After the deep autumn, the first snowfall swiftly arrived, a flurry of swan feathers blanketing the Caelius Capital. Children, donned in thick cotton coats, played and frolicked on the frozen surface, while the expansive Rouge River turned into an icy river. The intense cold brought by this snowfall surpassed all previous years. To prevent a snow disaster, the Tera Dynasty's ruler spared no expense, dispatching a hundred carriages to summon immortal practitioners from the Solitary Moon Mountain. In the Caelius Capital, they conducted rituals and cast spells, invoking blessings for the people spanning thousands of miles.

The ensuing event plunged the entire nation into turmoil. The immortals from the Solitary Moon Mountain, after performing their celestial rituals, declared their intention to recruit disciples in the Caelius Capital. These were beings capable of controlling winds and rain, transmuting stones into gold—celestial practitioners with a lifespan equal to that of the heavens! Becoming a disciple meant not only bringing glory to one's ancestors but also elevating the family's status in the Tera Dynasty significantly.

The prospects of becoming disciples of these esteemed celestial practitioners were listed, and ranked based on strength and reputation, with a subsequent ranking on the Jade Rankings. In the Caelius Capital, within the York family's secondary residence, young Shuro, once an inconspicuous scion of the Tera Dynasty, found himself implicated in a scandal with the reputed beauty of the imperial city during a life-and-death crisis. He discovered a forbidden cultivation technique overlooked by the Demon Lord of the Nine Heavens.

The winds howled as snow danced in the courtyard of the Caelius Capital. Moonlight cascaded like water into the Azure Cloud Hall. Finally, the elder at the head of the hall slowly opened his eyes, sparks flickering within. He thundered, "Wretch! Truly despicable! The face of my family's lineage has been utterly disgraced by this young animal!"

With a single yell, the accumulated snow and ice outside the hall retreated three feet. The once-frozen courtyard melted into boiling water, rising as strands of white vapor into the night sky. The middle-aged man on the right side of the hall, with a slight change in expression, approached the elder, arching his hand and smiling, "The master's cultivation is unfathomable, rivaling even the head of the family. A breakthrough into the realm of free-roaming immortals is imminent. I admire you, sir."

As he spoke, the man walked towards the center of the hall, his gaze fixed on the young man whose fate hung in the balance. This young man, named Shuro, fifteen years old today, was previously an obscure illegitimate son of the York family.

"The main residence and the secondary residence have always been united, and harmonious in their relationship. However, this Shuro has jeopardized that unity. I will take this young animal back to the main residence for the family head's judgment."

The Azure Cloud Hall, vast and spacious, required only twenty steps to traverse from one side to the center. The man's swift and fierce actions, with a flicker of golden crow-like shadows between his fingers, grabbed at the young man's spine!

At that moment, Shuro awoke, lifting his head to witness the approaching claw shadows. Unable to move, he remembered being injured and captured, realizing that the assailant was the person now attacking him.

This evildoer clearly intends to put me in a life-or-death situation!

Shuro raised his head, his eyes no longer confused, but rather, filled with determination and a fierce expression. Sealed acupoints rendered him speechless, unable to move, only able to stare at his assailant with an intense, almost predatory gaze.

In the elder's eyes, a faint surprise appeared. It seemed he hadn't expected such resilience from an illegitimate son.

From the left side of the hall came a delicate shout, "Hold on."

Despite the interruption, the attacker, Pang Guan, continued without pause. A purple light, swift as lightning, shot from the left side of the hall. Pang Guan's face revealed regret as his body turned into an ethereal flame, dodging the purple light and flying backward, reverting to his original form upon landing.

Sevenfold Escape Technique!

On a normal day, Shuro would have marveled, but today, with his life on the line, he could not pay attention to anything else.

The flight landed in front of Shuro, transforming into a tall and beautiful woman. Shuro recognized her—her name was Faithe, one of the third young masters of the York family. According to seniority, Shuro had to address her as an aunt.

"Young Master, what is your intention? At this point, do you still wish to defend this beast?" Pang Guan's triangular eyes flashed with malice, venomously glancing at Faithe's ample bosom, and sneering, "Even if Shuro is a member of the York family, he's nothing more than a beast. Moreover, these words coming from you, Faithe, I'm afraid lack the qualification."

