Beep beep beep… Cars streamed past the academy’s main gate.
Luo Changsheng stared at his younger brother’s delicate features and let out a soft sigh. “I knew it. Some things never change, huh?”
Luo Qingchuan stayed silent.
Luo Changsheng studied him, surprised Luo Qingchuan wasn’t sneering with that usual hoarse, twisted voice—just quiet. Simple silence.
The golden-haired youth’s eyes were deep and dark, like hidden abysses.
“Still upset about that slap last time?”
Luo Changsheng paused, chin tilted slightly, gaze lowered.
“Mom nags because she cares. You’re too disrespectful—especially to her. Do it again, I’ll slap you again. Don’t think joining the Pathseeker Class and starting cultivation makes you untouchable. With your pathetic talent, I could hire some wandering cultivator for pocket change and leave you helpless. I just… usually can’t be bothered. Got it?”
Hands in pockets, thick brows shadowing eyes cold as ice: “Honestly? I never wanted to be your brother. Don’t blame me for not stepping up. I gave you chances.”
Though Luo Qingchuan wasn’t short, Luo Changsheng still towered over him. That “elder brother” presence pressed down, subtle but real.
“I know, Ge. I know,” Luo Qingchuan said with a weary smile, unfazed by the threat. “It was my fault.”
A shadow flickered in Luo Changsheng’s eyes—pupils tightening. He suddenly…
Had nothing left to say to this obedient little brother.
*Was this really the Luo Qingchuan the fortune teller once called a “born devil” in childhood?*
Luo Qingchuan chuckled lightly. “I’ve got something else. Something important.”
Luo Changsheng fell silent a moment.
“Where are you staying? The usual place?”
“Mm.”
“Not going home tonight?”
“No.”
“What is it?”
“Can’t say.”
Luo Changsheng nodded, a chill in his expression. “Illegal?”
“How could it be?” Luo Qingchuan shook his head with a faint laugh.
“Let’s go.”
Luo Changsheng turned, walked to the black sedan, and pulled the door open.
“Follow me.”
“I said I’m not going home.”
“Not taking you home. Just giving you a ride.”
... ... ...
“Where’s he headed?”
“Probably home.”
Perched on the academy wall, Zuo Tian crossed his arms, overlooking the two figures below.
A translucent white aura swirled around him—concealing his form, masking every trace of presence.
He cultivated the ancient art from the Golden Tower: the *Supreme Mystery Scripture*.
The Golden Tower hailed from the Primordial Epoch, holding countless lost arts and treasures.
With spiritual energy resurging, Zuo Tian now stood as its master.
Chosen by destiny.
For millennia, the divine tower had remained sealed to the Zuo bloodline—undetectable, unopenable.
Until Zuo Tian pushed it open.
Before the first-floor gate stood an ancient stone tablet, inscribed:
“To establish the heart for heaven and earth,”
“To secure the livelihood for the people,”
“To continue the lost teachings of the sages,”
“To open an era of peace for all generations.”
The Ancestor’s voice echoed: “To host this tower within you is to bear the Mandate of Heaven—to shoulder supreme destiny. Lead with righteousness. Uphold the path. Protect the world.”
Yet now, the Mandate-bearer’s path faced obstruction.
Zuo Tian locked onto the moving sedan. In a flash, afterimages trailed behind him.
He leaped across rooftops, twisting mid-air with fluid grace, eyes and body locked on the vehicle.
“Fortune’s on my side,” Zuo Tian murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Good thing Luo Qingchuan’s with family—they can get him to the hospital fast.”
The Ancestor spoke suddenly: “Why not use spiritual sense to listen in?”
“No. Luo Qingchuan’s mind is too sharp,” Zuo Tian replied cautiously, black strands whipping in the wind. “He might notice.”
The Ancestor sighed deeply. “Child… you’ve changed.”
“It’s not me who changed,” Zuo Tian said softly. “Ancestor… everything is changing.”
... ... ...
“You’ve changed,” Luo Changsheng said, eyes on the road.
“Maybe past the rebellious phase,” Luo Qingchuan replied from the passenger seat. “People grow up. Boys become men.”
Luo Changsheng glanced at him. “Love?”
Luo Qingchuan stiffened, fingers fumbling with his seatbelt. “What?”
Seeing his flustered look, Luo Changsheng let out a quiet laugh.
“I waited at the gate. Figured you’d stop running wild after joining the Pathseeker Class. Then I saw you laughing with that girl… Your smile—so bright. I’ve never seen it. Almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Maybe you *did*,” Luo Qingchuan said.
“That’s fine.”
“Huh? What about the old me?”
“Don’t want him,” Luo Changsheng joked, turning the wheel. “Never did.”
Luo Qingchuan fell silent.
“Ge… are you a little heartless?”
“Just practical. Different people, different treatment. My wife says I’m too quiet—never yell at subordinates, ‘bad leader’ vibes. But everyone’s got struggles. Before you were born… Mom, Dad, and I… we struggled too.”
Luo Qingchuan listened quietly, body relaxing into the seat.
Luo Changsheng smiled faintly. “Told you this countless times. First time you actually listened.”
The youth tilted his head slightly. “I really do have something important. I’ll come home next time.”
“Mm.”
A comfortable silence settled.
“Need money?”
“Huh?”
“I’ll get you a place closer to campus.”
“R-Really?”
*This brother… is actually good.*
“What’s your little girlfriend’s name? She’s stunning. Like a fairy.”
“You’re nosy.”
“Saw how you two were. I should thank her,” Luo Changsheng said. “She probably taught you how to care for someone.”
A flicker of shame crossed Luo Qingchuan’s face.
“Su Yingsnow.”
“Beautiful name. Fits you.”
Somehow, the brother Luo Qingchuan remembered—always stern, never smiling—was talking endlessly.
“Xiao Chuan, send me a photo of you two. I’ll show Mom and my wife. They’ll be happy.”
“Next time we take one.”
“How’d you win her over?”
Luo Qingchuan hesitated. “Persistence… and a tiny trick or two.”
A little guilty.
Luo Changsheng smirked, glancing at his brother’s softened profile. “Know what my wife would say?”
“What?”
He laughed. “‘She’s so gorgeous—I feel like I’ll live ten more years just from looking!’"
Luo Qingchuan couldn’t help but smile. “She’s good with compliments.”
Words flowed freely between them. The dull ride ended too soon.
Luo Changsheng stepped out, handed Luo Qingchuan a card.
“Password’s your birthday.”
Luo Qingchuan blinked. “Thanks, Ge.”
“Mom gave me over a dozen. I never passed one to you,” Luo Changsheng chuckled. “Don’t hold it against me.”
Luo Qingchuan rolled his eyes. “Next time, give them all.”
“We’ll see.”
“I’m heading back.”
Luo Changsheng’s hand landed firmly on his shoulder.
His expression shifted—less harsh than Luo Qingchuan’s usual cold glare, yet heavy with authority.
“One thing.”
“Yeah?” Luo Qingchuan raised a curious brow.
Luo Changsheng hesitated, tension tightening his jaw. Seconds stretched.
Finally, he exhaled. “Nini’s turning three this year. Come. I never wanted her to meet you before.”
“Don’t say more, Ge,” Luo Qingchuan said gently. “I’ll be there.”
Luo Changsheng said nothing—just patted his shoulder twice.
“Take care. Come home when you can.”
He got in the car, face etched with exhaustion and disbelief, and drove off.
Luo Qingchuan stared at the bank card, tilted his head toward the dark indigo sky, and breathed out a warm puff of air.
A heavy weight settled deep in his chest.
Night deepened. Autumn wind sharpened. The air held no kindness.
...
