The zither's soft chords faded slightly as Bai Zihan descended the steps, each footfall steady, echoing against the polished white jade flooring of the Bai Clan's grand courtyard.
Hundreds of eyes followed him.
To some, he was the rising dragon of the Bai Clan—glorious, promising, and untouchable.
To others, he was a threat.
And to a few, he was both.
"Welcome, Young Master!"
A Bai Clan elder bowed with a wide smile, signaling the start of the official ceremony.
The gathered crowd stood respectfully as Bai Zihan walked forward under the gaze of hundreds.
His stride was confident yet composed—unhurried, but commanding attention with each step.
Unlike when it was his engagement ceremony, no one here was disrespectful or looked down on him.
His reputation was completely different from that time.
Before greeting the guests, Bai Zihan stepped up to the central dais, where his parents stood waiting.
Bai Tianheng, upright and imposing as ever, nodded faintly.
