Kieran sat under a peach tree in his courtyard, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. His divine bloodline had awakened, and yet, he still can't cultivate. It was as though he was presented with a treasure chest of knowledge, but the key to unlock its true potential was still beyond his reach.
"Still in shock, are we?" Sindra's voice purred beside him, breaking through his thoughts. The tiny, fairy-like figure perched on his shoulder, violet eyes gleaming with mischief as she twirled lazily in midair. "I get it. Finding out you're special after eighteen years of being 'useless'? That's a lot to take in."
Kieran rubbed his temples, irritation showing on his face. "Special?" he muttered, his gaze fixed on the horizon, where the morning sun had already bathed in its glory. "You sure? Because last I checked, I still can't cultivate."
Sindra's lips curled into a playful smirk, her voice dripping with amusement. "Details, details. You've got me now, and trust me, things are about to change."
Kieran wasn't so sure. He had spent his entire life as the Long Clan's waste. A direct descendant, and yet, he couldn't even condense a single thread of Chi. He had long since accepted that in this world, power was everything. And he had none.
Still, life went on. With a sigh, Kieran stood up, walking to the wash basin to splash his face with cold water. As he dressed in a simple robe, Sindra hovered beside him, inspecting him with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
"Well, well," she mused, her voice light and teasing, " You're certainly blessed in some areas."
Kieran groaned, tying his belt with unnecessary force. "Must you comment on everything?"
"Oh, I must. It's part of my charm master." Sindra's teasing tone was laced with sexual innuendos. But Kieran didn't have the energy to pick apart the layers of meaning behind her words. Today was just another routine day.
He left his courtyard, with Sindra trailing behind like an annoying but entertaining presence. The familiar path down the mountain passed in a blur. The Long Clan estate sprawled out below him, its beauty as breathtaking as always.
"Master Kieran," Along the way, servants respectfully greeted.
Kieran simply nodded, offering a polite but hollow smile before moving on. There was no need to linger. He could see the underlying pity in their eyes.
He walked past the training grounds, where his clanmates were engaged in intense martial arts training. The air hummed with the power of their cultivation, their swords and spears flashing in rhythmic precision. Some had already reached the Virdis Realm, while a few prodigies had even stepped into the Kardia Realm. Their figures flickered with speed and power as they seemed to be stepping lightly on air.
Kieran couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy, but he buried it quickly. There was no point in wishing for something he couldn't have. He had long since learned that wishing was a futile exercise.
"Tch, you're too calm about this, master," Sindra remarked with a hint of disappointment. "Most guys in your position would be desperately searching for a way."
Kieran exhaled a breath, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "And what would that accomplish?" he replied quietly, his tone calm but filled with a deep sense of resignation. "Complaining won't make me stronger."
He had spent most of the morning going through the alchemy knowledge in his mind, even though there were ways to heal his spiritual roots, all of them were far beyond what he could manage, and all the hope he had was slowly dwindling.
They reached the finance hall where Kieran collects his monthly allowance. His uncle, Ryuji Long, was waiting for him behind the counter. As soon as he saw Kieran, his face twisted into something unreadable.
"Ah, there you are," Ryuji grumbled, his arms crossed in frustration. "Why do you always look like you're about to run away when you see me?"
Kieran chuckled softly. "Uncle, if you want to borrow money again, the answer is still no."
Ryuji snorted. "You little brat. You think I'd ask you for more spirit stones? Even if I did, it's for your benefit, you know."
Kieran raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "For my benefit?"
Ryuji smirked. "I've been saving up to buy a root enhancement pill. It's the only way I can help you heal your spiritual roots. Without it, you'll never be able to cultivate."
Kieran's brow furrowed. "Is that why you're so frustrated today?"
Ryuji slapped a letter down on the counter. "Read it. It's from Baixue."
Kieran took the letter and unfolded it. He scanned the contents with curiosity.
"The arrangement made by our fathers must now reach its conclusion. I will present myself at your estate in seven days. — Baixue."
Kieran blinked, then raised his gaze to his uncle. "The handwriting is nice."
Ryuji nearly choked. "Are you playing dumb? This is about you! The girl from the Song Family is coming here for you!"
Kieran's expression remained calm, though he felt a knot tighten in his chest. "Engaged!? I've never met her."
Ryuji groaned, rubbing his temples in frustration. "Your father and hers were sworn brothers. A marriage arrangement was made when you were both children. But since you can't cultivate, and she... well, she's a genius of the Frozen Lotus Palace. You think she's coming to marry you? She's probably coming to break off the engagement."
Kieran mulled this over for a moment before shrugging. "Makes sense. I'd do the same in her position."
Ryuji's eyes widened. "That's all you have to say? Shouldn't you be furious? Humiliated? At least pretend to care!"
Kieran smiled faintly. "Why should I? It's not like I expected to marry someone powerful. Just let her do what she came here to do."
Sindra chuckled, her voice light as she floated beside Kieran. "Damn, I like this attitude."
Ryuji groaned. "You're impossible. Whatever. The Frozen Lotus Palace will arrive tomorrow. The clan will handle it for you."
Kieran looked at him, determination in his eyes. "I'll face her myself."
After taking his monthly allowance (without any elixirs, since cultivating was a distant dream), Kieran left the finance hall, and Ryuji watched him with a mixture of frustration and concern.
"That brat... Is he really fine with this?" Ryuji muttered under his breath. "Or is he just pretending?"
Kieran walked back to his courtyard in the back mountain, silently vowing to face his problems like someone who had chosen to confront his fate.
Meanwhile, high above the clouds...
A flying ship cut through the sky, its sails billowing with the wind as it headed toward Yidu. Inside, disciples of the Frozen Lotus Palace murmured among themselves, their voices tinged with disdain.
"That Long Chen is a complete failure. How could he ever deserve Senior Sister Baixue?"
"This whole engagement should have been settled with just a letter! Why did Senior Sister bother coming in person?"
In a private cultivation room, Baixue sat cross-legged, her silver hair flowing like a waterfall of moonlight down her back. The elegant frost-blue robes she wore seemed to shimmer with the chill of a thousand winters. Her ethereal beauty was like that of a goddess, with icy blue eyes framed by long, delicate lashes, and porcelain skin that gave her an air of untouchable serenity.
An elder stood before her, speaking in a respectful tone. "Baixue, the sect fully supports you. The Long Clan is powerful in Yidu, but they won't dare object to the engagement being broken."
Xue Ying's eyes fluttered open, her gaze calm and unreadable, showing no emotion. She had her reasons for coming to Yidu, something that only she understood.
The winds of change were beginning to blow.