1 Chapter One

"Have you heard the Yu Rong of Qinshen? That man is a very powerful cultivator. His wife gave birth to a daughter this time."

"They already had two sons, right?"

"Yes, all are very distinguished. Elder son is strong and handsome. The younger is a beauty. It is said people living in Qinshen go to capital city of Guijiang just to get a look of these brothers. Their real mother died at a very early age. Yu Rong's current wife loves these sons more than her life. Talk about motherhood. Heaven knows if it is just pretention or authentic."

"Can't we go to see them? Qinshen is pretty close to our land though."

"The princes are rare sights even for their people. Their public appearance is as rare as an eclipse. Even reaching Qinshen is a challenge. It is very well protected by the famous, "The Iron Forest" of Shixing. It is impossible even for great cultivators to cross that forest. Qinshen is very well protected. People can come outside but going into the kingdom is tough. Special pass is needed. The pass is connected to the souls of the residents of Qinshen. No one borrow or steal it. It is impossible for an outsider to get into Qinshen."

Twelve years later.

"Brother Long, save me. Mother empress is really furious. I broke the window in my room while cultivating. It was difficult to stabilise my power and it exploded."

Yu Long sat up in the bed. His long black straight hair cascaded down the shoulders. His lips curled up to a smile. He stood up. Rearranged his lose attire.

"Mother Empress always said to cultivate and practice in the cultivation area. It has special barriers to prevent such destructions. You need to concentrate all your mana to your core then start practicing. If you jump into mastering techniques of warfare without properly concentrating your powers, you will definitely fail to control it." Yu Long said while tying his hair and setting the jade hairpin. His eyes were blue and his lashes were pretty long for a man. Pretty eyes with long black hair which shone with a tint of blue in the sunlight, all highlighted his white porcelain face with sharp jawline. He looked like a celestial beauty.

Among the three siblings, Yu Long was considered to be the most beautiful. He was soft, caring and noble in his ways. If not for his flat chest, male voice and 6'2" height, he would have been easily mistaken for a woman. Yu Lin, the youngest daughter of Qinshen royal family but she wasn't as beautiful as Yu Long. But she was definitely the most beautiful woman in Qinshen.

"Young master and mistress, His Majesty has summoned you both to join him for tea in the Pavilion of Infinite Blossoms."

" Brother Long, did Mother Empress complain to Father Emperor? Will I have to suffer the harsh punishment? Please protect me, Brother Long. I am too young to die." She starting to tear up.

"It will fine. Believe me. Your brother will definitely try his best to protect you." Yu Long tried to fake a smile.

His father,Yu Rong, the emperor of Qinshen was the strongest cultivator he has ever seen. Yu Rong hates people who fail to abide by the rules or lie to him. But his only weakness is his family. He loves his wife, current empress Lin Na , his sons Yu He and Yu Long, and pampers his youngest daughter Yu Lin. He had loved his previous empress, Feng Bi. She was the only one who had comparable power as Yu Rong. After her death, Yu Rong married Lin Na, his childhood friend to not leave his sons motherless and lonely. Lin Na proved to a very good mother. She was a good cultivator and a very intelligent lady. She took the responsibility to teach the both sons and never distinguished between them and her own daughter. She loved them both.

Yu Lin had broken a rule of cultivation practice. All the practices should be done between the barrier set in the practice yard behind the palace. It was the Sacred Cultivation Courtyard with the Flameless Fire barrier set by his royal father to prevent shockwaves and after impacts to affect the palace or the city.

Yu Long and Yu Lin made their way to meet their Royal Father.

The tea table was set under the cherry blossoms in the garden. The white carved rock flooring of the courtyard surrounded by the beautiful garden of white cherry blossoms. These cherry blossoms were only found in Qinshen and they haven't died since the day they planted. The pavilion had pillars with the snow dragon impressions. It was a very blissful place and one of favourite places of the Emperor.

"Long live Royal Father and Mother Empress. Yu Long and Yu Lin humbly greet your majesty and her majesty a pleasant morning." Yu Long and Yu Lin said in unison while bowing down with cupped hands.

"Long and Lin come, sit. Join us in a conversation." said Lin Na with a bright smile.

"Yes, Mother Empress."

Both Yu Lin and Yu Long sat down. Tea was served. It was so fragrant and appetizing.

"Yu Lin."

"Yes, Royal Father."said Yu Lin, almost shuddering on hearing the emperor suddenly calling her name.

"Your royal mother said something…"

On realising it is  something related to royal mother, sweat started beading her forehead. She started to get anxious.

Seeing her reaction, Yu Long immediately cupped his hands, and got into kowtow position.

This action of Yu Long surprised the royal couple. The empress immediately spoke up. "Please rise son. Is something troubling you?"

"Yes, mother empress. I and Lin mei

had an argument and I wasn't able to control my emotions. My power became uncontrollable and the window in her room was blown into pieces."

It was a white lie.

It was immediately seen through the empress. But she knew he was trying to protect his younger sister from the punishment."

She sighed.

"If that is what happened, then you know Yu Long you will be punished."

Tampering with any architecture inside the Imperial palace was under the jurisdiction of the emperor.

"Your majesty, how about I punish Long'er this time. You are pretty busy and it would be better if I educate them thoroughly. It is my responsibility as the mother empress."

"Very fair. Yu Long, your punishment will be overseen by your royal mother."

"Yes, Royal Father. The son apologizes for all his sins. I am ready to go through any punishment Mother Empress gives me."

After this matter, the family conversed about their elder son, Crown Prince Yu He. Yu He was in LiaoShu mountains training their palace guards. LiaoShu mountains were outside the capital city. These mountains have ancient relics of the destroyed Spirit Dragon temple.

In mid of the conversation, the chief eunuch came in with a letter addressed to the emperor. Seeing the seal on the letter, Yu Rong immediately retired to his study with the chief eunuch.

Seeing his distressed royal father, Yu Long couldn't help but wonder who sent this letter.

" Chief Eunuch CaoYi, I feel like things are moving faster than expected. Please send for Crown Prince Yu He immediately", said Yu Ring while crumpling the letter with the red Dragon seal."