Mist rolled gently across the valley where the Zhou Family estate rested, its sprawling grounds resembling a small kingdom hidden within nature. Built against the slope of a spiritual mountain, the estate stretched in layered terraces—each level connected by stone steps carved with ancient sigils.
The outer courtyard was peaceful, filled with bamboo groves that swayed softly with every passing breeze. Farther in, elegant corridors wrapped around koi-filled ponds, their waters reflecting the sunset's golden glow. The main residence stood at the highest level—a grand mansion of dark wood and jade tiles, its sweeping roof adorned with mythical beast statues. Every structure radiated the quiet dignity of a family with deep heritage.
It was toward this estate that Diviner Qing walked, his robes trailing behind him like drifting clouds.
Zhou Ming, the patriarch of the family, personally met him at the entrance and led him through winding corridors until they reached a secluded chamber—a quiet room used only for confidential discussions. The walls were lined with silencing formations, isolating it entirely from the outside world.
Once the door slid shut, the noise of the estate vanished completely.
For a while, the two men engaged in light conversation—old acquaintances speaking politely, exchanging brief updates about sect affairs and clan situations. But beneath their words, tension simmered.
Finally, Ming spoke.
"Senior Qing," he said, settling opposite him, "you did not come all this way for trivial talk. May I know… what matter concerns my daughter?"
The diviner exhaled slowly, as though preparing himself.
"I will be direct," he said, placing a small wooden talisman onto the table. "Years ago, I performed a divination upon your daughter, Rai. What I saw… was unlike anything I had witnessed before."
Zhou Ming's jaw tightened.
"I remember," he said quietly. "You merely said she possessed 'something special.' You never explained."
Qing nodded.
"At that time, I couldn't. Her constitution was dormant. Hidden so deeply that even my sight could not trace its roots."
He paused, eyes dimming with memory.
"But her fate… her fate was not dormant. It shone, even then. Her destiny line bent sharply—twisting toward something unseen, linking to someone who had not yet appeared in this world."
Zhou Ming's expression darkened.
"Linked? To whom?"
"We did not know," Qing replied. "No matter how far I extended my sight, the other end of the connection was shrouded—sealed away by a force beyond my understanding. Only fate itself acknowledged that the two were bound."
Ming felt his heart grow heavier.
"And now? Why have you come today?"
Qing's eyes narrowed.
"Because some time ago… that sealed thread stirred."
The room chilled.
"It trembled," he continued, "as if awakening. And your daughter's fate reacted to it. That is why I came—to confirm what, or who, lies at the other end."
Ming inhaled deeply, struggling to calm the rapid beats of his heart.
"Senior Qing, my daughter still cannot cultivate. Her constitution rarely shows any activity. What could possibly be calling her fate?"
Qing's gaze shifted toward the inner courtyard, where Rai resided.
"Bring her."
_______
A servant escorted little Rai into the chamber. Barely two years old, she walked unsteadily, her large eyes shimmering like spring water. Her presence was soft, fragile—like a piece of jade yet to be polished.
Qing knelt slightly and placed his palm above her head.
In the silence—
Whum…
Golden threads flickered into existence, swirling around her like gentle fireflies. Her dormant constitution stirred faintly, releasing a soft glimmer beneath her skin.
Zhou Ming held his breath.
This was the sight he had seen once before… the only time Qing had performed a divination on her.
Qing's voice grew solemn.
"Indeed… the thread is still there."
He traced the flow of fate, searching for the direction the luminous strand pointed toward. Slowly, he opened his eyes and turned his gaze toward the distant horizon.
"Heavenly Martial Sect."
Zhou Ming froze.
"That is where her fate leads."
He stood abruptly. "Senior Qing, are you certain?"
"I am," Qing said. "Whatever is connected to her lies there. We must go."
———————————————
Meanwhile, within the Heavenly Martial Sect—
The hall was filled with murmurs and heavy breaths.
The elders stood in a loose circle, watching the baby cradled in Su Yan's arms. Kai looked up at the spiritual energy strands drifting toward him—soft lights dancing like curious sprites.
The first strand touched his skin.
Fssshh…
It dissolved instantly.
An elder frowned. "He repelled it?"
"No," another whispered. "Look more closely. The energy moved on its own… toward him."
But Kai still did not absorb it. The strand simply vanished into mist.
More strands were sent.Again, the energy gathered near him—yet refused to enter his meridians.
One elder rubbed his temples."This is strange. A mortal body rejects energy completely. But energy never voluntarily approaches a mortal."
Another stroked his beard."Low-quality energy should enter easily, even if cultivation results are poor. Higher-quality energy is harder to absorb but more beneficial."
"So why," another elder murmured, "does this child attract energy… yet cannot take in even the weakest strand?"
They increased the density.Then the quantity.Then the quality.
Cluster after cluster of spiritual energy floated toward Kai.
Each time, the result was the same—Attraction without absorption.
Finally, after many attempts—
A single high-quality strand hesitated at his forehead…
—and vanished into him like a drop of water falling into the abyss.
The elders gasped.
"That—! He absorbed it!"
"But just one bit."
"And look at his skin," another pointed. "He's trembling. His body is too small—it cannot withstand the pressure."
Lee Min rubbed his forehead, troubled. "So this child… requires high-quality spiritual energy? Even now?"
"Impossible," one elder muttered. "No constitution is known to behave like this. None that we can understand."
Su Yan held Kai protectively, unwilling to let the elders push the baby further.
"He's just a child," she said softly. "Please."
The hall grew quiet.
Uncertainty filled the air.
Something about this child defied logic.
Something… unprecedented.
———————————————
Back at the Zhou estate
Diviner Qing, Zhou Ming, and little Rai stepped through a formation gate.
The world blurred—then cleared.
They appeared at the Heavenly Martial Sect gates.
The moment Qing entered, he felt the tug of fate intensify.
"That direction," he whispered.
They followed the pull… until they reached the testing hall.
The doors slid open.
Qing's breath caught.
There—Su Yan held a small baby in her arms, his eyes bright and calm.
Kai.
Zhou Ming was stunned speechless.
Lee Min looked equally confused.
"Senior Qing?" Lee Min asked. "Brother Zhou! Why are you here?"
Qing didn't answer immediately. He stepped closer, his pupils narrowing as he looked between Rai and Kai—one toddler clinging to Zhou Ming's robes, one infant nestled in Su Yan's arms.
The golden thread appeared in his sight.
It connected them.
Clear as day.
His chest tightened.
"So… it was you," he whispered at last. "The one her fate is bound to."
Everyone froze.