Rise of a Lunar Legend

The atmosphere in the main hall of the Tang mansion was imbued with a curious mix of seriousness and anticipation. Tang Chun Xi sat with the Lunar Umbrella resting in her hands, still puzzled as to what it actually represented, especially after hearing about its physique. Her father, Tang Wei, examined the object attentively. Although the aura emanating from the umbrella was subtle, it seemed intrinsically intertwined with his daughter's presence, making it clear that it was not a simple artifact.

Tang Wei reflected deeply. At first, he thought the artifact might have chosen his daughter due to her physique. However, he quickly dismissed the idea. Treasures of this kind, even the less sophisticated ones, possessed an evident self-awareness, something the Lunar Umbrella did not exhibit. Moreover, the way the object seemed fused with Tang Chun Xi's essence ruled out the possibility of it being a heritage treasure.

—"My daughter,"— he began, his voice now relieved and slightly enthusiastic, —"I believe your Lunar Umbrella is a Natal Treasure, a type of talent even rarer than your special physique."

Tang Chun Xi blinked, surprised. —"Another type of talent? Is there something beyond spiritual roots, special physiques, and compression talents? What is a Natal Treasure, Father?"

Tang Wei smiled at his daughter's evident curiosity. —"Yes, there is. You've heard of Taoist weapons, haven't you? My own Golden Steel Rock Sword is an example of such a weapon. These are created after years of preparation, combining precious materials with the cultivator's essence of flesh and blood to form something harmonized with its wielder. However, the process is extremely risky and expensive. One mistake, and the weapon becomes permanently flawed, rendering it impossible to redo the process."

He paused for a moment, observing the growing sparkle in Tang Chun Xi's eyes as she absorbed the information.

—"But the Natal Treasure,"— he continued, his voice grave, —"is something entirely different. Taoist weapons are merely attempts to imitate a Natal Treasure, but they can never reach its power or potential. A Natal Treasure is born alongside its owner, becoming an inseparable part of their existence. Its synergy is perfect and absolute. It grows and evolves alongside its wielder, unlocking unique abilities over time."

Tang Chun Xi listened intently, her face a mix of curiosity and admiration.

—"There's more,"— Tang Wei went on. —"When the owner of a Natal Treasure dies, the treasure immediately ceases to exist. It is intrinsically tied to the life of its master. Moreover, the Natal Treasure cannot be used by anyone unless the owner allows it. This makes it incredibly powerful but not something that provokes greed, unlike other weapons that can recognize a new master if the current one is killed. Its rarity is unimaginable. Hundreds of millions of years can pass without a single Natal Treasure appearing."

Tang Wei paused, the intensity of his words now clearly reflected in his expression. —"Try to communicate with it, my daughter. Discover its capabilities. A Natal Treasure is unique, and understanding its functions will be essential to harness its full potential."

Tang Chun Xi nodded, both anxious and nervous. She closed her eyes, entering a meditative state, attempting to connect with the Lunar Umbrella. Surprisingly, a sensation of warmth and comfort immediately enveloped her. A faint yet firm consciousness echoed in her mind:

Defense: When opened, I form a shield that deflects attacks and reflects hostile energies of a similar or lower level.

Attack: I amplify the weight of your strikes and allow you to manipulate lunar and stellar energies with lethal precision. In extreme danger, I can create a spatial barrier to protect you and teleport you away. However, this ability can only be used once per year.

Detection: I am sensitive to spiritual resources, capable of detecting them from a distance. I can also distort the light around us, rendering you invisible or concealing your presence.

Tang Chun Xi slowly opened her eyes, her breathing heavy as she processed what she had heard. Her lips trembled with emotion as she recounted the Lunar Umbrella's capabilities to her father, who simply nodded with a satisfied smile.

—"Then it's true,"— said Tang Wei with a mix of pride and reverence. —"You've been blessed with something that transcends the understanding of most. Now, my daughter, prepare yourself. With a Natal Treasure, great opportunities and dangers will inevitably come your way."

—"But don't forget,"— Tang Wei warned, his tone heavy, making the atmosphere feel even more oppressive. —"Although the Lunar Umbrella isn't coveted by many, it carries a value that few truly understand. Those who cannot recruit you for their purposes will certainly try to prevent you from growing."

Tang Chun Xi kept her gaze fixed on her father. Despite the weight of his words, her expression remained firm, resolute, as if every word was a reminder of what she already knew and was prepared to face.

—"Don't worry, Father. I'll be cautious, both with my body and with the Lunar Umbrella. I won't leave room for mistakes,"— she replied.

Tang Wei nodded, a glimmer of relief mixed with concern in his eyes. He knew his daughter was no longer the naive girl she once was. Even so, his fatherly heart ached at the thought of the challenges she would face.

Chun Xi paused, took a deep breath, and continued, her voice laden with determination:

—"And, Father, I want to participate in the Four Families Competition."

Her words reverberated through the room like thunder, surprising Tang Wei. He stared at her for a moment, as if assessing whether she truly understood what she was asking for. But as he looked into her eyes, he saw a burning flame, a fighting spirit that could not be ignored.

Tang Wei averted his gaze, fixing it on a distant point in the room. Memories of the rumors that haunted his daughter flooded his mind. The cruel whispers, the gossip that, despite all his power, he couldn't silence. He knew those words had hurt Chun Xi, but here she was, a young woman who refused to be broken.

—"My daughter..."— he began, his voice filled with emotion. He turned back to Chun Xi, now with pride in his eyes. —"If this is what you desire, then go. We cultivators must act in accordance with our hearts. And you, Chun Xi, have a strong heart. Show them who you truly are."

Tang Wei paused, as if gathering strength to continue. His thoughts drifted to a promise made years ago, when Chun Xi was still a child. Back then, she had vowed to him that she would prove her worth to the world.

—"I believe in you, my daughter. In a month, you will achieve what others spend years merely dreaming of. And on that day, all those who doubted you will receive the slap in the face they deserve."

The emotion in Tang Wei's voice was palpable. Chun Xi felt a warmth spread through her chest. It wasn't just her father's pride that strengthened her, but the weight of the trust he placed in her.

She said nothing more. She simply bowed her head in respect, her eyes shining with determination. In her mind, the promise to prove her worth wasn't just for the world, but also for the man who believed in her unconditionally.

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Tang Wei watched as his daughter left the room. He knew the coming weeks would be critical, but seeing the resolve in Chun Xi's eyes, he was certain she was ready to face any obstacle that came her way.

However, he also needed to prepare to protect his daughter. He thought it was time to leave the city and take her to the recruitment test for disciples at the Palace of a Thousand Daos, which would take place in six months. It would be tight to get there, but with his connections, he could find a way.

Lost in thought, Tang Wei returned to the room where his old friend awaited him.