The two of them stood tall inside in Lord Xu’s office at the armory.

“I thought you wouldn’t come back,” Lord Xu began to speak as his eyes softened looking at him.

Zhong Tian turned his back to him and asked, “How is he..?” as he was facing the painting on the wall.

“He’s a healthy child, but seven years ago, the Regal Spirit appeared unexpectedly. I controlled it with the aura suppressor technique you taught me and created a barrier to hide his aura, keeping him away from leaving the residence because... I worry that it might erupt again.” Lord Xu replied.

“I see...”

“Do you want to see him?”

“No, I came to give you this,” Zhong Tian said, revealing a pill inside a box.

“This… Pacifying Spirit Pill…?! This is an eight-level quality pill! How did you get this?”

“It doesn’t matter where I got that. Make sure he takes that when the time comes,” he instructed.

“Why…?” Lord Xu asked, examining the potion closely.

“The Regal Spirit within him is on the verge of awakening. It’s not easy to handle such a force at such a young age, and if the phenomenon is going to happen, enemies will see it and might come after him. And that pill will help him conceal his aura and manage the pain.”

“What…?! But isn't it too early for it to awaken?”

“Yes, I know it’s too early. I also think something is wrong but I can sense that time is coming...”

“...” Lord Xu couldn’t speak more and was lost in thought for a moment.

“That’s all I came for.” Then Zhong Tian continued.

“I get it, but aren’t you going to see him?”

“No, not until he’s strong enough to face the dangers ahead. Plus, I have things that have to be done in order to revive my clan ”

“Then, I’m always here if you need help..”

“Thank you for your generous offer, but I must decline. Accepting it would jeopardize your clan, and I can't allow that. You've already done so much to ensure his safety.” Lord Xu was silent for a moment thinking that his words were true.

“I understand… but you really don’t want to see him?”

“This is the third time you asked me that. Like what I said, I don’t want to. It’s for the best and… you’re his father now.”

“Even so, you’re his biological father. I can’t indefinitely keep the truth from him.”

“A father looks after his child, but I, as the one who abandoned him, don’t deserve that title.”

“You didn’t abandon him. If you had, you wouldn’t be here with this pill. Your actions show you care more than you think.”

Then Zhong Tian smirked slightly, pausing before he spoke again. “I shall take my leave before the sun rises,” he said, moving toward the door.

Lord Xu couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of sorrow and regret within him. But just as he was about to leave the room, Lord Xu asked one last question that made Zhong Tian stop in his tracks. “How have you been all these years?”

“…”

“…”"Right as rain," he exits the door while Lord Xu watches him leave.

…

When Xu Hanyu opened his eyes, he found himself in the remains of an ancient palace. The strong walls had fallen apart, leaving sharp fragments from a battle that happened long ago. The air was thick, as if the stones held onto dark memories. The sky overhead seemed threatening, filled with twisting black clouds and flashes of lightning that brightened the dark atmosphere.

"What is this place...?" Xu Hanyu whispered, his voice barely breaking the eerie quiet.

His eyes were drawn to a shiny round platform ahead. He climbed the old steps, the sound of his boots softly echoing, until he reached a beautifully decorated altar in the center. It gleamed in bright white, with detailed patterns that seemed to move.

On the altar lay a crown, its colors shifting between blue, purple, and gold, giving off a strange energy that sent chills down his spine. It called to him, impossible to resist.

"That's... amazing..." he whispered, his fingers twitching as he slowly reached for it, mesmerized by its glow.

When his fingers were about to touch the crown, the world around him started to break apart.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

A chilling darkness rushed in from the sides of the altar, engulfing the platform completely. Xu Hanyu felt his breath stop as the light vanished, leaving only a deep emptiness. He tried to move but felt stuck, like he was frozen in the air. A rough, creepy voice echoed in the darkness, sharp and strange, as if it was coming from deep underground.

“It’s almost time…”

Xu Hanyu’s heart raced, panic rising in his chest. What did it mean? What was happening?

The darkness wrapped around him fast, leaving just a heavy, strange silence.

…

Xu Hanyu woke up suddenly, his heart pounding and his breath shallow as he placed a hand on his chest. Pieces of the dream still hung in his mind: the ruins, the crown, and a strange voice that felt just out of reach. He struggled to get up, trying hard to hold onto his fading memories as they slipped away like sand.

"What was that...?" he whispered, frustration creasing his forehead. The heaviness of the dream lingered, leaving him with a persistent sense that something significant had occurred, yet the details were already blurring as he fully awakened.

No matter how hard he tried, the details escaped him, fading like a dream after waking up. He felt uneasy, like he was missing something important, just beyond his grasp. With a deep sigh, he tried to push the thought away.

