That night, after the spar, the Lin household was unusually quiet.
The news of Kael's shocking performance against Jin Rui had already spread across Emberlight City. Whispers filled tea houses and markets:
"He moved like a master."
"Wasn't he supposed to be talentless?"
"Maybe the Lin family hid his power…"
But Kael paid no attention to such noise. Deep in the abandoned courtyard he used for solitary training, he sat cross-legged beneath a dying tree. Moonlight filtered through the broken roof tiles. A gentle wind blew as he meditated.
Beneath his calm surface, spiritual energy surged through his meridians like a silent storm. His cultivation technique—Void Ember Veins, stolen from an ancient ruin outside the city—was unlike anything known in the four major sects.
It was untraceable, invisible to detection methods. That's why the elders always saw him as a hollow shell.
But he wasn't empty.
He was awakening.
In his palm, a flicker of black-blue flame danced, pulsing with mysterious energy. It wasn't of this world—it came from the forbidden pages of an ancient scroll he'd found years ago, hidden beneath the city temple.
"I'm not ready yet," he muttered, extinguishing the flame.
He had to keep pretending. If they discovered his power too soon, everything would crumble.
At the same time, across the city, a grand hall within the Frost Moon Pavilion was illuminated by dozens of blue lanterns.
There sat Yue Qingyue, the coldest prodigy of the Frost Sect, known for mastering advanced ice techniques at the age of sixteen.
Her eyes were closed as she sat on a throne-like chair, surrounded by older cultivators.
"Your match in Emberlight City… It was postponed due to the Jin family's failure," a disciple whispered.
Yue Qingyue opened her eyes—silver and sharp like frozen blades.
"Failure?" she said flatly.
"They couldn't humiliate the Lin cripple. In fact, he countered Jin Rui without even revealing his cultivation."
She leaned forward, intrigued.
"What's his name?"
"Kael… adopted into the Lin family, no spiritual roots detected. Or so they claim."
Her lips curved slightly—almost a smile.
"Then perhaps… I'll see for myself."
Back in the Lin compound, Kael returned to his quarters late at night only to find Lin Mei asleep outside his door, waiting for him again.
He covered her with a blanket, carefully lifting her head and placing it against a cushion. His fingers brushed her cheek—soft and warm, so full of care it made his heart ache.
"Why are you so kind to me?" he whispered.
She stirred but didn't wake.
Kael stood and looked toward the sky. "I won't let any of them hurt you."
The Next Morning
The Lin family elders gathered to discuss the aftermath of Jin Rui's humiliation. Several nobles had expressed interest in replacing Kael with a more "worthy" fiancé for Lin Xue.
"Lord Wei of the Golden Saber Sect sent a proposal last night," an elder said. "His son is fifteen, already in the 3rd Stage of Body Tempering."
Lin Xue stood quietly in the corner, arms crossed, lips pressed together. She hadn't spoken since the spar. Her heart was in turmoil.
She had always believed Kael was weak—unsuitable, incapable of protecting anyone. But now… she didn't know what to believe.
"What does Lady Xue think?" asked Elder Ping, watching her with a shrewd eye.
Lin Xue looked up. "I trust the family to decide," she said flatly, but her tone lacked conviction.
The elders exchanged glances. Some were pleased. Others skeptical.
Later that Day
Kael was summoned to the family's internal arena. A mission had arrived from the city guard—a small band of rogue cultivators had been spotted near the northern forest, disturbing the energy flow.
"Let this be your test," Elder Wu said coldly. "If you return injured or fail to contribute… we may consider your position here."
Kael bowed respectfully. "As you wish."
Lin Mei tried to follow, but was stopped.
"You're not strong enough yet," Kael said gently. "Wait for me."
"I'll pray for your safety," she whispered.
At the Forest's Edge
Kael met with three others—disciples from smaller clans. They all looked at him skeptically.
"Aren't you the fake cultivator?" one sneered.
Kael said nothing.
The fight against the rogue cultivators began quickly—five opponents, all low-level Body Tempering.
The others charged in loudly, relying on brute force.
Kael, however, moved silently through the trees. One of the rogues spotted him and lunged—but Kael was already behind him. A single strike to the neck, precise and clean, knocked the man unconscious.
Another came from the left—Kael ducked, twisted, and swept the rogue's leg with a perfect counter-step. Within moments, he had neutralized three enemies alone.
The other disciples gasped. "How…?"
Kael sheathed his blade, calm as always.
"I read," he said simply. "And I train while others sleep."
They stared in disbelief.
That night, as Kael returned to Emberlight City, he passed a young woman on horseback. She wore silver robes etched with frost symbols. Her aura was sharp and cold.
Yue Qingyue.
Their eyes met for only a moment—but in that glance, she saw something... different.
"He's hiding something," she thought. "And I intend to uncover it."