The grand halls of the Hua family mansion were as lavish as one would expect. Intricately carved pillars lined the walkways, their surfaces adorned with golden dragons twisting toward the ceiling.
Delicate lanterns cast a warm, ambient glow, and the faint scent of incense lingered in the air.
A steward led them through the corridors before finally ushering them into a waiting room.
"Please wait here," he said with a bow before leaving.
Monts later, a servant entered with a tray laden with steaming dishes, their rich aromas filling the room.
Zhao Yun and Shan Yifeng hadn't even touched their als back at the restaurant.
Now, hunger gnawed at them with full force.
The mont the plates were set down, Shan Yifeng wasted no ti.
He grabbed a roasted chicken drumstick, his small hands barely able to wrap around its thick, glistening surface.
The golden-brown skin crackled under his touch, releasing a burst of rich, smoky fragrance. Without hesitation, he tore into it, the juices dripping down his fingers as the tender at practically lted in his mouth.
Next, his eyes landed on a plate of stir-fried pork with spirit mushrooms.
Without bothering with chopsticks, he scooped a piece straight into his mouth.
The flavors exploded instantly—the sweet and savory glaze perfectly balanced, while the mushrooms carried an earthy depth that made him hum in satisfaction.
He barely chewed before reaching for a bowl of stead buns, stuffing one into his mouth whole. The soft, pillowy dough gave way to a burst of fragrant minced at inside, the warmth spreading through his body like a comforting embrace.
Zhao Yun watched in amusent as the boy devoured everything in sight, his eyes practically sparkling with delight.
For a mont, she let him enjoy himself, a small smile playing on her lips.
But then, unable to resist, she picked up her chopsticks and finally joined in.
"Enjoying the food?"
A warm yet commanding voice interrupted their al.
Zhao Yun and Shan Yifeng looked up as an old man with a long, flowing beard strode into the room, his steps asured and deliberate.
Despite his aged appearance, his posture was firm, and his eyes glead with sharp intelligence.
A kind smile tugged at his lips as he regarded them.
Then, his gaze shifted to Yifeng.
"Is this the little genius?" he mused, his voice carrying a hint of amusent.
Zhao Yun wiped her mouth with a napkin before replying, "News travels fast, it seems."
The old man chuckled, stroking his beard. "Indeed, it does."
Then, as if realizing sothing, he let out a lighthearted laugh.
"Ah, where are my manners?" he said, shaking his head. "My na is Hua Ting. I'm the younger brother of Hua Tiger, whom you're already familiar with."
Zhao Yun gave a small nod in acknowledgnt, while Yifeng blinked curiously at the introduction, his mouth still half-full of food.
Hua Ting's gaze lingered on the boy, assessing him with growing admiration.
"And this boy—Shan Yifeng—is the disciple of the sage who provided your family with the spirit products," Zhao Yun added.
Hua Ting's expression brightened with understanding.
"I see, I see..." He nodded thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming as he continued to study the young prodigy before him.
"Silver Rank at just ten years old... A true genius."
His words carried genuine appreciation, but Zhao Yun remained silent.
Because at that mont, she thought of another.
Another child.
Another disciple of Ace.
Liu i.
Another anomaly. Another impossible talent.
She couldn't help but wonder—what kind of resources could produce two monstrous disciples like this?
________
"Master, who is that lady?" Liu i asked, her voice muffled by the mouthful of rich, succulent pork fat she was biting into.
The juices dribbled down her chin, but she paid it no mind, savoring the taste.
Ace, lounging in his seat, casually took a bite from a crisp Spirit Apple before responding.
"She's the new maid."
"Oh."
That was all Liu i said before she turned her full attention back to the platter before her.
Without hesitation, she reached for another glistening piece of pork, her small fingers gliding across the plate as she sought the juiciest bite.
Ace watched her for a mont, amusent flickering in his gaze. Then, he spoke again.
"i'er."
Liu i perked up, cheeks still puffed with food.
"Yes, Master?"
Ace leaned back, twirling the apple in his fingers. "What do you think of the food we eat every day?"
Liu i's eyes lit up instantly. "Delicious!" she declared, barely swallowing before answering.
Ace chuckled, taking another slow bite of his apple. "But don't you think it's a little... repetitive? Boring, maybe?"
Liu i paused mid-chew, her brows furrowing as if Ace had just said sothing outrageous. Then, shaking her head, she quickly swallowed and replied with firm conviction.
"No! It's not boring at all—it's tasty!"
Her expression was so earnest, so completely sincere, that Ace couldn't help but laugh.
This little glutton truly lived for her next al.
