The morning after the engagement rejection, Kael stood at the edge of Mistveil Forest, far from the prying eyes of the Li Family estate. A soft breeze rustled the trees, and sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting flickering shadows on the forest floor.
He reached into his sleeve and retrieved an old, tattered scroll—one of many he had hidden deep within his room. Each of them belonged not to his family, but to various sects whose teachings he had stumbled upon by chance, bartered for in secrecy, or—on rare occasions—deciphered from ancient ruins forgotten by most.
This particular scroll belonged to the Crimson Serpent Sect, known for their brutal techniques and ruthless disciples. Kael had learned its core principles silently over the past year, never using its full power—yet.
Today, though, he would go further.
He sat cross-legged, his breathing even. Around him, the forest grew still, as though nature itself was holding its breath. He began to chant softly, channeling the technique known as Molten Vein Flow, allowing his meridians to absorb and refine energy at an insane rate. It was a practice considered too dangerous for most, as it required precise control and deep understanding of inner force channels.
But Kael was different. He had no formal master, but his intuition was razor-sharp. He had trained in obscurity since he was ten, pushing his body to limits others couldn't even imagine. Each technique he mastered became a secret weapon, a hidden blade waiting for the perfect moment.
As the energy rushed into him, the air around his body began to shimmer. His skin glowed faintly. Anyone watching might have thought he was a spirit come to life.
And then, it was over. He exhaled slowly, a trace of blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. Even for him, this technique was costly. But it was worth it.
His power had advanced again.
Not that anyone would notice.
Even Elder Li's detection talismans couldn't measure Kael's cultivation level. Not because he was weak—but because he had learned to veil his spiritual energy completely. The Heavenly Ghost Veil, a forbidden art from the Silent Moon Sect, made his cultivation vanish from all senses. To others, Kael was nothing but an ordinary youth.
Let them think that.
Let Li Lin believe she had rejected someone unworthy.
Let the elders nod with false sympathy.
Because the moment Kael revealed himself, there would be no turning back.
Back at the Li Family estate, Lin paced inside the training hall. She had rejected Kael to protect her own pride, her future ambitions. And yet… something about the way he had accepted her words gnawed at her.
Not a tear. Not a glare. Just silence and composure.
A man with no power should have felt crushed.
Instead, she felt like she was the one who had been judged—and failed.
Her younger sister, Mei, meanwhile, sat quietly in the garden, humming to herself as she fed the koi fish in the pond. She had always seen something different in Kael. Not just his gentle eyes or the way he never raised his voice—but the way he never chased approval.
He was different.
And different was dangerous.
A week passed.
Kael spent each day wandering the outskirts of the city, gathering herbs, helping villagers, and training deep in the forest. Word spread that he was no longer welcome at the Li estate, though he had never caused trouble.
Some of the local nobles began whispering among themselves.
"Why not offer Lin to one of our sons instead?"
"He's just a commoner's son. Surely we can offer better prospects."
Kael heard these murmurs often. He never responded. But inside, a storm brewed.
That evening, as he returned to the edge of the forest, he found a girl waiting by the path. It was Mei.
"Brother Kael," she said, bowing politely. "I… I brought something for you."
She held out a small satchel of spirit herbs and a water flask.
He looked at her with quiet gratitude. "You didn't need to."
"I know," she said softly. "But I wanted to."
She hesitated, then added, "Sister Lin… she's not a bad person. She's just… proud."
Kael nodded. "She has every right to be."
"No," Mei said, suddenly firm. "You deserve better."
Their eyes met for a moment. She quickly looked away, her cheeks turning red. "I should go."
She left before Kael could reply.
He stood there, staring at the satchel in his hand.
It was a small gesture. But in a life where he had been ignored, mocked, and underestimated—it meant everything.