The Eternal Dawn Sect was no stranger to whispers, but never had the air been so thick with them. From the inner courtyards to the outer markets, disciples and elders alike spoke in hushed voices, their tones wavering between awe and disbelief.
"Two children born in one night…"
"First a son, then a daughter. Both radiating immortal chi the moment they drew breath."
"Is this the beginning of a dynasty?"
The news had spread like wildfire, carried not just by attendants and messengers, but by those who had glimpsed the Sect Master and Grand Elders leaving Haotian's residence with grave faces and hushed congratulations.
Disciples clustered in small groups, their voices rising with each retelling. "Do you not remember? All of his wives are pregnant. There will be more!"
"That means… what? Five more heirs?"
"No, six! I heard it clearly—six unborn children."
The speculation grew wilder by the hour.
"Imagine if every child inherits the ten elemental physique."
"A single heir could change the sect. Seven heirs? That is a dynasty the starfield itself would fear."
The higher-ranked elders whispered in darker tones. "Yinxue and Yueru have already given birth. The next will not be far behind."
"And Yanfei… she only became pregnant recently. That means her child will come last."
"By then, Haotian may have already left the sect. What will happen if he departs, leaving a brood of heirs within our walls?"
None dared speak too loudly, yet the fear beneath their awe was clear. With each child, Haotian's presence loomed larger—not only as a cultivator, but as the root of a bloodline that could not be ignored.
Yet within the Eternal Dawn Sect's inner courts, celebration overshadowed doubt. Gifts poured toward Haotian's residence—jars of spirit wine, bundles of rare herbs, silken garments for newborns. Younger disciples marveled at the thought of growing up alongside Haotian's heirs, their envy barely hidden.
Still, a single question echoed in every corner of the sect:
"If this is only the beginning, what will the Eternal Dawn Sect become once all seven heirs are born?"
The high council chamber of the Eternal Dawn Sect was sealed, its heavy doors barred against curious ears. Only the Sect Master, Grand Elders, and Elder Xu sat within, the atmosphere thick with unspoken weight.
The Sect Master's gaze swept across the table. "Two heirs born in a single night, both displaying immortal chi at birth. And more yet to come. Speak your minds."
A Grand Elder leaned forward, fingers steepled. "It is both fortune and danger. Fortune, because such children will grow into pillars. Danger, because so many born in one generation may attract unwanted attention from beyond the starfield."
Another scoffed. "Danger? No. With immortal bodies and the ten-elemental physique, they are blessings the sect has not seen in all its history. If each child walks a different Dao, the Eternal Dawn will be unmatched."
Elder Xu interjected, his tone cautious. "You speak as though it were guaranteed. Remember—they are still infants. Their bodies glow with potential, yes, but such potential requires careful nurturing. Without guidance, even immortal bodies can falter."
The elders murmured, acknowledging the truth.
Yet one voice cut through the noise. "If Haotian leaves in two years, who will guide them?"
The chamber fell silent. The truth was undeniable—without him, the heirs would remain, unshaped, within the sect.
As the debate circled, the Sect Master remained quiet. He closed his eyes, recalling the faint pulse he had felt when Yinxue's son stirred, and again when Yueru's daughter's breath synchronized with the flow of chi.
Something was there. Not just immortal chi, not just elemental resonance. Something deeper—alien yet familiar, like threads of law woven into the marrow of the children. He could not name it, could not define it, but he felt it. A weight that should not belong to infants.
He opened his eyes, his expression calm, giving nothing away.
"Enough," the Sect Master said. "We will not decide their fates here. The children are blessings, nothing less. Let the disciples and elders rejoice in that truth. Whatever concerns remain—those I will address with Haotian privately."
The others bowed their heads, though unease lingered.
Outside the sealed chamber, the sect buzzed with celebration and speculation. But inside, one man carried a silent burden, knowing there was more to these heirs than anyone else yet realized.
The high council chamber of the Eternal Dawn Sect was sealed, its heavy doors barred against curious ears. Only the Sect Master, Grand Elders, and Elder Xu sat within, the atmosphere thick with unspoken weight.
The Sect Master's gaze swept across the table. "Two heirs born in a single night, both displaying immortal chi at birth. And more yet to come. Speak your minds."
A Grand Elder leaned forward, fingers steepled. "It is both fortune and danger. Fortune, because such children will grow into pillars. Danger, because so many born in one generation may attract unwanted attention from beyond the starfield."
