Three days after completing the sect mission, Liu Tian received permission to return to the Liu Clan for a short family visit.
He arrived at the main gate of the Liu Clan wearing the elegant white and blue robes of Heavenly Cloud Sect's inner disciple, with the sect's emblem embroidered on his chest. Crimson Fang hung at his waist, and his aura was perfectly concealed at the early Foundation Establishment level thanks to the Qi Concealment Technique.
The moment the guards saw him, their eyes widened in shock.
"Young… Young Master Tian?"
They quickly bowed deeply, their previous contempt completely gone.
News of his arrival spread like wildfire through the entire clan.
By the time Liu Tian reached the main hall, almost the entire Liu Clan had gathered — elders, inner disciples, outer disciples, and servants. Everyone wanted to see the "former waste" who had somehow entered Heavenly Cloud Sect.
At the head of the hall sat his elder brother, Liu Feng, at Qi Refining Stage 8, looking extremely displeased. Beside him were several clan elders.
Liu Feng sneered the moment he saw Liu Tian.
"So the trash finally decided to show his face again. I heard you somehow entered Heavenly Cloud Sect. Did you bribe someone or use some dirty trick?"
The hall filled with mocking laughter from those who still remembered the old Liu Tian.
However, the laughter didn't last long.
Liu Tian walked forward with calm, confident steps. His presence alone made the air feel heavier.
He stopped in the center of the hall and released a small portion of his true aura.
A powerful Foundation Establishment pressure swept through the entire hall.
Every single person felt their knees weaken. Some outer disciples even stumbled backward.
Liu Feng's face changed drastically. His arrogant expression froze.
"Foundation… Foundation Establishment?!" he stammered, eyes wide with disbelief. "Impossible! You were only at the second layer of Qi Refining less than a month ago!"
The entire hall erupted into chaos.
"Foundation Establishment?!"
"The waste… he actually reached Foundation Establishment?"
"How is this possible?!"
Liu Tian looked directly at his elder brother with a cold smile.
"Elder Brother, you seem surprised. Weren't you the one who always called me the biggest disgrace of the Liu Clan? The one who joined others in mocking me every day?"
He turned his gaze to the elders.
"And you, respected elders… you all agreed to dissolve my engagement with the Feng Clan because I was 'useless trash'. Now here I am — an inner disciple of Heavenly Cloud Sect, at the Foundation Establishment realm."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"Tell me… who is the real trash now?"
Dead silence fell over the hall.
No one dared to laugh anymore. Many lowered their heads in fear and shame. The face-slapping was brutal and complete.
This was the first major family face-slapping.
The former waste had returned stronger than anyone in the younger generation of the Liu Clan. Even Liu Feng, who had always been the pride of the family, now looked pale and insignificant in comparison.
Liu Feng's face twisted with jealousy and hatred.
"You… don't get cocky just because you had some lucky breakthrough!" he snarled. "The Liu Clan still belongs to me. You are nothing but—"
Before he could finish, Madam Li Xue stepped forward gracefully from the side hall. She was wearing an elegant dark red dress that highlighted her mature beauty.
She smiled softly at Liu Tian, but her eyes carried a hidden warning.
"Tian'er, welcome back. Come with me. There are important family matters we need to discuss… in private."
Liu Feng glared at his stepmother, but didn't dare say anything in front of everyone.
Liu Tian nodded and followed Madam Li Xue to her private courtyard.
The moment the doors closed and soundproofing formations activated, Li Xue's gentle expression turned serious.
She stepped close to him and spoke in a low voice:
"Tian'er, listen carefully. Your brother Liu Feng has become desperate after hearing about your rapid progress. He has secretly made a deal with the Wang Clan. In ten days, during the upcoming Clan Grand Tournament, he plans to use a forbidden poison called 'Soul Devouring Powder' on you. It will look like an accident during the fight. If successful, it will destroy your cultivation base permanently and make it look like you failed due to your own weakness."
She placed a soft hand on his chest, her eyes filled with both worry and determination.
"He wants to eliminate you once and for all before you become too strong. We need to act before the tournament begins."
Liu Tian's eyes turned ice-cold, a dangerous smile slowly forming on his lips.
His elder brother wanted to kill him?
Perfect.