The ancestral hall of the Chen Clan rose majestically, its polished wooden beams and intricate carvings a testament to generations of power. As Chen Yuheng stepped inside, he felt the familiar weight of judgment in the air, thick and suffocating. The clan gathering was in full swing, members filling the space with whispers and glances, some dripping with envy while others masked their mockery behind polite smiles.

“Look at Yuheng, the so-called genius,” Chen Longwei sneered from a nearby group of cousins. Their laughter rang out, sharp and cutting, but Yuheng merely smiled silently, a devilish grin that went unnoticed. He knew the truth of his strength, honed through forbidden techniques in the clan's hidden grounds. The scorn of mere children did not agitate him; he was patient, a schemer waiting for the right moment.

His gaze swept over the gathering, observing those who dared to speak behind his family's back. Chen Zheng, his father, stood resolute beside Lady Lin, Yuheng’s mother, who bore the noble blood of the Alchemy Tower. Her reputation lent them an influence that some of the other clan members found hard to swallow. Jealousy simmered in the air, thick enough to cut.

Chen Zheng, at the 6th Realm of cultivation—Soul Transformation—had spent years strengthening his soul and grasping minor Dao insights. Yuheng often wondered what it felt like to walk in his father’s shadow, knowing that he had the potential to surpass him.

As clan head Chen Yuanhong rose to address the assembly, silence fell over the room. He was a man of wisdom, cautious in his dealings, yet today, his words carried a heaviness that clung to Yuheng’s thoughts. The patriarch’s voice echoed through the hall, announcing the upcoming testing of the younger generation's potential in one month—a tradition that occurred every two years.

“Our future rests upon the shoulders of our youth,” Chen Yuanhong declared, his gaze sweeping over the gathered members. “I urge each of you to prepare your children for this assessment. It is not merely a test of strength but a demonstration of our clan’s legacy.”

Yuheng noted the murmurs that rippled through the crowd—some filled with eagerness, others with dread. Among the younger generation, Chen Longwei had yet to advance beyond the 2nd level of Qi Gathering. He was confident but lacked the foundation for true cultivation, a fact that only fueled Yuheng's determination to outshine him.

The ancestors of the clan were a mysterious presence, seldom seen unless danger loomed or an important decree was needed. Their reclusive nature only added to the tension, a constant reminder of the weighty expectations that hung over the clan.

As the discussions resumed, Yuheng caught snippets of conversations aimed at his family—derisive comments about their supposed weakness and how Lady Lin’s connections had unfairly elevated their status. He felt a surge of satisfaction at their folly. They failed to realize that they were merely chess pieces in a game he had yet to fully engage in.

With a sly smile, Yuheng allowed himself to bask in the shadows of their ignorance. He was not the waste they believed him to be. He was a patient player, gathering information, observing rivalries, and plotting his ascent. The upcoming testing would soon reveal hidden talents, but he had plans of his own, secrets that would shift the balance of power within the clan.

For now, he would continue to observe, waiting for the perfect moment to reveal the true depths of his potential. The game was afoot, and soon, the Chen Clan would learn the price of underestimating him.