Chapter 23: The Trial of Destiny: The Elder's Proclamation (Revised)

Chapter 23: The Trial of Destiny: The Elder's Proclamation (Revised)

After four days of intense competition in the Xiao family's Core Disciple Competition, the atmosphere was completely charged with energy and anticipation. The family leader's younger brother, the revered elder, had finally announced the names of the four new Core Disciples – Xiao Guang, Xiang Rui, Chen Xiao, and Xiao Yue. The hall erupted in thunderous applause.

Just then, a voice echoed from the back entrance of the hall, startling everyone; the applause also ceased. The voice was calm, but it held a strange resonance that drew everyone's attention.

"Oh... it seems I'm a little late."

Silence fell over the grounds. All eyes turned to the back entrance of the hall. There stood Duan Liyang, his physique appearing more developed than before, and his aura calm yet profound. A subtle glimmer of blue particles in his eyes enhanced the mystery of his unexpected presence.

Whispers immediately broke out in the crowd. "It's Duan Liyang!" "Where did he come from?" "I thought he had been expelled from the family!" Disbelief, curiosity, and fear were evident on some faces. The main contenders – Xiang Rui, Xiao Guang, Chen Xiao, and Xiao Yue – were also surprised, their eyes fixed on Duan Liyang. Xiang Rui's face wore a calm joy, while Xiao Guang's eyes were vigilant.

The Fifth Elder, seated in the spectator stands, trembled with rage upon seeing Duan Liyang. His lips tightened, his eyes gleaming with hatred towards Duan Liyang. 'This! How did this child get out? And at this time?!'

On the stage, the revered elder (who had been announcing the results) looked at Duan Liyang, his brows furrowed. "Duan Liyang?" he said, surprise in his voice. "What are you doing here? And at this time?"

Duan Liyang calmly stepped into the hall, his steps firm. He looked at the elders on the stage, then cast his gaze over the crowd. "I have come to participate in the Core Disciple Competition, Elder," he said, a clear resolve in his voice.

A stir went through all the disciples and elders present on the grounds. "What? In the competition?" "This is madness!" "The competition is over!"

An elder, whose voice was sharp, immediately intervened. "This is impossible! Duan Liyang, all days of the competition have concluded. The announcements have been made. Rules are equal for everyone! You are so late, you cannot be allowed to participate!" he stressed, his eyes burning with anger. "You were given a three-month sentence in the cultivation chamber! Why are you not there yet?"

Duan Liyang replied calmly, "My three-month sentence concluded this morning, Elder."

A debate broke out among the elders. "The rules are clear!" one said. "Being late is inexcusable!"

"But his punishment..." another interjected. "He was confined to the cultivation chamber!"

The Fifth Elder roared with fury. "Punishment?! What kind of punishment was that which only made him stronger?! He should not be allowed to participate in the competition! He should be punished!" His eyes were fixed on Duan Liyang, burning with hatred.

Xiang Rui's grandfather raised his hand, somewhat quieting the uproar. "Rules, yes, are equal for everyone," he said, a thoughtful tone in his voice. "But Duan Liyang was punished by the family, which prevented him from participating in the competition. Is it fair to deny him the opportunity due to his punishment?"

Another elder argued, "But the competition is over. The results have been declared. We cannot change the rules now!"

The debate raged on. Duan Liyang stood calmly, listening to their arguments, his face impassive. He knew he had to fight for himself. His eyes glowed with his unique power, which he could now control with even greater precision.

All eyes in the hall were now fixed on the family leader's younger brother, who sat at the center of the stage. His gaze was locked on Duan Liyang, and as he looked at him, his eyes filled with a peculiar spark. His gaze swept over Duan Liyang's physique, which now appeared more developed than before, his aura far more mature and profound than that of a young boy.

'This boy is slightly older than eight years,' the revered elder thought to himself, a deep contemplation in his eyes. 'But his body, his aura... everything is like that of a powerful adult.' His eyes focused on the subtle blue particles in Duan Liyang's eyes, which were clearly visible even to his heightened vision. 'Ah, so this is the marvel,' he mused. 'The one who, while remaining at 'Level 0,' can defeat a Level 5, and who crippled Wang Xiao three months ago. This news is three months old, but his power... it is beyond our comprehension.'

The elder raised his hand, and complete silence fell over the hall. His voice resonated clearly throughout the entire hall, every word carrying authority.

"Duan Liyang," he said, his voice devoid of emotion, only a clear declaration. "You cannot become a Core Disciple."

A few whispers broke out in the crowd, but the elder raised his hand, and they quieted down.

"Rules are equal for everyone," the elder stated firmly. "The competition has concluded. The results have been declared. You were not present on time."

Duan Liyang looked at the elder and slowly nodded. He knew it was the rule, and he accepted it.

The elder observed Duan Liyang's reaction, a faint glint appearing in his eyes. "But..." he continued, his voice now taking an unexpected turn. "The Xiao family does not look at 'level,' but at 'capability'." His gaze swept over the four new Core Disciples present in the hall – Xiao Guang, Xiang Rui, Chen Xiao, and Xiao Yue – then returned to Duan Liyang.

"If you can defeat any one of these," the elder declared, his voice imbued with a force that astonished the entire hall, "then you can become an Elder!" He paused for a moment, silence filling the atmosphere. "The youngest Elder in the history of the Xiao family."

The entire hall fell into stunned silence. All disciples, servants, and even some experienced elders were frozen in their seats, mouths agape, eyes wide with disbelief. An Elder! And one so young! It was inconceivable!

"This... how can this be?" a disciple stammered, his voice trembling with fear. "Even the weakest elder of the Xiao family is at Foundation Establishment Stage, which is above Level 9! And Duan Liyang is only at Level 0!"

Whispers now turned into a roar. People were shouting in shock and excitement. The Fifth Elder's face was contorted with rage and disbelief; he had bitten his lip tightly, his eyes fixed on Duan Liyang. 'This! They are not punishing him; they are giving him a throne!'

Duan Liyang stood there, his face impassive, but a new, deep sparkle shone in his eyes. He knew this opportunity would completely change his life. His journey had taken a turn he had never even imagined.

End of Chapter 23