The cold morning air felt dense, filled with the anticipation of combat. Shiv (Yang Kai), now fully accepting his role as an heir to the Yang Family, stood poised to prove his strength in the Inheritance War. He had already embraced his position in this world, though he still carried the weight of his past life, unsure of how much of the original Yang Kai's fate would bind him.
In the wilderness, the first trial was underway, a test of both strength and cunning. The goal was simple: secure one of the Heavenly Artifacts hidden deep within the forest. Only five artifacts existed, and there were more than ten heirs competing. Each heir who failed to retrieve one would be eliminated.
Shiv was already aware of the dangerous competition ahead of him. His brothers, Yang Wei and Yang Kang, had always been formidable opponents, each with their own strategies. Yang Wei, the eldest, was a calm and composed warrior, while Yang Kang was cunning and ruthless, using manipulation to outwit his rivals. Yang Zhao, the second eldest, relied on alliances and political maneuvering. Shiv would have to tread carefully.
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Encounter with Yang Wei: True Element Boundary, Ninth Stage
As Shiv pressed forward through the dense trees, he sensed a powerful aura up ahead. His instincts were immediately on high alert. Relying on the Golden Skeleton's subtle enhancements, his reflexes and awareness sharpened, allowing him to pinpoint the source of the energy.
Emerging from the underbrush, Yang Wei stood tall in a small clearing, his expression calm yet resolute. His cultivation had reached the Ninth Stage of the True Element Boundary, one of the highest among the competitors. Yang Wei was known for his raw strength and relentless combat style, favoring direct confrontations over schemes.
"I knew it would be you," Yang Wei said evenly, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the glowing light of the Heavenly Artifact between them. His posture remained relaxed, but the tension in the air was undeniable. "I've been waiting."
Shiv's hand rested on the hilt of his weapon as he stepped forward. He wasn't intimidated by Yang Wei's strength, but he understood that this fight would be a serious test. The artifact lay only a few meters away, yet reaching it would mean passing through Yang Wei.
"I didn't expect anything less," Shiv replied, his voice calm but filled with determination. "But don't assume I'll make it easy for you."
Yang Wei smirked, but there was no malice in it. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
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A Clash of Strength and Wits
In the original timeline, Yang Wei was a straightforward fighter, relying on his superior strength to overpower his opponents. However, in this version, a subtle difference emerges. Yang Wei, having observed his brothers for years, has begun developing strategic finesse, adding complexity to his combat.
Shiv could feel it. This would not be a simple brawl—it would be a battle of wits as well as strength.
Without warning, Yang Wei lunged forward, the air around him rippling with energy as he unleashed a powerful strike. His movement was swift, precise, and filled with the confidence of someone who had been undefeated in direct combat. The sheer force of his attack cracked the earth beneath his feet.
But Shiv was ready. His own cultivation—now at the Sixth Stage of the True Element Boundary—was formidable, but he knew he couldn't rely on strength alone. Drawing on the Soul Warming Lotus, his body moved fluidly, sidestepping Yang Wei's attack with a grace that surprised even his opponent.
Yang Wei's eyes widened slightly as his blow missed its mark. Shiv's movements were different from before—there was something refined, something sharper about him now.
"You've improved," Yang Wei acknowledged, though his voice remained steady. "But you'll need more than agility to beat me."
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A Battle of Two Paths
The two brothers clashed, their strikes creating shockwaves that echoed through the forest. Yang Wei relied on overwhelming force, each of his attacks carrying the weight of his formidable cultivation level. But Shiv was not fighting the same way he had in the past. His knowledge from both lifetimes—his strategic mind, honed by countless experiences—was his true weapon.
While Yang Wei unleashed powerful, direct attacks, Shiv weaved in and out of range, waiting for the right moment to strike. He had learned patience in his past life, and in this trial, that patience would be his greatest ally.
However, something deeper pulled at Shiv during the fight. A faint echo of his earlier dream—vague, disorienting—flashed through his mind. "You are bound by fate… but you will break it…" The words haunted him, lingering at the edges of his consciousness.
But now was not the time to dwell on it.
Yang Wei shifted tactics, realizing that brute force alone would not work. He began to slow his attacks, watching Shiv's movements more carefully. "You fight differently now," Yang Wei noted, his eyes narrowing. "It's almost as if you're not the same brother I knew."
For a moment, Shiv froze. The words struck closer to the truth than Yang Wei could have known. But he quickly recovered, masking his brief hesitation with a confident smirk.
"We all change," Shiv replied smoothly. "This is the path I've chosen."
Securing the Artifact
The battle continued, but Shiv knew that time was running short. His goal wasn't to defeat Yang Wei outright—it was to secure the Heavenly Artifact. Drawing on his strategic instincts, he waited for Yang Wei to unleash another heavy strike, then swiftly countered with a feint that forced his brother off balance.
In that moment, Shiv dashed toward the artifact, using his agility and the enhanced awareness granted by the Golden Skeleton to snatch it from its hiding place. The artifact pulsed with energy in his hand, its power unmistakable.
Yang Wei, realizing what had happened, gritted his teeth but made no further move to attack. Instead, he nodded in acknowledgment.
"You've won this round," Yang Wei said, his tone neutral but respectful. "But the war isn't over."
Shiv exhaled, still holding the artifact firmly in his hand. He had passed the first trial, but Yang Wei's words echoed in his mind. This was only the beginning.
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What Changed from the Original?
In the original timeline of Martial Peak, Yang Wei was a direct and powerful fighter, relying solely on brute strength. In this twist, Yang Wei shows more strategic depth, making the battle not just about raw power, but about wits as well. Additionally, Shiv's internal struggle is more pronounced, as he grapples with his dual identity as both Yang Kai and the man he used to be.