Xiao Yun was feeling very upset, and who could blame her?

She had been waiting to hear about her son Nie Li's soul realm ceremony, eager to learn what color his soul realm was.

To her, it didn't matter whether Nie Li's realm was indigo or red; he was her son, and she loved him unconditionally.

She was ready to support him, no matter what.

However, nothing could have prepared her for the shocking news she received.

Her son had challenged the Patriarch of their family, and now he was set to fight against the most skilled young masters of the Heavenly Marks Family.

The stakes were unimaginably high: if Nie Li lost, he would lose his life.

Xiao Yun desperately wished this was all just a bad dream, something she could wake up from any second now.

She counted down in her head, hoping to snap out of it: 3, 2, 1... She pinched herself, hoping for relief.

The sharp sting of pain confirmed her fears. This was no nightmare.

This was the harsh reality she had to face.

As the sting from the pinch lingered, Xiao Yun's hope vanished, and tears began to well up in her eyes.

She couldn't hold them back, and they started streaming down her cheeks.

The thought of losing Nie Li, her son, was unbearable.

She tried to grasp at any thought that could offer comfort, but found none.

As Xiao Yun's knees gave way beneath her, she found herself caught in the sturdy arms of her husband.

Looking up at Nie Ming through tear-streaked eyes, she begged, "Please, Ming, tell me this is some kind of sick joke. Haha," attempting to laugh through her pain, though the sound came out forced and hollow.

Nie Ming's gaze held a depth of sorrow as he met her eyes, his silence speaking volumes. In desperation, Xiao Yun grabbed his collar, her voice breaking as she screamed, "Why didn't you stop him? He is a child! He... Doesn't... know."

She struggled to articulate her fear, her anger, her helplessness, as the reality of their situation sank in.

What could they possibly do?

In their declining aristocratic family, they possessed no power, no connections, nothing that could sway their fate.

They were barely getting by, with hardly enough to eat.

How could they save their foolish son?

"Yun," Nie Ming said, trying to offer a comforting smile amidst the storm of emotions.

"It'll be alright," he assured her, though his voice lacked conviction.

"H-How?!" Xiao Yun demanded, her voice a mixture of fear and desperation.

When Nie Ming remained silent, her frustration boiled over, and she slapped him, immediately regretting the action, her hands flying to cover her face.

"I-I am sorry."

Nie Ming simply placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Before coming here, I planned to go back and beg the Patriarch. It didn't matter what he wanted, as long as our son survived. But Nie Li... wouldn't budge," he confessed.

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Xiao Yun's gaze flickered to her son, but Nie Ming held her attention as he continued, "I had a fight with Nie Li..."

His voice trailed off, the words difficult to admit.

"He beat me."

A chill ran down Xiao Yun's spine.

"I trust my son to win this tournament. You should too," Nie Ming said with a newfound respect in his tone.

Xiao Yun was silent, her mind racing, as she turned to Nie Li.

"Nie Li, tell me this is a lie, tell me this is a joke! Speak, boy!" she pleaded.

Nie Li then asked his father, "Do you have a sword?"

Nie Ming looked towards the house where his brother, Kai, was silently observing the scene.

"Bring me father's blade, Kai," he called out.

Nie Kai nodded, moving to comply.

[ Item: Decorative Sword ]

[ Type: Decoration ]

[ Description: A beautifully crafted sword designed solely for ornamental purposes. While it may not be functional as a weapon, its intricate design and aesthetic appeal make it a prized possession for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Perfect for adorning walls or as part of a costume. ]

[ Rarity: Common ]

[ Effects: ]

- [ Aesthetic Value: Significantly enhances the visual appeal of any room or ensemble it is part of. ]

- [ Prestige Boost: Increases social standing or reputation among peers when displayed or carried as part of a costume. ]

Nie Li sighed.

At least this was a sword.

It could work, right?

Nie Li thought as he looked at the other system window.

[ Input: Player's Desire - "Plan to impress family for their support." ]

[ Result: Mission Generated - "Showcase of Valor and Skill" ]

[ Objective: Demonstrate martial arts prowess to gain the family's admiration and support. ]

[ Actions Required: ]

- [ Select "Show off your martial arts" as the method to impress. ]

[ Warning: Utilizing a sword will yield the most effective results. ]

[ Player Nie Li has equipped Item: Decorative Sword ]

Nie Li shrugged and took a stance as he saw his family watching him.

[ Simulating Combat Style ]

[ Please Select the Following ]

[ ▶ Attack ]

[ ▷ Defend ]

[ ▷ Run Away ]

[ You have selected ▶ Attack ]

[ How do you want to simulate an attack? ]

[ ▶ Martial Arts ]

[ ▷ Item ]

[ ▷ Spell ]

[ Player Nie Li has selected Martial art - The Orchid Garden Weapon Art ]

[ Due to continuous use, The Orchid Garden Weapon Art's grade has evolved from low to mid-grade. ]

[ Skill: The Orchid Garden Weapon Art ]

[ Level: 1 ]

[ Grade: Mid ]

[ Description: Originally a low-grade martial arts technique inspired by the graceful fall of orchid leaves in the wind, The Orchid Garden Weapon Art has evolved through continuous use. Its creator, a talented gardener, developed this art by mimicking leaf movements with his broom, emphasizing fluidity and adaptability. Now refined, it applies to any object wielded as a weapon, enabling movements with the unpredictable elegance of falling leaves and enhanced by a deeper connection to the wielder's soul force. ]

[ Effects: ]

- [ Agility Boost: Increases user's agility by 10%, enabling quicker dodging and more fluid movement. ]

- [ Weapon Flexibility: Improves the efficiency of using unconventional weapons by 15%, allowing for greater adaptability in combat. ]

- [ Wind Trace: Grants a 5% chance to execute a counter-attack that mimics the unpredictable movement of wind-blown leaves, confusing opponents. ]

- [ Soul Force Coating: Enhances the power of the weapon by 10% by coating it in soul force, increasing both its damage output and the art's overall effectiveness. ]

Nie Li brushed aside most of the system notifications, focusing his attention on the decorative sword he now held firmly with both hands. He could feel his soul force stirring deep within his dantian, the core of his inner energy. As he directed this force into his arms, threads of glowing soul force began to weave around the sword, giving it an otherworldly shimmer.

With determination in his eyes, Nie Li fixed his gaze on a nearby tree. In one swift, fluid motion, he lunged forward, his movements precise and charged with purpose. The moment the sword's tip made contact with the tree's trunk, a dramatic phenomenon occurred.

Boom!

A powerful explosion of energy burst forth from the point of impact, ripping through the tree and carving a massive hole straight through its center. The raw force of the soul energy was so intense that the surrounding air seemed to vibrate.

Feeling the exertion of channeling such potent soul force, Nie Li's body was hit with a wave of weakness. It nearly overwhelmed him, causing his knees to buckle slightly. Yet, with sheer willpower, he managed to steady himself, refusing to fall.

As he stood there, regaining his balance, Nie Li turned to face his family. His mother, uncle, and aunt were staring at him, their expressions a mixture of shock and awe. But it was the look of pride in his father's eyes that truly caught his attention.

Gathering his strength, Nie Li made a bold declaration, his voice resonating with newfound confidence.

"I'll become the next Heir of the Heavenly Marks Family."