Jin stepped forward, his body brimming with restrained energy, ready to strike Xiao Yan down. Just as he was about to launch his attack, a calm but commanding voice echoed across the courtyard.
"Stop!"
Startled, Jin paused mid-step. His sharp eyes narrowed. "Who's there?"
From the grand gate, a young woman appeared. She looked around fifteen years old, with long flowing hair and a presence that made the entire courtyard fall silent. Her graceful steps and composed expression drew everyone's attention.
All eyes turned toward her, captivated.
"Who are you, and what's your business here?" Jin asked, still on guard.
Before she could answer, Xiao Yan's eyes widened. "Sister Zara?! Why are you here?"
Even the Xiao Clan members were stunned. Their clan leader stepped forward, clearly frustrated. "Zara, I told you not to come."
Jin turned his head slightly. "Sister?"
Xiao Yan sighed. "She's my cousin."
As her name was spoken, memories surged through Xiao Yan's mind.
From the moment he was born, Xiao Yan had shown extraordinary talent. He awakened a transcendent-tier constitution and began cultivating at the age of three. By the time he turned nine, he had already reached the seventh level of the Qi Refining Realm. He was admired as a prodigy destined for greatness.
He once had a deep admiration—perhaps even love—for Zara. But when his father arranged a marriage with the Nangoum Clan to strengthen their ties, he accepted the decision and stopped speaking to her.
Everything changed after that.
One day, he discovered that his spiritual energy was disappearing instead of growing. His cultivation dropped from the seventh level to the sixth. He consulted a physician, but no one could identify the cause. Soon, the admiration turned to pity, and whispers spread that he was no longer a genius.
Feeling humiliated and hopeless, Xiao Yan nearly gave up cultivation altogether.
It was Zara who stood by him then, offering support. She had been adopted into their family five years ago, from a mysterious origin. Though not related by blood, she had lived as one of them.
One night, as Xiao Yan struggled with his cultivation, a voice echoed in the empty room: "You're doing it all wrong."
Startled and terrified, he looked around—but no one was there. Then, a soft glow came from a ring his mother had given him. An old man appeared, stepping out of the ring like a phantom.
"Who are you?" Xiao Yan asked.
"A master from ancient times," the figure replied. "Though I died long ago, I transferred my soul into this ring."
"How long ago did you die?"
"Five thousand years."
Xiao Yan's eyes widened. "But a spirit can't survive that long without energy. Wait... you were the one draining my cultivation!"
"Yes," the spirit admitted. "But only to survive. I can help you, teach you techniques lost to the world, and make you even stronger."
Xiao Yan hesitated, but the promise of power was too great. He agreed.
Under the master's guidance, he cultivated fiercely and finally reached the First Level of Foundation Establishment Realm.
But then he heard Zara had returned to her clan, her marriage arranged. Regret filled his heart—he had never told her how he felt.
He returned home only to find it empty. The clan had gone to the Nangoum Clan. When he arrived there, he overheard the clan leader insulting his family. Despite his master's warning not to act rashly, Xiao Yan couldn't stay silent. He rushed in to defend his family's name—and now he was here.
Back in the present,
Xiao Yan stared at Zara. "Why… why are you here now?"
Jin, still wary, asked, "Xiao Yan's sister, why did you stop me?"
Zara greeted the elders and then turned to Jin. "I request a formal duel with you. Since you are fighting over Nyra's affection, I will fight as Xiao Yan's partner."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Did she just say she's Xiao Yan's lover?!"
Nyra blinked in disbelief. "Is this turning into a Korean drama or something?"
Jin smirked. "Alright, I'll give you a chance."
Zara raised an eyebrow. "A chance?"
"Yes," Jin said calmly. "I'll give Xiao Yan time to recover. I'll also let you gather as many people as you want—anyone under the age of twenty."
Zara's aura flared, and her spiritual power surged. She revealed her cultivation stage.
"Forth Level of Foundation Establishment Realm?!" someone shouted.
Shocked murmurs spread through the crowd. At only fifteen years old, her cultivation level was astonishing. The only one to surpass her so far was Jin himself.
Xiao Yan stared at her, stunned. Was she hiding her power all this time?
