Chapter 222 Preparation

Orion finally arrived back at his house, relieved to be able to finally rest after a long day. As he walked through the door, he was greeted by the familiar sight of his younger sister, Lily, who was lounging on the couch with a mischievous grin on her face.

"Hello, brother. Do you pass the test? It's okay if you don't pass." Lily teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Orion couldn't help but roll his eyes at his sister's playful tone. He knew she was only teasing him, but the thought of not passing the test never even crossed his mind. "Yes, I passed the test," he replied, trying to keep his voice neutral.

Lily sat up straight, her eyes widening with surprise. "Wow, congratulations!" she exclaimed, a genuine smile spreading across her face.

Orion couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at his sister's genuine excitement for him. He had always been protective of Lily ever since they were young and their parents passed away.

He had taken it upon himself to raise her and had worked tirelessly to provide for them both. It was because of her that he had decided to join the Celestial Harmony Sect in the first place to give them both a better life.

"Pack your things. We will go somewhere tomorrow," Orion said, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Lily's eyes widened with excitement. "Where are we going?" she asked eagerly.

"To the Celestial Harmony Sect. Your brother here passed the test," Orion said, a note of pride in his voice.

Lily's face broke out into a huge grin. "That's amazing, brother! I'm so proud of you," she exclaimed, jumping up from the couch and wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.

Orion couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth spread through his chest at his sister's words. He hugged her back tightly, feeling grateful to have such a supportive sister by his side.

As they pulled away from each other, Orion couldn't help but notice the mischievous glint in Lily's eyes. He knew that look all too well, and he braced himself for whatever playful comment she was about to make.

"Well, brother, I guess you won't be able to boss me around anymore now that you're a big shot in the sect," Lily teased, sticking her tongue out at him.

Orion couldn't help but chuckle at his sister's playful banter. "Don't worry, Lily. I'll still be your big brother, no matter what," he replied, ruffling her hair affectionately.

Lily rolled her eyes, but Orion could see the fondness in her expression. "I know, I know. I'm just teasing you," she said, her tone softening.

Orion smiled at his sister, feeling grateful for her lighthearted spirit. He knew that the road ahead would be tough, but having Lily by his side made him feel like he could conquer anything.

Together, they spent the rest of the evening packing their belongings and preparing for the journey ahead. Orion couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within him as he thought about the opportunities that awaited him in the Celestial Harmony Sect.

---

Inside a grand room of the Winteria Clan, two women sat in deep conversation. One was Aurora, the serious and calculating woman who had recently been accepted into the Celestial Harmony Sect. The other was her mother, the Matriarch of the Winteria Clan, a powerful figure in the cultivation world known for her shrewdness and intelligence.

The room was lavishly decorated, with plush carpets covering the floor and elegant tapestries adorning the walls. A large fireplace crackled merrily in the corner, casting a warm glow over the room. Aurora and her mother sat in comfortable armchairs near the fire, sipping on cups of tea as they talked.

"So, tell me, Aurora," began the Matriarch, her sharp eyes fixed on her daughter. "How did it go? What have you found out about the boy that you are so interested in?"

Aurora took a sip of her tea, collecting her thoughts before she spoke. "It went well, Mother," she replied calmly. "I was able to observe him closely during the tests. He is a skilled cultivator with a powerful beast by his side."

The Matriarch raised an eyebrow at her daughter's words. "And?" she prompted.

"And... he has potential," Aurora continued, her voice tinged with excitement. "He is not like the others, Mother. He has a certain... something that sets him apart."

The Matriarch leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "What do you mean, Aurora? What is it about him that intrigues you so much?"

Aurora hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering away from her mother's intense scrutiny. "I don't know," she finally admitted. "There is just something about him that draws me to him. He is strong and confident, and... different."

The Matriarch studied her daughter for a long moment, her expression unreadable. "Aurora," she said finally, her voice measured. "You know that we cannot afford to let sentiment cloud our judgement. We must be pragmatic in our decisions, always putting the interests of the clan first."

Aurora nodded, her face serious. "I know, Mother. But I believe that this boy... Orion... has potential. He could be an asset to us. I also needed to tell you that his talent is also S-tier."

The Matriarch's eyes widened in surprise as she heard Aurora's words. "S-tier?" she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Are you certain?"

Aurora nodded firmly, her expression serious. "Yes, Mother. He told me himself, and I have also observed his power. He is definitely an S-tier talent."

The Matriarch leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face. "This is... interesting," she mused. "To think that there is someone out there with a talent that rivals your own."

Aurora bristled slightly at her mother's words, sensing a hint of disapproval in her tone. "I know, Mother," she said, her voice firm. "But I believe that Orion could be an asset to us. With his talent and his beast, he could prove to be a valuable ally."

The Matriarch studied her daughter for a long moment, her eyes shrewd. "And what about his loyalty?" she asked finally. "Can we trust him to be loyal to the Winteria Clan?"

Aurora hesitated for a moment, considering her answer carefully. "I believe so, Mother," she said finally. "He seems like an honourable young man. And I think he would be willing to work with us if it meant achieving his own goals."

The Matriarch nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "Very well," she said. "I trust your judgement, Aurora. But we must be cautious. We cannot afford to make any missteps in our dealings with him."

Aurora nodded in agreement, her face serious. "I understand, Mother. I will be careful."

The two women lapsed into silence for a moment. Each lost in her own thoughts. Finally, the Matriarch spoke up again. "And what about your own cultivation, Aurora?" she asked. "Have you been making progress?"

Aurora nodded a hint of pride in her voice. "Yes, Mother. I have been training hard, and I believe that I have made some significant strides."

The Matriarch smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming with approval. "Good," she said. "You know that I am proud of you, Aurora. You are a valuable member of our clan, and I have no doubt that you will continue to excel."

Aurora felt a warm flush of pride spread through her chest at her mother's words. She had always craved her mother's approval, and it meant everything to her to know that she was making her proud.