There was no point in dwelling on it—he’d forget soon enough. The day was ahead, and he needed to focus on what was in front of him, not on confusing dreams that made no sense.

As he straightened, he felt the weight of his growth. Now, looked taller now, his hair neatly tied back. Dressed in the familiar black and purple attire of the Xu Clan. The room was calm, peaceful—the real world, not that disorienting dreamscape.

Just as he was about to get up, a knock sounded at the door followed by a voice.

“Little brother? Can I come in?”

Sister Xu Lian?

"Sister, come in…!" he called, his voice steady, despite the odd feeling that still lingered in his chest.

The door creaked open, and Xu Lian entered, holding a brown basket. She had also grown taller unlike years ago, her long brown hair unchanged, her kind eyes shining brightly with that familiar, cheerful calmness.

"Sister, what brings you here? And what are you holding?"

She smiled and said, "I brought you a little present," placing the basket on the table. She opened it carefully, and the mouthwatering scent of freshly steamed baozi filled the air, causing Xu Hanyu's stomach to rumble.

"Baozi…?"

Xu Lian nodded with a playful "Hm," then added, “All of these are for you from outside, so make sure to savor them…!”

Xu Hanyu laughed, shaking his head. "There are five of them… I doubt I can eat them all. How about we share?"

"Don't worry, I specifically got those just for you, you know?" she teased.

"Alright, I won't push it..." he said with a grin, reaching for one of the baozi.

As he took a bite, he let the warm, comforting taste fill his senses, and slowly the strange unease from the dream faded away. For now, he focused on the present, on the little joys of the day—though the sensation that something important had been lost still lingered at the back of his mind.

"Let's take a seat," Xu Lian suggested, gesturing for him to sit down, and the young man nodded in response. "Just be careful not to spill anything, and take your time eating," she added.

It always has been like this; his sister Xu Lian frequently brought him baozi from outside. Even if he wished to go out himself, he was unable to do so because their father, Xu Dan, strictly prohibited him from leaving the residence everyday.

Like what we heard, many believed that Lord Xu's restrictions stemmed from a fear of him spreading a mark that the others believed was a curse. But was that truly the reason for his father's confinement of him? It was a question that lingered in his mind, and he doubted it was not the whole truth.

Reflecting on this, he felt a deep desire for the outside world. The monotony of staying in one place was becoming unbearable. Now that he is fifteen, he longed for the adventures his sister Xu Lian is experiencing.

While he ate, Xu Lian observed him quietly, noticing the shift in his expression as he seemed lost in thought. Concerned, she asked, "Little brother, are you alright?" Xu Hanyu snapped back to reality and met her gaze.

"Ah, yes... I'm fine. Were you saying something, sis?"

Xu Lian shook her head gently and replied, "Nothing... I’m just a bit worried. You seem a little down today. What’s on your mind?"

“Nothing really…” With that, Xu Lian didn’t believe him and raised an eyebrow. The young master was hesitant to say it, looking away trying not to look at her eyes.

“…”

After a moment, finally he gave up and sighed before saying, “I… I was just thinking about what… the outside world is like when you’re out there.”

Xu Lian realized what Xu Hanyu meant; she understood he wanted to see the world beyond.

“…”

"Can you tell me what people do outside? I just want to know what being a normal person feels like..." As she heard him, a surge of compassion washed over her.

Xu Lian softly pressed her arm to her face and said, "Alright, I'll tell you everything I've witnessed out there..." while she gently ran her fingers through Xu Hanyu's hair.

With that, Xu Lian started to tell stories about the outside world which captivated Xu Hanyu, who eagerly listened while enjoying his baozi. After hours of tales, Xu Hanyu felt inspired to explore beyond his surroundings.

“Woah…! What happened after the battle finished, sis...?”

"Hm, I can't quite recall, we were left hanging on that one…" Xu Lian said, stroking her chin in thought. "But you should know that old man had plenty of great stories in his sleeves. The first time I saw him was about a year ago, but when I returned to that restaurant, he was already gone. It was disappointing because he left everyone hanging with his last tale!" she complained.

"Oh, but do you remember the title of the story?"

"I think so... If I remember correctly, it was something like the..." she paused as the young master waited for her to continue.

“…”

"the... The Tale of Seven... Sovereign something?"

"Was it any good?"

"I'd say no, that was the story he left us on a cliffhanger... that's why I'm so annoyed!"

Xu Hanyu then chuckled, "What are you laughing at?"

"Haha...! Nothing, it's just that I've never seen you act this way..."

“Ha! If it’s you, I bet you’d do the same thing…” she said, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes playfully. Xu Hanyu just shook his head, closing his eyes briefly, a smirk on his face.

Someday, I know the opportunity to discover the world will come my way.

To achieve that...

I have to be stronger, the first step to my freedom.