Adrian quietly returned home and walked straight to the far side of the hall. There, he sank into a heavy wooden chair. His expression was composed, but inside, his mind churned with the weight of everything he'd learned that day.
What should I do first…?
Just then, he heard soft footsteps. A young maid approached with hesitant steps, her hands clasped nervously in front of her apron. She lowered her gaze before speaking, her voice low and careful.
"Young Master…shall I bring you some tea?"
Adrian slowly lifted his eyes to her, and in that moment, his irises shimmered with a golden radiance.
Status
Name: Miya
Cultivation Realm: Beginner Stage – 4
Destiny Points: 72
Profession: Maid
Clan Relationship: Loyal
Talent Scope: Grade (A)
He studied her silently for a moment, then spoke in a steady tone.
"Alright. Have someone else bring the tea—and you stay here. I need to speak with you."
Miya looked startled, a faint unease passing over her delicate features. But she quickly bowed her head and turned to signal another maid to fetch the tea. Then she stood before Adrian, her posture straight but her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her sleeve.
Adrian watched the other maid as she retreated. A thought crossed his mind, and he activated his golden vision again. Text flickered briefly over the departing girl's silhouette:
Talent Scope: Grade (C)
Not worth it, he decided, letting his gaze return to Miya.
He leaned back slightly, folding his hands together.
"How long have you been serving here, Miya?"
She swallowed and replied carefully.
"Almost two years, Young Master."
"When did you begin cultivation?"
Miya's face paled, and she lowered her head further, her voice trembling.
"It has only been about six months since I started."
Adrian was about to continue when footsteps echoed from the entrance of the hall. He looked up. Selena and Evelyn had entered together, both watching him intently, though neither interrupted.
He returned his attention to Miya, speaking calmly.
"Tell me…do you wish to cultivate seriously?"
Both Selena and Evelyn exchanged questioning glances, but they held their tongues. They simply stood by, observing.
Miya glanced anxiously at the two noblewomen before her. She bowed deeply.
"Who wouldn't wish to be strong, Young Master? To protect oneself, to give one's family a better life…if given the chance, who wouldn't desire that?"
Adrian nodded once.
"Very well. From today onward, you will train and learn martial skills with my mothers. Tell me—will you accept them as your teachers?"
Miya's eyes widened in utter astonishment. Her lips parted, and for an instant, she looked too stunned to answer. Then she dropped to her knees, her head lowered almost to the floor.
"If…if Madam Selena and Madam Evelyn would truly be willing to teach me…that would be the greatest honor of my life. I would never refuse such a blessing."
Selena and Evelyn both looked momentarily taken aback. Evelyn was the first to find her voice, her brows furrowing slightly.
"Adrian…what exactly are you doing?"
He glanced at them over his shoulder.
"Mother…I'll explain everything. Just allow me a moment."
Then he looked back to Miya.
"Go. Return in a little while, and then you may formally meet them. I need to speak to them alone first."
Miya rose shakily to her feet, her cheeks flushed, and hurried from the room.
Meanwhile, the other maid, who had just arrived carrying a tray of steaming tea, stood rooted in place, her eyes wide with envy. To become a personal disciple of the Clan Ladies…that meant Miya's status would soon be as high as any noble's—entitled to every privilege the ruling family enjoyed.
When the maids had finally departed, silence settled over the hall. Selena immediately stepped closer, her gaze sharp.
"Adrian, you need to tell us—what is going on?"
Adrian gestured politely and picked up the delicate teacups, offering one to each of his mothers. His own expression was calm, almost analytical.
"That girl possesses remarkable talent," he said plainly. "Even if she's only at Beginner Stage right now, with the right arts and resources, she could rise far beyond the level of an ordinary cultivator."
Evelyn, who had remained quiet until now, frowned.
"And how exactly do you know this?" she asked. "You've only just returned. How can you see so clearly what someone's potential is?"
Adrian looked at her with an unreadable expression.
"Mother…there are secrets I hold—things I am not yet ready to reveal. Please trust me."
Before Evelyn could reply, a deep, commanding voice rang out from behind Adrian.
"Has your Dantian been restored?"
He turned. Victor was striding toward him, every step resonant with authority. His dark eyes locked onto Adrian's as if he meant to peel away every hidden layer with his gaze alone.
"So…it's true." Victor's voice was low. "Your Dantian has healed."
Adrian did not flinch.
"Yes, Father. My Dantian was restored—last night."
Selena and Evelyn gasped softly, their hands rising to their mouths as tears welled in their eyes. But Victor's expression remained stern and suspicious.
"Then tell me," he demanded quietly. "What is your cultivation realm now?"
Adrian lifted his chin, his voice as calm as ever.
