I've officially turned five, and it's time for me to return to the sect. It's really hard to describe how I feel right now.
Whatever's causing my mood—child hormones, instincts, or just my brain—I hate it. Because I'm happy and sad at the same time. I want to cry, but I don't.
I'm happy that I'll be seeing Dad, Uncle Hao, and Grandpa Wei again. They're actually the reason I'm going back. Grandpa has officially declared that he'll be stepping down as Sect Master soon, which means Dad—the current heir and Vice-Sect Master—will be taking his place.
In light of that, Dad and Grandpa Wei called me back to the sect so I can accompany them while they perform their duties. I'm not expected to fully understand everything they do—it's more about observing how they carry themselves and handle their responsibilities. At least, that's what Auntie Yuehua and Mom told me.
And since I mentioned them… I need to address a certain issue real quick.
Who would've thought that a tomboy like my mother and my aunt—the literal embodiment of elegance—would get along so well? And who would've thought that together, they'd make my life worse than it was when I first got to the Breaking Clan?
At first, I was used to my mom being rough during training, hitting me whenever I made a mistake. I had come to accept and expect it. As for my aunt, she trained me in noble etiquette by tossing out veiled insults to sharpen my reading between the lines and guiding me through tea ceremonies and formal conduct. It was bad—but still tolerable.
Then the devil decide to play a cruel joke.
My mother started insulting me. Heavily. While beating me into the ground. She'd say things like, "You fight worse than an animal," or, "You swing your spear like an old man swatting flies with a cane." And that wasn't even the worst of it. I started feeling just as much emotional pain as physical.
As for my aunt… she introduced more, shall I say, hands-on punishments. Her training started to include things like balancing a bucket of ice-cold water on my head to improve posture, getting my hand slapped with a ruler if it trembles during tea ceremonies, or even getting spanked if I make my intentions too obvious during conversation drills.
It's like they had secret nightly meetings to brainstorm new ways to make my life harder.
Anyway—rant over. Back to the chaos that is my emotions.
I'm sad because I won't be seeing the elders from the Breaking Clan—or Grandpa Wudi—for the next two years. I'll be too busy studying and training at the sect until my Martial Spirit Awakening.
But, I guess it could be worse. I hope the next 2 years pass by quickly.
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At the moment, I was sitting in the clan's meeting hall, waiting for the elders and Grandpa to arrive. I turned to Mom, who was seated beside me, and asked:
"Mom, why is everyone so late? Dad will be here soon, and I don't want to leave without saying goodbye."
"Be patient, Xiao Long. Or would you like me to tell Yuehua you've been acting up?"
"Did you call for me, Sister Tinglei?"
The moment I heard that voice, my body straightened instinctively, and I plastered a soft smile on my face. "Don't worry, Aunt Yuehua. We were just waiting for you and the elders to arrive."
I heard my mother chuckle but ignored it. If I tilted my head even a centimeter, I knew there'd be hell to pay.
"Well, I'm glad you've taken our lessons to heart. I wouldn't want to have to give you a reminder so soon after having finished our lessons," Aunt Yuehua said with a mischievous smirk.
I felt cold sweat slide down my back, but I kept my expression fixed—
Which I failed at. Miserably.
Judging by the twinkle in Aunt Yuehua's eyes, I couldn't even pretend anymore. I deflated in my seat and muttered in the quietest voice I could manage, "I'm sorry, Auntie."
Her hand came to gently rest on my head. "It's fine, Xiao Long. Your mother and I were just having a bit of fun. The elders will be here any moment, so you don't have to worry."
As her words faded, the huge double doors at the front of the meeting hall swung open—and more than a hundred members of the Breaking Clan poured in like a tsunami. Each carried a wrapped item or box.
I spotted Grandpa Wudi and Granduncle Wushuang leaving the crowd and approaching us.
Grandpa's voice boomed through the room:"Calm yourselves! We're here to give our clan's little dragon a proper farewell, not to act like a band of bandits."
The noise died down immediately as the two of them reached us. Grandpa took my hand and led me to stand in front of the gathered clan members.
"Members of the Breaking Clan," he declared, "we are here today to grant an honor that is rarely given. Today, we bestow upon Tang Zhenlong the title of Honorary Member of the clan. To commemorate this occasion, we present him with gifts symbolizing both welcome and farewell. Let us wish him well in his future duties and studies."
I stood there, dumbfounded, as the entire crowd bellowed in unison:
"Welcome and farewell. May your path always be blessed!"
It took me a second to recompose myself before a radiant smile appeared on my face."Thank you all… and please take care of me in the future."
They erupted in cheers as my words echoed through the hall.
