Night descended, and the flickering candlelight in Yun Hengqiu's residence cast shifting shadows on two figures.
"You were too impulsive today. Haven't I warned you not to let your killing intent take over unless necessary?" Yun Hengqiu's face was stern, his tone carrying disapproval as he glared at Yun Xiao. His commanding presence was undeniable.
In the Lingfu Sect, Yun Hengqiu's authority was unmatched. Normally, such admonishment would leave others trembling, but Yun Xiao remained utterly unbothered.
"Grandfather, there's no need for anger. What I did today was simply a warning to those who overestimate themselves—not to dream of stepping over me. Doesn't this approach equally demonstrate my strength?"
Despite Yun Hengqiu's reprimand, Yun Xiao's expression remained calm and unshaken, as if his actions were beyond reproach.
Seeing his grandson's composure, Yun Hengqiu sighed deeply, softening his tone as he began to reason, "Xiao'er, remember, this competition is secondary. The true goal is to leave a favorable impression on the Sect Master. Only then can you rise above the others."
His gaze drifted unconsciously toward the window as if peering into the distant cave where the Sect Master resided in seclusion.
"The Sect Master is in his prime, yet has no personal disciples. If you can stand out in this competition and earn his favor, he might accept you as his disciple. One day, the Lingfu Sect itself may be within your grasp."
Yun Hengqiu finally voiced his deepest ambitions. Everything he had done for Yun Xiao was to pave the way for his grandson to seize the sect's leadership.
Yun Xiao, with his exceptional talent and potential, could have entered the sect much earlier, but Yun Hengqiu deliberately delayed his entry until he was sixteen.
Before this, Yun Xiao had been trained within the Yun family, benefiting from the family's concentrated resources. Even Yun Hengqiu occasionally returned to oversee his training personally.
The sole purpose of this meticulous preparation was for Yun Xiao to make a stunning debut upon entering the sect, drawing the Sect Master's attention. Yun Hengqiu would then maneuver behind the scenes to secure Yun Xiao's position as the Sect Master's disciple.
This grand plan, spanning decades, was not without sacrifices. Yun Hengqiu had even cold-heartedly ended the lives of unborn children deemed lacking in spiritual aptitude, all to await Yun Xiao's birth.
In Yun Hengqiu's eyes, Yun Xiao was the chosen one, the future of the Yun family. This competition was the perfect stage for his rise.
---
As their conversation shifted, Yun Hengqiu suddenly recalled Chen An and turned to Yun Xiao.
"Did you notice the outer disciple in today's matches?"
"An outer disciple?" Yun Xiao frowned slightly, pondering for a moment but unable to recall anyone notable.
Chen An's performance against Wu Zhanheng had indeed been remarkable—not in terms of raw strength but of his cunning strategies. However, someone as proud as Yun Xiao wouldn't spare a second thought for such individuals.
"A mere outer disciple? Grandfather, aren't you overthinking this? What could make him worthy of your attention?" Yun Xiao's tone carried a hint of derision, his disdain for Chen An apparent.
But Yun Hengqiu, with his years of worldly experience, sensed something unusual about Chen An. "I've investigated this disciple. His spiritual root is of inferior quality, yet he managed to step onto the path of cultivation and shows an extraordinary talent for crafting talismans. This is no ordinary individual. Should you face him, give it your all and leave him no chance to retaliate."
"Grandfather, aren't you exaggerating? How could an outer disciple amount to anything significant?"
"Silence!"
Yun Hengqiu's sudden outburst startled Yun Xiao. It was rare for his grandfather to lose his temper, even when Yun Xiao had killed a peer in the ring earlier that day. The mention of Chen An, however, had sparked a furious reaction.
"Xiao'er, remember this: in the world of cultivators, as long as your strength is sufficient, you may offend anyone you wish—but never those who persevere through insurmountable odds or remain calm and calculating in the face of danger."
"You mean... someone like that outer disciple?" Yun Xiao asked in disbelief.
"I mean those who persist on a path others deem impossible and those who, despite appearing cunning or cowardly, grow calmer the greater the peril."
Yun Xiao struggled to grasp the depth of Yun Hengqiu's words. But even in his confusion, he etched a name into his memory: Chen An.
Although he couldn't understand why his grandfather held Chen An in such regard, Yun Xiao resolved that defeating him cleanly would serve as yet another testament to his superiority.
---
The next day, the competition resumed.
Both Chen An and Yun Xiao faced new opponents, each emerging victorious to advance to the next round.
However, their methods couldn't have been more different.
After witnessing Bai Yu's fate, no one dared challenge Yun Xiao again. Opponents conceded without hesitation, knowing that a fight against him could lead to death.
Meanwhile, Chen An continued his unorthodox strategy. Using the same water prison talisman that had secured his victory against Wu Zhanheng, he trapped himself and exhausted his opponent's spiritual energy before claiming an easy win.
His crafty methods left many grinding their teeth in frustration, but they could do little about it. As a talisman cultivator, Chen An's reliance on his techniques was entirely legitimate. Moreover, few could break through his water prison talisman.
Thus, a once-overlooked outer disciple quietly made a name for himself, securing a place among the sect's rising stars.
By this point, people began to compare Chen An and Yun Xiao.
One relied on overwhelming strength to crush opponents; the other used wit to outmaneuver them.
The anticipation for their inevitable clash grew. Who would emerge victorious: Yun Xiao, the embodiment of raw power, or Chen An, the master of strategy?
The answer wouldn't take long. Within a few days, both had defeated all their opponents, progressing smoothly to the final battle. Fate, it seemed, had set the stage for their showdown.