The three days passed quietly but expectantly.
At the heart of the Vale Family estate — a place that had stood for countless generations — the atmosphere was now charged with excitement.
Youths from every distant branch of the family were returning, traveling from other cities and distant lands, answering the call of the main bloodline.
Arin stood in the great courtyard, his arms resting loosely at his sides, observing the gathering crowd.
The silver emblem of the Vale family — an ancient tree wrapped in starlight — gleamed on every robe.
Yet despite sharing the same bloodline, Arin found he barely recognized anyone.
After centuries of peaceful decline, the younger generation had grown up apart.
Only the elder generation had stayed at the Homebase, preserving the true legacy.
Because of this, Arin barely knew his cousins, having only faint memories of meeting a few when he was a child.
Beside him, his younger sister, Lira Vale, looked around curiously.
"So many cousins... but I barely know anyone," she whispered.
"You're not alone," Arin said with a small smile.
Their world had suddenly grown much larger.
Across the courtyard, a tall girl stood with calm pride.
Her golden-brown hair was tied neatly, and her spiritual energy was steady and composed.
Arin recognized her instantly: Elira Vale, his cousin, the daughter of his father's younger brother.
A year older than Arin, she had chosen to stay within the family estate for her training.
Unlike others, Elira's cultivation had already reached the Third Realm, and she was said to be nearing a breakthrough into the Fourth.
A faint sense of rivalry stirred in Arin's heart — not resentment, but the excitement of having peers to challenge and learn from.
The massive courtyard was breathtaking, paved in shining white stone and lined with towering spirit trees whose leaves shimmered with faint spiritual energy.
At its center stood the ancient statue of the Vale Family founder, his sword raised toward the sky, watching over his descendants.
Nervous energy spread among the younger generation.
Some couldn't resist revealing faint traces of their cultivation to impress others.
Others, more cautious, kept their auras hidden.
Arin, too, kept his energy suppressed. True strength did not need to be flaunted.
Then — a great booming drum resounded from the ancestral hall.
Instantly, silence fell.
All heads turned to the grand staircase.
Descending from the ancestral hall were the elders of the Vale Family.
Leading them was Vale Harth, Arin's grandfather — a towering figure of calm authority.
Although his outward appearance was that of an aging man, the spiritual energy pulsing around him betrayed the truth:
Vale Harth had reached the legendary Sixth Realm, one of the very few cultivators in the world known to have done so.
Beside him walked another presence, deeper and more mysterious — Vale Alric, Harth's elder brother.
His cultivation was even more profound, though it was veiled completely.
While Harth ruled, Alric lived only for cultivation, disdaining authority and politics.
Following them were other key elders, including Arin's parents.
Arin's gaze lingered on his father, Vale Aren, who moved with unshakable confidence.
At the Fifth Realm, his strength placed him firmly among the family's strongest younger elders.
Beside him was Arin's mother, a graceful figure whose cultivation had reached the Peak of the Fourth Realm — just a step away from ascending to the Fifth herself.
A flush of pride stirred in Arin's chest.
He had inherited not only their bloodline, but their spirit as well.
When the elders reached the center, Vale Harth stepped forward.
His deep, commanding voice echoed across the courtyard:
"Children of the Vale Family — welcome home."
The words settled heavily on their hearts.
"For centuries, the world was silent," Harth continued. "Our legacy slept. Now, the heavens smile upon us again."
He paused.
"You are the seeds of a new era."
Standing beside him, Vale Alric lifted a scroll wrapped in golden light.
Ancient runes shimmered along its surface.
Harth's voice grew deeper.
"This scroll is the key to the Vale Relic, our family's ancient treasure."
The courtyard buzzed with shock.
Harth continued:
"It is a secret realm, handed down from the time of our ancestors.
Locked for generations, it has awakened with the world's spiritual revival."
He smiled faintly.
"Within the Vale Relic, spiritual energy is abundant.
Time flows differently — a single day outside might stretch into many days within.
It is a place for cultivation, growth... and testing."
The younger generation's eyes gleamed with excitement and ambition.
"But there are restrictions," Vale Alric spoke calmly.
"Those who have not yet reached the Third Realm may only enter Level One of the Relic.
To access Level Two, one must ascend to the Fourth Realm."
The rules were simple but firm.
Stronger cultivators would ascend faster — but only if they survived the challenges that came with each level.
"Prepare yourselves," Harth concluded, his voice like thunder.
"The future of the Vale Family rests in your hands."
Around Arin, his peers stood straighter, determination burning in their eyes.
Arin's heart beat faster, a fierce fire igniting within him.
The true path of cultivation was finally beginning.