A month had passed since Han Tian Yi’s death.For thirty days, the one who bore the name Han Tian Shi had risen before dawn and walked the same path toward the clan’s resting grounds. His steps never faltered. His breathing never broke rhythm. Even the servants had begun to sigh at his devotion.Today, the sky was still pale with lingering mist when he arrived.Although it was called a graveyard, it was nothing more than a vast, solemn pavilion full of urn, supported by pillars engraved with mourning seals. A cold, heavy aura lingered in the air, mixed with faint traces of spiritual essence.The outer ring housed the ashes of collateral kin.At the center, where spiritual pressure pressed down like an unseen mountain, rested the direct bloodline.He walked straight to the central ring.Before the urn that contained his own ashes, he fell to his knees.His shoulders trembled. His forehead struck the cold stone floor. Tears slid down his face and fell soundlessly as his voice cracked wi

Another month passed.Still no summons.Still no pressure.Still no word.Inside his room, Han Tian Yi’s brows slowly tightened.“That old fox…” he muttered, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. “Why hasn’t he come for it?”He had dangled the greatest temptation in existence — a method to ascend into the Dao God Realm.Any cultivator at the Peak of the Saint Realm would go mad for it.Yet Han Shin Tao remained silent.No probing.No testing.Nothing.Was he waiting for him to grow anxious?To make a mistake?To approach him first?Han Tian Yi exhaled slowly.“So that’s how you want to play…”Silence as pressure.Patience as a blade.“Fine.” he murmured. “I’ll wag my tail first.”But his eyes were cold.He retrieved a jade slip and began inscribing the method — the real one. Each character carved carefully, spiritual sense guiding every stroke. No hidden traps. No false lines.He would not risk the contract backfiring on him.When he finished, he stood and left his residence.-

Within the ancestral mountain, inside Han Shin Tao’s private chamber, two figures sat cross-legged facing one another.At a glance, they resembled siblings.They were Han Shin Tao and Han Tian Yi.Han Tian Yi had remained behind under the pretense learning under Han Shin Tao. Leaving immediately after he asked him to be his master would have invited suspicion.Silence lingered between them until Han Shin Tao spoke.“I am curious, Little Yi… how did you accomplish it?”Han Tian Yi tilted his head slightly, confusion flickering across his face.“Grandfather, I do not understand.”“Spare me.” Han Shin Tao’s voice hardened. “You are not clever enough to deceive me.”It was an unspoken rule among cultivators: one shouldn't pry into another’s methods. Techniques were lifelines. To expose them was to invite death.Yet here he was—asking.Han Tian Yi lowered his gaze faintly, lips curving into

His gaze lingered for a while towards Zhang Xing'er but there wasn't anger."I… respect your decision." His voice was gentle.Next, he looked at Zhang Zhi. "How about you, little Zhi?" His tone was as gentle as he was with Xing'er.Zhang Zhi immediately nodded and began kowtowing.Han Tian Yi wore a satisfied look before turning back to Xing'er."I won't replace your master in your heart, but if you have any questions regarding advancing to a higher realm or need help with something. You can find me." His tone was warm."I… I understand, senior brother." She couldn't keep acting stubborn.Han Tian Yi already lowered himself and apologize. If she kept pressing the matter, she would look unreasonable.Speaking out of grief at first was still acceptable.Her master was the previous heir of this clan, everyone can sympathize with her. But pressing it further would overstepping her boundaries.She felt shivers on her body.She felt it — a couple of piercing gazes resting on her from afar.

At the edge of the training grounds, amidst the echoes of clansmen exchanging pointers, Zhang Xing’er’s voice wavered."What are you saying, Brother? You would truly follow Senior Brother to the Higher Realm?" Her eyes were wide with a shaky fear. "The danger there is far too great!"Zhang Zhi shook his head, his face composed."Little Xing'er, Master is doing this so I can temper myself through real combat. We cannot simply rely on the Master’s grace forever. We cannot repay our debt to him yet, but at the very least, we can offer our strength to his clan.""Then I will go with you!" she declared, her voice now ringing with determination.Zhang Zhi reached out and patted her head."Little Xing'er, Senior Brother Tian Shi… I mean, Master, specifically commanded that you cannot come.""What? Why?""It is because..." Zhang Zhi paused, looking at her with a steady gaze. "Master’s word is final, Xing’er. To him, you are a candle in a hurricane until you reach the Nascent Soul realm. He wo