"The Mu Clan's Grand Competition begins now!"
Soon, the elders officially announced the commencement of the event. Every young cultivator of the Mu Clan straightened their posture, brimming with vigor, eager to showcase their strength.
High atop the platform, the clan's senior members watched with keen interest, offering spirited commentary on the participants.
"Tingting is impressive—one move to defeat her opponent, and she still had energy to spare. Clearly, she hasn't reached her limit."
"And that boy Mu Kun is just as capable. He took down a fourth-level Foundation Establishment opponent in a single blow—effortlessly!"
"With talents like these, the Mu Clan's future shines brightly!"
Laughter and praise echoed among several elders, yet one man remained silent—Mu Lei, whose expression was dark and brooding. He was none other than Mu Yan's father.
The clan's Grand Elder spoke up just then. "We must invest more resources into nurturing such talents."
"A shame," he added with a pointed tone, "that so many resources were squandered on a useless waste. Had they been allocated to Mu Kun and Tingting, their progress might've been even greater."
There was no need to guess—he was speaking of Mu Yan.
Indeed, the clan had once channeled significant resources into Mu Yan's cultivation.
At those words, many elders nodded in agreement, willfully ignoring the thundercloud brewing on Mu Lei's face.
The Second Elder scoffed coldly. "That boy Mu Yan wasted far too much of our resources. If we'd known, we'd never have placed our hopes in him."
"Indeed," another elder chimed in. "We thought he would lead the Mu Clan to glory, but he turned out to be utterly useless."
The ridicule was relentless. Back in the day, Mu Yan had shone too brightly—casting shadows over others. It was no secret that many within the clan harbored resentment.
"Good thing he's gone. Otherwise, he'd still be leeching off the clan—what a waste."
"Hah! The brat made a show of leaving to 'temper himself and reclaim his strength.' I doubt he's even alive anymore."
Their snide laughter echoed in unison. Mu Lei's fury reached its limit—his chest heaving, hands trembling with suppressed rage.
"Enough! All of you, shut your damn mouths!"
His Core Formation stage aura erupted, silencing the hall.
His bloodshot eyes glared furiously at the assembly. "My son may have faltered, but he contributed much to the clan during his prime. He earned every resource given to him!"
"And now you spout these venomous words? My son will return—and when he does, he'll shine brighter than ever before!"
Mu Lei had never once lost faith in Mu Yan.
He believed, with unwavering certainty, that the day his son returned, the entire Mu Clan would once again look up to him.
Watching Mu Lei's trembling body and fiery gaze, the Grand Elder barked in displeasure, "Mu Lei, today is the Grand Competition. Do you intend to make a spectacle of yourself?"
His tone turned icy. "So what if he was a genius? He's a cripple now. To the clan, he's nothing but dead weight. We do not provide for the idle!"
The Second Elder was equally merciless. "Then let's wait until the day your son returns—if he returns. Perhaps then we'll reconsider."
But none of them truly believed Mu Yan would ever come back.
A cripple who couldn't cultivate, wandering the world alone—what fate could await him but death?
Other elders stepped in to urge Mu Lei to calm down.
With no other choice, he issued a grim warning: if they continued to slander his son, he would not hesitate to sever all ties.
While tempers flared atop the platform, the competition below reached its peak.
As expected, the final contenders were Mu Tingting and Mu Kun. They stood facing one another in the arena, drawing all eyes.
"Ting'er, I won't go easy on you," Mu Kun said with a confident smile adorning his handsome face.
Mu Tingting puffed out her chest, her youthful features tinged with pride. "Brother Kun, I won't hold back either! Take this!"
With that, the two launched into battle, their moves swift and powerful, their auras so fierce that even the space above the arena seemed to ripple.
The clan elders watched with great satisfaction.
Dozens of exchanges later, Mu Tingting began to falter. In the end, Mu Kun sent her flying from the stage with a decisive palm strike.
The Mu Clan's Grand Competition concluded in spectacular fashion.
"Brother Kun is invincible!"
"I knew it! He's the Mu Clan's number one genius—who could possibly challenge him?"
"Tingting did well too—second place is no small feat!"
Cheers erupted across the courtyard.
Beaming with pride, the Grand Elder appeared beside Mu Kun in a flash and proclaimed loudly, "This year's Grand Competition champion is—Mu Kun!"
The cheers grew deafening.
Mu Kun lifted his chin proudly, basking in the glory and admiration. So this was what it felt like to stand at the top.
"I wonder what Mu Yan would think, seeing the little brother he once overshadowed become the clan's top genius?"
A wicked glint flashed in his eyes.
With his current power, he could utterly crush Mu Yan. Their statuses and strength had completely reversed.
He actually hoped Mu Yan would return—so he could trample the former prodigy beneath his feet and revel in the satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Mu Lei gazed at the jubilant scene from afar, heart clenched with regret.
"If only… if only Yan'er hadn't encountered misfortune, it would be him standing there now."
At that very moment, a familiar voice rang out from the skies.
"So, everyone's here? Seems I'm not too late after all."
The voice resounded across the crowd, prompting heads to turn in every direction.
Was that… Mu Yan?
"Mu Yan?!"
Mu Kun's expression shifted in shock as he scanned the surroundings.
"He really came back?"
Even Mu Tingting looked stunned, her delicate face betraying disbelief.
Mu Lei stood frozen, then his eyes widened in joyous realization—he wasn't hallucinating. He had truly heard his son's voice!
In the blink of an eye, two figures descended from the heavens.
Just as they neared the ground, they slowed, landing softly like drifting leaves.
At the forefront stood a young man—handsome and composed. Who else could it be but Mu Yan?
The crowd stared in astonishment. It was him—truly him—Mu Yan had returned!
Gazing at the familiar grounds of his clan, Mu Yan felt a wave of emotion surge within him.
He was finally back—and this time, he would wash away every sneer and stain of disgrace.
"Grand Elder, why the wide eyes? Don't recognize me anymore?"
Mu Yan's voice carried a chill as he spoke, laced with mocking amusement.
The Grand Elder narrowed his eyes, a gleam of malice flickering. "Why have you returned, boy? The Grand Competition isn't something you're qualified to attend. Besides, it's already over. No need to embarrass yourself further."