Half an hour later, the first round of elimination battles came to an end, leaving thirty-two participants. Most of those eliminated were at the fifth and sixth levels of cultivation, but a few unfortunate seventh-level fighters were taken down by teamwork and forced off the stage.

Some participants, like Li Xin, her older brother Li Yang, Li Wu, Li Dan, and Li Xiaoyao, hadn't even broken a sweat during the first round.

"He's really lucky; Li Xin actually helped him advance," someone in the crowd said.

"What does it matter? Li Xin just wants to see him suffer in the second round," another replied.

People were buzzing about Li Xiaoyao's effortless progression, clearly annoyed that he advanced without fighting.

The second round was divided into four groups, with eight participants in each. They would take turns fighting, with everyone battling the other seven members of their group. The two with the most wins would move on to the next round.

First, they would draw lots to form the groups, then the second elder would announce them. Li Xin was placed in the first group.

"Li Xiaoyao, Li Yan, Li Tao, Li Yue, Li Ran, Li Li, Li Caizhu, Li Dan—fourth group," the second elder declared.

Hearing the announcement, the third elder chuckled from the high platform, "The fourth group is the weakest of all; with Li Dan's skills, he should have no problem."

"Li Dan can easily dominate the fourth group," Li Batian added politely.

"Ha! That's rich. If he faces Li Xin, he'll have to throw in the towel," the third elder replied, clearly enjoying Li Batian's compliment.

"I just wonder how Li Xiaoyao will rank in the fourth group," the third elder said, his voice loud as he deliberately glanced at Li Kai.

The huge battle stage was divided into four sections for the four groups to fight simultaneously.

"First group: Li Xin vs. Li Han; second group: Li Yang vs. Li Lei; third group: Li Wu vs. Li Xiao; fourth group: Li Xiaoyao vs. Li Yan."

The crowd's eyes lit up when they heard the announcement of the first battle; it was clearly a spotlight match, likely set up intentionally by the second elder. There was no doubt about Li Xin and Li Yang's abilities, and Li Wu was also a standout among the younger generation of the Li family. Though Li Xiaoyao was relatively weak, his reputation didn't pale in comparison to the others, which is why they arranged for him to fight in the first match of the fourth group instead of Li Dan.

As the eight participants stepped onto the battle stage, the audience's attention was mainly on the matches featuring Li Xin and Li Xiaoyao. They were eager to see just how strong Li Xin had become and to witness where the so-called "family waste" Li Xiaoyao stood in terms of skill.

"I concede," Li Han from the first group said decisively, causing a wave of disappointment among the crowd. However, they could understand his choice—who would want to provoke Li Xin?

"First group, victory to Li Xin," the second elder announced.

With Li Xin's match over, the crowd's focus immediately shifted to the fourth group's battle area.

Li Xiaoyao was up against Li Yan.

"I won't insult my sword; just give up," Li Yan said arrogantly, flaunting his seventh-level Qi Martial Realm cultivation and Sword Martial Soul. He had few rivals at this level, and his gaze towards Li Xiaoyao was condescending.

"Fourth group, victory to Li Yan," the second elder declared without hesitation.

"What the fuck ? ? ! !" Li Xiaoyao's expression tightened slightly. Did Li Yan just win? Did he concede?

But Li Yan seemed to think this was a given, casually walking off the stage.

"Why are you still here?" the second elder asked, noticing that Li Xiaoyao hadn't moved.

"Did I concede?" Li Xiaoyao replied.

The second elder frowned, thinking this guy really didn't know his place. He was trying to save him from embarrassment by declaring him the loser, but instead of being grateful, Li Xiaoyao was questioning him.

"It doesn't matter if you concede or not; the result is the same. Get down and don't disrupt the annual meeting," he snapped.

"Since I didn't concede, what gives you the right to declare Li Yan the winner?" Li Xiaoyao pressed, as if he hadn't even heard the elder.

"Because I'm the second elder and I'm hosting this annual meeting," he retorted.

"Ha, it seems like no one respects me as the family head," Li Kai's calm voice rang out, but there was an underlying anger in his tone. "Second elder, you're openly violating the rules of the annual meeting in front of everyone by declaring a winner without a fight. Who gave you that authority?"

"The family head, the outcome of this battle is obvious without even fighting. I'm only doing this to spare your dignity; why should you care?"

"Spare my dignity? I think you're deliberately trying to embarrass me. Now, you can step down; the annual meeting will be hosted by the sixth elder," Li Kai retorted.

"I disagree," Li Batian interjected.

