In a secluded corner of the grand Han estate, far from the polished marble and hushed whispers of the main palace, a simple abode stood cloistered by a bamboo grove.

  Steam rose from a small, bubbling pool set into the stone patio, its warmth a stark contrast to the cool night air.

  The chirping of crickets was a steady, rhythmic song.

  A young man sat at the edge of the pool, his feet submerged in the hot water.

  His golden hair, unbound, fell across shoulders that were slumped with a weariness that went bone-deep.

  The royal, almost divine presence he had projected hours ago was gone, stripped away to reveal eyes that were simply tired.

  "I had never wanted any of this," he murmured, his voice a low breath carried away by the steam.

  His gaze drifted sideways, through the open door of his home.

  There, resting on a simple wooden rack, was a spear.

  Its shaft was dark and unadorned, but the metal of the head seemed to drink the moonlight, radiating a power that felt ancient and sharp, a rank above a mere Soul Tier weapon.

  He rose from the pool with a sigh, water dripping from his legs onto the cold stone.

  "Practicing the spear was my everything," he whispered to the weapon, a silent confession. "I dedicated my life to you, your arts."

  His eyes flickered to a worn, leather-bound book displayed on a shelf, its cover smooth from countless hours of study. It lay out in the open, waiting to be opened once again.

  "But responsibilities catch up. I can't afford to… act so carelessly like that cousin of mine." He glanced at a small, framed picture on a side table.

  Two boys stood with their arms slung over each other's shoulders, their grins wide and carefree. One was him, the other a rival.

  "We were rivals, you and I," he said to the image, his voice softening with a distant fondness.

  "But I've long fallen behind you. Shine brighter than the sun, for me. Show me what it's like to point to the skies."

  His gaze then lifted, drawn to the photo mounted in the place of honor, centered just above the spear.

  A solemn feeling, heavy and familiar, welled in his heart. It was a picture of a young boy with a calm smile that seemed to bore straight into his soul.

  "I mustn't stray away," he affirmed, his voice hardening with resolve. "I'll never forget why I chose this path."

  He stared up at the night sky, breathing out the cold air.

  "I wonder how that girl is doing," he mused. "Dinner has yet to start. Does she actually possess that ability to surpass anyone in their own profession?"

  The bubbling of the pool beside him seemed to deafen. The crickets in the bushes fell silent.

  He closed his eyes, his senses stretching out across the manor.

  He heard the clatter of maids washing plates and cups, the sharp orders of butlers directing chefs, the faint, rustling flip of pages in the library.

  "Ying Xia."

  The name rang in his mind.

  As it did, his naked form grasped his Royal Attire, the heavy red cape and white silk robes befitting a Junior-Elder.

  "That is the girl's name," he whispered.

  "She has entered the training grounds. She must have foolishly challenged the young generation of the Han Family."

  He disappeared without a trace.

  The only sign of his departure was the disturbed air where he had stood.

  A set of footsteps rushed away from the hot spa, fading into silence.

  "Y-Young Master, I've brought tea—"

  A maid’s words died in her throat.

  She stood at the edge of the patio, a tray in her hands, staring at the empty, steaming pool.

  "W-Where has he gone?!"

  Clang!

  The blades crossed once, a shower of sparks in the lantern light.

  Ying Xia’s grin was a slash of white in the dimming courtyard, confidence burning in her pupils.

  Han Tiechi grunted, staggering back a half-step as a jarring vibration shot up his arm.

  What the hell..? She's not in the Body Tempering Realm, so how..?!

  Another swing, and the impact resonated through his bones, forcing him back another few centimeters.

  How can she contest my strength?!

  Unbeknownst to Han Tiechi, a phenomenon was occurring within Xia’s body.

  Her meridians and Qi points were instinctively performing a technique that even Body Tempering experts required immense focus to achieve: channeling all of one's Qi into a single point, hardening the body's core.

  For Xia, it was an unconscious act.

  Incomplete, but brutally effective at the final moment of impact.

  "Is that all you've got?!" Her pupils dilated, her blade a blur, as if she had wielded it since she was a little girl.

