The training grounds of the academy were filled with familiar sounds—steel clashing against steel, the low hum of soul power circulating through meridians, and the distant shouts of instructors correcting postures. To Lin Huang, those sounds had once felt overwhelming. Now, after half a year of relentless training, they felt almost comforting.
Six months passed in the blink of an eye.
In that short span of time, everything had changed.
Lin Huang stood at the edge of the training hall, watching as the members of their small circle finished a sparring session. Sweat glistened on their foreheads, their breaths heavy yet steady, proof of the progress they had made.
Zhang Lexuan wiped the sweat from her brow, her expression calm but sharp. The faint pressure she released when circulating her soul power was far stronger than before. The fourth soul ring that now hovered behind her from time to time was a clear symbol of her advancement. Even without actively displaying her strength, her presence alone made nearby students subconsciously keep their distance.
Ma Xiaotao leaned against a pillar, her crimson hair tied loosely behind her. The violent heat that once leaked uncontrollably from her body was now far more restrained. Though the evil fire within her still stirred restlessly, it no longer erupted at the slightest emotional fluctuation. Her breathing was steadier, and her eyes no longer carried the constant edge of pain they once did.
Su Mei sat on the side, legs crossed, gently circulating her soul power. From time to time, she would open her eyes and smile brightly at Lin Huang. Compared to before, her aura was more stable, her soul power flow smoother, and the vitality within her body noticeably stronger. The results of her training were not explosive, but they were steady—like water that had found a proper channel to flow through.
Xu Tianzhen stood nearby, her posture straight and disciplined. The sharpness in her movements had been refined, her attacks no longer wasting unnecessary strength. There was a faint change in her temperament as well—less impulsive, more composed. The once-proud princess now carried herself with the calm of someone who had learned patience through hardship.
Xiao Hongchen had just finished sparring with Lin Huang earlier. Though he still complained loudly about losing, the improvement in his combat rhythm was obvious. His eyes, however, kept drifting toward Lin Huang with a complicated mix of competitiveness and irritation.
Lin Huang exhaled slowly.
Six months ago, this small group had been rough around the edges—talented, but unstable. Now, they were finally beginning to resemble a proper team.
"Looks like everyone's progress isn't bad," Lin Huang said, his tone relaxed.
Ma Xiaotao snorted lightly. "That's because someone forced us to train like madmen."
Su Mei puffed her cheeks slightly. "You make it sound like he was torturing us. We got stronger because of it, didn't we?"
Xu Tianzhen nodded. "His methods were harsh, but effective."
Zhang Lexuan glanced at Lin Huang with a faint smile. "If you keep pushing people like this, one day they'll start resenting you."
Lin Huang shrugged. "As long as you don't resent me."
Before Zhang Lexuan could reply, Meng Hongchen walked over, her arms crossed, expression carrying her usual arrogance. "Hmph. Talking like you're some great mentor now."
Her gaze flicked toward Xu Tianzhen, lingering just a fraction longer than necessary. The faint jealousy in her eyes was poorly concealed.
Lin Huang raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," Meng Hongchen replied coolly. "Just thinking that you went out for training and came back surrounded by beautiful girls. You sure have talent in more ways than one."
Xiao Hongchen coughed awkwardly. "Sister—"
Meng Hongchen shot him a glare. "Shut up."
Lin Huang chuckled. "Careful, you'll make it sound like I planned this."
Meng Hongchen turned her head away. "Hmph. At least one of them is your fiancée."
Xu Tianzhen paused slightly, then calmly said, "Yes. The engagement has already been confirmed."
The words were simple, but they carried weight.
Lin Huang's gaze darkened briefly.
The arrangement had come from Xu Tianran.
A political engagement disguised as honor—yet in truth, it was a leash. A reminder that no matter how freely Lin Huang acted within the academy, there were eyes watching him from above.
He didn't show any displeasure on his face. Instead, he smiled faintly. "Looks like news travels fast."
Meng Hongchen clicked her tongue softly. "So that's how it is. I was wondering why you brought her home instead of me."
Lin Huang laughed helplessly. "You're really holding onto that?"
She glanced at him sideways, her eyes sharp. "Maybe I am."
There was a brief silence before Ma Xiaotao broke it. "So, when are you leaving?"
"Today," Lin Huang replied. "I'll be back after a short break."
Su Mei's eyes widened slightly. "You're leaving already?"
He nodded. "Family matters."
Wang Qiu'er stood a short distance away, her silver-blue hair fluttering gently in the breeze. She had been quiet throughout the conversation, her gaze distant, yet always subtly focused on Lin Huang.
Bi Ji stood beside her, her gentle expression carrying a trace of reluctance. Zi Ji's presence could not be seen, yet Lin Huang could faintly sense her hidden aura not far away.
Lin Huang walked over to them.
"Looks like I won't see you for a while," he said softly.
Bi Ji smiled faintly. "We'll be here."
Wang Qiu'er looked at him, her eyes cold but steady. "Don't get yourself killed."
He chuckled. "I'll try not to."
For a moment, none of them spoke.
Then Lin Huang added, "When you see Zi Ji… tell her I said goodbye too."
Bi Ji nodded, understanding who he meant without needing the name spoken aloud.
Wang Qiu'er turned her gaze away, her expression unreadable.
Some farewells did not need words.