The lady spoke lightly, "Regardless of Shuro's actions, he is still a member of the York family. When did it become your place, a mere servant, to pass judgment on him? Moreover, these words coming from you, Pang Guan, are probably not justified."

Pang Guan chuckled, "Pang once had a shady past, but under the guidance of the Third Young Master, I have reformed long ago. As for Shuro, he is truly despicable and wicked! Even I can't bear to witness his deeds!"

Turning towards the elder at the head of the hall, Pang Guan continued, "Shuro, guilty of obscene acts with the lady, evidence is conclusive. We should strip him of his cultivation and take him back to the main residence for judgment! These are the orders of the family head. Our young master is busy preparing for the old lady's birthday banquet, so he sent me to take care of this matter. I hope the master..."

Before Pang Guan could finish, he was interrupted.

"Shuro, is this true?" The elder waved his hand, unlocking Shuro's acupoints from a distance, asking without expression.

On the right side of the Azure Cloud Hall, the members of the secondary residence focused their gaze on Shuro. If not for this incident, they would have remained unaware of this illegitimate son within their ranks.

The defiant gaze of the young man, his calm composure facing the Sevenfold Escape Technique, impressed them, revealing a bold spirit. Considering Shuro's actions, however, they found some understanding.

In the strictly hierarchical Tera Dynasty, to violate ethical norms and molest a lady of high standing was an act deemed unforgivable!

Moreover, the "lady" in question was the renowned young lady of the York family, highly esteemed in the Caelius Capital, possessing a noble status far beyond ordinary.

Shuro, falsely accused and severely injured, had harbored resentment for an undeserved calamity. The person responsible for framing and defaming him was John, the illustrious third young master of the main residence.

"In the Caelius Capital above the heavens, twelve floors, five cities. Do you know that the name of your Caelius Capital is derived from this poem?"

A strange voice echoed, somewhat untimely. Shuro was puzzled, "Who are you?”

The voice fell silent for a moment as if pondering, "You may address me as the Nine-Dragon Sovereign."

Sovereign of Nine Dragons? Shuro made an effort to recall, but after a while, he gave up. This name was not only unheard and unseen but also peculiarly abstruse, unlike a title used in the Tera Dynasty.

How did he appear in my mind? What does he intend to do?

"Up to this moment, you manage to maintain composure. Your courage, indeed, is admirable," the man spoke in a calm tone, his voice mellifluous like a gentle breeze, evoking an imperceptible sense of goodwill. "I harbor no ill intentions toward you. Not only without malice, but I also extend a modest courtesy."

He can hear my thoughts!

Closing his eyes, Shuro once again saw the man. Clad in a gray robe with dragon and crane patterns, the man stood tall with an ancient countenance. Despite appearing to be in his thirties or forties, his temples were already sprinkled with silver, and his eyes revealed profound wisdom and worldly understanding. His aura was indescribable, captivating to the observer—like a towering mountain range, majestic and rugged, prompting an infinite sense of reverence.

Suddenly, a thought emerged, causing Shuro's heart to race.

"Are you from the Immortal Clan of Solitary Moon Mountain?" Shuro asked with anticipation.

The youths of Caelius Capital were all eager, awaiting the commencement of the Immortal Clan's selection, and Shuro was no exception. However, being a peripheral member of the York family, devoid of power and influence, with mediocre talents, he had just embarked on the rudiments of the York family's alchemy and martial arts.

Shuro was well aware that such opportunities were almost impossible for him to obtain. Even so, a thread of hope lingered deep within him.

"No," Nine-Dragon Sovereign replied expressionlessly.

At the mention of the "Immortal Clan," a cold sneer briefly curved his lips before vanishing, as if he disdained even acknowledging it.

Disappointed, Shuro quickly regained his composure. He had grown accustomed to the fact that such opportunities were reserved for the legitimate heirs of the prestigious main branch of the family. As a junior from a secondary residence, his position was only slightly higher than that of an internal guard, unless he possessed exceptional talent.

"However, what the Immortal Clan can offer you, I can offer you as well," Nine-Dragon Sovereign's voice drifted in.

Shuro remained silent, wearing an expression of disbelief.

A hint of contempt flashed in Nine-Dragon Sovereign's eyes, a disdain akin to an eagle looking down on an ant. A cultivator at the Foundation Establishment realm, a mere existence easily extinguishable with a snap of his fingers, was now being equated with the Immortal Clan by these ignorant mortals—a truly ironic situation.