In the grand main hall of the Yan Clan, the atmosphere was one of pride and ambition. The clan leader, Yan Shengtian, sat at the head of the table, surrounded by the four esteemed elders. The room, with its ornate wooden pillars and elegant tapestries depicting the clan's history, echoed with the faint sound of murmurs as the elders discussed the clan's future.
Elder Huang, a tall man with a wide grin and a booming voice, broke the silence with a hearty laugh. His laughter was full of confidence, almost too much so, as if he could already see the future in his mind.
Elder Huang: "Ha! The geniuses of our clan will bring fame and fortune! I have no doubt about it. Our disciples will shine in the Sky Clear Sect competition. We will stand at the top, not only in our region but in the entire Ethereal Sky City!"
The other elders nodded in agreement, their faces reflecting pride and anticipation. Yan Shengtian leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with arrogant satisfaction. The thought of his clan dominating the competition filled him with pride and a touch of superiority.
Yan Shengtian: "Indeed, Elder Huang. It's clear that our clan's talents will outshine all others. The Sky Clear Sect will have no choice but to acknowledge our strength. It's only a matter of time before we are at the top of the food chain."
His voice was dripping with arrogance, as if he could already envision his name etched into the annals of history. The elders exchanged knowing glances, their faces betraying their shared excitement for the future.
Elder Yan Gong, the third elder, who was older and had a more reserved presence, spoke next. His voice was calm but carried a sense of pride and authority.
Elder Yan Gong: "You are correct, Clan Leader. Our top disciples, Yan Ling and Yan Xingtian, have already entered the Secret Grounds. At the tender ages of 17 and 18, both of them are in the Core Formation Realm, 1st Star. With the resources they have access to, I have no doubt they will grow exponentially."
The room quieted as Elder Yan Gong's words hung in the air. The clan's future seemed locked in place—Yan Ling and Yan Xingtian were the prodigies destined to lead their people into a new era of power.
Yan Shengtian's lips curled into a smug smile, and his chest puffed out as he basked in the praise. The pride of a father and clan leader blended seamlessly in his expression.
Yan Shengtian: "They are the best our clan has ever seen. As their father, I am filled with pride. I have no doubts that they will emerge victorious in the competition. They will make us all proud, and our clan will be the envy of every other sect and family." His tone was filled with an almost haughty certainty, his arrogance radiating through every word.
The other elders exchanged nods of approval. Yan Xingtian and Yan Ling had always been seen as the crown jewels of the clan, and now they were on the brink of proving their worth.
The room was alive with excitement as the conversation turned toward the upcoming competition, but in the heart of the clan leader and his elders, there was only one clear vision: their supremacy.
The competition at Sky Clear Sect was just the beginning. The future of the Yan Clan was brighter than ever, and no one could stand in their way.
The air in the grand hall grew thick with tension as the conversation continued. The elders had just finished discussing the pride they held for Yan Ling and Yan Xingtian when the third elder, Elder Yan Gong, spoke up once again. His voice, calm but with a hint of curiosity, broke through the air, shifting the topic toward another subject of interest.
Elder Yan Gong: "Ah, yes. Among our prodigious talents, we cannot forget about Yan Ru. My daughter has made great strides, already reaching the 7th Star of the Elementary Realm at just 16. She truly is a genius."
Elder Yan Gong's words caused a brief silence in the room, followed by the hearty chuckle of Elder Huang, his chest puffed with pride.
Elder Huang: "Haha! She is my only daughter, and she is certainly one to be proud of. I am glad to see her hardworking nature paying off. Her dedication is unmatched, and I have no doubt she will rise to even greater heights." His tone was filled with both pride and satisfaction, his eyes glinting as he spoke of his daughter's success.
The mention of Yan Ru brought a spark of joy into the room, with each elder nodding in agreement. It was clear that the clan had high hopes for her future. However, the mood shifted suddenly when Elder Yan Gong turned his gaze toward the second elder, Elder Yan Hong, who had been quietly listening.
Elder Yan Gong: "Speaking of talented disciples, what about your son, Elder Yan Hong? Yan Zi, wasn't it? I heard he has no cultivation ability at all, not even a trace of it. His birth was marked by such disappointment. What do you plan to do with him now? Perhaps he should work under another disciple or serve the clan in some other capacity. There is no use in someone who cannot cultivate."
The words struck like a hammer, and the room became suddenly tense. There was a clear undertone in Elder Yan Gong's words, a quiet disdain that made it apparent that he considered Yan Zi a burden. His gaze was sharp, almost expectant, as if waiting for a response, while the rest of the elders listened with bated breath.
Elder Yan Hong's expression darkened immediately. His brow furrowed, and his lips tightened into a thin line. The once calm and collected second elder could feel his blood begin to boil at the suggestion. His voice, which was typically low and composed, now crackled with barely contained fury.
Elder Yan Hong: "What are you implying, Elder Yan Gong? Yan Zi is still a part of this clan. He is my son, and just because he cannot cultivate does not mean he should be cast aside like some useless thing!" His voice, usually so steady, now carried an edge. His words were firm, but his hands clenched into fists at his sides, his anger simmering just below the surface.
The other elders fell silent at the tension between the two men. Even Elder Huang, who had been so proud of his daughter just moments before, watched the scene unfold with a mix of discomfort and curiosity. Elder Yan Hong's face reddened, his fury barely contained as he continued to speak, his words cutting through the heavy silence.
