Qian Daoliu regarded Qian Ye with clear satisfaction.
"Little Ye," he said, his tone calm but warm, "you've already surpassed level 20 of the Innate Realm. Theoretically, you could add a second soul ring now. But haste makes waste."
He clasped his hands behind his back and continued, "If you rush ahead, you'll reach the Great Soul Master realm too quickly. You'll gain power, yes — but lose understanding. A foundation must be tempered, not stolen."
Qian Ye listened silently, his expression steady.He understood. Impatience was the path of fools. Every step toward strength had to be carved through sweat, pain, and calculation.
He nodded. "You're right, Father. I'll consolidate my foundation first."
Qian Daoliu smiled faintly. "Good. Then we'll return to Spirit Hall."
As they prepared to leave, he added one last warning."Xiao Ye, there's something you must remember."
Qian Ye turned to face him. "Yes, Father?"
"The secret of your martial soul — no one else must know. Not even those you trust. Its power is your greatest shield… and your greatest vulnerability."
Qian Ye's gaze darkened slightly. Secrets are only valuable when others don't know you have them.He nodded. "Understood."
Satisfied, Qian Daoliu smiled. "Good. Then I can rest easy."
They returned to Spirit Hall.
But Qian Ye's training was far from over.
Qian Daoliu led him to the back mountain, where a colossal waterfall thundered down from the cliffs like a silver curtain. Mist filled the air, and the roar of crashing water drowned all thought.
"Since you wish to become stronger," Qian Daoliu said, "you must first master your body. Starting today, you will train beneath this waterfall."
Qian Ye said nothing. He simply stepped forward.
The water struck him like a collapsing mountain. His small body couldn't withstand the impact — he was thrown into the pool below.
He climbed out, dripping wet, gasping for breath. Then, without hesitation, he stepped under the waterfall again.
Once. Twice. A hundred times.
Each time he fell, he rose again.
The sound of crashing water mixed with the dull thuds of his body hitting stone.By nightfall, he had been swept away hundreds of times.
But his eyes never lost their focus.
Pain is the body learning obedience.
Day after day, Qian Ye returned.
By the second day, he could endure ten minutes beneath the waterfall.By the third, half an hour.By the fifth, two and a half hours.
Under Qian Daoliu's watchful gaze, he stood straight and unyielding beneath the torrent, channeling his soul power to reinforce his frame. Too much power, and his reserves drained; too little, and the waterfall crushed him.
He learned control the hard way — by failing, bleeding, and trying again.
Over time, his body grew harder, his spirit keener. His perception of soul power deepened. Each day beneath the waterfall polished away softness and doubt.
The water pounds weakness into shape. I can feel it breaking… and rebuilding me.
Weeks later, Qian Ye returned from his training and made his way alone through Spirit City.
Though he was the son of Qian Daoliu, he traveled without guards.No one in Spirit Hall dared trouble him — his reputation was already beginning to spread, whispered in corners and corridors.
As he walked through a quiet street, three figures appeared ahead.
Two men and a woman.
The woman at the center was striking — pale-gold hair cascading down her back, sapphire-blue eyes clear yet dangerously sharp. Her white-and-gold robes traced a perfect silhouette, her every step balanced between elegance and temptation.
Hu Liena.
Beside her walked two men.One had flaming red hair and wore crimson robes, his aura blazing like a living torch — Yan.The other, tall and composed, carried himself with effortless grace, silver hair glinting under the light, a fan lazily waving in his hand — Xie Yue.
Together, they blocked his path.
Hu Liena's lips curved slightly. "You're Qian Ye, aren't you?"
Qian Ye's gaze flicked over them, expression unreadable. He recognized them immediately — the so-called prodigies of the Spirit Hall Academy, golden children of their generation.
He said nothing.
He simply stepped around her and continued walking.
Hu Liena blinked, startled. "Hey—"
But Qian Ye didn't look back. His steps were steady, measured, deliberate.
He had no interest in pleasantries.Least of all with her.
So this is the one they call the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall.Polished on the outside. Hollow within.
A faint smirk touched his lips as he passed.A woman who trades loyalty for one sided love should never pretend to speak of light.
Hu Liena frowned slightly, watching his back as he walked away.Her pride stung, though she didn't know why.
Xie Yue tilted his fan with a grin. "Well… that's new. Someone who ignores you completely."
Yan laughed softly, his fiery aura flickering. "Guess the little prodigy doesn't care who you are."
Hu Liena's eyes narrowed, following Qian Ye's fading silhouette.
"He'll care soon enough."