Morning arrived quietly.
The first rays of sunlight slipped through the wooden windows of the Third Branch residence.
Ye Fu was already awake.
The conversation beneath the plum tree the previous night lingered in his mind.
His father's words echoed repeatedly.
"The Ye Clan is only a single leaf… beyond it are forests without end."
He slowly opened his palm.
The silver leaf his father had handed him still rested there.
It had already begun to dry.
Yet he carefully placed it inside a small cloth pouch tied to his waist.
Not because it was valuable.
But because it reminded him of a promise.
One day…
He would see those forests himself.
Outside, the training grounds had already become lively.
Wooden practice swords clashed.
Young disciples shouted as instructors corrected their stances.
The atmosphere felt almost normal again.
Almost.
Yesterday's examination had changed many things.
Some disciples now looked at Ye Fu with newfound respect.
Others looked with jealousy.
A few simply avoided him altogether.
As Ye Fu crossed the courtyard, two younger disciples quickly stepped aside.
"Senior Brother Ye Fu."
He blinked.
It was the first time anyone had addressed him that way.
He smiled awkwardly.
"You don't have to call me that."
The boys exchanged nervous glances before bowing again.
"Yes… Senior Brother."
Ye Fu scratched his head helplessly.
Far across the training field…
Ye Jun stood with his arms folded.
His amber eyes followed Ye Fu in silence.
One of his companions stepped beside him.
"You're just going to watch?"
Ye Jun's expression remained unreadable.
"He earned fifth place."
"He deserves respect."
The companion frowned.
"I thought you disliked him."
Ye Jun answered calmly.
"I dislike weakness."
He turned away.
"If he becomes stronger…"
"Then defeating him will mean something."
At that moment…
A deep horn echoed from the direction of the clan gates.
Boooooom—
Training stopped instantly.
Even the instructors looked toward the entrance.
Another horn followed.
Long.
Powerful.
Unlike the drums used within the Ye Clan.
This sound came from outside.
Near the main gate, dust rose along the mountain road.
Several large carriages slowly approached.
Each was pulled by enormous black horses whose coats shimmered like polished obsidian.
Unlike ordinary horses, faint streams of spiritual energy flowed around their hooves.
Even from a distance…
One could tell they were spirit beasts.
Walking beside the carriages were armored guards.
Their movements were disciplined.
Every step perfectly synchronized.
Each wore dark blue armor reinforced with silver plates.
On the left shoulder of every guard was embroidered the image of a soaring eagle surrounded by storm clouds.
Several Ye Clan disciples whispered.
"Thunder Eagle…"
"So they're really here…"
"I've only heard stories…"
The clan gates opened.
The Patriarch, the elders, and several senior members stepped forward personally to welcome the visitors.
Such courtesy surprised many younger disciples.
The Ye Clan Patriarch rarely greeted anyone himself.
The lead carriage came to a gentle stop.
The door opened.
An elderly man stepped down.
He appeared to be in his late sixties.
His snow-white hair was tied neatly behind his head.
He wore a long sapphire-blue robe embroidered only with a single silver eagle near the collar.
No excessive decorations.
No golden jewelry.
Yet the moment he placed one foot upon the ground…
The entire courtyard seemed to grow quieter.
His back was straight.
His eyes were sharp.
Though age had marked his face with wrinkles, those gray-blue eyes carried the calm authority of someone who had seen countless storms.
Even the breeze seemed to avoid disturbing his robes.
The Ye Clan Patriarch cupped his fists respectfully.
"Elder Han."
"You honor our humble clan with your presence."
The old man smiled politely.
"The honor is mine."
His voice was gentle.
But every word carried effortless authority.
Hidden among the observing disciples, Ye Fu stared quietly.
He had never seen someone like this before.
The old man's presence was nothing like the elders of the Ye Clan.
He did not need to release his aura.
He did not need to raise his voice.
Simply standing there…
He naturally became the center of attention.
Ye Fu unconsciously whispered,
"So…"
"This is someone from beyond our little world…"
As the visitors entered the clan, Elder Han's gaze casually swept across the gathered disciples.
It passed over Ye Ming.
Paused briefly on Ye Jun.
Moved to Ye Luo, whose hands were already reaching for a tray of fruit offered to the guests.
The old man's lips twitched in amusement.
Then…
For the briefest instant…
His eyes stopped on Ye Fu.
Not because he sensed the Lightning Silver Dragon Bloodline.
Not because he recognized some hidden destiny.
Simply because…
Ye Fu was the only youth looking at the visitors with wonder instead of fear or pride.
Elder Han smiled almost imperceptibly.
"Curious eyes," he thought.
"Those who never stop asking questions often travel the farthest."
He continued walking.
The moment passed.
Neither of them knew it.
But years later…
Both would remember that brief glance.
The great wooden gates of the Ye Clan closed with a deep rumble.
