As Tang Xi and An Tao walked through the Tang plex, they finally reached the main hall. Unlike what one might expect of a pce with such a wasn't a grand or overly solemn space. On the trary, the Tang family's main hall was weling, refleg the ersonality of Tahe patriarch. The room exuded a feeling of safety and nostalgia, with uated tapestries and the soft glow of nterns hanging from dark wooden pilrs.

  As soon as Tang Xi crossed the threshold, she was flooded with memories of her childhood. She recalled the tless times her father made it a priority to be present, eveired or buried in work. He always said, —"Nothing is more important than you, Xi."— Now, seeing him seated in the tral chair, eating and waiting for her with a warm smile, her heart softened. Despite nearing adulthood, her father maintaihe habit of sharing meals with her whenever he could, especially on her birthday—a day she preferred to keep uated, though he disagreed.

  —"Good m, Father," — Tang Xi greeted respectfully, bowing slightly.

  —"Good m, my dear. Sit and have breakfast with me," — Tang Wei replied warmly, gesturing for the guards and servants to leave, allowing them to be alone.

  Xi plied, but as she sat down, she couldn't help but notice the fatigue in her father's expression. Lately, he seemed more occupied and troubled, particurly due to the ret provocations from the Shang family, who were trying to suppress the Tang's business. Xi k wasn't merely about ercial rivalry but something far more personal.

  As she ate quietly beside her father, her mind drifted to the past. The ins of this enmity were as vivid as they were painful to her.

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  The Day That ged Everything

  When she was just eight years old, one year after her spiritual root test, Xi's life ged drastically. Before the test, she had felt a mixture of excitement and ay, w what kind of future awaited her. She khat the qualificatioermined by spiritual roots was crucial in this world, yet she held on to hope. A voice within her whispered that somethiraordinary y ahead, especially when she recalled the sense of power she had felt in her previous world.

  In this world, spiritual roots were divided into five mais—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. These roots could i to form rarer variants such as lightning, ice, wind, or mist. Moreover, the purity and number of roots determined a cultivator's potential. The fewer the roots, the easier it was to absorb and el spiritual energy effitly. The most favorable qualification was a single, high-purity root, while the so-called "five roots of waste" were the worst-case sario.

  Wheest results were revealed, Xi was initially in shock. She possessed all five elemental roots, making cultivatioremely challenging. What should have been a moment of hope became a nightmare. The news spread quickly, and before long, the ey knew. She could still hear the disdain and ridicule in the whispers of others.

  But it was her father's love that pulled her out of despair. Tang Wei was furious about the leak and puhe culprit severely. He became her stau defender, ensuring no disparaging remarks were tolerated in public, even if pt lingered in the shadows. He strongly suspected the Shang family's involvement in spreading the news, and their stant insinuations only deepened his suspis.

  Over time, the situation worsened. Despite the precious resources Tang Wei provided, Xi couldn't even reach the first level of Body Tempering. It seemed as though something within her body absorbed all the spiritual energy without leaving any effect. Her father sulted experts, alchemists, and herbalists far and wide, but none could expin the phenomenon.

  As the years passed, Xi grew aced to the title of "waste," but she never let it define her. At the age of nine, she finally told her father:"Father, don't worry about me anymore. Don't waste your efforts or resources. I'll prove to everyohat I'm not defined by my qualifications."

  Though relut, Tang Wei respected his daughter's wishes but tio support her discreetly. He ensured she had access to the best resources, trusting her without hesitation.

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  The Present

  Ba the present, as she looked at her father, Xi felt a deep sense of gratitude. Despite everything they had faced together, he had opped believing in her. He wasn't just a father but a erstone of her life, a liviament to the power of love and dedication.

  Tang Wei, as if sensing Xi's thoughts, smiled warmly and handed her a small package ed in golden silk.

  —"I know you don't like grand celebrations, but I 't let your birthday pass unnoticed. Open it."

  Xi uhe package to reveal a delicate white jade bracelet. It was unassuming but radiated an air of timeless beauty. She looked at her father curiously.

  —"It's a special gift, my dear. This beloo my wife—your mother. She would have wanted you to have it. I have a feeling this will be a pivotal year for you. I trust that you'll find your path, Xi. I've always trusted you."

  His words made her heart race. Perhaps it was just a bracelet, but the message behind it was clear. Her father believed in her arusted her with an item of profound significe.

  Xi slipped the bracelet onto her wrist and smiled.

  —"Thank you, Father. One day, I'll be strong enough to repay everything you've done for me."

  They tiheir meal, discussing trivial matters, but deep down, Xi felt that something was about to ge. The premonition she'd been sensing for days now seemed strohan ever.

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