The Earth Sect had always been quiet in the mornings.
Mist drifted across the stone paths, spirit grass shivered gently in the wind, and the mountain stood tall and calm like an ancient guardian. But on this particular dawn, the earth beneath the sect felt… different.
Not violent.
Not dangerous.
Just… awake.
Xiao Tu stood at the edge of the inner courtyard, eyes half-closed, listening.
He did not rely on spiritual sense.
He listened with his heart.
The soil felt restless. The underground currents shifted in long, slow pulses, like something far below was calling out — not in words, but in emotion.
A whisper only the earth-aligned could understand.
He placed his palm against the stone floor.
The ground trembled — faintly, but purposefully.
Like the earth itself recognized him.
"…It's calling," he murmured softly.
Elder Mu appeared from behind him, his footsteps firm but cautious. The old man's brows were tightly furrowed.
"You felt it too," he said in a low voice.
Xiao Tu nodded.
"It isn't a quake. It feels… alive."
Elder Mu looked toward the distant mountains, where the deepest earth currents converged.
"That is the Earth Vein Ruins awakening."
His tone was not joyful.
It was heavy.
Only a few people in the sect understood what that meant.
The Earth Vein Ruins did not awaken for chance.
They awakened for someone.
And whoever they awakened for…
Would either gain fortune —
—or be destroyed by it.
"Remember this, Xiao Tu," Elder Mu warned quietly. "The Earth Vein chooses only those it wishes to test. Blessing and calamity are born together."
Xiao Tu bowed respectfully.
"I understand, Elder."
But deep inside…
He also knew something else:
The tremor was calling to him.
Word of the awakening did not stay quiet for long.
Lan Yue heard it almost immediately.
Not from the sect.
But from her father.
Her father — Vice Sect Leader — stood before her inside a private stone chamber, the room dimly lit by flickering spiritual torches. His eyes were sharp, deep, and calculating.
"So," he said slowly, "the Earth Vein Ruins have awakened… and Elder Mu reported that Xiao Tu reacted first."
There was no warmth in his tone.
No admiration.
Only… interest.
Lan Yue stayed silent.
Her fingers tightened slightly beneath her sleeves.
Her father continued,
"You will continue staying close to him. Gain his trust further. The more the Earth Vein acknowledges him, the more valuable he becomes to the sect."
"…Father," she said softly, "he has never harmed anyone. Must we—"
"Value," he interrupted coldly, "has nothing to do with kindness."
His gaze sharpened.
"The sect's foundation may change because of him. If his cultivation method is tied to the Earth Vein, it must belong to the sect."
Lan Yue lowered her head.
She had manipulated others before.
But manipulating Xiao Tu… was different.
Because he never guarded himself.
Because he always believed her.
Because…
He loved without suspicion.
And the more she stayed beside him…
The more her guilt grew.
Yet she still smiled in front of him.
Still spoke sweetly.
Still walked beside him as if nothing was wrong.
Her heart split quietly inside.
But her footsteps never stopped.
That evening, Xiao Tu walked across the quiet stone bridge leading toward the spiritual gardens. The sky was dim and hazy, sunset colors mixing into soft brown earth tones.
Lan Yue approached him, her expression gentle as always.
"You heard about the tremor?" she asked.
He nodded.
"Yes."
She hesitated.
"Are you… afraid?"
Xiao Tu laughed lightly.
His smile was warm.
Calm.
Unwavering.
"The Earth called me," he said softly. "How could I reject it?"
She lowered her gaze.
Her heart trembled.
He had no ambition to exploit the Ruins.
No greed.
No desire.
He simply trusted the land.
And…
He trusted her.
"Lan Yue," he said gently, "no matter what fate holds… I believe in you."
Her breath shook.
For a moment…
She wanted to stop everything.
To tell him the truth.
To run away from sect politics, from schemes, from destiny.
But she didn't.
She simply smiled.
And that silent smile…
hurt more than any lie.
Far away — through the Bloodline Connection — a faint ripple passed through the spiritual link shared among the brothers.
Little Water stopped walking mid-step.
His heart throbbed sharply.
He closed his eyes.
"Little Earth… something feels wrong near you."
His voice echoed faintly through the bloodline channel.
Xiao Tu's lips curved in a gentle smile.
He had expected that.
He answered softly,
"It's nothing serious. Just a tremor."
Little Water didn't believe him completely — but he knew Little Earth rarely worried others.
"…If danger comes, call me," Little Water said quietly.
Xiao Tu chuckled softly.
"I will."
But he did not promise.
Because deep inside…
He already sensed the path ahead.
And he had already chosen to walk it.
Within two days, the decision was made.
A team would be sent into the Earth Vein Ruins.
Not an exploration.
A controlled expedition.
Elder Mu was assigned to lead it.
Several elite disciples were included — but among them…
Xiao Tu stood at the center.
The key member.
Because the Ruins had awakened for him.
As the preparations were being finalized, Lan Yue was summoned privately again.
This time, no warmth existed in her father's expression.
He placed a jade slip in her hand.
"During the Ruins expedition," he said, voice firm, "observe his cultivation carefully. Record everything related to his technique and soul resonance."
Lan Yue's fingers trembled.
"…Must I really—"
"Do not question," he replied coldly.
"This is for the sect."
His words were like iron chains.
Binding her.
Dragging her forward.
Whether she wished it or not.
As she left the chamber…
Her heart felt heavier than stone.
The morning of the expedition was silent.
The sky was clouded, shadows gathering above the mountain peaks.
Elder Mu stood at the entrance of the deep cavern that led toward the Earth Vein Ruins. Disciples formed a respectful line behind him, all solemn and alert.
Lan Yue stood among them.
Quiet.
Expression composed.
But her hands were cold.
Xiao Tu walked toward the group slowly, the earth beneath him resonating faintly with each step. Even the stone walls around them seemed to respond to his presence.
Some disciples whispered.
"He must truly be chosen by the Earth Vein…"
"Or cursed…"
But Xiao Tu's face showed no fear.
He bowed to Elder Mu.
"I am ready."
The elder nodded in approval.
"The Earth Vein will show you either blessing… or trial. Stay calm, follow its rhythm, and never fight against the flow."
Lan Yue watched him from the side.
Her father's jade slip pressed tightly against her palm.
Her mission…
Her duty…
Her guilt…
Her feelings…
All clashed silently inside her chest.
Xiao Tu glanced at her gently.
He gave her that same warm smile.
The one that trusted her completely.
The one that made betrayal feel like a knife in her own heart.
"Let's go," he said softly.
She nodded — but her eyes trembled.
And as the group stepped into the depths of the Ruins…
The Earth pulsed once more beneath their feet —
Calling Xiao Tu deeper into its heart.
Toward fate.
Toward blessing.
Toward tragedy.
And he walked forward calmly…
Even knowing
that the path ahead
was already seeded with betrayal.
----Waiting---