Inside the Trial Tower

Northern Heavens Soul Academy, Dean's Office. A man dressed in black, with deep-set eyes and an air of carefree irreverence, sat in his chair, gazing out the window.

Sparse clouds drifted across the azure sky, moving slowly under the breeze, while the blazing sun hung high overhead.

The door buzzed.

"Come in."

Three young men and women entered. The one in front bore a seventy to eighty percent resemblance to the man, though he looked more youthful. However, he carried a steadier air than the man did.

"Father, you sent for us," Hun Yufeng said.

"Clan leader!" Hun Jin and Hun Husheng, standing beside him, respectfully bowed.

"Yufeng, don't be so serious. Young people should have more vitality, more drive," Hun Zhang said with a smile.

"And because of that, the clan has suffered a massive loss of talent. So many people have gone to serve the former clan leader who was expelled, joining the Soul Hall."

The gentle smile Mu Chen had seen on Hun Yufeng's face was gone. With a stern expression and a low voice, he spoke.

Hun Zhang did not defend himself, merely smiling as he said,

"Isn't that good too? The clan members have better prospects and can see a broader world. We should bless them. After all, Soul Clan blood still flows through their veins."

"I cannot agree... The world knows only the Soul Hall, not the Soul Clan. I want to change that. I want the Soul Clan's name to resound throughout the Great Thousand, to become an existence like the Budu Ancient Clan or the Mohe Ancient Clan." The young man looked directly at his father, his gaze filled with resolve.

Hun Zhang still wore that carefree smile.

"Since you've chosen your path, then walk it to the end. Whether as the