As the year-end approached, Cangyun City grew lively, with many disciples returning home from their sects to reunite with family. Every year, whether in great cities or small clans, grand gatherings were held, and in a world where martial arts reigned supreme, these events naturally revolved around the martial path.

In Cangyun City, each major family held their own annual gatherings to assess the progress of their younger disciples. Occasionally, these families would even organize joint events to compare their strength and determine who was superior.

At Tingfeng Tavern, some of the city's top young talents gathered, drinking and discussing martial affairs.

"I've heard that Li Xin from the Li family has undergone the life awakening of his martial soul and stepped into the Spirit Martial Realm, becoming an inner disciple of the Yuehui Sect. Li Dan, is this true?" A man, gently waving a feathered fan, turned to ask Li Dan, the Li family's representative, while the others fixed their curious gazes on him.

Li Dan smiled, "Of course it's true. After Li Xin advanced to the Spirit Martial Realm, his power increased greatly. If the city lord were to hold a martial competition among the families, I'm sure the Li family would shine brightly." Being the son of a Li family elder, Li Dan naturally spoke from the perspective of his clan.

"Heh, funny! Just barely stepping into the Spirit Martial Realm, My Yan family's Yan Long has been at that level for half a year now. No one from your Li family is a match," sneered the young man in yellow, seated opposite Li Dan. The Yan family had always been at odds with the Li family in Cangyun City, so how could he let the Li family boast?

"Time spent in the Spirit Martial Realm means nothing. Chen Fan from my Chen family has already reached the second level of the Spirit Martial Realm. Who can compare, other than the city lord's princess, Nalan Yanyan?" retorted someone from the Chen family, unwilling to back down.

Hearing this, the young man with the feathered fan couldn't help but smile. "Brother Chen Fan has already reached the second level of the Spirit Martial Realm? Truly impressive talent."

"You invited me here just to listen to this idle chatter?" A cold, indifferent voice interrupted the conversation. The speaker was a stunningly beautiful young woman.

"Of course not," Nalan Xionghe, the city lord's son, replied with a laugh. "I invited you all here to share some news. The day after this year's end celebration, my father, the city lord, will host a martial competition. Aside from the disciples of the three major families and the city lord's estate, other talented young individuals may also sign up to participate. Qiulan, you understand what I mean, don't you?"

The group immediately understood. In the past, Cangyun City had held martial competitions, but participation was limited to the heirs of the four major families, including the city lord's estate. This time, however, the city lord was extending the invitation to other talented youth, clearly intending to recruit promising individuals from all over Cangyun City.

Qiulan was said to be an orphan, but she was quite renowned in Cangyun City, not only for her beauty and cold demeanor but also for her exceptional talent. Qiulan nodded slightly; she was also eager to see the true strength of the talented youths from the four major families.

"Heh, I'm sure this martial competition will be quite exciting. I heard that the Li family's 'useless one' seems to have improved a little and even injured Li Yi. I suppose that 'waste' from the Li family will participate in the competition as well?" The young man from the Yan family in yellow, Yan Song, suddenly chuckled, his words dripping with sarcasm.

"What do you mean by that, Yan Song? My Li family has many outstanding disciples. Why would we need a 'waste' to participate?" Li Dan immediately understood who Yan Song was referring to, and mentioning Li Xiaoyao was clearly an attempt to mock the Li family's younger generation.

"Heh, is it really appropriate for you to speak of your family's young master that way?" Yan Song responded indifferently.

"A waste is still a waste. What's inappropriate about that? Besides, the position of family head in the Li family will eventually—" Li Dan abruptly stopped himself, coldly snorting as he decided to say no more.

At that very moment, the so-called 'waste' they spoke of was riding a snow-white horse into Cangyun City. After ten days on the road, Li Xiaoyao's face showed some traces of fatigue, and the horse beneath him was clearly tired as well. Yet Li Xiaoyao's eyes were sharp and full of energy, with none of the lethargy he once had.

Upon his return to Cangyun City, he appeared strikingly different from before. His facial features had grown more defined, his angular jaw exuding strength, and his once-clear gaze now carried a sense of calm and determination.

Li Xiaoyao, with an ancient sword on his back, a silver belt around his waist, and riding a snow-white horse, naturally drew the attention of many onlookers. Seeing his striking appearance and composed demeanor, several people whispered to themselves, "What a spirited young man! He must be from one of the major families, returning from his training."

