Night fell quietly over the Phoenix Realm.
The golden trees dimmed into a soft glow, and the flames across the realm settled into a steady, breathing warmth.
But in the elder pavilion—
The air was tense.
Elder Han stood with her arms folded, her gaze distant.
Elder Han: That energy… I've seen it before.
Elder Liang turned sharply.
Elder Liang: Where?
A pause.
Even Elder Shen leaned forward slightly.
Elder Han's brows furrowed as she searched her memory—
Then suddenly—
Her eyes widened.
Elder Han: …The Heaven Realm.
The words landed heavily.
Elder Shen: Speak clearly.
Elder Han's voice dropped, laced with something deeper—something old.
Elder Han: I remember… when I was still an immortal. There was a child… barely four years old.
Her gaze darkened.
Elder Han: A being born with the strongest bloodline…
A brief silence.
Elder Liang: Which power are you talking about?
Elder Han looked at him directly.
Elder Han: The power of a True God.
Elder Shen & Elder Liang: What?!
Elder Shen's expression hardened.
Elder Shen: The Heaven Realm was destroyed.
Elder Liang: And every True God perished in that war thousands of years ago.
Elder Han didn't look away.
Elder Han: And yet… we all saw it.
Silence fell again.
Heavy. Unsettling.
Elder Shen closed his eyes briefly, then opened them—sharp and decisive.
Elder Shen: Then we cannot treat this lightly.
A pause.
Elder Shen: Bring the boy to the inner chamber. Quietly.
Later That Night
Qianfan stood alone in the courtyard.
The realm felt different at night… quieter… almost watching.
He stared at his hand.
Qianfan (whispering): What are you…?
A voice cut through the silence.
Elder Liang: That is what we intend to find out.
Qianfan turned.
The three elders stood behind him.
His body stiffened instantly.
Qianfan: Elders…
Elder Shen stepped forward.
Elder Shen: Come with us.
No explanation.
No warmth.
Just authority.
Qianfan hesitated… then nodded.
Inner Chamber
The chamber was ancient.
Carved symbols lined the walls, faintly glowing.
The moment Qianfan stepped inside—
They flickered.
Elder Han's eyes narrowed.
Elder Han (quietly): It's reacting to him…
Elder Liang stepped forward.
Elder Liang: Extend your hand.
Qianfan swallowed… but obeyed.
His hand rose slowly.
Elder Liang: Focus. Call that power again.
His fingers trembled.
Qianfan: I… I don't know how.
Elder Shen: Then try.
The pressure in the room tightened.
Qianfan closed his eyes.
(Don't fail… don't fail…)
Silence.
Then—A flicker.
White… and gold.
Stronger than before.
The symbols along the walls ignited, glowing brighter.
The air began to vibrate.
Elder Han stepped back.
Elder Han: It's really—
Before she could finish—
The energy surged.
Violently.
Qianfan's eyes snapped open.
Qianfan: I can't—!
The light exploded outward.
A shockwave ripped through the chamber.
The flames in the braziers were extinguished instantly.
The ground trembled.
Cracks spread across the floor.
Elder Liang: Contain it!
Elder Shen struck his staff down, forming a barrier.
But the energy pushed back—wild, unstable.
Qianfan screamed, clutching his head.
Qianfan: It's too much!!
The white-gold energy wrapped around him like a storm—
Not burning—
But overwhelming.
As if something inside him was trying to break free.
Outside the Chamber
Shaoyang , Feng Muyu, and Feng Hua were taking a walk when—
The ground trembled.
They froze mid-step.
Their eyes widened.
Muyu: what's going on
Hua : Who's power is this surging
Muyu : The elders let's go ask them
When they got there to there at most suprise it was qianfan
Shaoyang: Qianfan…?
Without hesitation, she ran.
Her parents followed close behind.
Back Inside
Qianfan dropped to his knees.
The energy spiraled violently out of control.
Qianfan (broken): Make it stop!!
Elder Han's expression shifted—from fear… to realization.
Elder Han: He's not controlling it—
She stepped forward.
Elder Han: It's awakening on its own!
The barrier began to crack.
Elder Liang gritted his teeth.
Elder Liang: If this continues, it will destroy the chamber!
Suddenly—The doors burst open.
Shaoyang: QIANFAN!
Everyone turned.
Through the blinding light—
Qianfan looked up.
He saw her.
And for a split second—
Everything paused.
Shaoyang (firm): Focus on me! Look at me!
The light trembled.
Shaoyang: Do you hear me?!
Qianfan's breathing staggered.
The energy flickered.
Shaoyang: Don't fight it… control it!
Her voice cut through the storm.
Something shifted.
The wild energy slowed.
Not gone—
But listening.
Qianfan clenched his fists.
The light compressed inward smaller , smaller Then—Silence.
The chamber went dark.
Qianfan collapsed forward, breathing heavily.
The elders stood frozen.
The room was barely intact.
Elder Shen spoke at last.
Elder Shen: This is no ordinary power.
Elder Liang's voice was low.
Elder Liang: If word of this spreads…
Elder Han finished it.
Elder Han: The entire realm will be at risk.
Across the room, Shaoyang knelt beside Qianfan.
He looked up weakly.
Qianfan: I… don't know how…
Shaoyang shook her head gently.
Shaoyang: It's fine.
A quiet pause.
Behind them, the elders exchanged a look—
Unspoken. Heavy.
Elder Shen (coldly): From this moment on… the boy is not to leave the inner grounds without permission.
Qianfan's expression fell.
Elder Liang: And his training will be under our direct supervision.
G
Elder Han said nothing.
But her gaze lingered on Qianfan—
No longer suspicion.
But concern.
As Qianfan lowered his head, exhausted—
A faint trace of white-gold light flickered in his eyes.
Gone in an instant.
But this time—
It didn't feel unfamiliar.