Tournament Begins

The heavy bronze bells tolled thrice.

Each chime reverberated across the hills and courtyards of the Tang Clan, summoning thousands to the central plaza beneath the Poison Ancestral Totem the stone monument carved with eight hydra heads, one for each of the founding bloodlines.

Tang Yun stood alone on a shadowed balcony high above the square, his robes fluttering in the early morning wind. His body still pulsed with the changes of his Late Qi Awakening breakthrough. The final tonic had succeeded. But he knew his path ahead required more than just cultivation.

It demanded visibility.

It demanded victory.

The Decree of Elders

On the jade platform at the plaza's center, Elder Tang Wei stood tall, flanked by seven other senior elders. His robe was embroidered with coiling black serpents his authority as the Announcer of Decrees unquestioned.

"By command of the Tang Clan Council of Elders," he began, his voice echoing, "the Internal Venom Trials shall be held in three days' time!"

A wave of murmurs rushed through the crowd.

Excitement, curiosity and fear.

Tang Yun narrowed his eyes. They're moving quickly. This was planned.

Elder Tang Wei continued, "Only those within the Mid Qi Awakening to Early Inner Core Realm may participate. No higher. No exceptions."

Eligibility and Exclusion

That restriction made the political game obvious.

The clan's top heirs the famed children of the Tang Lord would be barred:

Tang Jinhai, the Eldest Son, was already a Mid Martial Warrior.

Tang Feiyan, the sharp and cold Eldest Daughter, had reached Late Inner Core.

Tang Wuhen, the quiet and brutal second son, was in Mid Inner Core.

Tang Rouxi and Tang Huian, the third daughter and third son, both had crossed into the Inner Core Realm long ago.

Even Tang Mingzhe, the cunning Fourth Son, was too advanced.

They would watch but not interfere.

Tang Yun, the Twelfth Young Master, smirked.

So it's a game for the scraps? Good. That's where the snakes hide best.

The Hidden Purpose

The true reason behind the tournament wasn't just cultivation—it was selection.

Whispers from the elders spoke of war brewing in the outer regions, of the Eight Clans being tested. The Tang Clan needed fresh venom. Hidden prodigies. Tools that could be sharpened.

And in the shadows, rival bloodlines were watching.

For the lower-ranked heirs—like Tang Ruolin, Tang Bao, Tang Lixue, Tang Shenli, and Tang Jiayi—this was their battleground. A chance to rise above the shadow cast by their elder siblings.

For the outer disciples?

This was their only chance at relevance.

Tournament Rewards

Elder Tang Wei raised a scroll and announced the prizes:

First Place: Access to the Inner Library, a Heaven-grade Poison Manual, and a custom Tier-4 Weapon.

Second Place: Tier-3 Poison Pill Recipe and Inner Library visit.

Third Place: Rare Beast Core and 5 contribution tokens.

Top 10: Preferential mission access and potential mentoring from inner court elders.

Tang Yun's eyes gleamed at the mention of the Heaven-grade Manual.

Even if it's a trap... it's a trap worth swallowing.

Observation Pavilion – The Eldest Heirs

Far above the arena in the Sky Pavilion, the five eldest children sat with selected elders and clan advisors:

Tang Jinhai, the embodiment of martial dominance, frowned.

Tang Feiyan, aloof and expressionless, played with a venomous orchid in her hand.

Tang Wuhen, leaned against the railing, voice like wind: "Someone is slithering out of the mud."

Tang Rouxi, ever-smiling, added, "The Twelfth, perhaps?"

Tang Huian, eyes sharp, said nothing but his clenched fist spoke volumes.

They watched the crowd closely.

None of them were allowed to interfere yet their interest in the participants was palpable.

Tang Yun's Entrance

Whispers followed his steps like a spreading plague.

"Twelfth Young Master?"

"I thought he was still injured..."

"Didn't he fail the Meridian Opening ceremony last year?"

"Who let him out of the outer courtyard?"

He ignored them all.

Dressed in dark-green battle robes, Tang Yun walked with neither fear nor arrogance. His gaze swept the gathered disciples he noted faces, energy flows, subtle postures.

Tang Ruolin, dressed immaculately, nodded slightly as she met his eyes.

Tang Bao, loud as always, shouted across the courtyard, "Yun! I hope you're not planning to lose right away!"

Tang Shenli and Tang Jiayi, ever quiet, watched him silently from the back.

He gave none of them a reaction.

Instead, his eyes drifted to a single person by the arena's edge.

Tang Xiaomei, outer disciple, former servant, now wearing the mark of participation.

You shouldn't be here, he thought but he couldn't stop her.

Tang Yun's Real Thoughts

This isn't a test of talent, Tang Yun thought.

It's a stage for predators. A battlefield for manipulation. The elders want to see who thrives in venom.

Perfect.

His new poisons were ready.

His inner core foundation, though not yet complete, was forming.

But more importantly his strategy had begun.

Last Lines

Suddenly, a youth stepped forward tall, scarred, muscles rippling with inner force.

"Tang Yun," he said, voice thick with disdain. "I challenge you for the first match."

The crowd gasped.

Tang Shao an early Inner Core monster from the Fourth Bloodline.

An early clash between the weakest heir and a rising beast.

Tang Yun met his eyes.

"Accepted," he said softly.

And he smiled.

[End of Chapter 41]

[Tags]: Reincarnation, Martial Arts, Poison, Scheming Protagonist, Cultivation, Weak to Strong, Anti-Hero, Cold Protagonist, Clan Wars, Hidden Identity, Revenge