After the declaration, each member began offering their gifts—rare metals, 1,000-year-old soul beast meat, spears and armor, medicinal herbs, and even rare theoretical books. Before long, I stood before a pile of treasures stacked up to my chest.
I glanced helplessly at Grandpa.
"Hahaha, feeling overwhelmed, little dragon? Don't worry. This next gift of mine will solve that."
He pulled out a necklace—or rather, a ring strung on a leather cord. The leather was black, and the ring's body was a shimmering light blue, the same shade as Aunt Yuehua's favorite dress. Set in its center was a purple, oval gem that shimmered brightly under the soul tool lamps mounted on the walls.
I stared at it in wonder. "Is this what I think it is? A soul tool?"
"Good eye, Xiao Long. This is one of the most valuable soul tools in our Breaking Clan's collection. It has an internal space of thirty square meters—and it can even store living beings. It's called the Violet Sun Necklace, and it's now yours."
I hesitated. I knew how rare and important spatial soul tools were, especially those that could store living beings. Even Tang San, the main protagonist of the series, considered a similar item a small yet vital treasure.
Before I could object, Grandpa spoke again—his voice softer, but firmer:
"Xiao Long, don't refuse. A tool is useless if it's not wielded. Keeping this in the treasury would be a waste. I'm giving it to you not just as a gift, but to ensure your safety. Every item given to you today could save your life in a dire moment. If you can't carry or use them when needed, then the effort and thoughts our clan's members put into choosing them would be in vain. So don't hesitate."
His words hit harder than I wanted to admit. Gratitude swelled in my chest—but so did the weight of reality. Living in such a safe, peaceful environment almost made me forget what kind of world this is. A world where you could die in an instant… where no one you love is ever truly safe.
I will get stronger.
I won't let my family be destroyed like it was in the original story.
My presence will change things.
I'll make sure of it.
After thanking Grandpa and hugging him tightly, I left the compound alongside Mom and Aunt Yuehua.
Outside, I saw him—and my legs moved before I could think.
"Dad!!!" I screamed, rushing forward and leaping into his arms.
"Xiao Long!" he said, catching me in a tight embrace. "I've missed you dearly, son. How was your stay?"
"It was great! Mom helped me train more, and Aunt Yuehua taught me all about how to behave in front of nobles, oh—and Grandpa taught me medicine, and…"
As I went on and on, sharing everything that had happened, we made our way back toward the Sect.
Together.
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We arrived back at the sect just as the sun was setting. When I saw the towering gates for the first time in a year, I couldn't help but shout:
"I'm back!!!"
My declaration was immediately followed by a familiar smack to the back of my head—one I'd come to expect from my mother.
"Settle down, brat," she scolded in a stern tone.
My father chuckled. "You don't have to be so harsh, Lei'er. Let him be—he's just excited."
I heard my mother sigh as I ran ahead into the sect, greeting every familiar face I recognized along the way.
An hour or so later, after my energy was completely spent, I found my way to my mother's room. She was tidying up and putting away her belongings.
"Mom, I can't find Uncle Hao. Do you know where he is?"
She froze.
It was only for a moment—fleeting and almost imperceptible—but my training under Aunt Yuehua let me catch the slight shift in her posture. The hesitation in her movements, the subtle tightening of her jaw, the way her eyes softened unnaturally—it was all there.
She turned to me with a gentle smile, but I could tell it was forced.
"Your Uncle Hao is having a meeting with the Sect Master right now," she said softly. "You'll be able to greet him tomorrow. Go to sleep for tonight—you have to accompany your father, so don't exhaust yourself."
I nodded and turned to leave. As I was closing the door, I heard her give a small sigh.
She probably thinks I'm sad about not seeing Uncle Hao or Grandpa Wei.
Good.
I love my mother, but for the first time—I'll have to disobey her.
Something's wrong.
I need to know what.
I made my way toward Grandpa's private office. He usually held important closed-door meetings there instead of the main hall.
Even before I reached the door, I heard it—shouting, the sound of something breaking. Glass? Porcelain?
How had they not sensed me?
Maybe they were distracted. Maybe it was because I hadn't awakened yet. It didn't matter.
I crept forward, breathing as quietly as possible, even though I was most likely unsuccessful. But it probably didn't matter with how loud they were, but still—caution never hurt.
When I reached the door, I heard Grandpa's furious voice:
"Tang Hao, have you gone mad!? Of all the women in the world, that's who you chose!?"
"I love her, Father! No one will know as long as we stay within the clan. We'll have a powerful fighter, and you'll have another grandson to place your hopes on!"