Ace casually pulled out a shimring Spirit Stone and placed it in Liu i's greasy little hands.
Her fingers, still slick with oil from the feast, smudged against the smooth surface as she blinked at it in confusion.
With her cheeks stuffed like a squirrel hoarding food for winter, she mumbled through a full mouth, "Whads thiz?"
Her words were nearly incomprehensible, muffled by the sheer amount of at she hadn't bothered to swallow yet.
Ace raised an eyebrow, suppressing a chuckle.
"Try again after you swallow."
Liu i blinked, as if only now realizing her mouth was too full.
With great effort, she forced down the bite, wiped her hands on her sleeves—ignoring Ace's exasperated sigh—and looked at the stone again.
"What is this, Master?" she finally repeated, clearer this ti, though her lips still glistened with oil.
Ace sighed, shaking his head. "It's a Spirit Stone, i'er. Don't tell you've already forgotten?"
Liu i blinked, tilting her head slightly.
"Ohhh… it's that thing where you put in your energy and see your rank, right?"
Her casual tone made it clear she had only the faintest recollection of it.
"Yes, that thing," Ace said dryly.
Without another word, Liu i took the Spirit Stone in her small hands, her face scrunching in concentration as she poured her energy into it.
The stone flickered, glowing softly. Satisfied, she handed it back to Ace with an innocent smile, as if expecting praise.
Ace grabbed the Spirit Stone, his sharp gaze scanning the shimring surface. Inside, 240 tiny stars flickered like a miniature constellation—Liu i had already reached Minor Silver Rank.
Just as he processed this, a crisp system notification appeared before him.
Quest: Have your disciple win the Tournant of Four Dragons and Three Phoenix.
Reward: 1 Divine-Grade Cultivation Manual (Tailor-Made for User) & Additional Useful Goods.
Ace's eyes widened, his heart pounding with excitent.
A tailor made cultivation manual?
A Divine-Grade cultivation technique?
This was no ordinary reward.
Each word more juicier than the other.
But excitent alone wouldn't win the tournant. He couldn't count his chickens before they hatched.
He needed to assess the situation first.
"Four Dragons and Three Phoenix..." he muttered under his breath, deep in thought.
"What was that, Master?" Liu i asked, blinking up at him.
Ace quickly shook his head. "Nothing, nothing. Go back to cultivating. I'll call you if I need your help."
Liu i gave him a long, expectant look, and Ace sighed.
"And yes, I'll call you when it's ti to eat."
Satisfied, the little girl bead, then happily skipped away, disappearing into her room.
Ace leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin.
The Tournant of Four Dragons and Three Phoenix…
His students would be fighting in this.
And one of them had to win. They had to.
...
...
Hua Ting leaned forward, stroking his beard with a shrewd glint in his eye. "Young boy, I want you to represent our Hua family in the upcoming tournant."
His words carried weight, but they weren't made carelessly. He had already done his research—or rather, he had squeezed the information out of the most talkative source available.
Shan Yifeng.
And according to the boy, Ace had no intention of participating. Or since the boy himself had never heard about it , his master probably was only sending the boy out to make a na for himself.
This was a win-win situation.
Of course, what Hua Ting didn't know was that Ace was currently deep in thought, contemplating the tournant himself.
Shan Yifeng, for once, didn't imdiately jump in excitent. He crossed his arms, tapping his chin in exaggerated thought.
"And what's in it for ?"
Zhao Yun's eyebrows shot up. She had expected the boy to agree instantly, maybe even with that usual over-the-top enthusiasm. But instead, he was negotiating?
Hua Ting chuckled, unbothered. "Ofcourse, we won't ask you for free. We aren't so shaless." Without hesitation, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small, ornate box.
He flicked it open, revealing a shimring token inside.
"This," he said, his voice carrying a hint of temptation, "is a token to the Beast Realm. With it, you can form a bond with a spirit beast—safely, without the usual risks."
Zhao Yun's eyes widened slightly as she took in the tokens appearance.
Shan Yifeng, however, turned to her instead. "Sister, is that a good thing?"
"Yes, Yifeng," Zhao Yun said patiently. "It's extrely good. But you should think carefully before—"
"Okay, I accept!"
Zhao Yun blinked. "…Hey, at least listen to first!"
"But you said to think carefully, and I did," Yifeng said, completely unfazed. "And my answer is yes, I want it!"
Zhao Yun stared at him, then sighed, rubbing her temples. Why do I even bother?
"Fine, fine, do whatever you want," she grumbled, already resigning herself to whatever chaos would follow.
Reviews
All reviews (0)