The grand hall of the Ye Clan had never looked so tense.
Lanterns burned brightly, casting flickering shadows over the long tables now laden with spirit fruits, roasted demonic beast meat, and jars of aged spirit wine. Servants moved like frightened mice, heads lowered, avoiding eye contact with anyone. In the center seat — the one that once belonged to the old patriarch — I sat calmly, the God Rock hidden in my sleeve but its power thrumming steadily through my meridians.
Qi Condensation seventh layer.
The rapid breakthroughs still felt surreal. Every technique I had glimpsed in Bloodfang Forest, every strand of Space and Time Dao I had absorbed during the heavenly clash — the God Rock turned them into my own in mere hours. My body no longer felt like the weak, blocked vessel it once was. It felt like a sharpened blade ready to cut the heavens.
The remaining elders and inner disciples sat stiffly at the lower tables, their faces pale. The two Foundation Establishment elders I had wounded were absent, still recovering under heavy guard. My parents had already been dragged away to the outer mines in chains, their former status stripped. The sound of their broken sobbing as they were led out still echoed in my mind — not with guilt, but with cold satisfaction.
A servant approached cautiously, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the floor.
"Young… Young Patriarch Tianhen, the feast is ready. Shall we begin?"
I nodded once. "Bring in the entertainment."
Before the musicians could start playing, the outer gate guards announced a visitor.
"Princess Li Qing of the Great Han Royal Family has arrived with her entourage!"
The hall fell into stunned silence.
A princess? Here? In our small border clan?
I raised an eyebrow. The Great Han Dynasty ruled the entire Qinghan Continent. A royal visit to a minor clan like the Ye Clan was unheard of — unless something significant had drawn her attention.
The doors opened.
She entered like a flame cutting through darkness.
Li Qing was breathtaking — eighteen years old, tall and graceful, with long raven hair cascading down her back like silk, sharp phoenix eyes that gleamed with intelligence and hidden fire, and skin like polished jade. She wore flowing crimson-and-gold robes embroidered with imperial dragons, a slender sword at her waist. Behind her walked four royal guards at Foundation Establishment and two maids.
Her gaze swept the hall and immediately locked onto me.
I stood slowly, meeting her eyes without bowing. The old Tianhen would have dropped to his knees in terror. The new one felt only curiosity… and a spark of something warmer.
"Princess Li Qing," I said, voice steady. "The Ye Clan is honored by your presence. Please, take the seat of honor."
A faint smile curved her lips. She moved with effortless grace and sat at the table directly across from me, her guards positioning themselves behind her.
"I heard rumors on the road," she said, voice clear and melodic yet carrying undeniable authority. "A trial disciple of the Ye Clan suddenly rose up, severed limbs from multiple experts, and took control of the entire clan in a single night. I had to see the so-called 'trash' for myself."
Murmurs rippled through the elders. Some looked terrified that the princess might punish the clan for the bloodshed.
I poured her a cup of spirit wine myself and slid it across the table.
"And what does the princess think now that she has seen this 'trash'?"
Li Qing took a sip, her phoenix eyes never leaving mine. "I think the rumors were understated. Your aura… it's already at Qi Condensation seventh layer? In one day? That is not normal talent. That is a miracle. Or a cheat from the heavens."
She leaned forward slightly, voice lowering so only I could hear.
"Show me the black stone. The one that glows with strange runes."
My fingers tightened around the God Rock hidden in my sleeve. She was sharp — dangerously so.
Instead of denying it, I pulled the God Rock out and placed it openly on the table between us. Its faint runes pulsed softly, casting an eerie glow over the feast.
Gasps sounded from the elders.
Li Qing's eyes widened with genuine surprise, then darkened with intense interest.
"Fascinating," she whispered. "It resonates with qi in a way I've never seen. No wonder you could copy techniques and break through so fast. This… this is a treasure that could shake the entire dynasty."
She reached out as if to touch it.
I caught her wrist gently but firmly, stopping her hand inches away.
"Careful, Princess. The God Rock chooses its holder. It is not for casual inspection."
Our eyes locked. For a moment, the entire hall seemed to disappear. Her skin was warm under my fingers, her pulse quick and steady. There was no fear in her gaze — only challenge, curiosity, and something deeper. Attraction?
She didn't pull away. Instead, a small, genuine smile bloomed on her face.
"Bold. Most men would kneel just for speaking to me. You dare touch a princess and call your treasure by name."
I released her wrist slowly, letting my fingers brush her skin a second longer than necessary.
"Most men are not me."
The tension in the hall thickened. Elders shifted uncomfortably. One brave elder cleared his throat.
"Princess, perhaps we should discuss the reason for your visit? The Ye Clan is willing to offer tribute—"
Li Qing waved a hand, cutting him off without looking away from me.
"I came because my father, the Emperor, sensed unusual spatial fluctuations near Bloodfang Forest. He sent me to investigate possible dimensional breaches or foreign treasures. It seems I found both."
She leaned back, swirling the wine in her cup.
"Ye Tianhen, I will be direct. The Great Han Dynasty could use a talent like yours. Swear loyalty to the royal family, hand over the God Rock for study, and I can guarantee you a position as royal guard captain, unlimited resources, and… my personal favor."
The offer hung in the air like a blade.
I smiled — slow, ruthless, and confident.
"Princess, I appreciate the offer. But I do not swear loyalty to anyone. Not anymore."
I held up the God Rock, letting its light play across her beautiful face.
"However… I am open to alliances. Personal ones."
Her cheeks flushed the faintest shade of pink, but her eyes sparkled with excitement rather than anger.
"Audacious," she murmured, but there was no rebuke in her tone. "Very well, Ye Tianhen. Tonight we feast. Tomorrow, during the clan's annual outer-to-inner disciple tournament, I will watch you fight. Impress me… and perhaps we can discuss this 'personal alliance' further."
She raised her cup.
"To new beginnings."
I clinked my cup against hers, the sound ringing clearly through the silent hall.
"To new beginnings."
As the musicians finally began to play and the feast continued, I felt the God Rock pulse warmly in approval.
The princess was no fragile flower. She was fire wrapped in silk — exactly the kind of woman who could stand beside a man rising to conquer universes.
And I intended to make her mine.
But first, tomorrow's tournament.
I would show the entire clan — and the princess — exactly what the former trash could do.
The real slaughter was about to begin.