Two days after the encounter with the old man, the steward of the estate rushed to the master's study with urgent news.
"Master! A cultivator from the 'Tianlong Sect' is requesting an audience!"
The wealthy patriarch of the household—the one who had taken Xiao Tian in—raised an eyebrow.
"Tianlong Sect? You mean the top sect in our entire province?"
"Yes, sir. He claims he's here to scout promising youths in the area… for the next intake."
Less than half an hour later, a young man in a flowing black-and-silver robe entered the courtyard.On his chest gleamed an engraved crest—two azure dragons coiling around a sword.
He offered a faint smile to those nearby, but his sharp eyes drifted past them—toward the garden corner,where Xiao Tian was watering plants… alongside Bai Ling.
"That child…" he murmured quietly.
Suddenly—A sharp scream pierced the air!
"A viper!!"
A large rattlesnake slithered rapidly across the ground. One of the maidservants collapsed in panic.
Before anyone could react,Xiao Tian sprang into action—His right hand slammed onto the ground, energy pulsing beneath his palm.
Boom!
A shockwave burst outward from the point of contact.The snake flew backwards, slamming into a wooden pillar with a dull thud—and lay motionless.
Silence fell across the courtyard.
Bai Ling stared wide-eyed.The maid forgot to even move.And the man from the Tianlong Sect smiled faintly to himself.
"Interesting…This boy... is worth watching."