Qilin Step?
Within the fragmented memories of the pure-blood ferocious beast's true blood, there was a vivid scene of a Fire Qilin performing the Qilin Step.
The Fire Qilin, towering a hundred meters tall, radiated an overwhelming presence that shook the heavens. With a single step, the void seemed to groan under an unbearable weight, forcing all living beings to their knees. Those weaker than the Fire Qilin collapsed instantly, and the gravely injured perished on the spot, their bodies unable to withstand the pressure. The Fire Qilin stood majestic, its dominance unchallenged.
But humans, more often than not, cared little for honor. Soon, the Stone Clan's patriarch, an enshrined elder of the Martial King Manor, led a large group to encircle the Fire Qilin.
What followed was a ruthless siege.
Even as a pure-blood creature, a ferocious beast of unmatched prowess wielding the formidable Qilin Precious Technique, the Fire Qilin was peerless in single combat. No human or ancient remnant species in the Hundred Clans Battlefield could stand against it one-on-one. Yet, faced with this shameless group assault, the Fire Qilin began to falter. After ten grueling days, it succumbed to exhaustion, its corpse claimed as a trophy by the Stone Clan patriarch and his followers.
At this point in the memory, Shi Yi's heavy pupils flickered faintly.
The scene in his mind expanded infinitely, allowing Shi Yi's mental consciousness to slip effortlessly into the memory, peering into the Fire Qilin's bloodline inheritance.
This was one of the unique abilities of a Heavy Pupil bearer. He could see what others could not; to him, the world was nearly transparent. Whether it was the residual bloodline memories within the pure-blood beast's true blood or the radiant Supreme Bone glowing within Shi Hao's body, nothing could escape his gaze.
As long as he desired it—and was strong enough—no secret in this world could remain hidden from him.
Could I actually steal a pure-blood ferocious beast's precious technique like this? Shi Yi mused, a trace of regret in his thoughts. Unfortunately, I didn't kill this Qilin myself. The true blood is incomplete, and so is the bloodline's inherited memory. I can only acquire a fragmented Qilin Precious Technique—lacking the Qilin Fist, Qilin Foot, and Qilin Pattern.
Yet, Shi Yi was no longer the same person he once was. He had become someone who found contentment in what he had. Fragmented or not, isn't imperfection its own kind of beauty?
More importantly, if this were the complete Qilin Precious Technique, the great powers of the Upper Realm would have long descended to seize it. The Qilin, one of the Ten Ferocious Beasts of antiquity, possessed a technique capable of shaking the heavens and earth. But a fragmented version? The Upper Realm's mighty figures would have to weigh the cost of descending to the Lower Realm, where their presence was not so easily permitted.
While Shi Yi was immersed in secretly studying the Qilin Step from the Qilin Precious Technique, Shi Hao had just finished his medicinal bath. Leaping out of the small bronze cauldron, he was dressed by the attending maids and bounced energetically toward Shi Yi's mother.
"Big Aunt, just now, when the sky darkened, so many huge, terrifying eyes appeared in the heavens!" Shi Hao's small face was filled with awe, his little hands gesturing wildly to describe the indescribably massive eyes.
"That was Yi'er's Heavy Pupils," Shi Yi's mother said proudly. "My son, Shi Yi, has the bearing of a sage."
Hailing from the Rain Clan, she was neither a prodigy nor particularly accomplished, her strength unremarkable. But she had a source of boundless pride—a person for whom she would give the world's treasures if she could. That person was, unmistakably, Shi Yi.
"Yi's Gege Heavy Pupils are so amazing! I felt like he could see right through me," Shi Hao said, scratching his head. His eyes sparkled with admiration, free of any trace of envy.
At that moment, Shi Yi's mother seemed to recall something. She crouched down, looking earnestly at Shi Hao. "Hao'er, you must listen to Yi'er from now on. Your Yi Gege will protect you."
In her eyes, Shi Hao could never compare to her son, Shi Yi. But she also believed that Shi Yi's future would require trustworthy allies and followers. Shi Hao, his younger cousin, was the perfect candidate to be her son's loyal companion.
To be honest, Shi Hao didn't mind her words. It was only natural for an older brother to protect his younger brother. But thinking of the usually lazy and carefree Shi Yi, Shi Hao's small face scrunched up in distress.
"Big Aunt, Hao'er wants Yi-Gege to protect me, but Yi-Gege always tells me that when I grow up, I should protect him!" Shi Hao sighed, his little face full of grievance.
"Did Yi'er really say that?" Shi Yi's mother asked, her expression one of disbelief.
She knew her son wasn't one for hardship—always complaining about the pain of medicinal baths—but she hadn't realized he was this shameless. To think he'd ask his younger brother to protect him? If she didn't know Shi Hao was too honest to lie, she might not have believed it.
"Yi Gege… well, he kinda said that," Shi Hao mumbled, his face still bitter. He, too, wanted to be protected, but some people couldn't handle even a bit of hardship and had already passed that burden onto him.
___
Deep within the Martial King Manor
"Yi'er's mindset is flawed!" one of the Stone Clan elders declared gravely.
"Indeed, it's a serious problem. Yi'er has always struggled with hardship, whining about the pain of medicinal baths every day. If we don't correct his attitude now, he'll never become a true prodigy."
"He needs a trial. A Stone Clan disciple cannot have such a weak character, such a lack of ambition. What kind of older brother asks his younger brother to protect him?"
"But Yi'er is still young. We can't put him in danger."
"It's our fault. Ever since we discovered his Heavy Pupils, we've coddled him, raising him in luxury as a prince of the Martial King Manor. Send him to the ancestral land—to live a harsh, simple life for a time."
"His foundation is solid now, thanks to the pure-blood ferocious beast's true blood baptism. Ordinary medicinal baths are no longer effective, and the manor has no more true blood to spare—it was all used on Yi'er."
"Even if Old Fifteen returns from the Hundred Clans Battlefield, it's unlikely he'll bring back more true blood. And knowing his stubborn temper, if he does, he'll save it for his grandson, Shi Hao."
"Not just any ancestral land—it must be the First Ancestral Land, deep in the Great Wilderness."
"But Yi'er is a Heavy Pupil bearer, a born sage, the future of the Martial King Manor. What about his safety?"
"Old Nine, Old Thirteen, you two will stand guard outside the First Ancestral Land."
In just a few exchanged words, the Stone Clan elders sealed Shi Yi's fate. For now, he would lose his status as a pampered prince of the Martial King Manor. With his talent, he was destined to surpass them, perhaps even ascend to godhood. But for now, they were the supreme authorities in the mortal realm, with the power to shape his future.
The blame fell on Shi Yi himself—his careless words and tendency to tease the three-year-old Shi Hao had exposed a flaw in his mindset.
___
Hours later
Shi Hao perched atop the large bronze cauldron where Shi Yi was still immersed, his small feet swinging back and forth. The medicinal liquid and true blood within the cauldron had long been absorbed by Shi Yi's body.
Shi Yi, meanwhile, was focused on secretly studying the fragmented Qilin Precious Technique within the Qilin's bloodline inheritance. Even incomplete, it wasn't something he could master quickly.
"Yi Gege didn't just say that," Shi Hao continued, his voice soft but clear. "He said his abilities are limited. He doesn't have the power to protect the entire world or save billions of lives. At most, he can protect his family."
"He also said… if he ever feels tired, he should stop and rest. The world can't rely on one person alone. Otherwise, in the end, you'll likely be left standing alone."