The border between Iron-Wall County and Mountain County was marked by the Gorge of Whispers, a massive limestone canyon where the wind howled through the rocks like a mourning widow, carrying faint echoes that some swore were the laments of fallen cultivators from ancient skirmishes. The air here was thinner, cooler, and saturated with the scent of pine and ancient stone, a crisp tang that invigorated the senses while reminding travelers of the harsh ascent ahead. Towering cliffs flanked the narrow path, their surfaces veined with faint glows of low-grade spirit ore that pulsed like distant stars, drawing the eye but warning of instability. The gorge's depths plunged into misty shadows, where a turbulent river carved through the rock, its waters rumored to hide submerged artifacts from long-lost sects, tempting the bold and claiming the foolish. This liminal space bridged the orderly flatlands of Iron-Wall with the wild, Qi-rich peaks of Mountain County, a threshold where fortunes could shift as swiftly as the whipping winds.
High above, a streak of red and gold blurred against the overcast sky, slicing through the gusts with predatory grace. Sun Ki was a phantom in the air, his refined form as a Tier 2 Fire-Attribute Aerial Puppet allowing him to navigate the thermals undetected. Having received Alex's orders, the Fire-Crow had suppressed his aura entirely, his feathers absorbing the light rather than reflecting it, rendering him invisible to casual scans. He hovered in a thermal updraft, his amber eyes—enhanced by the implanted Fire Demon Beast Core—locked onto a target moving along the winding mountain pass below, his high intelligence cataloging every detail from the carriage's protective arrays to the subtle Qi fluctuations of its occupants.
It was a [Dragon-Scale Spirit Carriage] (Grade 2 Spirit Tool), an opulent vessel that gleamed with restrained power amid the rugged terrain. The vehicle was crafted from iron-oak, its sturdy frame reinforced with scales from a low-tier water dragon, iridescent blues and greens shifting in the light, enabling it to glide over rough terrain without a single jolt, as if defying the earth's pull. Elegant defensive runes etched along its sides hummed faintly, repelling dust, debris, and minor threats with effortless efficiency. It was pulled by four [Gale-Stride Spirit Horses], majestic creatures with manes of swirling wind that twisted like living vortices, their hooves clipping the ground with bursts of air that propelled them forward tirelessly. These beasts, infused with Wind-attribute essence, could maintain their pace for three days without rest, their eyes glowing with untamed energy. Holding the reins was Mr. Hy, a man who looked like a gnarled root, his back hunched under the weight of a century of service, his weathered skin etched with scars from forgotten roads. His Peak Foundation aura was steady, a protective veil extending around the carriage, his vigilant eyes scanning the horizon for bandits or lurking beasts, yet even his seasoned senses missed the silent shadow diving from the clouds above.
Sun Ki landed on the carriage's silk-lined rooftop as light as a falling leaf, his talons gripping the reinforced wood without a scratch or sound, his enhanced form allowing him to blend seamlessly. He pressed his head against the surface, his high-tier bird senses filtering through the Carriage's [Sound-Isolation Array], bypassing the barrier with the precision of his Demon-Core upgrades, capturing every word and nuance from within as clearly as if he perched on a shoulder.
Inside the Dragon-Scale Carriage, the interior was a world of luxury that contrasted sharply with the bleak mountain pass outside, a sanctuary of refinement amid the wilderness. Spiritual Warming Stones hummed in the corners, nestled in ornate jade holders that diffused a gentle heat, maintaining the air at a perfect temperature to ease strained meridians and ward off the external chill. Plush cushions of cloud-silk lined the seats, embroidered with intricate thunder motifs symbolizing the Lin family's storied heritage, soft yet supportive under the weight of weary bodies. A small altar in one corner burned rare incense, releasing calming Qi vapors that mingled with the subtle aroma of healing herbs, creating an atmosphere of enforced tranquility that did little to mask the underlying tension.
Lin Shan sat in the center, his 6'8" frame looking cramped even in this oversized carriage, his dangerously handsome features drawn tight with suffering—black hair disheveled, silver eyes dimmed by pain. His silver eyes, once bright as lightning bolts during his triumphant battles, were now clouded with a dull, throbbing haze, shadows of his former glory. Beads of sweat rolled down his handsome, ragged face, tracing lines over his lean muscular V-taper, his eight-pack abs contracting involuntarily beneath his loosened robes. His Heavenly Thunder Spirit Root—the core of his pride, the engine of his Nine Heavens Calamity Sovereign Spear manual—felt like a bundle of jagged glass shards inside his chest, each breath igniting fresh agony as fractured Qi scraped against his meridians. Every breath he took was an act of war against his own body, his reduced Mid Core Formation cultivation barely containing the chaotic leakage that threatened to unravel him completely.
