The murmurs of the crowd had just begun to settle after Liu Xin's astonishing test at age 16, Early Foundation Establishment Realm, a level that shattered every expectation. But before the elders could even regain their composure, another burst of noise exploded from the onlookers.
"Another genius has appeared!"
"Age 15, at the 8th Qi Refinement Realm, another genius!"
"Wait… isn't that Liu Hao? The younger brother of Liu Xin?"
"Hmph. His eldest brother, the Liu Family missing trash!"
"I bet his brother ran away out of shame."
Whispers rippled through the plaza like wildfire. Dozens of eyes shifted to the young man stepping forward.
Liu Hao's appearance was painfully average. Plain brown hair, simple robes, and no aura that stood out. Yet his cultivation level spoke louder than any ornament.
Liu Xin, who had already stepped off the testing platform, paused mid-step.
He turned.
Across the distance, his gaze met Liu Hao's.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to quiet. The cold wind brushed past the arena, carrying the hushed voices of gossipers and skeptics.
Liu Xin's expression didn't show shock.
Instead.
A small, calm smile appeared on his lips.
Not mocking.
Not jealous.
Not surprised.
Just… accepting.
As if he had always expected his little brother to rise.
Without a word, Liu Xin turned away and walked off toward the deeper parts of the plaza, his cloak swaying behind him.
Liu Hao watched silently, confusion flickering in his eyes. Not knowing that the brother he thought dead. The brother he thought had been kidnapped
Was standing right in front of him.
A sudden commotion near the center of the plaza immediately drew everyone's attention. Elder Zhen eyes widened, his usually composed expression replaced by sheer shock.
At the center of the disturbance stood Han Yuwei, merely eighteen, yet radiating the overwhelming aura of an Early Stage Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. The gathered onlookers gasped in unison, their faces mirroring disbelief.
"This… this is the most extraordinary genius I have ever witnessed," Elder Zhen whispered, his voice trembling slightly.
Han Yuwei's expression was arrogantly serene, as if the entire world belonged to him. Beside him, Yi Min clung possessively, her voice soft yet dripping with sweet attachment.
"I'm so glad I followed you… leaving that trash behind was the right choice," her tone both delicate and possessive.
Han Yuwei's laughter rang out, cold and disdainful. "That worthless Liu Xin… he's probably long dead by now, at the hands of that senior who kidnapped him," he sneered, his words sharp enough to cut through the air like a blade.
Among the crowd, Liu Hao eyes blazed with fury. He tried to step forward, to confront Han Yuwei about his brother disappearance, but a firm hand from his elder held him back.
Meanwhile, hidden beneath his hood, Liu Xin eyes burned with restrained hatred, every fiber of his being recoiling at the sight of Han Yuwei's arrogance.
Elder Zhen cleared his throat, commanding attention once more. "The next stage of the Recruitment Trial will be one-on-one combat. This will determine who among you are worthy disciples."
As for you, what is your name?" Elder Zhen asked.
"Han Yuwei," he replied in an arrogant tone.
"You are exempted from this test, Han Yuwei," Elder Zhen declared.
All the other participants' expressions shifted some with admiration, others with resentment at his arrogance.
A murmur spread across the plaza. Only fifty participants had entered the trial, yet by the end, likely only ten would be deemed worthy to become disciples. The tension in the air was palpable, every heart beating with anticipation and fear.
...
In the boundless expanse of the Void, Lin Xuan and Yue hovered silently in the Sky, their forms mere shadows against the swirling mists of energy. The Void itself seemed to pulse with anticipation, as though aware of the events unfolding below.
Lin Xuan's eyes glimmered with an almost childlike excitement, drawn to the enigma that was Liu Xin.
Every subtle movement, every hidden spark of power emanating from him stirred something deep within the master, a thrill he rarely allowed himself to feel.
But then his gaze fell upon Han Yuwei, and a shadow of irritation crossed Lin Xuan's face.
The young man's arrogant posture, coupled with the confident gleam in his eyes and the aura of overwhelming cultivation, grated against the master's patience.
"This Han Yuwei… such a third-rate villain," he muttered under his breath, his voice sharp enough to slice through the ambient energy of the Void.
Yue's eyes flickered with curiosity, the corners of her lips tugging upward. "Master… are you happy and angry at the same time?"
Lin Xuan's lips curved into a faint, almost predatory smile, his gaze never leaving Han Yuwei.
"Yes," he said quietly, yet every word carried weight, like a storm barely contained. "I'm waiting for this fool to activate the technique I bestowed him."
Yue's brow arched, her voice laced with intrigue. "What technique did you give him, Master?"
A dark, sinister smile spread across Lin Xuan's face, the shadows of the Void seeming to twist with it. "A sacrificial technique," he whispered, the words cold yet charged with a dreadful promise.
Then.
"Oh… the one-on-one trial is starting." Lin Xuan murmured, his gaze sharpening like a blade, fixed not only on the match below but on Yue beside him. The Void around them pulsed with anticipation, the energy of the arena seeping into their senses.
Liu Xin's streak of victories had been flawless five consecutive wins, each fight demonstrating not just skill, but cunning.
Even his younger brother, Liu Hao had proven himself, his determination clear in every strike. Yet Lin Xuan attention snapped to the next duel. Liu Hao versus Han Yuwei.
