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The morning of the wedding arrived with a sky brushed in soft hues of gold and lavender. The Nalan Clan estate had transformed into a spectacle of banners, lanterns, and flowing silk. Servants hurried to prepare, while guests from distant regions, some with extraordinary auras, had already begun to assemble. The air was thick with anticipation—and tension.
Tang Ren stood atop the estate's highest balcony, his dark eyes sweeping over the crowd. Tang Lian clung to his side, her small hand hidden in his, her innocent gaze wide with wonder. She did not yet understand the weight of what was to come.
"This is the place?" she asked softly.
"Yes," Tang Ren replied, his tone calm, unwavering. "And everyone here must remain unaware of our true strength."
Inside the main hall, Yan Xiaoyu's steps were measured and poised. Her heart raced as she approached the central courtyard, knowing that her sister, Yan Yan, would soon arrive. Years of separation, countless what-ifs, and the fear of seeing her sister in pain had all coiled into a tight knot within her chest.
Suddenly, the distant sound of hooves echoed through the courtyard. All heads turned toward the grand entrance. The carriage bearing Yan Yan appeared, her violet robes fluttering elegantly in the morning breeze. She stepped down gracefully, her eyes scanning the crowd with an air of authority and composure befitting her position as the master of the Cloud Misty Sect.
Yan Xiaoyu's breath caught. For a moment, time seemed to slow. She had hoped for this reunion, but the reality of seeing her sister after so many years was overwhelming. Tang Ren noticed the subtle shift in his mother's demeanor and gently guided Lian to stand behind him.
Yan Yan's gaze fell upon her mother, hesitated, and then swept past her as if instinctively sensing something amiss. She did not immediately recognize the family members she had never seen in years.
At that precise moment, the Pill King's envoy appeared, and with them, the tension in the courtyard escalated. Powerful cultivators from various clans and sects began to display their presence, their auras radiating outward in subtle waves, testing the waters of authority and strength.
A sudden disturbance near the entrance made everyone pause. Several disciples from the Nalan Clan were pushed back by an invisible force, and a faint rumble echoed through the courtyard. Yan Yan instinctively stepped forward, her eyes narrowing.
Then, without warning, a surge of energy shot toward Yan Xiaoyu. It was fast, almost imperceptible to most, but Tang Ren had already anticipated it. In a heartbeat, he leapt forward, his shadow attribute stirring around him. With a single motion, he intercepted the attack with bare hands, the force dissipating harmlessly into the empty air.
Gasps erupted throughout the courtyard. Even Yan Yan paused, her brows furrowing in confusion. Tang Ren did not speak. He simply stood, his presence calm, his eyes observing every movement, every potential threat.
Tang Lian peeked from behind him, her small voice trembling. "Brother… who is that?"
"He is someone who protects what is precious," Tang Ren replied softly, his hand resting briefly on her shoulder. "No one will harm our family today."
In that moment, a powerful cultivator from the Pill King's faction stepped forward, seeking to challenge the perceived threat. His aura was imposing, but Tang Ren remained unmoved. With calculated precision, he unleashed a controlled burst of shadow energy, not full power, but enough to knock the cultivator back, leaving the crowd in stunned silence.
Yan Yan's eyes widened slightly. She had faced many threats, yet the subtle mastery of this young man's energy was unlike anything she had witnessed before. Yet she could not place it—he did not reveal his true strength.
The courtyard fell into an uneasy quiet. Whispers spread among the guests, speculating about the young man's identity and capabilities. Tang Ren, however, remained composed, his focus unwavering on the reunion about to unfold between his mother and her sister.
Yan Xiaoyu finally stepped forward, extending her hands toward Yan Yan. "Sister…" she said softly, her voice carrying years of emotion.
Yan Yan's expression flickered, uncertainty and recognition battling across her features. Before she could respond, a sudden attack erupted from the side—a disciple who had hidden their true strength revealed it, lunging toward Yan Xiaoyu with malicious intent.
Without hesitation, Tang Ren moved. Shadows coiled around him, swift and silent. In one motion, he intercepted the disciple, neutralizing the threat with precise force. The courtyard erupted in astonishment once again, yet he spoke only a single word:
"Enough."
Yan Yan's attention shifted fully to him now, confusion mingled with the realization that this boy—this seemingly ordinary youth—possessed power far beyond his appearance.
The reunion between sisters was finally allowed a moment of fragile peace. Tang Lian stepped forward, hugging Yan Xiaoyu tightly, unaware of the broader stakes. Tang Ren's gaze softened slightly at the sight, though his vigilance never wavered.
The morning sun climbed higher, casting shadows across the estate. The threads of destiny were weaving themselves together, and the shadow of Tang Ren loomed silently, waiting for the moment when the balance of power would truly be tested.
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End of Chapter 2