Strongest Family System

The first pale light of dawn crept through Robert's window, stirring him from a deep but restless sleep. His body ached in places where David's blade had found its mark, but the medicine had worked well. He sat up slowly, rolling his shoulders to test the soreness.

After washing his face and getting freshened up, Robert felt his mind clear. Last night's battle felt like a distant memory, yet the lessons it taught burned fresh in his thoughts. He had faced a Spirit Root Realm cultivator and emerged victorious—barely, but victorious nonetheless.

Settling cross-legged on his bed, Robert called upon his system interface.

"Show me my current status," he said quietly.

That familiar chime echoed in his head, and before he knew it, a translucent screen had formed right before his eyes.

STATUS

Name: Robert Osborn

Cultivation: Body Tempering – Level 10

System Points: 420 points

Skills:

Shadow Step Level 1 – Silent Footfall achieved

Twin Dragon Fang Level 1 – Mirror Fang achieved

Mountain Fist Level 1 – Grounded Form achieved

Soul Awakening Realm Level 2 – Increased Awareness achieved

Pending Quests:

Increase the clan's strength. Select two cultivators and raise their power to the Spirit Root level. Reward: 80,000 system points.

Soul Power:

100% available – can be utilized for both soul cultivation and body cultivation!

Robert stared at the display, a slow smile spreading across his face. In just over a month of focused training and battles, he had climbed to heights that most cultivators never dreamed of reaching. The skills he had mastered were already showing their worth—Silent Footfall had kept him undetected last night, while Mirror Fang had confused David just long enough to land the killing blow.

But what caught his attention most was the soul power reading. One hundred percent. The souls he had absorbed from the fallen mercenaries had filled his reserves. This energy could push his cultivation even higher or strengthen his techniques beyond their current limits.

Robert closed the system interface and walked to his window. The Osborn estate was waking up—servants moved about their morning duties, and smoke began rising from the kitchen chimneys. His clan looked peaceful, but he knew better. Enemies still lurked in shadows, waiting for any sign of weakness.

The pending quest weighed on his mind. Emer and Ronan were strong, but neither had reached the Spirit Root Realm. If he could elevate them to that level, not only would he earn the massive system point reward, but the clan would have two more Spirit Root cultivators.

Robert thought about the Spirit Awakening Pill herbs he had purchased from Grey Shadow Hall.

Those ten sets might be precisely what he requires to complete this quest.

But first, he had to see that the alchemy hall cultivators had successfully refined the pills that he had said to them.

A knock at his door interrupted his thoughts. "Young Master Robert?" A voice came from outside.

"Enter," Robert called.

A servant stepped in and bowed. "Your father requests your presence in his study when you are ready."

Robert nodded. "Tell him I will be there shortly."

After the servant left, Robert dressed quickly in his clan robes. Whatever his father wanted to discuss, it was probably important.

As Robert prepared to leave his room, he felt the heavy weight of responsibility settle on him. The journey ahead was his to take alone, but he was carrying more than just his fate. Every choice he made, every battle he fought, and every moment of growth would shape not only his future but also the destiny of everyone who bore the Osborn name.

He had the system, he had growing power, and he had loyal friends.

Most importantly, he had the will to see it through. Whatever challenges awaited, Robert was ready to face them head-on.

The morning sun climbed higher, casting longer shadows across the estate as Robert stepped out into the corridor, ready to meet whatever the new day would bring.

Across the city, in the sprawling compound of the James clan, the morning brought darker news. Matthew James sat in his private study, fingers drumming against the polished oak desk as a nervous subordinate delivered the report he had been dreading.

"Speak," Matthew said, his voice cold.

The man shifted uncomfortably. "Sir, we found the bodies this morning. David and all four of his men... they are dead."

Matthew's jaw tightened. David had been one of his most reliable enforcers—a Spirit Root Realm cultivator who had never failed a mission. For him to die, along with his entire team, meant whoever killed them was no ordinary opponent.

"Did you find out who did this?" Matthew's words came out sharply.

The subordinate shook his head quickly. "Not yet, sir. We are still investigating. There were no witnesses, and those who did it were careful to cover their tracks."

