In the heart of the grand Zhou family estate, the air was fragrant with incense and luxury. Velvet curtains fluttered lightly, framing the elegant figure of a young woman.
She lounged on a golden chaise, flicking grapes into her mouth as two trembling servants massaged her feet.
**Zhou Yuechan**, the jewel of the Zhou family—arrogant, ruthless, and proud.
"Faster," she snapped at the servants. "I don't like to wait. You peasants are so unbearably slow."
Suddenly, a guard knelt by the door, breathless. "Y-Young Miss! A terrible news... Young Master Zhou Liang is... he's dead!"
The grape in her hand slipped and fell.
"...What did you just say?"
"He was killed… by someone from Shadow Mountain. His name... is Xuan Long."
Silence blanketed the room for a long second. Then—
**CRASH!**
The golden tray shattered as Zhou Yuechan hurled it across the chamber.
"WHO?!" Her eyes burned like flames. "Who dares touch a hair on my brother's head?!"
The guard trembled. "X-Xuan Long. From the mountain sect..."
She sneered. "Xuan Long... Xuan Long... remember that name. Prepare my Soul Sea Realm elder retinue, and summon half of the family guard. We're going to turn that mountain into ashes."
---
Meanwhile, on Shadow Mountain, peace reigned.
Lin Qian sat in the pill hall, calmly brewing high-tier medicines. Bottles shimmered with vibrant colors—Recovery Pills, Foundation Stabilizers, Qi Explosion Beads.
The entire sect buzzed with growth. Thanks to the vast wealth and duplicated spiritual stones, disciples who once struggled at Qi Refining were now at Foundation Level 5 or higher. Those who joined later had rocketed up the ranks.
The lowest-ranked cultivator in the sect now stood at Foundation Level 5. No one was weak.
Mu Chen walked in with a report. "Master, this month's output has reached over 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones. We also completed over 600 high-grade medicines."
Xuan Long nodded with satisfaction. "Keep them training. Battle is coming."
At that moment, the door burst open.
"Brother!!" Yue Mei and Xiou Xue ran in, faces filled with excitement.
"We want to cultivate too!" they shouted in unison.
Xuan Long looked at them, amused. "Oh? Cultivation is painful. It's not as fun as playing tag."
"We can do it!" Yue Mei said, puffing up her cheeks.
He chuckled. "Alright, come with me."
---
Inside the spiritual river room, gentle light shimmered above the water like soft silk.
Xuan Long gently placed both girls into the energy pool.
He handed them Qi Refining Pills. "Swallow these and focus on your breath. Imagine the energy entering your body and cycling."
An hour passed.
Yue Mei opened her eyes.
"B-Brother! My tummy hurts!" she whimpered.
Xuan Long kneeled beside her and checked her pulse. He smiled warmly. "That's good. It means you broke through. You're now at Qi Refining Level 1."
Her eyes sparkled. "I did it?!" She squealed, jumped into his arms, and kissed his cheek. "I'm a genius!"
Xuan Long laughed. "Yes, yes, you are."
But then his eyes turned to Xiou Xue.
She sat quietly, eyes downcast. No spiritual light, no movement. Her meridians were still dormant.
Mu Chen appeared beside him and whispered, "Master... she has no spiritual roots. She's completely mortal."
Xuan Long's heart sank.
He walked over, picked up the quiet girl. "Xiou Xue..."
Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I can't... I can't cultivate... I'm not good like Mei. Brother... do you hate me now?"
"What?" His voice cracked.
He hugged her tightly. "Don't say such things. You're my princess. You don't need to cultivate to be loved."
But she didn't smile. She lowered her head.
"I'll never be like you... never strong..."
Yue Mei slipped out of Xuan Long's arms and ran to Xiou Xue. "Sister, don't cry! You're already the best. I'll protect you. Always!"
That night, the mountain was quiet.
Xiou Xue didn't ask for a story.
She simply curled up beside Yue Mei, eyes red, tears staining her pillow. Yue Mei wrapped her arms around her protectively.
---
Beyond the stars, in the darkness of the forest, Zhou Yuechan stood tall, surrounded by fifty guards and two Soul Sea Realm elders.
"Shadow Mountain," she whispered. "Let's see how long your shadow lasts when I bring the sun to burn it away."