Their journey was short, but meaningful, the city's towering walls came into view.
The familiar skyline of Liyun City brought a sense of comfort. The Su Family manor stood tall among the estates of other noble clans, its walls radiating quiet authority.
As the spiritual boat descended, Su Kang stepped out first, followed by Bai Yunxi and the Moonlight Butterfly.
The butterfly's shimmering wings glinted under the sunlight, a soft ripple of curiosity passing through the onlookers.
Bai Yunxi offered him a brief glance and a nod before making her way to her residence.
Meanwhile, Su Kang guided the Moonlight Butterfly toward the spiritual-beast quarters nestled within the manor grounds.
Standing beside the creature, he said in a firm tone, "I know this may not feel like home, but change is necessary, and you won't regret it."
The butterfly didn't respond. It simply lowered its wings and went on.
After arranging its accommodations, Su Kang returned to his residence. He called over the head servant. "Any news from the clan?"
The servant bowed. "A few days ago, Young Master Ting returned to the estate."
A slow smirk played at the corner of Su Kang's lips. "It's been a while since I saw that drama prince."
Su Ting had always been known for his vibrant personality and keen intellect. In his leisure time, he preferred the company of young individuals and consistently sought new adventures.
"Good. Inform the family head and elders that I'm back," Su Kang said before leaving.
He approached the doors of his brother's palace. He stepped inside to find the palace unusually quiet, there was no sign of the Su Ting.
If Su Ting wasn't home, there was only one place he could be.
If Su Ting wasn't here, there was only one place he'd be.
"The tavern," Su Kang muttered, turning on his heel. "When will he stop chasing nonsense?"
He navigated through the bustling streets of Liyun City. The air was thick with the scent of exotic herbs, mingling with the faint aroma of alcohol drifting from the city's many drinking halls.
As he approached the tavern, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses grew louder.
This particular tavern was famous—not just for its top-quality spiritual liquor, but also for its reputation as a gathering place for the city's young elites.
Su Kang had been here before, mostly to drag his brother back home when his antics went too far.
Stepping inside, the familiar atmosphere washed over him.
The scent of roasting meats, the glow of lanterns, the hum of conversations interwoven with bursts of laughter—it was the kind of place that thrived on life and indulgence.
And there, at the center of it all, was Su Ting.
He was holding court at a large table, his presence effortlessly commanding attention.
Young noblemen and women surrounded him, their expressions enraptured as he spun one of his exaggerated tales.
His sharp handsome face was flushed with warmth, a half-filled cup of liquor in his hand as he gestured dramatically.
His voice rose and fell, each inflection brimming with excitement and mischief.
"…and just as the Winged Leopard pounced, I realized—the exit was blocked!"
Su Ting leaned forward, voice low, eyes gleaming with intensity.
"The beast's fangs were already halfway to my throat, its breath like a rotting corpse, but I—" He paused, flashing a grin. "—I didn't panic. I reached for the nearest thing at hand."
Silence fell over the table in anticipation.
Su Ting grinned in satisfaction, basking in the attention.
Su Kang remained in the shadows, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing on his lips.
Then a peculiar sensation tickled the edge of his consciousness. His gaze drifted across the crowd, searching for the source.
At the edge of the gathering, a girl stood apart from the crowd.
Her long, flowing black hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a porcelain-like face.
Her eyes were a lighter shade of red, and she wore a robe of red and black, embroidered with flame-like patterns.
But what unsettled Su Kang was not her beauty—it was the fact that he couldn't see through her cultivation.
She looked no older than sixteen or seventeen, yet she carried herself with a stillness that belonged to those much older.
Their eyes met.
For a few tense seconds, neither of them looked away.
Then, as if silently acknowledging each other, they turned aside.
Su Kang frowned slightly, but he decided not made any move on her,.
"Who is she?
"Fate, look at her. Tell me about her destiny." he asked in his mind.
Fate remained quiet for a moment, as if analyzing something deeply.
Then, it spoke.
"10,000 destiny points. Her luck and blessings are of higher quality than yours."
10,000 destiny points? It's equal to mine.
So she is a core formation cultivator. But what is she doing here?
"What do you mean by her quality of blessings is being better than mine?" He asked again.
"This is my newly acquired ability. I can now see the quality of destiny as well," Fate responded.
Su Kang decided to shelve that discussion for now. His thoughts were elsewhere.
Why is there a Core-formation cultivator?
"Did she wanted to harm my brother for some reason?"
"Or was she an acquaintance of Su Ting?"
He glanced at her again.
She just sat there. Not speaking. Simply… observing. Detached from the merriment around her.
Her expression was calm, but her eyes told a different story.
"She doesn't seem to be enjoying any of this," he thought.
Does she have business with my brother?
Su Ting, seemingly oblivious to his brother's thoughts, continued talking animatedly.
