Gao Tian walked silently in front of his room, the night breeze gently rustling his robes. His eyes fell on the thin barrier formation that shimmered faintly over the doorway—a weak spiritual veil his parents had placed to protect him during his recovery.
He frowned slightly.
"This barrier… it can only block attacks up to the Core Formation Realm. That won't be enough anymore."
His gaze sharpened as he lifted his right hand and began drawing intricate symbols in the air with his finger, leaving behind glowing trails of spiritual energy. Each stroke resonated softly, pulsing with ancient intent as his cultivation flowed through his meridians and channeled into the air.
The complex runes formed a circular array, hovering just above the doorway.
"I can't use high-grade formations yet, or it'll attract attention and consume too much spirit energy. But I can reinforce it enough to block attacks from Nascent Soul Realm enemies. That should buy me some time if someone dangerous comes."
Sweat formed on his brow as the array grew more detailed. The spell was delicate—one wrong stroke and the formation would collapse.
His spiritual energy drained rapidly, consumed by the precision of the array work.
"Just a little more…" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
After several tense minutes, the final symbol clicked into place. The array pulsed, then vanished from sight, absorbed into the barrier with a faint hummm.
The barrier's aura thickened.
Gao Tian smiled faintly.
"Now it can withstand at least one strike from a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. That'll do for now."
Exhausted, he sat down on the porch steps, breathing steadily.
He looked up at the moon above, its light silvering the tiled roofs of the Gao Residence.
"Shu Yu's presence means something bigger is coming… and if masked cultivators already found us once, they'll come again. I need left this city as soon as possible."
His gaze turned toward the night sky, eyes firm with resolve.
"I don't want my family in trouble."
Next Morning
Sunlight poured through the windows, casting golden streaks across the floor of Gao Tian's room. A soft breeze fluttered the curtains.
Tuk tuk tuk.
A gentle knock came from outside the door.
"Gao Tian, are you awake?" his mother's voice called out.
Inside, Gao Tian was still curled on his bed, deep in sleep.
A moment later, the door creaked open and Gao Chi stepped inside. Her eyes softened as she saw her son still snoring lightly.
She walked to the side of the bed, stopping just in front of him.
"Gao Tian, wake up. It's already morning."
Gao Tian's eyes fluttered open slowly. He blinked against the sunlight and groaned softly as he sat up, rubbing his eyes with one hand.
Without warning, Gao Chi gave him a light tap on the head.
"Auch—Mother!" Gao Tian grumbled, instinctively running his hand over the spot.
Gao Chi crossed her arms and smirked.
"Get up and come to the main hall. Your father is waiting."
Gao Tian nodded drowsily, watching her leave the room with graceful steps.
As soon as she closed the door behind her, he let out a sigh and flopped back on the bed for a moment.
"Ah… so it's already morning. Time flies."
"Today, I'll tell Father and Mother that I'm leaving this. I don't want my family get into trouble."
He sat up again, stretching his arms.
"Let's get this over with."
He got off the bed, fixed his robes neatly, and stepped toward the door.
Gao Residence — Main Hall
The air inside the grand hall was heavy with solemnity and surprise.
Gao Hai, seated high upon the main throne atop five wide stone steps, wore dark golden robes. His Nascent Soul – Second Layer cultivation made his presence commanding and firm.
Below him, on either side of the stairs, three elders sat on smaller thrones. Each was a revered powerhouse at the Core Formation – Ninth Layer, their eyes sharp and auras restrained but intense.
Around the hall, many members of the Gao Clan stood, their expressions stiff with discipline — until they saw Gao Tian.
A collective gasp rippled through the hall.
Shu Yu, standing silently at the entrance, remained calm — her face unreadable, her presence quiet yet impossible to ignore.
Gao Tian, not far from the entrance, looked up at the massive hall.
He took a breath, closed his eyes briefly, then smiled.
"So it's time."
He stepped forward.
As he neared the gates, his eyes landed on Shu Yu.
"Hey Shu Yu, are you waiting for me?" he asked casually.
She turned her head toward him.
