Accompanied by Forly, Devor made his way toward the grand entrance of the Azure Sky Sect.

  Though hesitant at first, his curiosity about the visitor eventually won out. If this person turned out to be an imposter, Devor was determined not to let it rattle him.

  As he approached, the Sect's gatekeeper stepped forward, his sharp gaze fixed on Devor.

  "No disciple leaves the Sect without proper authorization," the gatekeeper said, holding out his hand. "Let me see your Sect Permission Token."

  Devor gave a slight bow, his voice steady and respectful. "I was informed that a family member is waiting outside. I’ve come to verify their identity."

  The gatekeeper’s eyes narrowed. "Devor Li, correct?"

  "Yes," Devor answered, keeping his tone calm.

  The gatekeeper studied him for a moment, then stepped aside. "You may proceed, but remember, you’re not allowed beyond the gate. Any conversation must happen here."

  "Understood," Devor said with a respectful nod.

  The gatekeeper returned to his post, and Devor continued toward the towering blue gate, with Forly just a step behind.

  The gate loomed ten meters high, its intricate carvings of coiled dragons catching the sunlight. The air was thick with the scent of nearby spiritual flowers, their delicate fragrance adding an almost sacred feel to the atmosphere.

  Near the gate, a small group of disciples lingered, discussing their upcoming missions in hushed tones. Their conversation halted abruptly as a loud, raspy voice shattered the calm.

  "Son!"

  The word echoed through the courtyard, drawing every eye.

  Devor’s brows knit together as he turned toward the voice. Standing just beyond the gate was a middle-aged man, his face weathered and lined with deep wrinkles. His plain brown clothes were starkly out of place against the refined elegance of the Sect’s robes.

  Devor squinted, studying the man, but no recognition stirred.

  The man's eager eyes latched onto Devor as he took a shaky step forward, his body trembling with emotion.

  Devor’s expression remained icy. He approached slowly, his voice steady but laced with suspicion. "Who are you?"

  The man’s excitement swelled, and he moved closer, arms outstretched as if to embrace Devor.

  But Devor raised a hand, stopping him with a firm gesture. "Don’t come any closer," he said sharply.

  The man froze, his arms dropping awkwardly to his sides. Clearing his throat, he declared, "I am your father, son!"

  Devor’s eyes narrowed, a cold intensity brewing beneath the surface. "My father?" he echoed, his voice cutting. "What proof do you have to back up that claim?"

  The man’s face lit up with a flicker of hope. "Your grandfather’s name is Doyu Li, isn’t it? He’s my father. That makes me your father!"

  Devor felt a pang at the mention of his grandfather, but his expression remained unreadable. "You know his name," he said coolly. "So what? Why show up now, after all this time?"

  The man’s face clouded with a mix of guilt and sorrow. "I know I’ve been absent. I can’t undo the past, but I want to make things right. My love for you has never changed."

  Devor’s lips twisted into a cold sneer. His voice dropped, every word sharp and cutting. "Love? Don’t talk to me about love." He stepped closer, his gaze like a blade. "My grandfather was the one who stood by me, who sacrificed everything so I could be here. And where were you? Hiding? Running? What have you ever done for me, besides share your blood?"

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  The man’s hands trembled slightly, but he didn’t back down. "The blood in your veins is mine!" he insisted, his voice tinged with desperation. "The Sect has ways to prove it. You can confirm I’m your father!"

  Devor’s eyes narrowed, his presence growing colder. "Blood?" he scoffed. "That’s all you have? A biological connection means nothing to me. My grandfather raised me, nurtured me, gave me everything. He was my real family."

  The man’s face contorted with a storm of emotions—regret, pain, and frustration all vying for dominance. "I left you with him because I had no choice!" he shouted, his voice cracking under the weight of his words. "Do you think it was easy for me to abandon my only son?"

  Devor’s sneer deepened, his eyes cold. "Choice or not, you left me. That’s all that matters. You weren’t there when I needed you, and now you think you can just walk back in and claim the title of ‘father’?"