"Mortal Master Stage—Seventh Layer."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Selena's hand flew to her chest. Evelyn's eyes went wide. Even Victor—unflappable, unyielding Victor—felt his composure slip.
One night…from crippled to the peak of Mortal Master…
The hall fell into stunned silence.
Adrian laughed and said, you guys should shut your mouths, this was the effect of the pill I took, the remaining energy from it increased my level
Adrian had spoken his words and now looked slowly at each of them. A faint, composed smile touched his lips. Across Victor, Selena, and Evelyn's faces spread the same expression—a mix of astonishment and disbelief.
Victor drew a long, measured breath, his deep voice echoing in the hall.
"Adrian…what was that pill? The one you said restored you—and where did you find something like that?"
Evelyn and Selena both turned their eyes to him as well. They, too, needed this answer.
Adrian took a moment, glancing into his mothers' questioning gazes, then back to his father's steady scrutiny. His tone was calm, but there was a gravity in every syllable.
"Father…that pill—it wasn't an ordinary one. It was part of a Saint's legacy…a medicinal treasure I received alongside it. Its remaining energy was what advanced my cultivation so quickly."
Victor's eyes narrowed.
"A Saint's legacy?"
Adrian inclined his head slightly.
"Yes. But before I explain more…Father, can you set a sound barrier? These things should not be overheard."
Victor paused, searching Adrian's gaze for any flicker of falsehood or hesitation. But Adrian's eyes were clear and unwavering. Without further question, Victor lifted one hand. Spiritual energy rippled through the air, spreading outward in shimmering currents. In seconds, a glowing blue circle enclosed them all.
"No one will hear us now," Victor said in a low, solemn voice. "Speak."
Adrian drew in a slow breath and spoke with deliberate care.
"I…was granted the legacy of a Saint."
All three of them reacted at once. Victor's eyes widened, the composure on his face finally cracking. Selena lifted a trembling hand to her mouth. Evelyn looked as though she'd forgotten to breathe.
Victor's voice broke into a hoarse exclamation.
"A Saint's…a Saint's legacy? Adrian—are you serious?"
Adrian nodded with quiet certainty.
"Father, I would never lie about this. I don't recall exactly when or how I obtained it. But I believe…it happened before I lost my memories. At that time, there were conditions—I had to reach the Soul Transcendent Stage before the legacy could awaken."
Evelyn spoke next, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Then…how did it activate now, when you were so far from that level?"
Adrian looked at her. In his expression was a shadow of old pain, of a night that still lingered in his memory.
"The night I was attacked…someone poisoned me. I think the attacker intended that if their sword failed to kill me, the poison would finish what they started. But…because of that, the Saint's legacy intervened. It altered its own rules, seeing that I would die otherwise, and released its power early. That pill you asked about—it was the main vessel of that power. Its energy restored my Dantian and pushed me to the Mortal Master peak. But…there was a price. The legacy imposed an oath on me: until I reach the King Realm, I cannot reveal its secrets in full. If I violate that promise…it will destroy me."
For a moment, silence reigned between them. Selena and Evelyn's eyes brimmed with fear and worry. Victor's gaze remained locked on Adrian's face. He could see his son wasn't lying.
Selena spoke first, her voice breaking.
"Poison…when did they give it to you? Why didn't we know?"
Adrian shook his head slowly.
"I don't know, Mother. Maybe it was before the blade struck…or after, when I was already unconscious. And the healers who examined me…they must not have recognized the poison. But…in a way, I was lucky. If it hadn't been for that danger, the legacy would still be dormant—and I'd still be crippled."
Selena's eyes flooded. Evelyn pressed her hand against her lips. Victor's deep voice sounded uncharacteristically hoarse.
"If that legacy hadn't intervened…then you…"
He couldn't finish the thought. None of them wanted to imagine a world where Adrian had not survived that night.
Seeing their pain, Adrian's composed expression softened. His voice held a calm, quiet strength.
"Mother…Father…sometimes fate gives us suffering only to lead us somewhere better. Yes—I lost my memories. But in exchange, I gained a power none of us could have imagined. I'm stronger now…and more ready than ever."
Selena stood motionless a moment longer, then stepped forward. Tears shone in her eyes—but this time, they were not tears of sorrow. They were tears of fierce, unrestrained relief.
She wrapped her arms around her son and held him tightly.
"My child…my precious child…"
Adrian returned the embrace gently. For that moment, the cold glint in his gaze faded, replaced by something tender. Evelyn came to stand beside them, resting her hand lightly on his shoulder. Victor, still standing where he was, watched them in silence. And in his eyes, there shone a glimmer of pride and a deep, exhausted gratitude.