Elder Yan Hong: "Yan Zi may not have the ability to cultivate like the others, but he is my son, and he deserves respect. Just because his path is different doesn't mean he should be discarded. The clan should support him, not abandon him!"
The room seemed to grow even quieter, and for a moment, it felt as though a storm was brewing within the walls of the hall. Elder Yan Gong's sharp eyes flicked momentarily toward Yan Hong before his expression turned cold, though the faintest trace of a smirk appeared at the corners of his mouth. He was unmoved, his thoughts clearly unfazed by Yan Hong's outburst.
Elder Yan Gong: "I simply suggested an option. If he cannot cultivate, it is only logical that he serve the clan in another capacity. We cannot wait for someone who cannot contribute."
The words were like daggers, and the tension between the two elders escalated. Elder Yan Hong's chest heaved with every breath, his anger barely restrained as he locked eyes with Yan Gong, his voice sharp.
Elder Yan Hong: "You should watch your words, Elder Yan Gong. You do not understand what it means to be a parent. Yan Zi is my blood, and no matter his abilities, he is my responsibility. The clan should support him, not treat him as some kind of outcast!"
The room grew colder, and for a moment, the oppressive silence seemed to stretch on forever. The other elders exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to intervene. Elder Huang remained silent, his face inscrutable, while the others seemed uncomfortable with the sharp confrontation.
Just as the argument seemed to reach a boiling point, the clan leader, Yan Shengtian, cleared his throat loudly. His voice was commanding, and it carried the authority that only a clan leader could possess.
Yan Shengtian: "Enough!"
His voice rang out through the hall, and in that moment, every elder, including the enraged Yan Hong, fell silent. Yan Shengtian's gaze swept across the room, his eyes hard as steel. There was no room for argument when the clan leader spoke.
Yan Shengtian: "This is not the time or place for such bickering. We are the elders of the Yan Clan, and we must act with honor and unity. Yan Zi may not possess the same talent as others, but he is still a part of this clan. If you have issues with his position, we will address them later. Now, let us focus on the upcoming competition and the future of this clan."
His tone brooked no disagreement, and slowly, the tension in the room began to dissipate. Elder Yan Hong, though still clearly angered, nodded curtly, his lips pressed into a thin line. Elder Yan Gong, for his part, didn't respond, but his eyes narrowed as if this conflict was far from over.
The mood in the room lightened slightly, but the undercurrents of the conversation lingered, an unspoken promise that this dispute between the elders would resurface again.
As the conversation shifted back to the competition and the clan's future, Yan Shengtian's words lingered in the air, a reminder that the struggles within the clan were far from over. The competition may have been the immediate focus, but the family struggles—especially over the fate of Yan Zi—would continue to haunt them all.
Certainly! Here's the revised version, following your instructions and enhancing the expressions and details:
As the argument between Elder Yan Hong and Elder Yan Gong died down, the room fell into a thick, uncomfortable silence. The clan leader, Yan Shengtian, sat back in his chair, his mind spinning with thoughts. The conversation had shifted back to the upcoming competition, but his mind was elsewhere, still caught on the harsh words spoken about Yan Zi.
There are many geniuses in this clan… Yan Ling and Yan Xingtian, both are the best of the best. They will be the future pillars of this clan, leading us to greater heights... Yan Shengtian's thoughts echoed in his mind. But what about Yan Zi?
His hand clenched around the armrest, the words sinking in. He couldn't deny the truth—Yan Zi lacked the talent for cultivation. He had tried for years, yet his progress remained stagnant. Perhaps Yan Zi will have to work somewhere or find his own way... He sighed deeply, his heart heavy with the unspoken truth. I should think about Yan Zi later...
Meanwhile, outside the grand hall, Yan Zi stood at the entrance, his face still clouded with confusion and doubt. After spending the last seven days studying Alchemy, he had grasped the basics. But now that he knew the fundamentals, he found himself at a crossroads.
Hmm, now I know many things about Alchemy. But what should I do next?
He stood there, pondering, when suddenly—
"Heh, with that knowledge, you call it learning Alchemy?" The voice, a mocking tone, echoed in his ears.
Yan Zi froze. His heart skipped a beat as he whipped around, searching for the source of the voice. But there was no one in sight.
Not again... His eyes scanned the area nervously, his breath quickening. I heard the same voice twice. But... who is it?
He stepped forward, looking around with narrowed eyes. The voice had come from nowhere, yet its words rang true. What is happening? Am I hallucinating?
The silence that followed felt suffocating. Yan Zi's mind raced. Was this just a trick of his mind? But the words... they were right, weren't they?
"Hey! Whoever you are, can you show yourself? No need to hide," he called out, his voice a mix of frustration and curiosity.
There was no answer. No movement. Nothing.
After a few moments of tense silence, Yan Zi's unease began to settle. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was lurking just beyond his sight. He took a deep breath, shaking off the strange sensation, and began to walk forward.
His footsteps echoed in the quiet surroundings as he moved towards his home. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and leaves. The mysteries of Alchemy still loomed large in his mind, but now, something else was stirring—something deeper, more elusive, that he couldn't quite understand. But he had no choice but to keep moving forward.
What is this? he thought. Who is that voice?
The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—this was only the beginning. Yan Zi couldn't shake the feeling that his journey had just taken a turn into the unknown.