There existed a beast within the heavens.
Its body was black as iron, each breath devouring the life of the world itself. Blood burned within its veins.
Its eyes blazed, as though stars and moons had been swallowed whole.
This beast—
was the Patriarch of the Li Clan.
Destroyer of myriad planes.
Li Tian.
...
"Do you know why you have been summoned?"
The question fell like a weight.
Li Mu stood in silence, his expression calm. In truth, he already knew.
Since birth, he had always been… different.
And now, what he had long predicted was finally unfolding.
"The elders have decided," one of them said coldly.
"You will be sent to the Bloody Blade Corps."
Li Mu did not react.
So… the seeds have ripened.
He stepped forward.
Then knelt on one knee.
"In the presence of the Clan Leader," he said evenly, "I request access to the Sacred Tree."
Sleesh—!
Killing intent exploded.
The hall froze.
Frost crept across the walls.
The air thickened, crushing, suffocating. Space itself seemed to stretch as a single finger pointed toward him.
"You have the gall," a voice rumbled, "to make such a request… to me?"
Li Mu's blood slowed in his veins.
His body trembled under the pressure—
—but he did not bow further.
"You are not my son," Li Tian continued coldly.
"You are a slave. A tool."
A pause.
"And tools… obey."
Silence.
Li Mu inhaled slowly.
"I am a tool, as the Clan Leader has said."
His voice remained steady.
"But…"
A faint shift.
"…does the great Li Clan not sharpen its tools before use?"
The hall fell still.
Even the killing intent paused.
"…Return."
The word was simple.
Absolute.
"Your request has been heard."
Li Mu lowered his head.
A wise man knows when to retreat.
There would be other chances.
"I understand."
He rose, bowed, and turned.
Each step measured.
Controlled.
Behind him, the cloaked woman followed in silence.
Then—
a chill ran down her spine.
"Watch him."
The voice echoed faintly.
"…Watch him carefully."
She nodded instinctively and hurried after Li Mu.
The massive doors shut behind them.
Silence returned.
Then—
laughter.
"Truly… my son."
Li Tian leaned back, a grin spreading slowly.
"A tiger's son…"
His eyes gleamed.
"How daring."
His voice dropped.
Cold.
Amused.
"You forget…"
A pause.
"Even tools… can be bent."
Another pause.
"…I wonder if that backbone of yours will remain…"
"…after joining the Bloody Blade Corps."