The morning sky cracked open with a roar of thunder.
Golden lightning split the clouds as a giant formation appeared above the mountains, its symbols burning with the power of the upper realm. The entire region trembled. Mortals and cultivators alike dropped to their knees, their bodies shaking under the overwhelming pressure.
Lin Xian stood on a cliff near the ruined remains of the Crimson Sect, his black robes fluttering in the fierce wind. His expression was calm, but his heart beat faster with every passing second. He could feel the power descending — not one, but several mighty beings were breaking through the barrier between realms.
The Shen Family had arrived.
Behind him, Shen Yue and Lin Yuer watched the sky with pale faces. The aura pressing down from above was suffocating, far stronger than anything they had ever felt.
"Brother Lin," Lin Yuer said softly, gripping her dress tightly. "This power… it's terrifying. They… they are from the upper realm?"
Lin Xian nodded slightly. "Yes. These are Saints — beings who have lived for hundreds, even thousands of years. Each of them could destroy this entire continent with a flick of their wrist."
Shen Yue swallowed nervously. "Then… what do we do? If they find out about Brother… about Shen Tian—"
"They won't," Lin Xian said calmly, his eyes narrowing. "Not if we play our roles perfectly."
Just then, a faint golden light appeared beside him. From the light stepped Yue Wushuang, her presence calm yet commanding. Her snow-white robes flowed like mist, and her gaze carried quiet confidence.
"Good," she said softly, looking at Lin Xian. "You've kept them close. That will make things easier."
Shen Yue and Lin Yuer quickly bowed instinctively. "Senior—"
Yue Wushuang raised a hand. "No need for that. Just act natural. When the Shen Family appears, stay silent and let me speak."
She turned to Lin Xian, her eyes sharp. "You remember our deal?"
Lin Xian met her gaze and nodded. "I do. You'll handle them, and I'll stay quiet."
"Good," she said with a faint smile. "Because one wrong word… and we all die."
Moments later, the sky split completely. A massive golden ship emerged from the clouds, glowing like a small sun. Hundreds of armored cultivators stood aboard, their auras forming a storm of divine energy. At the front stood an old man with long white hair and eyes that seemed to see through everything.
He wore golden robes embroidered with dragon patterns — Shen Yuan, Great Elder of the Shen Family.
The moment his foot touched the ground, the entire mountain range shook.
"So this… is the lower realm?" Shen Yuan's voice echoed like thunder. "Pathetic. The air itself reeks of decay."
Several Saints behind him nodded in agreement, their expressions full of disdain.
Yue Wushuang stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Welcome, Great Elder Shen Yuan. I didn't expect the Shen Family to descend so soon."
Shen Yuan looked at her with faint surprise. "And you are?"
"Yue Wushuang," she said calmly. "From the Moonlight Temple of the upper realm."
At that name, the Shen Saints exchanged glances. Yue Wushuang was well-known even among the upper world's elites — a mysterious woman who rarely involved herself in worldly affairs.
Shen Yuan's tone softened slightly. "Ah, Lady Wushuang. I see. Then you must know why we're here."
"I do," Yue Wushuang replied. "You've come searching for your missing bloodline — Shen Tian and Shen Yue."
At the mention of the names, Shen Yue's body tensed. Lin Xian subtly placed his hand on her shoulder, signaling her to remain calm. She lowered her head to hide her face.
Shen Yuan nodded. "Indeed. We traced their soul marks to this realm. But when we arrived, we sensed something… strange. Shen Tian's life mark has faded — replaced by another's."
Yue Wushuang tilted her head slightly. "Perhaps you should explain what you mean."
Shen Yuan's gaze grew sharp. "Someone here has absorbed the Shen Family's bloodline."
The words struck like lightning. The surrounding cultivators gasped, their eyes scanning the group.
Lin Xian remained perfectly still.
Yue Wushuang smiled faintly. "That's quite an accusation, Great Elder. Do you have proof?"
Shen Yuan raised his hand, and a golden orb appeared, floating before him. "This orb reacts to the bloodline of the Shen Family. Anyone tainted by our power will cause it to shine."
He let it float toward them.
The orb hovered between Lin Xian, Shen Yue, and Lin Yuer — then slowly began to glow faintly. Gasps erupted among the Shen Saints.
"So it's true!" one of them shouted. "They carry the Shen bloodline!"
Shen Yue's heart pounded. Lin Yuer clenched her fists, ready to act, but Yue Wushuang simply smiled calmly.
"Yes, they do," she said lightly, "because they are descendants of the Shen Family."
The Saints fell silent, confused. Even Shen Yuan frowned slightly. "What nonsense are you speaking, Lady Wushuang?"
Yue Wushuang's voice was smooth as silk. "Before you arrived, these two were found wandering the lower realm — their memories sealed. I recognized the aura of the Shen bloodline and took them under protection until I could confirm their identity."
She pointed at Lin Xian. "This man found them and saved their lives when a rogue Son of Destiny tried to kill them."
Shen Yuan's eyes narrowed. "A Son of Destiny?"
"Yes," Yue Wushuang said. "A proud fool who believed himself blessed by heaven. He wanted to devour the Shen siblings' bloodline to strengthen himself. Lin Xian fought him and won — though he was severely injured."
Her lie flowed perfectly, each word calm and convincing. Even Lin Xian was impressed. She had twisted the truth with such skill that even he couldn't find a flaw.
Shen Yuan studied Lin Xian carefully. "You defeated a Son of Destiny… in this weak realm?"
Lin Xian bowed slightly. "I was lucky."
Shen Yuan stared at him for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Very well. If you truly protected the Shen bloodline, then the Shen Family owes you a favor."
Lin Xian's lips curled slightly. "I don't need favors, Great Elder. I only did what anyone should."
The old man's eyes softened slightly — a rare show of respect. "A humble heart and a strong spirit. Not bad."
Yue Wushuang smiled faintly. "Then, if that settles it, I will take my leave."
Shen Yuan nodded. "Of course. You have our thanks, Lady Wushuang."
The Saints began preparing a formation to return to the upper realm, but Shen Yuan turned to Shen Yue and Lin Yuer before leaving. "You two have suffered. Once we return, your true memories will awaken. Prepare yourselves."
Shen Yue and Lin Yuer bowed silently, their expressions unreadable.
Moments later, the golden ship rose into the clouds, and the sky slowly returned to peace.
Lin Xian let out a slow breath. "That was… close."
Yue Wushuang looked at him, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "You see now, Lin Xian? Fate can be tricked — but only if you're bold enough."
Lin Xian met her gaze. "I'm starting to believe that."
She stepped closer, her voice low. "Good. Because the real game is only beginning. The Shen Family will return — and when they do, the heavens themselves will be watching."
Lin Xian looked toward the distant horizon, where the last traces of the golden ship vanished. His eyes darkened.
"Then let them watch," he said coldly. "I'll shatter their heaven too, if I must."
The wind blew gently, carrying away the last echoes of thunder.
Far above, unseen by all, a faint golden eye opened in the heavens — watching Lin Xian with silent interest.
— End of Chapter 31 —