"Cyclone Kick!" Joseph bellowed, his form a blur as he spun through the air like a tempest.
Any mortal ungifted by the awakening would be helpless against such a strike, and even a fledgling level-one awakener would be hard-pressed to evade it.
"Impossible! Joseph has mastered the Cyclone Kick, a move that demands at least level-five prowess," someone gasped, their voice tinged with disbelief.
"That kick packs a wallop of at least 1000 kg. A connection would be lethal or leave a man crippled for life," another voice chimed in, etched with concern.
"Edward, that nobody, would be either kicked to his death or end up a lifelong invalid," a sneer was hurled.
"Kick him to death, kick him to death," Larry grinned with malevolent glee. "What a fine nephew! Show that despicable rubbish a lesson for me."
Larry touched his swollen face, his anger simmering. But they knew not, Edward was no longer the Edward they had known.
Bathed in the Infinite Primitive Energy, Edward's physical might and swiftness had soared to the calibre of a master awakener. He watched Joseph's kick as if it were a slow-motion reel, every movement laid bare.
With an effortless, elegant sidestep, he dodged the first assault.
"Beautiful!" Yvonne applauded, her delight palpable.
The onlookers exchanged astonished glances. In their eyes, Edward should have been incapable of avoiding an attack from a Super Talent awakener. Yet, not only did he dodge, but he did so with nonchalance.
"This can't be. Edward was but a newly awakened commoner with Inferior Talent. How did he manage this?" someone muttered, confusion clouding their voice.
"Perhaps Joseph is merely testing Edward's mettle. The real onslaught has yet to come; the main event is yet to unfold," another speculated.
Overhearing their chatter, Larry hollered at Joseph,
"My dear nephew, show no mercy. Teach that trash a lesson, preferably to his face."
He wanted to say, "Make his face resemble mine, like a pig's," but he held back to avoid that humiliation would backfire.
Joseph was equally astonished, not anticipating Edward to counter his Cyclone Kick so effortlessly. Frustrated, he switched tactics.
"Diamond Leg!"
Joseph began to spin in the air, faster and faster, until he appeared as a diamond drill.
If Edward was hit by this technique, he might be pierced clean through.
"Goodness, Joseph can use the Diamond Leg. He's turned his body into a high-speed rotating drill," an observer remarked with awe.
"That's right, Joseph's bringing out the heavy artillery. Edward's done for," another agreed.
Larry wore a smug smile, and Patriarch Charles was secretly delighted. Larry hadn't managed to deal with Edward, but his nephew Joseph was handling the task just the same.
As long as Edward was dead or crippled, Charles could claim all the treasures left by Edward's mother for himself.
These treasures were something he wished for his son, Mike, to inherit.
His son, already a super-talented awakener, would be unmatched with these treasures, securing his future as the family patriarch.
"An inferior-talent awakener daring to challenge a super-talented one in our family is a challenge to our authority and sheer folly. He deserves a lesson," Charles declared.
Joseph's Diamond Leg was so powerful it whipped up a gale. Yvonne's heart tightened with a hint of worry.
But this time, Edward had no intention of dodging; he planned to meet his opponent head-on.
He silently began to use his newly learned Lightning Nirvana against Joseph, only exerting a tenth of its power.
The moment Joseph's high-speed rotating legs touched Edward, all the force was instantly absorbed by him.
A tingling pain shot from his feet to his head as a powerful electric current raced up his body.
Before Joseph could react, Edward's strike landed on his face with a resounding slap.
"Pa…"
Joseph's body crashed to the ground, unable to rise for a moment. He lay there, his face twisted as if under a spell.
Everything happened so fast that no one understood what had occurred. Only Yvonne knew the secret.
"Well done, brother," she said, her smile brighter than megawatt brilliance.
"Truth be told, Yvonne, slapping someone else's face feels incredibly satisfying," Edward chuckled. "Larry was right; the face is where it's at. Haha!"
The onlookers' faces froze in shock. No one expected such a twist.
How could an inferior-talent new awakener knock down a super-talented one?
And with just a slap?
No one could explain what had happened, not even the patriarch, a master-level awakener.
"Does Edward wield magic? That's impossible," someone murmured in disbelief.
"This world doesn't have magic. Someone must be helping him," another speculated.
"Joseph, get up and keep fighting!"
Even the family patriarch urged, doubting if someone was secretly assisting.
But no suspicious individuals or even their breaths were detected in the surroundings.
'Could Edward be hiding his strength? That's impossible. I had his awakening talent crippled when he was a child,' the patriarch thought, puzzled but forced to accept what he saw.
Larry's face turned ashen, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
"Impossible, Joseph, my good nephew, get up and keep fighting," he urged, but Joseph lay there, his ears ringing, and his body weak, unable to rise.
He had intended to establish a glorious image within the clan by teaching Edward a lesson and winning the patriarch's favor. He also planned to claim Edward's beautiful sister after defeating him.
He was exerting all his strength but still unable to struggle to his feet.
"What's going on? How can this waste have electricity in him? Does he have a hidden generator?" he wondered.
"Get up, get up," Larry shouted, almost rushing forward to help him.
But the rules of the challenge state that no one can intervene until one party yields.
"He won't be getting up," Edward snorted. "Such a mediocre guy trying to use his veto power is a huge joke."
"That's right, a huge joke," Yvonne chimed in.
