The night grew deep. A bright moon hung in the star-dusted sky as the world fell into a deep slumber.

Inside the room, Ji Lingxuan was fast asleep. Shen Haoran pulled the quilt over her, then quietly slipped out into the courtyard.

"Come out!" Shen Haoran called out to the empty courtyard. His voice sounded jarring in the dead of night.

A moment later, a white figure gradually emerged from a dark corner. A closer look at his face revealed it was none other than Feng Yin, the man Shen Haoran had met earlier that day.

"Impressive senses. You actually noticed me," Feng Yin said, looking at Shen Haoran with a faint smile.

Shen Haoran frowned at Feng Yin’s smiling face. He had no love for the man who wanted to take Ji Lingxuan away. "You’ve been watching me for a long time," he said coldly. "What do you want? If you’re here to tell me to leave Ling Xuan, I suggest you save your breath."

Feng Yin was unbothered by Shen Haoran’s coldness. Instead, he produced two bottles of wine from his Storage Ring and tossed one to Shen Haoran. "This is Celestial Immortal Drunk. I picked it up on my travels. It’s quite good. Have a taste." With that, Feng Yin opened his own bottle and took a long swig, smacking his lips with a look of pure enjoyment.

"To be honest, I’m not here to break you and Ling Xuan up. Although Ling Xuan is my cousin, I see her as my own sister. I know her personality, I trust her judgment, and most importantly, I respect her choices.

The fact that she chose you proves you must have something special about you. And after today, I see it too. I like your style, kid. I support you." With that, Feng Yin took another swig of wine.

Shen Haoran stared at Feng Yin, struggling to process the sudden shift in attitude. ’He was so aggressive this morning, and now he’s acting like my long-lost brother,’ he thought. ’Do people from major families change their tune this fast?’

"Most people envy us, the scions of major families. They envy our endless supply of Cultivation and Martial Skills, our countless Elixirs and Spiritual Artifacts, our inexhaustible cultivation resources. But they don’t see the suffering we endure.

Because we’re born into a major family, we have to stand above others. We have no choice but to pour our very lives into cultivation just to win the favor of the family Elders. In a major family, it’s a world where the strong devour the weak. Only by growing stronger can you avoid being cast aside, abandoned! So, from the moment we’re born, our paths are already laid out for us by others. That is our greatest tragedy.

Luckily, even though I was born into a major family, I’m not that type. I live a carefree life. But Ling Xuan is different. She carries the weight of our entire family’s destiny on her shoulders. It’s no exaggeration to say that Ling Xuan is the one who will decide whether our family survives or perishes! Because of that, she has to bear more than anyone else—more than you can possibly imagine.

I’m her brother. Naturally, I can’t bear to watch her suffer. I can also see that she relies on you a great deal. But you need to understand, as you are now, you’re not qualified to protect her. She has to go back. Otherwise, the consequences will be more than you can handle," Feng Yin said gravely.

Feng Yin’s words sent Shen Haoran into deep thought. He could feel the weight of Ling Xuan’s suffering. More than anything, he wished he could take Ji Lingxuan far away from her family, but his strength... it still wasn’t enough.

’Damn it!’ Shen Haoran roared internally. ’Strength! It’s always about strength! I’m just too weak!’

"I’m taking Ling Xuan away tonight. I hope you remember what you said today. You have to fight for a path that belongs to her. You have to lead her and help her break free from the family’s shackles.

One more piece of advice: Ling Xuan’s family is immensely powerful. Before you reach the Spirit Emperor Tier, it’s best not to go asking about them. It will only bring you endless trouble. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her," Feng Yin said, looking at Shen Haoran’s resentful expression. With that, he drained the rest of the Celestial Immortal Drunk and turned to leave.

"Brother Feng!" Shen Haoran called out, stopping him. Feng Yin’s words had completely changed his impression of the man, and his form of address changed with it.

"Five years. Give me five years. After five years, I will find Ling Xuan and take her away from her family. That is my promise!" Shen Haoran declared, his gaze resolute.

To go from a Spirit Pupil to the Spirit Emperor Level in just five years was an impossible feat. But Shen Haoran had to succeed. He had reasons he couldn’t ignore: rescuing his parents and protecting Ji Lingxuan. Either reason alone was enough to make him risk his life.

Feng Yin was taken aback by Shen Haoran’s promise. But when his eyes met Shen Haoran’s unwavering gaze, he smiled. "Good. I’ll be waiting."

...

In the end, Feng Yin took Ji Lingxuan away. Shen Haoran didn’t sleep a wink that night. Beautiful memories of his time with her flashed through his mind, one after another. At the same time, his craving for power reached a new peak. He had to become strong—so strong that no one could ever bend his will again.

WHOOSH... Pushing aside his distracting thoughts, Shen Haoran entered a state of cultivation. Ji Lingxuan’s departure wouldn’t crush him; it would only make him stronger.

「The night passed quietly.」

Early the next morning, Shen Haoran and Long Mo woke Luo Tian. Today was the day of the auction, and Luo Tian had prepared a special VIP room for Shen Haoran.

The auction was about to begin, and the area below the stage was already filled with participating Martial Artists. When they saw Luo Tian—a man they rarely even caught a glimpse of—personally escorting a young man into a VIP room, a buzz of discussion erupted.

"Who’s that kid? To have Chief Luo of the Celestial Martial Auction House personally escort him!"

"Probably some talented disciple from a Major Sect. Definitely another one of those powerful, influential types."

"Bullshit! Didn’t you see? The kid’s only a Tier Nine Spirit Pupil. He can’t be some great talent!"

"I know him! I saw that kid at the trading hall yesterday. He’s brutal! He cut off one of King Chao’s arms right then and there. The kid’s got guts."

"For real?" In an instant, talk about Shen Haoran swept through the crowd.

In a VIP room below, the one-armed King Chao stared daggers at Shen Haoran, his eyes filled with venomous hatred.

"Grandfather, that’s the bastard! He’s the one who cut off my arm! I’ll kill him! I’ll drink his blood and eat his flesh!" King Chao shrieked, his eyes bloodshot.

Seeing his grandson in such a frenzy, Chao Fei’s heart ached. He tried to soothe King Chao’s emotions, then his gaze shifted toward Shen Haoran’s location. His sinister glare felt like a venomous snake, piercing right through the wall.

"Hm?" Just as he was about to step into the VIP room, Shen Haoran suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He immediately looked toward the VIP room where Chao Fei was.

"Who’s in there?" The VIP rooms were made with one-way mirrors; you could see out, but no one could see in. Shen Haoran had only felt a surge of killing intent.

"That’s the room of Grand Elder Chao Fei from the Black Wind Stronghold," Luo Tian said after a glance.

"Oh, the Grand Elder of the Black Wind Stronghold?" Shen Haoran’s thoughts drifted to King Chao, whose arm he had severed the day before.

’I hope you don’t try to start anything,’ Shen Haoran thought, ’or I’ll make you regret ever being born.’ He shot one last cold glance at Chao Fei’s room before stepping into his own. At that moment, the auction officially began.