Though Han Yuwei had been exempted due to his overwhelming cultivation, a flash of irritation crossed his eyes. Liu Hao words had struck a nerve "Are you scared? Is that why you won't accept my challenge?"
A slow, cold smile curled on Han Yuwei's lips. "How dare someone so much weaker question me?" The arrogance in his heart flared, and with a dismissive tilt of his head, he accepted the challenge not because he needed to, but because his pride demanded it.
The Elder raised a hand, his expression calm yet commanding. With a faint motion, Han Yuwei cultivation was sealed, forcibly matching Liu Hao.
The crowd gasped at the sudden equalization, the tension in the air thickening as the two geniuses prepared to clash.
"I will avenge my brother, you bastard!" Liu Hao shouted, his aura flaring violently.
Han Yuwei's lips curled in amusement. "Avenge…?" he said lightly, his laugh cutting like a knife. "Your brother? He's probably dead."
The Referee raised his hand, signaling the start. In the blink of an eye, Liu Hao vanished and reappeared behind Han Yuwei, ready to strike. But before he could land a blow, Han Yuwei hand shot out, grabbing him by the neck.
"You're so slow… pathetic," Han Yuwei sneered, his voice cold and merciless. "A pair of weak brothers."
Blow after blow descended upon Liu Hao, his body battered, yet he refused to falter. Even as the Referee shouted to halt the match, Han Yuwei pressed on, relentless.
It wasn't until the Elder of the Liu Family intervened, knocking Han Yuwei back, and the Han Family Elder joined to intervene too, that the battle finally ceased. The arena was thick with tension, the air almost suffocating from the clash of power and fury.
From above, Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed, his mind calculating every detail. So he relies on raw strength and arrogance… predictable, he thought. A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips. But let him underestimate them. That arrogance will be his downfall.
Yue tilted her head, sensing the storm brewing within her master. "Master… you're smiling even at this?"
Lin Xuan gaze never left Han Yuwei. "Yes," he murmured, his voice calm yet charged. "The true test isn't in strength it's in how they handle fear, desperation, and sacrifice. I'm watching every move. Soon, the outcome will reveal more than power, it will reveal their hearts."
On the sideline, Liu Xin clenched his fists, his teeth grinding, his eyes burning with hatred. Every strike that had landed on his brother echoed in his mind, fueling a storm of vengeance he could barely contain.
The arena fell into a tense silence, the echoes of Liu Hao near-defeat still lingering.
Liu Xin fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles whitened. His voice rang out, sharp and commanding, cutting through the charged atmosphere.
"Han Yuwei! Challenge me!"
Han Yuwei's confident smirk faltered slightly as he turned his gaze toward the new challenger. "Who… are you?" he asked, curiosity mixed with irritation.
Without a word, Liu Xin stepped onto the platform. His eyes swept over his battered younger brother, then rested on the Elder of the Liu Family. "Don't worry, young brother… Elder. I will handle this," he said firmly, his voice carrying an unshakable calm. The Elder of the Liu Family furrowed his brows, a puzzled expression crossing his face.
Then, with a deliberate movement, Liu Xin faced Han Yuwei. His gaze was icy, filled with resolve. "Who am I?" he asked, his tone both mocking and resolute.
Han Yuwei laughter was tense, almost forced. "Yeah… who are you?"
Liu Xin eyes burned with intensity. A faint smirk touched his lips. "Your enemy."
With that, he threw back his cloak, revealing a visage that stole the breath from everyone present. His hair was a rich chestnut brown, falling in waves that framed a face both sharp and refined. High cheekbones, piercing eyes that shimmered with intelligence and ferocity, and a jawline that carried authority. His aura radiated dominance, charm, and a quiet, lethal power.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to pause. Han Yuwei staggered back, disbelief etched across his face. "Who… are you?!" he stammered.
Liu Xin voice rose, cold and unwavering, filled with the weight of his identity. "I am Liu Xin, Young Master of the Liu Family!"
Gasps erupted from the crowd. Spectators, members of the Liu Family, and even the Han Family froze, their eyes wide with shock. The difference was undeniable this was not the same Liu Xin they had known before. More commanding, more poised, more handsome than anyone could have imagined.
Even Yi Min, who stood nearby and whom she betrayed, couldn't hide her astonishment. Her eyes lingered on him, captivated by his newfound presence and undeniable charm.
In the sky, hidden within the void, Lin Xuan and Yue watched the scene unfold.
Lin Xuan expression softened into one of quiet pride, a small smile tugging at his lips. Excitement flickered in his eyes as joy broke across his features. "So, my protagonist has made his appearance," he murmured, his gaze fixed firmly on Liu Xin below.
Beside him, Yue eyes sparkled with fierce anticipation. She clenched her fists, a bright, determined smile on her face. "Come on, Liu Xin! Show him what you're made of!" she cheered, her voice echoing faintly in the void.
Her heart burned with frustration at Han Yuwei, that arrogant fool who had tormented so many. "He won't get away with this. Not today. Liu Xin… make him regret ever crossing you," she says out of frustration, her entire being surging with sincere support for him.
Even from this distance, the tension and fury between Liu Xin and Han Yuwei sent shivers through her.
This was the moment she had been waiting for to teach this Han Yuwei.