An absolute silence reigned amongst the spectator stands and even the VIP booth, no one could have imagined that the first position of this tournament will change hands in less than ten minutes…

"Great…Wonderful…" Min Tian stared blankly at the youngster on the dueling platform. A split second later, he slowly sat down as he started mumbling to himself as an untamed ecstasy and emotion bloomed from within his eyes.

​​

The training grounds was utterly silent. One by one, different kinds of gazes landed upon the boy atop the dueling platform, paralyzed in their seats due to the outcome of this battle, unable to speak a single syllabled word.

"To think he actually won…" Min Rou was also shocked by this outcome. Below the platform, Min Jiao lightly patted her chest to ease her thumping heartbeat, her eyes were completely nailed onto Min Hong.

She could only manage a draw against Min Kong after using all her abilities, yet Min Hong just smashed the same person out of the dueling platform. This simply implied that, she would lose to Min Hong, should they battle.

"Impossible…" the surrounding gazes made Min Kong feel like he was being prickled by countless needles. His face twitched violently, as the expression on his face fluctuated. Suddenly, he let out a roar of anger and dashed back into the platform as he prepared to attack Min Hong.

Min Hong's brows furrowed. Although, the tournament had ended, Min Kong still refused to accept the outcome.

Instantly, he took a step forward, and like a pair of metal pincers, both his palms readied themselves to halt Min Kong's advance. Just as he was about to push Min Kong off the platform again, a shout abruptly rang out.

"Get lost!" A figure descended from the VIP booth, his hands like and eagle's claws covered in fire, as they grabbed at Min Hong. Alarmed, the latter swiftly withdrew his hands, yet the former was unwilling to let him off, as the fiery claws went directly for Min Hong's shoulders.

"Min Lei!" The sudden chaos greatly stunned the spectators, and seeing the identity of the aggressor, Min Bolin immediately roared out in pure fury.

"You get lost…don't you dare touch my son!" Before Min Bolin's roar could fade away, one other figure dashed onto the platform and appeared in front of Min Hong. It was Min Rou.

"Min Rou do you really think you can match up to me?" Seeing that Min Rou had come to protect her son, Min Lei could not help but let out a sneer. Flame Qi flickered on his palm as he furiously swatted at Min Rou, leaving blazing heat in its wake.

"I said get lost!" Min Rou's expression darkened as she neither dodged or defend, instead she directly responded with her own attack. Moist covered the air as Min Rou let out a watery Qi all over her palms, as the two attacks collided violently.

"Fissssshhhh!" A strong wave of hot mist erupted with the clash at its center. As the mist settled the spectators were once again stunned, as they saw Min Lei's attack nullified and himself five steps away from the point of collision while Min Rou was four steps away.

Evidently, he had tragically lost in the brief exchange. Instantly, Min Bolin, who was just about to intervene, froze in his steps. On his seat, the anger and anxiety of Min Tian was about to erupt, before coming to an abrupt halt.

"Your strength?!" Min Lei stumbled as he tried to rise from his disgraceful sitting position. But at the same moment his heart was racing like a gazelle being chased by a cheetah. A petrified look appeared on his face, as he stared at Min Rou.

"When injuries heal, strength will gradually be restored. You dare to cause such a scene at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony of the next generation? Do you think that us mother and son are so easily bullied?" Min Rou spoke as a wind intent merged with the water Law and snow started to descend, as if in response to her current icy demeanor.

"Little sister, you have recovered your second Law?" at the bottom of the platform, delight surged within Min Bolin's face. A Nascent soul level expert was a very important factor that determines a faction's power.

Currently, in the entire Min Family, including himself there were only seven people in the Nascent Soul stage. However, even such a small number allowed the Min Family to command a little more substantial power in the Soaring Cloud Village.

Now that Min Rou had made a complete recovery and her strength was gradually being restored back to its peak, this meant their Min Family would have one more Nascent Soul expert in the nearest future.

When Min Rou was pregnant with Min Hong, they had noticed that Min Hong might not survive due to his illness. They had searched for a cure but could not find one.

It was later on that Min Tian noticed that the baby within Min Rou was actually feeding off her cultivation base in a furious fight for survival. It was due to this fighting spirit that Min Tian became really interested in the baby.

So, when the baby actually survived the ordeal, everyone in the family was naturally happy. Then, because Min Rou was the strongest amongst Min Tian's children Min Lei had been unhappy at the amount of love and attention Min Rou was getting from their father.

When Min Rou finally gave birth, her cultivation had already regressed, putting her in the third position amongst Min Tian's children. At that point, Min Lei finally thought Min Tian would notice him and give him more attention as he was now only behind Min Bolin who was older than himself.

But he was bound to be disappointed as that condition Min Rou was in, only made Min Tian give her more attention. So, every time he had the opportunity, he was always looking for a way to downgrade Min Rou.

Even the rest of Min Rou's siblings save for Min Bolin didn't give her the amount of respect they usually would. They chose to distance themselves from her, thinking her injury was permanent.

But now that the injury was done and she was now gradually recovering her cultivation, she was bound to return to her prime sooner than later.

