Very soon, Ye Xuan figured it out.
Why make such a comparison when the scale and rank of the two families were completely different? Did the current Ye Family have the qualifications to be compared to the Gongsun Family? Absolutely not!
Ye Xuan understood that different stages required different actions. For example, he encouraged the Ye Family to have as many children as possible. However, the current Gongsun Family strictly enforced a policy of fewer, higher-quality births for the Side Branches. The Direct Lineage could have dozens of children, but members of the Side Branches were limited to a maximum of three. Therefore, with different ranks and scales, there was no need for comparison.
For now, he would just let his family lie flat while he worked hard alone. Although this would be exhausting, how could he not be tired as the Patriarch trying to develop the entire Ye Family? Besides, who else could the Ye Family rely on but him? Once the next three generations of the Ye Family had grown up, he would no longer let them lie flat. Just like the Gongsun Family, he would let them form a relatively balanced competitive mechanism among themselves.
Having figured this out, Ye Xuan said, "Grandfather, I understand what you mean. With everyone working so hard, there really is no need to set an example. How about this? I’ll use another way to persuade you to promote Zhao Wuji."
"You brat, still haven’t given up? But I’m truly curious—what other way? You really think I’ll agree."
"Grandfather, you will agree."
"Oh, let’s hear it."
"Grandfather, what do you think of my talent? Do I have a bright future?"
Gongsun Wenjin nodded and said seriously, "To be honest, you are the most talented youth I have ever seen, bar none. Your future is limitless, provided you don’t perish prematurely. If you change your surname to Gongsun, I will immediately agree to your request. Think about it carefully. Since your surname is Ye, even if I want to foster you with all my might, my hands are tied. You know how important a surname is to a family. That’s also why all prominent families want to have sons."
Gongsun Wenjin was right; in large families, a son’s status was definitively higher than a daughter’s. Perhaps they received the same amount of love and care growing up, but once sons came of age, they would absolutely hold real power. Daughters, on the other hand, could only be married off. And married daughters were like spilled water—gone forever.
Although Ye Xuan was outstanding, his surname was ultimately Ye. And bearing the surname Ye ultimately made him an outsider.
"Grandfather, since you say my future is limitless, what if I promise that once I mature, I will help the Gongsun Family with whatever danger it faces? Would you be willing to grant Zhao Wuji the Gongsun surname then?"
"You brat..." Gongsun Wenjin was stunned.
Ye Xuan’s intention was clearly to use his own future to help Zhao Wuji. Gongsun Wenjin’s expression soon turned slightly cold.
"Ye Xuan, are you saying that if I don’t agree, you won’t help the Gongsun Family when we’re in trouble in the future, even if you’ve become a supreme expert? Ye Xuan, I’ve never treated you poorly. Your words are quite heartless!"
Ye Xuan’s expression remained placid. "Grandfather, as long as my mother is alive, I will definitely help. With her here, we are family. But what about several hundred years from now? If you pass away, my mother passes away, and my eldest uncle passes away... do you think our relationship will still be this close?"
In this world, no matter how powerful a family was, they could not escape the cruel reality that familial affection rarely lasted beyond three generations, especially after daughters were married off.
Gongsun Wenjin remained silent for a long while before asking, "How are you so sure that you will definitely mature into someone great?"
Ye Xuan smiled and countered, "This is a gamble, Grandfather. Do you dare to take it? Even if you lose the bet, you actually lose nothing. All it takes is granting Zhao Wuji a surname so his lineage won’t be driven out; he will still remain part of the Side Branches. But if you win the bet and I successfully mature, my promise will bring a hundred benefits and not a single harm to the Gongsun Family, right? I swear, as long as I live, I will protect the Gongsun Family."
"Interesting. You are exceptionally confident that your future achievements will surpass my Gongsun Family." Gongsun Wenjin narrowed his eyes, seemingly considering the offer. After a while, he said, "Alright, then I’ll take this gamble. Let’s see if you can truly rise to the top."
"Thank you, Grandfather. Actually, Grandfather, win or lose, you are the winner."
"Oh? How so?"
"Grandfather, the reason you don’t want to promote Zhao Wuji is that you feel a Body Refiner has no real prospects. But have you ever considered that Zhao Wuji might not be practicing a Spiritual Qi Body Refining Technique, but has instead received the systematic inheritance of an Ancient Body Cultivator? If that’s the case, haven’t you just found a treasure?" Ye Xuan said, bowing with cupped hands as he backed out of the room.
"This brat..." Gongsun Wenjin chuckled. Ye Xuan’s words perhaps held some reason, but the chances were far too slim. He didn’t believe for a second that Zhao Wuji had acquired some extraordinary Body Cultivator inheritance. And even if he had, rising to prominence would be as difficult as ascending the heavens.
About fifteen minutes later, Ye Xuan returned to the martial arts arena.
He glanced in Zhao Wuji’s direction. Zhao Wuji had still not woken up and remained unconscious. All the members of the Side Branches surrounded him, guarding him closely so he could rest peacefully. Although every single member of the Side Branches had been eliminated from the top ten this time, none of them had left. Instead, they chose to stay and watch the matches. Observing such brilliant battles would improve their own combat experience.
Two hours quickly passed.
The clamor in the martial arts arena ceased in an instant as Gongsun Wenjin stepped onto the high platform. Clearing his throat, he announced, "The time is up. Will the disciples who made it into the top ten come up to draw lots? In this round, we will decide the top five."
Gongsun Wenjin’s words were sonorous and forceful, echoing endlessly around the arena like the voice of a Divine King.
Zhao Wuji, who had been in a deep coma, suddenly opened his eyes.
"I must enter the top ten. I absolutely have to!"
Upon hearing his words, an Elder of the Side Branches shook his head. "Wuji, you have already lost..."
"I lost?" Zhao Wuji’s Tonglong shrank as he finally remembered that Ye Xuan had knocked him out of the fighting ring.
"Lost... I actually lost..."
Zhao Wuji felt his head spin. How much had he suffered through his fifteen years of grueling effort? He had thought that today he would stun the world with a single brilliant feat and soar into the heavens. But who could have expected that he would run into Ye Xuan?
He slumped to the ground, seemingly unable to accept the truth. After a long while, Zhao Wuji staggered to his feet like the Walking Dead.
"Wuji, where are you going?"
"Home... But, is it still our home?"
Zhao Wuji knew that since he hadn’t made it into the top ten this time, they would be kicked out. The list of those being expelled from the Zhao Family had actually been issued a long time ago. It was only because he had suddenly returned and qualified for the grand tournament that his family was temporarily allowed to continue living in the Gongsun Family estate. He had promised the Elders of the Side Branches that he would definitely enter the top ten. If he failed, he would pack his things and leave voluntarily.
"Alas, why did you have to be a Body Refiner?" the Elder of the Side Branches sighed.
The list of those kicked out of the Gongsun Family each year was finalized by the Direct Lineage. Once confirmed, it was impossible to alter. If Zhao Wuji weren’t a Body Refiner and yet possessed the strength of the 6th or even 7th Layer of the Demon Spirit Realm, all the Elders of the Side Branches could have joined forces to petition the Direct Lineage to change the quota, even if he hadn’t entered the top ten.
But of all things, Zhao Wuji was a Body Refiner...
And a Body Refiner had no future.