The next day, his father arrives.
By evening, Lin Yu meets him in the office.
Stepping inside, he sees his father seated behind the desk, calm and imposing.
Lin Yu walks forward and stops at the opposite side, his gaze steady. "Father, do you need anything?"
His father replies, "I cannot call my son for a simple interaction?"
Lin Yu's voice remains calm. "You can." He pulls out a chair and sits, facing him. "But I don't think you called me here for something so simple."
His father studies him for a moment before nodding. "You are right."
Lin Yu remains composed, betraying no reaction.
"From your aura," his father says, "I can tell you've broken through to Tier One."
Lin Yu makes no effort to conceal it. He has no need to act weak. Even at Tier One, he is confident no one within two tiers above could defeat him, and if he used his original strength, he would be untouchable.
He nods lightly. "I should also congratulate you, Father, on advancing to Tier Four of Knight."
Shock flickers in his father's eyes. He had hidden his aura, yet Lin Yu still saw through it.
Lin Yu gives an easy excuse. "I sensed your breakthrough from your shadow."
His father holds his gaze for a moment, then accepts it with a nod.
Lin Yu asks, "Our extraordinary path—Giant Knight—it is a Tier Four path, isn't it?"
His tone carries certainty, not doubt.
"Yes," His father admits after a pause, voice low but firm. "The Giant Knight is a Tier Four path."
Lin Yu's tone remains calm. "Then what is your plan going forward?"
His father straightens in his chair. "Our family possesses another extraordinary path of the Knight Way—the Panther Knight, a Tier Two path. I've begun cultivating it while also trying to gather other extraordinary paths of the Knight Way."
Lin Yu nods slightly, his gaze steady. "Don't cultivate every Knight path you find. Later, it will only become a burden when you attempt to merge them for a breakthrough to Tier Five."
His father presses his lips together and nods. "I know. That's why I've been focusing on Tier Four Knight paths. But those who hold them are extremely reluctant to part with them."
Lin Yu's mind turns. If he provided his family with the Shadow Knight path, it could strengthen their foundation. But he has only formed it up to Tier One. I need to push it at least to Tier Three before passing it on to Father. He quietly resolves to begin working on it once he returns to his room.
Aloud, Lin Yu asks, "And the army—do they not possess an extraordinary path?"
His father answers gravely, "They do, but paths for the army require merit to exchange, and such merit can only be won in a large-scale war."
Lin Yu leans forward, eyes sharp. "What of the kingdom's plan to occupy the nearby islands?"
He lets the geography fall between them like a map: the Griffin Kingdom sits on one island among nine, the third largest, and only one other realm—the Zoin Duchy on the smallest isle—has ever managed full control of its island, which makes Griffin the dominant power among the archipelago.
His father's face clouds with worry. "It's planned, but the parliament fears that declaring war on one island will invite the rest to declare war on us."
Lin Yu's voice is cool and analytical. "Only the Blue Sea Federation, the Seven Star Republic, and the Ryan Kingdom possess true navies—if their fleets are neutralised, we could move across the archipelago with far less resistance."
His father nods slowly, then shifts the topic. "Now, let's speak of you. What is the name of your extraordinary path?"
"Shadow Lord," Lin Yu answers without hesitation.
His father blinks, startled. "You named it yourself?"
"I created it, so I named it."
The revelation makes his father widen his eyes further. "Then the path you spread to your gang—it was your creation as well?"
"Yes. The Shadow Warrior, a Tier One extraordinary path."
Leaning forward with keen interest, his father presses, "What ability does it grant?"
"It is a physical cultivation method, like the knight path, but it strengthens a warrior's shadow affinity."
"Then can I cultivate it?"
Lin Yu shakes his head. "No. The knight path relies on fighting energy—a blend of essence, willpower, and extraordinary particles. The Shadow Warrior instead fuses essence with shadow energy."
"Then… can you create a knight extraordinary path?"
Lin Yu keeps his face calm, though in his mind, he acknowledges that very task as his next priority. Aloud, he only says, "I'll see what I can do."
Rising, he inclines his head. "I'll take my leave now."
His father nods, but before Lin Yu reaches the door, he calls out, "Wait."
Lin Yu pauses and turns. "Yes?"
"I have good news for you."
One eyebrow arches, his head tilting slightly.
"You are engaged."
Lin Yu shows no change of expression. "Ok."
His father frowns at his indifference. "You're not going to ask with whom?"
Lin Yu shrugs lightly.
"It doesn't matter."
His father raises an eyebrow.
"How can it not matter? It is a lifelong matter."
Lin Yu keeps the same detached look, shoulders lifting in another shrug.
"You are not going to ask with whom," his father presses.
Lin Yu finally asks, "With whom?"
"Declan's daughter, Nora Ashford," his father replies.
A beautiful face flashes in Lin Yu's mind.
"Ok."
"Tomorrow, we will ride together with them to Ravenworth's estate," his father says.
"Ok," Lin Yu repeats.
He pulls the door open and leaves the office.
Back in his room, he sits at his desk.
A stack of blank paper rests on one side, bottles of ink on the other.
He dips his brush and begins writing the Shadow Knight extraordinary path cultivation method across the page.
He has already created the method up to Tier One.
For the first few pages, he simply copies the cultivation process from memory.
