The sun dipped low over the endless stretches of forest as Shen walked silently through the towering pines, his cloak fluttering behind him. His footsteps were light, barely disturbing the soil beneath him. The Primordial Ascension System had masked every trace of his aura so perfectly that even spirit beasts failed to notice his presence as he passed. He moved with calm purpose, following the faint, instinctive pull within his chest — a pull that guided him toward the capital, toward the empire that once belonged to him.
Though he had decided to begin his journey calmly and without unnecessary conflict, fate refused to allow such a quiet approach. As he crossed a shallow river, the water shimmering beneath the pale moonlight, Shen sensed something faint but familiar — a presence that resonated with the same imperial bloodline he carried. He frowned. It felt warm, faintly comforting, but also hostile, proud, sharp.
He stepped forward.
And at that exact moment, another figure descended from the treetops ahead.
A boy — though far younger and smaller — landed on a rock with the elegance of a trained young noble. He wore dark crimson robes embroidered with golden phoenix patterns, the unmistakable attire of a royal who traveled under imperial escort. His hair was tied neatly, his posture dignified, and his eyes cold… yet beneath that coldness was something unreadably conflicted.
He was only eight years old, but cultivation had grown him slightly beyond his age, making him appear closer to twelve. His aura burned fiercely at the 8th realm, startlingly powerful for his age.
This was Shen's younger brother.
But neither of them knew.
The boy narrowed his eyes. "Who are you? Why are you hiding your aura?" His voice carried arrogance, sharp like a blade. "This is private territory under imperial authority. Identify yourself."
Shen stared calmly, expression unreadable beneath his cloak. "I am simply passing through."
"Passing through?" the young noble scoffed. "That is not an answer."
A protector arrived beside the boy — an old man whose presence dominated the riverbank like a silent mountain. His cultivation was deep and calm, unmistakably 12th realm, the realm of upper elders and royal guardians.
"Your Highness," the protector murmured, "this traveler… I cannot sense his cultivation. He is concealing it."
The young noble's arrogance sharpened. "Good. Then I will test him myself."
Shen sighed softly, realizing conflict was unavoidable. "I truly have no intention of fighting."
"Too late."
The royal boy leaped forward, qi erupting beneath his feet as he executed a high-level imperial movement technique. Flames burst from his palms as he struck toward Shen with fierce precision, each blow trained and disciplined.
Shen dodged lightly, barely shifting his stance. The attacks whooshed past him, splashing into the river and sending arcs of fire across the surface.
The boy grew angrier. "Why won't you fight back!? Are you mocking me!?"
"You attacked first," Shen replied calmly.
"So fight!" the prince roared, unleashing another volley of blazing strikes. His talent was terrifying — raw, young, and brilliant — but Shen saw every flaw, every opening, every unnecessary movement. The gap between them was simply too vast.
Finally, to end it quickly, Shen flicked his finger.
A single flick.
Wind exploded outward as the prince was pushed back dozens of meters, landing on his feet only due to sheer training. His eyes widened in disbelief, trembling with both shock and anger.
He had never been so easily overwhelmed.
Before the protector could step in, Shen turned and blurred away, vanishing into the night like a passing spirit.
The forest went silent.
The prince stared at the direction Shen disappeared, fists clenched, fighting humiliation with everything he had.
"…Protector," he finally said, his voice low, "how strong was he?"
The old man's face was pale. "I… do not know."
"Don't lie."
"I am not lying, Your Highness." The protector swallowed hard. "My senses could not perceive anything. Not his qi, not his bloodline, not his strength. Nothing."
The boy's eyes widened slightly — not with fear, but with a strange, almost instinctive recognition.
"Who… was he really?"
The protector slowly bowed his head.
"If I were to guess… his power could be anywhere from my level to far, far above it."
The young prince's heart pounded. Something deep inside him — blood, instinct, something ancient — trembled for a moment. A feeling that made no sense.
But before he could understand it, the moment was gone.
"We return to the capital," he ordered coldly.
"Yes, Your Highness."
As they left, the boy cast one last glance in the direction Shen vanished… feeling a connection he could not explain.
And somewhere in the darkness, Shen continued walking, unaware that he had just fought his own brother.