  Her skills were growing at an impossible rate, from a child's clumsy swings to the fluid motions of a veteran in the span of a few exchanges.

  She stomped her foot against the packed earth, coiling for a heavy, decisive swing.

  "Don't get cocky! I'm still an Inner Disciple!" Han Tiechi roared, his frustration boiling over.

  His form seemed to slip through the air like butter, a high-level movement technique that carried him forward, his blade thrusting toward a single, fatal point on her chest.

  "It's my win!"

  But Xia was already there. She had anticipated it.

  Her own heavy swing was a blur of steel that seemed to bend light, moving faster than his thrust.

  It intercepted his blade, tearing the sword from his grasp and sending it spinning through the air to clatter against the floor.

  Gasps rippled through the crowd. Han Tiechi took a reluctant step back, a dry swallow clicking in his throat.

  "N-No…"

  "That's all you've got?" She rested her sword on her shoulder, looking down on his defeated form, her grin palpable.

  "I-I lost…?"

  From the sidelines, the young disciple with silk-pale yellow hair couldn't bear the sight.

  It was supposed to be me looking down on Han Tiechi, not you! I shall give you a taste of a true swordsman!

  His aura flared, a sharp, contained pressure that made Xia’s head turn. A soft "Oh?" escaped her lips. She smirked, her gaze locking onto him.

  "Then, I shall challenge—"

  The young disciple began to unsheathe his blade, but a figure crashed down from the sky, landing in the center of the training ground with a soundless impact that cracked the stone beneath his boots.

  The family crest was a flash of gold on his pristine white robes, his heavy red cape flowing like a river of blood in a wind only he could feel.

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  His pristine gold hair cascaded over his shoulders.

  An immense spiritual pressure slammed down on the courtyard.

  T-There is no doubt… an Inner Disciple thought, his knees buckling as he was forced into a kneeling position.

  If he were in any other family… he would've been an Elder by now!

  The man’s amber eyes found Xia.

  "Causing a ruckus this early? You sure have gotten arrogant."

  His gaze swept over the other disciples, noting the bitter resentment simmering in their glares as they stared at the victorious girl.

  Then, his hand reached out.

  The space between them seemed to fold, and he was at her side in an instant, his fingers clamping around her throat.

  "K-Kuh! Hey!"

  She yelled, her hands clawing at his arm, but his grip was like iron, tightening relentlessly against her throat.

  I-I can't b-breathe..!?

  Her eyes glared intensely at the Junior Elder, whose own amber gaze narrowed down at her, cold and assessing.

  Your resilience, he thought, the world will eat you up if you keep acting this way..!

  His grip tightened further.

  Within the quiet sanctity of the library, Bi Kan’s head snapped up.

  There's this deep knot in my stomach… am I getting anxious..?

  He clutched his gut, a sudden, inexplicable anger bubbling up from his core.

  "Why do I feel such anger…?"

  His pupils dilated.

  The towering shelves of books blurred, the world becoming a hazy, disoriented smear.

  His own footsteps, previously silent on the plush carpet, became a deafening echo in his mind as he swayed, trying to find his balance.

  "Elder."

  The word was a phantom whisper in his ear. "What's happening…" he whispered, but the sound was a scream inside his skull.

  "Train."

  The disciples around him seemed to deteriorate.

  One moment they were flesh and blood; the next, they were brushing away into dust or morphing into figures in high-class robes.

  "Yard."

  "That's how far they'll go," Bi Kan uttered, the words not his own, before his focus snapped to a singular, desperate point.

  "X-Xia…"

  Within his Soul Sea, the placid dark water began to ripple with a chaotic energy.

  The Celestial Wolf, roused from its slumber, stood and stared into the void above.

  "Boy, what are you trying to do?"

  Bi Kan almost collapsed, his palm grasping his eye, his breath catching in his throat. "I need… to find her… training… yard…"

  He gathered himself, a primal urgency overriding all thought. He broke from the library’s stillness, a blur of motion.

  "Esteemed Guest—" the butler began, only for Bi Kan to blitz past him.