"…I grabbed the broken handle, lunged forward, and jammed it right between its ribs! Then—"
"Su Ting," Su Kang called out, his voice cutting through the atmosphere.
Su Ting's head snapped up, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight of him.
"Elder Brother!" Su Ting called out loudly, his voice rising above the tavern's din as he looked toward him.
The surrounding guests immediately took notice of Su Kang's presence—and panic flickered in their eyes. Everyone in Liyun City knew Su Kang had little patience for idle revelry.
"Brother, you're back!" Su Ting exclaimed, slamming his cup onto the table with a loud thump. The moment the gesture landed, many began quietly slipping away, not daring to linger under Su Kang's gaze.
Su Kang paid them no attention. His eyes remained fixed on his brother, but a portion of his focus remained on the mysterious girl.
She hadn't moved. Judging by her expression, she had no intention of leaving either.
"Let's talk on the way back," Su Kang said calmly.
Su Ting nodded and gestured for the remaining guests to continue without him. But before departing, he turned and introduced the girl.
"This is Miss Yue, the daughter of the Yue family from the distant Xuantian Empire. She's quite the talented cultivator—and she's been sharing tales of her adventures."
Su Ting grinned, gesturing toward her.
"She saved me from a malicious spirit during a treasure hunt. Since she was looking for a place to rest, I invited her to Liyun City
"It's an honour to meet you, Young Master Su," she said with a slight bow of her head. Her voice was like a gentle breeze, carrying with it an air of dignity and composure.
"Thank you, Miss Yue, for helping my brother," Su Kang replied sincerely, though inwardly, he remained guarded.
She doesn't strike me as the type to brag about her deeds.
Su Kang narrowed his eyes slightly, resisting the urge to smack Su Ting for that obvious lie.
What troubled him more than her words was her presence.
The Xuantian Empire lay far to the north. Unlike their homeland, where spiritual veins were sparse, Xuantian was overflowing with cultivation resources and heritage.
Xuantian is prosperous, with deep history and abundant spiritual veins. Jiang State doesn't even have a single fourth-grade spiritual vein.
Between the two regions lay Heng State, spanning nearly a million kilometers. For her to reach this place, she must've traveled an incredible distance.
Why would someone like her travel to such barren lands? Su Kang's confusion deepened.
Su Kang studied her closely. Her movements were precise, her expression carefully controlled. Her red eyes, unwavering as they met his once more and in them, he sensed secrets yet to be unraveled.
It felt as if she were looking straight through him… seeing beyond his physical form.
Fate's voice echoed within his mind, sending a jolt down his spine.
"She is using divination techniques to peer into your destiny."
:— Miss Yue
He was familiar with divination techniques, but none operated quite like this.
The methods practiced in Jiang State paled in comparison to what she had just demonstrated, a revelation that left him uneasy.
He nodded his thanks, inwardly certain that Fate's protection shielded his destiny from her prying. His real concern lay with her purpose.
Why had she come all this way? No plausible reason came to mind. Even if she sought treasure or secret realms, Jiang State held little allure for someone of her apparent standing.
"Brother, she'll be staying at the Su Manor for a while," Su Ting announced.
Dammit!
Su Kang cursed inwardly, forcing a composed smile as he nodded in agreement.
Could it be because of the secret realm that was supposed to be found? But I doubt that someone like her would be lacking resources or spiritual herbs.
The Xuantian Empire boasted several powerful cultivation regions, whereas Jiang State primarily hosted small to medium ones.
Consequently, Su Kang suspected the newly discovered realm would likely mirror those found before—small or medium in scale.
His brows furrowed slightly.
My parents should've reached their destination by now. Even if someone else caught wind of the realm, they couldn't have sent her here so quickly.
Unless there are other hidden realms in Qingyun Region we've missed entirely.
Su Kang's mind raced through possibilities. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, especially with someone of her background present.
In that vision of the future, just two Nascent Soul cultivators had been enough to erase his entire family line. His family had been tortured for two days, and no one had come to their aid.
Heng State had at least two known Nascent Soul cultivators, even though part of it was considered barren, much like Jiang State.
Su Kang recalled traveling hundreds of thousands of kilometers into Heng State before noticing a significant shift in Qi density; both Nascent Soul experts resided in the central or northern regions, far from Jiang State's borders.
The Xuantian Empire, however, was different. It likely harbored four or five Nascent Soul cultivators, perhaps even more.
Su Kang could not afford to place his family in danger, not even accidentally.
Their journey back to the Su Manor was smooth, yet the silence felt heavy.
Su Ting noticed his brother's unusual behavior; he couldn't recall Su Kang ever acting so strangely.
Normally, Su Kang would have reprimanded him immediately in the tavern for causing trouble, not dragged him away quietly. Something was definitely amiss.
