Chapter 17: The Three-Year Promise

In the Su Family's backyard,

Father Su had just returned from the Procuratorate when he saw Su Rou and Ke Yang standing guard at the entrance like door gods, one on each side.

Seeing him arrive, they asked in unison, "Father/Uncle, what punishment will they receive?"

Father Su didn't answer immediately, instead scanning the surroundings. "Where's Little Lu? Isn't she curious?"

Ke Yang replied, "Sister said she'd already guessed the outcome."

"She predicted Ke Jie would be released soon and Principal Wang would be sentenced to life imprisonment, correct?" Father Su stroked the stubble on his chin. "Correct. That's exactly our plan."

"Ke Lu's talent—as recorded in the Examination Affairs Center's internal archives—is SSS-Rank. However, given the potential trouble such an extraordinary gift might attract, and considering the guarantee from the Divine Radiance Knight Order, we've only recorded her as having recovered an S-Rank talent through Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the external archives."

Only a few dozen people in the entire world possess SSS-Rank talent. Publicly revealing such a thing would undoubtedly trigger a massive uproar.

The Knight Order's leadership believed this approach would better facilitate Ke Lu's growth, rejecting proposals to secretly cultivate her talent.

"Why?" Su Rou asked anxiously. "Even after what they did, they won't receive the death penalty? Dad, are you backing down?"

Under Su Rou's disapproving gaze, Father Su chuckled heartily and scooped her into his arms.

"My little princess, things aren't that simple," he said.

"We want to keep Principal Wang alive. He might become a useful pawn to bring down Ke Zhan later."

"As for Ke Jie, Ke Zhan's lawyers will likely pull strings to get him a reduced sentence or parole."

"But I heard Ke Zhan has a new mistress. If we let Ke Jie out, he might resent Ke Zhan."

Su Rou finally nodded in satisfaction. "Let them tear each other apart like dogs."

When he heard about Ke Zhan's new mistress, a clear flash of disgust flickered in Ke Yang's eyes.

He walked toward Ke Lu's room. "Thank you, Uncle. I'll go check on my sister."

Su Rou was about to follow when her father stopped her. "Give them some time alone to say goodbye. Besides, I need to talk to you."

Su Rou shook off her father's hand. "What is it? I hate sentimental stuff."

Father Su shook his head. "I just wanted to say, when you get out, listen to Ke Lu and Miss Hysilens. Don't act like you do at home."

"You look down on me, don't you!" Su Rou pouted, planting her hands on her hips.

Father Su didn't take the bait. Instead, he continued, "Ke Lu is no ordinary child. If she survives, she's destined for greatness. You need to cherish her while you can."

Meanwhile,

Ke Yang walked into the study and found Ke Lu reclining in a chair, cradling a copy of Advanced Formation Combat Applications.

"Sis, how did you guess so accurately?" Ke Yang asked, sitting beside her.

"Read more books, stay informed, snack less, sleep more," Ke Lu replied, closing the book.

"Little brother," she said, her voice dropping a few notches lower than usual, "when I leave this time, we might not see each other again for a very long time."

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken weight.

In A City, if Ke Zhan discovered her Talent, mortal danger would loom at any moment. Suppressing her cultivation speed would be tantamount to sabotaging her future. She had no choice but to leave with Su Rou to study elsewhere, far from this familiar A City.

This was the first time in eighteen years that the siblings faced such a prolonged separation.

Ke Yang's Adam's apple bobbed. He tried to force a lighthearted smile, but his lips remained stiff and unresponsive.

"It'll be okay, Sis! High-speed rail and planes make travel so easy. I'll visit you during summer vacation! And we can video call all the time—it'll be just like you're still here!" He deliberately raised his voice, trying to dispel the lingering sorrow that had settled in the pavilion.

Ke Lu gazed at her younger brother's forced smile, feeling a sharp pang in her heart, like being pricked by a fine needle.

She shook her head, her gaze drifting past his shoulder to the swaying tree branches outside the window. "We can still video chat often. But you don't need to come visit me."

Her voice was soft yet each word carried an undeniable resolve:

"We can't forget the responsibilities we bear. Every vacation, I'll be immersed in special training, with no free time at all."

"And you must remember this, dear bother." Her gaze snapped back, sharp as a knife. "Staying in A City doesn't guarantee safety. Only by possessing enough strength can we truly control our own destinies and earn the right to speak of reunions and futures."

"This temporary separation is so that we can stand shoulder to shoulder one day, fearing no one."

Ke Yang leaned back against the stone bench, its icy chill seeping into his skin. He forced a bitter laugh. "Forget your terrifying Talent for a moment... Even if we started at the same point, I'm still three years behind you."

