Qin Yuze was sixteen now.

The family had quietly prepared for this period for months, but the official awakening window still carried emotional weight. He was old enough to begin formal academy preparation and soon eligible for Heavenly Gate Academy entry.

He was also old enough for enemies to notice.

Qin Yuheng watched his younger brother train in the courtyard.

Qin Yuze’s spear style was aggressive, but more disciplined than before. He had inherited some Qin family combat instinct, though his true talent status was not yet publicly known.

The family did not rush awakening.

They followed official schedule.

Privately, Qin Yuheng had prepared resources far beyond what any young climber could imagine:

SSS-grade Talent Fruits reserved for later use.

Awakening protection formations.

Anti-bloodline detection seals.

False record shielding.

Silent Heaven escort layers.

Emergency retreat talismans.

Clean soul stabilizers.

Nameless role-resistance charms.

But the first warning came through something small.

A training spear delivered to Qin Yuze from an outside craftsman had a hidden trace.

Not poison.

Not curse.

A recognition dust that reacted faintly to bloodline resonance.

Tie Zhenshan detected it before Qin Yuze touched the weapon.

His face turned black with anger.

"Someone wants to see how his blood reacts."

Qin Wanshan ordered immediate lockdown of all external equipment channels.

Gu Tianhe activated Silent Root Network.

The craftsman was found dead.

Memory collapse.

Mo Cangyan’s method again.

Qin Yuze was told only part of the truth.

"Enemies may test Qin family younger generation," Qin Zhengyuan said.

Qin Yuze’s expression became serious.

"Because of Brother?"

Qin Yuheng answered honestly.

"Because of our family. Because of me. Because of Father. Because enemies are searching for things they should not touch."

Qin Yuze gripped his training spear.

"Then I need to become stronger."

"Yes," Qin Yuheng said. "But not reckless."

Qin Yuze looked dissatisfied but nodded.

Qin Xue’er listened from behind a pillar.

Mu Qinglan noticed but did not stop her.

The younger generation could not remain innocent forever.

The family strengthened Qin Yuze’s protection.

Publicly, nothing changed.

Privately, the Silent Heaven Army began rotating hidden guards around him.

Qin Yuheng realized Blood Sun had shifted from trying to accelerate his patience directly to testing his family perimeter.

That was more dangerous.

Not because Qin Yuze was weak.

Because Qin Yuheng cared.

Floor progression paused again.

This time, Qin Yuheng did not protest.

Family first.

During the pause, Qin Yuheng used some lower-risk evolved resources to strengthen Qin Yuze’s foundation: body tempering liquids, combat clarity stones, and controlled endurance training. No Talent Fruit yet. No bloodline stimulation. No hidden awakening.

Qin Yuze complained once.

"You are giving me safe things."

Qin Yuheng looked at him.

"Safe things keep you alive long enough to use dangerous things later."

Qin Yuze thought about that.

Then asked, "Did you learn that in the Tower?"

"Yes."

"Fine."

Qin Xue’er later asked, "Will I also get safe things?"

Qin Yuheng smiled.

"Yes."

"Then dangerous things later?"

"When you are ready."

She nodded seriously.

"I will be ready fast."

Mu Qinglan laughed softly.

The family atmosphere remained warm, but tension beneath it grew.

Mo Cangyan’s probe had failed, but it confirmed one thing:

Qin family younger generation was heavily protected.

That meant they mattered.

He adjusted strategy again.

If direct bloodline detection failed, public awakening would provide another opportunity.

Not to interfere directly.

To observe reactions around official ceremony.

Time pressure shifted toward Qin Yuze’s awakening.

And Qin Yuheng knew it.