Chapter 5: The Return of the First Young MasterA dead silence engulfed the Xiao Family''s Outer Courtyard.

    Everyone''s eyes were locked on Xiao Feng''s motionless body, his face twisted in pain, his robes soaked in dust and blood. His once-proud sword lay shattered beside him, a clear symbol of his defeat.

    And standing tall above him—Xiao Li.

    "This duel is over."

    His voice was calm, almost indifferent, as though Xiao Feng had never been a threat to begin with.

    For a moment, no one moved.

    Then—

    "Xiao Feng… lost?"

    The murmurs started, spreading through the gathered crowd like wildfire.

    "Impossible! He was the strongest of the younger generation!"

    "Xiao Li was a cripple just a day ago! How did this happen?!"

    "A single strike… Xiao Feng was defeated in a single strike!"

    The Xiao Family elders exchanged troubled glances.

    No one could understand.

    Xiao Li was supposed to be useless. A broken, abandoned young master with no future.

    Yet, today—he had crushed Xiao Feng with overwhelming force.

    This was not the Xiao Li they had once known.

    This was someone else.

    Seated at the highest platform, Xiao Zhen

    , the Xiao Family Patriarch, remained expressionless as he observed his two sons.

    His gaze lingered on Xiao Li for a few moments longer than usual.

    Then, he finally spoke.

    "Xiao Feng has been defeated."

    His voice was calm, but it carried a weight of finality.

    "As per the rules of our Xiao Family—Xiao Li shall reclaim his title as the First Young Master."

    The announcement sent a ripple through the crowd.

    The First Young Master.

    A position stripped away from Xiao Li after his crippling defeat. A position Xiao Feng had been groomed to take over.

    And now, it was returned. Sёarch* The Novёl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "The matter is settled," Xiao Zhen continued. "Xiao Feng, you have lost. Learn from this failure."

    The fallen young master groaned, struggling to lift his head.

    His eyes burned with hatred.

    Xiao Li had humiliated him in front of everyone.

    He wanted to scream in rage, to protest, to fight back—

    But when his gaze met Xiao Li’s, his body froze.

    Because what he saw in those cold, calm eyes…

    Was absolute dominance.

    Xiao Feng’s fingers dug into the dirt, but he forced himself to remain silent.

    For now.

    As the crowd began to disperse, an elderly figure approached Xiao Li.

    His robes were embroidered with the golden insignia of the Xiao Elders, his long beard flowing past his chest.

    This was Elder Xiao Yuan, one of the oldest and most respected members of the family.

    "Xiao Li."

    His voice was calm, but there was something beneath his words—a warning.

    Xiao Li turned to face him.

    "Elder."

    Xiao Yuan studied him for a long moment before speaking.

    "Your strength has improved… remarkably."

    Xiao Li said nothing.

    "But be careful," the elder continued, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Not everyone in this family will be pleased with your return."

    Xiao Li chuckled, shaking his head.

    "I expected nothing less."

    Xiao Yuan’s expression remained neutral.

    "Strength alone will not secure your place, young master."

    He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice so that only Xiao Li could hear.

    "You have powerful enemies. And some of them… do not play fair."

    With those cryptic words, the elder turned and walked away.

    Xiao Li watched him go, his smirk fading slightly.

    He understood the warning well.

    His return was only the beginning.

    There were forces within the Xiao Family that would never accept him—people who saw him as a threat.

    And those people… would act soon.

    Xiao Li exhaled slowly, his mind already calculating his next move.

    "Let them come."

    He had 1000x cultivation speed. He had knowledge of supreme techniques.

    No matter what plots they tried to weave, he would tear through them all.

    Later that evening, as Xiao Li sat cultivating in his courtyard, a messenger arrived.

    The servant bowed deeply, holding out a sealed scroll.

    **"Young Master, this is a personal invitation from the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy."

    Xiao Li’s eyes flickered with interest as he took the scroll.

    The Azure Kingdom Royal Academy—the most prestigious cultivation academy in the kingdom.

    Every year, they selected the most talented disciples from noble families and sects to train under their Grand Elders.

    Only the best of the best were invited.

    "They must have heard about my duel."

    Xiao Li’s lips curled into a smirk as he unrolled the scroll.

    "Interesting."

    Not only would this be an opportunity to strengthen himself further, but it would also place him on a larger stage—one where even greater enemies and challenges awaited.

    And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

    "Very well."

    Xiao Li placed the scroll aside, his gaze burning with excitement.

    "I will go."

    Because this was only the beginning.

    And his true rise had just begun.