  "W-Wait!" The butler tried to give chase, but Bi Kan was a storm tearing through the pristine hallways, knocking over ornate tables and servants in his way.

  "Out of the way!" he shouted. A maid leaped aside, only to trip over her own feet.

  "A-Ah!" Her hold on a tray of teacups slipped. She shut her eyes, bracing for the crash, but felt nothing.

  "Are you alright?" a disciple asked, his hands steadying her. He offered a small, reassuring smile before helping her up.

  The butler, who was supposed to be escorting Bi Kan, was already a few paces behind, frantically fixing the fallen furniture and tilted paintings.

  "You there, who made such a ruckus?" the disciple asked.

  The butler straightened, offering a hasty bow. "A-Apologies! I've let the guest escape from my side! I'm chasing after him as we speak!"

  The disciple rubbed his chin, his amber-colored hair and eyes seeming to think deeply.

  "You should stop chasing the guest. We'll meet them for Dinner either way, so you can be on your way now." He folded his hands behind his back.

  Guest, huh? he thought. I didn't expect her to be messy. I thought she was talented, moving on instinct.

  To think she'd trip over maids and furniture…

  "Not as good as I thought," the words hung in the empty hallway.

  Bi Kan ignored everything, a force of pure momentum. He knocked over every obstacle in his path.

  "Xia! Xia! Training… yard!"

  He closed his eyes, straining to hear the sounds of cheers and battle, but found only a heavy, unnerving silence.

  His eyes snapped open in panic.

  "Why is it so quiet?! Am I that far from it?!"

  Just then, a snippet of conversation reached his ears.

  "She's the pink whirlwind…"

  Bi Kan rushed toward the sound, a blur of grey and green, only to be blocked by an Inner Disciple.

  "?!"

  He skidded to a full stop, leaping back as a fist shot forward.

  A small snicker escaped the Inner Disciple’s lips, her voice laced with arrogance.

  Her short golden hair was shot through with strands of white, and her eyes circled with a dangerous red light.

  "How did an Outer Disciple sneak into our manor?" She cracked her knuckles, taking a deliberate step forward.

  "It doesn't matter. Capturing you will make my name noticeable to the Higher-Ups!"

  She leaped, her form a blur of immense speed. Her fist was a cannonball aimed at Bi Kan’s face, but he was already moving.

  Propelled by a burst of steam from his heels, he shot forward, dipping under her punch to drive his own fist into her gut.

  "I don't have time for this…" he spat, the impact connecting with a solid thud. He pulsed more steam into the blow.

  Even as she hardened her core with Qi, a wave of immense pain radiated through her.

  W-What?! This brat..! There's no way--!

  She was sent flying backward, crashing through a nearby door with a splintering roar of shattered wood.

  Bi Kan let out a breath of relief and continued his run, only for the fatigue to catch up in a single, staggering step.

  His entire body shivered, slumping down, his legs barely keeping him upright.

  "D-Damn it…" I overdid it? The Boar Technique..? Wait… no, my body was just not ready for it… it was a quick burst, I have to rela-

  His eyes widened. A figure emerged from the splintered doorway, her red eyes glinting with excitement.

  She gently brushed a trickle of blood from her lips.

  "Not bad," she said, her voice a low purr.

  "I'm starting to like you. But unfortunately, your luck has run out! If only you weren't trespassing! We could've been sparring partners!"

  She slammed a fist against her open palm. "This time, you won't escape my grasp. I'll cave your chest in!"

  Is there no way out? If I do a short-burst again, I'll pass out!

  He took a small step back, eyeing the disciple carefully.

  The girl smirked. What is he getting at?

  That technique he did… though I might not act like it, it really hurt! I should be careful in dealing with this kid…

  They stood still, hunter and prey, waiting for the other to make a move.

  The first step would be an all-out war. Reluctance would be met with death.

  Nothing would work other than the short-burst attack… should I just gamble it all?

  He eyed the length of the hallway, crouching lower, preparing.

  Here goes nothing…

  Bi Kan took a small step to the side. The girl launched at him with no hesitation.

  There!

