The Yang Clan’s Web
Yang Yu stood in the courtyard of the Yang Clan's estate, his eyes scanning the horizon. The mansion sprawled out before him, surrounded by high walls and impressive structures. The estate itself was a testament to the power of the Yang Clan, a place of both grandeur and hidden danger. The elegant buildings, gardens, and intricate carvings belied the constant turmoil that ran beneath the surface.
The Yang Clan was a prestigious family, one of the largest and most influential in Cloudspring City. Power was currency here—those who held it had everything, and those who didn't were easily forgotten. The estate itself was a fortress, a symbol of the family's dominance over the city. Yang Yu had grown up here, but as the third son, his position was always one of privilege and neglect, a pawn in the grand scheme of power struggles. That was, until now.
He could feel the weight of the memories of the original Yang Yu pressing down on him, but with his newfound powers, those memories felt like the burdens of someone else. His resolve hardened. The world of cultivation was one where the strong ruled, and he intended to rise to the top.
The sun shone brightly, but Yang Yu felt a chill within himself. He knew that his journey had just begun. The system, the Million-Time Multiplier System, was his key to power, but he had to be cautious. Power came with a price, and the Yang Clan, despite its grandeur, was filled with enemies. The original Yang Yu's downfall had been the result of envy and betrayal. Yang Yu could not afford to make the same mistakes.
The Yang Clan was a sprawling organization, with dozens of branches and hundreds of disciples. Despite its size, the hierarchy was clear: at the top was the patriarch, Yang Hu, the head of the clan. Beneath him were his sons, each vying for influence and power. Yang Yu, as the third son, had little say in the affairs of the clan, but that didn't stop the constant scheming among his siblings.
Yang Yu's older brothers, Yang Wen and Yang Zhi, were well known for their rivalry. Both were talented cultivators, and both sought the approval of their father, Yang Hu. The eldest, Yang Wen, had always been the favored son, due to his unparalleled martial talent and his leadership success. The second son, Yang Zhi, was more calculating, using his intelligence to manipulate the clan's inner workings. As for Yang Yu, he had always been seen as an afterthought, a spare heir in a family that already had two strong contenders.
But now, with the powers granted by the Million-Time Multiplier System, things were different. Yang Yu no longer needed to be the weak son in the background. He could become as strong as he wanted, and no one in the Yang Clan would be able to ignore him anymore. But with this new strength came a dangerous realization: his brothers would see him as a threat.
The courtyard was quiet except for the sound of the wind rustling the leaves of a nearby tree. Yang Yu stood still, deep in thought. The weight of the system's power was not lost on him. It could accelerate his training a million times over, giving him the strength to overcome anyone who stood in his way. But that power also made him vulnerable. In a world where strength ruled all, those with power were feared, and those who were feared often met untimely ends.
A soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Third Young Master."
Yang Yu turned to see a servant, a young woman with a respectful bow.
"What is it?" he asked, his tone calm, yet laced with the authority of someone who knew their worth.
"The Patriarch requests your presence in the main hall," she said. "There is a gathering of the elders."
Yang Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. A gathering of the elders meant important discussions, possibly about the future of the Yang Clan. His father, Yang Hu, had not called him to such meetings in the past. This could be a significant moment.
"I'll be there shortly," Yang Yu replied, his voice measured. The servant nodded and walked away, leaving Yang Yu alone with his thoughts.
Before heading to the main hall, Yang Yu decided to test out his system. He had barely scratched the surface of its potential and now seemed like the perfect time to explore it further. The system, though incredibly powerful, had yet to show its full range.
He focused, calling upon the interface in his mind. The holographic screen flickered to life before him, the words glowing brightly.
[Million-Time Multiplier System]
Host: Yang Yu
Current Realm: Body Refinement 5th Stage
Universal Multiplier: 1,000,000x (Can be applied to anything at will and the multiplier can be based on quantity and quality)
Yang Yu took a deep breath, feeling the familiar warmth of power surge through his body. The first feature he activated was Cultivation Speed: x1,000,000. The moment he did, he felt a rush of energy flood his body. His qi circulation accelerated at an unimaginable rate. It was as if every breath, every heartbeat, was pushing him closer to breaking through to the next stage of cultivation. One meditation session, stretched over mere seconds, equaled months of training under normal circumstances.
He could feel the difference immediately. His muscles, bones, and veins seemed to hum with energy, and his spiritual sense expanded far beyond its previous limits. With this kind of speed, he could grow stronger than anyone in mere days.
Next, he tested the Learning Speed feature. Yang Yu had always been a quick learner, but with the system's help, it was as if a torrent of knowledge flooded into his mind. He absorbed complex martial techniques, strategies, and even political strategies in seconds. Each scroll of ancient wisdom he had read in the Yang Clan's library now made perfect sense.
Finally, he activated the Battle Experience multiplier. He imagined a field where he could fight opponents, testing his newfound abilities. His mind began to simulate millions of battles, each one sharpening his tactics and reflexes. He could almost see the moves of his enemies before they made them as if the experience of countless warriors was now at his fingertips.
With each test, Yang Yu felt more invincible. The power within him grew by leaps and bounds, far beyond the grasp of any normal cultivator. The system's capabilities were astounding, and he was only scratching the surface.
Yang Yu's thoughts were interrupted as he arrived at the main hall, where the elders were gathered. The moment he stepped inside, all eyes turned to him. His father, Yang Hu, sat at the head of the table, his face weary but still full of authority.
The atmosphere in the room was tense, the air thick with unspoken words. Yang Yu took his place at the table, his gaze sweeping over the elders who sat around him. Most of them were familiar faces, influential figures within the clan, but Yang Yu knew better than to trust them completely.
"I have called this meeting to discuss the future of the Yang Clan," Yang Hu said, his voice hoarse but commanding. "As you all know, my health has been failing, and it is time to consider who will take my place when the time comes."
There was a shift in the room as everyone exchanged glances. Yang Yu's brothers, Yang Wen and Yang Zhi, remained silent, their faces betraying nothing. But Yang Yu could sense the underlying tension. The time of succession was approaching, and all of them were watching each other closely.
Yang Yu knew that the competition for leadership would be fierce. His older brothers were strong, both in cultivation and in their influence within the clan. Yang Wen, with his martial prowess, was favored by many, while Yang Zhi had the backing of the intellectuals and strategists. But Yang Yu had something neither of them could claim—an unstoppable advantage.
The only question was, would he reveal his strength now, or wait for the perfect moment?
As the meeting continued, Yang Yu couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation. The system had given him the power to become the strongest, but now, he had to navigate the treacherous waters of family politics. The Yang Clan was his home, but it was also a battleground. And in this world, only the strong survived.