News spread quickly through the village.
By morning, the front gates were filled with familiar faces, all gathered to send off a boy they had quietly watched grow.
An old blacksmith pressed a small copper charm into Lin Yuan's palm.
"For protection. Forged from ordinary iron… but with heart."
A shy girl with pigtails ran forward and offered him a bundle of plum candy.
"For when you feel lonely."
A barefoot boy hesitated, then handed him a string of handmade beads.
"My papa says you're strong… but just in case."
Lin Yuan bowed deeply.
"I'll carry your blessings with me."
The village elder stepped forward with a solemn gaze.
"Lin Yuan, you were never ordinary. Today, you walk the path of destiny."
"Come back strong!"
"Don't forget us!"
---
With Xiao Hu thumping beside him and Qingxue carrying the bags (while mumbling complaints), Lin Yuan stepped out onto the dusty road.
He didn't look back.
But the warmth of his home… and the fire of his mothers… burned quietly in his chest.
They traveled on foot, through valleys and villages.
Some people welcomed them. Others… avoided the black-furred tiger cub glaring at strangers.
"No problem," Lin Yuan grinned. "We'll sleep in trees."
And so they did.
Thanks to Lady Mingyan's training, he knew how to hunt, climb, and survive. And his equipment?
A Feather-Blade Sword, an Imperial weapon from Lady Fengyan that released an aura to repel insects and lesser beasts.
A never-empty spiritual gourd filled with healing spring water.
Three spiritual bracelets: one for protection, one for speed, and one for binding enemies.
A silver belt that created a protective barrier in moments of life-threatening danger.
And now, a new ability awakened in him—
He could mark shadows.
Even trees, animals, and people. With a touch, he could find his way back through darkness, track movement, and never lose direction.
He was only twelve.
But Lin Yuan had already become a walking fortress.
---
On the twelfth day, a streak of silver light exploded from the sky.
BOOM!
The ground shook. Trees cracked. Birds scattered.
Lin Yuan and his companions ran toward the source.
In a clearing, a woman lay in a shallow crater. Her robes were torn. Her spiritual energy… chaotic.
His pendant glowed faintly.
> "Poisoned by aphrodisiac," Lady Mingyan's voice echoed in his mind.
"Xiao Hu, Qingxue—act like spiritual beasts. Don't speak. And Lin Yuan—hide your shadow demon ability. Act like a normal human boy. I'll guide you through soul transmission."
Lin Yuan moved calmly.
He fed the woman spiritual water, gave her healing pills, and tied her to a tree using a binding rope.
Qingxue helped lay a chi-gathering formation, her fingers nimble from years of watching her mother.
"Xiao Hu," Lin Yuan said. "Roar."
RAAWR!
The forest trembled.
The woman's eyes shot open.
"Wha—?! Why am I tied to a tree?!"
"You fell from the sky," Lin Yuan replied. "You were poisoned. I helped you."
Her eyes darted from the ropes to the formation beneath her feet… and finally to Lin Yuan.
"Who taught you all this?"
"…My mother."
She narrowed her eyes.
"What do you want in return?"
"I… want to be your disciple."
"Your name?"
"Lin Yuan."
"Give me one drop of your blood."
He obeyed.
The drop vanished into her palm, glowing faintly.
"From now on, you are a disciple of the Taiyin Sect."
Lin Yuan blinked.
"But… I'm a boy."
She frowned.
"Why do you look like a girl? Why is your name so soft? Why is your hair so long?"
Then she muttered under her breath.
"I was in a rush… and made a mistake. You're already registered in the Hall of Eternal Moonlight. You cannot leave—except by death. Don't worry, I'll fix it."
"…Why were you carrying a Flowing Sky Pavilion token?" Lin Yuan asked cautiously.
She snorted.
"I'm undercover. I was playing bait to lure some enemies—ended up getting poisoned and almost got kidnapped. But in truth…"
She twirled a strand of her hair proudly.
"I'm the most beautiful elder of the Taiyin Sect."
Lin Yuan turned to his companions.
"Xiao Hu? Is she beautiful?"
"Nope." The tiger cub shook his head.
"Qingxue?"
"…A little," she replied through voice transmission.
"What did they say?" the elder asked.
"They said… not really."
She sighed deeply.
"You brats know nothing of beauty. Fine. Be useful then. I need meat."
A monstrous roar echoed through the woods.
The Boar King appeared—an awakened-rank beast.
Red eyes. A body like stone. Tusks like swords.
Lin Yuan didn't flinch.
He fired three poison arrows.
