Lin Hao studied the fox sculpture on the table. Though he couldn't feel the Qi directly, he understood the weight it carried. It was enough to awaken his spiritual core—but how much would it offer?
He looked up at Master Yuan. "May I ask... what's the difference between awakening with the dragon sculpture and this one?"
The old man didn't answer right away. He traced the rim of his teacup and then replied, "When the mind awakens to Qi, it forms what is known as a Mind Core—a spiritual nucleus at the center of consciousness. This core takes on a color. That color determines the purity and potential of the awakened mind."
Lin Hao leaned in. "Color?"
"There are seven known grades," Master Yuan said, raising one finger at a time. "Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and gold. Red is dull and limited. Gold... is rarely spoken of. Blue is rare, respected. Purple even more so. And gold..." He shook his head. "Even I have never seen it."
He gestured to the fox sculpture. "This one might awaken a green core in the best scenario."
"And the dragon sculpture?"
"Blue," Yuan said with certainty. "Its construction, residual Qi, and age place it firmly at that level."
Lin Hao went quiet.
Inside his dimensional ring, there were relics he hadn't shown anyone. He had seen a few that pulsed with a radiance so heavy it seemed to hum through space itself. If the dragon sculpture could awaken blue, those might reach purple—or more.
But that brought risk.
Power was a magnet. So were secrets.
He didn't know Master Yuan deeply yet. The man had treated him with respect, but trust—real trust—required more than kindness. Lin Hao had learned that once. Harshly.
He looked directly at his master.
"I have something to show you," he said carefully. "Something important. But before I do, I need a blood pact."
Yuan's expression didn't change—but Qingyue, sitting silently beside him, lifted her gaze.
"A blood pact?" Yuan asked.
"One that binds you and your granddaughter," Lin Hao said. "You cannot speak of what I reveal. You cannot harm me or my family—directly or indirectly."
Master Yuan watched him, then exhaled softly.
"You've thought this through."
"I have."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I'll say nothing."
The room held still. Then Yuan gave a quiet nod.
"Very well."
He summoned a jade knife from a shelf behind him. It glowed faintly.
He cut his thumb, drawing a drop of blood.
Qingyue followed, hesitating only briefly.
Lin Hao added his own. The three drops floated, then merged mid-air into a spiraling seal. A pulse of heat swept through the room as the contract formed and vanished.
The oath was done.
Lin Hao reached into his ring.
He withdrew two relics.
Both were phoenixes. One male, one female. Crafted from flame-hued crystal and inlaid with star-black obsidian. The feathers shimmered as if alive, and faint motes of spiritual light drifted from their wings.
Qingyue froze.
Master Yuan's eyes widened.
Even without Qi-sense, the pressure in the room shifted. Like the air itself recognized something sacred.
"These are matched relics," Lin Hao said softly. "They resonate."
Yuan stood slowly, eyes fixed. "Where... did you find these?"
"In the park," Lin Hao said. "A buried ring. It contained treasures. These were inside."
The old man took a long breath. "You must never speak of that again. Not to anyone."
"I understand."
Yuan tore his gaze from the phoenixes. "What do you plan to do with them?"
Lin Hao didn't hesitate. He pointed to the male phoenix. "This one is mine."
Then to the female. "That one… is for Qingyue."
The girl's eyes widened. She looked from the sculpture to Lin Hao, unable to speak.
Master Yuan raised an eyebrow. "You know what these are worth. Even a small sect would kill to own one. If you sold them, you could earn more than ten times what the dragon sculpture brought."
"I know," Lin Hao said.
"Then why?"
"First," Lin Hao said, "because you are my master. Second, because something like this, in the hands of someone weak like me, only brings danger. Third, because I've seen Qingyue's talent—and I believe she will achieve great things. And fourth... I want to ask something in return."
Yuan waited.
"Protect my family," Lin Hao said. "Not just now. Always. As long as the Yuan family stands."
The room fell silent.
Then Master Yuan sat back and nodded.
"You've given me a gift that surpasses greed, and asked only for safety."
He looked at his granddaughter.
"Qingyue?"
She stood and bowed toward Lin Hao. "I accept."
Master Yuan smiled.
"From this moment on, your family is under the Yuan family's protection. No harm will reach them—by word or sword."
He raised a hand.
"And as for your training—from now on, every medicine, every scroll, and every resource you need... I will provide."