The following day, Li Yu, accompanied by the Clan Master, Mo Jian, descended into the depths of the caldera. They were going to visit the Guardian Beast of the clan once again. Since he was here, the Mo Jian asked him to check on it again, to make sure everything was okay and there wasn't anything else they needed to deal with.
Coiled on the largest of the sandy shores was the clan's Guardian Beast, the Earth-Striding Wyrm. It was still a magnificent, terrifying beast, easily over two hundred meters long, covered in heavy plates of a stone-like hide the color of dark earth. But unlike the last time Li Yu had seen it, its malady was gone.
Its hide was no longer dull and brittle, but lustrous, imbued with a deep, earthen energy. Its breathing was not shallow and ragged, but deep and powerful, each exhalation a gentle tremor in the ground. Its life force was not a flickering candle, but a roaring bonfire of vitality.
When it sensed Li Yu's approach, its massive, ancient head lifted, and its eyes, which had been clouded with sickness, were now bright and intelligent. It let out a low, happy rumble, a sound like an avalanche that was, for the great beast, a sign of welcome and gratitude. Li Yu smiled and approached the edge of the shore.
He could feel the vibrant, powerful life force radiating from the Wyrm. It had not only recovered but was now stronger than it had been in centuries. After a brief check and a silent farewell, Li Yu's visit was concluded. Li Yu had some funny pondering thoughts of taking the Wyrm into his Koi Sanctuary but of course he didn't act on them.
He spent the next few days wandering the clan's unique city, taking in the life of the clan. Mo Jian, in a profound show of trust, had granted him almost unlimited access. He watched the clan's disciples practice on platforms suspended over the magma river, their aggressive techniques a reflection of their harsh environment.
He found this level of trust from the Clan Master deeply admirable and sent a message to Fat Pig, instructing him to keep a close eye on the clan's business dealings and offer them favorable terms and help wherever possible, reinforcing the already strong trade partnership. He also told Fat Pig to keep an eye on them should they ever need help and to send help if they do.
He had always been treated nicely here and he felt a connection to this clan. There was the straight forwardness of everyone here that he appreciated. Those that didn't care about him just stayed away from him and those that were curious about him came up directly to him to talk.
On the third day of his stay, Mo Ling finally came out of her seclusion and paid him a visit. She arrived at his guest courtyard looking transformed. Her cultivation base was now solidly in the 1st stage of the Core Formation realm, and her aura, which had once been sharp and fierce, was now deeper, more contained, like the still, quiet heat at the heart of a volcano.
The inheritance had not just boosted her power; it had refined it. She still carried herself with the confidence of a proud warrior, but there was a new look in her eyes as she stood before him.
"Guest Elder Li," she said, giving a respectful bow. "Thank you for coming."
"Please, just Li Yu is fine," he replied with a warm smile. "And I should be the one congratulating you. To break through to the Core Formation realm at your age is a truly incredible achievement. You are now among the top powers of the continent."
Mo Ling looked down, a faint blush on her cheeks. She was shy about her new strength and how quickly it came. She didn't seem to view her new strength with the same awe that others did.
"I think nothing of my strength," she said quietly. "It is only thanks to the inheritance that I was able to make this kind of progress. On my own, I would still be far from this level."
"That doesn't matter how you got there, the fact is that you are there. What person doesn't have some kind of help or something else that helps them reach the level they are. You should be more proud and less ashamed of it. Embrace it!" Li Yu responded cheerfully.
As she looked at him, a flicker of confusion crossed her face.
The cultivation aura he was passively emitting was only that of the 7th stage of Foundation Establishment. It made no sense. Even with her breakthrough to Core Formation, she still couldn't see through his concealment.
She knew he was far stronger than that. She had witnessed his power during the inheritance trial, a power that had terrified and awed her. But she could not understand how he was able to conceal his true cultivation so perfectly. She couldn't even guess at his real strength. Just how strong was he? The mystery of Li Yu only deepened in her mind.
Li Yu, sensing her confusion but not commenting on it, decided to change the subject. "Your father told me about the marriage contest," he said, his tone gentle. "It sounds like a very exciting event. But I was wondering… why did you agree to it? To remove your own choice in such an important matter seems… difficult."
Mo Ling's expression became more serious, the shyness replaced by a look of grim, dutiful resolve. "I did it so I would not be a burden to the clan," she responded, her voice firm. "In clans like ours, these marriages are often a matter of politics and strength. An alliance with a powerful sect, or bringing a strong, talented husband deeper into our own clan… these things are vital for our survival and prosperity. My father would never force me, but I knew this was important to him, to the elders."
She let out a small, quiet sigh. "Since I do not have anyone I have in mind currently, I felt it was my duty to agree. It is tradition. Usually, the strongest young disciple from another powerful clan or sect wins, and our two families form a close bond. It strengthens our position in the region. There are also strong members of our own clan competing, those who are not of the main family but have proven themselves worthy. It is a chance for them to rise. My own personal feelings are a small price to pay for the security of my clan."
Li Yu listened, his expression thoughtful. He understood the concept. It was quite common in the mortal world, with the marriages of princes and princesses used to seal alliances between kingdoms. It appeared to be just as common in the world of cultivators, and not just among those on the more unorthodox side. It was a pragmatic, if cold, way of consolidating power.
"Will you regret it?" he asked, his voice soft.
She looked out over the fiery caldera, a distant, uncertain look in her eyes. "Maybe," she said quietly. "But who knows what the future holds? Perhaps I would never find anyone on my own. Or maybe," she added, a faint, teasing smile returning to her face, "a hero will appear in the next few days when the tournament takes place and sweep me off my feet."
She then added with a playful glint in her eye, "Besides, there is no rule that says I can only take one husband. It is not as common, but powerful women have taken multiple partners, just as the men do sometimes. If I happen to fall for someone in the future, I could always take on another one or two."
Li Yu was a bit taken back by this information as he hadn't seen even many men have taken multiple wives. The ones he knew about were heard in stories and the only one he had seen personally was from empires, like the one to the north. All their troubles were because the father had died and all the different wives, their sons and daughters fought for the throne.
Li Yu smiled at her, glad to see her spirits lift and that she wasn't truly trapped into anything. She was a powerful cultivator so she had the strength to be as free as she wanted to be. She chose to follow these traditions and who is to say it might not work out anyways.
He had never seen a marriage contest before, so he was curious about the details. "So, what is the format? Is it just a battle tournament?"
She nodded. "Yes. Just one-on-one matches in an arena until a single victor is crowned. It is a test of strength, skill, and potential, all for the clans to see. Not only is it for marriage, it is an opportunity that sects and clans show off."