Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

Dongfang Mingyue stood beside her younger brother, the knife in her hand trembling slightly. She whispered to Dongfang Weiwo, "Little brother, the King of the East Sea is actually a half-step Celestial... This person has been hiding his abilities far too well."

Dongfang Weiwo nodded slightly without speaking. But his gaze lingered on the King of the East Sea for a moment, as if trying to etch every detail of this man into his mind.

Half-step Celestial Being—the number of known half-step Celestial Beings in the entire Eastern Continent is no more than five. Each one of them is a being who can shake the world with a single stomp of their foot.

The King of the East Sea was one of them.

"Then it's settled."

The King of the East Sea sat down again, his demeanor returning to its usual gentle and composed state, as if he hadn't been the one who had just unleashed his oppressive aura. He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and

"The martial arts competition will be held here tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM). All the talented individuals will decide for themselves whether or not to accept the challenge. Young Master Dongfang—"

He looked at Dongfang Weiwo, his gaze holding a mixture of scrutiny and interest: "Are you willing?"

All eyes turned to Dongfang Weiwo once again.

Dongfang Mingyue nervously tugged at her younger brother's sleeve and whispered:

"Little brother, don't agree! They outnumber you and you can't withstand a relentless attack!"

But Dongfang Weiwo remained silent for a moment.

He felt the greedy, scrutinizing, fearful, and curious gazes piercing him like a thousand needles. Then, he suddenly laughed.

The smile was faint, yet it carried a composure that stunned everyone.

"good."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the entire arena: "I'm also curious to see just how strong these so-called prodigies of the world really are."

He glanced at Chu Yunxiao, then at Li Tianxing, then at Wangwo behind Master Liaoyin, then at Guiyuan beside Master Qingyuan, then at the four sword disciples of the Four Extremes Sword Sect, and then at Ye Xingchen and Wu Zhao.

"Anyone who wants a challenge, come tomorrow morning. I, Dongfang Weiwo, am ready to fight to the bitter end."

His tone was as calm as if he were asking "What should we eat tomorrow?", but every word carried an unwavering determination.

No one could see the slightest fear or hesitation on his face.

Dongfang Mingyue opened her mouth as if to say something, but seeing her younger brother's nonchalant expression, she finally let out a helpless sigh.

"Your stubbornness is just like your father's," she muttered under her breath, putting away the knife.

Dongfang Shuo silently took a step back and disappeared back into the ranks of the guards, but the sharp glint in his old eyes still vigilantly scanned the surroundings.

In the shadows, Dongfang Weiwo withdrew the hidden energy he had used to send a message to the underworld.

Since the matter can be resolved through a martial arts contest, there's no need to reveal our connection with the underworld for the time being.

"A war of attrition?" he sneered inwardly. "I'd like to see if your wheels can even scratch this iron plate."

The various factions began to disperse.

As Master Liaoyin of Wanfo Temple turned around, he gave Dongfang Weiwo a meaningful look: "Benefactor Dongfang, you have quite the spirit. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

The selfless young monk behind him raised his eyelids and moved his lips, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just silently chanted a Buddhist prayer and followed Yin away.

The Blood Shadow Elder of the Heavenly Demon Sect chuckled sinisterly and whispered, "It would be best if this brat died in tomorrow's competition. If he dies, the inheritance will naturally be unclaimed." He spoke in a very low voice, so low that only Mo Wuyai beside him could hear him.

Mo Wuyai nodded, a hint of killing intent flashing in his dark eyes.

As Jian Wuming, the Grand Elder of the Four Extremes Sword Sect, left with his hands behind his back, he said to the four sword disciples behind him, "Go and take a look tomorrow. Avoid taking action if possible, but make sure you understand Dongfang Weiwo's true strength."

Xie Changkong nodded: "This disciple understands."

Ye Guhong whispered, "A late-stage Grandmaster, facing so many Grandmaster prodigies, isn't he afraid?"

Ouyang Xue interjected, "Scared? Does he look scared? I think he's already planned this all along."

Meng Hanshuang said coldly, "Whether there was any scheming involved or not, we'll know tomorrow."

Chu Tianxing, the head of the Chu family, slowly fanned himself with a folding fan and said to Chu Yunxiao, "Yunxiao, you'll be the first one up tomorrow. Don't underestimate your opponent; Dongfang Weineng's ascent to the top of the Heavenly Ladder was definitely not a fluke."

Chu Yunxiao snorted coldly: "I know what I'm doing."

But the fact that his hand was unconsciously stroking the hilt of the sword showed that he wasn't as relaxed as he claimed.

Master Qingyuan of the Zhenwu Dao Sect sighed, shook his head, and turned to leave with Guiyuan.

The young Taoist priest Guiyuan asked in a low voice, "Uncle-Master, tomorrow we..."

"Just watch," Master Qingyuan interrupted him. "The True Martial Daoist sect neither takes advantage of others' misfortunes nor adds to their success. 'The Dao follows nature'—let the situation develop naturally, and we will observe the changes."

Guiyuan nodded and said nothing more.

After everyone dispersed from the Blood-Weeping Marquis's camp, only Dongfang Weiwo and Dongfang Mingyue remained, standing side by side on the beach.

The night breeze ruffled Dongfang Mingyue's red outfit. She turned to look at her younger brother, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke: "Little brother, are you really confident tomorrow? It's a series of attacks. Chu Yunxiao, Mo Wuyai, and countless others are all eyeing your inheritance. Even if you're a late-stage Grandmaster, you can't withstand them taking turns attacking you."

Dongfang Weiwo gazed at the distant sea, where moonlight spilled onto the surface, shattering into countless silver scales.

"Don't worry, sister." He smiled slightly. "They want to wear me down with a war of attrition. We'll see if they have the ability."

He spoke in a calm tone, but Dongfang Mingyue keenly caught the fleeting glint of cold light in his eyes.

She suddenly realized that her younger brother seemed to be different from before.

No, maybe he's always been like this.

He just kept it too well hidden before.

"Alright then." Dongfang Mingyue patted his shoulder. "Anyway, I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines. If you lose, I'll rush up and chop them all down."

"What if we can't beat them?"

"If you can't beat them, just run away." Dongfang Mingyue said matter-of-factly, "I'm your sister, there's nothing shameful about me running away."

Dongfang Weiwo couldn't help but laugh.

Under the moonlight, the siblings stood side by side, gazing at the entrance to the distant, faintly visible tomb.

Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), an unprecedented battle of geniuses will begin on the shores of the East China Sea.

Someone wants to seize his legacy.

Some people want to see him make a fool of himself.

Some people want to use this opportunity to make a name for themselves.

But Dongfang Weiwo had only one thought in his mind—

"What you want, you can't take away from me. What you want to see, I'll show you."

He clenched his fist, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit like stars.

"Tomorrow, I'll show you what true—Eastern Sovereignty—is all about."