My All-Seeing Sight gift, acquired after breaking the Limit, came bearing other extraordinary gifts! With my evolved sight—so keen that even the Sky Above Emperor would feel jealous if he knew I possessed it—came a powerful, perceptive mind, sharp and intuitive.
This elevated awareness allowed me to comprehend the intricacies of cultivation techniques and the secrets of the Dao with the ease of breathing.
This made me special among my siblings and fellow disciples in the Heaven Secret Sect, setting me apart as a true genius, a one-in-a-billion talent.
At the tender age of five, while others began their cultivation journeys at twelve, I was already embarking on a path toward immense power. My reputation soared, and I became known as the most talented genius across the Sky Above Realm and the nearby realms!
Powerful families, including the illustrious Chu Family—the family of the Sky Above Emperor—came to my family, offering marriage proposals that would tie their fates to mine. Yet, thanks to my mother's unwavering support, I refused them all.
"The world is vast, and the skies even vaster. The secrets of the heavens elude us, bound by an iron grip despite our immense powers. I yearn to uncover them! I cannot be shackled by commitments that distract from cultivation itself!" I proclaimed with conviction.
Most were awed by my words, recognizing the wisdom they offered to their own paths in cultivation. They accepted my refusal, grateful not to hinder the genius of a generation. The young, beautiful girls who once dreamt of being engaged to me returned home with sorry smiles. Although the Sky Above princess bore a hint of disappointment, she reluctantly agreed after her mother's relentless urging.
However, I reassured them with a twinkle in my eye, "I wish to marry each of you after I reach a cultivation base I'm comfortable with! Fret not!" My playful tone and charm left them with happy smiles, filled with hope for a future that might still include me.
What none of them realized, hidden behind my "insightful" words, was my darker nature—the true reason behind my rejections.
My incestuous desires drew me only toward women related to me, a secret I would guard until I achieved the cultivation base that could protect me from scrutiny. Once I reached that level, I would explore my desires freely, while others would only sing my praises, calling me "the most wise and gifted."
Today marked the culmination of my efforts; I had finally achieved that cultivation base. It was time for me to embrace my true self.
As I stood, a powerful ripple swept through the Heaven Secret Sect. My presence emanated an invisible aura that resonated like a thunderclap, the air trembling in response to the raw power of a cultivator of my caliber. With one last sharp inhale, I launched off the ground, ready to soar through the skies.
Oh… wait!
"ChiChu!" I called out softly, yet my voice rippled through the very fabric of space, breaking the silence with its resonance.
From one of the peaks, a magnificent white dragon burst forth, its immense wings casting a gust of wind that swept across the Heaven Secret Sect. The dragon, my Spiritual Beast companion, was enveloped in a spiraling aura of white spiritual qi that flowed from its body, a testament to its strength and majesty.
With a roar that shook the heavens, ChiChu ruled the skies, its feminine presence commanding respect from all. The very air shimmered with energy as the dragon halted at a nearby peak, careful not to intrude upon my sect master's manor.
Its powerful wings beat rhythmically, creating a storm of energy and grace that captivated anyone who dared to look up.
"ChiChu!" I called out again, my voice rising above the sound of wind and chaos, filled with affection and adore for my magnificent companion.
With its brilliant scales glistening in the sunlight and a proud stance that exuded confidence, ChiChu was more than just a beast; she was my partner in this vast, boundless world. Together, we would explore the hidden depths of our power and uncover the secrets of the universe.
_____
Down in the sect, whispers of the youngest young master, Yue Phaelo, son of the Sect Master of the Heaven Secret Sect and heir to the prestigious Yue Family, flew around like wildfire, filling every corner of the vast sect.
From the lowest outer disciple to the most revered elders, everyone spoke of him in hushed tones, their words soaked in awe, envy, or admiration.
The sight of ChiChu, the white dragon that only obeyed Yue Phaelo, cutting through the sky like a streak of divine light, made their suspicions fact. The young master had finally exited seclusion.
In the Medical Hall, where injured disciples recuperated, the whispers took on a life of their own.
"Did you hear? Young Master Yue is out!" said one female disciple, bandaging a fellow cultivator's arm. Her eyes gleamed with excitement.
