"John Walker, your qigong has actually advanced to the eighth level of Qi Transformation, reaching a state of mastery. But just with this alone, if you want to compete with me for the position of family head, you’re still a bit too inexperienced." David Walker said proudly.

James Walker, standing behind his father, watched with admiration—this was a true expert. The changes in qigong, the ability to control heat and cold at will, invulnerability to blades and spears, and the power to alter one’s appearance.

"David Walker, I still have techniques I haven’t shown yet. How about we have a proper match today?" John Walker gave his golden cloak a fierce shake, making it flutter loudly, his fighting spirit surging.

"Alright, alright, today is our family gathering, not a time for fighting and rivalry. John Walker, even if you win, you still won’t be the family head. Only by winning the family head selection held by the Elders’ Council can you become the master of our Yang family." Thomas Walker stood up, waving his fan twice. A gentle, righteous energy dispersed the tense atmosphere, replacing it with peace and harmony.

This was his "Zhengyang Qigong," extremely mellow and harmonious.

"Thomas Walker, do you have something to say?" David Walker sat back in the family head’s chair. "If it’s about punishing my son, then forget it. My son’s martial arts have already been crippled, his qi sea destroyed, and he’s even been struck by lightning. Even the heavens have punished him. The fact that he survived means his sins have been absolved and the heavens have forgiven him."

"Your son is already crippled, but he cannot escape punishment entirely. Before I came, I discussed with many of our brothers. First: we will not pay a single coin to compensate for the loss of the Fulong Pill. This was your son’s wrongdoing, and the rest of us shouldn’t bear the cost. You, David Walker, must find a way yourself. Second, you, David Walker, must resign from the position of family head because of this incident. Third, your son must be handed over and punished again in front of everyone."

Though Thomas Walker looked like a scholar, his words were vicious and ruthless—a true smiling tiger.

James Walker felt worried. If the family didn’t compensate for the loss of the Fulong Pill and his father had to pay, it might ruin them.

By seniority, Thomas Walker was his fourth uncle, but now he wanted him dead.

"Just these three conditions?"

David Walker sneered coldly. "First, my son got into trouble, but he’s still part of the family. The family has a responsibility to protect him, and you all should contribute. Second, I will not resign as family head. Third, of course I won’t hand over my son. I don’t agree to any of your conditions. I am the family head—anyone who dares defy my orders is committing a grave offense!"

"David Walker, you!"

John Walker, Charles Walker, Thomas Walker, and several other family experts all changed expression. "Your son caused trouble, and you want us to pay for it? Do you really think that as family head you can do whatever you want? Do you want to tear the family apart?"

"David Walker, you’re protecting your son too much." An old man who had been silent finally spoke. "Your son’s martial arts are ruined, so we can let that go, but you must pay the compensation yourself. As for the family head position, we don’t have the authority to decide, but we’ve already reported to the Elders’ Council. News will come soon, so let’s just wait here."

This old man was senior to David Walker, his third uncle, and also the head of a city. But he wasn’t an elder of the Yang family—the elders were all at least a hundred years old, some even at the ninth level of Qi Master, their lives nearing the end, secluded in secret places, seeking to break through the "Qigong Realm" and reach the "Life-Seizing Realm" to snatch life from the heavens.

"Since Third Uncle has spoken, I’ll take a step back. I’ll pay the compensation. As for the family head position, I’ll wait for the elders’ decision. If they don’t want me, I’ll step down. As for my son James Walker, I will definitely help him recover his strength." David Walker’s expression shifted slightly. His earlier toughness was a strategic retreat. As the family head, he naturally didn’t want the Yang family to split apart. He also knew that the others would never agree to let the family pay for the Fulong Pill.

"Now we have an agreement." Thomas Walker shook his fan. "David Walker, your James Walker is disappointing, but you have two other sons who are said to be quite accomplished and are training outside. I’m sure they’ll come to this family gathering. Every time we gather, the younger generation competes, and the best are selected and rewarded by the Elders’ Council. After all, in another ten or twenty years, the next family head will be chosen from among them."

"Good. The assessment and competition among the younger disciples at the family gathering is a must." David Walker nodded. "Chong’er and Long’er will be back soon. None of my sons are useless."

As they spoke, suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside. The old butler rushed in, bloodstains on his body—a clear sign that something serious had happened.

James Walker’s heart clenched inexplicably.

Something big was about to happen.

"What’s going on?" David Walker seemed to sense something as well.

"Master..." The butler glanced at the crowd, hesitating.

"Heh, what’s happened now? Why, is it inconvenient to say? What are you afraid of? We’re all Yang family here." Several members from the Yang family branches laughed, clearly expecting more trouble for David Walker.

"Butler, speak." David Walker said sternly.