Matthew's eyes narrowed, a hint of frustration creeping in. This was supposed to be a quick intimidation job—rough up a couple of Osborn kids, maybe even take one out to make a statement.

Instead, five of his men were dead, and he was still struggling to prevent the market transfer from happening.

"Find out who did it," Matthew said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I do not care what it takes. We only have two days before the handover. We need to delay this somehow."

The subordinate gave a nod and started to head for the door, but just as he was about to step out, another man rushed in, panting and clutching a sealed letter.

"Clan Head," the messenger said, bowing quickly. Urgent message from Grey Shadow Hall."

Matthew's face darkened further. "Read it."

With a soft crack, the messenger carefully broke the seal and unfolded the parchment. This note was from the leader of the Grey Shadow Hall: You must uphold the agreement made with the Osborn clan.

You are to complete the market handover tomorrow morning at Grey Shadow Hall.

Should there be any delays or excuses, Grey Shadow Hall will take the necessary steps to assert their claim on what was agreed.

The room fell silent. Matthew's knuckles turned pale as he tightened his grip on the wine glass resting on his desk. The nerve of them—daring to threaten him, Matthew James, on his territory.

His anger boiled over. With a sharp crack, the glass shattered in his hand, wine and blood mixing as shards fell to the floor.

"Get out," he said quietly, not looking up from his bleeding hand.

Both men quickly left the room, closing the heavy doors behind them.

Matthew sat alone, staring at his cut palm.

Somehow, the Osborn clan managed to eliminate David and his team.

Grey Shadow Hall was breathing down his neck. And in less than two days, he would lose one of the most profitable markets in the city.

He had underestimated his enemies. That mistake had cost him valuable men and precious time. But Matthew James had not clawed his way to the top by backing down from a fight.

Rising from his chair, he walked to the window overlooking the training grounds where his remaining cultivators practiced their forms. If the Osborns wanted a war, they would get one.

But first, he needed to know exactly who had killed David. And when he found out, they would pay with more than just their lives.

Meanwhile, at the Osborn estate, Robert made his way through the familiar corridors toward his father's study. The morning light streamed through tall windows, casting warm patterns on the polished stone floors. He could hear the distant sounds of clan members beginning their daily routines.

Reaching the heavy wooden door, Robert knocked twice.

"Enter," came his father's voice from within.

Robert swung the door open and walked in. John Osborn was seated at his desk, a bunch of documents laid out in front of him, his face a mix of deep thought and tension.

"Have a seat," John said, gesturing to the chair across from him.

Robert settled into the chair, noting the serious tone in his father's voice. Something important was happening.

John took a sealed letter off his desk. "There was a letter from Grey Shadow Hall this morning. The market transfer will be held tomorrow morning at Grey Shadow Hall."

Robert's face broke into a confident smile. "Don't worry, Father. Grey Shadow Hall will help us."

John's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Grey Shadow Hall does not interfere in clan business matters. How did you make this happen?"

Robert leaned forward slightly.

"It is the pills, Dad. Around here, getting decent two-liners to five-linersis next to impossible. I managed to get my hands on some three-liners and brought them to Grey Shadow Hall."

He paused, making sure his father grasped the weight of his words. "They agreed to support us this time — not because of who we are, but because those pills are incredibly rare and highly sought after."

However, Robert's face turned grim. "Once the market transfer is complete, we are on our own again. If anything goes wrong after that, we cannot count on them for help."

John leaned back in his chair, pausing briefly to absorb the news he had just been given.

The political pressure was immense—having Grey Shadow Hall on board meant the James clan could not simply dismiss the deal or use force to derail the transfer. Even so, Robert had made a valid point about the limitations they were under.

After a moment's reflection, John nodded slowly, a spark of pride in his eyes. "Well done, Robert. You have secured precisely what we need for tomorrow. I must say, your timing and strategy were truly impressive."

Robert felt the weight of his father's recognition.

It was not just a compliment—it marked a turning point. He was proving himself as a true leader of the clan, balancing immediate demands with long-term consequences.

The morning light stretched further into the study, ushering in the approach of a decisive clash—one that could redefine who held power in the city. The outcome of tomorrow remained uncertain, teetering between success and collapse. But for the moment, the Osborn clan had made every preparation possible.