"He was in seclusion for so long, I almost thought he'd ascended already!" another chimed in, adjusting her patient's robe. "But seeing ChiChu, that beast of his… it's true. He's back!
"The most talented genius in a million years," the first one sighed, her voice barely a whisper. "He started cultivating at five! By now, he's probably reached realms we can only dream of."
Over in the Mission Hall, where disciples took on dangerous tasks for the sect, the conversation was even more animated.
"Forget about his talent," one male disciple chuckled, his eyes wide with awe. "Have you seen him? That face could topple entire sects!"
"I know!" another disciple exclaimed, clutching the mission board. "The female disciples will lose their minds. They've been waiting for his return for months, maybe years. The Sky Above Princess even proposed, and he turned her down!"
"Of course he did," a senior disciple interjected, shaking his head in amusement. "The young master is focused on cultivation. He won't settle for anything less than perfection in both cultivation and life. That's why no one can get close to him."
In the Cultivation Hall, where some of the sect's most promising disciples practiced, the atmosphere was thick with expectation.
"Yue Phaelo's aura... it's unreal. The entire sect felt it when he exited his meditation," one disciple muttered under his breath as he meditated. "No one can match his power, not even the other Heaven Chosen in the nearby realms."
Another nodded gravely. "He's not just any genius. He's the Yue Family's crown jewel. He might even surpass the Sky Above Emperor one day."
And in the Sect Elders' Hall, the conversation was quieter but no less intense.
"I heard the young master is now in the Heaven's Edge Stage of the Heavenly Realm," one elder whispered. "At his age? It's unheard of."
"He was always different," another elder said thoughtfully, stroking his beard. "But there's something else about him. A power that none of us can comprehend. We'll see soon enough what he's capable of."
But nowhere were the whispers louder than among the female disciples. The moment they saw ChiChu, their hearts fluttered, and their chatter grew louder.
"He's the most handsome man in the sect! No one even comes close!" one blushed, her voice rising in excitement.
"And his power!" another disciple added, almost swooning. "Do you think he'll ever take a wife? Can you imagine being the wife of someone like him?"
"Maybe... if I work hard enough..." one dared to dream, but the others quickly laughed it off.
____
Amidst all this excitement, there was one figure who was more deeply connected to Yue Phaelo than any of the gossipers. Inside the Sect Master's Abode, seated in a quiet pavilion overlooking the sect, was Yue Liqin, one of the elders of the Heaven Secret Sect—and Yue Phaelo's aunt.
Unlike the other elders, Yue Liqin wasn't just revered for her cultivation prowess. She was known for her sharp mind and her powerful intuition, as well as her unyielding loyalty to the Yue Family.
Liqin was a woman who seemed to be in her late twenties, though her beauty remained timeless, her long, flowing black hair perfectly contrasted by the white robes she wore. Her features were delicate, with a sharpness in her eyes that belied her tranquil demeanor. Many feared her because of her influence within the sect, but even more admired her for her strength, elegance, and sharp wit.
She was one of the few people who could match Phaelo in conversation and cultivation insight.
____
In her pavilion, Yue Liqin smiled softly, having heard the exaggerated rumors spreading like wildfire. She knew her nephew well. No matter how lofty the praise or how intense the admiration, his mind was always focused.
She was proud of him, of course, but there was a deeper connection between them. She had always looked after him since his childhood and played a key role in shaping his disciplined approach to cultivation.
She raised her cup of tea to her lips, the steam rising gently as she watched the ripples of excitement spread through the sect from her elevated perch.
And then, as if sensing his presence, Yue Liqin's sharp gaze shifted towards the skies, where the figure of her nephew descended with powerful strides, cutting through the air with ease.
"Phaelo," she whispered softly. "You've finally come out of your retreat. I wonder... what have you learned this time?"
Her lips curled into a knowing smile. He had always been different.
But now, she could feel something much deeper—something powerful, almost unfathomable.
As Yue Phaelo approached her, she stood gracefully, ready to greet him with the warmth only family could offer.
"You have grown stronger," Yue Liqin remarked as he landed softly on the pavilion floor. "But strength is only the beginning, isn't it?"
Yue Phaelo smiled, bowing slightly. "Aunt Liqin, you've always seen through me."