The grand hall of the Wang Clan was solemn and majestic. Lanterns burned softly, gilding the carved pillars in warm golden light. At the highest seat, Wang Tian, Patriarch of the clan, sat straight-backed and composed. Around him, honored guests took their places with quiet dignity, the air heavy with both respect and curiosity.

  Wang Tian’s brows drew together. This sudden gathering puzzled him. Just as he was about to speak, Elder Wu Sheng of the Wu Family rose to his feet. His expression carried ease, but there was a glimmer of purpose in his eyes.

  “Patriarch Wang,” he said warmly, “do you still remember this young lady?”

  Beside him stood a girl whose presence made the atmosphere subtly shift. Wang Tian’s gaze lingered on her. Something about her felt familiar, yet distant, like a half-remembered dream. Her aura was neither concealable nor ordinary—her cultivation had already reached the peak of the Core Formation Realm, merely a step from the Nascent Soul.

  With a slight, courteous smile, Wang Tian shook his head. “I’m sorry, Elder Wu. I can’t seem to recall her.”

  Wu Sheng chuckled, his voice echoing softly through the hall. “Not surprising at all, Patriarch Wang. Ten years can change a lot. You probably haven't seen her since childhood.” He paused, then smiled with quiet pride. “Allow me to introduce her properly. This is Wu Ruolan, daughter of our Patriarch Wu Lei, and disciple of the Radiant Cloud Sect’s Sect Leader.”

  At those words, the Wang Family elders stirred, exchanging astonished glances. The genius disciple of the Radiant Cloud Sect, handpicked by the Sect Leader himself, was the daughter of the Wu Family Patriarch—the sworn brother of the previous Wang Patriarch.

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  Wu Ruolan stepped forward with poise, her eyes filled with warmth and restraint. “Big Brother Tian, it has been a long time,” she said gently, bowing with respect.

  Wang Tian blinked as old memories surfaced. When he was young, he had often accompanied his parents to the Wu Family estate. He could still recall the celebrations when Ruolan was born—and the marriage pact quietly made between their two families, a promise tied to fate and long-forgotten years.

  A faint smile touched his lips. “So it’s Sister Ruolan. How have you been? And how is Uncle Wu?”

  Wu Ruolan’s expression dimmed, her eyes downcast for a moment. “I’m well, Brother Tian. But Father… three years ago, while hunting in the Thousand Beast Forest, he was bitten by a venomous beast. Since then, he has been bedridden.”

  “What?” Wang Tian’s tone sharpened in surprise. “Uncle Wu is ill? Is there truly no way to cure him?”

  Touched by his concern, Ruolan glanced hesitantly toward Elder Wu. With a quiet motion, she tugged the corner of his sleeve.

  Elder Wu responded with a kind smile, folding his hands behind his back. “Patriarch Wang, the purpose of our visit today is to make a request—one that concerns Ruolan. This request comes directly from the Sect Leader of the Radiant Cloud Sect.”

  Wang Tian straightened in his seat, his expression turning solemn. “Please, Elder Wu—speak. What is this request?”

  Elder Wu’s lips parted, but his words faltered. For a moment, silence lingered in the grand hall, heavy and uncertain. His gaze drifted toward Wu Ruolan, whose delicate hands tightened at her sides. Her composure was calm, yet her eyes betrayed a trace of unease.

  Seeing the old man’s hesitation, another voice rose from among the guests—a deep, composed tone carrying the calm authority of one accustomed to command. From the side, a middle-aged man with some White hair in long azure robes stepped forward. His bearing was refined, his expression steady. This was Elder Shen, one of the venerable elders of the Radiant Cloud Sect.