"So, what do you say, Patriarch?" Edward turned to Charles. "It's time for you to fulfill your promise. Larry should be punished, and after receiving fifty lashes, he should be sent to wash dishes. It's all for the family's interests."
Charles's face turned livid, unable to argue, but unable to make up his mind.
"Patriarch, if you can't distinguish between reward and punishment, then you shouldn't be the patriarch," Edward urged. "The patriarch has always been a position for the capable. Mr. Samuel, you are also an elder of the family, why don't you say something?"
Samuel looked at the other elders, who all gave him a meaningful look.
superficially, everyone seemed amicable, but behind the scenes, they all disliked Patriarch Charles.
Now that a younger generation was questioning his authority, it was a perfect opportunity for them to challenge him.
"You know what I think? I believe Edward has a point. The position of patriarch should be held by the capable. If such a simple matter can't be handled, how can we trust such a person to manage our vast family? I'm afraid the family will continue to decline," Samuel said.
"That makes sense, Samuel. However, I believe the patriarch won't be so foolish," another family elder spoke up. "Make a decision quickly, Charles!"
Larry sensed the situation was not in favour of him and rushed towards the door, trying to escape.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Yvonne had long seen through Larry's intention to run away and leapt up, kicking Larry to the ground.
"Great job, Yvonne."
Edward gave Yvonne a thumbs-up.
"Larry dared to openly defy the patriarch's orders. I think his crime is even worse and should be given a hundred lashes," Edward suggested.
"That's not your decision to make," the patriarch scolded.
"I think Edward is right. It's not too much to give Larry an additional fifty lashes," Samuel retorted. "According to the family rules, openly defying family regulations should have his legs broken. Now, only giving fifty lashes is a bargain for him. Don't you think so, patriarch?"
"You're right, Samuel," a white-bearded family elder suddenly spoke up. "Charles, I believe you can handle this, right."
Charles felt a threat, a veiled threat in the white-bearded elder's words.
If he didn't handle it well, the elders could use their power to impeach him as the patriarch.
"Give Larry a hundred lashes, my family guardians!"
"No, master, save me. Please spare me this time," Larry cried out.
But Charles turned away.
At this moment, he began to call out his nephew's name.
"Joseph, Joseph, come on! Get up and save your uncle."
However, Joseph lay on the ground, almost unable to speak.
Soon, one of the Four Guardians, known as Steel Plate, immediately pressed Larry to the ground, and another Guardian, known as Heartless Whip, unsheathed his long whip, ready to deliver justice as cold and unyielding as his nickname suggested.
"Ouch! Ouch!"
The first crack of the whip was met with a guttural scream from Larry, setting the tone for the relentless punishment that followed. The onlookers watched with a mix of horror and grim satisfaction as the lashes rained down on Larry, each one a testament to the family's ironclad rules.
Edward and Yvonne, however, were the picture of approval, clapping and nodding in agreement with each strike.
"Well done, Patriarch! Well done!" they chorused, their voices ringing out in the otherwise sombre atmosphere.
Charles's face was a mask of ashen defeat.
Larry, his loyal butler and confidant, was being torn apart before his eyes. Each whiplash was a direct affront to his own dignity.
Silently, he vowed a bitter revenge, one that would make Edward rue the day he ever challenged the family's hierarchy.
After a hundred agonizing lashes, Larry was a mess of shredded flesh and tattered dignity. Charles could barely stomach the sight. Turning away, he uttered coldly,
"Drag him away. Once he's somewhat healed, send him to wash dishes for the family."
Larry was hauled away, his eyes barely open, filled with a venomous hatred for Edward. That glare spoke volumes of his unspoken vow for vengeance.
Edward, unfazed, snorted coldly, emanating a powerful wave of Infinite Primitive Energy that forced Larry's eyes shut once more.
'You won't have the chance to seek revenge. I'll secretly cripple your cultivation, ensuring you remain a cripple for life,' Edward thought to himself, 'This is your punishment for daring to disrespect my sister.'
"Enough," the patriarch suddenly addressed Edward, "Are you satisfied now? Today's awakening ritual is over."
Patriarch Charles planned to strategize and find a way to deal with Edward and his sister later.
"Wait, Patriarch, I have another matter," Edward said.
"What is it?" the patriarch snapped. "Are you still not satisfied?"
"No, I am very satisfied with the punishment you've inflicted on Larry. It's just that now, with everyone present, I'd like to request the return of the six relics my mother left me."
The patriarch's face turned pale. He dreaded this moment, and here it was.
"It's common knowledge that my mother left some items for me before she passed. As I was young, the patriarch kept them for me. Now that I'm sixteen and have successfully passed the awakening test, it's time for the patriarch to return these treasures to me."
Edward's words were impeccable, making it difficult for Charles to find an excuse.
"That's right," Samuel interjected, "Edward speaks the truth. It's time to return what's rightfully his."
"Yes, Edward, your mother made significant contributions to our family. Rest assured, the patriarch will return the items to you immediately. Otherwise, we will intervene on your behalf," another elder reassured.
They appeared to support Edward, but in reality, they simply wanted to prevent Charles from claiming Sophia's treasures for himself.
If Charles got his hands on them, there would be no competition, and their own chances or those of their supported successors to become the next patriarch would be impossible.
"Return my mother's items!" Yvonne added, her voice firm and resolute.