Strongest Family System

The study was quieter than usual, sunlight spilling in through open windows and warming the air with a golden glow. John Osborn sat behind his desk.

"Robert," John began, leaning forward slightly. "There is something you must know. Your mother… She has broken through to the realm of Soul Manifestation. First stage, low level."

Robert's eyes widened, and then a rare, unguarded smile tugged at his lips. His heart surged with pride. "Mother… at Soul Manifestation. That means the clan now added one more; now three are standing in that realm."

John nodded, his voice steady but carrying a flicker of excitement. "Yes. And with her progress, the Osborns have taken one step further out of the shadows." His gaze hardened then, the warmth giving way to calculation.

"But the question now is this—what should we plan? The Celestial Brook competition is in two and a half months. Other clans will field disciples as strong as Spirit Root level five at the peak stage. We must decide which ten disciples we can send to stand alongside you."

Robert's expression grew serious, his tone deliberate. "First, Father, let us acknowledge this: I am under twenty-two, and my cultivation is already stronger than any youth in our clan. That makes me the anchor of our team. What we need now are disciples who can be shaped, sharpened, and brought close enough to fight without guilt. If we can lift even a handful of them to higher levels in time, our chances grow."

John tapped his fingers against the desk, considering. "Wise words. Then we begin with knowing who we have."

He lifted a hand and beckoned to a servant waiting quietly near the door. "Fetch Elder Zak."

The servant bowed and slipped out quickly.

Moments later, the study door opened again, and a tall, wiry man with streaks of silver in his beard entered. Elder Zak bowed first to John, then inclined his head respectfully toward Robert. "Clan head. Young master."

Robert returned the greeting with equal respect, his voice calm and steady. "Elder."

"Sit," John commanded, gesturing to a chair. When Zak had taken his seat, John's voice grew deliberate. "Tell us, Elder Zak, which disciples do we have under the age of twenty-two? Those with talent enough to stand in the city's competition."

Zak's eyes flickered briefly, as though measuring the intent behind the question. He knew exactly what John meant. His answer came steadily, carrying weight.

"Lady Sarah," Zak began, his tone thoughtful. "She has reached Spirit Root level one (peak stage). Young but determined. Lady Essie as well—her progress is faster than that of other disciples, Spirit Root level two (low stage), yet her swordsmanship is clean and disciplined. Then there is Ronan, fierce and ambitious, already at Spirit Root level one (mid-stage).

Emer Talyen and Ronan also stand out—his foundation is strong, and though still Spirit Root level one (mid-stage), he has the heart for battle."

He paused, then added, "There are others, yes, but many remain in the Body Tempering Realm. They are loyal, but they cannot yet stand in a competition of this scale."

John and Robert exchanged a glance. Both nodded.

"This gives us five," John said softly. "Five who have a chance to rise in time. With you, Robert, that makes six. We will need to fill the rest carefully."

Robert folded his arms, his mind already working. "Then we do not waste time. Every day matters. These names you have given—Sarah, Essie, Ronan, Ever-they must train harder than ever. They will double their cultivation speed with the array I placed; they may yet reach the level we need."

John's eyes glimmered with a rare mix of pride and steel. "Good. Very good. Then let us begin."

Elder Zak bowed again, the weight of the responsibility clearly in his voice. "I will see to it immediately."

The Osborn clan, once overlooked, was beginning to sharpen its blade.

And in the heart of that study, father and son sat side by side, planning not only for a competition but for the rise of their family's name.

Robert leaned back slightly in his chair, his golden eyes steady as he spoke. "Father, Elder Zak… those four you mentioned—Sarah, Talyen, Ronan, and Emer—they have some experience. They have participated in minor competitions in Magical City, but compared to the threats we will face in Celestial Brook, their foundations are still shallow. They lack refinement, and their weaknesses are obvious."

He paused, then added with quiet conviction, "But they can improve. My sister has real battle experience. Together with her, the six of us will train side by side, drilling until we have no weak points left. Unity and experience will be our edge."

Zak's brows furrowed, but his eyes gleamed with interest. Robert's words carried more than youthful ambition—they carried the tone of command.

Robert continued, his voice sharp with intent. "Elder Zak, you must also select four more disciples—those who have already broken through to the Spirit Root Realm. Take them, and pour every resource into them. Let us push their boundaries and give them a taste of the battlefield. They will act as our second line, providing support when necessary, and they might just catch the enemy off guard in the process."

Both John and Zak nodded firmly.

Then Robert faced his father once more. And Father, we must fortify the clan's foundation if we are to rise above this rivalry. We require greater wealth and reach. Our ability to invest more resources in cultivation increases with the strength of our business.

A slight smile appeared on John's face, but his eyes were sharp and alert. "Robert, don't get too worked up about trade. Let me take the reins on that. I have already spoken to the elders about boosting our power and expanding our clan through training and trade. In just a few days, another elder will be stepping into the Soul Manifestation Realm. You know who I mean, right?"

Robert's gaze flickered with recognition. He nodded in understanding. "So it is Elder Morgon you speak of. Good. I already gave him a pill before, and now…" He leaned forward slightly, his voice calm but decisive. "Before I went into seclusion, Father, you told me the Spirit Root Nourishing Pills I gave you were only half used."

John nodded. "Correct."

Robert continued, his tone steady. "Then use the remaining half. Give it to the Elders to use in their breakthrough. As for the rest, divide them among the four disciples Elder Zak will select. They will rise more quickly, and with proper training, they will be ready when it matters."

Both John and Zak exchanged glances, the weight of Robert's words settling in the room, then nodded in unison.

"Good," Robert said. "Gather the five of them in the east wing. The training grounds there were newly built and isolated. No one will disturb us. I will prepare everything we need and begin as soon as the pills are ready."

John leaned back in his chair, his voice deep with approval. "Go then. Do as you must."

Robert bowed lightly, turned, and left the study, his cloak trailing him.

The study was silent for a moment after his departure, until Elder Zak exhaled slowly. His voice carried a rare note of admiration. "Clan head… Your son has changed. He is no longer the boy others mocked. He has stepped into responsibility as if born for it."

John Osborn's eyes softened, pride flickering in his gaze. "Yes. He has carried shadows I did not see before. Now he stands ready to lift this clan on his shoulders. He is no longer a loser, Zak. He is the heart of the Osborns clan."

Zak nodded gravely. "Then I will do as he commanded. I will ensure no disciple is left behind. With qi now dense across the compound, their cultivation will rise quickly. With added battle experience, they will not falter when the time comes."

The two men spoke in low tones, planning, weighing resources, and tracing the outline of the Osborn clan's path forward. When at last Zak rose and bowed, his eyes burned with renewed resolve. He turned and left the study, already thinking of names, training regimens, and the wars to come.

John Osborn remained at his desk, fingers tapping slowly against the wood. He could feel it in his chest—the clan that had once bent under the weight of scorn was shifting. Every choice made tonight has sown seeds, and before long, the outcomes will be visible for everyone to witness.

He imagined the disciples gathering in the densified qi, their techniques sharper, their spirits braver, and their voices stronger in unison.

Outside the study windows, dawn light began to bleed into the courtyard, carrying with it the promise of a new day. The Osborn clan was no longer sleeping. Its heart was awake, its blood was stirring, and its blade was being sharpened. And this time, it would not remain in the shadows; it would rise into the storm that loomed over the Osborn clan.