As the night descended upon the Yan Clan Hall, a sense of quiet intensity filled the air. The large wooden table, surrounded by towering pillars of stone and polished wood, was occupied by the clan's most senior members, each with their distinct roles and personalities. The warm glow of the oil lamps flickered, casting long shadows as they convened to discuss the upcoming event—the battle that would take place tomorrow.
At the head of the table sat Yan Shengtian, the Clan Leader, his expression as calm and commanding as always. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, his authority was undeniable. To his left sat Yan Hong, the Second Elder and Yan Zi's father, who had a reputation for both his wisdom and his fondness for sharing his well-meaning, if not sometimes lengthy, opinions. Across from him, Yan Gaung, the First Elder and Yan Ru's father, leaned forward with a grin, eager to jump into the conversation, while on the other side sat Yan Gong, the Third Elder, and Yan Yu's teacher, who had a more measured, yet equally commanding, presence.
Yan Shengtian cleared his throat and addressed the group. "Tomorrow's battle is of utmost importance. The five geniuses of our clan will face off against the senior disciples returning from their travels. This one-on-one competition will serve as the proving ground for their strength, especially with the Sky Clear Sect competition fast approaching."
His words were met with solemn nods, but the tension in the air was palpable. This battle was not only about the strength of the younger generation but also about the reputation of the Yan Clan. The five geniuses—Yan Ling, Yan Xingtian, Yan Yu, Yan Feng, and Yan Ru—had recently returned from the secret grounds, and their strength had been greatly enhanced. But the senior disciples were seasoned warriors who had traveled to other sects and refined their skills, some of them having reached the Core Formation Realm with one disciple even having attained the elusive 9-star Core Formation.
Yan Hong, the Second Elder, stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and concern. "The senior disciples are formidable, especially after their time away in other sects. One of them has reached the 9-star mark, which cannot be overlooked."
Yan Gaung, the First Elder, let out a loud laugh, his jovial tone cutting through the tension. "Oh, come on! These younger ones have trained hard in the secret grounds. They've seen their fair share of challenges. I'm sure they'll knock those senior disciples down a peg or two."
Yan Gong, the Third Elder and Yan Yu's teacher, raised an eyebrow at his fellow elder's overconfidence. "Elder Gaung, you may be optimistic, but the senior disciples have experience on their side. It's not all about strength. It's also about battle tactics, endurance, and the lessons they've learned over the years."
Yan Shengtian, keeping his focus, added, "We must test them—this will give us a clear picture of how much they've improved since their return. But there will be no allowances. If they can't defeat the senior disciples tomorrow, they're not ready for the upcoming competition."
The mood in the room grew serious, and for a moment, there was silence as each elder took in the gravity of the situation.
Yan Gaung, ever the optimist, leaned back in his chair with a mischievous grin. "You know, Clan Leader, maybe we can give them a little... boost before the battle tomorrow. A little help never hurt anyone, right? Just a little extra spirit medicine or a few pills to help with their energy."
Yan Gong rolled his eyes, clearly unamused. "Elder Gaung, what kind of 'boost' are you talking about? They need to face the senior disciples with their own strength, not with a bag of tricks."
Yan Hong chuckled, his voice warm but sly. "Ah, Elder Gaung, always thinking of shortcuts. But perhaps a little encouragement wouldn't hurt. A small token of our support—maybe a pill here or there. They are our pride, after all."
Yan Shengtian held up his hand, cutting off the lighthearted banter. "No. The battle will be fought with their own strength. We will not interfere. They must prove themselves on their own merit."
Yan Gaung pouted, but then leaned forward, a more serious look crossing his face. "I still think it's a bit harsh, Clan Leader. But I understand."
Yan Gong sighed, his tone dry as ever. "Fine. We'll leave it to them, then."
Yan Shengtian gave a nod of approval before continuing, "The battle will take place tomorrow afternoon. The five geniuses will face off against each of the returning senior disciples. We'll let them fight one-on-one. Their goal is to show us their improvements, and more importantly, to show that they are ready for the Sky Clear Sect competition."
The group nodded in agreement, but Yan Hong, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "I'm putting my money on Yan Ru. She's grown so much—she's no longer the same girl who left for the secret grounds. Her spirit is fierce, and I'm confident she'll surprise us all."
Yan Gaung, not one to be outdone, crossed his arms, a grin spreading across his face. "I'll take Yan Ling. I think she's been quietly training herself into a powerhouse."