Another scoffed. "Danger? No. With immortal bodies and the ten-elemental physique, they are blessings the sect has not seen in all its history. If each child walks a different Dao, the Eternal Dawn will be unmatched."
Elder Xu interjected, his tone cautious. "You speak as though it were guaranteed. Remember—they are still infants. Their bodies glow with potential, yes, but such potential requires careful nurturing. Without guidance, even immortal bodies can falter."
The elders murmured, acknowledging the truth.
Yet one voice cut through the noise. "If Haotian leaves in two years, who will guide them?"
The chamber fell silent. The truth was undeniable—without him, the heirs would remain, unshaped, within the sect.
As the debate circled, the Sect Master remained quiet. He closed his eyes, recalling the faint pulse he had felt when Yinxue's son stirred, and again when Yueru's daughter's breath synchronized with the flow of chi.
Something was there. Not just immortal chi, not just elemental resonance. Something deeper, stranger—as if the children possessed more than one set of meridians. Hidden beneath their flesh flowed channels that should not exist, layered upon their natural ones, resonating faintly with laws he could not name.
It was not a flaw. It was not a sickness. It was… possibility.
He could not define it, but he knew enough not to speak it aloud. If the council knew, the children would be burdened before they had even learned to walk.
He opened his eyes, his expression calm, giving nothing away.
"Enough," the Sect Master said. "We will not decide their fates here. The children are blessings, nothing less. Let the disciples and elders rejoice in that truth. Whatever concerns remain—those I will address with Haotian privately."
The others bowed their heads, though unease lingered.
Outside the sealed chamber, the sect buzzed with celebration and speculation. But inside, one man carried a silent burden, knowing there was more to these heirs than anyone else yet realized.
The residence glowed with a gentle warmth. Incense smoldered faintly in the corners, and lanterns hung low, their light softened so as not to disturb the newborns resting in their mothers' arms.
Yinxue sat propped against cushions, her son bundled tightly in pale silk, his tiny breaths steady. Yueru reclined nearby, her daughter swaddled in crimson cloth, sleeping soundly. Around them gathered the rest of the household, the air alive with soft chatter and laughter.
"Two children in one night…" Ziyue shook her head in amazement, though her smile was wide. "At this rate, our residence will become a nursery before long."
Shuyue teased, "Before long? It already is." The women laughed, even Yinxue and Yueru despite their exhaustion.
But then Xiangyin leaned forward, her voice curious. "Husband, what will their names be?"
The room grew quieter. Everyone turned toward Haotian, who had been sitting silently, watching his wives and children with that rare expression of tenderness few ever saw.
He rose slowly, walking first to Yinxue. His golden eyes softened as he looked down at the boy in her arms. "This child will carry your legacy as well as mine," he said gently. "His name will be Haolin—from the endless snow and rain that nourish the world. Not just cold, but abundant. A blessing of heaven's water, vast and unyielding."
Yinxue's lips trembled, her eyes misting as she clutched the baby tighter. "Haolin… our son."
Haotian then turned to Yueru. Her daughter stirred slightly in her arms, tiny fingers curling. Haotian brushed the infant's brow with one hand, his voice low and certain. "And this one shall be Haoru. From your name, Yueru, carrying the grace of jade and the resilience of flowing water."
Yueru's eyes filled with tears as she whispered the name aloud. "Haoru…" She pressed her lips to her daughter's tiny head. "Thank you, Haotian."
The wives all murmured the names softly, repeating them as though to etch them into memory. Tianlan stepped closer, his eyes shining with pride as he whispered, "Haolin… Haoru… my brother and sister."
The two infants stirred faintly, as if responding to their names, their breaths deepening. The room warmed further, filled with the glow of unity, of love, of promise.
Haotian looked around the circle of his wives and children. His chest swelled—not with pride for his own strength, but with the realization that this was his true legacy. A family whose roots ran deeper than the stars.
The night deepened around the Eternal Dawn Sect, the skies shimmering faintly with immortal light. Within his residence, Haotian moved softly between chambers, kissing each of his wives before finally lifting his newborn son and daughter into his arms.
Haolin squirmed gently, his tiny fist clutching Haotian's robe, while Haoru breathed steadily, her little face serene. Haotian smiled faintly—yet behind his calm exterior, his golden eyes flickered.
The Eyes of the Universe opened.
What he saw made his breath still.
Not one set of meridians. Three. Interlacing, layered, flowing like a trinity of rivers within each infant's body. At their centers pulsed not one core, but three, faint yet undeniable.