  Activating the mini-version of the technique, he kicked off the floor with a hiss of steam, blitzing towards the side of the hallway.

  Now time to find Xi-

  "Got you."

  The Inner Disciple had anticipated it.

  She was already there, her hand smacking down on the back of his neck, sending him crashing against the floor.

  His body bounced once.

  She stomped her foot, focusing her Qi into her fist.

  "Bye!"

  She shot her fist forward, only for it to be blocked by a golden glint of metal.

  "O-Ouch!" she cried out, pulling her fist back and blowing on her bruised knuckles.

  "W-Which piece of shit did that?! Hah?!"

  She stomped forward, her eyes locking onto the figure that had appeared before her.

  P-Pink Twin… tails..?

  She gulped. "I-It's you! The honored guest!" Her smile widened instantly, her arms opening in a welcoming gesture.

  "Welcome to the Han Fami—"

  TWACK!

  Her head was smacked by the Junior Elder.

  The blow wasn't hard, but it was sharp and dismissive. "What were you doing? Fighting with our guest's plus one?"

  "S-Shit… my head…" She looked up, her red-rimmed eyes widening. "A-Ah! Uncle!" Her head then snapped towards Bi Kan, who was slowly pushing himself up from the floor.

  "T-That's the Guest's plus one?!" Her arrogance evaporated, replaced by a pale, panicked mask.

  She bowed quickly, her posture stiff. "A-Apologies! I thought you were an Intruder!"

  The Junior Elder let out a sigh.

  "How can there be someone who could sneak in? Especially someone at the Qi Sensing Realm, an Outer Disciple. The Guards aren't that lenient."

  He then tilted his head, his cold amber gaze landing on Xia, who was still glaring at him, her defiance a palpable force.

  "Hmph. It's better if you two return to your rooms before causing any more chaos. Do not forget that you're not in the Outer Sect."

  He flared his Qi. The air grew heavy, thick with an invisible weight that pressed down on Xia and Bi Kan.

  "T-Tsk!" She shielded herself with her arms, her boots scraping against the polished floor as she was forced back a step.

  Bi Kan was crouching beside her, his teeth gritted, the pressure a physical agony on his already exhausted body.

  "Do I have to say it again?"

  Just then, another figure with a Junior Elder crest came rushing down the hall.

  This one was older, his face lined with the stress of a man around forty.

  "H-Hah! That brat escaped!" He skidded to a stop, his eyes taking in the tense scene.

  "Hey?! What's going on here?! Have you seen that stupid brat! I swear, if he gathers his own little army."

  He gripped his fists, his knuckles white.

  The pristine Junior Elder looked at him with a flicker of disdain before his expression smoothed into one of cold indifference.

  "You dare speak to me in that tone? Can't you see I'm handling something here?."

  He took a step forward, his aura subtly pushing back against the older man's panicked energy.

  "Search elsewhere."

  The older Junior Elder scoffed, shoving a hand into his robes

  . "Hmph! How could you not care? That kid was gaining quite the fame here. Gladly he was exposed! Who knows what would've happened to all of us if he gained even more influence before he got caught?"

  With a final, frustrated grunt, the older Junior Elder disappeared down the hallway in a rush.

  Bi Kan slowly stood up, clutching his neck where the girl's hand had struck him.

  That could be the issue they were talking about… exposed, huh?

  He gritted his teeth. "W-We apologize," he said, his voice strained. "We'll return to our room shortly…"

  Xia turned towards him, her eyes blazing. "B-Bi Kan! I'm not done yet!"

  The pristine Junior Elder turned back to them. "It would be best if you return. Or else you'll face dire consequences. Wait until dinner comes."

  His voice was firm, his eyes staring them down. His gaze flickered to the golden spear on Xia's back before locking back onto her face.

  "No! I don't accept it! We're guests here, aren't we?! Why must we be cooped up in that room!"

  She took a defiant step forward. Bi Kan's left eye widened. His hand shoved deep into his robes, his fingers brushing against an invisible, familiar object.

  "If this is how you treat us," she declared, her voice ringing with challenge, "then I might as well just leave!"