Dust slowly settled upon the mountain road.
Inside the courtyard, dozens of disciples remained frozen where they stood, their eyes fixed upon the visitors disappearing toward the Council Hall.
Only after several breaths did the whispers begin.
"…Did you see those spirit horses?"
"They say each one costs more than our entire training ground."
"No… I heard the old man is from a Gold Beast Clan."
"Gold Beast?"
"…Then why would someone like that come to our Ye Clan?"
No one had an answer.
Ye Fu continued staring toward the Council Hall.
His heart was strangely restless.
Until yesterday, the Ye Clan had felt enormous.
Today…
It suddenly seemed very small.
"Thinking about the outside world?"
A familiar voice came from beside him.
Ye Fu turned.
Ye Luo had somehow found another meat bun.
He held one in each hand.
He had already finished half of the first before Ye Fu even noticed him.
"You always know where food is," Ye Fu said with a helpless smile.
Ye Luo grinned.
"And you always know where trouble is."
He casually handed one bun to his younger brother.
Ye Fu accepted it.
"…Brother."
"Hm?"
"Do you think people like us…"
"…can really leave this place one day?"
Ye Luo stopped chewing.
For once…
The carefree smile disappeared.
He looked toward the distant mountains surrounding the Ye Clan.
"When I was little…"
"I thought those mountains were the end of the world."
He laughed quietly.
"Father once carried me onto the roof."
"He pointed beyond them."
"He said there were cities."
"Beyond those cities were kingdoms."
"And beyond the kingdoms…"
"…even he didn't know."
Ye Luo took another bite before smiling.
"So…"
"I think we should go find out."
At that moment…
The doors of the Council Hall slowly closed.
Inside, the atmosphere became completely different.
The room was spacious yet simple.
Ancient wooden pillars supported the high ceiling, while a large carving of the Silver Leaf adorned the wall behind the Patriarch's seat.
The Patriarch sat at the head of the long table.
The First Elder.
The Second Elder.
The Third Elder.
All were present.
Facing them…
Elder Han calmly sipped a cup of tea.
The aroma of mountain herbs filled the room.
No one spoke immediately.
Finally…
The Patriarch smiled.
"Elder Han…"
"It has been many years since the Thunder Eagle Clan honored our humble family with a visit."
"I wonder…"
"…what brings you here?"
Elder Han gently placed the teacup onto the table.
"The tea is good."
"It reminds me of home."
The elders exchanged puzzled glances.
Was he avoiding the question?
Then…
The old man smiled.
"I came looking…"
"…for potential."
Silence.
The word hung in the air.
The Second Elder leaned forward.
"You mean…"
"Recruitment?"
Elder Han nodded.
"Our clan has opened several places for this year's disciples."
"We were instructed to visit the smaller clans within the region."
"If exceptional talent is discovered…"
"…they may be recommended to one of the regional academies."
The room grew noticeably quieter.
Even the Patriarch's fingers tightened around his teacup.
A recommendation…
That was something the Ye Clan had not received in many years.
The Third Elder spoke carefully.
"Our examination concluded only yesterday."
"We have several promising youths."
Elder Han smiled politely.
"I've already noticed."
His thoughts briefly returned to the arena.
The composed Ye Ming.
The sharp-eyed Ye Jun.
The cheerful giant called Ye Luo.
And…
The quiet boy whose eyes carried endless curiosity.
Interesting children.
Very interesting.
Outside…
None of the disciples knew what was being discussed.
Rumors spread faster than wildfire.
"They're recruiting!"
"I heard only one person can go!"
"No, I heard three."
"My cousin said they're searching for someone with a rare bloodline."
"Nonsense."
"If a rare bloodline appeared in our Ye Clan…"
"…the whole kingdom would know."
Laughter followed.
No one believed such a thing could happen.
Not here.
Not in a forgotten clan beneath the mountains.
Ye Fu quietly listened to the conversations.
His fingers unconsciously touched the small cloth pouch hanging from his belt.
Inside…
The dried silver leaf his father had given him rested safely.
His father's words echoed once again.
"The world is far larger than this clan."
For the first time…
That world no longer felt like a distant dream.
It had arrived at the Ye Clan's gates.
High above the mountains…
Standing upon a lonely cliff overlooking the valley…
A cloaked figure silently observed the Ye Clan.
His face remained hidden beneath a dark hood.
Only a single detail could be seen.
Around his neck hung a weathered pendant carved into the shape of an ancient dragon scale.
He watched the Silver Leaf banners flutter in the wind.
Then, in a voice barely louder than the breeze, he murmured,
"So…"
"It begins again."
Without another word…
He turned and disappeared into the morning mist.
No one within the Ye Clan knew he had been there.
No one even sensed his presence.
Yet somewhere…
Far beyond the mountains…
The first thread of a destiny that had slept for ten thousand years had begun to stir.