"You think I care about that!? Maybe she is a powerhouse—but she's a spirit beast! You can't guarantee she won't harm anyone in the sect. You even had her meet Xiao Long! And even if you're right, even if she never harms a soul—if anyone finds out what she is, our Clear Sky Sect will be ruined! The main family will be expelled and one of the elders will take our heritage! Is that what you want?! To bring shame to your grandfather's name!"
"That won't happen—trust me! We just need to shelter her here until she gives birth, and then it'll be over. Why can't you understand?! Why can't you give me your blessing?! Why won't you help me protect my wife?! My future son?! Your grandson?! Is Brother really that much more important to you?! Now that you've chosen Xiao Long as the future successor, you don't care about my child ?!"
SLAP
CRACK
"Don't you dare talk about your brother and nephew like that!!"
And just like that, I couldn't hear the rest.
Not because the argument stopped.
Because something inside me shattered.
My ears rang. My throat went dry. My legs trembled. Tears spilled from my eyes as my thoughts spiraled.
It's happening.
Just like in the story.
They're fighting.
Uncle Hao will be expelled.
He'll be found by Spirit Hall… and then the war will begin.
Granduncle will die.
So many will die.
And Uncle Hao… does he hate me?
Does he hate Dad?
Why?
Why is this happening?
I thought… I thought I could change things.
Make things better.
But I'm too young.
I'm powerless.
I can't stop it.
I hate this.
My breathing grew ragged. My body felt like it was shutting down. But even in the chaos of my thoughts, one thing was clear—I couldn't let them find me like this.
So I ran.
No destination. No plan.
I just… ran.
Down the halls, through corridors. My feet pounded against stone until—
Crash
I slammed into someone and tumbled to the floor. I scrambled to my feet to apologize and escape—but then I heard a voice that made me freeze.
"Xiao Long? What's wrong? Why are you crying? Come, tell Dad. I'll help you, I promise."
My father's words only made it worse.
I felt smothered.
Overwhelmed.
I turned and ran again, tears burning in my eyes as I shouted behind me:
"I'm so sorry, Dad! I'm so sorry!"
"Xiao Long! Xiao Long!!"
That night, after wandering aimlessly around the sect, I finally returned to my room.
I collapsed onto the bed and cried again.
That was a long night.
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Author's Note:
Alright, so this is the biggest chapter yet—and in my opinion, the best one of this short fanfic so far.
A lot happened here, and I wanted to clear up a few things to avoid any misunderstandings or confusion as we move toward the volume's finale. So let's break it down:
🔹 Part 1: Leaving the Breaking Clan and Receiving Gifts
The MC observing the Sect Master at age five
Some of you might find it unrealistic for a five-year-old to observe a Sect Master, but I believe it makes sense. As I mentioned in the chapter, he's not observing the Sect Master's work—he's observing his behavior. Since the MC is already recognized as a prodigy (as established earlier), this kind of early exposure is aligned with his development.
Tang Yuehua and Yang Tinglei's interaction
While it may seem like a comedic moment, this interaction serves a narrative purpose that will be revealed later. I try to make every scene count—even the lighter ones.
MC being accepted as an honorary member
This is very important. The long-term consequences of this moment will come into play much later in the story.
Gifts and Yang Wudi's lesson
These aren't just cool upgrades—they're meant to help flesh out the MC's personality and provide him with the tools he'll need going forward.
🔹 Part 2: The Return and Emotional Breakdown
MC reading his mother's expression
Some might question how a five-year-old can read such subtle facial cues, even with the training of someone like Tang Yuehua. All I can say for now is: there's a reason for this ability, and it ties into the same explanation behind how he could spot weaknesses in the Clear Sky Sect's techniques. Stay tuned for that reveal.
Tang Hao lashing out
No, Tang Hao doesn't hate his brother or the MC. He's angry, overwhelmed, and human. His words were said in the heat of the moment. The MC interprets it negatively because he's in the middle of an emotional breakdown.
The MC's breakdown
If it felt sudden, think back to what the MC vowed earlier that day—to change things, to do better. Imagine thinking you could save someone, only to be hit with the same tragedy all over again. It's like being promised a cure for a loved one's illness, only to lose them the next day. Anyone would crack under that kind of emotional pressure.
Tang Xiao not following the MC
This isn't a plot hole. It's a deliberate choice to show that Tang Xiao continues to prioritize the sect over his own family—even his son.
P.S. : Since this is my first major chapter, I would really appreciate any feedback you have! Whether it's positive or constructive, it helps me improve—and for those of you who take the time to respond, thank you so much.
Okay, now the chapter's really done 😅
— 7_SINS