Haotian's heart jolted. No way… this cannot be…
He delved deeper, tracing each pattern with precise spiritual sense. Every channel, every resonance—exactly like his own.
"My children… inherited my three cores?" he whispered, the weight of the words nearly too much to bear.
Haotian turned sharply, his gaze landing on Tianlan, who sat asleep nearby, his head tilted against the feathers of one of the Ice Falcons. A sweep of the Eyes revealed only normal meridians, a single dantian, a single core. Perfectly strong, but ordinary by comparison.
So it is not all of them… then why?
The realization dawned slowly, chilling him. Could it be the immortal bodies Yinxue and Yueru carried during pregnancy? The surge of immortal chi that had rained down when he broke through the barrier? Had it altered the unborn children, seeding them with the same defiant structure he bore?
If so…
Haotian's thoughts raced. The unborn children. Ziyue's child. Shuyue's. Xiangyin's. Yanfei's. And now Lianhua's second. Each of them may carry it too.
Triple meridians. Triple cores. If they inherit this, then they too will have to walk my path. To resonate three cores, to bear the agony of harmonizing them…
He clenched his fists, his heart heavy. He knew too well the torment of that journey—the tearing of flesh, the shattering of bones, the feeling of being broken and remade with each resonance. Could his children endure it?
That night, Haotian lay awake, staring at the ceiling while his wives and children slept in warmth beside him. His mind refused rest.
Two of his children already bore the mark of the three cores. The others… very likely the same. Their futures would not be simple. They would not walk the path of ordinary cultivators. They would follow in his footsteps—whether they wished it or not.
Haotian closed his eyes, a sigh escaping him. "If fate has placed this upon them… then I will bear the weight beside them. None of my children will suffer alone."
But still, the thought gnawed at him. His bloodline was no longer just mortal. It was something else—something that might change not just the Eternal Dawn Sect, but the starfield itself.
And though he did not yet know if this was gift or curse, he knew one thing for certain: the legacy of the three cores would not end with him.
The midnight air was still, broken only by the ripple of formations as the Sect Master entered Haotian's residence. Haotian met him in the outer hall, careful not to wake his wives or children.
The Sect Master's expression was grave, his voice low. "Your children… their meridians are not natural. I sensed more than one set, layered as though they carry multiple cores. Tell me the truth, Haotian. What are they?"
Haotian hesitated only briefly before answering. "They inherited it from me. The three meridians. The three cores. This is my bloodline, Sect Master."
The Sect Master froze. His thoughts raced, weighing risk against responsibility. At last, his gaze softened with something Haotian rarely saw—resolve mixed with a hint of affection.
"I have thought long about how best to protect them," he said slowly. "If what you say is true, then there is only one way. I will accept all of them as my personal disciples. Every one of your heirs—including Tianlan. Under my name, they will be shielded from scrutiny and politics. None will dare touch them until they come of age."
Haotian's chest swelled with relief, his golden eyes brightening. "Sect Master… thank you. Truly."
But the man shook his head. "This is not for thanks. It is the least I can do, in return for everything you have already given the Eternal Dawn Sect. But I must ask… how are they to cultivate? There has never been such a thing as children with three cores."
Haotian's gaze grew distant, memories flashing in his mind. His voice was steady, but his words carried a weight that filled the chamber. "There is a path. At first, they will seem weak, even unimpressive. Their progress will look like a mistake. But once they reach their first resonance, the heavens will not be silent. A lightning tribulation will come. And with it, ninety-nine golden flood dragons will descend into their bodies. From then on, they will never walk the same path as others."
The Sect Master's eyes widened. "Ninety-nine golden flood dragons… that is a tribulation of legends."
Haotian gave a faint, almost bitter smile. "I know. I faced it myself when I was six. And with it, I awakened the Eyes of the Universe."
The Sect Master staggered, unable to mask his shock. "Six years old…? You endured such a tribulation as a child?"
"Yes," Haotian said simply. "And if my children are to inherit what I carry, then they too will one day face it."
The Sect Master stood in silence, the enormity of the truth sinking into him. At last, he nodded heavily. "Then I will guide them until that day comes. I will treat them as my own disciples. Whatever path they walk, they will not walk it alone."
Haotian bowed deeply, his heart lighter than it had been in many nights. "For that, Sect Master, you have my eternal gratitude."
