Shenlong stood still, his gaze locked on his father, Qin Tian. The patriarch's face was stern but held a glint of something unfamiliar—concern, perhaps even regret. It had been weeks since Shenlong had left the Qin clan in disgrace, and yet, here was his father, waiting in the forest, surrounded by clan members, as if he had been expecting his return.
"Father," Shenlong replied calmly, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. His mind raced, trying to decipher what was truly happening. Had the clan suddenly changed its mind about him, or was there something more behind this unexpected reunion?
Qin Tian stepped forward, his eyes scrutinizing his son. "We have heard disturbing reports, Shenlong. The elders tell me that the Storm Serpent in the Abyss has been slain. And yet, here you stand, unharmed, as if nothing has happened." He paused, his gaze hardening. "What have you done?"
The tension between them was palpable. Shenlong glanced at his sister, Qin Yue, whose worried eyes darted between her father and her brother. She seemed confused, as if she hadn't fully grasped the gravity of the situation either.
Shenlong took a deep breath and met his father's gaze. "I did what I had to. The Storm Serpent attacked me, and I fought back. It was a battle for my life."
A murmur rippled through the other clan members. Many of them knew the legends surrounding the Storm Serpent, one of the most feared demonic beasts in the Abyss. To kill it, especially alone, was an unimaginable feat.
Qin Tian's eyes narrowed. "And how is it that you, a boy whose cultivation was declared stagnant, could achieve such a thing? What are you hiding from us, Shenlong?"
Shenlong's chest tightened. This was the moment he had been dreading. He knew that revealing too much about the pendant and its connection to the ancient legacy would raise even more questions—questions he wasn't yet prepared to answer. But hiding the truth would only deepen his father's suspicions.
"I've had a breakthrough," Shenlong finally said, keeping his explanation vague. "Something awakened inside me during that battle, something I didn't even know was there. I'm not the same as I was before."
Qin Tian studied his son in silence, his expression unreadable. The weight of his authority hung in the air like a blade ready to strike. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke.
"A breakthrough? Is that all?" His voice carried an edge of doubt, but it seemed he wasn't ready to press the matter further. "You've returned at an important time, Shenlong. The clan elders have been discussing the future of the Qin family, and your name has come up more than once."
Shenlong raised an eyebrow. "My name?"
"Yes," Qin Tian said. "Despite the ridicule and whispers that have surrounded you these past years, there are still those who believe in your potential. You may have been cast aside, but not everyone has forgotten your past as a prodigy. The elders are divided—some think your recent exploits should be taken as a sign, that perhaps we were too hasty in our judgment."
Shenlong's jaw clenched. The irony wasn't lost on him. The same clan that had shunned him now debated his worth again, as if his life were a game for them to play with. But he kept his thoughts to himself, knowing that he couldn't afford to burn bridges just yet.
"What do you want from me, Father?" Shenlong asked carefully.
"I want to know if you're willing to fight for your place in this family," Qin Tian replied. "The Qin family stands at the edge of a great opportunity, but also a great danger. The other clans are watching us closely, and soon, alliances will be made—or broken. The question is, can you prove yourself worthy of representing the Qin name in the challenges to come?"
Shenlong's mind raced. It was clear that something more was happening within the clan, something political, but his father wasn't giving him the full picture. Still, the opportunity to reclaim his honor was dangling in front of him. After years of being cast out as "trash," this could be his chance to show them all what he was truly capable of.
But Shenlong knew better than to walk into a situation blindly. "What kind of challenges are we talking about?"
Qin Tian's eyes glinted with an intensity that sent a chill down Shenlong's spine. "There's a tournament in two months—the Alliance Martial Trials. All of the major clans will be sending their strongest disciples. It's not just a contest of strength; it's a show of dominance, a test of which clan is truly the most powerful. The winner will have the chance to secure alliances that could shift the balance of power in the entire region."
Shenlong's heart skipped a beat. He had heard of the Alliance Martial Trials before—legendary among cultivators. Only the most powerful, the most elite, were chosen to participate. The trials were brutal, filled with deadly combat and ruthless competition. It was a stage for the strongest to prove themselves, but also a place where the weak were easily destroyed.
"You want me to compete?" Shenlong asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
"I want you to earn the right to compete," Qin Tian corrected him. "If you can prove to the elders that you're ready, they will support your entry into the trials. But be warned, Shenlong—if you fail to impress them, your place in this clan will be even more precarious than before."
The weight of the offer settled heavily on Shenlong's shoulders. This was no simple challenge; it was a test that could determine his entire future. If he succeeded, he would not only restore his reputation but also rise to a position of power within the clan. But if he failed, he would be cast aside once more, perhaps forever.
Shenlong took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. He had faced death in the abyss, fought against the Storm Serpent, and unlocked ancient knowledge that few could even dream of. He wasn't the same weak boy he had been before. He would not cower in the face of this challenge.
"I'll do it," Shenlong said, his voice steady. "I'll prove to the clan—and to myself—that I'm worthy."
Qin Tian nodded, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Good. You'll begin training tomorrow. The elders will be watching closely."
As the clan members began to disperse, Shenlong felt a hand tug at his sleeve. He looked down to see Qin Yue staring up at him with wide, worried eyes.
"Brother, are you really going to compete in the trials?" she asked quietly.
Shenlong smiled down at her, though his heart was still heavy with the weight of what was to come. "Yes, Yue'er. But don't worry—I've been through worse. I'll make it through this."
She hesitated, then hugged him tightly. "I believe in you."
Shenlong returned the embrace, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. No matter what happened next, he knew that at least one person would always stand by his side.
As night fell and the forest grew quiet, Shenlong stood alone, gazing up at the stars. The trials were just the beginning. Somewhere beyond the horizon lay the answers to his true identity, the secrets of his pendant, and the path that would lead him to his ultimate destiny.
And no matter what challenges lay ahead, Shenlong was ready to face them head