Zara stood tall, eyes steady. "Are you sure about this? I respect your talent, Jin, but you're not untouchable."
Whispers circled through the audience.
"Jin's being arrogant. He's just at Level 1. She's three levels higher. He can't win!"
"He said he could handle more than one opponent—let's see him try!"
One by one, young geniuses stepped onto the stage. Some, like a 9-year-old from the Zhen Clan, had reached the fourth level of Qi Refining. Others, such as a 17-year-old from the Bai Family, were already at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Each came from powerful families, representing the best talents under the age of twenty from across the Central Dynasty.
Among them was Ming Lan, the young master of the Ming Clan, who had long admired Nyra. Seeing the chance to shine, he too entered the ring.
Nyra, watching from the side, sighed. "So the drama begins. I might as well join, too."
She stepped forward.
The crowd expected her to stand by Jin's side.
But instead, she walked over to Xiao Yan's side.
The crowd was stunned.
"What is she doing?! Isn't she with Jin?!"
Some whispered, "She must be scared. There are too many opponents."
Nyra's grandfather called out to her. "Why aren't you supporting Jin?"
Nyra turned to him. "Because I don't want to marry him."
Her grandfather blinked. "He's handsome, talented, powerful—why not?"
"Because I don't like him," she said firmly. "You only think about the family. First, you tried to marry me to Xiao Yan. Now Jin. Did you ever ask me who I want to marry?"
Silence fell.
Her grandfather sat back, speechless.
The crowd murmured. "So the Nangoum Clan's been lying? First, they said she loved Jin, and now this?"
"And the Demon Clan—they're forcing a marriage? This is shameful."
Jin's grandfather clenched his fists.
The Nangoum Clan leader looked apologetic. "Forgive us. Jin is now in danger because of our politics."
Jin's grandfather waved him off. "I'm not worried about Jin. I'm concerned for the others… including your granddaughter."
He frowned. "Jin values our clan more than I ever expected. And now they're insulting us? He won't let this pass."
Jin stood silent amidst the noise, his face unreadable.
They think I'm weak because I hide my power, he thought. Time to show them who I really am.
He released his aura.
Golden light burst from his body, shining like the sun. The pressure was overwhelming. Those gathered on stage fell to their knees, unable to withstand the force.
Xiao Yan, who had been recovering, felt the pressure even from afar.
"What is this pressure?!" he gasped.
His master appeared beside him, alarmed. "This is bad. He's already in the Golden Core Realm."
"What?!" Xiao Yan shouted. "He's only five years old! I thought reaching Foundation Establishment was insane, but Golden Core?!"
"I've never even heard of a genius like this," his master muttered. "But now… everyone here is in serious trouble."
Zara stared at Jin, her confidence shaken. So that's why he was so sure of himself... Nyra, too, stood frozen in awe. Even she, who had seen many prodigies, had never witnessed anything like this. A five-year-old reaching the Golden Core Realm—Jin was unlike anyone she had ever met. For the first time, Nyra was truly speechless.
The crowd erupted.
"This isn't real—Golden Core at five?!"
"Is he a monster.
Jin floated into the air, raising his sword. Golden light gathered at the blade's edge.
Fear swept through the arena.
Many clan leaders tried to step forward, but Jin's grandfather stepped in, releasing his own pressure.
"Let it be," Jin's grandfather said, his voice calm but radiating absolute authority. "This is a match between children. Do not interfere."
As his spiritual pressure rolled across the field like a tidal wave, the entire crowd froze. Not a single soul dared to move. It felt as if time itself had paused in fear.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the audience.
"That's the Demon Clan's master!"
"He's terrifying...
"Even the elders can't stand under his presence!"
No one questioned him. They knew—intervening now would be a grave mistake.
Back in the arena,
Jin raised his sword. Spiritual energy spiralled around him as hendred of glowing swords began to materialise in the air. They hovered like stars in a constellation, each one humming with sharp intent. The sight left the crowd breathless.
"What kind of technique is that?!" someone whispered.
Even the elders were stunned. None could recognise the origin of the attack, except for one.
Nyra's grandfather's eyes widened with shock. "That… that's the Heavenly Rain Sword Technique.