The following morning arrived quietly.
Sunlight spread across the mountains surrounding Eastern Horizon Academy while spiritual mist drifted between the peaks like flowing rivers of silver.
Krishak remained at home for once.
No meetings.
No academy matters.
No international cultivation conferences.
No government negotiations.
Just a normal morning.
Or as normal as life could be for someone regarded as one of humanity's most important figures.
Inside the dining room—
His sister was already eating breakfast while reading a cultivation manual at the same time.
His mother immediately frowned.
"Food first."
The book vanished from the table.
His sister sighed dramatically.
"But I was studying."
"You were ignoring breakfast."
"I can do both."
"No."
Krishak quietly drank his tea while watching the familiar exchange unfold.
His father simply continued reading the morning news as though nothing unusual was happening.
Clearly this argument had occurred many times before.
Eventually his sister looked toward him.
"Brother"
"Hm?"
"Everyone says I should apply directly to Eastern Horizon's advanced entrance examination next year."
Krishak remained silent.
She immediately continued.
"But others say I should stay in the junior divisions longer."
Now she looked genuinely conflicted.
"Which one should I do?"
His mother and father both glanced toward him as well.
Because despite everything—
When cultivation matters were involved, nobody questioned Krishak's judgment.
Krishak thought briefly before answering.
"What do you want?"
His sister blinked.
"I asked for your opinion."
"And I asked what you want."
She paused.
Actually thinking.
After several moments she finally spoke.
"I want to improve faster."
A reasonable answer.
But Krishak shook his head.
"That's not the real reason."
His sister frowned.
Then slowly lowered her gaze.
Eventually she admitted quietly:
"...I want people to stop comparing me to you."
The room became silent.
For years—
People constantly mentioned Krishak whenever her achievements were discussed.
No matter how talented she was.
No matter how hard she trained.
Someone always said the same thing.
"She's Krishak's sister."
Not her own name.
Not her own accomplishments.
Just a connection to someone else.
Krishak understood immediately.
Because such things happened throughout cultivation history.
The shadow of greatness could inspire.
But it could also suffocate.
Finally he spoke.
"Then don't chase my path."
His sister looked up immediately.
"What?"
Krishak placed his teacup down calmly.
"If your goal is becoming another version of me, you'll fail."
The words sounded harsh.
But they weren't criticism.
"They compare you because they only know how to look backward."
His silver-gray eyes met hers.
"The future belongs to people who create something new."
Silence followed.
His sister slowly absorbed the words.
Then asked:
"...What if I don't know what my path is yet?"
A faint smile appeared on Krishak's face.
Rare.
Small.
But genuine.
"Then you're already ahead of most cultivators.
Because the vast majority spent their entire lives following roads created by others.
Very few ever stopped to discover their own."
The conversation ended there.
But his sister continued thinking about those words long afterward.
Later that afternoon—
Krishak accompanied her to one of the local cultivation parks.
The area bustled with activity.
Families.
Students.
Independent cultivators.
Children learning basic spiritual control.
Five years ago—
Places like this barely existed.
Now they could be found throughout countless cities.
As they walked through the park, several people recognized Krishak.
Some bowed respectfully.
Others simply watched from a distance.
None approached recklessly.
Over time, people had learned something.
The founder of modern cultivation civilization disliked excessive attention.
His sister noticed it too.
Then quietly asked:
"Doesn't it bother you?"
Krishak glanced toward her.
"What?"
"Everyone looking at you."
He thought briefly.
Then answered honestly.
"Not anymore."
At first, during his previous life, fame and recognition held meaning.
Later they became burdens.
Eventually they became meaningless.
What mattered now was results.
Not reputation.
As they continued walking—
A sudden commotion erupted nearby.
Several younger cultivators surrounded a small examination platform.
Apparently a public talent assessment was taking place.
His sister immediately became interested.
"Let's watch."
Before Krishak could answer, she had already moved toward the crowd.
The examination itself was simple.
A spiritual crystal measured synchronization, affinity, foundation quality, and cultivation potential.
Nothing particularly advanced.
One by one—
Young cultivators stepped forward.
Results appeared.
Cheers followed some.
Disappointment followed others.
Then one examiner noticed Krishak standing nearby.
His expression immediately changed.
Within moments—
Whispers spread through the crowd.
"The founder is here."
"That's Krishak."
"Really?"
The atmosphere became noticeably more nervous.
Meanwhile, his sister simply rolled her eyes.
"See?"
Krishak almost laughed.
Almost.
Then suddenly—
The examiner approached respectfully.
"Sir..."
He hesitated briefly.
Then continued.
"Would your sister like to undergo evaluation as well?"
The crowd immediately became interested.
Krishak looked toward his sister.
She looked back.
Then—
A competitive grin appeared on her face.
"Sure."
Moments later—
Her hand touched the crystal.
The entire platform lit up instantly.
Brilliant spiritual light filled the area.
Several indicators rose rapidly.
Then kept rising.
Then rose even further.
The surrounding crowd fell completely silent.
Even the examiner stared blankly.
Peak Martial Warrior.
Near-perfect spiritual synchronization.
Extraordinary foundation.
Exceptional growth potential.
The crystal continued glowing for several seconds before finally stabilizing.
Absolute silence followed.
Then someone muttered quietly:
"...She's a monster."
His sister immediately looked pleased.
Krishak simply shook his head.
Not because the assessment was wrong.
But because he could already tell something important.
Her path would not be ordinary.
And for the first time—
He began wondering what kind of cultivator she might become in the future.
Not as his sister.
Not as his shadow.
But as herself.