Yan Gong, clearly amused, joined the conversation. "You two are always so eager to place bets on the younger ones. But I'll bet on Yan Xingtian. He's always been a steady performer, and I believe he's ready for this challenge."
Yan Shengtian, ever the stern leader, rolled his eyes. "We'll see who's right tomorrow. But no matter who wins, our clan's reputation will be solidified if the five show their true potential."
As the meeting concluded, the elders began to disperse, still exchanging thoughts and friendly banter. The room grew quieter as the night pressed on, but the excitement for the next day's battle lingered in the air.
Yan Shengtian remained at the table for a while longer, staring out into the distance, his mind focused on the coming events. Tomorrow would be a pivotal day for the clan. He knew that the future of the Yan Clan rested on the shoulders of the five geniuses, and he only hoped they would rise to the occasion.
The preparations for the battle were underway. Tomorrow, the young warriors would face their first true test since returning from the secret grounds. The time for talking was over. Now, it was time for action.
The bright morning sun poured through the windows of the Yan Clan, casting long rays of light across the hallways, illuminating the stone walls with a warm, golden hue. The day had finally arrived—the day of the battle between the five geniuses and the senior disciples who had returned from their journeys. As the sun rose higher, excitement buzzed through the clan, with preparations underway for the showdown.
In the Yan family residence, Yan Zi woke up with a yawn, stretching his limbs as he rubbed his eyes. He had been tossing and turning all night, a mixture of anticipation and concern gnawing at him. Today was going to be important—though he wouldn't be fighting, his mind was still occupied with the future.
A soft knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.
"Zi'er, are you awake?" His mother's voice came from the other side, gentle as always.
Yan Zi immediately sat up, brushing his hair and straightening his robes. "Yes, mother, I'm awake."
The door creaked open, and his mother entered the room, a steaming cup of tea in her hands. She set it down beside him on the table, her eyes full of warmth and care.
"Here, I made you some tea. It'll help you clear your mind before the excitement starts." She smiled softly, her gaze lingering on him, as though noticing something was a little off, but saying nothing.
Yan Zi took the cup, savoring the warmth that spread through his palms. He sighed, looking out the window as the bustling sounds of the clan preparing for the battle reached his ears. "Thanks, mother."
After a moment of silence, she spoke again. "Are you planning to watch the battle today? You've mentioned it several times before."
Yan Zi paused, considering her words. "Of course I'll watch. I want to see how far they've come. They've trained so hard, and this battle will be a good opportunity to assess their progress."
His mother gave him a knowing smile but didn't press further. "You're talking about them, but I'm sure you're also interested in Yan Ling's match, aren't you?"
Yan Zi's face momentarily flickered with a mix of emotions. He hesitated before answering. "Yes, I am... Even though... she may not want to see my face anymore after everything that happened. I've known her for so long, and even if she doesn't want to see me or even acknowledge me, I can't ignore that she's still my childhood friend."
He paused again, his voice quieter now. "I need to see how she's doing, too."
His mother didn't speak for a moment, allowing him the space to collect his thoughts. Then, she smiled softly, her eyes reflecting a mixture of understanding and wisdom.
"I understand. Sometimes, the past can be difficult, especially when there are things left unsaid. But you know, things change. People change." She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You may not be able to change everything overnight, but by staying true to yourself, you'll find your way. Just remember—actions speak louder than words."
Yan Zi gave a small nod, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. His mother's words had a calming effect on him, like a soothing balm on a fresh wound. He appreciated her understanding, especially now, when everything seemed so uncertain.
With a soft sigh, he took another sip of tea. "Thank you, Mother. I'll try my best to live up to your words."
She smiled at him, her gaze filled with pride. "I know you will, Zi'er."
After a few moments, his mother stood up, turning toward the door. Before she left, she paused, looking back at her son. "Don't forget to enjoy the day. It's not every day that you get to watch such a grand battle, even if you're not participating. Take it in. Who knows what you might learn from this?"
Yan Zi smiled, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. "I won't forget, Mother. I'll be there."
With that, she left, closing the door gently behind her. Yan Zi sat there for a moment, contemplating her words. He had always admired her wisdom, and today, her advice felt more meaningful than ever.
The day was just beginning, and despite all the tension and uncertainty in his heart, he couldn't deny the excitement that was bubbling inside him. Today would be an important day—not just for the five geniuses, but for him as well.