My Children’s Gifts Give Me 1000x Returns!

Morning arrived with a crisp, cool breeze sweeping down from the mountain ranges encircling Verdant Haven Citadel.

At the northern edge of the Outer Ring, massive three-hundred-foot walls of blackened spirit-iron stood like sleeping giants, separating the dusty slums from the pristine elegance of the Inner City. A single, grand archway known as the Gate of Ascension served as the passage between two completely different worlds.

Gabriel sat comfortably inside the spacious leather interior of their luxury carriage, the Black Dragon Imperial Edition. Across from him, Ethan and Elena peered through the crystal glass windows, their eyes wide as the carriage approached the heavily guarded checkpoint.

Surrounding the gate were hundreds of commoners, merchants, and low-tier mercenaries, watching with envious eyes as Gabriel’s carriage bypassed the endless pedestrian lines, gliding smoothly toward the noble transport lane.

"Halt!" an elite Guard Captain in polished silver plate armor stepped forward, raising an iron spear. Behind him stood a dozen guards, all pulsing with the steady aura of Mortal Physique (Gold Bones) practitioners. "This is the Inner Gate. State your business and present your entry permits!"

Gabriel didn't even bother opening the carriage door. He simply slid a small panel on the door frame, extending a golden wooden box.

The Guard Captain took the box, opening it with practiced indifference. But the moment his eyes fell upon the two shimmering, golden admission tokens of the Imperial Grand Martial College (Inner City Branch), stamped with the unmistakable mark of Twin S-Rank Scholars, the Captain’s face went dead pale.

S-Rank Scholars!

"M-My Lord!" The Guard Captain’s arrogant posture instantly collapsed into a deep, nervous bow. He snapped his fingers at his subordinates. "Open the main gates! Clear the noble lane immediately!"

CREEEAK—

The massive iron doors ground open, exposing a world of towering white marble spires, floating spirit platforms, and lush, paved avenues lined with high-end cultivation shops.

As the carriage rolled through the archway, Gabriel felt a soft chime ring inside his mind.

[Ding! Host has successfully brought Offspring out of the Outer Slums and into the Inner City!]

[Milestone Achieved: 'Stepping into Nobles' Sight'!]

[Triggering 500x Critical Return!]

[Host receives: High-Grade Spatial Estate Token — 'Floating Cloud Manor' (Core City Property)!]

[Host receives: 100,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones!]

"Dad, look at that!" Elena gasped, pointing out the window. "A floating pavilion!"

In the sky above the Inner City, several grand, wooden structures hovered gently, held aloft by ancient gravity formations. The streets below were crowded with well-dressed youths wearing various college robes, riding tame spirit beasts, and sporting high-grade spatial rings on their fingers.

"The spiritual Qi here is at least three times denser than in the Outer Ring," Ethan remarked, taking a deep breath. His hand rested naturally on his linen-wrapped spear. "No wonder noble children grow so fast. They're breathing money from the day they're born."

"And in three months, you will show those noble children what real combat looks like," Gabriel said calmly.

The carriage pulled up to the Inner District Administrative Pavilion, where high-tier scholars picked up their granted properties.

Gabriel stepped out first, his celestial dragon silk robe—disguised as a fine black coat—draping effortlessly over his tall frame. His deep black eyes swept across the grand plaza. He looked like an enigmatic master from an ancient clan, radiating a quiet, suffocating dignity that made passing noble elders involuntarily give him space.

As Ethan and Elena stepped out behind him in their custom maroon and azure robes, their S-Rank tokens gleaming at their waists, the plaza went quiet.

"Look... are those the twin S-Ranks from the Outer Ring?" "I heard their father crippled a Valerius branch leader with a single stomp..." "They look so young! How did commoner slum rats awaken S-Rank aptitude?"

Whispers erupted among the surrounding noble students, filled with a mix of awe, jealousy, and subtle contempt.

Unbeknownst to the crowd, standing atop the roof of a three-story tea house across the plaza, two figures dressed in pitch-black shadow cloaks watched the scene through specialized eagle-eye talismans.

On their leather collars was a barely visible silver emblem—a crossed sword and rose.

Shadowed Guards of House Aurelius.

"Is that him?" the younger guard whispered, adjusting his talisman. "The master named Gabriel?"

The elder guard narrowed his eyes, analyzing Gabriel’s posture, his effortless breathing, and the invisible, crushing presence surrounding him like an impenetrable shield.

"It can't be," the elder guard said, shaking his head in absolute disbelief. "Eight years ago, when Lord Aurelius's elders crippled Gabriel, his meridians were shredded into ash. Even an Immortal Saint couldn't restore a man from that state to this level of terrifying Qi."

"So... it's just a coincidence? A master with the same name?"

"It has to be," the elder guard sighed. "This man moves like an ancient monster who has cultivated for a century. But look at the twins... their facial features match Lady Evelyn's lineage slightly. We must report this to the Lady immediately. If House Valerius tries to attack this master out of revenge for their branch leader, it might spark a war in the Southern Realm."

"Understood. Sending spatial talisman message back to the Core City."

With a soft rustle of wind, the two shadowed guards vanished into the shadows, completely unaware that Gabriel had already noticed them the second they looked at him.

Gabriel glanced toward the empty roof of the tea house, his golden dragon pupils flashing briefly in the sunlight.

Shadowed guards from House Aurelius? Gabriel thought, a faint, cold smile touching his lips. Evelyn... you’re still trying to protect us from afar, aren't you?

"Dad?" Ethan asked, noticing Gabriel looking up at the sky. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing," Gabriel replied smoothly, turning back toward the administrative building. "Just checking the weather. Come on, let's go claim our new Inner City Villa."

An hour later, the carriage arrived at The Azure Crest Estate—a massive, three-acre property nestled in the elite residential sector of the Inner City.

Surrounded by a high white stone wall, the estate featured a three-story manor, a private hot spring fed by spirit water, an expansive weapon training ground, and a private garden filled with rare Qi-nourishing flowers.

Ethan and Elena walked through the grand carved doors, staring at the sheer luxury of their new home.

"This place is five times bigger than the Outer Villa!" Elena exclaimed, running her hand along a polished jade railing. "Dad, we even have a private spirit spring!"

"Go pick your rooms," Gabriel said, leaning against the main hall's grand archway. "Unpack your things. Tonight, we rest. Tomorrow... we visit the Inner City High-Grade Market."

Gabriel looked at his hands, feeling the dense Martial Master Qi swirling within his Dantian.

The Inner City was just the beginning. In three months, the Imperial Grand Martial College Placement Exam would start—and Gabriel intended to use every second to make sure his children didn't just pass, but absolutely dominated every single noble heir in the realm.