Inside the training ground:
“I need to practice more diligently… Big Brother has already reached the Qi Gathering Stage…”
A nine-year-old boy repeatedly practiced his hand combat techniques.
Sweat streamed down his face, soaking his clothes, yet his focus never wavered.
Each strike was clumsy but determined, his small fists slicing through the air again and again, leaving faint trails of heat on the skin around him.
“One more year… and I can finally start cultivating. Maybe, if I become as strong as Big Brother, he’ll finally acknowledge me!”
His eyes gleamed brightly with hope.
This was Han Tian Shi, Han Tian Yi’s younger brother.
From the moment he could walk and speak, he had searched for his big brother in the library. But Han Tian Yi had barely glanced at him, dismissing him coldly each time.
“Go and study. Don’t disturb me.”
The cold tone, the indifferent gaze… it was as if he were nothing more than a pesky insect.
So he steeled his heart and studied even harder, believing that one day, if he tried with all his might, his big brother would finally acknowledge him.
In truth, their parents had only wanted one child.
But since Han Tian Yi could not cultivate, they had a second. Han Tian Shi had been blessed by the heavens, born with the Dragon Body Constitution, the peak of mortal physical gifts.
Yet even this blessing could not match the cunning and intellect of his elder brother. The comparisons only drove Tian Shi to work harder. Deep down, he simply wanted recognition from Han Tian Yi.
While he trained, a tall man in a black robe silently approached, casting a long shadow over the dirt floor.
“B-Big Brother?” Han Tian Shi’s voice faltered.
“What are you doing, Little Shi?” Han Tian Yi asked, his tone warm, almost gentle—the warmth carrying a faint weight of command beneath it.
Tian Shi’s eyes brightened. Finally, Big Brother acknowledges me! he thought, straightening with excitement.
“I’m practicing my hand combat, Big Brother! Father said that in a fight, once our spiritual energy is depleted, we won’t be able to use our spiritual arts. So we must master martial skills and always carry a sword!”
Han Tian Yi nodded approvingly. “Good, good. You’re a good child, Little Shi.” He gently patted his head, the touch soft but deliberate. “Alright, Big Brother will teach you martial arts, okay?”
Tian Shi nodded eagerly.
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Han Tian Yi patiently guided him through a high-level martial technique, correcting each movement with a light but precise touch.
Every adjustment was small, almost imperceptible, yet it subtly molded Tian Shi’s body to Han Tian Yi’s design.
“My little brother is a genius. Not even a day and you already understand it.”
Tian Yi said with a smile, lifting him proudly.
"It seems you truly carry the blood of the Han Clan.”
Tian Shi was overjoyed.
So Big Brother treated me coldly before because he was sad about his body… But now I know! Big Brother is kind!
“Alright, alright. In only one year, you will begin cultivating. Don’t worry, Big Brother will create a cultivation technique that suits your spiritual roots.”
Tian Shi’s heart swelled.
From afar, two pairs of eyes watched silently.
Two figures watched beneath the shade of an ancient spirit tree.
Fairy Yu Xing’s jade-green sleeves swayed in the breeze. Sunlight caught in her hazel eyes as she observed her eldest son lift his younger brother into the air.
“It seems Little Tian Yi has begun to soften,” she murmured.
Han Fei Yu did not respond immediately. His gaze lingered on Tian Yi’s posture — the angle of his shoulders, the way his smile appeared half a breath too measured.
“Or,” he said slowly, “he has simply learned when to show warmth.”
Yu Xing glanced at him.
A faint pause passed between them.
Both of them remembered.
The secret letters. The missing formation diagrams. The western spiritual vein that Tian Yi had once “carelessly” pointed out as unstable.
It had been repaired long ago.
Han Fei Yu had personally overseen it.
They had known.
They had always known.
Their son was not reckless. Every move he made carried intent.
When he exchanged information with the Yu Clan, they had allowed it.
If there was a method in that ancient enemy’s hands capable of restoring his body, he would find it.
