After a month of slow travel, the carriage finally arrived before the towering gates of the Clear Sky Sect.
Stepping down from the carriage alongside Ya Fei, the three children—Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan—lifted their heads instinctively. Their gazes lingered on the sky-high stone gate, eyes filled with longing… and a newly forged resolve.
One full month.
A month spent under the guidance of someone who had mastered the high art of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile SectEtiquette and Snacks. Anyone could imagine what this had done to them. (Hint: a lot.)
The three children were not the same as a month ago. Same faces, same hair, same slightly ridiculous outfits—but inside? Totally new brains. cleansed, refined, and reshaped.
Cough.
Obediently following behind Ya Fei along the stone-embedded pathways of the Clear Sky Sect, they attracted countless curious gazes from passing disciples. Soon enough, they arrived before Tang Xiao's mansion.
"Wait here," Ya Fei instructed calmly. "Come in only after I call for you."
Unsure whether Ning Ruoyan was currently cultivating or resting inside, Ya Fei went ahead to confirm first.
Fortunately, Ning Ruoyan was still in the mansion.
At this moment, she was seated in the main hall, speaking softly with Tang Yuehua about various internal matters.
Noticing Ya Fei's arrival, Ning Ruoyan immediately understood—the task she had entrusted her with had borne fruit.
She excused herself politely, rising from her seat.
"Little Yuehua," Ruoyan said gently, "you should go and rest. I have some matters to attend to. We'll continue our discussion this evening, alright?"
Over the months they had lived together, the two women had long since grown close. As Tang Xiao's younger sister, Yuehua was doted on deeply by Ning Ruoyan. Moreover, both were elegant and intelligent women—there was never a shortage of topics between them.
"Alright, Sister-in-law," Tang Yuehua replied with a smile. "I'll come find you this evening."
She had already noticed Ya Fei outside and naturally gave Ruoyan space to leave.
After all, they lived under the same roof—meeting again was only a matter of time.
Seeing Ning Ruoyan head toward the study, Ya Fei immediately went outside, brought in the three children, and followed after her.
---
Inside the Study
Ning Ruoyan listened quietly as Ya Fei recounted everything—the search, the journey, and the methods she had used to mold the three children. A faint smile curved her lips.
"Very good," Ruoyan said softly. "You've done well, Sister Fei."
A satisfied light flickered through her almond-shaped eyes.
She then turned her gaze toward the three children standing obediently before her.
These are the ones my husband mentioned…
"These three are truly fortunate," Ning Ruoyan thought. "To have encountered my husband when they were still infants and received the grace of his divine power…"
"If nothing else, their talents will surely be extraordinary."
According to Tang Xiao, he had encountered these three children years ago, shortly after their families had fallen. At the time, they were still swaddling infants. Driven by curiosity—and a desire to test his innate divine power—he had channeled a minuscule trace of it into their bodies through soul power.
After that, he had left everything to fate.
Now, having confirmed that his divine power could indeed improve talent, Tang Xiao wished to bring these children back—to raise them as future pillars of the sect.
After all, they were guaranteed to awaken high innate soul power… perhaps even full innate soul power.
Naturally, Ning Ruoyan believed every word.
After all, wasn't her own martial soul evolution proof enough?
How could she possibly know that all of it was nothing more than a carefully woven lie—meant to cover up Tang Xiao's future knowledge and shamelessly claim credit for three children who were destined to shine regardless?
In the original fate of the world, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan were destined to awaken high innate talent and powerful martial souls—eventually becoming the famed Golden Generation of Spirit Hall.
Knowing this, how could Tang Xiao allow them to fall into Spirit Hall's hands?
Intercepting them was inevitable.
Claiming credit for their future brilliance?
Merely a bonus.
Ning Ruoyan would never know that the so-called "innate divine power" was pure fabrication.
Even her own martial soul evolution had nothing to do with it—it was simply the effect of an immortal herb.
Tang Xiao merely enjoyed taking credit for everything.
Even things that had absolutely nothing to do with him.
The sun rises? His fault. Rain falls? His plan. The kids survive a month of intense re-education? Definitely his divine influence.
A truly despicable man.
---
"Little darlings," Ning Ruoyan said kindly, her voice warm yet authoritative. "From today onward, you belong to the Clear Sky Sect. You will serve my husband—the Sect Master."
"Though you were chosen seemingly at random, it was because I observed that you are all good children."
"Remember this well—your futures will be bright."
"And all of it is thanks to my husband."
As Ning Ruoyan began planning how to mold them into loyal little servants for Tang Xiao, far away in the frozen north, that same man stood immersed in disappointment.
---
Far North
Atop a towering snow-covered mountain, Tang Xiao stood unmoving.
His back faced the three people behind him as he gazed across the endless frozen plains.
Snow howled like a hurricane, brushing past his sharp features—yet not a single snowflake clung to his body or robes.
He stood like an unshakable mountain.
"Sect Master…" the Second Elder spoke cautiously, teeth chattering. "If there are no suitable soul beasts here, perhaps we could try the Star Dou Forest… or even the ocean?"
Tang Xiao did not respond.
It was as though he hadn't heard the words at all.
After a long silence, a quiet sigh escaped his lips.
They don't understand.
They don't understand anything.
How could other habitats compare to this icy domain—where he could walk as a king?
It wasn't that he hadn't found a suitable soul beast.
It was that the most suitable one… had a terrifying backer.
A 300,000-year soul beast was unimaginably rare.
Even in the Far North, only two existed.
The Ice Empress.
And the Snow Empress.
Tang Xiao clenched his fist slowly.
Did he truly have to settle for a lower-aged soul ring?
The decision weighed heavily on his heart.