Shen Country.
Five Dragon City.
Lei Clan Residence.
Moonlight spread quietly across the courtyard.
Two figures sat beneath an old spirit tree — a girl and a boy.
The girl crossed her legs and closed her eyes.
"Absorb the Qi into your body," the boy said calmly, though worry hid in his voice.
"Guide it through your meridians. Don't force it. Let it flow."
Gritting her teeth, the girl continued trying.
For a moment, she felt it.
A faint stream of Qi entered her body—
Then vanished.
Her eyes opened immediately.
The connection was gone again.
"Brother Chen… I'm tired," Lei Lingxi said softly.
Lei Chen frowned slightly.
"Ling'er, you're already fifteen. Yet you're still stuck at the Early Martial Cultivator stage."
Lingxi lowered her head slightly, then grabbed his sleeve.
"Brother Chen… didn't you say you would teach me a Qi martial art?"
Lei Chen sighed.
"I can't teach you yet. You still can't properly absorb Qi. How do you expect to control Qi techniques?"
"But—"
"No 'but.' Father asked me to make sure you learn how to channel Qi first."
"Brother Chen… don't you think you're being too strict with my sister?"
A gentle voice echoed from the entrance of the courtyard.
Lei Fuyao walked in, carrying a small tray of honey biscuits.
"Sister!" Lingxi's face brightened as she ran toward her.
Lei Chen could only shake his head helplessly.
"Fuyao, don't spoil her too much," he said.
Fuyao smiled playfully.
"I heard you say Lingxi is only at the Early Martial Cultivator stage."
She winked at her younger sister.
"My sister is the most talented girl in the Lei Clan."
Lei Chen opened his mouth to argue—
"Alright, alright," Lingxi quickly interrupted, pulling both of them to sit down.
"Let's eat the honey biscuits first."
Soon, laughter filled the courtyard as the three siblings sat together beneath the quiet moonlight.
For a brief moment—
everything felt peaceful.
------------------------
Meanwhile…
Inside the Inner Pavilion of the Lei Clan.
In a chamber lit only by floating spirit lanterns, five elders sat in silence.
"How audacious!"
Patriarch Lei Zhe slammed his palm against the arm of his chair.
"How dare the Yi Clan make such a request!"
The room grew heavy with tension.
Clan Leader Lei Ming remained calm as he spoke.
"They are asking for a marriage alliance."
The room grew quiet.
"A marriage alliance?" another elder repeated slowly.
"Yes," Lei Ming said. "They have requested a daughter of the Lei Clan to marry into the Yi Clan."
"And which daughter?" Elder Lei Zhe asked.
Lei Ming's expression hardened slightly.
"They specifically named Lei Lingxi."
Silence filled the chamber.
"That is impossible," one elder said immediately.
"Lingxi is still young. Her cultivation is weak."
"The Yi Clan would not make such a request without reason," another elder said thoughtfully.
"What is there to think about?" Lei moxi said calmly. "The Shen Royal Family has always stood behind the Yi Clan. If they are acting like this now, then this marriage request is not simple."