This year, Ke Lu turned eighteen, while Ke Yang was fifteen. Three years meant he would have to wait over a thousand more days and nights for his Awakening.

"With such a gap, how can I ever catch up?" he asked.

Ke Lu responded with a precise flick of her finger against his forehead.

"Ssss—ow! That hurt!" Ke Yang yelped, clutching his instantly reddened forehead and sucking in a sharp breath through gritted teeth. "Sis, what was that for?!"

"To knock some sense into you!" Ke Lu retracted her hand. "The path to revenge isn't paved with brute force alone."

"You need to learn to create value with this," she tapped her temple lightly with her fingertip. "Information, resources, connections, strategies... these are all forms of power, perhaps even more lethal."

A gust of wind swept through, making her voice ring with exceptional clarity and resolve:

"So, wait for me these three years. By then, our revenge will begin."

"During these three years, I don't need you to possess overwhelming martial strength. But you must hone the wisdom and skills necessary to assist me."

She gazed intently into her brother's eyes, asking, each word deliberate: "Tell me, can you do it?"

The bewilderment and dejection in Ke Yang's eyes ignited with sudden fervor. He jerked upright, his back ramrod straight like a sheathed blade drawn for battle.

"I can!"

One word, resolute and resounding, struck the air with the force of a hammer blow.

The moment this unwavering oath burst from his lips, a sudden gust of wind swept it upward, spiraling toward the heavens, with the very cosmos as witness.

"Alright, see you later!"

After Ke Lu left, faint footsteps sounded behind him.

"Son," a gentle voice called out. Ke Yang turned to see Father Su standing in the study, having entered unnoticed.

"Are you certain about this? You want to undergo the special training to awaken your Talent?"

Ke Yang took a deep breath, his eyes unwavering.

"Uncle," he said, his voice clear and steady, "I don't want to live forever in my sister's shadow, nor do I want to become her weakness."

He took a slight step forward, lowering his posture in utmost sincerity. "Besides that, I have another earnest request—please teach me the ways of commerce and the art of strategy."

"It will be grueling," Father Su sighed, "but I agree."

-

Shortly after, at sea

"Wow, this is so cool and thrilling!" Su Rou exclaimed, snapping selfies frantically with her phone.

They were currently riding atop a giant whale summoned by Hysilens, speeding across the ocean.

Ke Lu gazed at this peculiar mode of transportation, marveling inwardly. She pulled out her phone and checked the map for their destination.

"Liao City? This place is very close to the border. Is there a specific reason we're going there?"

Hysilens steered the giant whale while explaining her choice:

"Border regions, due to their constant state of preparedness for conflict, have developed unique training methods for Martial Artists."

"Schools here emphasize practical combat skills, unlike many inland institutions that prioritize theoretical knowledge."

Hysilens paused, then channeled her Spirit Power to conjure two university brochures from her bag, handing one each to Ke Lu and Su Rou.

"Five Clans University!"

Before Ke Lu could even pull out her phone to research Five Clans University, Su Rou's voice, filled with both excitement and astonishment, rang through the cabin.

"This is one of the world's top-ranked universities, right on the border! So, Miss Hysilens, are you planning for us to aim for this?"

Having grown close to Hysilens, Su Rou now addressed her as "elder sister."

"That's right," Hysilens replied. "Five Clans University also values students' practical combat skills. The required scores for students from border schools are slightly lower than those from mainland institutions."

Ke Lu's phone displayed information about the university.

This world wasn't solely populated by humans. Instead, five distinct clans coexisted: Humans, Demons, Devils, Beasts, and Spirits.

After centuries of bloody warfare that left countless scars of fire and blood in history, the five clans finally reached a peace agreement in recent centuries. As a symbol of this newfound peace, they jointly established Five Clans University.

After reviewing the basic information, Ke Lu summoned the System in her mind:

"System, scan all factions in Liao City."

Having already resolved to establish her own faction, Ke Lu had long planned her strategy:

First, focus on enhancing her own strength, then gradually build connections with younger members of major factions.

Even with exceptional talent, their current abilities couldn't achieve great things. There was no need to rush.

[Ding! 234 recruitable factions have been detected in Liao City. Host, please make your selection with confidence.]

Ke Lu glanced at the list. Almost all the factions were classified as "White-tier," so she scrolled past them without a second look.

Occasionally, a "Yellow-tier" or "Purple-tier" faction would be added to her shortlist.

Suddenly, a conspicuous red dot flashed before her eyes. Ke Lu's brow smoothed, and a confident smile curved her lips.

"You're the one I've been waiting for."