Iy of Moonlit Grove, led within the region of Eternal Mist, the m sun struggled futilely to pierce through the dense fog that enshrouded the area. Iang family's training grounds, the rhythmic sounds of strikes echoed, breaking the oppressive sileang Xi, a beautiful young woman with long bck hair, was fully focused, her hands a delivering precise blows to reinforced sandbags. Eaent was imbued with strength aermination, refleg her resilient spirit.

  Today marked her 14th birthday. Although she had grown aced to this world, she vividly remembered her ins and the day she was found. Sihen, she had vowed to uhe truth about her real parents, live a life of honor, and protect Tang Wei, her adoptive father, who had sacrificed everything to raise her.

  As she trained, a voice broke the air.—"Miss, the master has summoned you to the main hall!"

  The young servant Tang An Tao, panting, hurried toward her. Xi rexed her shoulders, taking a deep breath and wiping the sweat with her sleeve. Tang An Tao, always eid somewhat chatty, began apanying her.—"Let's go, miss! He said it was urgent. Oh, did you hear about Shang Hua-Yen?" — the girl began, her enthusiasm evident.

  Xi sighed, a faint smile pying on her lips. She knew An Tao couldn't resist gossip—and truthfully, her could she, especially when it involved the offspring of the other ruling families.—"Take it slow, An Tao. Speak as we walk."

  On their way to her quarters, Xi reflected on Moonlit Grove's dynamics. Governed by the Four Families—Tang, Shang, Li, and Xing—the city was a mi of rivalries, ambitions, and erce. Each family pyed its role: the Tang family, led by her father, mahe trade of spiritual meats; the Shang monopolized spiritual pills; the Li trolled restaurants and spiritual cuisines; and the reserved Xing family oversaw a variety of businesses ranging from ironworks to spiritual ons. Additionally, the Treasure Pavilion, a powerful anizatioing across the three regions, maintained a presen the city, supplying cultivators and mortals alike with material needs.

  The ti seemed divided into three regions: the Eternal Mist Region, where her current home was located; the Dark Forest Region, a perilous area teeming with spiritual beasts; and the Rising Pins, a retively safer pce, ri mineral resources and the primary hub of human activity.

  As she pohese dynamics, Xi was swiftly guided to her room. An Tao insisted she prepare herself properly before meeting Tang Wei, helpiake a quick bath aing a set of , albeit simple, clothes.

  —"Maybe it's about your birthday!" — An Tao suggested, her expression unusually serious. "Or... somethied to the Shang family. They've been quite busy tely, especially with the eldest daughter, Shang Hua-Ren. Did you know she ted into the Spiritual Herb Valley? Sihen, they've grown increasingly arrogant. And don't get me started on Shang Hua-Yen! You should've seen... She publicly humiliated the eldest son of the Li family, Li Feng-Yu! She decred, right oreet, in that pretentious tone of hers, that he should look in the mirror before even daring to think about her sister."

  Tang Xi listened as they walked through the corridors of the Tang plex, a pce austere yet well-maintaihe stone walls were adorned with modest tapestries and nterns that cast a warm glow, a f trast to Moonlit Grove's stant chill. She was lost in thought about ret events when something caught her attention.

  Raising her hand, she signaled An Tao to remain silent. Voices could be heard from behind a bush lining the path. Both approached cautiously, straining to hear the versation.

  —"I pity our dy, especially when pared to the brilliant Shang Hua-Ren,"— said a feminine voi a low tone, but loud enough to be overheard. "Now that she's been accepted as an inner disciple of the Spiritual Herb Valley and has reached the seventh level of Body Tempering at just 17, she's a true prodigy. Meanwhile... our dy hasn't even achieved the first level of Body Tempering, despite all the resources her father gives her."

  The sed voice replied with a bitter, almost venomous tone:—"Pity? ity! She has a father who spoils her and gives her everything she wants, but what good does that do? She's still just a mortal. One day she'll age and die before us. It's all a waste."

  The two tinued murmuring as they moved away, oblivious to the fact they had been overheard.

  Hiding behind the bush, Tang Xi exhaled softly. Beside her, An Tao was visibly furious and made a move to front the maids, but her mistress's hand stopped her. Despite An Tao's cultivation at the fourth level of Body Tempering, she couldn't break free. Xi held her firmly, her silver eyes gleaming with resolve.

  Ohe maids were out of earshot, Xi released An Tao, who immediately protested:—"Miss, why did you stop me? I could've driven them out for their insolence!"

  Xi smiled, but there was a steadfastness in her expression that belied the disparaging title the city had given her.—"It makes no difference, An Tao. Even if we drove them out, others would tio talk. We 't silence every mouth in Moonlit Grove. Besides, I know who I am. No matter what they say, I am not weak."

  An Tao hesitated but eventually he anger on her face giving way to admiration.—"One day, everyone will see how extraordinary you are, miss, and they'll regret those petty words."

  —"Maybe. But until then, I have more important things to focus on than rumors. Let's head to the main hall. My father is waiting."

  The two resumed their path. Throughout the Tang plex, guards and servants paused to greet Xi with respect. Some even dared to offer shy smiles. Though her reputation as "waste" was widespread, Xi's fident demeanor seemed to make many fet it. She walked with unwavering calm, her presence defying the malicious words spoken earlier.