Unspoken Respect Beneath the Morning Sky

Upon seeing Yana Tyson, the young martial artists training within the Tyson household courtyard immediately straightened their postures and greeted her warmly.

"Young Miss!"

"Good morning, Young Miss!"

Their voices echoed across the spacious training grounds beneath the pale golden morning sun. The sound of fists cutting through the air and wooden staffs clashing slowly came to a halt as more eyes turned toward her.

Admiration filled every gaze.

To the younger generation of the Tyson Family, Yana Tyson was more than just the daughter of the household head. She was their pride.

Her long black hair swayed gently behind her as she walked beside Julian D’Aurelius, her bright orange eyes calm yet naturally commanding. Even dressed casually after an exhausting night, she still carried the sharp aura of a martial artist who had stepped through countless battles.

In the hearts of these young martial artists, she was practically untouchable.

Not only was she breathtakingly beautiful, but her martial arts talent was monstrous enough to leave people speechless.

The Tyson Family had stood in Valemont for over a century, producing many experts through generations of Old Martial Arts inheritance. Yet everyone agreed on one thing—

Yana Tyson possessed the highest talent in the family’s history.

Some elders had even secretly declared that she had a genuine chance to step into the legendary Gold Realm before the age of forty, surpassing even Wren Tyson’s record.

Such talent naturally earned worship.

However...

The moment their eyes landed on the man standing beside her, their expressions subtly changed.

Julian D’Aurelius.

The infamous number one simp of Valemont.

The young heir whose reputation had spread through nearly every upper-class circle in the city.

Several disciples exchanged glances instantly.

"Why is he here?"

"Didn’t he chase after women everywhere before?"

"I heard he spent absurd amounts of money just to please girls..."

"Why is Young Miss walking beside him?"

Their eyes slowly filled with disdain and suspicion.

Could this guy be trying to bother their young lady too?

One of the younger disciples even crossed his arms and snorted inwardly.

Their young lady only admired strength.

Not wealth.

Not looks.

Certainly not some spoiled rich young master.

A pretty boy like Julian could probably simp for another hundred years and still fail to gain even a second glance from her.

At least... that was what they believed.

Then—

They saw Yana suddenly tilt her head slightly toward Julian and smile.

Not a polite smile.

Not a cold social smile.

A genuinely soft smile.

The kind that unconsciously appeared when someone felt comfortable beside another person.

The entire training ground fell strangely silent for a moment.

Several disciples nearly choked on their own breathing.

One muscular young martial artist widened his eyes so much it looked like they might pop out.

Another almost dropped the training spear in his hand.

Their faces instantly turned red.

"What the hell..."

"Our young lady smiled at him?"

"Am I hallucinating?"

"Didn’t she hate weak men?"

Meanwhile, Julian himself didn’t notice their reactions at all.

His attention was entirely elsewhere.

More specifically—

On the reward notification floating inside his mind.

After the events at the Auction House ended, the Tyrant System had finally issued a new reward.

A Quick Mastery Technique.

At first glance, its effect sounded absurdly simple. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

It could instantly allow him to completely master a chosen skill.

Not merely learn it.

Not become familiar with it.

Complete mastery.

The moment he read the description, Julian immediately used it on the Old Martial Arts manual he had obtained from the lion Gem statue—

The Mountain Flip Hand Strike.

The instant the skill activated, countless streams of information surged into his mind like a flood breaking through a dam.

Stances.

Breathing patterns.

Force circulation.

Killing intent.

Footwork.

Angles of impact.

Every movement became engraved into his muscles as though he had cultivated the technique for decades.

Even now, while calmly walking beside Yana, Julian could feel his body subtly adjusting itself.

His breathing had changed.

His center of gravity had become steadier.

His fists felt heavier.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

This reward was honestly terrifying.

If used properly, it could rapidly increase his combat power to absurd levels.

The only annoying part...

Was the restriction imposed by the damned Tyrant System.

Only three uses.

Three perfect mastery opportunities.

That was it.

Julian almost wanted to curse aloud.

If there were no limitations, he would absolutely run around Valemont collecting Old Martial Arts manuals from every household and faction he could find.

Imagine instantly mastering dozens of techniques.

Wouldn’t that be ridiculous?

[This broken system really knows how to bait people.]

[Three uses only? Stingy bastard.]

[Still... the Mountain Flip Hand Strike really is strong.]

[Combined with the undestroyable Barrier Skill, my close combat power is becoming more and more disgusting.]

As Julian was lost in thought, Yana’s soft voice suddenly interrupted him.

"Young Master Julian, my father is waiting for you inside."

Her tone carried visible respect now.

Not forced politeness.

Real gratitude.

After everything that happened with Lucas, her feelings toward Julian had changed completely.

Julian nodded lightly.

"Let’s go."

The two walked deeper into the Tyson Family estate.

The Tyson household was enormous, built in a classical eastern architectural style with quiet stone pathways, flowing ponds, bamboo gardens, and old wooden courtyards that carried the weight of history.

The morning air was cool and refreshing.

Leaves rustled gently overhead.

Somewhere in the distance, the sound of martial artists training still echoed faintly.

As they passed through several courtyards, Yana occasionally glanced sideways at Julian.

The closer they got to her father’s residence, the more complicated her emotions became.

If not for him...

Her father might already be dead.

And she herself would probably still be blindly trusting Lucas.

Thinking about it now filled her chest with lingering fear.

That man had hidden himself too deeply.

Yet Julian saw through everything.

How?

Even now, she still could not understand.

Meanwhile, Julian walked calmly beside her with his hands in his pockets, completely relaxed.

Under the sunlight filtering through the swaying trees, his black hair looked slightly messy from the long night, while his golden eyes remained sharp and calm.

For some reason...

Yana found herself stealing glances at him more and more often.

Soon, they arrived before a quiet small courtyard.

Compared to the outer areas of the Tyson estate, this place felt peaceful and secluded.

The scent of tea lingered faintly in the air.

When they entered, Wren Tyson was seated beneath a wooden pavilion, quietly reading a book.

The middle-aged man wore simple gray robes, but the aura surrounding him remained imposing. Years of leading the Tyson Family had naturally given him a commanding presence.

However, the moment he saw Julian—

His expression immediately changed.

He slowly put down the ancient book in his hand and stood up.

Then, to Yana’s surprise...

Wren Tyson clasped his hands respectfully toward Julian.

His face carried deep shame.

"Young Master Julian," he said sincerely, "I was offensive a few days ago. I apologize here and now."

His voice was heavy.

A few days earlier at the airport, he had completely misunderstood Julian.

At the time, he viewed him as nothing more than a spoiled young master relying on his family background.

He had even mocked him indirectly.

Thinking back now...

The more he reflected on it, the more uneasy he became.

This young man had saved his life.

Not only that—

He had also protected the entire Tyson Family from being dragged into disaster.

If Julian had stayed silent...

The consequences would have been unimaginable.

Julian waved his hand casually and smiled.

"Uncle Tyson, you’re too kind. No need to worry about it."

His tone was relaxed and easygoing, without the slightest trace of arrogance.

That made Wren Tyson even more embarrassed.

[Forget it, I’m a magnanimous person.]

[Besides, it’s not a big deal. It’s just your nature.]

[A drop of kindness should be repaid with a life. Your character is indeed commendable.]