After a few hours of cultivation in his training room, Bai Zihan stood up with a low grunt, brushing the dust off his sleeves.
His sword was stabbed into the ground beside him, vibrating slightly—its edge still shimmering faintly with rejection.
“…Still no good.”
He frowned, eyes narrowing as he glanced at the lingering mark in the air where he’d once again failed to perform the Fate Severing Slash.
He could sense it—just at the edge of his comprehension—but it slipped away every time he reached for it, like mist vanishing under sunlight.
He would’ve liked to keep practicing, but his Qi was nearly depleted due to the high consumption—even though the attempt had failed.
“Tch!”
He grabbed the sword and sheathed it in one clean motion.
His mood was sour, his thoughts jumbled.
With a casual step, he leapt onto the nearby walkway, heading toward his sister’s quarters once more.
As he approached, the soft echo of laughter drifted out from behind the elegant doors.
His steps slowed.
That was his mother laughing.
(What are they talking about?)
Curious now, Bai Zihan pushed open the door with a small creak.
Inside, the scene made him pause.
Mu Yuelan sat comfortably at the tea table, her posture elegant but relaxed, a gentle smile on her face.
Beside her, Chu Ziyan was smiling and chatting with his mother.
They looked too comfortable. Too familiar. As if they’d known each other for years.
He blinked.
“What… happened here?”
Both women turned to look at him.
“Zihan’er, you’re back!”
Mu Yuelan greeted warmly, casually waving her fan.
“Come join us! My daughter-in-law and I were just having a lovely chat.”
(Daughter-in-law?)
Bai Zihan found it strange—just earlier, his mother had been furious about his engagement to Chu Ziyan, and now she was casually calling her that.
He stepped inside slowly, a little suspicious.
His gaze flicked between the two women.
“You… two seem close.”
Chu Ziyan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her tone light.
“Your mother just told me some stories from when you were younger.”
His face immediately darkened.
“Do you want to hear it too, crybaby?”
Chu Ziyan said, almost laughing.
“What?!”
His expression soured further. He snapped his head toward Mu Yuelan.
“Mother!”
Mu Yuelan simply sipped her tea, utterly composed.
“What?” she asked, raising a delicate brow.
“Isn’t it true?”
Chu Ziyan covered her mouth with both hands, her shoulders trembling from silent laughter.
“Don’t act like you didn’t cry every time you got into a fight back then.”
Mu Yuelan continued smoothly.
“Tsk! Tsk! How I miss my old baby.”
Bai Zihan clenched his fists, ears tinged red.
It was a time he didn’t want to remember—when he was naive and bullied by others.
Many had been jealous of him.
Jealous of his position as the Clan Leader’s son, but at the same time, they looked down on him for his so-called measly talent.
So, they ostracized him and said cruel things.
His nickname was ’Crybaby’ since he cried for every little thing.
Well, that lasted for only a couple more years—until they were the ones shedding tears instead.
The very people who mocked him no longer dared look him in the eye.
But it was true. There had been a time when he cried after every beating.
A dark history he’d like to erase.
Mu Yuelan gave a soft sigh, though her eyes held a trace of warmth.
“I was happy and sad when he grew up so fast.”
Her voice was low, almost wistful.
“Tsk! I had no choice,” Bai Zihan muttered.
“If I didn’t, people would think I was easy to bully.”
Chu Ziyan glanced at him, her gaze softer now.
She’d always known him to be a petty person—someone who wouldn’t let even a small grievance slide. But now… she could see why.
She’d assumed he was a troublemaker, just like Bai Xinyue had described him—someone lazy and arrogant.
But the more she got to know him, the more she understood.
Without talent, and with hard work unrewarded, who wouldn’t grow bitter? Why work hard with nothing to get?
Before their engagement, that was all she saw of him.
Afterward… everything changed.
In less than a year, he’d flipped his reputation—going from waste to the top genius of the younger generation.
If not for Mu Yuelan explaining how he couldn’t properly absorb Qi like others back then, she too would’ve believed he was hiding his strength all along like many others believe.
But no—he had really been weak.
And now, he was powerful enough to make even top clans and sects wary.
She could barely believe she once felt superior to him.
Now, despite their engagement being a mere arrangement to silence her parents, her family was the one clinging tightly.
The same relatives who once called her foolish and crazy now urged her to hold onto Bai Zihan at all costs—to keep him away from other girls.
A moment of quiet settled between them.
Then Mu Yuelan clapped her hands once with a smile.
“Alright. Enough reminiscing. Zihan, go wash up. Tomorrow is your big day.”
“…Right,” he muttered, standing.
“The Celebration!”
***
Bai Zihan’s Birthday!
The Bai Clan’s estate was alight with celebration.
Brilliant lanterns floated in the air, casting golden hues over the main courtyard.
Refined zither melodies echoed gently while fragrant incense curled into the sky. Dozens of servants moved with practiced grace, guiding arriving guests to their seats.
This wasn’t just a birthday—it was a declaration of Bai Zihan’s status, strength, and future.
High-status figures from across the Desolate Heaven Empire had been invited. Clan leaders, sect elders, nobles—even envoys from the imperial court.
At the forefront of the reception stood Bai Tianheng, dressed in formal ceremonial robes.
Beside him stood Mu Yuelan, glowing in elegant silks, her beauty timeless.
Her presence surprised many. Everyone knew her relationship with Bai Tianheng had long been strained.
Some had even tried to use that rift to break the alliance between the Mu and Bai Clans—obviously, they failed.
They didn’t think that she would also show up though it was as expected since it was her son’s birthday.
Then—
“Make way for the Young Master!”
All heads turned.
Bai Zihan appeared at the top of the steps, clad in pitch-black ceremonial robes embroidered with gold dragons, a sword strapped to his back.
His gaze was calm, posture proud.
Walking slightly behind him, dressed in a flowing violet gown, was Chu Ziyan.
She drew more than a few whispers.
“Is that the fiancée?”
“The Chu Clan’s daughter? One of the top beauties of the Desolate Heaven Empire.”
“A perfect couple. Only someone like her is worthy of Bai Zihan.”
…
Bai Zihan ignored the murmurs. His eyes swept the crowd.
Chu Ziyan’s parents had arrived, as expected.
So had Master Qinglan.
And among the gathered crowd, two unexpected faces stood out:
Princess Yu Qingya and Prince Yu Wenzhao.
Bai Zihan didn’t think his birthday warranted the presence of royals—but he wasn’t naive.
They were here to build a relationship. To curry favor. Maybe even earn his support—and the Bai Clan’s.
Given what they’d witnessed in the Ancient Ruins, it wasn’t hard to guess their motives.
But he didn’t care.
Their titles were the only impressive things about them. At least, that’s all he’d seen so far.
Bai Zihan stepped forward.
The next move was his.
And in a world like this…
A birthday was never just a celebration.