Sirius returned to the Arya Clan residence just as the sun reached its peak, casting long shadows across the courtyard. But something felt off the moment he stepped through the outer gates.
The place was in disarray.
Servants hurried back and forth, their expressions anxious. A few whispered among themselves, casting glances toward the central hall.
He stopped one of the passing servants, who looked stunned for a brief second before blurting out in rapid breath, "Young Master Sirius, you're here! Please hurry to the clan's central hall. The Clan Master demands your presence!"
"Father is looking for me?" Sirius thought, frowning slightly. From the memories he now possessed, he knew that Clan Master Robert Arya was his father.
Without delay, he made his way to the clan hall.
Inside, several figures were already gathered.
At the center stood his father, seated upon the high platform, calm but radiating quiet authority. Beside him stood a few Arya Clan elders, all of them cultivators at the mid stages of Martial Grandmaster.
At his father's side were three middle-aged men, unfamiliar to Sirius, clearly not part of the clan. A girl stood slightly apart from them—around Sirius's age. There was something familiar about her.
He reached into his memory—and remembered.
Emma White. His fiancée.
"Sirius, you are here," Robert said from his seat, his voice composed. He turned toward the visiting group. "Now that my son has arrived, we can proceed with the discussion."
Emma stepped forward. "Uncle Robert, I was accepted as a disciple of the Celestial Crane Sect two years ago."
"That's good news, Emma," Robert replied politely. "Your father must be proud. We should have a celebration."
One of the men accompanying Emma stepped forward. "Apologies for interrupting, Lord Arya, but we are here to discuss an important matter."
Robert nodded. "Then please, introduce yourselves and speak freely."
The man began, "Emma was taken in by our sect two years ago, and her talent has recently been recognised by the Sect Master. Last month, she advanced to the Martial Practitioner Stage and awakened the Mystical Physique of the Blue Luan."
Robert raised an eyebrow. "A rare and powerful physique. The Blue Luan bestows affinity with water, ice, and wind. That's commendable."
The man continued. "Lord Arya, as you know, the Celestial Crane Sect has strict rules regarding its leadership. The Sect Master views Emma as the next potential leader. However, one rule requires any future sect leader to remain unattached until officially named as successor. When this was discussed with the White family, they mentioned an existing engagement to Young Master Sirius. We are here to formally request its cancellation."
Robert's gaze sharpened. His aura rose slightly, and the pressure in the hall shifted.
"This is a marriage agreement between the Arya and White families," Robert said flatly. "I see no representative of the White family present. Have you truly spoken to Lord White about this?"
The sect elder hesitated. "Lord White has not given formal consent… but Emma White has personally requested that the engagement be broken."
That did it.
Robert's aura exploded—majestic and domineering. Even the seasoned elders from the Celestial Crane Sect, all at early Martial Grandmaster level, were forced to step back. Emma was thrown off her feet, slamming against the stone wall. Even the Arya clan elders tensed in discomfort, barely withstanding the force.
Only Sirius remained still, standing at the back of the hall, untouched by the overwhelming pressure.
Moments later, Robert calmed himself. His aura withdrew slowly, and silence filled the room once again.
"If this discussion is initiated by Lady White," he said evenly, "then let my son speak on the matter. You two can resolve this yourselves."
Emma slowly rose to her feet, wincing slightly. "Thank you… Uncle Robert."
"Don't call me 'Uncle.' You're not family," Robert replied coldly. "And I don't think I deserve such familiarity from the future leader of the Celestial Crane Sect."
Emma flinched. The warm, approachable man she'd once known as Uncle Robert was nowhere to be seen. In his place stood the Blazing Lion General—the feared battlefield commander who had once fought beside her father, Steven White.
Her father had once told her, "You don't understand the true depth of Robert Arya. If he had the same resources as the White family, he would have surpassed us all."
At the time, she had dismissed it. Now, she wasn't so sure.
She turned to Sirius. "Sirius… I know this may hurt you. But for my future, I must break this marriage agreement. I've advanced to Martial Practitioner, and I've awakened the Mystical Physique of the Blue Luan. I can't marry someone who can't even sense mana."
Sirius's eyes hardened.
"So you're saying you can't marry me because I'm weak, but if I were stronger, it would be acceptable?"
Emma frowned. "This isn't personal. But… if you agree, the Celestial Crane Sect would be grateful. I can arrange for you to enter as an outer sect disciple. You'll be given fifty Mana Gathering Elixirs—enough to help anyone reach the Martial Disciple Stage."
Sirius's expression cooled. "So I'm trash now?"
"We'll also provide a Morning Sun Pill and Fire Heart Pill for your father. With them, he could advance to the next level and perhaps move beyond this small town."
Sirius's gaze grew cold.
From his memories, he knew the truth of the Arya Clan. Though not flashy, the family had deep roots. Members would often leave to forge their own paths—building mercenary companies, private sects, chambers of commerce, and influential networks across the land.
His father, Robert Arya, wasn't just a quiet clan leader. He was the Blazing Lion General, with deep standing in the military and beyond.
If the clan truly consolidated its scattered strength, even the Celestial Crane Sect would be wise to tread carefully.
"You've made yourself clear, Miss White," Sirius said calmly. "But let me say this plainly. We don't trade marriage agreements for pills and favors."
He took a step forward.
"I, Sirius Arya, am divorcing you."
Emma's face twisted. "You dare divorce me?!"
"You can look down on me, insult my family, and still expect I can't return the favor? That's not how this works."
"You think you can just divorce the daughter of Lord White—the future leader of Celestial Crane Sect?"
"My father gave me the right to choose. I'm using it."
One of the elders stepped forward, trying to mediate. "Young Master Arya, please calm down. These matters are delicate. We must consider the reputation of the Celestial Crane Sect."
Sirius answered flatly, "I don't consider your sect's reputation more important than my clan's."
Another elder added, "Lady White may have been rash, but her point stands. You have no cultivation."
Sirius raised an eyebrow.
"Is that so?"
A moment later, he released his aura—calm, steady, and unmistakably that of a Martial Practitioner.
Shock swept through the room.
Even Robert's eyes widened slightly in surprise—and then, satisfaction.
Everyone had assumed Sirius was still a Martial Beginner. His note saying he'd gone to train had been dismissed. Many thought he was just hiding or playing around, as he had done before.
But now they knew.
And yet, even as his aura flowed freely, no one had sensed it before he chose to release it.
Just like his father—silent, but deadly.
After a pause, the sect elders spoke more carefully. "We… apologize, Young Master Arya. Your strength was hidden well. We didn't expect it."
Emma stayed silent.
The lead elder spoke again. "We propose an alternative. A competition, one year from now. You and Lady White will duel. If you win, the marriage remains valid."
Sirius responded without hesitation. "Our home isn't a playground. You don't get to insult us, then change terms when convenient."
"We will offer the Mana Gathering Elixirs, Morning Sun Pill, and Fire Heart Pill as apology," one elder said.
Sirius nodded toward the platform. "Handle that with my father."
He turned, bowed to Robert Arya, and quietly left the clan hall.