achieved Stellar-Rank without publicizing it.

Rubbing his chin, Jiang Zhe mused, "Still stuck at Planet-Class Second Stage? Is it talent limitation... or did something interfere?"

Behind Grandfather, his father and uncles hauled several thick leather backpacks into the courtyard. As usual, Jiang Zhe and his cousins clustered around—their childhood tradition of inspecting hunting spoils reigniting.

Second Brother Jiang wasted no time, yanking open the bulging packs.

Inside: golden scales the size of human faces, a half-meter-long serrated dragon horn, a crimson gourd brimming with beast heartblood, and—most shockingly—a pure white pearl the size of a cubic meter.

The four third-generation Jiangs gaped. Even Jiang Zhe, who'd once seen mooncakes filled with "slag" fragrant paste, blinked in disbelief.

This pearl pulsed with Cosmic Energy—solidified starlight condensed into physical form.

"Ha! Grandchildren, I didn't expect this bonus catch. Chasing a Thai River Carp Dragon to the estuary, I stumbled upon a Conch King", Grandfather Jiang Lie chuckled, his frosty demeanor thawing slightly. "I sensed its anomaly immediately, struck it down, and retrieved this Cosmic Energy Pearl from its core."

"Cosmic Energy Pearl makes potent medicine. Once processed, you'll all share it—boosting your physical limits dramatically. And those Chariot Shells? Each of you gets an SS-Rank Combat Suit!"

Jiang Zhe twitched. SS-Rank Combat Suit? The strongest Earth-grade defense gear? And they were using Buddhist Seven Treasures-grade material—previously contraband before Great Nirvana cultivation!

"Wait... Conch King? Grandfather, does killing a King-Tier Beast mean you've reached Councilor Rank?"

"Really? Conch King? Councilor Rank!?"

The third-generation Jiangs erupted. Even First Brother Jiang—the composed business heir—lost his cool. A Councilor-Class Champion could elevate their clan to Earth's upper echelons.

"Settle down. Look at your younger brother—he probably guessed already", Grandfather teased, redirecting attention to Jiang Zhe.

They turned. Jiang Zhe simply smiled serenely, recalling, "That icy aura around him since childhood..."

"Here's proof!" Grandfather extended his right hand. Frost spiraled outward, solidifying into visible ice.

Gasps erupted. "Primal Energy externalization!"

"Councilor Rank! Councilor Rank!"

---

Without resting, Grandfather led generations two and three to the Martial Hall for annual assessments. Even business overseers First Brother and Auntie Jiang attended—required to hunt biannually to maintain Warrior General status.

Grandfather Jiang Lie offered brief critiques before dismissing them to await the cultivation boosts promised by the Cosmic Energy Pearl.

Second Brother Jiang (23, Mid Warrior General) followed. Despite his bear-like physique, he possessed refined comprehension, integrating Tiger, Bear, and Eagle forms from the Six Arts into 3x power amplification. Father and Grandfather spent half an hour refining his Striking Art—the Tiger Form's head/neck/shoulder mechanics particularly captivating Jiang Zhe.

"What synergy—Tiger's ferocity, Bear's stability, Eagle's precision! Connecting upper body mechanics like stormfronts..."

Absorbing insights, Jiang Zhe adjusted his torso muscles, mimicking the integrated forms.

"Upper body: Tiger, Bear, Eagle! Middle Joint: spine/waist power core via Heavenly Dragon Lance's Dragon Body! Root Joint: Chicken Form's stable agility!"

He had abandoned spear techniques to focus on refining these striking arts, leaving only the Thunderous Voice's vascular resonance unmastered.

---

After coaching Second Brother, the family moved to test Jiang Sisi, leaving Jiang Zhe in thought. When they returned, Grandfather called him forward.

"Jiang Clan's Qilin child, show us your progress in ten days."

Jiang Zhe punched the focus mitt.

"6,501 kilograms!"

"A mere week ago, 5,500! Even Genetic Primordial Energy cultivation isn't this fast!"

Second Brother and Jiang Sisi exchanged glances. Is there any limit to this kid?

Grandfather Jiang's face split into a grin. "Now use Striking Art!"

Jiang Zhe unleashed his Five Arts-integrated strike.

"45,966 kilograms!"

"6.5 to 45 tons? 7x amplification?!"

"Thunder God's Ninefold Thunder Blade's pinnacle requires ten Internal Force cycles for 7x power! He achieved it so simply!"

"HA! WE'RE Taking Off!" Second Brother roared.

---

As Grandfather Jiang analyzed Jiang Zhe's Internal Force integration, the clan buzzed with excitement. One powerhouse Champion wasn't enough—their clan would soon possess an ultimate martial manual.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end