Brother & Sister

Qin Wentian hadn't yet revealed to Qin Chuan that he had already condensed his Astral Soul. He believed that the right moment for that revelation would come two days later, when he sought redress for the earlier humiliation. It would be a moment of joy for Qin Chuan.

"Brother Qin, I would like to closely observe your son's unique condition, if you permit," Mustang stepped forward, a strange glint in his eyes as he looked at Qin Wentian.

"If Brother Mustang is willing, I couldn't ask for more," Qin Chuan agreed swiftly. The power held by the Emperor Star Academy was so formidable that it could overshadow the authority of even the imperial royal clan.

Many years ago, the ruling powers of the Country of Chu had grown wary of the Emperor Star Academy's immense influence. In response, they established the Royal Academy, hoping to suppress the Emperor Star Academy's dominance.

"Qin Wentian, please follow me," Mustang beckoned to Qin Wentian, who followed him alongside Qin Yao.

Qin Wentian noticed the way Mustang scrutinized him and barely contained his surprise. "Could this person have the Astral Soul of the Heavenly Vision Constellation?" The astral light flickering in Mustang's eyes formed constellations.

"One with broken meridians yet capable of cultivation," Mustang remarked lightly, stunning Qin Wentian. As he suspected, the Heavenly Vision Astral Soul allowed Mustang to perceive the pressure and fluctuations of Astral Energy in his body.

"Who would have thought I'd meet someone who condensed an Astral Soul with damaged meridians?" Mustang found unexpected joy in this revelation. Upon his previous inspection, he had confirmed Qin Wentian's crippled meridians. Yet, with the assistance of the Heavenly Vision Constellation, he also deduced that Qin Wentian had evolved into a Stellar Martial Cultivator. There was only one explanation – Qin Wentian had broken down his previous flawed foundation to rebuild it anew. To forge a perfect set of energy channels and meridians, he first had to dismantle the faulty framework and then attempt to recreate the legendary Stellar Meridians. Though still embryonic, these meridians could accommodate and regulate Astral Energy far beyond those of normal meridians.

This person was a must-recruit for the Emperor Star Academy, regardless of the cost.

"Is there anything you'd like to tell me?" Qin Wentian asked, looking at Mustang.

"Judging by the Astral Pressure emanating from your body, you must have broken through to the 5th level of the Body Refinement Realm," Mustang inquired.

Qin Wentian remained silent. He realized Mustang's extraordinary vision wasn't accurately discerning his level due to the influence of his 5th Heavenly Layer Astral Soul.

"Two days from now, during the gathering at the Bai Residence, many academies will be seeking new disciples. There will be tests and examinations. While your talent is unmatched, your current strength is lacking. Here's something for you. I hope to see you at the Bai Residence," Mustang said, producing a manual and a Yuan Meteor Stone. He then took his leave.

Stunned by Mustang's ability to move as lightly as a swallow in the sky, Qin Wentian murmured, "One day, I'll soar through the heavens too."

Looking at the items in his hand, his heart raced. The Yuan Meteor Stone contained an immense amount of Astral Energy – a precious cultivation resource. The manual's cover bore three words: Subduing Dragon Fist.

"Emperor Star Academy," Qin Wentian whispered. Footsteps approached, and a fragrant breeze accompanied a gentle voice, saying, "I told you before, Bai Qingsong is a cunning old fox. I opposed the marriage engagement, but you were captivated by Autumn Snow's beauty."

Qin Wentian smiled. As he looked aside, a stunning face appeared. With crescent moon-like brows and laughter-filled eyes, Qin Yao was one of the four great beauties of Sky Harmony City, renowned for her exquisite features.

"If I were the way you describe, lusting after beautiful women, I'd be hanging around Sister Qin Yao every day," Qin Wentian teased.

"Enough nonsense," Qin Yao chided, her voice gentle. "You caused a rift between my father and my esteemed teacher. How will I survive when I return to the Royal Academy? How will you compensate me for that?"

Qin Wentian retrieved the Yuan Meteor Stone from his robe and handed it to her, saying with a laugh, "This stone holds immense Astral Energy, likely from the 2nd Heavenly Layer – it's yours."

Qin Yao sighed, "You used to secretly pass me the Yuan Meteor Stones Father gifted you. Now that I've broken through to the Arterial Circulation Realm, I can't accept them anymore."

Qin Yao's gaze softened as she reminisced about the past. While Qin Wentian had indeed caused a rift between her esteemed teacher and Qin Chuan, she could never blame him. Since they were young, her little brother had supported her in her cultivation. Whenever their father gifted Yuan Meteor Stones to him, Qin Wentian would selflessly pass them to her, insisting she keep it a secret. Without him, she wouldn't have reached her current level of cultivation.

"The Arterial Circulation Realm!" Qin Wentian exclaimed with joy. "Alright then, this time, I'll keep this Yuan Meteor Stone for myself."

With only two days remaining, he needed to quickly increase his strength with the help of the Yuan Meteor Stone.

