Dawn broke with pale light over the Ye Family estate.
The mist clung to the peaks, giving the courtyard an ethereal glow. The air was electric with anticipation.
Today, the Heavenly Sword Sect, one of the most prestigious martial clans in southern Qingyang, had sent envoys to witness the rise of the Ye Family's new prodigy.
---
Inside the main hall, Ye Chen stood silently. His robes were crisp, his posture relaxed.
Three men entered—their bearing noble, qi radiating like coiled dragons. At the center was the eldest, Shen Wu, his eyes sharp as steel and his aura icy.
> "We have heard much of your feat, Ye Chen," Shen Wu said, his voice calm but carrying unmistakable weight.
"Taming an Ironback Wolf and defeating your fellow disciple… impressive. But the Heavenly Sword Sect tests only what cannot be faked. Show us your cultivation."
Ye Liang, who had once mocked Ye Chen, scowled.
> "A simple test of martial skill… surely the boy will fail."
Ye Chen inclined his head politely. "Very well. What test do you propose?"
Shen Wu's lips curved slightly. "Demonstrate qi resonance with a spirit beast… without using force."
A hush fell over the hall. Only a handful of disciples in the family could even attempt such a trial—and none could succeed fully without years of cultivation.
---
A massive Azure Fang Wolf was brought forth, its eyes bright with intelligence and barely restrained aggression. Its aura flared, crackling with raw energy.
Ye Chen stepped forward, closing his eyes. In his mind, the Book Realm opened—a storm of knowledge, wisdom, and forgotten techniques.
> "Spirit Beast Resonance: The Scholar's Method"… page 22.
He exhaled slowly, reciting a verse softly under his breath:
> "The beast roams as thought allows,
The heart still, the path opens."
A faint golden glow emerged from his dantian, invisible to the onlookers. It wrapped around the Azure Fang Wolf, touching its mind rather than its body.
The wolf stilled. Its snarl faded. Its ears twitched. It lowered itself, submitting quietly.
---
Gasps echoed throughout the hall. Shen Wu's sharp eyes widened slightly.
> "Remarkable… he did not use brute qi, yet the beast yields completely."
Ye Liang's face drained of color. "Impossible… mere reading… poetry… that is not cultivation!"
Ye Chen bowed politely. "Understanding transcends force. Every movement has its reasoning; every beast has its nature."
Shen Wu studied him for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly.
> "I see why the Patriarch favors you. But know this—talent without awareness draws attention… and attention brings challenges."
With a wave of his hand, the delegation departed, leaving a lingering sense of pressure in their wake.
---
That night, Ye Chen returned to the garden. Moonlight reflected on the wet stones.
The Book Realm pulsed with quiet energy. A new book appeared, its title faintly glowing:
> "The Path of Rivals: Preparing for the Storm"
A whisper echoed:
> "Not all who seek you are friends. Knowledge alone may not protect you… but understanding can."
Ye Chen smiled faintly, recalling the Azure Fang Wolf's obedience:
> "Every problem is a page, every challenge a lesson."
> "Then I shall continue reading," he said, voice calm. "And when the world strikes, I will answer… with the words of Heaven itself."