The weeks following the Grand Tournament were a whirlwind for the House of Valerius. Their dilapidated manor, once a symbol of their decline, became a hub of activity. Messengers from minor noble houses, eager to align themselves with the rising star, arrived daily. Even the more prominent families, who had once looked down upon them, now sent polite inquiries and invitations. Lord Alaric reveled in it, his days filled with strategic discussions and the pleasant hum of renewed influence.
"Ren, my son," Alaric beamed one morning over breakfast, a rare smile gracing his usually worried face. "The Blackwood House has sent an invitation for a joint hunting expedition! And the Sunstone Clan, despite Kaelen's defeat, has proposed a trade agreement for their rare earth minerals! This is all thanks to you!"
Ren, calmly sipping his tea, offered a noncommittal nod. He observed his father's genuine happiness, a fleeting emotion he recognized as the simple joy of a mortal gaining power. It was a stark contrast to the cold, calculating ambition that drove him.
His own cultivation continued relentlessly. The Shadow Orb, now a constant, resonant hum beneath his robes, was becoming increasingly demanding. Its whispers of Seek the Source. It is bound. Seek the Nexus were almost a continuous drone in his spiritual senses, growing louder, more insistent with each passing day. He had pushed his cultivation further, his qi seed now the size of a small peach, his spiritual foundation solidifying. He was firmly in the Early Foundation Establishment stage, rapidly approaching the middle layers, a feat unheard of for a twelve-year-old in this realm.
The Orb had also continued to grant him visions, more detailed and unsettling. He saw the 'Source' – a colossal, pulsating heart of pure void energy, far grander than the Shadow Orb itself, hidden deep within the earth. It was imprisoned, bound by ancient runes, its power suppressed. And around it, he saw faint, ethereal outlines of other Abyssal Heart fragments, drawn to its presence, waiting to be reunited. The 'Nexus' was not just a concept; it was a physical location, the prison of the Source itself.
One afternoon, as Ren was observing Lyra diligently practicing her 'Whisper of the Wind' game in the courtyard – she could now make small gusts of wind dance at her command, a testament to her rapid progress in the 3rd Layer Body Refinement – a formal delegation arrived. Their banners, emblazoned with a soaring golden hawk, announced them as representatives of the House of Aurelius, one of the eight true pillars of Xylos, renowned for their mastery of light and spirit-binding techniques.
The lead envoy was a stern-faced elder, Elder Theron Aurelius, accompanied by a young woman of breathtaking beauty, perhaps fifteen years old, with hair like spun gold and eyes the color of the clear sky. Her aura was radiant, pure, and immensely powerful, far exceeding any young cultivator Ren had yet encountered in this realm. He activated his status screen, focusing on her.
[Target: Aurelius Seraphina (The Golden Phoenix)]
• Age: 15
• Cultivation Base: Peak Foundation
Establishment (Approaching Core
Formation)
• Spiritual Roots: Superior (Light Affinity
- Pure)
• Strength: Exceptional (Balanced
spiritual and martial prowess)
• Techniques:
• Aurelius Sunfire Palm (Advanced -
Mastered)
• Aurelius Spirit Bind (Advanced -
Proficient)
• Aurelius Light Shield (Advanced -
Mastered)
• Aurelius Golden Phoenix Art (Core -
Proficient)
• Special Notes: Widely considered the most talented young cultivator on Xylos. Heiress apparent of the House of Aurelius. Possesses a rare, pure Light Affinity that grants natural resistance to dark energies.
Peak Foundation Establishment... Superior Light Affinity... The Golden Phoenix. Ren's internal assessment was immediate. This was a true genius of this realm, a formidable opponent, perhaps even a challenge. Her 'pure Light Affinity' was particularly interesting, a potential counter to his own growing shadow abilities.
Lord Alaric, flustered but beaming, quickly ushered the Aurelius delegation into the main hall. After polite pleasantries and discussions of the tournament, Elder Theron cleared his throat, his gaze settling on Ren.
"Lord Valerius," Elder Theron began, his voice resonating with authority. "The House of Aurelius has been greatly impressed by young Valerius Ren's performance at the Grand Tournament. His talent is undeniable, a true marvel in these changing times."
Alaric swelled with pride. "Indeed, Elder! My son is a blessing!"
"Indeed," Theron continued, his gaze unwavering. "And it is with this in mind that the Patriarch of the House of Aurelius has extended a most auspicious proposal. We wish to forge a deeper, more permanent bond between our families. We propose a marriage alliance between our beloved heiress, Aurelius Seraphina, and your son, Valerius Ren."
A stunned silence fell over the hall. Lord Alaric's jaw dropped. Lady Seraphina gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Lyra, who had been listening from the doorway, dropped the polishing cloth. A marriage proposal! And from the House of Aurelius, no less! This was an unimaginable honor, a path to reclaiming their family's former glory in a single stroke.
Aurelius Seraphina, the 'Golden Phoenix,' stepped forward, her expression serene, though a faint blush touched her cheeks. She met Ren's gaze, her bright, pure eyes holding a hint of curiosity and perhaps, a challenge.
Ren, however, felt a wave of cold detachment. Marriage? To a mortal, no matter how talented? In his past life, such alliances were made for political gain, for power, rarely for affection. He saw the opportunity immediately: the vast resources of the House of Aurelius, their extensive network, their access to rare spiritual materials. It would accelerate his search for the Source, provide a powerful shield against potential enemies, and grant him a direct line to the highest echelons of this realm's power. It was a means to an end.
"Young Master Ren," Elder Theron prompted, a hint of expectation in his voice. "What say you?"
Ren looked at Aurelius Seraphina, then at his beaming father, and finally, at the Shadow Orb, which pulsed with a subtle, almost approving hum. A path. A means.
He offered a slight, almost imperceptible smile. "The House of Aurelius is indeed esteemed," Ren replied, his voice calm and clear, belying the ancient calculations in his mind. "Such an alliance would be... mutually beneficial."
Lord Alaric let out a choked cry of joy. "He accepts! He accepts!"
Aurelius Seraphina's expression remained serene, but a spark of something unreadable flickered in her golden eyes.
As the formal negotiations began, Ren's mind was already elsewhere. The marriage alliance would buy him time, resources, and a cover for his true intentions. The Whispering Woods beckoned, and the Shadow Orb's whispers intensified. The Source. The Nexus. It is near. And now, you have a stronger path to it. The path was clear, but it was also becoming dangerously intertwined with the fate of this Lower Realm. What secrets awaited him in the Whispering Woods, and what price would the 'Golden Phoenix' eventually pay for marrying a shadow? The grand game, it seemed, was only just beginning.