The rhythmic thwack-thwack-thwack of wood striking wood echoed through the courtyard of the Bai Clan's training grounds.
Sunlight filtered through the mist of Spirit Springs City, casting a golden hue over a ten-year-old boy who moved with a focused intensity far beyond his years. Bai Hanyuan's long, raven-black hair was tied back with a simple silk ribbon, but a few damp strands clung to his pale forehead. His obsidian eyes were fixed on the scarred training dummy before him, tracking an invisible weak point.
He wore the pristine white robes of his lineage. Emblazoned over his heart was the Ice Phoenix crest—its wings spread wide in an eternal frost, the proud symbol of the Bai Clan. As one of the four pillars of Spirit Springs City, alongside the Ma, Chi, and Li clans, the Bai name carried a weight that Hanyuan felt with every thrust of his wooden spear.
"Hah!"
With a sharp exhale, Hanyuan stepped forward, his spear-tip blurring as it struck the center of the dummy's chest. Sweat beaded on his brow, trickling down his neck, but his stance remained steady.
To his left, standing in the shade of a weeping willow, was Elder Ling. The middle-aged man watched with a critical but appreciative eye. He stroked his short goatee, his short-cropped hair neat and professional.
Hanyuan lowered his spear, his chest heaving as he turned toward the mentor. "Elder Ling," he panted, his voice high-pitched but earnest. "How long do I have to train my spear before I can smash a house apart with one strike? You said my father could do that… I want to do it, too."
Elder Ling let out a long, weary sigh, though a faint smile touched his lips. "Young Master Hanyuan, strength is not a mountain you climb in a single day. Your father is at the Mortal Core stage. To reach such a level, you must first finish tempering your flesh in the Body Refining realm and then bridge the massive gap of the Qi Refining realm. Only then can you begin to touch the true power of a cultivator."
Hanyuan's obsidian eyes didn't flicker with discouragement. Instead, they ignited with a spirited flame. He gripped the wooden shaft of his spear until his knuckles turned white.
"The Body Refining and Qi Refining realms..." Hanyuan repeated, tasting the words. He flashed a confident, toothy grin. "I don't care how long it takes. I will definitely surpass my father! I'll be the strongest spearman in the Southern Continent!"
Without waiting for a reply, he whirled back to the dummy. Whirr! The spear whistled through the air, driven by a new wave of determination.
"Haha! My son is a little impatient, don't mind him, Elder Ling!"
A booming, jovial laugh cut through the sound of the training session. A tall, imposing man strode into the courtyard. He possessed the same long black hair and deep, obsidian eyes as the boy, but his presence was like an unshakeable mountain. This was Bai Feng, the Patriarch of the Bai Clan and a renowned master of the Tie Kingdom.
"Patriarch," Elder Ling said, bowing his head respectfully as he chuckled. "I don't mind at all. In fact, if all our disciples had the Young Master's drive, the Bai Clan would have nothing to fear from the Ma, Chi or Li clans."
"Father!"
Hanyuan's serious facade crumbled instantly. He tossed his wooden spear aside—the weapon clattering onto the stone tiles—and sprinted across the grass. He crashed into his father's legs, looking up with wide, hopeful eyes.
Bai Feng reached down, his large hand ruffling Hanyuan's hair with deep affection. As the leader of one of the city's most powerful families, his days were consumed by clan politics, resource disputes, and the constant pressure of the Martial Heaven World. Yet, looking at his son, the exhaustion seemed to melt from his face.
"I heard you want to smash houses already?" Bai Feng teased, hoisting the boy up onto his shoulder. "Should I be worried about our repair bills, or are you going to start with the neighbor's wall?"
Hanyuan laughed, clutching his father's shoulder. "I'll start with the training dummies! Elder Ling says I have to work on my foundations, but just you wait, Father. One day, I'll protect the whole Bai Clan."
Bai Feng's expression softened, a glint of pride shining in his dark eyes. "I believe you, Hanyuan. The path of cultivation is long and filled with storms, but a heart like yours is the best compass. Come, let's get you cleaned up. Your mother has prepared a feast for your tenth birthday, and I've brought you a gift from my travels to the capital."