"Yeah. Come quickly." Her tone was flat as always, but her words carried a faint warmth.
They stepped into the hall together.
As soon as Gao Tian entered, the room froze.
The moment shattered as the first elder stood up abruptly, his expression stunned.
"Gao Tian?! How is that possible?!"
Gasps echoed. Murmurs broke out.
All eyes locked onto the figure they had believed dead.
More elders rose in disbelief.
One young disciple stepped back in shock, accidentally knocking over a scroll stand.
Gao Hai stood from his throne, raising a hand to silence the crowd.
"Yes. Gao Tian is alive."
Gao Tian and Shu Yu walked with steady steps into the center of the hall and bowed respectfully toward the throne.
"The one who saved him," Gao Hai continued, his gaze shifting toward Shu Yu, "is this young woman. Her name is Shu Yu."
The elders' eyes turned to her — some grateful, some wary — but Shu Yu stood unmoving, her face blank.
She doesn't care for praise, Gao Tian thought.
He stepped forward.
"Father, I have something to tell you."
The hall quieted again. Everyone turned to Gao Tian.
Gao Hai sat back down slowly.
"What is it, Tian'er?"
Gao Tian inhaled once and said clearly:
"Father, I'm leaving this city for training. Tomorrow."
The words dropped like thunder.
Shock returned to the elders' faces.
Even Gao Hai's brows furrowed.
A long silence followed — until the Second Elder finally asked:
"Is this truly what you want?"
His tone was conflicted. He admired Gao Tian's resolve… but feared the world outside.
Gao Tian nodded.
"Yes. I want to grow stronger than ever before. And… I'll find out who tried to kill me."
The words carried conviction.
Gao Hai stared at his son. Pride glimmered in his eyes, but it was weighed by concern.
After a moment, he exhaled.
"Ah… Gao Tian, then you must promise me this: stay safe out there. Be careful whom you trust."
Gao Tian smiled.
"I will, Father."
---
Gao Residence — Gao Tian's Room
The sun had begun to set, casting a golden glow through the window. Inside the room, Gao Tian sat cross-legged on the bed while Shu Yu stood nearby, hands behind her back, looking around the room silently.
"So…" Gao Tian broke the silence.
"I was thinking we should head south. There's a place called the Heavenflame Ridge. Dangerous, but filled with spirit beasts and rare herbs."
Shu Yu turned to face him, her expression as still as ever.
"You want to look for battles?"
"Yeah," Gao Tian said, stretching his arms. "It's the fastest way to grow stronger. Unless…" he glanced at her. "You have somewhere better in mind?"
Before Shu Yu could answer, the door burst open.
Bang!
"Gao Tian!"
His mother, Gao Chi, stormed into the room, her eyes red, cheeks wet with tears.
Shu Yu stepped aside without a word as Gao Chi rushed to her son.
"Gao Tian, don't go!" she cried, gripping his hands tightly.
"You just came back to me. Do you really have to leave again?"
Gao Tian was stunned at first. Then his heart ached seeing his mother cry.
"Mother…" he said softly.
"Why do you have to risk your life again?" she sobbed.
"You almost died once. Isn't that enough? Can't you stay in the city where it's safe?"
Gao Tian gently wiped her tears and looked her in the eyes.
"Mother, I know you're scared. But if I stay here, I'll always be weak."
"I don't want to be someone who hides behind the walls of the city."
Gao Chi shook her head, still holding onto him.
"You don't have to prove anything. Just stay alive. That's enough for me."
Gao Tian smiled sadly.
"I don't want to just stay alive. I want to protect you, Father, and everyone in the clan."
He gently squeezed her hands.
"If I'm strong, no one will dare try to hurt us again. No assassins. No hidden enemies. That's the only way I can truly repay you and Father… for protecting me until now."
Gao Chi looked at her son's eyes — no longer those of a boy, but of someone who had tasted death and come back stronger.
Her lips trembled. She wiped her eyes and nodded slowly.
"You… you've grown up so much, Tian'er."
She turned toward Shu Yu, her voice softer now.
"Take care of him, alright?"
Shu Yu replied without hesitation.
"I will."