Overlord of the Wilderness

After Zhaang Ye defeated Zhaang Qing, it was Zhaang Que’s turn to take the stage. As expected of one of the strongest of the younger generation, Zhaang Que easily knocked Zhaang River off the Martial Arts Arena.

Next should have been the final match between Zhaang Ye and Zhaang Que to decide first place. But at that moment, Zhaang Que said something completely unexpected: ”I am not Zhaang Ye’s match. I forfeit.”

”Forfeit?!”

The audience below the stage immediately erupted in an uproar.

Even the Grand Elder, who was acting as the judge, could hardly believe his ears. The ever-fearless and arrogant Zhaang Que, who held his head so high, was forfeiting without even fighting?

Then, Zhaang Que spoke again. ”Zhaang Ye’s greatest strength is his Saber Technique. But all this time, he hasn’t used a weapon. If he were to use one, I would be no match for him.”

Hearing Zhaang Que’s words, the crowd finally remembered that Zhaang Ye had been using his palm as a blade, executing his Saber Technique with his bare hand. To think he had defeated Zhaang Qing—whose strength was comparable to Zhaang Que’s—with just his palm... One could only imagine how terrifying he would be if he drew his Thick-Backed Saber!

No wonder Zhaang Que had taken the initiative to forfeit!

’I can’t believe my little brother has become so powerful...’ Watching Zhaang Ye’s figure, Zhaang Shu couldn’t help but sigh internally. He had a nagging feeling that giving up his pursuit of the Martial Dao to compete for the Patriarch’s seat might have been a mistake.

Liiu Suqing’s gaze toward Zhaang Ye was also complicated. She had never expected that the younger son she had always overlooked would, without her realizing, grow into a towering tree. And this towering tree would likely have an even greater future ahead of it, but she feared she could no longer hope to rest in its shade...

After questioning Zhaang Que one more time, the Grand Elder arranged for Zhaang Qing and Zhaang River to fight for third and fourth place. But the match for third place never happened. Having seen Zhaang Qing’s performance, Zhaang River knew he was no match for him and readily admitted defeat.

Thus, the first through fourth places were decided: first place, Zhaang Ye; second place, Zhaang Que; third place, Zhaang Qing; fourth place, Zhaang River. Next up were the matches to determine fifth through eighth place.

After witnessing the battle between Zhaang Ye and Zhaang Qing, the audience had little interest in the matches for fifth through eighth place. Even the few who took the stage to compete seemed unenthusiastic.

After a series of bouts, Zhaang Shu took fifth place, Zhaang Fang took sixth, Zhaang River took seventh, and Zhaang Mu took eighth.

With that, the competition was declared over, and the award ceremony began.

At that moment, the Patriarch Zhaang Chengtian, who had been absent all this time, appeared from out of nowhere. He watched the award ceremony on the stage with narrowed eyes.

As the first-place winner of this grand competition, Zhaang Ye had the right to become the next Patriarch. Therefore, as soon as the Grand Elder stepped onto the stage, he immediately turned his gaze to Zhaang Ye and said, ”Zhaang Ye, you are the first-place winner of this competition. According to the Zhaang Family’s rules, you automatically become the next Patriarch. I ask you now, are you willing to accept this position, to pour your own blood and sweat, your Heart Spirit, and even your very life into this family?”

On and off the stage, all eyes were on Zhaang Ye.

Everyone knew that Zhaang Ye only needed to say one word—”Willing”—and the Zhaang Family would be his to command. A family may have a thousand members, but only one person is in charge. The Patriarch’s authority was immense, far surpassing that of the Elders, allowing him to make his own decisions on the vast majority of matters.

Zhaang Ye’s gaze swept across the entire arena. He saw the nervousness on Liuu Suqing’s and Zhaang Shu’s faces, the disappointment on Zhaang Fang’s, the encouragement in the Second Elder’s eyes, and the indifferent expressions of Zhaang Qing and Zhaang Que...

Zhaang Ye’s gaze returned to the Grand Elder, and he said softly, ”I am not willing.”

Zhaang Ye’s voice was soft, but the moment the words left his lips, the entire arena exploded into chaos. Almost no one could believe their own ears; they couldn’t believe that Zhaang Ye had so easily given up the position of Patriarch that was right in his grasp.

One had to understand that while entering the main family to continue one’s Cultivation offered the chance to learn more advanced Cultivation Techniques, the position of Patriarch offered far more benefits in comparison. Upon entering the main family for Cultivation, one would have to start from the bottom as an ordinary disciple. If your luck was bad, you might never make a name for yourself and live your whole life in mediocrity.

But if one became Patriarch, all of the Zhaang Family’s resources would be at their disposal, virtually free to use. Moreover, the Patriarch held immense authority; a single word could decide life and death. With servants always on hand, life would be exceptionally comfortable. This was exactly the situation described by the saying, ”Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.”

Comparing the two, the benefits of being Patriarch were obvious. The vast majority of people could not comprehend Zhaang Ye’s choice. They thought this Zhaang Ye was simply insane!

’To give up being the Patriarch and run off to the main family as an ordinary disciple—if that’s not crazy, what is?!’

The crowd below was in an uproar, but the stage remained calm. After hearing Zhaang Ye’s answer, the Grand Elder’s expression didn’t change. He said, ”I will ask you one more time: are you truly unwilling to become the next Patriarch?”

Zhaang Ye nodded. ”I have sworn to spend my life pursuing the peak of the Martial Dao. The position of Patriarch is one I cannot accept.”

The Grand Elder nodded. ”According to the established rules, if you are unwilling to serve as Patriarch, you may nominate someone else for the position. We will then vote on your nomination.”

Liiu Suqing and Zhaang Shu knew the crucial moment had arrived. Both of them stared at Zhaang Ye with fervent eyes.

Zhaang Ye said calmly, ”Since I have the right to nominate, then I nominate Zhaang Shu to be the next Patriarch.”

Nominating one’s own relative as the next Patriarch was perfectly normal. No one in the audience spoke up; all eyes turned to the six Elders and the current Patriarch, Zhaang Chengtian.

The six Elders and Zhaang Chengtian would vote on Zhaang Ye’s nomination. If the vote passed, Zhaang Ye’s nomination would be accepted, and Zhaang Shu would become the next Patriarch.

As everyone waited with bated breath, the vote finally concluded. The Grand Elder stepped forward and announced in a loud voice, ”We, the Elders, have unanimously approved Zhaang Ye’s nomination. From this day forward, Zhaang Shu will be groomed as the next Patriarch.”

Zhaang Ye hadn’t expected his nomination to be approved so quickly and was slightly surprised. At that moment, Zhaang Qing, standing beside him, chuckled and said in a low voice, ”Surprising, isn’t it? Actually, it’s not strange at all. In this competition, you displayed immense strength and potential. Barring any accidents, you are destined to become a powerhouse in the future. Even the Elders are unwilling to easily offend someone with your potential. Besides, since you nominated the next Patriarch, they assume that when you become powerful, you’ll look after the family to some extent. This is highly beneficial for the family’s development. They’re all thinking long-term.”

Zhaang Ye came to a sudden realization.

With the next Patriarch decided, all that remained was to announce the rankings for the other young disciples and distribute the prizes. The rewards were mostly Elixirs and weapons, neither of which Zhaang Ye currently lacked. Thus, he had no interest in watching and simply returned to his own small courtyard.