The Struggle for Patriarch

Long Ao Tian, the eldest young master of the Long family with a high status, inquired, and Li Han had to respond. He just shook his head slightly and said, "Young Master Long jests. What's so peculiar about the Mountain Splitting Fist? If you are interested, feel free to visit the Li family to study it." Hearing Li Han deliberately explain the bizarre technique as Mountain Splitting Fist, Long Ao Tian was not annoyed but rather slightly surprised, realizing Li Han was unwilling to explain the origin of the move. Could it be related to those individuals? His gaze then fell on two mysterious white-robed figures in a corner.

The strange scene in the arena surprised not just Long Ao Tian. The Third Elder and the First Elder exchanged looks, both revealing an expression as if they had seen a ghost. After a moment, the Third Elder spoke with a dry voice, "I didn't expect the Patriarch to have acquired such a powerful fighting technique. It seems our Li family's Martial Arts Pavilion needs to increase its defenses." Li Han coldly laughed, "There are plenty of techniques in the Martial Arts Pavilion, but indeed, after today, its defenses need to be enhanced to prevent private transmission of family techniques for personal gain!"

With such a talented individual poised to inherit the head of the family, what dissatisfaction could the First Elder have? Li Han seemed to have anticipated this scene. He smiled faintly and said, "First Elder, I understand your point. Our Li family rule is that one cannot inherit the head's position without becoming a Fighter. However, I am only establishing a future head's title at this moment. What's inappropriate about that? If you insist that one must be a Fighter to hold this title, then I fear no one among our younger generation qualifies. Or... First Elder, are you suggesting our Li family should have no future head?"

The First Elder's brow furrowed slightly. "Even so, how can the future head be determined so easily?" Li Han replied with a light smile, "Li Yi is my only direct heir. What's wrong with my decision? If someone from a collateral branch were to object, it would be another matter, but they are not much better themselves."

"Hmph, Li Han! Who says my collateral branch has no one," the Third Elder stood up furiously. "Li Bing has been a two-crystal Fighter for a while now! In terms of qualification, who can surpass her? What do you all think?" The Third Elder glanced over the VIP seats, where many people showed a half-smiling expression. Only Mo Er coughed and said, "Indeed… Patriarch Li, you may have been a bit hasty."

Li Han looked deeply at Mo Er and then smiled, "It seems the Third Elder and the Mo family have a special relationship. However, I must ask you, Third Elder... Are you suggesting our Li family's next head should be a woman? What if Li Bing gets married? Would our thousand-year-old Li family also become part of her dowry?" The Third Elder's face changed, looking at Li Yi and not knowing what to say.

The First Elder, with a frustrated expression, cursed silently before coughing to draw everyone's attention. "Patriarch, if you want to give Li Yi the title of the future head, it's not impossible. However, everything must be done according to our Li family rules. The one to become the head must accept a challenge from a family peer. If he wins, I have nothing to say, and we will follow the Patriarch's decision. But if he loses..."

"If he loses, Li Yi naturally loses his status," Li Han said calmly. "Since the First Elder has spoken, let's proceed according to the rules." After speaking, Li Han's gaze fell on Li Yi in the arena, a smile appearing on his face. "Li Yi, if you lose, I assure you, no one can touch your status as the heir!"

A cold laugh echoed in Li Han's heart as he sat down slowly by his seat, his calm eyes on the arena, as if he had already anticipated the outcome. Li Han's demeanor made several elders grind their teeth. If it weren't for the presence of outsiders, they might have taken action. After a moment, the elders exchanged glances, and the First Elder took a deep breath and announced loudly, "According to the rules, any member of the Li family has the right to challenge Li Yi. The victor will be the next head of the family!"

This statement caused a gasp in the arena. Although the opportunity was slim, the title of the head of the Li family... Many hearts burned with desire. However, the younger family members didn't let the title cloud their judgment. While they all desired the head's position, they were more aware that even Li Ba couldn't defeat Li Yi. The current Li Yi was no longer the useless young master he used to be. Challenging him rashly would only lead to embarrassment.

Li Yi hadn't expected this turn of events. Standing on the platform, he sighed and looked into the crowd, wondering if his cousin Li Bing might... His thought was interrupted by a cold laugh from the crowd: "In that case, let me be the one to challenge!"

Li Han's cold words caused a slight change in the Third Elder's expression. Usually, he would have retorted, but the situation had completely changed now! With Li Yi's transformation from waste to talent within three months, his status as the next Patriarch was almost certain. This meant the collateral branches would lose any chance to seize power for decades, and with Li Yi's victory, their original plan...

The Third Elder was torn, sitting in his place, unable to utter a word. Shaking his head slowly, Li Han felt a complex mix of emotions. As the current Patriarch, he knew that their family didn't possess such an enigmatic technique. Could it be something his mother left behind? With this thought, he felt somewhat relieved.

On the platform, Li Yi gently withdrew his hand, and as the last wisp of Yuanqi dissipated from his fingers, he looked at the ashen-faced Li Ba and smiled gently, like the warm sun in winter, softly saying, "You lost." Li Ba nodded mechanically, attempting to speak but coughing up blood instead. Li Yi shook his head, "You should use that secret technique less in the future. With your strength, why rely on such things?" Finally swallowing the blood in his mouth, Li Ba hoarsely said, "Young Master Li Yi is indeed powerful. I, Li Ba, am not convinced. Once I become a Fighter, I will seek your guidance again." Li Yi smiled lightly, "I'll be waiting."

Li Ba took a breath and struggled to his feet, then staggered off the platform into the incredulous crowd. "Fourth Elder, may I step down now?" Li Yi asked the dazed Fourth Elder. "Oh, ah…" Jolted back to reality by Li Yi's voice, the Fourth Elder, having seen the strange nature of Reversing Wind Palm up close, was still processing the eerie feeling of his own fierce attack turning on himself. "According to the rules, with a victor decided, Young Master Li Yi, you can step down. However..." he looked towards the VIP seats and added, "Given your special status, perhaps later…"

Sighing internally, the Fourth Elder stepped back discreetly, yielding the center stage, his gaze returning to the VIP seats. Li Han slowly exhaled, feeling content with the outcome, regardless of how Li Yi achieved his current level of prowess. Even with his firm disposition, he felt a touch of joy; Li Yi's victory was unexpected, given Li Ba's notorious ferocity. Shaking his head to clear his mind, Li Han's mocking gaze fell on the grim-faced First Elder before he decisively stood up, drawing everyone's attention to the VIP seats.

"The clan assembly is hereby successfully concluded. The winners may enter the Martial Arts Pavilion to study techniques starting tomorrow for three days. What you learn depends on your luck. Additionally, I have an announcement... From today, Li Yi is the heir to the Patriarch of the Li family, the future Patriarch!"

As Li Han's declaration echoed, the arena buzzed with commotion. Even those in the VIP seats who anticipated this scene inhaled sharply. Li Han's statement in such a situation was a direct challenge to those in the Li family with designs on the Patriarch's position. "How dare you!" The First Elder, with a dark expression, burst out, "Li Han, although you are the Patriarch, you have no right to decide this matter unilaterally. Besides, Young Master Li Yi has not yet formed his Qi Cyclone, disqualifying him as the heir!"

The First Elder was technically correct, but many understood that with Li Yi's terrifying speed of cultivation, defeating a seven-crystal Yuanqi opponent in just three months, forming a Qi Cyclone and becoming a Fighter was just a matter of time.