Distant thumps of the dawn drum echoed across the Sa Clan's territory, mingling with the crowing of roosters, announcing the start of a new day.

Today was the opening ceremony for the three major clans of the city—a tradition where young cultivators were supposed to open their sea cores and awaken their Ka. Of course, it was merely a custom the four clans had adopted after founding the city; There's no law that dictated when cultivators who didn’t belong to any of the three clans should open their sea cores.

Outside the three clans, anyone could open theirs whenever they wished, as long as their force gate had fully formed.

Tan Chen, for example, had already opened hers, and she possessed 2-star aptitude.

In the quiet courtyard of their new home, beneath an old, gnarled tree, Sa Min sat on a stone chair, eyes closed, thinking and enjoying the gentle morning breeze. The warm scent of tea wafted from the clay cup he held, filling his nostrils with warmth.

He had slept only a little the night before. It wasn’t out of excitement, like Sa Juan, who couldn’t sit still for a second, nervously pacing back and forth across the cobblestoned courtyard.

Sa Min just wanted to enjoy these quiet moments that he might not have again for a long time.

Cup after cup of tea had been brought to him by Hou Qing, his slave. And throughout the long night, Sa Min found himself facing the Celestial Heaven, wondering, What’s happening up there? What were his enemies doing? Was there anyone who still remembered him?

Sa Min knew, with a quiet certainty, that no one had mourned his death—not even his own children. The thought didn’t trouble him, though. There was no sadness, no anger, no hate, and definitely no guilt.

How much has the world really changed in the last sixteen years? Sa Min thought, taking a slow sip of his tea. From the journals he had read, things are certainly getting more exciting… The clash between the Resistance Army and the Heavenly Union is growing. The world's order is changing and…

Thinking on this, Sa Min's heavy, stony heart could not help but stir a slight with excitement. Yet this flicker of emotion remained hidden behind his calm, indifferent face. Sa Min understood well that his excitement would not speed up his cultivation; only aptitude would.

"Brother, brother! Wake up!" A familiar, excited voice broke through the silence. "It's time for the ceremony. Come on, let's go!"

Sa Min slowly opened his eyes, looking over toward the moon gate. Two young women stood there—Sa Juan, nervously wringing her hands, was looking at him with pleading eyes, urging him to hurry up. She wore her veil as always.

Most women in the Xi Empire still wore veils that covered the lower half of their faces, even though the law requiring them had been abolished long ago, as they saw the veil as a shield from unwanted stares.

Standing just behind her was her slave, a woman who looked like any other mortal slave—beautiful, submissive, and utterly joyless. She wore a pale yellow robe, the standard attire for mortal slaves in the Eastern Plane, whether male or female.

Sa Min's gaze shifted back to the cup in his hand, still half full.

"Not yet," he said lazily, lifting the cup to his lips and taking a slow sip.

"What? Not yet? It's already time!" Sa Juan's silk robes fluttered as she gestured in frustration. "Everyone’s already heading to the ceremony—"

"When I finish my cup," Sa Min interrupted with a calm tone.

"Please, brother, please." Her voice trembled, sounding as though she were about to cry. "I want to get a good spot on the list."

Sa Min regarded her again, this time giving her that intimidating, piercing look that always made her count her toes. "Do not bother me."

“Imm…” Sa Juan mumbled something, her face twisting with a mix of anger, frustration, and helplessness.

"If you think going first will somehow give you a better sea core." Sa Min paused to take another leisurely sip, "then by all means, go ahead. No one's stopping you."

"My... f-father," she stammered, "he told me to follow behind you."

Sa Min shrugged indifferently.

Frustrated, she turned sharply and stormed off, each step pounding against the ground. Her slave followed closely behind her obediently.

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Wonder what she’d do if her aptitude turned out to be better than mine, Sa Min mused, and a wry grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Who gave a damn? Her aptitude had nothing to do with his cultivation, so why should he care?

Unhurried, Sa Min savored what was left in his cup, then rose and stretched, shaking off the morning sluggishness. "Hou Qing," he called, "bring water." Hou Qing, nearby and waiting, rushed over.

In the Eastern Plane, it was common for cultivators to have mortal slaves trailing behind them wherever they went — they're very cheap to buy. Sa Min, however, never let his slave follow him around or stay too close to him.

