Ren Zhantian stared at his son in complete disbelief. His lips opened and closed a few times, but no sound came out. Finally, he roared.
"Fourth Celestial Layer! Are you kidding me!?"
Zian rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Uh... not kidding."
Zhantian stormed across the living room, pacing like a caged beast. His face was twisted with emotions—shock, pride, worry, and a very healthy amount of fear.
"You bonded to a Fourth Layer vein. On your first attempt. With no training. No family background. No sect elder babysitting you through it. You just... wandered into the Astral God Space and—!"
He stopped, running a hand through his hair like he was trying to physically push the absurdity out of his brain.
Zian watched him, trying not to grin. Seeing his father, the man who had taught him how to throw a punch, lose his mind like this was almost satisfying.
Zhantian took a deep breath. When he spoke again, his voice was low and serious.
"Sit down, Zian. We need to talk."
Zian dropped onto the couch without arguing. His father sat across from him, his eyes sharper now, like a hunter scenting danger.
"You don't understand what you just stumbled into. The world isn't going to see you as a genius."
He leaned forward.
"They're going to see you as a prize. Or a threat."
Zian's smile faded.
"There are powers in this world, boy. Not just the ones you hear about on the news. Not just the flashy dojos and university banners. Real powers. Old powers."
He ticked them off on his fingers.
"The three supreme dojos: Heavenly Dragon Dojo, Scarlet Cloud Temple, and Titan Gate. Each controls entire regions of the world. Each has their own networks of families, merchants, politicians, and rogue cultivators."
He gave a bitter laugh.
"And that's not counting the 'independent' families. Some of them are stronger than the dojos themselves. They just don't bother flying flags."
Zian nodded slowly, soaking it all in.
Zhantian's face darkened.
"You think these groups work together because humanity needs unity against the beasts?"
He scoffed.
"They hate each other's guts. Scarlet Cloud Temple and Heavenly Dragon Dojo have been at each other's throats for decades. Titan Gate pretends to stay neutral, but they'll cut anyone's throat if it benefits them. And then there are the hidden families—the Nine Rivers Clan, the Stormspire Sect, the Red Lotus Pavilion—ancient powers that don't answer to anyone."
"As you most likely already know, as your cultivation grows, your lifespan grows along with it. Some of the old monsters from these families and Dojos were the leading figures against the Beast invasion during the Great Awakening. Not only are they themselves strong, but the resources and influence at their command is unimaginable."
Zian's stomach twisted.
"And it's not just recruitment offers you'll have to worry about," Zhantian continued grimly. "Some groups prefer a simpler solution. If they can't have you, they'll make sure no one else can."
Zian swallowed.
"Alright," he said slowly. "So what do we do?"
Zhantian's eyes narrowed.
"We use the rules. Carefully."
He stood and began pacing again, the old instincts of a field commander showing through.
"There's a protocol for cases like this. It's rare, but it exists. It's called a Private Awakening Certification."
Zian frowned. "Private?"
Zhantian nodded.
"Before your official test results get uploaded into the global system, we have the right to request a private evaluation. Your vein will be registered, but hidden from public access. Your strength too. Only government-level authorities or top-tier dojo elders will be able to see it."
He smiled grimly.
"And trust me, they won't make a move unless they're sure you're worth the risk."
Zian leaned back.
"So... how do we get this Private Certification thing going?"
Zhantian grunted.
"Normally, you'd have to be a direct member of one of the big families or sects to even get considered. But..."
He smirked a little.
"I happen to have an old friend who works in the administrative division of Heavenly Dragon Dojo."
Zian blinked.
"You were in Heavenly Dragon?"
"Still am, technically. Lower-level logistics officer now. Used to be active combat unit."
Zhantian shook his head.
"Doesn't matter. The important thing is, my friend owes me. His name's Wei Shuren. He's in charge of handling special cases like yours."
Zian absorbed that.
"Will he actually help?"
Zhantian gave a rare, sharp grin.
"If I call in the favor, he will."
He sat back down, his expression grave again.
"But listen to me carefully, Zian. Once you start down this path, there's no turning back. Once you file for Private Certification, the big players will smell blood in the water. They'll know someone special is being hidden. They'll start watching. Waiting."
Zian clenched his fists.
"I'm ready."
Zhantian snorted.
"No, you're not. Not yet."
He leaned in, voice dropping to a near whisper.
"You've had a good start. Better than anyone could dream. But you're still a cub, not a dragon. Until you reach Astral Core Stage, at the very least, you stay hidden. You cultivate in silence. You show nothing unless you have no choice."
Zian nodded firmly.
"Got it."
Zhantian studied him for a long moment, then finally nodded.
"Good. Tomorrow, we'll contact Wei Shuren. Set up the private test."
He stood, clapped his son once hard on the shoulder.
"And after that... we start preparing you for the real world."
Zian grinned, the excitement bubbling up again.
"Finally."
Zhantian grunted.
"You won't be saying that after your first week of training."
Zian laughed, but inside he felt the fires burning stronger.
The future was coming fast.
And for the first time in his life, he wasn't afraid.