He resolved to speak with him once they were home. In the meantime, he tried to guess the possible reasons behind his brother's behavior.
Su Kang, deep in thought, couldn't shake his unease. After considering the possibilities, he could only conclude that her presence stemmed from a personal reason.
Upon reaching the manor, Su Kang composed himself and addressed their guest.
"Miss Yue, I will arrange suitable accommodations for you. Please let the staff know if you require anything."
She was escorted to an elegant, isolated guest house within the outer manor—a modest structure nestled within a quiet garden, where the gentle sound of a distant waterfall lent the place an ethereal serenity.
Back in the inner courtyard, as dusk deepened into night, Su Ting could no longer contain his curiosity. Once they were alone in the garden, he turned to his brother, brow furrowed.
"Brother, what's going on? You've been acting strangely since the tavern. Did something happen with Miss Yue?"
Su Kang glanced at him before asking pointedly, "Do you know much about the Xuantian Empire?"
Su Ting blinked, caught off guard. "Of course. I even asked her about it… she told me quite a bit."
Su Kang let out a slow breath, his gaze drifting toward the tranquil pond in their courtyard.
After a moment's pause, he stated gravely, "Miss Yue is no ordinary person. She's a Core Formation cultivator."
Su Ting's eyes widened. "…What?" He struggled to process the revelation. "But… she entered a realm intended for Foundation Building cultivators."
"She must have deliberately suppressed her cultivation," Su Kang replied, his voice calm but his eyes sharp.
"She followed you here, Su Ting. This isn't a casual visit."
Even if her intentions weren't malicious, her use of divination techniques on him was undeniably suspicious.
Who was to say she hadn't done the same to Su Ting? Was she searching for something—or someone?
Su Ting looked shaken and began recounting everything he knew about her—their meeting, her demeanor, her behavior throughout their time together.
As Su Kang listened, his suspicions solidified into certainty. She hadn't arrived by chance.
Her general aloofness, the suppressed cultivation, the decision to follow Su Ting after saving him—it all pointed towards a hidden motive.
Without another word, Su Ting began pulling out various artifacts, jade scrolls, and treasures he had accumulated.
"Brother, check these. See if anything stands out. Maybe something here caught her attention," he urged quietly.
Su Ting was visibly distressed, realizing he might have brought a potential threat into their home.
He admitted he'd let his guard down after she saved him. In hindsight, her behavior seemed strangely indifferent to everyone else.
She had even praised his cooking, something most cultivators would never bother with. That had made him believe they were on good terms. Now, he wasn't so sure.
Su Kang shook his head. "If she wanted something specific from your collection, she likely would have acted already."
Nevertheless, he carefully examined the items, surprised by the quality his brother had amassed.
Despite not being allowed to travel far or visit dangerous places, Su Ting had managed to collect quite a few valuable items—exquisite-level techniques, third-grade spiritual herbs, and rare minerals.
Impressive, but not enough to attract a Core Formation cultivator.
Noticing his brother's growing anxiety, Su Kang reached out, resting a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry yourself sick over this. I'll handle it. Perhaps we're overthinking things; we haven't done anything to attract someone of her caliber. Get some rest."
Su Ting hesitated but eventually nodded, leaving the treasures where they lay and walking off without another word.
Su Kang watched him go, sighing softly.
I need to uncover Miss Yue's true purpose before it's too late. I just hope she's acting alone… and no one is pulling the strings behind her.
Meanwhile, in her guest house, Miss Yue sat quietly, holding a small, ornate mirror. Its surface shimmered faintly, displaying a live projection of Su Kang and Su Ting's conversation in the garden.
Her expression remained composed, yet a flicker of frustration—tinged with exhaustion—crossed her eyes.
With a sigh, she removed a slender hairpin and tapped it against glowing runes etched onto the mirror's frame.
"Aunt… this is taking longer than expected. He's realized I'm hiding my cultivation. I… I don't know what to do next."
Her voice was soft, but the anxiety within it was unmistakable.
After a brief pause, a calm and gentle voice replied through the mirror. "Yue Mei, don't worry. I'm here to guide you."
The mirror's image shifted slightly, now following Su Ting as he walked back towards his room, his expression clearly troubled.
He sighed and murmured as he lay on his bed,
"Yue Mei... what is your true intention?"
She took a deep breath to steady herself, but her thoughts remained muddled.
With a tired sigh, she deactivated the artifact; her own cultivation was too low to sustain its power for extended periods.
She had been relying on this high-level spiritual artifact to conceal her true realm. Ordinarily, not even a Nascent Soul cultivator should have seen through the disguise.
Yet, somehow—Su Kang had seen through it.
Just who are you, Su Kang?
Although she had prepared multiple backup plans, she wished to avoid resorting to certain methods, fearing they would only bring unnecessary trouble to the Su family—an outcome she genuinely wanted to prevent.