Every pair of eyes in the hall widened in disbelief, fixed unwaveringly on Mu Yan. A tidal wave of shock surged through their hearts, relentless and overwhelming.
When had Mu Yan ascended to the Core Formation realm?
Within the Mu Clan, even the total number of Core cultivators barely surpassed a dozen. Could it be that during his time away, he had encountered some extraordinary fortune?
Mu Lei was so exhilarated he nearly howled to the heavens. His son was no cripple—no disgrace—but a Core Formation cultivator, a prodigy reborn!
In the blink of an eye, flames erupted in Mu Yan's palm, and the surrounding air temperature soared. He charged into the crowd like an unstoppable force, sweeping through the Mu Clan's youth with devastating momentum.
The searing fire surged like a dragon unleashed, rampaging across the stage and radiating terrifying power.
Before a Core Formation powerhouse, the arrogance of these youths crumbled to dust. With a single move, they were scorched black and sent hurtling from the platform.
Mu Tingting felt an unprecedented wave of blistering heat surge toward her. Instinctively, she raised her sword in defense, but the dazzling arc of light shattered upon contact.
A fire dragon slammed into her, sending her crashing to the ground, blood spilling from her lips.
"What is happening? How did he become so powerful?"
Her heart was overwhelmed with horror, confusion, and disbelief.
Mu Yan was no longer the once-admired prodigy she had once looked up to—he now existed in an entirely different league. Yet as she gazed at the towering figure bathed in flame, regret surged within her.
Had the prodigy reclaimed his throne?
Was he about to shine once more, suppressing all beneath his feet?
If so… had she made the wrong choice?
Mu Kun too was struck in the chest by a torrent of flame. The force and heat nearly snuffed out his life as he flew like a ragdoll through the air, crashing into a massive stone pillar before falling motionless.
Cough… cough!
He crawled from the rubble, clutching his caved-in chest, staring at Mu Yan with horror in his eyes.
"His strength is restored? No—it's far greater than before!"
Before Mu Yan, he felt utterly insignificant, like an ant before a blazing inferno.
That terrifying fire seemed capable of incinerating all things. Even being near it began to burn away their spiritual essence.
The dread once instilled by Mu Yan returned in full force.
There, on the stage, engulfed in flames, he seemed like the reincarnation of an ancient Fire God—his entire being emanating searing heat and an aura of invincibility.
"I… lost…"
Whether from fear, despair, or pain, Mu Kun trembled uncontrollably. Blood spurted from his mouth before he collapsed into unconsciousness.
"What?!"
The Grand Elder and Second Elder shot to their feet, their chairs reduced to dust beneath them. Their auras surged wildly as they stared at Mu Yan in disbelief.
In their minds, he had been a cripple—a braggart of no worth to the clan.
Surrounded by dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators, he should have been crushed beyond recognition.
No one imagined that in mere moments, Mu Yan would defeat every single one of the clan's youths.
Even the strongest among them—Mu Tingting and Mu Kun—were thoroughly trounced.
The reversal had come so swiftly, none could react. The arena had been cleared by Mu Yan alone.
The younger children of the Mu Clan stood wide-eyed, unable to utter a word.
For years, Mu Yan's reputation as a failure had been carved into their hearts. Children under ten looked down on him, believing Mu Kun to be the true number one.
But now, the invincible idol in their hearts had crumbled to dust before Mu Yan's might. Their image of invincibility shattered in an instant.
Even the five- and six-year-olds broke down in tears—the emotional blow simply too much for their young minds to bear.
Only Mu Lei burst into uncontrollable laughter, transforming into a beam of golden light as he appeared at Mu Yan's side, eyes brimming with tears of joy.
"I knew it—I knew it! My son is not a waste! Now, who dares call Mu Yan a failure?!"
Mu Lei roared with pride, unleashing years of humiliation and fury in a single cry.
The truth was undeniable—his son was no disgrace, but an unparalleled genius!
A Core Formation cultivator at such a young age—what other clan could claim such brilliance?
Mu Lei's gaze burned with mockery and challenge. He turned to the Grand Elder and thundered, "Grand Elder, Mu Yan defeated every opponent on his own—how should the championship be judged now?"
The Grand Elder and the other elders exchanged troubled looks, their emotions in turmoil.
Mu Yan's return had been a slap in the face—none of them wanted to acknowledge it.
But the result was irrefutable.
Considering Mu Yan was now a Core cultivator, he was undeniably qualified to lead the next generation. The Grand Elder could only relent.
"Mu Yan's strength is extraordinary. He is the rightful champion of the clan tournament."
At his words, the clan members stepped forward with the rewards for the victor.
The first box opened to reveal a pale green pill, its fragrance rich and soothing—a rare Grade Three Profound Cyan Pill.
In the Wild Immortal Realm, pills were ranked from Grade One upward, each level significantly more precious. For a new Core cultivator, such a pill was invaluable.
The second box held a jade slip, inscribed with a profound-grade cultivation technique once reserved for clan leaders.
While such techniques might be common among great sects, they were priceless for a small clan like the Mu Clan, whose members typically cultivated only spirit-grade arts.
The third box revealed a gleaming long sword—its cold gleam biting. It was a profound-tier weapon.
Just like the technique, such weapons were extremely rare. The Mu Clan possessed fewer than five in total.
To receive all three prizes at once would make even veteran elders envious—let alone young cultivators.
Mu Lei looked upon the treasures with elation. With their aid, his son's strength would surely ascend to even greater heights.
"Mu Yan, accept what is rightfully yours," the Grand Elder said flatly. "Lead the Mu Clan to ever-greater glory."
He had finally understood: personal bias could not override the clan's destiny.
Mu Yan was the most fitting heir.
All eyes turned to Mu Yan again, awaiting his acceptance of the honors.
But he merely smirked with disdain, his voice cold and aloof.
"Champion? I have no interest. These trinkets are beneath me."
He had not returned for a title.
As the chief disciple of the Kunlun Holy Land, the cultivation techniques and resources at his disposal far surpassed what lay before him.
To accept such scraps would be to disgrace his master.
His declaration stunned the entire crowd. Silence fell once more.
Every gaze flickered with confusion and doubt—as though questioning the very reality before them.