After five days of riding, Han Tian Yi finally arrived at the branch clan of his family.
Hidden deep in a remote mountain range, the land was infested with ferocious beasts—ordinary mortals would never dare enter.
Even now, the wind carried the faint scent of predator and decay, and the distant roar of some unseen creature sent a shiver down the spine of any human who lingered too long.
It was the same place he had first descended into the mortal world.
The branch patriarch of the He Clan, the Han Clan's subsidiary, stepped forward to greet him.
"Welcome back, Young Master."
He said, bowing deeply.
Though the only Immortal stationed here, his mere presence could erase a mortal settlement. To the humans below, he was a god.
This was He Feng.
Though Han Tian Yi was still a "mortal," his status as the eldest son of the Han Clan patriarch placed him above He Feng.
Respect was owed.
Immediately, He Feng sensed something unusual—a spiritual root.
Even the lowest grade was still a spiritual root.
A cursed body with a spiritual root? The shock flickered through He Feng's heart, quick and sharp like a sting, but his face remained calm.
He bowed deeper, though his fingers tightened ever so slightly around his staff.
"Congratulations to the Young Master for condensing a spiritual root."
Han Tian Yi only nodded, calm and measured, as if this outcome were inevitable.
A faint breeze rustled the hem of his robes, carrying a whisper of foreboding that only he seemed aware of.
He Feng accepted the attitude; arrogance was expected of this prodigy. Curiosity burned in him, but he dared not probe.
Reports from He Feng's spies indicated Han Tian Yi had only visited the Black Market Pavilion twice, indulged in pleasures, and secluded himself four months ago after the mortal world's chaos erupted.
"Allow this old man to celebrate your first step into cultivation." He Feng said with a kind smile.
Han Tian Yi accepted with a quiet...
"Alright."
His eyes, however, flicked momentarily to the shadows of the hall, as if measuring every inch for unseen threats.
---
The He Clan held a grand banquet in his honor.
Aware of his reputation for favoring women, He Feng arranged the most beautiful female attendants and introduced his only daughter, He Xiao'er—a jade beauty called a fairy even among Immortals.
"I am Xiao'er, Young Master~" she said, bowing gracefully.
"She possesses a Phoenix Body Constitution, Young Master… especially beneficial for dual cultivation~"
He Feng added, clearly hoping to form a bond through his daughter.
Han Tian Yi understood. Refusing now could raise suspicion. He smiled brightly, patting the seat beside him, though a flicker of calculation glinted in his eyes.
"Good, good. Come, sit beside me, Xiao'er~"
Obediently, Xiao'er settled next to him, her smile radiant.
Xiao'er's eyes shone as she realized the prize she had gained.
That night, Han Tian Yi's arm rested lightly on her shoulder.
The patriarch beamed, interpreting it as interest—but the faint twitch of Han Tian Yi's fingers against the fabric hinted at another, unspoken agenda.
By morning, it was time to leave. Han Tian Yi held Xiao'er's hand with a sorrowful expression.
"I will come back for you… wait for me, alright?" his voice softened.
"That makes me happy, Young Master~ Travel safely!" she replied, watching him fade into the dimensional rift.
"…Phoenix Body Constitution, huh…" he muttered, coldly, a shadow passing over his gaze.
---
Back at the Han Clan headquarters, the elders sensed the spiritual roots within him. Even low-grade, they were real.
"Congratulations, Young Master, on this fated opportunity!" one exclaimed.
Han Tian Yi nodded and went straight to his parents.
"Mother, Father… I'm back," he said, smiling gently. Yet even in that warmth, there was a subtle tension in the set of his shoulders, a coiled patience ready to snap.
His father rose immediately, lifting him in excitement.
"My son! I knew no mortal could be born in our family! You've done well! I will gather every elixir and treasure to nurture your roots. For now, cultivate and reach the Qi Gathering Stage!"
Han Tian Yi's smile was bright, yet measured.
Even his mother joined the embrace, proud. But the faint catch in his eyes, the way his gaze lingered on the shadowed corners of the hall, suggested he saw much more than they imagined.
He bowed. "I understand, Father. I will follow your guidance."
---
Now, only the Yu Clan remained a threat.
Within a month, using countless elixirs and his Heaven-tier method, Han Tian Yi elevated his spiritual roots to the highest tier and reached the peak of the Qi Gathering Stage—breaking through Early, Mid, and Late stages at unprecedented speed. Even his father was astonished; no one had ever cultivated this fast.
Han Tian Yi approached his parents, dropping to his knees, letting tears flow in a careful performance of regret.
His trembling shoulders and quivering lips painted the picture of a pitiful son crushed by mistakes—but his subtle smirk, hidden from sight, hinted that none of it was genuine.
"Oh… what happened, Tian Yi?" his mother asked softly.
"I… Mother, Father… I committed a sin… please forgive me..." he sobbed, handing over four Heaven-tier manuals he had improved himself.
They gasped. Their current techniques were only Highest-tier. These manuals were priceless.
"A spy from the Yu Clan…" he choked, "threatened me. They offered a way to break my Cursed Body Constitution… I had no choice. I was just a mortal…"
Even if it were a lie, it didn't matter.
He had confessed first, and his current power could not be denied.
Hatred turned immediately toward the Yu Clan.
"How dare they threaten my son!" Han Fei Yu roared.
"Don't worry, my son… we can strengthen our forces. Your life matters most." his mother soothed.
Han Tian Yi smiled inwardly. He had no weaknesses left. Even if the Han Clan tortured the Yu Clan's spies, it would change nothing.
A cold smile curved his lips in his chamber.
The flickering candlelight highlighted the glint of calculation in his eyes. His fingers twitched as if craving the taste of control.
"Hehehe~ You think I've forgotten what you did to me, Mother, Father?" he murmured, voice low, laced with malice.
The manuals he gave contained hidden nuances only he could perceive. As they cultivated from them, their essence subtly aligned to him. The first seeds of control were planted.
"Hehehe~ Phoenix and Dragon Body Constitution… just wait. I will refine you into a pill myself… and eat it~"
A demonic laugh echoed, sharp and cold, and for a heartbeat, even the shadows seemed to shift in response to the darkness in his mind.