The atmosphere in the main hall of the Tang mansion was imbued with a ix of seriousness and anticipation. Tang Xi sat with the Lunar Umbrel resting in her hands, still puzzled as to what it actually represented, especially after hearing about its physique. Her father, Tang Wei, examihe object attentively. Although the aura emanating from the umbrel was subtle, it seemed intrinsically iwined with his daughter's presence, making it clear that it was not a simple artifact.

  Tang Wei reflected deeply. At first, he thought the artifact might have chosen his daughter due to her physique. However, he quickly dismissed the idea. Treasures of this kind, even the less sophisticated ones, possessed an evident self-awareness, something the Lunar Umbrel did not exhibit. Moreover, the way the object seemed fused with Tang Xi's essence ruled out the possibility of it being a heritage treasure.

  —"My daughter,"— he began, his voiow relieved and slightly enthusiastic, —"I believe your Lunar Umbrel is a Natal Treasure, a type of talent even rarer than your special physique."

  Tang Xi blinked, surprised. —"Aype of talent? Is there something beyond spiritual roots, special physiques, and pression talents? What is a Natal Treasure, Father?"

  Tang Wei smiled at his daughter's evident curiosity. —"Yes, there is. You've heard of Taoist ons, haven't you? My own Golden Steel Rock Sword is an example of such a on. These are created after years of preparation, bining preaterials with the cultivator's essence of flesh and blood to form something harmonized with its wielder. However, the process is extremely risky and expensive. One mistake, and the on bees permaly fwed, rendering it impossible to redo the process."

  He paused for a moment, the growing sparkle in Tang Xi's eyes as she absorbed the information.

  —"But the Natal Treasure,"— he tinued, his voice grave, —"is somethiirely different. Taoist ons are merely attempts to imitate a Natal Treasure, but they ever reach its power or potential. A Natal Treasure is born alongside its owner, being an inseparable part of their existes synergy is perfed absolute. It grows and evolves alongside its wielder, unlog unique abilities over time."

  Tang Xi listened ily, her face a mix of curiosity and admiration.

  —"There's more,"— Tang Wei went on. —"When the owner of a Natal Treasure dies, the treasure immediately ceases to exist. It is intrinsically tied to the life of its master. Moreover, the Natal Treasure ot be used by anyone uhe owner allows it. This makes it incredibly powerful but not something that provokes greed, uher ons that reize a new master if the current one is killed. Its rarity is unimaginable. Hundreds of millions of years pass without a sial Treasure appearing."

  Tang Wei paused, the iy of his words now clearly reflected in his expression. —"Try to unicate with it, my daughter. Discover its capabilities. A Natal Treasure is unique, and uanding its funs will be essential to harness its full potential."

  Tang Xi nodded, both anxious and nervous. She closed her eyes, entering a meditative state, attempting to ect with the Lunar Umbrel. Surprisingly, a sensation of warmth and fort immediately enveloped her. A fai firm sciousness echoed in her mind:

  Defense: When opened, I form a shield that deflects attacks and reflects hostile energies of a simir or lower level.

  Attack: I amplify the weight of your strikes and allow you to manipute lunar and stelr energies with lethal precision. Ireme danger, I create a spatial barrier to protect you and teleport you away. However, this ability only be used once per year.

  Dete: I am sensitive to spiritual resources, capable of deteg them from a distance. I also distort the light around us, rendering you invisible or cealing your presence.

  Tang Xi slowly opened her eyes, her breathing heavy as she processed what she had heard. Her lips trembled with emotion as she reted the Lunar Umbrel's capabilities to her father, who simply nodded with a satisfied smile.

  —"Then it's true,"— said Tang Wei with a mix of pride and reverence. —"You've been blessed with something that transds the uanding of most. Now, my daughter, prepare yourself. With a Natal Treasure, great opportunities and dangers will iably e your way."

  —"But don't fet,"— Tang Wei warned, his tone heavy, making the atmosphere feel even more oppressive. —"Although the Lunar Umbrel isn't coveted by many, it carries a value that few truly uand. Those who ot recruit you for their purposes will certainly try to prevent yrowing."

  Tang Xi kept her gaze fixed on her father. Despite the weight of his words, her expression remained firm, resolute, as if every word was a reminder of what she already knew and repared to face.

  —"Don't worry, Father. I'll be cautious, both with my body and with the Lunar Umbrel. I won't leave room for mistakes,"— she replied.

  Tang Wei nodded, a glimmer of relief mixed with in his eyes. He knew his daughter was no lohe naive girl she once was. Even so, his fatherly heart ached at the thought of the challenges she would face.

  Xi paused, took a deep breath, and tinued, her voice den with determination:

  —"And, Father, I want to participate in the Four Families petition."

  Her words reverberated through the room like thunder, surprising Tang Wei. He stared at her for a moment, as if assessing whether she truly uood what she was asking for. But as he looked into her eyes, he saw a burning fme, a fighting spirit that could not be ignored.

  Tang Wei averted his gaze, fixing it on a distant point in the room. Memories of the rumors that haunted his daughter flooded his mind. The cruel whispers, the gossip that, despite all his power, he couldn't silence. He khose words had hurt Xi, but here she was, a young woman who refused to be broken.

  —"My daughter..."— he began, his voice filled with emotiourned back to Xi, now with pride in his eyes. —"If this is what you desire, then go. We cultivators must a accordah our hearts. And you, Xi, have a stro. Show them who you truly are."

  Tang Wei paused, as if gathering strength to tinue. His thoughts drifted to a promise made years ago, when Xi was still a child. Back then, she had vowed to him that she would prove her worth to the world.

  —"I believe in you, my daughter. In a month, you will achieve what others spend years merely dreaming of. And on that day, all those who doubted you will receive the sp in the face they deserve."

  The emotion in Tang Wei's voice alpable. Xi felt a warmth spread through her chest. It wasn't just her father's pride that strengthened her, but the weight of the trust he pced in her.

  She said nothing more. She simply bowed her head in respect, her eyes shining with determination. In her mind, the promise to prove her worth wasn't just for the world, but also for the man who believed in her unditionally.

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  Tang Wei watched as his daughter left the room. He khe ing weeks would be critical, but seeing the resolve in Xi's eyes, he was certain she was ready to fay obstacle that came her way.

  However, he also o prepare to protect his daughter. He thought it was time to leave the city and take her to the recruitme for disciples at the Pace of a Thousand Daos, which would take p six months. It would be tight to get there, but with his es, he could find a way.

  Lost in thought, Tang Wei returo the room where his old friend awaited him.