"Let's go." With a gentle squeeze of his legs, Li Xiaoyao urged the horse forward, and it began trotting slowly down the main street of Cangyun City.

"Hm?" As he passed by a tavern, a faint sound came from above. Although quiet, Li Xiaoyao's hearing had grown extraordinarily sharp. He glanced up and saw a pair of eyes fixed on him.

"Heh, who do we have here? Isn't this the young master of the Li family, Li Xiaoyao? What a coincidence," a voice called out, dripping with sarcasm.

A moment later, several faces appeared at a second-floor window, and among them was one Li Xiaoyao recognized all too well, though it now wore a rather gloomy expression.

"Li Dan," Li Xiaoyao muttered under his breath. Li Dan, the son of one of the Li family elders, was at the eighth level of the Qi Martial Realm and had decent talent.

"Hmph," Li Dan snorted, showing no respect to his young master. He hadn't expected to run into Li Xiaoyao here, and it seemed inevitable that their gathering would now become an occasion for mockery.

"Li Xiaoyao, we were just having a little get-together with members of a few major families. Since you're here, why not join us?" Yan Song, as expected, extended an invitation to Li Xiaoyao, his intentions clearly malicious.

"You've just traveled such a long way, Li Xiaoyao. why not Just back home and rest," Li Dan remarked bluntly, clearly unwilling to see him join the gathering.

Li Xiaoyao couldn't help but chuckle to himself. As the young master of the Li family, Li Dan should at least acknowledge him with a greeting. But instead, Li Dan shot him a disdainful look and even tried to interfere with what he was doing.

"Do I really need to check in with you before I handle my business?" Li Xiaoyao thought to himself, then turned to Yan Song. "I'll come up now."

"Hold on a second." Li Dan's tone grew noticeably colder. "Li Xiaoyao, this isn't the kind of place for you. You'd be better off going home and minding your own business."

"How dare you!" Li Xiaoyao snapped back, raising his head to meet Li Dan's gaze. His eyes were icy as he said, "What gives you the right to talk to me like that?"

The current Li Xiaoyao was no longer the timid version of himself from before. With his father being the head of the Li family, he couldn't let Li Dan act so arrogantly. If he didn't assert himself now, people might really think they could walk all over him.

Li Dan was taken aback by Li Xiaoyao's sudden outburst. He clearly hadn't expected Li Xiaoyao to transform into such a formidable presence, exuding an undeniable air of authority.

Li Dan's face turned bright red, unable to find a retort for Li Xiaoyao. In terms of status, Li Xiaoyao was the young master of the Li family, and even though Li Dan was the son of an elder, he had no right to act arrogantly toward him. In fact, even if Li Xiaoyao yelled at him, he couldn't respond.

"Heh, now this is the Li family's young master," Yan Song chuckled, clearly enjoying the chaos, which only made Li Dan's expression darker.

By this time, Li Xiaoyao had dismounted, handing his snow-white horse over to the innkeeper before making his way up to the second floor of the tavern.

Inside, seven or eight young disciples were seated around a table. When they saw Li Xiaoyao enter, none of them said a word. They simply continued sipping from their cups, completely ignoring him. Even Yan Song, who had invited him moments ago, sat there with a mocking smirk on his face.

"Hmph, this useless waste really thinks he's a big shot, huh? What a joke," Li Dan muttered, not even glancing at Li Xiaoyao, as if talking to himself.

"The identity of the Li family's young master, Li Dan, don't forget that this so-called waste is still your family's young master," Yan Song chimed in, clearly relishing the scene and eager to see the Li family embarrassed.

Li Xiaoyao smirked, scanning the crowd before his gaze landed on Yan Song. He stepped closer, standing beside him.

"Can I sit here?"

"What gives you the right to sit here, you loser?" Chen Fan from the Chen family shot back bluntly. Among the four major families in Cangyun City, the Chen family was the strongest, and they didn't get along with the other three, especially the Yan and Li families. They'd never miss a chance to put the Li family down.

"What do you think?" Li Xiaoyao asked, ignoring Chen Fan and focusing on Yan Song.

"Can't you get it? A waste like you doesn't belong with us," Yan Song said, looking at Li Xiaoyao with disdain, clearly thinking he was out of touch.

"So, you were just messing with me earlier, huh?" Li Xiaoyao asked calmly, not getting angry.

"And what if I was? Fuck off！！！" Yan Song snapped, he didn't expect Li Xiaoyao to be so clueless......