Inner Mountain Pass, Cheng Family Ancestral Hall.

After asking a few people where Cheng Zongyang was, Zhou Hansong brought Zhang Guangwen over to find him.

Outsiders were forbidden from entering the ancestral halls of the Cheng and Zhou Families without permission. Zhou Hansong had Zhang Guangwen wait outside while he went in alone.

As he entered, he saw his nephew hunched over a square table, writing something.

"Zongyang, there’s a matter you need to handle." Zhou Hansong had no choice but to interrupt, explaining, "Zhang Guangwen has reached Entry Grade."

"Uncle, you’re here." Cheng Zongyang rose and greeted Zhou Hansong, his expression tinged with surprise. "He reached Entry Grade? So soon?"

As the one in charge of the Sect Hall, Zhou Hansong was responsible for monitoring outsiders who reached Entry Grade. This was a necessary step in managing the Immortal Ancestor’s Oath.

Now that the first outsider had become an Entry Grade Martial Artist, it fell to Cheng Zongyang to handle the matter personally. This would establish the procedure for Zhou Hansong to follow in the future.

After all, this so-called Immortal Ancestor’s Oath was something Cheng Zongyang had devised, so he needed to personally conduct the entire process at least once.

Zhou Hansong smiled. "I did say last time he was close to reaching Entry Grade. So, this is to be expected. Regarding the Oath Contract, are you going to try it out now?"

Cheng Zongyang nodded. "Is he outside?"

Zhou Hansong nodded. "I had him wait outside."

"Let him come in. I’ll go get something," Cheng Zongyang said, and entered a small side room.

This small room was usually reserved for the guardian of the ancestral hall to rest in, but since it wasn’t currently needed for that, it was temporarily being used to store some of the hall’s supplies.

As Zhou Hansong went outside, Cheng Zongyang entered the small room, closed the door, and slipped into the Wilderness World, where he materialized ten copies of the Immortal Ancestor’s Oath.

He returned to the room, placed the remaining nine copies on top of a wooden shelf, then took one and walked back out the door.

"Zhang Guangwen greets the Young Clan Leader."

Standing behind Zhou Hansong, Zhang Guangwen immediately bowed with his hands clasped upon seeing Cheng Zongyang. His tone and attitude were extremely respectful.

"There’s no need for such formalities." Cheng Zongyang smiled, placing the beast hide on the square table. He sized Zhang Guangwen up for a moment before nodding slightly. "Not bad, you’ve really reached Entry Grade. But your Qi and Blood Power isn’t quite sufficient yet. If you have the Contribution Points, go to the Medicine Hall and exchange them for some Body Tempering Powder. It’s expensive, but strength is more important."

"Thank you for your concern, Young Clan Leader. I will keep it in mind!" Zhang Guangwen said, once again clasping his hands in gratitude.

"Alright, let’s get down to business." Cheng Zongyang looked at Zhang Guangwen, his expression turning serious:

"Because you are the first outsider to become a Martial Artist, there are some official procedures the clan must now establish.

Zhang Guangwen, you’re aware that according to the clan’s rules, anyone can spend Contribution Points to undergo Martial Arts Training in the Martial Arts Hall. The Cheng Family will even use its secret methods to help you reach Entry Grade quickly. I imagine you’ve experienced this firsthand, haven’t you?"

Zhang Guangwen’s expression turned grave as he heard this, and he nodded. "Yes."

Although he didn’t know much about Martial Arts, he understood that for a man in his thirties to become a Martial Artist in around three months was entirely thanks to the effects of the medicinal baths.

This realization was precisely what made him understand that it would not be difficult for the Cheng Family to train Entry Grade Martial Artists—and even produce them in large numbers.

And this, in turn, filled him with even greater reverence for the Cheng Family!

Cheng Zongyang continued, "According to clan rules, the Martial Arts Hall allows anyone who registers to spend Contribution Points to receive training and reach Entry Grade, but that’s as far as it goes. If you want to learn Martial Arts later on, to break through to the Eighth Grade, or even the Seventh Grade, then Contribution Points alone won’t be enough."

Hearing this, Zhang Guangwen suddenly understood. It confirmed some of his suspicions.

He had suspected that there must be some restrictions on the Cheng Family’s ability to quickly train Entry Grade Martial Artists. Otherwise, it would simply be too good of a deal for outsiders.

Now, after hearing Cheng Zongyang’s words, he knew he would have to pay some price.

"Young Clan Leader, please be frank," Zhang Guangwen said, making his stance clear. "As long as it’s something I can do."

Cheng Zongyang smiled. "Don’t be so nervous. First, take a look at this Immortal Ancestor’s Oath. Then, listen to my conditions."

With that, he pushed the beast hide toward him.

At this, Zhang Guangwen immediately took a few steps forward and carefully picked up the beast hide from the table with both hands. He began to read it, and after a moment, he heard Cheng Zongyang say:

"The Cheng Family doesn’t train people for free. Be it Martial Arts, higher-level Martial Arts Techniques, important positions in the village, or various benefits and perks, these things are only given to our trusted confidants."

"Listen carefully."

"First, the Cheng Family promises to train you to at least the Seventh Grade Realm within ten years. Reaching the Middle Third Grades depends on aptitude. If your aptitude is sufficient, the Cheng Family will continue to train you, provided our Ability and resources are adequate.

Second, we promise to arrange a position for you as a hall captain, with a monthly stipend of five hundred Contribution Points. Starting the second year, it will be 600 points per month; the third year, seven hundred points... and so on. Better positions in the future will depend entirely on your strength.

Third, your wife and children will receive free medical care, and your children will be able to attend school for free. Their Martial Arts Training fees will be reduced by half.

Fourth, after your children come of age, if they achieve success in either Martial Arts Training or their studies and meet the requirements, they will be given priority for employment within the clan.

Fifth, if you sacrifice your life for the Cheng Family, as long as the Cheng Family endures, your wife and children will be raised according to clan rules. Your monthly Contribution Points will be converted into a survivor’s pension in your wife’s name, paid until your children turn eighteen years old.

If you find these five conditions acceptable, we can write them in. And all you have to do is abide by the terms stated on the contract."

Only after hearing all of Cheng Zongyang’s conditions did Zhang Guangwen turn his attention to the sections on the beast hide labeled "Party B’s Vow" and "Responsibilities for Breach of Contract."

——

(The full text of the contract is available in the auxiliary Chapters for those who wish to read it.)