Wu Chi—his name was known to them.
The woman in question was, in fact, Wu Chi's biological mother, the very person who had abandoned him and eloped with another man.
This was no forced decision; it had been entirely her choice.
The middle-aged man now by her side had made it clear over a decade ago—he would not marry a woman with a child. Thus, she had willingly severed all ties with Wu Chi to pursue her new life.
Her marriage had been stable since, and the only connection to Wu Chi had been the periodic payments of child support required by law.
A month ago, she had spoken to Wu Chi for what she claimed was the last time, stating that all ties would be permanently cut.
Yet here he was, unexpectedly making waves again.
"Does he need resources?"
The middle-aged man chuckled, his eyes gleaming. "Or is he here to acknowledge his parentage?"
"Humph! Shamelessness must run in the family. My brother is just like that!" the young girl muttered.
Hearing this, the woman's face grew aggrieved.
The man shot the girl a sharp look. "You're twenty years old—how can you still talk to your stepmother this way? Has she treated you poorly?"
Twenty years old?
Despite her youthful appearance, this seemingly 12-year-old girl was actually 20—four years older than Wu Chi.
Her stunted development was the result of a curse.
Years ago, her parents had ventured into a forbidden zone within their territory during a dangerous descent. The curse they brought back had claimed her mother's life, gravely injured her father, and halted her growth permanently.
Following that tragedy, the woman had successfully transitioned from being a mistress to becoming the man's wife. Her territory was absorbed into his, consolidating their power.
The girl, however, had harbored a deep resentment toward her stepmother for over a decade.
"Forget it! Let this woman eat alone!" she huffed, stomping off.
The remaining diners exchanged helpless glances.
The man sighed, then turned to the woman. "Don't take it to heart. Now, tell me—what's going on with Wu Chi?"
"It seems he won first place in the academy's recent trial," the woman explained, her tone hesitant as she recounted the notification from Shenhe Academy.
"First place?"
The man's expression shifted to one of astonishment.
"Shenhe Academy's trials are significant. If he achieved first place, it must be well-deserved!"
He paused, then added, "Without any family support, he climbed to the top with just his talent and performance? Such potential…"
A faint smile spread across his face. "It seems I must meet him formally.
"When you have the chance, arrange a meeting. I'll prepare a gift."
In the gleaming palace halls of Taiyin City, Wu Chi stretched and stepped outside.
Around him, beautiful women greeted him respectfully.
Some warriors, who had participated in the earlier battle, were recounting their experiences to others, boasting about their overwhelming victories and how even with tools, their opponents were no match.
Wu Chi smiled faintly, not bothering to join in. Instead, he made his way to the World Forum, accessing it seamlessly.
Soon, he stood atop a platform.
Sure enough, Fairy Luo had given him temporary access to Cloud Dream Lake in the "Friends" section.
With a single click, he could step into her domain.
"I wonder what her territory looks like?" Wu Chi mused, curious. "Will it be a vibrant paradise of palaces and celestial scenery? Or a serene mountaintop retreat?"
Without further hesitation, he activated the access.
A thick fog cleared, revealing a path before him.
White jade steps stretched upward, layer upon layer, leading to an unknown destination.
Wu Chi stepped onto the staircase, his figure soon vanishing into the mist.
The Territory of Cloud Dream Lake
Cold.
A biting chill enveloped him as soon as he arrived.
The wind was like a blade, slicing at his face, causing Wu Chi to shiver involuntarily.
Opening his eyes, he found himself in a vast marshland.
Rivers crisscrossed the broken black earth. Endless waterways stretched in every direction, creating a haunting and eerie atmosphere.
The darkness and stillness felt more like the domain of monsters than the ethereal haven he'd imagined.
Suddenly!
Ripples appeared on the water's surface.
At first, they were small—spanning only a few meters. But they quickly grew to 50 meters, then 100, then 500, and soon over a kilometer.
Within moments, massive waves churned across the water, radiating outward for tens of kilometers.
Wu Chi's heart sank as he sensed something colossal stirring beneath the surface.
Instinctively, he switched his template from Qin Keqing to Lin Daiyu, knowing that the latter was far more suited for combat.
With Lin's abilities—growing stronger in battle and capable of rebirth through her bloodline—he felt better prepared to handle whatever lay ahead.
Suddenly, the surface of the water burst open!
A gigantic flood dragon, tens of thousands of meters long, soared into the sky.
Its mountainous head turned, and its golden vertical pupils locked onto Wu Chi.
"…"
Wu Chi's expression tightened. He steadied his breathing, preparing to retreat from Cloud Dream Lake at a moment's notice.
The dragon spoke, its voice raspy yet childlike:
"So, you're Master's disciple, Wu Chi?"
The massive creature's form and its juvenile tone created a jarring sense of contradiction.
Despite his unease, Wu Chi remained calm. "Yes."
"Finally! Master has been waiting for you!"
The dragon grumbled, lowering its head until it reached Wu Chi's level.
"Come. I'll take you to the peak of Cloud Dream Lake!"
Wu Chi didn't waste words. He stepped onto the dragon's head.
Its head was as vast as an island, and Wu Chi stood upon it with ease, needing no handholds to maintain his balance.
With a powerful roar, the flood dragon ascended, spiraling through the skies.
The black waters below receded rapidly as they climbed higher and higher—tens of thousands of meters, then hundreds of thousands.
It was only then that Wu Chi realized the extent of the territory below.
This wasn't a simple marshland. It was an enormous lake, spanning billions of miles.
Beneath him lay a black-water wilderness, bordered by ancient, jagged mountains that seemed to echo with forgotten histories.