A few days after the forest incident, Nyra returned to the Nangoum Clan estate. The familiar surroundings of her courtyard, the gentle hum of magical energy in the air, and the soft rustling of the spirit bamboo should have brought her comfort. Yet, her heart remained unsettled.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about Wang Ling—the mysterious boy who had saved her in the forest. His image, calm and powerful, lingered in her thoughts during meditation and disrupted her cultivation sessions.
"Why am I thinking about him?" she muttered to herself one morning, sitting by the koi pond. "I'm already engaged..."
Despite her best efforts, Wang Ling's presence haunted her mind. The memory of his fierce battle with the beast, his refusal to reveal himself to the elders, and the aura of strength he carried—everything about him stirred something within her.
Noticing her distracted behaviour, her grandfather, Clan Leader Arion, approached her one evening as she stood silently in the training hall.
"Nyra," he said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You've been troubled lately. What's on your mind?"
She hesitated but then decided to speak. "It's about the boy who saved me in the forest. His name was Wang Ling."
Her grandfather's gaze sharpened. "Wang Ling… from the Wang family?"
"You know him?" she asked, curiosity lighting up her eyes.
He nodded slowly. "Yes, I know of him. He's the rightful heir of the Wang family. When he was born, he possessed a Supreme Bone—a rare and powerful gift of unparalleled potential. But his uncle, in a vile act of betrayal, stole it and transplanted it into his own son, Ming Wang."
Nyra gasped. "That's terrible…" Her heart ached for Wang Ling. She had always seen him as mysterious and powerful, but now, knowing the pain he had endured, she felt something deeper—respect, empathy, and a strange sense of connection. The betrayal he suffered, the resilience he showed, and his rise from the ashes of despair—it stirred something within her. He wasn't just strong; he was surviving a storm she couldn't imagine. And suddenly, she wanted more than just to thank him. She wanted to understand him.
"After the Supreme Bone was taken, Wang Ling was cast aside. The clan considered him a cripple. But against all odds, he cultivated again, rising to power on his own. As of now, he has reached the eighth level of the Qi Refinement Realm—a remarkable achievement. Recently, he even killed members of the Wang Clan in retaliation. Now, they are hunting him down."
Suddenly, it all made sense. "So that's why he asked me not to tell the elders about him that day..." she whispered.
She looked up at her grandfather. "Do you know where he is now?"
Arion sighed. "No, I don't. But if he wants to survive, I know where he must be."
Nyra leaned forward, intrigued. "Where?"
"In two years, the Demon Clan will host a grand tournament," he said. "It happens only once every ten years and is designed to identify the most powerful young genius in the realm. The age limit is fifteen, and the minimum cultivation required is the fifth level of the Qi Refinement Realm."
He paused for emphasis. "The rewards are extraordinary. First place earns the Phoenix Flame Tire Sword Technique—an advanced and rare sword art. Second place receives the Blazing Moon Sword, and third is granted a unique spiritual weapon. The top ten contestants will be welcomed into the Demon Clan and assigned elite masters for personal training."
"So if Wang Ling wants to survive," Nyra realized, "he'll need to join a stronger clan than the one that betrayed him. He'll be there."
"Exactly," her grandfather confirmed.
Nyra stood tall, a determined fire lighting her eyes. "Then I want to participate in that tournament."
"Very well," Arion said, nodding with approval. "Xiao Yan and your sister, Myra, will also join. Myra is currently at the sixth level of the Qi Gathering Realm at the age of seven. In two years, she may reach the eighth level."
He looked at Nyra seriously. "To qualify, you must reach the fifth level of Qi Refinement and master at least one of our family's sword techniques. I recommend the Flower Dance Sword Technique. With dedication, you can place in the top ten. But it won't be easy. You must work hard."
From that day forward, Nyra trained with unrelenting determination. The image of Wang Ling—the boy who had saved her, who shared a fate tied to rebellion and strength—remained her silent motivation.
She pushed herself harder than ever before. Her days were filled with cultivation, sword drills, and mental discipline. Slowly but surely, she reached the fifth level of Qi Refinement and mastered the third level of the Flower Dance Sword Technique.
Then one day, as she was finishing a particularly gruelling training session, her grandfather summoned everyone to the main hall.
"What's happening?" Nyra asked as she entered.
Her father stood tall at the front of the room. "The Demon Clan Leader has arrived, and he's brought his grandson with him."
Murmurs spread through the hall. Nyra had heard rumours of the Demon Clan Leader's grandson—a prodigy said to possess terrifying talent.
As the guests entered, Nyra's eyes widened. The boy looked no older than five, yet his aura was stronger than anyone she had ever faced at that age.
Her grandfather leaned toward her and whispered, "Challenge him. Impress the Demon Clan Leader. Let him see your potential."
Nyra nodded, steeling her resolve. He's only five, she thought. This should be easy.
But she was wrong.
The duel was swift and devastating. The boy overwhelmed her with sheer power, control, and confidence. She was defeated before she could unleash her second form of the Flower Dance Sword Technique.
Bruised but humbled, Nyra realised something more shocking.
He's also from Earth... just like me.