"Wentian, don't worry too much about people like the Bai Clan. I know many beautiful girls in the Royal Capital. When the opportunity arises, I'll introduce some of them to you," Qin Yao consoled him.

Only now did Qin Wentian understand why Qin Yao had followed him and Mustang. She wanted to offer comfort, concerned that this marriage engagement matter would weigh heavily on him.

Qin Wentian suddenly stopped and squatted down, leaving Qin Yao bewildered. She couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing?"

"Come on up," Qin Wentian chuckled, gesturing to his back.

"Up on your back?" Qin Yao blushed, her cheeks turning a slight shade of red. She rolled her eyes at Qin Wentian and ignored him.

"What's the matter, pretty girl? When we were kids, you used to climb onto my back and order me to carry you. Now that we're both adults, it seems like you no longer want your big brother," Qin Wentian teased with a laugh, causing Qin Yao to stomp her foot. This guy was dredging up embarrassing memories from their past.

Qin Yao, nearing 17 years old, had grown into a slender and elegant young woman, as pure as jade. She couldn't help feeling embarrassed when Qin Wentian suggested piggybacking her like they did as children. Nevertheless, she reluctantly hopped onto his back, her hands securely gripping his shoulders, her shyness evident in her eyes.

"Alright, let's go," Qin Wentian said, supporting the back of Qin Yao's thighs, feeling as if he were carrying a soft bundle of cotton. He couldn't help but laugh. "Sister Qin Yao has really grown up."

Rolling her eyes, Qin Yao playfully twisted Qin Wentian's ear. "You never stop teasing me." Despite not being blood siblings, their bond was incredibly close.

"It looks like I was worried for nothing," Qin Yao remarked, realizing that the annulment of the marriage engagement between Qin Wentian and Autumn Snow hadn't affected him in the slightest.

As they bantered, they reached one of the courtyards in Qin Chuan's residence. The residence had two courtyards, the eastern one and the western one. Qin Chuan, his wife, and Qin Yao lived in the eastern courtyard, while Qin Wentian and Uncle Black resided in the western courtyard.

In the courtyard, a woman with features strikingly similar to Qin Yao's, who looked like she was in her late twenties, greeted them with a warm smile upon seeing Qin Wentian piggybacking Qin Yao.

"Yao'er, you've grown so much, but you still like to cling to Wentian," Mother Qin remarked, aware that Qin Yao was older than Qin Wentian, yet the scene made it seem as though Qin Wentian were her older brother.

"Mother, this guy is taking advantage of me!" Qin Yao pouted as she hopped down from Qin Wentian's back.

"Taking advantage? What advantage is left that Wentian hasn't already taken?" Mother Qin teased, making Qin Wentian bashfully turn his head.

"Mother!" Qin Yao stomped her foot in exasperation.

"Mother, I'm going to visit Uncle Black now." Qin Wentian, sensing Qin Yao's embarrassment, decided to leave.

In the Western Courtyard, he found an elderly man sweeping the courtyard. The man had a frail and stooped figure, missing an arm and a leg, appearing very old.

"Uncle Black, let me take over for you," Qin Wentian offered as he approached. When the old man turned to look at him, he asked, "You've condensed your Astral Soul?"

Qin Wentian nodded calmly. He wasn't surprised that Uncle Black could tell.

"At which Heavenly Layer? What type of Constellation?" Uncle Black inquired further.

"Fifth Heavenly Layer, the Heavenly Hammer Constellation."

Uncle Black's frail frame trembled briefly before he regained his composure. He turned and walked toward the backyard without saying a word.

Qin Wentian followed Uncle Black to the backyard's training grounds, where the old man sat on a stone bench, looking at him. "Over the years, I forced you to shatter your meridians, causing you unimaginable pain, preventing you from absorbing the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth, and refusing to let you condense your Astral Soul. Do you resent me?"

"Uncle Black, I've understood your good intentions since I was young. If I absorbed the Yuan Qi from Heaven and Earth, it would have dulled my sensory abilities. If I formed an innate connection with a Constellation too early, when my sensory abilities were not yet honed through meditation, I wouldn't be able to condense an Astral Soul at the Fifth Heavenly Layer like I have now," Qin Wentian replied, smiling. "Destroying my meridians was not a disaster but a blessing."

"Human nature is inherently greedy, seeking rapid advancement by absorbing Yuan Qi from the Heaven and Earth while trying to sense the Astral Energies from the Astral Rivers in the Nine Heavenly Layers to condense their Astral Souls. What they fail to realize is that absorbing Yuan Qi from the Heaven and Earth dulls their talent for sensing Astral Energies," Uncle Black explained. "After years of meditation, results are now apparent since you've condensed your Astral Soul. From today onward, I won't interfere with your cultivation methods, but remember one thing: never, ever absorb Yuan Qi from the Heaven and Earth. Only then will the Astral Qi in your body be pure enough to open the Astral Gates and condense Astral Souls in the future."

Qin Wentian nodded in agreement. In this world, the mightiest Stellar Martial Cultivators held sway, and he was determined to reach those heights.