The days following the clash with his brothers felt oddly quiet. The Yang Clan estate, usually teeming with servants, disciples, and the occasional visitor, now seemed eerily still. Yang Yu stood at the edge of the training grounds, the cool wind carrying the scent of distant rain. In the aftermath of his victory, a sense of unease lingered in the air. His brothers, Yang Wen and Yang Zhi, had been forced to acknowledge his strength, but that acknowledgment came with resentment and fear.
Yang Yu's mind had been racing ever since that confrontation. He knew that his power, magnified a million times over by the Million-Time Multiplier System, was a double-edged sword. The Yang Clan was a place of ambition, but it was also a web of intricate alliances and dangerous enemies. If he did not play his cards carefully, even his newfound strength could become a liability.
As he pondered his next move, his eyes rested on the distant horizon. The sun was just beginning to dip below the mountains in the distance. The shadows seemed to stretch, mirroring the growing tension within the Yang Clan.
A soft knock echoed through the door of Yang Yu's chambers. Zhou Long, a loyal childhood friend, entered without waiting for a response.
"Third Young Master," Zhou Long said with a slight bow. "The Patriarch has requested your presence in the main hall."
Yang Yu didn't immediately respond. The request had come unexpectedly. Since the altercation with his brothers, he had been purposely staying away from the inner workings of the clan. The meeting was an opportunity, but also a danger. The Patriarch, Yang Hu, had always been an enigmatic figure—powerful but shrouded in secrecy. It was clear that his health had been deteriorating, and this could be a pivotal moment for Yang Yu.
"Lead the way," Yang Yu finally replied, his tone calm and steady.
Zhou Long nodded and led him through the sprawling hallways of the Yang Clan estate. As they walked, Yang Yu's thoughts turned inward. The system had granted him power beyond his wildest imagination, but to maintain that power, he needed influence. He needed allies, and more importantly, he needed to understand the dynamics at play within the Yang Clan.
The main hall was more somber than usual. The air was thick with anticipation as the elders, including Yang Wen and Yang Zhi, gathered around the long table. Patriarch Yang Hu, seated at the head, looked frail, his once-imposing figure now diminished by age and illness.
Yang Yu stepped into the room, his presence immediately drawing the attention of everyone present. Yang Wen and Yang Zhi shot him wary glances, their expressions betraying a mixture of resentment and calculation. The silence in the room was broken only by the soft crackle of the fire.
"Yang Yu," Yang Hu began, his voice weak but carrying an undeniable weight. "I've called you here today because the time has come for a decision."
The room fell silent again, each person hanging on his words. Yang Yu's father, once a powerful figure, was struggling. His illness had become a symbol of the Yang Clan's impending uncertainty.
"Father," Yang Yu spoke, his voice steady. "What is it you wish to discuss?"
"The future of the Yang Clan," Yang Hu replied, looking at each of his sons in turn. "My time is running out. I can no longer lead the clan as I once did. It is time to make arrangements for my successor."
Yang Yu felt a slight surge of excitement but masked it. The air was thick with competition, and it was clear that his father was unable to make the final decision on his own. The Yang Clan's internal politics had already begun to shift. His elder brothers, Yang Wen, and Yang Zhi, both held significant sway, and their ambitions were only growing.
Yang Wen spoke up first, his voice filled with cold authority. "Father, the clan cannot afford to be led by someone who hasn't proven himself. Yang Yu is talented, but talent alone isn't enough. Leadership requires wisdom, experience, and the ability to command respect. These are things Yang Yu has yet to demonstrate."
Yang Zhi's voice was more measured, but his words carried a sharp edge. "Indeed, it's not enough to be strong. Strength is only valuable when applied with foresight and cunning. Yang Yu may be strong now, but we must ensure he is prepared for the responsibilities that come with power."
Yang Yu's gaze swept across the room. His brothers were already at odds over the succession, but their focus on him was evident. They feared his growing power, and they were right to do so. The Million-Time Multiplier System was a game-changer, and neither of them fully understood what he had become.
"I will lead the clan, Father," Yang Yu said, his voice unwavering. "My strength speaks for itself. I will not allow anyone to undermine what belongs to me."
Yang Wen's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Yang Zhi, on the other hand, smiled thinly. "We shall see," he muttered under his breath.
The discussion continued, but Yang Yu was no longer listening. His mind was already working on his next move. This meeting had only reaffirmed what he already knew—the Yang Clan was on the verge of civil war, and his brothers would stop at nothing to secure the throne for themselves.
Once the meeting had concluded, Yang Yu retreated to his chambers. His thoughts were focused on the words spoken during the meeting. The tension in the room had only scratched the surface of the conflict within the clan, but there were external forces to consider as well.
The Heavenly Blade Sect was one such force. Known for producing some of the most skilled martial artists on the continent, the sect had long been an ally of the Yang Clan, but their relationship had always been strained. Yang Yu knew that their support could be crucial in securing his position as the future leader. If he could win them over, he would have a powerful ally on his side.
Another potential ally was Liu Feng, the leader of a mercenary group known for its brutal efficiency. Liu Feng had worked with the Yang Clan in the past, and his mercenaries had been hired to deal with various threats. But Liu Feng was not a man to be easily swayed. He respected power, and Yang Yu knew that proving his strength would be key to gaining his trust.
But it wasn't just allies Yang Yu needed to be concerned about. The Qi Family, a rival clan with ambitions of their own, had already been making moves to undermine the Yang Clan's power. Their agents had been seen in Cloudspring City, gathering support from those discontented with the Yang Clan's rule. Yang Yu couldn't afford to ignore them. They were dangerous and would stop at nothing to see the Yang Clan fall.
And then there were the rogue cultivators—those who lived outside the law, seeking power through any means necessary. These outlaws were unpredictable, but some were drawn to the Yang Clan's wealth and influence. Yang Yu knew that some of them would be willing to offer their services for the right price, but they came with their own set of risks.
Yang Yu walked to the window and stared out at the sprawling city below. Cloudspring was more than just the Yang Clan's base of power. It was a city of intrigue, where every family, every faction, had their interests. If he wanted to rise to the top, he would need to carefully navigate these alliances and enemies.
Yang Yu spent the next few days in intense preparation. He continued to use the Million-Time Multiplier System to accelerate his cultivation, pushing his strength to unimaginable levels. But his physical prowess wasn't enough. He needed to understand the world of politics, warfare, and alliances.
The first step was to secure an audience with the Heavenly Blade Sect. He had heard that their leader, Elder Jian, was a man of great influence and wisdom. If Yang Yu could gain his support, it would solidify his position as the future leader of the Yang Clan.
He also began working on a plan to approach Liu Feng, whose mercenary group had been responsible for maintaining the Yang Clan's security. Yang Yu knew that Liu Feng's loyalty could be bought with the right offer, but it was a delicate balance. He couldn't afford to show weakness.
As for the Qi Family, Yang Yu would have to tread carefully. Their spies were already at work within the Yang Clan, and their efforts to destabilize his rise would only grow stronger. Yang Yu would need to outmaneuver them at every turn.
The road ahead was uncertain, and danger lurked at every corner. But Yang Yu was no longer the weak, overlooked third son of the Yang Clan. With the Million-Time Multiplier System and the power it provided, he would carve his destiny. The Yang Clan would bend to his will.
And no one—no matter how powerful—would stand in his way.