Knight cultivation begins and ends with breathing techniques.
Breathing refines willpower, burns essence, and absorbs extraordinary particles to form fighting energy.
Every Knight extraordinary path carries a different fighting energy and a unique ability.
The Giant Knight extraordinary path of his family grants size and strength.
In Tier One, a Giant Knight can burn fighting energy to transform into a towering giant for a brief time.
As the realm advances, the duration of that transformation grows.
His Shadow Knight extraordinary path instead grants mastery over one's own shadow.
At Tier One, a knight on this path can bend and control their shadow as a weapon or shield.
While his brush moves, he hears Isolde's voice in his mind.
"You don't act like some twenty-year-old fellow."
Because I am not, Lin Yu thinks.
Without pausing, he says, "What age do I act like?"
"Like someone like me," Isolde answers.
"Someone who has tasted every emotion the mortal world has to offer."
Lin Yu hums.
"Maybe I am your age. Or even older."
"Maybe," Isolde whispers.
He finishes writing the Shadow Knight extraordinary path up to Tier One.
Now he needs to create the next tier.
He leans back, eyes closed, and begins shaping the cultivation method in his mind.
Isolde speaks again.
"Why are you creating a new one at the beginning? Use the Giant Knight extraordinary path as the base and add the shadow element to it."
Lin Yu stops, brush hovering.
"Go on."
"The new extraordinary path will very likely still be a Tier Four path," Isolde explains.
"But it will strengthen your father's fighting power, and you will gain feedback as the creator."
"You are right," Lin Yu admits.
Isolde hums in pride.
Lin Yu adds, "If I merge the shadow element with the Giant Knight path, then when I advance the Shadow Knight path to Tier Four, the two paths could be easily combined. Maybe one of them could even step into Tier Five."
He quickly sets aside the papers of the Shadow Knight extraordinary path.
He recalls the Giant Knight extraordinary path in full detail.
He begins dismantling it piece by piece.
He divides the cultivation according to tier, just as it is structured.
The Giant Knight extraordinary path can be cultivated up to Tier Four, so he breaks it into four sections.
He starts from Tier One.
He weaves the shadow element into the breathing method.
But breathing alone cannot form an extraordinary heart.
A knight's cultivation path must also be supported by knowledge of the world in the form of extraordinary techniques.
The Giant Knight has three extraordinary techniques.
A boxing technique: Giant Boxing.
An escape technique: Heavy Dash.
A defensive technique: Iron Will.
He alters only the escape technique, weaving in the shadow element and his own understanding, and creates the Shadow Escape technique.
He then adds a weapon technique, one that teaches how to imbue shadow energy into weapons to amplify their power.
When he finishes, his extraordinary heart throbs with new strength.
The only thing keeping him from advancing to Tier Two is energy.
"With my speed of absorption, it will take three months to break through," he murmurs.
"With resources, two months. To shorten it further, the best option is to improve my physical body so it can draw in more extraordinary particles."
He marks that as his next priority once the Giant Knight extraordinary path is perfected.
He continues with the second part of the path, shaping it to reach Tier Two.
He leaves the boxing, defensive, and other new techniques unchanged.
He refines the escape technique and strengthens the weapon technique.
Time slips away without him noticing.
By the time he finishes adjusting the third part, a knock sounds at his door.
He manipulates the shadows to swing the door open.
Samuel stands there.
"Young Master, are you not ready? Master is downstairs waiting for you."
Lin Yu realises he has lost track of time while transforming the path.
"Tell Father I am coming right away," he says.
He rises and walks calmly toward the bathroom.
While he gets ready, Nora sits with her father and mother, all three dressed and prepared to leave for the party.
But her parents remain seated, waiting.
Nora frowns.
"Father, Mother, for whom are we waiting?"
Her father tenses, anticipation flickering in his eyes.
"Important people," he says.
Her mother places a hand on his arm to steady him.
"Declan, don't worry. The agreed time has not yet come."
Nora tilts her head, curiosity growing.
"Mother, who is coming to join us?"
Her father glances at the clock, then snaps, "Keep quiet."
Her mother's voice softens.
"Declan, tell her who is coming. She needs to know; otherwise, she may cause a scene."
Hesitation crosses Declan's face.
He looks at his daughter, then at his wife.
"You tell her."
Nora's gaze shifts to her mother, anticipation tightening in her chest.
Her mother says softly, "Nora, we've chosen your marriage partner. They are coming to accompany us to the party. Your engagement will be announced tonight."
Nora sits frozen, the words sinking like stones.
She looks from her mother to her father, searching their faces.
"You're not joking," she whispers.
Before her mother can reply, a guard enters the room.
"Master, they have arrived."
Declan's gaze hardens.
"Nora, I didn't stop you from joining the police. But this time, I don't want to hear any disagreement."
He turns and walks away without looking back.
Her mother rises and takes her arm, gently urging her to stand.
"Nora, listen. This marriage is very important to the family. We've never asked you for anything—please don't create a ruckus."
Nora's voice cracks with indignation.
"Mother, this is my marriage. I will be the one married."
Her mother pulls her toward the front door.
"We'll discuss it when we're alone," she says firmly.
She leans closer, eyes pleading.
"Now, smile."
Together, they step outside.