  The tension hung thick in the air, the gathered disciples watching in silence, their previous chatter forgotten.

  Forly shifted uneasily beside Devor, glancing at him but keeping quiet.

  "But your mother gave birth to you!" the man rasped, his voice tinged with desperation. "She brought you into this world!"

  Devor met him with an icy stare. Without a word, he reached into his robe, pulled out a small cloth pouch, and tossed it to the man.

  The man barely managed to catch it, his rough hands trembling as they clutched the pouch. His eyes lit up with a brief spark of hope as he peeked inside, but the hope quickly faded, replaced by a mixture of longing and disappointment. Whatever he had expected, this wasn’t it.

  "Consider that compensation for bringing me into the world," Devor said coldly. His tone was as sharp and unforgiving as his gaze. "Blood ties mean nothing to me. Apart from my grandfather, I recognize no one as family—not even those who share my blood."

  Without waiting for a response, Devor turned on his heel and strode back toward the Sect. His steps were steady, deliberate, each one radiating calm authority.

  Forly followed close behind, his eyes darting between Devor and the man they left behind, his expression unreadable.

  "You ungrateful brat! You unfilial child!" the man’s voice rang out, hoarse and filled with frustration. "I’ll report you to the Sect! They’ll see the truth—that you’re cold-hearted, unworthy of their teachings! A traitor in the making!"

  Devor didn’t break stride, his back straight and unyielding as he disappeared into the Sect grounds without a glance back.

  ??????

  Devor’s mind remained unaffected by the outburst. His grandfather had rarely mentioned his parents, and Devor—someone who had reincarnated into this world—felt no attachment to the concept of family beyond those built on trust and genuine care. Blood ties? Without the warmth of connection, they meant nothing.

  He thought back to the serene final days with his grandfather. It was during those quiet moments that his grandfather had spoken of Devor’s parents. But Devor had brushed it off, uninterested in people who had never been part of his life.

  As for the man’s threats to report him to the Sect? Devor found them almost amusing. The Azure Sky Sect wasn’t run by fools. They would see through the man’s desperation easily.

  Upon returning to the gate, Devor approached one of the Sect’s gatekeepers, a figure radiating calm authority.

  "A man claiming to be my father came today," Devor said evenly. "I’ve dealt with it, but I’d like to request that no one else claiming familial ties be allowed through unless I give explicit permission."

  The gatekeeper raised an eyebrow but nodded in understanding. "Understood. Anyone else causing trouble will be handled appropriately."

  Devor handed the gatekeeper a small pouch of Spiritual Stones—a quiet gesture of thanks. The gatekeeper accepted it with a nod, patting his chest as a sign of assurance. "Your request will be honored."

  Back in the Spiritual Garden, Devor resumed his routine as though nothing had happened. He tended to the Spiritual Plants, guided the Apprentices under his care, and spent his evenings refining his Cultivation Technique. Forly, though still quietly concerned, kept his thoughts to himself, observing as Devor moved through the day with his usual calm composure.

  The days passed swiftly, and within a week, the encounter with the middle-aged man had faded into a distant memory. The Sect had dismissed the man’s complaints without investigation, knowing Devor’s history well. His background had been thoroughly reviewed when he joined the Sect, and it was well-documented that his grandfather had been the sole figure in his life, sacrificing everything for Devor’s growth.

  The Sect leaders, if anything, were impressed by Devor’s actions. His decision to value genuine bonds over mere blood ties spoke volumes about his loyalty and character. To them, it was a testament to the Sect’s teachings. They believed that with a true sense of belonging, Devor would one day defend the Sect as fiercely as he had cherished his grandfather.

  For Devor, the matter was closed. The man at the gate was just another stranger from a past he had no intention of revisiting.

  As the days rolled on, Devor’s focus remained steady. The path of cultivation stretched endlessly before him, and he was determined to walk it with unwavering resolve, leaving behind the burdens of people and memories that no longer held any weight.