The events of the previous day reverberated throughout the city, reaching every member of the Liu Clan. As Xuefeng and Wuying walked to the Clan Leader's mansion, the guards they encountered bowed respectfully, a recognition of Xuefeng's newfound status. No longer just the Young Master, he was now a cultivator with the highest Spirit Talent in the Clan's history.
"Good afternoon, Young Master, Miss Wuying. The Clan Leader awaits you in his study," Elder Ming greeted them as they entered the grand courtyard.
"Hello, Elder. I'm sorry for the trouble I caused yesterday," Xuefeng said, recalling how he had nearly destroyed the hall.
"No problem, no problem. It's good that you advanced safely. Go meet with the Clan Leader, and afterward, I'll take you to the Spirit Treasury for your selection," Elder Ming assured him, waving off the apology.
"We'll head inside then," Xuefeng nodded, navigating the mansion from memory. As he located the main office, he heard Ling's excited voice.
'I can feel the Fate Fragment in this building!'
'That's great. Just tell me when you see the person and I'll talk to them,' Xuefeng replied, sharing her excitement.
'Copy!'
Upon arriving at Liu Xiaobei's study, Xuefeng knocked on the door. Hearing a muffled response, he hesitated before pushing it open. Inside, his mother, Mu Lan, sat in his father's armchair, looking slightly too relaxed. Both parents appeared flustered, with a faint red stain on Liu Xiaobei's lips hinting at what had transpired.
Xuefeng's eyes widened slightly. "We are sorry for interrupting," he said, trying to hide his amusement.
"Ahem, you took some time to get here." Liu Xiaobei cleared his throat, changing the topic. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, I had a good rest and feel great today," Xuefeng replied, sitting on the sofa. "Although I haven't cultivated yet, my stage seems stable enough."
"That's good to hear," Liu Xiaobei acknowledged proudly. "We were going to prepare you a reward for reaching the Spirit Grandmaster stage, but decided it would be best for you to choose one yourself. When you visit the Spirit Treasury, feel free to take whatever you fancy."
Xuefeng raised his eyebrows, recognizing the significance of the reward. Many cultivators risked their lives for rare Spirit Artifacts, yet he was being offered one without effort.
"I will, thank you," he accepted.
"For your future training, we've assigned Wuying as your teacher. She has great experience in hunting beasts, is skilled in cultivation, and well-versed in Spirit Arts. Since you two are already well acquainted, there shouldn't be any issues," Liu Xiaobei introduced with a grin.
Xuefeng exchanged glances with Wuying and nodded in approval. Wuying, though pleased, remained composed like a seasoned soldier.
"I promise to teach him well," Wuying vowed, bowing deeply.
"I hope so," Liu Xiaobei nodded and turned back to Xuefeng. "About your talent... Is there anything you would like to tell us?"
Xuefeng paused, knowing he couldn't reveal the truth. Other Fate Fragment holders would kill him before he could grow stronger if they knew his secret.
'It would be advantageous to tell your parents about your power, but let's wait until you are stronger. You are already in the spotlight, so many Fate Holders will check you out,' Ling suggested. 'Just tell them it is possible to raise talent, but you won't be able to repeat it until you grow stronger.'
"If you ask whether I was a red talent and used some method to increase it, the answer is yes," Xuefeng answered. "Unfortunately, I can't share details for now. My master asked me to first raise my strength before using her secret art on others."
"Master?" Both Liu Xiaobei and Mu Lan stood with eyebrows arched. "Since when do you have a master?"
Even Wuying looked surprised.
"I don't know much about her. One day, she appeared in my dream and asked me to be her disciple in exchange for healing my dantian. She helped me raise my talent during the ceremony," Xuefeng admitted. "I lied about meeting the beggar to cover for her."
His parents sighed in relief. "So that's what happened. I believe it more than the story about the Six Petals Lotus Flower."
Xuefeng was confused. "What flower?"
"Manager Wu said she gave you a rare Spirit Herb that can raise your talent by six ranks. We now know it was a cover for you in front of the Emperor and other clan leaders," Liu Xiaobei explained. "So it was a secret art?"
"It's a unique ability she possesses. It requires a lot of energy, making it troublesome to use," Xuefeng answered honestly, asking Ling in his mind, 'Can it be used on others as well?'
'Yes, but you need at least two more fragments,' Ling informed after calculating.
"I asked my master, and she promised to raise your talents if I train hard," Xuefeng added, shocking his parents.
"Xuefeng, are you serious?" Liu Xiaobei asked, barely keeping his calm. "Tell your master it is not necessary if it's too much. Helping our son is already a blessing."
"I just communicated with her, and she said it wouldn't be a problem. This secret art doesn't have drawbacks besides its cost. I just need enough Qi to use it," Xuefeng clarified. "The only concern is external forces coveting it, as she is not here to protect me."
"That's settled. We told everyone you ate a Six Petals Lotus Flower, so stick to that story," Mu Lan said. "Does your master plan to guide you in your cultivation?"
Wuying's expression faltered until Xuefeng shook his head. "No. I told her I preferred to be taught by Wuying, and she agreed. She said she doesn't have anything to teach me until I reach higher stages."
Mu Lan nodded. "Make sure to work hard to meet your master's expectations. She must think highly of you to heal your dantian."
"Even if I didn't want to, my teacher would push me to train hard," Xuefeng commented, glancing at Wuying.
Although she didn't show it, he felt an invisible pressure from her. Wuying was upset he hadn't mentioned his made-up master.
Liu Xiaobei and Mu Lan noticed his gaze and smiled bitterly.
'He doesn't know yet…' they thought, knowing how demanding Wuying was with her Shadow Guards.
"Wuying, when you teach him, be lenient. He just started cultivating; we don't want to discourage him," the Clan Leader advised.
Her face calm, she replied, "I already prepared a special training plan. Clan Leader doesn't need to worry," she said with a slight smile.
'He's done for,' they both sighed.
"There is one more thing to discuss." Liu Xiaobei changed the topic. "It's about our business relationship with the Trade Union. After Manager Wu helped cover for you, she proposed a generous collaboration. She will need your help with something, and I agreed on your behalf."
"Why did she ask for me?" Xuefeng asked, confused. She had given him a golden card out of the blue, and now this.
"I don't know, you'll have to ask her. This deal benefits the Liu Clan greatly. We can sell our resources at twenty percent higher than market price and buy from their shops at a similar discount. It will help us grow tremendously," Liu Xiaobei explained excitedly.
'Isn't that like granting the clan the golden card?' Xuefeng wondered. "Won't they lose money because of that?"
"No, at most, they will lose some profits," Liu Xiaobei clarified.
"Well, I'm fine with everything," Xuefeng agreed. Manager Wu wouldn't ask him for something ridiculous, right?
"Then it's settled. One last thing, someone wants to meet you. I will call for her now." Liu Xiaobei took out a medallion, sending his Spirit Qi into it. "She will be here in a second," he said, putting it back into his dantian.
Wuying's face changed at the mention of someone coming. Hearing it was a female made her more alert. She looked questioningly at Liu Xiaobei, who smiled helplessly.
'Xuefeng, the person with the Fate Fragment is outside the room. I think it's the person your parents want you to meet,' Ling informed, brightening Xuefeng's mood. He had worried about his survival, yet here was a solution.
"Come in," Liu Xiaobei called after hearing a knock, glancing at Wuying.
'They are bound to butt heads for sure…'