The council chamber of the Eternal Dawn Sect was sealed tight, its lanterns casting long shadows across the table where the Sect Master and the Grand Elders sat. The air hummed faintly with formations, ensuring no word escaped the chamber.
Elder Xu leaned forward first. "Sect Master, you visited Haotian last night. What did you discover?"
The Sect Master's face was unreadable. He clasped his hands behind his back, his voice even. "I have made a decision regarding his heirs. From this moment forward, all of Haotian's children will be accepted as my personal disciples. This includes his firstborn son, Tianlan."
The chamber erupted in shock.
"Personal disciples?!""That is… unprecedented!""To grant such privilege to infants? Sect Master, this—"
The Sect Master's palm struck the table, silencing them with a single thunderclap of immortal qi. His gaze cut through the chamber, sharp as a blade.
"Do you not understand? With Haotian's presence here, our sect has already been raised higher than we could have ever imagined. His children are not ordinary. If left vulnerable, they will be prey for politics both inside and outside our walls. As my disciples, they are untouchable. None in this sect, nor in others, will dare question their place."
The Grand Elders exchanged uneasy glances, but none could argue. To be named as the Sect Master's personal disciples was the ultimate shield—it placed the children above sect rivalries, beyond the reach of ambition.
One elder finally spoke. "Sect Master… then what of their cultivation? Surely you must have seen something."
The Sect Master's eyes darkened briefly, though he masked it well. He could not reveal the truth of what he had sensed—the strange multiplicity of meridians, the inheritance that was not of this world. He folded his arms.
"They are young. Their potential will reveal itself in time. For now, they will be raised under our protection. That is enough."
Elder Xu's eyes narrowed slightly, studying the Sect Master. He sensed there was more left unsaid, but he held his tongue.
The Sect Master straightened. "This is my decree. Let it be spread carefully to the sect: Haotian's children are to be respected as my own disciples. Any insult or harm to them will be treated as an offense against me directly. Am I understood?"
The chamber bowed in unison. "Yes, Sect Master."
The Sect Master turned away, his robes sweeping silently across the polished floor. Only once he left the chamber did his brow furrow. Haotian's children… what path lies ahead for you? What burden will you carry?
He exhaled slowly. Whatever the answer, they would face it under his shield. That much, at least, he could give them.
The council chamber of the Eternal Dawn Sect was sealed tight, its lanterns casting long shadows across the table where the Sect Master and the Grand Elders sat. The air hummed faintly with formations, ensuring no word escaped the chamber.
Elder Xu leaned forward first. "Sect Master, you visited Haotian last night. What did you discover?"
The Sect Master's face was unreadable. He clasped his hands behind his back, his voice even. "I have made a decision regarding his heirs. From this moment forward, all of Haotian's children will be accepted as my personal disciples. This includes his firstborn son, Tianlan."
The chamber erupted in shock.
"Personal disciples?!""That is… unprecedented!""To grant such privilege to infants? Sect Master, this—"
The Sect Master's palm struck the table, silencing them with a single thunderclap of immortal qi. His gaze cut through the chamber, sharp as a blade.
"Do you not understand? With Haotian's presence here, our sect has already been raised higher than we could have ever imagined. His children are not ordinary. If left vulnerable, they will be prey for politics both inside and outside our walls. As my disciples, they are untouchable. None in this sect, nor in others, will dare question their place."
The Grand Elders exchanged uneasy glances, but none could argue. To be named as the Sect Master's personal disciples was the ultimate shield—it placed the children above sect rivalries, beyond the reach of ambition.
One elder finally spoke. "Sect Master… then what of their cultivation? Surely you must have seen something."
The Sect Master's eyes darkened briefly, though he masked it well. He could not reveal the truth of what he had sensed—the strange multiplicity of meridians, the inheritance that was not of this world. He folded his arms.
"They are young. Their potential will reveal itself in time. For now, they will be raised under our protection. That is enough."
Elder Xu's eyes narrowed slightly, studying the Sect Master. He sensed there was more left unsaid, but he held his tongue.
The Sect Master straightened. "This is my decree. Let it be spread carefully to the sect: Haotian's children are to be respected as my own disciples. Any insult or harm to them will be treated as an offense against me directly. Am I understood?"
The chamber bowed in unison. "Yes, Sect Master."
The Sect Master turned away, his robes sweeping silently across the polished floor. Only once he left the chamber did his brow furrow. Haotian's children… what path lies ahead for you? What burden will you carry?
He exhaled slowly. Whatever the answer, they would face it under his shield. That much, at least, he could give them.