According to the great scholars of the Shaolin sect, the sun is the energy source of all life. However, for Edina Cha Ling, it serves as an indicator that another day of misery has begun.

The sunlight filtering through her broken window rouses her from slumber, her expression sluggish as she slowly awakens.

Her unusual red hair reflects the sunlight, while her skinny, pale skin gives her the appearance of a street beggar from the Beggar Sect of Haiso but In reality, she is the only daughter of the third heir to the esteemed Blazing Dawn Sect, one of the nine great sects of the Central Plains.

This fact is reinforced by her delicately crafted clothing, reserved for those of noble birth. Edina rises from her uncomfortable bed, her marble-like blue eyes still heavy with sleep. As she moves to stand, she reaches for her cane to support herself, her gait unsteady.

She makes her way towards the sliding door that leads to the hallway, but before she can enter, it slides open, revealing a maid with a haughty grin.

"Well, it seems the young miss knows what year it is today, huh? You woke up on your own too, it seems you finally got back to your senses" the maid, Xiao Min, remarks, her tone condescending.

Confused by Xio Min's comment, Edina remains silent, simply nodding in response. "Come now, there's no time to waste. The Sect Leader is hosting a breakfast banquet today, and you need to be prepared. Into the bath with you!" Xiao Min commands, her demeanor disregarding Edina's limp and discomfort, despite her noble status as a young mistress of the sect.

The disregard for Edina's status stems from the events of a year ago.

Her father, Jinwei Cha Ling, the youngest son of the sect leader Liang Feng Cha Ling, and her mother, Elara Cha Ling (formerly Von Nemesis), the princess of the Leon Empire of the western continent, were returning from the imperial Palace for a meeting with the imperial family.

Their carriage was viciously attacked by a grandmaster-level martial artist and two grand Wizards from the western continent, resulting in the deaths of both her parents and the entire guard team.

During the chaos of the fight, Edina was mostly unconscious, only awakening to find herself amidst the aftermath with a broken leg.

Since then, she has been under the care of her Aunt,Li Mei Cha Mu, the second born to the sect leader and second in line for succession.

Her aunt harbored a deep-seated hatred for her father and mother, often referring to Edina as "half-blood" due to her mother being from a different country and continent.

Despite her aunt's animosity, Edina and her mother never let such insults affect them.

After all, Jinwei, her father, was one of the most esteemed martial artists in the history of the Blazing Dawn Sect. His section of the sect, the Jinwei Mansion, generated the most profit for the sect and was highly favored by the emperor. However, with both her parents gone, her aunt seized the opportunity to appeal to the sect elders, gaining custody of Edina.

Xiao Min roughly pushed Edina into her bathtub and briskly cleaned her up, hurriedly dressing her in silk clothes befitting a young mistress.

Such occasions didn’t occur every day; they were reserved for when Edina’s grandfather requested her presence or when she was to be visited by elders.

Her Aunt Li Mei always ensured that Edina appeared proper in front of others, crafting an image of a caring aunt. Once Edina was dressed, Xiao Min's entire demeanor changed as she gently took Edina's hand, supporting her with a silent mutter, "I even have to help this cripple for Mistress Li Mei." Edina heard it, but her shy and fearful nature kept her silent as she accepted the help.

With one hand gripping her cane and the other held by Xiao Min, Edina made her way through the hallway into the Great hallway, which connected all the Mansions in the sect.

The corridor was flanked by open sides, offering views of the training fields where sect disciples trained and roamed about.

Taking a right turn and then the third corridor led them to the Blazing Sun Mansion, the main Mansion housing the sect's administration staff and her grandfather, the sect leader.

Upon entering the Mansion hallway, with Xiao Min's support, Edina turned into the fourth corridor, where an announcer stood by the door. He glanced at Edina and Xiao Min before nodding.

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With a deep breath, he announced her arrival, "The Young Mistress Edina Cha Ling." He seemed to struggle slightly with her foreign name, likely indicating he was new staff.

Without delay, he promptly opened the sliding door to reveal a large table occupied by all the elders of the sect, the Cha Ling Family, and an imperial merchant. Xiao Min helped Edina to her seat and carefully seated her. As Edina observed those gathered at the table.

On the left sat the three Elders of the Sect, each also heading a sub-clan line within the sect. First was Qin Han Cha Mu, his white hair exuding a sage-like aura, clad in traditional elder attire.

Next to him sat Dao Cha Mo, a man in his thirties with black hair cascading to his ear ends, dressed in slightly fancier attire. Completing the trio was Lu Cha Mi, an elderly man with surprisingly dark hair, dressed in respectable clothing.