The boar charged.
He leapt onto a boulder—two arrows into its heart. One in the eye.
The beast shattered the stone with its tusks, throwing him down.
Xiao Hu roared, stunning it for just a breath.
Lin Yuan struck with his hammer, his silver belt activating just in time to block a deadly gore.
Finally, with a sharp command and one last push of soul power—
His flying sword pierced the beast's throat.
The Boar King collapsed.
---
Lin Yuan lay breathless, drinking spiritual water, bloodied but victorious.
Lady Qingxuan appeared, her robes repaired, face pale but recovering.
"You… killed the Boar King? That's an awakened-rank spiritual beast!"
Lin Yuan swallowed his third high-grade healing pill and managed a weak smile.
"Still alive."
She frowned.
"You overused healing pills. Rookie mistake."
They rested beneath the stars.
For the first time in days, Lin Yuan allowed himself to sleep.
---
✦ The Astral Realm
In his dreams, he saw light—then four glowing figures.
His mothers stood before him, radiant with spiritual energy.
"Is this my soul body?" he asked.
Lady Yinluo smiled.
"No, this is your astral body. We're inside the pocket dimension linked to your pendant. You're safe."
Lady Fengyan added,
"An ancestor of Taiyin Sect is approaching. I must remain hidden. But if danger comes—I'll freeze time to protect you."
Lady Fangyan frowned, her voice low and annoyed.
"Honestly, I thought my plan was perfect. I would save the Flowing Sky Pavilion's elder using my beast form, then you'd 'rescue' her and earn their trust. You'd go with her to the pavilion—easy. But no, everything got messed up because she was hiding her identity!"
Lin Yuan asked ,"What I do now? "
Lady Fangyan handed him a small bag, her expression serious.
"If they offer you a disguise, accept it. Blend in. And take this—" she pressed the pouch into his hand, "there are high-grade spirit stones inside. Enough to buy all the soul fruits you need. Just… be careful. Especially around demon beasts. Some of them might sense what you are."
---
He awoke to find himself truly present, having stepped out from his pendant's spiritual link.Ther are some unknown woman before him.
They questioned Lady Qingxuan.
She lowered her head.
"I was poisoned and nearly abducted. Lin Yuan saved me."
A burst of pressure shook the clearing.
A new figure arrived—robes of starlight, face veiled, her aura like a crashing sea.
A middle age woman, ancestor of tai yin sect.
"Is he your disciple?" she asked.
"Yes," Qingxuan replied. "I thought he was a girl…"
You recruited a boy into our all-female sect?" the Taiyin Ancestor hissed, her voice cold enough to freeze spirit flames.
Lady Qingxuan knelt low, her forehead nearly touching the floor. "He saved my life. I wasn't completely awake.I thought..."
"You thought?" the Ancestor snapped. "You thought sentiment was a good enough reason to break a thousand years of tradition?"
Silence fell. Even the spirit winds outside the formation seemed to hold their breath.
Lady Qingxuan's voice trembled. "If not for him… I would've died by beast in forest. I— I take full responsibility."
The elder sighed.
"You saved her life. Fine."
She handed Lin Yuan a jade box.
"Impartial Weapon – a body disguise treasure. It will mask your voice, soften your presence, and bend your qi signature."
"Child, it's fine if you want to take a boy as your disciple. But if you get caught… don't expect me to save you."
She waved her hand dismissively. "Just fake his death and send him off to another sect. That way, everyone will be happy."Then she left alone. Next another woman come forward.I am your grandmaster.She give him a shimmering robes.
"Robes of the Taiyin Maiden. Auto-defense spiritual armor."
Lin Yuan quietly changed into the new clothes.
They… fit surprisingly well.
She nodded with approval.
"Impressive. You're one of us now."
She handed him:
A pouch of 1,000 lower grade spirit stones
A jade emblem for library and market access
And a heavy spirit stone used for cultivation compression.
"I am your Grandmaster now. Sect Leader of Taiyin Sect. I rule ten nations.I am powerful enough to help you in anything.If you need something just ask me."
She turned to Qingxuan.
"You leave the sect without telling me.I am very disappointed in you.You're grounded. Two years."
"Master! I only accepted a disciple!"
"I'll train him myself."
Then she placed a hand on Lin Yuan's shoulder.
"The road ahead is filled with danger, deception… and desire."
"But from today onward, this sect… is your home."
> Thus began Lin Yuan's new life inside the Taiyin Sect—surrounded by mystery, danger, beauty… and secrets he could never reveal.