At just three years old, Han Qian's strength had become monstrous. No longer could the mother dragon match him, not even close. Even when ten dragons of her rank — Mortal Core Stage (Rank 5 of 12) — attacked him together in a mock battle, they were defeated effortlessly. He crushed them with sheer physical strength alone.
And yet, there was still no hint of soul power awakening within him.
Bai Yan, now at the Soul Stream Stage (Rank 4 of 12), had trained him relentlessly over the past year. Day and night, she guided him with everything she had — martial forms, breathing techniques, meditative stances — but it was all in vain. The child remained a mystery.
Still, he followed every word she said. He never misbehaved. Never spoke unnecessarily. Despite his immense power, Han Qian acted exactly like a child — but one with unshakable loyalty and a frightening sense of clarity.
To Bai Yan, he had become the only family she had left.
Her worry deepened with each passing day. If someone with sinister motives found out about this child… they might try to control him, or worse, experiment on him.
That fear became reality.
---
One day, as the golden sun dipped behind the valley peaks, a powerful cultivator flew over their mountain dwelling. Cloaked in golden robes, his presence caused the winds to shift unnaturally. The sky seemed to bend around him.
He was from the powerful Sky Void Sect, and his cultivation had reached the True Flame Stage (Rank 6 of 12) — one realm above the mother dragon.
While passing overhead, he witnessed a shocking sight — a child no more than three years old defeating a mighty dragon in a sparring match, relying only on brute force.
Intrigued, he descended.
The man introduced himself as Qin Yue, a well-known figure in the northern domains.
He approached Han Qian. "Boy," he said sternly, "what is your name?"
Han Qian stood silently.
He remembered Bai Yan's words clearly: "Never speak to strangers, no matter how strong they seem."
Before the cultivator could press further, Bai Yan arrived like a whirlwind. She stood protectively in front of Han Qian, one arm shielding him and the other gripping her sword tightly.
Qin Yue raised an eyebrow, amused. "Don't be foolish. You know your cultivation is nothing compared to mine. Even your dragon friend wouldn't last a second against me."
"I won't let you take him," Bai Yan said coldly.
"I don't intend harm," Qin Yue replied, letting out a breath. "But I need the child. A secret realm has been discovered — one where soul power is completely sealed by a villain's ancient artifact. In that place, only brute strength and body cultivation will work."
He looked at Han Qian with interest.
"He's… unique. The sect needs him for this mission."
"You want a three-year-old to risk his life?" Bai Yan spat. "He's still a child!"
Qin Yue's gaze darkened. "I've already informed the sect. Even if I can't take him now, they'll come. If you resist, you'll only delay the inevitable."
For the first time in his young life, Han Qian felt something strange. Something dark. Heavy. Like rage.
Without warning, the boy moved.
His small fist shot forward with impossible speed and smashed into Qin Yue's chest.
BOOM.
The man flew back, crashing through trees and mountains, vanishing over the horizon.
---
But Bai Yan did not look relieved.
She stared in silence as a faint crystal talisman shattered mid-air — Qin Yue's Life Ornament, a spiritual artifact connected to his sect.
His death had been marked, and so had his killer.
She clenched her fists. The sect would come now — not to recruit Han Qian, but to avenge Qin Yue.
She had to make a decision. A painful one.
---
That night, under a silver moon, she knelt before Han Qian.
"You must leave this place."
Han Qian blinked.
"Why?" he asked, in his childish, soft voice.
"Because… you need to find your origin," she whispered, holding back tears. "Live, Han Qian. Live and grow strong… and be happy."
"I'll go if you say so," he said, tilting his head.
He didn't understand the depth of what she meant — how could he? His mind was still that of a child. But he listened. He always did.
The mother dragon, with sorrow in her heart, transformed into her beast form and gently nudged Han Qian onto her back.
"Protect him," Bai Yan said, her voice trembling.
The dragon roared quietly, a sound full of ancient sadness.
As they flew away, Bai Yan turned to the half-dead Qin Yue and drove her sword into his heart.
She had no choice.
The sect would blame someone.
Better her than him.
Her Life Ornament flickered faintly and began to dim.
---
Far in the distance, Han Qian turned his head.
"Why is my heart hurting?" he murmured.
But no one answered.