Location: Qin Estate – Dawn After the Storm
The mountains were still smoking from the clash of powers.
Fragments of shattered Heaven-Sealing chains lay scattered across the ravine like broken stars.
At the center stood Fenglan and Meiyue, their hands still faintly glowing with the newly awakened Void Sigil.
The storm had ended.
But something far worse awaited them.
🌌 Return to the Estate
As the twins walked through the gates of the Qin estate, the atmosphere felt… wrong.
Disciples who once greeted them with respect now stepped aside nervously.
Whispers filled the courtyards.
"They destroyed the Heaven-Sealing Formation…"
"Did you see the sky last night?"
"That power isn't human…"
Meiyue felt the weight of every gaze.
Fenglan noticed it too—but his face remained cold.
"Let them talk," he said quietly.
🌑 The Elder Council Confrontation
Inside the council chamber, the elders were already waiting.
Even Qin Yong, the clan head and their father, looked exhausted.
Elder Qin Renshu spoke first, his voice sharp.
"You disobeyed the elders and destroyed a sacred formation protecting the clan."
Fenglan didn't bow.
"That formation tried to imprison me."
Murmurs erupted among the elders.
Elder Renshu slammed his staff against the floor.
"Exactly! Your power is already beyond our control!"
Another elder stood.
"Such a dangerous bloodline cannot remain inside the Qin estate."
The words everyone feared were finally spoken.
"I propose the twins be exiled from the clan."
The chamber exploded with argument.
🌸 A Father's Silence
All eyes turned to Qin Yong.
As clan head, his decision would determine everything.
But he remained silent for a long time.
His gaze rested on his children.
Pride.
Fear.
Conflict.
Finally he spoke quietly.
"The Qin clan must survive."
Those words struck Meiyue like a blade.
🌠 Unexpected Defense
Just as the elders prepared to vote—
Elder Lanying stepped forward.
"Before you exile them, remember something."
She pointed toward the mountains.
"Last night, those children stopped a Void storm that could have destroyed this entire region."
The room fell silent.
"You call them dangerous," she continued,
"but without them, we would already be dead."
Some elders hesitated.
Others remained firm.
The Qin clan had reached its breaking point.
🌑 Shadows Move
Far from the council chamber, inside the quiet Lotus Pavilion—
Shaw Yaling stood beside a window, watching the morning sun rise.
A messenger dressed in black appeared silently behind her.
"The Pei family has mobilized," he whispered.
Yaling smiled faintly.
"Perfect timing."
She took out a small jade token engraved with the Shaw family crest.
Her gentle expression disappeared completely.
"Inform my brother," she said coldly.
"The Qin clan is finally tearing itself apart."