The journey back to the Lin Clan passed in a blur of shifting landscapes and quiet contemplation.
Mountains rose and fell along the horizon, forests giving way to winding roads carved through stone. Lin Huang traveled together with Xu Tianzhen, Su Mei, Zhang Lexuan, and Ma Xiaotao. Though the atmosphere was calm, there was an undercurrent of change in the air, as if everyone sensed that this visit home would not be a simple reunion.
When the familiar gates of the Lin Clan finally came into view, a faint warmth stirred in Lin Huang's chest.
Home.
The guards at the entrance stiffened the moment they recognized him.
"Young Master!"
The news of Lin Huang's return spread quickly through the clan. Before he had even fully stepped through the gates, hurried footsteps echoed across the courtyard.
Lin Tianhe arrived first.
He looked much the same as before—stern features, broad shoulders—but the pressure of his soul power was noticeably stronger. His aura was steady, deep, and powerful, a clear sign that his cultivation had advanced significantly.
Lin Yueqin followed close behind, her eyes already glistening with emotion. Time had treated her gently, and the warmth in her gaze toward Lin Huang remained unchanged.
And behind them, walking at a slower, more deliberate pace, came the clan's pillar.
Lin Huang's grandfather.
His presence was calm yet vast, like a deep ocean whose depth could not be measured at a glance. The fluctuations of soul power around him were more restrained than before, but Lin Huang could sense that his foundation was far more solid than it had been six months ago.
"Back already?" Lin Tianhe said, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "It feels like you only went out with Su Mei and came back with four more girls. At this rate, who knows how many you'll bring home next time."
Su Mei's face instantly turned red. Ma Xiaotao snorted. Zhang Lexuan raised an eyebrow. Xu Tianzhen maintained her composure, though the tips of her ears betrayed a faint blush.
Lin Huang rolled his eyes. "If that's your first comment, then I'm starting to regret coming back."
Lin Yueqin stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the girls before resting on Xu Tianzhen. A gentle smile curved her lips. "At least one of them is your fiancée."
She looked directly at Xu Tianzhen as she spoke.
Xu Tianzhen straightened slightly. "Yes, Auntie."
Lin Huang coughed lightly. "Mother, you're making it sound like I've been irresponsible."
Lin Yueqin laughed softly. "I'm just glad you're not alone out there."
Lin Huang glanced at Lin Tianhe. "By the way… I thought when I came back, I might see a younger brother or sister on the way."
Lin Yueqin froze for half a second before her face flushed. Lin Tianhe's expression stiffened.
"You brat," Lin Tianhe said through clenched teeth.
The courtyard fell into brief laughter, easing the tension of reunion.
After settling in, Lin Huang spent the afternoon speaking with his grandfather in private.
They talked about cultivation, about the changes within the clan, and about Lin Huang's experiences at the academy. Lin Huang carefully explained his ideas regarding soul power circulation and formation principles—not giving a complete solution, but leaving behind a foundation that the clan could study and refine over time.
His grandfather listened quietly, his eyes occasionally lighting up with interest.
"This is only a starting point," Lin Huang said. "It won't help immediately, but if the clan studies it properly, it might open new paths in the future."
His grandfather nodded slowly. "That's more than enough. You've already brought something priceless back with you."
During his stay, Lin Huang also learned of his family's progress.
His mother's cultivation had steadily climbed, approaching the peak of the Spirit Douluo realm. His father had successfully broken through and stabilized his new realm. As for his grandfather, though he had not yet crossed that final threshold, the faint signs of transformation within his aura hinted that the distance to the next realm was no longer insurmountable.
Six months passed quietly.
Lin Huang spent that time refining his techniques, stabilizing his cultivation, and improving his craftsmanship as an engineer of soul tools. Though he did not experience explosive breakthroughs, his foundation grew deeper and more refined.
When the time came to return to the academy, the farewell was calmer than the last.
This time, Lin Huang left with Xu Tianzhen, Su Mei, Zhang Lexuan, and Ma Xiaotao once more.
The familiar gates of the academy welcomed them back.
One month had passed in what felt like a single breath.
The academy remained as bustling as ever, students moving through the pathways, instructors calling out corrections in distant training halls. The rhythm of life here had not changed—but Lin Huang felt different stepping back into it.
As he walked toward the training hall, he sensed a presence that did not belong.
Not hostile.
But sharp.
His gaze lifted.
Meng Hongchen was standing near the entrance, her posture relaxed, arms crossed as usual. Xiao Hongchen stood beside her, his expression curious. Wang Qiu'er was there as well, her presence quiet but distinct.
And standing slightly apart from them… was an unfamiliar elder.
The old man's posture was casual, almost lazy, yet the moment Lin Huang's spiritual sense brushed against him, a faint pressure rippled back.
Before Lin Huang even stepped into the training hall, the elder's eyes flicked toward him.
For a brief instant, their gazes met.
The old man's pupils narrowed imperceptibly.
Such pure spiritual power…
A hint of surprise crossed his mind.
So this is the genius she mentioned?
Interesting.
Lin Huang felt a strange sensation, as if someone had quietly measured him from head to toe. The feeling vanished as quickly as it came.
He took another step forward, unaware that the moment he entered the training hall, the calm rhythm of his academy life was about to shift.
Somewhere far above the academy, unseen schemes were already stirring.
And in the shadow of those schemes, misfortune was slowly finding its way toward him.