On the opposite side of the table sat Edina's Uncle, Lu Mingfe Cha Ling, the firstborn of the sect leader. His long black hair flowed down his shoulders, adorned in the attire of a martial artist, the green hues accentuating his stature.

Beside him sat his wife, Qin Cha Ling, her long black hair framing a friendly smile. She hailed from a prestigious sub-clan line in the Mount Hua Sect, one of the nine great sects.

Adjacent to them was Edina's Aunt, Li Mei Cha Mu (formerly Cha Ling before marriage), her dark black hair elegantly tied in a bun, adorned in a vibrant red silk robe.

Standing beside her was her husband, Han Cha Mu, tall and muscular, representing the Mu family's lineage within the sect.

Edina, positioned between her Aunt and her Uncle, was the third-born’s daughter and the sole surviving member of her family, hence third in line for succession.

Seated at the head of the table, in the center, was her grandfather, Liang Feng Cha Ling, the venerable leader of both clan and sect. Despite his white hair and beard, he possessed a youthful vigor, a testament to his mastery of martial techniques.

His countenance radiated wisdom as he adorned himself in fine silk attire.

Opposite her grandfather, occupying the guest seat in the center, was an imperial merchant. Adorned in the uniform of the empire, complete with a hat, he exuded a youthful air, his black hair flowing to his shoulders.

Edina found solace in the seriousness of the meeting, relieved that her cousins, who often bullied her, were absent. Only members deemed worthy candidates for succession were present, lending a sense of relief in Edina’s heart.

Edina greeted her grandfather as soon as she settled. "This granddaughter greets the esteemed Grandfather," she said respectfully.

Liang Feng looked at her with indifference, then remarked, "You have grown quite skinny since I last saw you, Edina. Mourning the passing of Jinwei is your right, but you can't have it deteriorate your health."

Edina merely nodded. However, she wasn't skinny due to lack of food or mourning; rather, she wasn't being given proper nourishment, thanks to her Aunt. Of course, Liang Feng was mostly aware of Li Mei's actions, but he couldn't openly acknowledge them.

Doing so would reveal his reliance on spies within the family's Mansions, potentially throwing the sect into chaos. Therefore, he could only do so much until Li Mei slipped up or Edina herself spoke out.

Liang Feng sighed and then announced, "This is... ah, Keith Max.. Maxism, one of the merchants working in the imperial Mansion and the ambassador for the Leon Empire of the western continent."

Despite visibly struggling with the foreign name, Liang Feng properly introduced the merchant to everyone. Edina glanced at him; it was her first time encountering someone from the Leon Empire besides her mother.

Of course, the Imperial family of the Leon Empire had visited when she was just a child, but this was her first interaction with a Leonese individual as a young woman.

Keith removed his hat and spoke, addressing Edina, "Your Highness Edina Von Nemesis Cha Ling, I am Keith Von Maxism.

I was entrusted by your mother to keep this Imperial heritage secure until you come of age. However, I am to depart for the Leon Empire soon.

It will be years before my return, so I am here to entrust this to the care of the Blazing Dawn Sect." With that, he opened a metal box, revealing a necklace with intricate designs, clearly not crafted by human hands.

It emitted a purple light and an energy unfamiliar to most people in the eastern continent—Mana, the energy used in the magic arts of the western continent.

This same art was mastered by Edina's mother, Elara, who held the title of grand Wizard. Keith continued, "A Pure Mana Stone Necklace made by the best magic craftsmen in the Leon Empire.

It is to be worn only by the Imperial Family of the Leon Empire, along with ten thousand gold bars sent by the Leon Empire for your coming-of-age ceremony." Upon hearing the amount of gold bars presented, every person at the table's heart shook.

Even the Imperial family of the central plains didn’t possess more than a hundred thousand gold bars in their reserves, yet here this merchant was offering it to the sect, albeit for safekeeping.

Despite his shock, Liang Feng maintained a calm demeanor as he said, "We are grateful to the Imperial Nemesis Family for taking such care for Edina's future and well-being. I give you my word that this heritage will be kept safe in the Blazing Sun Mansion's most secure vault until her coming of age."

Keith nodded and looked at Edina for approval. Edina, conditioned by her Aunt, didn't enjoy being the center of attention. She simply wanted to nod and retreat to her room for solitude. As she was about to nod, Li Mei interjected,

"What do you mean, father? Isn’t Edina under my care? How could you place the inheritance in the Blazing Sun Mansion? Shouldn’t it be safeguarded in my family’s Mansion, the Mu Mansion?"