To his left sat Lady Yin Ji, her elegant face pale with suppressed fury and grief, her imperial blue silk robes embroidered with protective lotuses that shimmered faintly, her hands clasped tightly to hide their tremble. Her rings of spirit jade glinted, symbols of her status and power, yet they offered no solace in this moment. Opposite them sat Xiong Kaun, his muscular, V-tapered body tensed as if he were ready to leap through the carriage walls at any second, his extremely handsome features etched with guilt, his six-pack abs rippling under his form-fitting armor as he shifted protectively. Beside him was Butler Ja, a man with long, thin fingers stained with the yellow ink of a Third-Grade Talisman Master, his scholarly robes concealing pouches of reactive runes, his belt of Golden-Grade Talisman Paper hanging ready, the faint scent of sulfur clinging to him like a promise of destruction.
"You must drink the [Heart-Stilling Elixir], Shan'er," Lady Yin Ji whispered, her hand trembling as she held a jade vial filled with a serene azure liquid, its surface inscribed with soothing runes to stabilize volatile Qi. "It will numb the friction in your meridians." Her voice was a blend of maternal concern and unyielding resolve, her eyes pleading yet fierce.
Lin Shan didn't take the vial, his gaze locked on his trembling hands, veins pulsing erratically with escaping Thunder Qi. "It won't stop the sound, Mother. The sound of my Root snapping... it's the only thing I hear when I close my eyes." His rasping words carried the weight of shattered dreams, a far cry from the commanding thunder that once bent heavens to his will.
"Young Master," Xiong Kaun spoke, his voice a low, vibrating rumble of guilt that resonated with his Mid Core Formation depth, his Molten Hearth Physique warming the air around him subtly. "I should have seen the [Shadow-Binding Array] Shi Yun's lackeys laid. I was too slow. My Hearth Physique should have been your shield." His extremely handsome face contorted with self-reproach, his broad shoulders slumping under the invisible burden.
"It wasn't your fault, Kaun," Lin Shan rasped, his voice cracking like faint lightning, a remnant echo of his lost power. "Shi Yun didn't just want to win. He wanted to erase me. He waited until we were in the Hidden Forest, where the thick Miasma dampens Thunder Qi. He knew... he knew I couldn't call the Nine Heavens there." The memory assaulted him: the dense fog of the forest's inner circle, Demon Beast Kings' distant roars masking the ambush, the needle's sting that unraveled his destiny.
Butler Ja adjusted his spectacles, his expression grim as he unrolled a small talisman scroll, his thin fingers tracing forbidden diagrams. "Shi Yun used a [Root-Corroding Needle], a forbidden tool of the Third Elder's faction. It wasn't a duel; it was an execution. They planned this for years, Young Master. Your talent was a shadow over the Third Elder's grandson, and they chose to cut that shadow out at the root." His scholarly tone belied the horror, the scroll revealing the needle's insidious mechanics, designed to fracture roots beyond repair.
Lin Shan leaned his head back, his silver eyes closing in weary resignation. [Inner Thought: I was the Calamity Sovereign. I was the one who was supposed to ascend the Nine Heavens. Now... I am a cripple being hidden away in a border town like a shameful secret. I can feel my Qi leaking into my blood. It hurts... god, it hurts so much.] The carriage's subtle sway amplified the internal chaos, each jolt sending fresh shards through his dantian.
"I will not let this be the end!" Lady Yin Ji's voice suddenly sharpened, her eyes flashing with a mother's desperation and the latent power of her own cultivation, her rings glowing as Qi surged subtly. "We are going to Green Lotus Town to hide you from Shi Yun's assassins, but I have already sent word to the [Alchemist Association] in the Capital. I will find the best Grandmaster Alchemists, the most renowned Physician-Sages in the Yang Continent! We will buy the Nirvana Root-Restoration Pill, even if I have to sell the Lin Family's main treasury to do it!" Her declaration was fierce, a vow etched in steel, her pale face flushing with determination.
