Zhenya stood at the entrance of the training grounds, which had been cleared for today's challenge. Already, members of the family were filling the viewing areas, their whispered conversations creating a constant buzz of anticipation. Yi Yun stood beside him fidgeting with her sleeves.
"Are you sure, young master? I don't think this is a good idea," mumbled Yi Yun, as she twirled her hair with her fingers.
"Don't worry, Yun, I know what I'm doing, and even if I can't win, I should still be able to go to the sect entrance test, as that was for the one that awakened the bloodline." Zhenya stared at the stage where the battle would take place.
He stood there with his hands behind his back; it seemed like he was completely relaxed, but of course that is only on the outside. He just didn't want to make Yi Yun worry, and this was a good test for himself as well.
He had no idea how to start comprehending the daos the ancestor had recommended, but based on their names, they were linked with mental stability and calmness. So he was doing his best to stay calm in most situations to see if maybe he could get an idea about those Dao's like that.
"And I'm also kind of looking forward to it. I want to test the techniques the ancestor gave me and see how they compare to the current techniques of the clan." he said, a grin appearing on his face.
But he calmed himself down right after, looking at Yi Yun with a tender look. "I won't die, and running away is only going to cause more problems; it's better to face it head-on sometimes."
Yi Yun gazed at Zhenya like he was some elder of a reputable clan. "Why do you sound like an old man when you said that?" she said innocently while tilting her head to the right.
Zhenya couldn't keep his calm persona anymore and started laughing uncontrollably, almost falling over. "Sorry, sorry, but what I said makes sense, no?" He asked her, wiping the tears away.
"Well, yeah, I still don't like it. But I'll just root you on," she replied, fist bumping his chest. "Don't lose," she mumbled.
"I won't." Saying that, Zhenya stepped onto the sparring platform, putting on his calm persona again. He stood there, eyes closed and his arms behind his back. As the wind blew through his robes and black hair flaring wildly in the wind.
The branch family members in the crowd were cheering loudly as they saw Zhenya step on stage. This could be a big moment for them; if Zhenya wins here, it would be a big step toward letting the main family share more resources and, in general, getting better treatment.
While Zhenya waited on stage trying to stay calm and appear calm, the main family members started cheering when they saw Xinyi and the supreme elder appear.
Zhenya squinted his eyes, taking a good look at Xinyi and the supreme elder. They both wore loose white robes; Xinyi had short brown hair and a fierce look on his face.
The supreme elder had long white hair tied in a ponytail; he exuded wisdom and strength. But Zhenya estimated that the patriarch and the retired patriarch should still have a higher cultivation realm.
Xinyi saw Zhenya standing on the sparring platform and jumped on it as well. Landing gracefully, he looked Zhenya straight in the eyes and declared proudly.
"You're going down!"
The children in the crowd went wild; they were super excited for this fight. It wasn't every day you got to see a prodigy like Xinyi fight, and the one he was fighting was an unknown. The only thing they knew about Zhenya was that he had awakened the ancestral bloodline and entered the ancestral tomb.
They didn't know what his cultivation realm was, nor did they know what techniques he had learned or what gains he had in the tomb.
Xinyi cleared his throat loudly. "So Zhenya, what is your cultivation realm right now? I did say I would match mine with yours to keep the fairness," he said, a smirk on his face.
'Now even if you lose, you can't even say the match is unfair; I will snatch that heir position today!' he gloated.
Then the patriarch landed between the two boys. "Wait a moment, Xinyi. I'll measure Zhenya's realm to make sure he also can't cheat. And then I'll help you adjust yours to make sure this match is completely fair."
When the supreme elder saw Jia Fu appear on the sparring platform, he was a little surprised. "So he got away, huh? Well, no matter; that little brat is only ten. Xinyi is very talented and a hard worker, so he should still win," he mumbled, sitting in his seat with a grin.
Finally someone from his direct line would take the role of patriarch after decades of losing to other direct lines; his grandparents died mysteriously. Then his parents lost to Jia Hui, and he had lost the position to Jia Fu.
With careful training of Xinyi and preparing. This lucky opportunity couldn't have come at a better time. He could almost taste the victory; finally he would finally have free rein over the family after Xinyi wins this battle.
"Even if you try to make it fair, Xinyi will always win against an inferior branch family member. I don't understand why you haven't just made the branch members into slaves. Well, no matter; I'll do it after Xinyi becomes patriarch," he muttered to himself, grinning.
Back on the stage, the patriarch had made sure both were in the same realm. "I will now go over the rules, because this is a friendly duel. Killing is forbidden, and so is intentionally trying to gravely injure each other. This should be a session to learn from each other, understood?" Jia Fu asked them.
Xinyi snorted. "Okay, patriarch, but what if he's so weak that I accidentally gravely injure him?" he remarked mockingly, wearing a smug smirk.
The children in the crowd laughing at Xinyi's outrageous remark. Jia Fu raised an eyebrow; turning around, he looked at Zhenya.
"What do you say, Zhenya?"
"I'll just watch out and not overestimate myself; it shouldn't happen, so just let the match continue." Zhenya said.
"Alright, now that that's decided, prepare your weapons and get ready; the match will start." Jia Fu declared loudly.
The whole crowd cheering, finally it was going to happen: the dark horse Zhenya against the prodigy Xinyi.