After defeating her decisively, I stood over the fallen Qin lady, her arm bleeding, her eyes wide with shock. The engagement… I broke it with a single word. My parents exchanged worried glances, but I met their gaze steadily.
"This engagement is over," I said. "And it should never have been considered a matter of choice."
To my surprise, they nodded. My father's expression was grave but accepting, while my mother gave a small, proud smile. They understood—the Yin clan's honor mattered more than fragile social niceties.
I withdrew into seclusion immediately after, retreating to the meditation chamber atop the highest peak of our estate. Rumors spread quickly. Whispers of my "evil cultivation" circulated in every corner of the city. Servants muttered, merchants gossiped, and even rival families cast wary glances toward our clan. Let them speak—I had no time for them.
A month passed in near-total isolation. I pushed my body and spirit to their limits. At last, I emerged, Spirit Condensation Mid-Level. The power thrummed in my veins, and I felt the weight of potential I had long ignored.
Now, it was time to test myself in the Eight Families Martial Competition. Only the young masters and young ladies of the eight great families were permitted to compete—a stage worthy of true warriors. My eyes glinted with determination. Let the world see what the "villain" of the Yin clan was truly capable of.
The competition was held in a colossal arena, carved from white marble and surrounded by the banners of each noble family. The rules were strict: no external weapons, no interference from elders or guards, and no mercy. Each match was observed by a council of elders who could immediately disqualify anyone for breaking the rules. Reputation, honor, and pride were all on the line.
The participants were ranked by age and cultivation level, ensuring that novices did not face the masters immediately. Every duel was single elimination, and the tension in the arena was palpable. Rumors of my seclusion and "evil cultivation" had already reached the other families, and curious eyes now turned toward the Yin clan's young master—me.
As I stepped into the arena, the ground beneath my feet seemed to vibrate with the resonance of my Spirit Condensation energy. The crowd fell silent, whispers turning into murmurs of awe and fear. Across the arena, I could see my first opponent—a young lady from the Wu family, Spirit Condensation Early-Level, known for her lightning-fast sword technique. Her gaze was cold, calculating, yet I could feel the slightest tremor of uncertainty in her stance.
This was the beginning. Every match would test not just strength, but strategy, speed, and composure under pressure. I could hear the murmur of the audience: "The Yin clan's villain… can he truly compete?" Let them talk. I would show them that even in whispers, a true warrior could command fear and respect.
As the horn sounded, my body surged with power. My first strike would decide not only the duel but the perception of the Yin clan across all eight families. Every step, every motion, every ounce of cultivation I had honed in solitude would now be put to the ultimate test.
The competition had begun—and there was no turning back.