Apotheosis – Ascension to Godhood Chapter 13 (2)

Chapter 13: Family Day (1)
When winter fell, the cold front blew in from the frozen lands to the north, covering most of the empire in a layer of white.
The snow was like a blanket covering the ground comfortably.
The wide training grounds in front of the Luo Clan was filled with thick snow.
On the day of the clan's training, many of the Luo servants cleaned and shoveled the snow resting on the training grounds.
Twelve members of the Luo Clan stolidly in a neat line on the training grounds, patiently waiting for the elders to examine them.
Originally, the Luo Clan had a total of thirteen branches. Now it was reduced to twelve. Lu Zheng's branch had ceased to exist years ago.
To urge the children of the Luo Clan to train diligently, the clan held an annual death match day. Whether it was the disciples of the Luo Clan or the meat targets, it was an important day for them all.
Based on their performance, Luo Clan would decide the allocation of their resources for the upcoming year.
As for the meat targets, the day determined their life and freedom, or death.
Luo Zheng and the other meat targets soon entered the training grounds while holding a grim expression on their faces. Today was a critical day.
To a meat target, there were only two choices in a death match. If they won, free life awaits, but if they lost, it only meant death.
However, to the children of the Luo Clan, it was a bit different. The "death match" was merely a test. If they won and received rewards and support from the clan, then losing would be shameful.
Many of the younger generations had decent strength. Regardless to whether is was their cultivation or strength, they were no less inferior to anyone. However, because they had too little combat experience, the chances of losing to a personage weaker than them was a possibility.
The original intention of the rules of the "death match" was to force the meat targets to a corner and stimulate their potential to its maximum use. Only in this way would the disciples fight as if they were in combat.

Not long after, a middle-aged man donned in green robe appeared. He had long beard running down his chin and a jade-like face. He was Luo Zheng's third uncle, Luo Junyi.
When Luo Zheng saw the figure of this person, a cold light flashed through his eyes. This person was one of the people who partook in the murder of his father. To scheme and murder his eldest brother…
It was a pity he was a master at the Viscera Refinement Realm, his internal organs trained to the point of a strength equivalent to three rings. Luo Junyi could tear tigers, punch with his bare hands, and smash down a city wall with his bare fist otherwise…
After Luo Junyi stood firmly on a high platform, he breathed deeply and softly said, "Today, I come to report to you a merry occasion. The Young Master of our Lou Clan and my nephew has been accepted as a disciple in Clear Heaven Sect. Moreover, he's become an inner disciple!"
His was voice wasn't loud, but all those present could hear it clearly. After entering the Viscera Refinement Realm, his internal organs had been tempered and his breathing slow and steady.
Hearing his words, the Luo Clan disciples revealed a look of enviousness.
It was within their expectations seeing Luo Piran accepted by Clear Heaven Sect. But they didn't think it'd be this high!
Disciples within Clear Heaven Sect were divided into different levels. Many who stood out from the examinations started out at the bottom. The fact Luo Piran reached the sky in one step and became an inner disciple at first try shocked the Luo Clan's disciples. It was no wonder they were envious of him.
Lou Zheng was shocked as well. The effect of the Heaven and Earth Rebirth Pill was truly worthy of its reputation that it even sent Luo Piran in the sect as an inner disciple. Luo Zheng clenched his fist, feeling extremely worried.

The reason why second and third uncle didn't kill him was because they believed he posed no threat, but his sister, Luo Yan, they'd definitely not let her off. Previously, Luo Yan had escaped death because she was inside the sect at the time, but now that Luo Piran had become an inner disciple, troubles would definitely follow her way.
"Great Nephew Piran is the pride of our clan. We must look at him as our goal. Today is the day of the match. Each of the disciples from the clan must choose a meat target to fight to the death. If you win, you'll be allocated twice the resources next year…"
The reward was extremely attractive to the disciples. Therefore, when it was announced, many of the disciples looked at the meat targets with a fervent gaze.
On the other hand, the expression of the meat targets became heavier. The heavier the rewards, the more ruthless the disciples were. As a result, the survival rate of the meat targets grew slim.
After Luo Junyi finished speaking, he sat down on a chair.
At this time, the Chief Steward, Huang Ge, jumped onto the high platform. Subsequently, he raised his voice and said, "Right now, the disciples of the Luo Clan will pick their targets. The first disciple to go on stage is the third son, Luo Cheng."
Luo Cheng nodded and leapt onto the ring in the middle of the training ground. After bowing to his father, Luo Junyi, Luo Cheng turned around, eyes falling on the meat targets.
When Luo Cheng's gaze fell on Luo Zheng, a smile formed on his lips. A month ago, Luo Zheng had beaten his steward. He thought he'd immediately make a move and take revenge, but it was not quite what he expected. Throughout the month, it was peaceful and quiet.

From the looks of it, Luo Cheng wants to wait until this day to pick me as his target and beat me to death?
However, much to his expectation, Luo Cheng didn't choose him. Instead he chose a sturdy man from behind.