"I also disagree; the second elder is in the right," the eldest elder chimed in. At the same time, Li Haoran, the third elder, and the seventh elder all stood up in support.

"Is this a threat?" Li Kai scanned the faces in front of him: his two brothers and the four elders, including the top three elders who held the family's power.

"What if I decide to do it anyway?" Li Kai sneered.

"Family head, the second elder hasn't done anything wrong. If you strip him of his right to host the annual meeting, it would only show that you're taking personal revenge, which would dishearten everyone in the Li family," the eldest elder said with a hint of sarcasm.

Seeing the situation unfold, the crowd realized what was happening. This annual meeting was clearly different... Uncle and Third Uncle, along with several elders, were trying to force the family head to step down.

Li Kai smiled, lowering his voice as he said, "I know what you all want, but it seems you're still short an excuse. Let me give you one right now."

The expressions of the people across from him shifted, unsure of what Li Kai meant.

Li Kai turned to face the crowd and said loudly, "My son Li Xiaoyao is up against Li Yan. Since Li Xiaoyao hasn't conceded, and they haven't fought yet, the second elder declaring Li Yan the winner is a disrespect to our family rules. The elders here seem to think I'm taking personal revenge, so to give everyone an explanation, let Li Xiaoyao and Li Yan fight. If Li Xiaoyao loses, then it proves I'm petty and unfit to lead the Li family, and I'm willing to step down."

As soon as Li Kai finished speaking, the crowd erupted in murmurs. Just three months ago, Li Xiaoyao was only at the fifth or sixth level of Qi Martial Realm, and now the strongest among them was barely at the seventh level. How could he possibly stand a chance against Li Yan? Was the family head really giving Uncle and the others an opportunity like this?

Sure! Here's a more natural and conversational translation into American English:

Sure enough, Li Batian and the others brightened at Li Kai's unexpected words, which saved them from having to find another excuse.

"However, if Li Xiaoyao wins, it'll prove that the second elder has disrespected our family rules and will face my wrath as the family head, along with losing his position as elder," Li Kai said, his tone growing colder. The crowd could almost feel a chill in the air; Li Kai was literally betting his position as family head against the others.

"I agree," Li Batian said immediately, his expression icy. There was no way Li Xiaoyao could beat Li Yan.

"I agree too," the eldest elder chimed in.

"Great, how about you, second elder?" Li Kai turned to the second elder.

The second elder cursed inwardly. Even if Li Xiaoyao won, it wouldn't change anything for Li Batian and the eldest elder. Those two were just happy to agree. He couldn't voice his thoughts, though, so he just nodded and said, "I have no objections."

"This is bad," Li Haoran thought to himself. Li Xiaoyao was capable of taking down his son, Li Ming, and must have at least been at the eighth level of Qi Martial Realm; there was no doubt Li Yan would lose. He wanted to stop this but seeing how eager Li Batian and the eldest elder were to agree, he had to keep quiet.

"Li Yan, step up and fight him," the second elder said coldly, casting a glance at Li Kai. This was his own doing.

Li Yan returned to the arena, sneering at Li Xiaoyao. "You're a waste of space, and now you're dragging your father down with you. But hey, I guess it's pretty cool that I can decide who the family head is."

"Does your sword talk as much trash as you do?"

"I FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!!" Li Yan unsheathed his sword and lunged at Li Xiaoyao.

"Cold Shadow Slash."

"GET THE. FUCK OFFFFFFFFFFFFF!" Li Xiaoyao shouted, taking a step forward. The sword energy Li Yan unleashed shattered instantly, and before Li Yan could react, Li Xiaoyao's fists broke through the opening and slammed into Li Yan's chest, sending him flying back.

The long sword had already fallen to the ground, and Li Yan lay there in confusion. He lost? How did he lose?

"Your sword is supposed to be precise and fierce, but you have none of that—just endless openings. Using a sword like that is an insult to the weapon. You're a total waste," Li Xiaoyao said, kicking the fallen sword away and returning Li Yan's earlier words right back at him.

Not only was Li Yan defeated, but the rest of the Li family was also stunned. It was such a familiar move—just like when Li Xiaoyao defeated Li Yi three months ago. It was a single strike, effortlessly delivered.

Looking at Li Xiaoyao on the stage, confident and proud, this so-called waste of a boy seemed to have undergone a complete transformation. Even Li Yan, at the peak of the seventh level of Qi Martial Realm, was no match for him.

"How is this possible? How could this happen?" The second elder trembled slightly, feeling a chill run through him as he noticed Li Kai, who was steadily approaching him from the main seat above.