In the Wei family's training grounds,
The four contestants stood in a tense standoff on the arena.
Beneath the platform, a crowd of onlookers had gathered.
Among them were not only Wei Tianyang and the three great elders but also many ordinary clan members.
To the spectators, it appeared to be the selection trial for the position of the Wei family's young master.
However, none could have anticipated that the very first match would be Wei Yi versus Wei Wu and the other two.
This was, without a doubt, a turn of events that no one had foreseen.
"Elder, what is Wei Yi planning?" the second elder couldn't help but whisper.
"I'm not sure what he's up to, but this child is no simpleton. With just a few words, he seized the initiative. His eloquence is something even I find hard to match," the eldest elder replied solemnly.
"Hmph, what good is scheming without power? In the end, all his tricks are futile. He's only setting himself up to be a pawn. I fear he'll be tossed off the stage within a few moves, and then our patriarch's face will be tarnished," the third elder sneered, his expression dripping with disdain.
At that, all three of them turned their gaze toward Wei Tianyang.
Yet, they found the patriarch sitting in his seat, his expression calm and untroubled, with no hint of concern on his face.
The three elders exchanged a glance, confused by his composure.
They had heard the rumors that Wei Yi was now able to cultivate, but even if that were true, he had only recently begun his training, with no family support. At best, he might have reached the level of a martial artist. He could hardly compare to Wei Wu and the others, who had received the family's full backing.
This was their thinking, and it was also the reasoning of Wei Wu and the others.
They had no intention of teaming up against Wei Yi—not out of hesitation, but because they simply didn't think it was necessary.
"Wei Yuan, you can handle this on your own. We'll stand by and support you," Wei Hong said, his eyes fixed on Wei Yuan.
"Exactly. We don't need to outnumber him. Let's see if Wei Yi can withstand you alone," Wei Wu added, glancing at Wei Yi.
Wei Yuan gave them a cold, dismissive look and nodded.
"You don't need to intervene. I'll finish him off in just a couple of moves."
"The position of young master is mine, and no one can take it from me."
At these words, both Wei Wu and Wei Hong couldn't help but frown slightly.
But Wei Yuan paid them no mind. He strode toward Wei Yi, his aura brimming with energy.
As a tenth-tier martial artist, his internal force surged with power. His natural talent was impressive, and under the Wei family's intense training, he was just one step away from reaching the grandmaster level.
"Give up now, or don't say I didn't warn you," Wei Yuan coldly threatened.
"This is your last chance."
Wei Yi responded with a casual smile, his intent clear without a word.
Wei Yuan's face darkened. How audacious!
Without further words, he lunged forward, his figure a blur as he swiftly reached Wei Yi. With a flick of his hand, a series of phantom palm strikes materialized, their unpredictable motions encircling Wei Yi from all sides. It was clear he wasn't using an ordinary martial technique.
"Wei Yuan's Phantom Palm has reached the minor mastery stage, and with his tenth-tier cultivation, Wei Yi will likely be defeated in a single round," the third elder remarked, full of confidence.
But the next moment, his eyes widened in disbelief.
All of Wei Yuan's seemingly perfect attacks missed entirely.
Wei Yi was no longer standing in his original spot but had appeared behind Wei Yuan, grabbing him effortlessly.
With a single motion, he tossed Wei Yuan off the stage, leaving the latter staring in shock and disbelief.
"..."
The crowd stared in astonishment.
This outcome was completely unexpected.
Wei Yuan had lost...
And worse still, he had been unceremoniously thrown from the arena, not only losing, but losing with such utter decisiveness that he didn't even have a chance to retaliate.
It was clear that Wei Yuan's arrogance and overconfidence had led to his downfall.
"Your turn," Wei Yi said with a grin.
"Let's see if you are as useless as he was. If so, this will be no fun at all."
Wei Yi smiled, his words cutting into Wei Wu and Wei Hong.
"Don't get too cocky, Wei Yi."
"Let's go, together!" Wei Wu and Wei Hong, no longer underestimating Wei Yi, finally decided to act.
They realized, with this display, that Wei Yi was no mere weakling. In fact, he had been pretending all along, hiding his terrifying strength.
His speed and power far outstripped Wei Yuan's. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to effortlessly toss Wei Yuan off the stage.
With a roar, Wei Wu and Wei Hong charged forward.
Indeed, the two were formidable talents, nurtured by the Wei family. Their combat prowess was undeniable, and at the martial artist level, they could be considered elite.
But...
Such elites had been easily dealt with by Wei Yi, who had already dispatched more than twenty similar opponents.
Thus, Wei Wu and Wei Hong posed no real threat to him.
Using his perfected Blackwater Movement Technique, Wei Yi danced around the arena, his speed leaving Wei Wu and Wei Hong scrambling to keep up. They were helpless to catch him, only growing more frustrated as they were toyed with.
"Wei Yi, why don't you face us head-on?" Wei Wu barked in humiliation.
"Heh, very well, I'll oblige," Wei Yi responded with a light chuckle, tightening his fist.
Though the Cang Yuan Fist was a simple technique, when empowered by the potent internal force of his Zixia Gong, it became immensely powerful.
Wei Wu hurriedly tried to defend, but with a single strike, Wei Yi sent him staggering backward, his advanced technique no match for Wei Yi's deadly precision.
After dispatching Wei Wu, Wei Yi turned his attention to Wei Hong.
In an instant, he evaded Wei Hong's sneak attack and struck with the Crushing Palm, appearing behind Wei Hong like a ghost. With a swift blow to his back, Wei Yi sent him tumbling off the stage.
Though Wei Yi had held back somewhat, the crushing force of the palm left Wei Hong's chest aching, and he was filled with dread, knowing that had Wei Yi wanted, he could have dealt a much harsher blow.
The arena now stood empty except for Wei Wu, who was stumbling to his feet.
Wei Yi walked toward him, every step measured.
Wei Wu, battered and disoriented, staggered backward in defeat.
"Admit defeat," Wei Yi ordered calmly.
"I..." Wei Wu's eyes burned with unwillingness, but as he felt Wei Yi's growing presence, a terrifying force brewing behind it, he hesitated, fear creeping into his heart. In the end, he lowered his head, "I surrender."
At this, the entire arena fell into an eerie silence.
No one spoke; no one moved. They simply stared at the young figure standing on the stage.
The former waste, the object of scorn, had now become a genius powerhouse beyond their reach.
Truthfully, most of the onlookers struggled to accept the change.
The contrast was simply too stark.
Especially Wei Qing, who had been slapped by Wei Yi earlier and had been planning revenge, was now pale with fear, his eyes wide with terror.
"Hahaha..."
Suddenly, loud laughter rang out, and everyone turned to see Wei Tianyang, the patriarch, laughing heartily.
In an instant, he appeared at the arena, his demeanor no longer the calm, worried figure it had once been. Instead, he exuded an air of unrestrained joy, clapping Wei Yi on the shoulder.
"Well done! You didn't disgrace me," he said, his voice filled with pride.
"Of course," Wei Yi responded, a smile breaking across his face.
Father and son exchanged a look and laughed together.
"Elder, do you have any objections to Wei Yi succeeding as the Wei family's young master?" Wei Tianyang turned to the eldest elder and asked bluntly.
The three elders exchanged glances, then looked at the disheartened Wei Wu and his companions, finally bowing their heads in resignation.
"We have no objections. We defer to the patriarch's will," they replied.