Morning light crept over Glory City as Ling Tian and Xiao Ning'er slipped back through the gates, cloaked in quiet confidence.
Their eyes met once more before parting ways — a silent promise: We're in this together.
But danger simmered just beneath the surface.
In the Sacred Family's grand hall, Shen Yue slammed his fist into a marble table.
"FAILED?!" His voice echoed like a whip crack.
His informant trembled. "M-my lord, they were… stronger than expected. The mercenaries didn't stand a chance."
Shen Yue's eyes narrowed, venomous. He had underestimated Ling Tian from the start — dismissing him as just another upstart cultivator.
No longer.
"Keep watching them," he hissed. "And prepare our… special forces. Next time, I want them destroyed."
Meanwhile, at the institute's training grounds, Ling Tian stood beneath a massive stone pillar, fists clenched, eyes locked on the target.
Boom—!
A surge of soul force burst from his palm, cracking the stone clean through.
Around him, other students gaped in shock.
"Impossible," one muttered. "He was only mid-Bronze rank a week ago…"
Ling Tian stepped back, calm and controlled. His body thrummed with rising power — the result of relentless cultivation, fueled by purpose and sharpened by nights beside Xiao Ning'er.
"Again," he muttered to himself, resetting his stance.
Nearby, Xiao Ning'er watched, her eyes warm but sharp.
She felt it too — her own strength had grown in tandem. Ling Tian's unwavering presence had unlocked something inside her: a fierce determination, no longer tinged with fear or self-doubt.
She approached quietly, resting her hand on his arm as he lowered it.
"You're pushing too hard," she murmured. "Rest."
He shook his head, smiling faintly. "No time. They're planning something bigger. I can feel it."
Her eyes darkened, the truth of his words sinking deep.
"Then we'll face it together," she said firmly.
For a brief, stolen moment, the world shrank around them. Her fingers laced through his; strength met strength, not in battle, but in quiet resolve.
Neither noticed Shen Yue's spy hidden among the crowd — watching, waiting, noting every glance, every touch.
That night, high in the Sacred Family's inner sanctum, a scroll was unrolled across the table. A list of names.At the top: Ling Tian. Xiao Ning'er.
Shen Yue smiled coldly.
"Soon."