She actually started recovering when she made a breakthrough during the same time Min Hong achieved the 'One with World' level in the [Song of the Wind Spirit] sword art.

But Min Tian decided to keep the matter a secret per the request from Min Rou herself. But currently, she had definitely made another breakthrough, to be able to stand toe to toe with Min Lei.

The thought of Min Rou in her prime resurfaced in Min Lei's mind and that was why he had a petrified expression in front of Min Rou.

On his seat, even Min Tian was stunned by the power Min Rou just displayed, but he swiftly regained his composure, as he dashed onto the dueling platform. After sensing the Law of water element radiating from Min Rou, he burst out in a hearty laughter.

"Good…in the end, you did not let me down." Min Tian actually hugged Min Rou on the spot as his nose became itchy and his eyes swelled, with tears threatening to spill out.

Min Hong who didn't know about so many things, understood at that moment that Min Tian was truly moved by this new development.

"Min Lei, even in such a public event, you actually dare to intervene because of your personal feelings. Do you want to disgrace the Min Family just like your son did earlier?" Min Tian's tearful state vanished instantly as he turned and icily glared at Min Lei, a fiery fury spilling from his voice.

Hearing Min Tian raise his voice, Min Lei's expression sunk further. In the Min Family, Min Tian's authority were absolute and unchallenged, even the Ironwood Tribe are very fearful of directly challenging Min Tian, which was why they only terrorize the smaller tribes under the Min Family's control.

Min Tian was a respectable person who always kept his word. Even though Min Lei was in the Nascent Soul stage, he didn't dare to refute Min Tian and could only bow his head in silence and submission.

"Father, please let the matter go for now. After all, there are still many guests present, especially the VIP's." Min Rou hurriedly intervened as she whispered in a bid to calm Min Tian.

Min Tian took a deep breath as he suppressed his fury. Then, with a wrap of his sleeves, he commanded, "I will settle the current situation. Then you all will meet me at my residence!" as he finished, he turned and left, the heavy thuds of his footsteps betraying the fact that he was still furious.

Seeing the new turn of events, Min Bolin let out a pained sigh as he glanced at Min Rou and Min Lei. After all this while these two siblings of his have been at constant dispute, they have even managed to drag their children into their skirmishes.

Min Tian's residence was considered a restricted area, and no one was allowed to even approach it without special permission. But at this moment there were several figures seated within a large hall.

The man sitting right at the center was the, still furious Min Tian, beside him were Min Lei, Min Rou, Min Bolin and other key members of the Min Family, like the three elders.

Seated beside Min Rou was her children, Min Hong and Min Qing, who were even scared to breathe, as the atmosphere was somehow suffocating due to the furious Min Tian.

"Min Lei, as an elder, you actually attacked a member of the next generation, can you even humiliate the Min Family any further?" Min Tian furiously barked as he slammed his palm on the table in front of him, which blasted into dust.

"Father, I'm sorry, I was too impulsive earlier." Min Lei hurriedly apologized as he took a deep breath. He had been truly devastated after seeing his son utterly humiliated by Min Hong.

After all, since they were young, he had always been competing with Min Rou, and now the constant defeat had been inherited by his son as well.

"Father, third brother was indeed impulsive. However, do not be too angry." Min Bolin sighed as he was forced to soften the atmosphere as the eldest brother.

"Little sister's injuries have finally healed, and she has even entered the Nascent Soul stage. This is a truly joyous occasion. You should be happy at this point."

Upon hearing these words, Min Tian nodded his head towards Min Bolin in approval, as his gaze softened a bit, but he still let out a disgruntled snort, "You had obviously recovered a while ago, but you let your pride stand in the way and even hid it from me."

Min Rou nodded her head, and could only force an awkward smile.

Seeing that Min Rou could actually smile about any other matter asides her children, Min Tian nodded his head in satisfaction.

Then he continued, "Recently our business has been expanding and we've been extremely busy at the blazing manor. Head over there and help manage the place, if you require any help, Bolin will be there to assist you."

When she heard that she would be put in charge of the blazing manor, Min Rou was extremely shocked.

This was because, the blazing manor generated about a quarter of the Min Family's total income, and it was formerly under Min Lei's control, but she eventually nodded in agreement after a bit of hesitation.

Min Lei on the other hand, was extremely unhappy, but he couldn't complain. Not when he just infuriated Min Tian.

After dishing out his instructions, Min Tian turned to kindly gaze at Min Hong, Min Jiao and the slightly unhappy Min Kong. With a gentle smile, he spoke; "Meanwhile, Min Hong's performance today was the most outstanding.

Truly, he should be crowned the champion of the tournament. As for the competition prizes, I will assign someone to bring all of you to the martial arts library later on. Feel free to make full use of your time there."

"If there's anything else you three need, do not hesitate to tell me. After all, I hope you all can grow rapidly before the 'Battle for the Central Region' and make our family proud."

Upon sensing that they were now permitted to enter the martial arts library, Min Hong's eyes started to blaze like an inferno. This was the moment he had been waiting for. He was utterly delighted.