Ye Tian's eyes swept across the training courtyard, calm yet observant. The new disciple, Zheng, stood at the center, hands trembling as he faced the exercise Ye Tian had assigned. A simple stance, yet one that required balance, focus, and discipline—qualities Zheng had never mastered while working at the tavern.
"Concentrate," Ye Tian said quietly, his tone firm but not harsh. "Your strength isn't just in your limbs—it's in how your mind controls your body. Every movement has a purpose."
Zheng nodded, sweat forming along his brow. "Yes, Master Ye Tian," he replied, voice unsteady but determined.
Ye Tian moved silently around him, correcting posture, adjusting grip, and subtly demonstrating precision strikes. In a few hours, Zheng was no longer fumbling—he was learning to flow with his own instincts, guided by Ye Tian's quiet authority. The boy's resilience impressed him, though he still had far to go.
"Good," Ye Tian finally said, stepping back. "Remember, power without control is a liability. Discipline is everything."
Zheng bowed deeply. "I won't fail you, Master Ye Tian."
Ye Tian's expression softened just slightly. "See to it that you don't. Today is training. Tomorrow, the world begins."
---
As Zheng left for the evening, Ye Tian's attention shifted to the street outside. The tavern where he had spent the past few days was still lively, filled with merchants, travelers, and wandering cultivators. It was in such places, amidst the mundane, that the true currents of information flowed.
A soldier from the city of Blades approached him cautiously, bowing slightly. "Patriarch Ye Tian," he said, voice low. "A message has arrived for you. The city lord requests your presence at a banquet tomorrow evening. Your growing reputation has reached his ears, and he wishes to welcome you formally."
Ye Tian's eyes narrowed subtly. He had anticipated this. The City Lord—Ling Chen, ruler of the City of Blades—was cunning, and such invitations rarely carried goodwill. Most often, they were tests, designed to gauge strength, observe character, or form alliances under the pretense of civility.
He allowed himself a faint smile. "I see. Inform him I will attend."
The soldier's bow was deeper this time. "At once, Patriarch."
Ye Tian turned back to the courtyard, where Zheng was quietly practicing a final sequence. His gaze was calm, calculating. The banquet would be more than a mere formality. It would reveal allies, potential threats, and—most importantly—the intentions of those who observed him from behind smiles and flowing robes.
Lan Yuhua entered the courtyard, her steps deliberate, eyes gleaming with both admiration and quiet caution. "Dear, are you thinking about the banquet?" she asked softly.
"I am," Ye Tian replied simply, his tone neutral, his focus unwavering. "There are many who wish to measure me, and even more who will try to use others to get close."
Lan Yuhua's lips curved slightly. "Then you will handle them, as always." Her voice carried a hint of warmth and trust, subtle yet unmistakable.
Mu Qingyao appeared beside him, her posture composed, her gaze sharp. "And those who try to underestimate you… they will regret it," she said, though her tone was firm rather than boastful.
Ye Tian's eyes flicked to her briefly. "It is not about underestimation. It is about awareness, precision, and decisiveness. Any misstep will be fatal—for them, or for us."
Ye Xiuying, never far behind, tugged lightly at his sleeve. "Brother, will you let me come? I want to see the city!"
Ye Tian knelt slightly to her level. "Not this time. The banquet is not a place for children. Stay in the safe quarters and watch from afar. There will be other days."
Her small pout tugged at his lips, but he could not yield. "Understand, Xiuying. Today, your lesson is patience."
The sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Ye Tian's thoughts were already moving ahead, mapping out strategies for the night to come. Invitations like these were never simple—they were tests, traps, and opportunities rolled into one.
He allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection. The Dragon Phoenix Competition, the growing fame of Nightshade Hall, and the recent victories had shifted the balance of power. Now, another game was about to begin—a game of politics, intrigue, and subtle maneuvering.
And as always, Ye Tian would walk it alone, accompanied by the people who truly mattered to him.