And it was for a good reason.

After washing himself as usual, he dismissed his slave and headed outside.

Sa Juan, who had been waiting nearby in rage, followed silently behind him through the moon gate, her head down and fists clenched.

He paid her no mind. Instead, his attention landed on a group of Beyond Mortal Cultivators sitting in the forecourt.

As soon as they noticed him, they scrambled to their feet, awaiting his approach.

From the color of their robes, it was clear they were the clan's guards.

"Greetings," one of them said, bowing slightly. "You must be Sa Min."

Sa Min frowned, but he already had an inkling of why they were here. "That’s me. What’s going on?"

"Nothing that is serious," answered one of them with a tone of respect. They knew better than to disrespect someone of high status, especially someone rumored to have 3-star aptitude, maybe even 4-star aptitude—the kind of potential that could lead them all one day.

"Before your father went to the main courtyard, the clan ordered us to escort you there," the guard explained.

"Why is that?" Sa Min asked, already knowing the answer.

"You’re an outer disciple of the city’s Cultivation Academy, so you’re already aware of the recent disappearances. People with colored eyes have been vanishing all over the city. And…” The guard hesitated, carefully considering his words. “Well, you have colored eyes.."

Black hair, almond-shaped dark brown eyes, and fair skin—this was the typical appearance of humans on the Eastern Plane. It was not common to see someone with blonde hair, blue eyes, or darker skin.

Some cultivators—though they were few—harbored a dislike for those with blond appearances. This animosity stemmed from thousands of years ago, when Westerners from the Heavenly Union colonized the Eastern Plane.

Since Sa Min had striking light blue eyes that set him apart from the norm, the guard was clearly anxious not to offend him.

When Sa Min’s expression remained as it was, the guard let out a sigh of relief. He really didn’t want to provoke the next patriarch, or at least that's what he believed.

Sa Min raised an eyebrow. "So the clan fears I might be targeted?"

Sa Min had always had a keen interest in news,be it local gossip or national happenings. So, when the talk about colored-eyed individuals started surfacing three months ago, he was quick to take notice. At first, he didn’t think much of it, but as the disappearances didn’t stop, he realized he needed to be more vigilant.

During this period, he refrained from taking any missions solo and always went with a group. He also tried to avoid dangerous or isolated areas.

He simply had grown more cautious as he didn’t know who was behind these incidents and why.

Even Sa Huiqing had come to him, advising him to be careful.

"Well, yes, that's part of it," the Ka wielder replied. "Also, we want to be prepared in case the other clans try something foolish. Who knows, you might possess 4-star aptitude."

"Um, excuse me, the ceremony is…" In the background, Sa Juan tried to point out the time, but no one seemed to hear her.

Sa Min smiled at the guard. "Don't say that just yet. I haven’t even opened my sea core yet," he said, while inside he found the whole idea of being guarded while attending the ceremony ridiculous.

If anyone wanted to harm him, it could have happened already—he had walked the city streets alone just yesterday.

But whatever.

"No, no, you definitely have it," another guard piped up, his eyes filled with admiration. "No one doubts that, and you shouldn’t either."

Sa Min sighed. "I hope so."

I really hope this body is fortunate enough, Sa Min thought. A superior sea core would spare him plenty of trouble. If he ended up with a lousy one, he’d have to use some demonic methods…

Besides, Sa Min nonchalantly scratched his nose to hide the creepy smile on his face. Watching these fools realize how stupid they are...that would be a little fun.

Sa Min thrived on moments like that—the shift in people's faces when they finally understood their own stupidity. The fear, the anger, the despair in their eyes. It used to thrill him. Back when he had nothing but his own twisted pleasures, he’d corner people, presenting them with two equally disastrous choices just to enjoy their torment.

But that was a lifetime ago, he reminded himself. Back then, he was a slave to his emotions and desires, with no real direction. Now, everything had changed. He had a purpose. Control. Now, he ruled his desires, not the other way around.

"All right, it's time," Sa Min said, noticing the sun’s light spilling across the courtyard. "Let's hit the road."

With that, they stepped out of the house. The guards leading the way towards the heart of Sa Clan's territory.