The winds above Azure Cloud City had changed.
Dark clouds rolled over the distant mountains, gathering like silent beasts over Black Moon Ridge. From the balcony of the patriarch's residence, Lin Tianyu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
The inheritance.
The first great opportunity was meant for the Son of Heaven.
And now—
It would become his.
Beside him, Mu Xue'er had already changed into a pale blue cultivation robe embroidered with silver frost lotuses. The bridal elegance from last night had faded, replaced by the cold, sharp aura of the Moon Frost Fairy.
Her blue eyes followed his gaze.
"When do we leave?"
Lin Tianyu was about to answer—
When the system exploded in crimson light.
[Ding!]
[EMERGENCY FATE ALERT DETECTED]
His pupils contracted.
The golden system panel that appeared this time was far larger than before.
Lines of fate crisscrossed the screen like glowing threads.
One line pulsed violently in blood-red.
[Secret Realm Alert]
Location: Spirit Mist Valley
Time Until Opening: 6 Hours
Realm Type: Ancient Trial Ground
Destined Beneficiary: Xiao Feng
Primary Reward: Frost Soul Lotus
Secondary Fate Event: Heroine Rescue
Lin Tianyu's heartbeat quickened.
This was bigger than the sword tomb.
A double fate event.
Not just an opportunity.
A heroine rescue event.
Classic protagonist structure.
The Son of Heaven would enter the secret realm, rescue a heroine in danger, obtain a rare treasure, and strengthen both cultivation and reputation.
But now—
The system had warned him first.
Mu Xue'er immediately noticed the shift in his expression.
"What happened?"
Lin Tianyu turned toward her.
"The mountains can wait."
Her brows furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"There is a secret realm opening today."
The moment he said that, Mu Xue'er's icy calm broke.
"A secret realm?"
She stepped closer.
"Where?"
"Spirit Mist Valley."
Her expression changed instantly.
"That place hasn't opened in over thirty years."
Interesting.
So even the original memories had little information about it.
The system chimed again.
[Detailed Event Projection Available]
A stream of images flashed through Lin Tianyu's mind.
Mist-covered ruins.
A lotus pond is glowing under moonlight.
A young woman trapped by a serpent beast.
Xiao Feng descends like a hero.
Saving her.
Then, obtain the Frost Soul Lotus.
Lin Tianyu's eyes narrowed.
So that's the heroine event.
The system panel has been updated.
[Fated Heroine]: Su Yueran
[Future Role]: Xiao Feng's second woman
[Special Physique]: Snow Spirit Vein
[Compatibility with Host]: Very High
Lin Tianyu's smile slowly deepened.
Another heroine.
Another opportunity.
Another thread of fate meant for Xiao Feng.
Excellent.
This was becoming more interesting by the moment.
Mu Xue'er studied him carefully.
Then her eyes sharpened.
"This secret realm… is connected to Xiao Feng, isn't it?"
Lin Tianyu glanced at her.
Her instincts were terrifyingly sharp.
"Yes."
A brief silence followed.
Then Mu Xue'er's voice turned cold.
"Then we leave immediately."
Lin Tianyu nodded.
"Prepare for battle."
The two descended from the patriarch's residence and crossed the inner courtyard.
As they walked, Lin Tianyu summoned one of the trusted clan guards.
"Prepare a fast spirit carriage."
The guard immediately bowed.
"At once, Patriarch."
Within minutes, a black spirit carriage pulled by two wind-maned spirit horses stood ready outside the Lin Clan gates.
Lin Tianyu stepped inside first.
Mu Xue'er followed.
The carriage surged forward like a gust of wind.
The city streets blurred.
The morning market had barely awakened.
Vendors shouted.
Cultivators passed.
Clan disciples whispered.
And in the central square—
A familiar figure stood.
Grey robes.
Sword at his waist.
Sharp eyes.
Xiao Feng.
For the first time, their eyes met.
Even from a distance, Lin Tianyu could feel it.
The protagonist's aura.
A strange pressure.
As if the world itself leaned slightly toward him.
Xiao Feng's gaze lingered on the spirit carriage.
Then shifted to Mu Xue'er.
A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.
Recognition.
Interest.
Perhaps even the first instinctive pull of fate.
But the carriage did not stop.
Lin Tianyu met his gaze calmly.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Not mocking.
Not hostile.
But challenging.
Xiao Feng frowned.
For reasons he could not explain, the moment he looked at the man inside the carriage, a strange sense of danger rose in his heart.
As if something precious—
something meant for him—
was moving farther away.
The carriage vanished into the city outskirts.
Inside, Mu Xue'er looked at Lin Tianyu.
"That was him."
Lin Tianyu nodded.
"Yes."
Her eyes turned colder.
"He was looking at me."
Lin Tianyu's smile deepened.
"He was looking at what he is about to lose."
The words hung in the air.
Spirit Mist Valley was now less than three hours away.
And somewhere inside that hidden realm—
Another woman fated to stand beside the Son of Heaven was waiting to be saved.
But today—
The patriarch would arrive first.