And he had.
When Tian Yi later “confessed,” admitting regret, Han Fei Yu had seen no fear in his son’s eyes.
Only calculation.
But he had also seen something else.
Restraint.
“With us here” Yu Xing said softly, as if convincing herself, “he has no reason to walk a crooked path.”
Han Fei Yu nodded.
A brute could be guided. A genius could be negotiated with. Their son was neither brute nor fool — but he was still theirs.
And now he could cultivate.
That changed everything.
Or so they believed.
Below them, Tian Yi laughed gently as Tian Shi beamed with admiration.
From this distance, he looked like nothing more than a doting older brother.
Han Fei Yu finally turned away.
“Let them be.”
They did not see the way Tian Yi’s fingers briefly tightened against Tian Shi’s shoulder.
Nor the stillness behind his eyes.
Days passed. Han Tian Yi continued to visit his little brother, deepening their relationship, earning their trust completely.
A month later, he began preparing for his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Inside the parents’ residence, four figures gathered at the dining table: Fairy Yu Xing, Han Fei Yu, Han Tian Yi, and Han Tian Shi.
“Mother, Father… I have something to confess.” Han Tian Yi said suddenly.
“What is it, Little Yi?” Fairy Yu Xing asked gently.
“I wish to be wed. There is a woman I love in the mortal realm.”
His parents stared, not at the mortal lineage, but because even they had expected him to remain self-absorbed and alone.
“Hm… who is this lucky girl?” Fairy Yu Xing teased, smiling.
Han Tian Yi “blushed” faintly. “Mother!”
The family laughed. Han Fei Yu nodded. “Alright. Bring her to our headquarters. We wish to meet her.”
Tian Yi left, his expression excited—but once inside his own chambers, the warmth vanished, replaced with a cold, measured stare.
“I have now secured two heaven-blessed constitutions,” he murmured, voice flat.
---
Early the next morning, he descended to the lower realm with a spatial ring brimming with top-grade resources and spiritual stones.
He Feng stepped forward to greet him, with Fairy He Xiao’er quietly at his side.
“Welcome back, Young Master.” He Feng said respectfully.
His gaze swept Han Tian Yi, heart racing. Tian Yi was now at the peak of the Qi Gathering Stage, equal to himself. Only a month ago, the boy had no cultivation. Now… he stood as an equal.
Han Tian Yi laughed softly. “Don’t be so formal, Father. Just call me Tian Yi.”
He Feng’s heart surged. Did this mean Tian Yi truly intended to marry his daughter?
“Xiao’er, take Tian Yi to walk around first. I will prepare a banquet to celebrate your wedding.” He Feng said hurriedly.
Fairy He Xiao’er and Han Tian Yi walked through the He Clan gardens. Spirit flowers swayed, their faint glow brushing against them like a soft wind of expectation.
“Forgive me. Did I startle you by speaking of marriage, Xiao’er?” Han Tian Yi asked softly, holding her hand.
“N-No! Don’t say that, Young Master! I-I actually like it.” Her cheeks flushed crimson.
“You’re breaking this young man’s heart, Xiao’er.” Tian Yi smiled gently. “From now on, just call me husband.”
Her face grew hotter. “A-Alright.”
He laughed warmly, pulling her closer. “Don’t be shy. You’re my wife now.”
---
Later that evening, a grand banquet announced the engagement. Han Tian Yi gifted He Feng a spatial ring, filled with resources and spiritual stones, the dowry to Xiao’er’s father.
“This was sent by my father. If you ever lack resources, do not hesitate to contact us.” Tian Yi said calmly.
He Feng bowed deeply, overwhelmed.
Afterward, Han Tian Yi spent the night with Xiao’er.
By morning, as they departed for the Han Clan headquarters, he felt the surge of cultivation within him.
The Phoenix Body Constitution granted a final push—he broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Power surged through him, subtle yet terrifying, like a coiled serpent, reminding him that every move, every relationship, was another piece of a larger plan.