"The pain of that pill... they say it kills more often than it heals," Butler Ja warned softly, his voice a gentle counterpoint, recalling grim tales of the Agony of Rebirth where souls shattered under the torment.
"Then we find someone better!" Yin Ji snapped, her composure fracturing to reveal raw anguish. "There must be a way. A doctor, a hidden master, a miracle. We will spend every spirit crystal we have. My son will not spend the rest of his life as a mortal." Her gaze pierced the carriage walls, envisioning the battles ahead in the Capital's halls of power.
Lin Shan didn't respond, his breath labored as he clutched the armrest, knuckles whitening against the unrelenting pain. The carriage rolled on, crossing the border into Mountain County, heading toward a quiet town where a "simple" physician was waiting—not to help, but to wait for the "fun" to begin, the wheels turning like threads in an unseen loom.
On the roof, Sun Ki let out a silent, toothy grin, his beak curving in wicked delight. They're going to spend a fortune on Capital doctors, the crow thought, his sapience savoring the unfolding irony. Master is going to enjoy watching them go broke before they ever crawl to his door. With a quiet flap, he lifted off, streaking back to report.
Far away, in the heart of Green Lotus Town, there was a high-stakes meeting at the Emerald Pavilion, a masterful piece of architecture situated in the center of the Du Manor, perched elegantly over a tranquil lake where spiritual koi swam in lazy circles, their scales absorbing and reflecting ambient Qi in mesmerizing patterns. The Pavilion was built with open-air walls of carved sandalwood, depicting scenes of harmonious cultivation and ancient legends, the wood infused with subtle arrays that enhanced clarity of mind. The morning sun glinted off the polished jade floors, casting rippling reflections from the water below, while the air was heavy with the scent of high-grade Oolong tea—its leaves harvested from spirit-infused bushes—and the floral musk of the surrounding gardens, where exotic blooms released essences that calmed nerves and sharpened focus.
Town Lord Du Jing—the City Lord, the sovereign administrative head of the region—sat at the head of a massive mahogany table, his posture exuding calm authority. To the eyes of the others, he appeared to be at the Peak of Foundation Establishment, his silver hair neatly tied, his emerald silk robes embroidered with the town's lotus sigil flowing gracefully. But beneath his calm exterior, his Early Core Formation aura was tightly coiled like a sleeping dragon, ready to strike if needed. Seated around him were the heads of the three other prominent branch families, each radiating their own restrained power, the table a nexus of local intrigue.
• Head Feng: A sharp-featured man in crimson robes, his eyes like daggers, his Peak Foundation cultivation subtly warming the air with fire affinity.
• Head Zhou: Stout and radiating a heavy, earth-attribute pressure, his presence like an unmovable boulder, his voice deep and resonant.
• Head Lin (Branch): Lin Bo, looking particularly haggard, his face etched with worry lines, as his own bloodline's genius was the one in peril, his robes slightly rumpled from anxious pacing.
Behind each leader stood their "Trusted Shadows": a mix of 13th Level Qi Condensation bodyguards and Early Foundation Building inner-circle disciples, their stances vigilant, auras suppressed but alert. The younger generation was also present, standing stiffly—each family had brought their most promising youth to show respect to the arriving Young Master, their youthful faces a blend of curiosity and deference.
The Dialogue of the Four Powers unfolded with measured intensity, the steam from tea cups rising like incense in a ritual of strategy.
"Three days of preparation, and yet I feel we are standing on the edge of a blade," Head Feng muttered, setting his porcelain cup down with a sharp clack that punctuated the tension. "If the Main Lin Family finds our hospitality lacking, Green Lotus Town might be wiped off the map by the Golden Mountain Sect." His sharp features tightened, his crimson robes seeming to flicker like embers.
Lin Bo, the Branch Head, wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, his haggard eyes shadowed with fatigue. "My sister, Yin Ji, has spent thousands of spirit crystals on the journey alone. But the medicine... that is the problem. Our stores are empty of Grade 3 pills." His voice carried the strain of familial duty, his hands trembling slightly as he gripped his cup.
Town Lord Du Jing leaned back, his silver hair catching the light as he regarded the group with steady eyes. "I sent my chief steward to the Wu Physician Shop this morning. I heard the rumors—that the man there, Alex Wu, has performed miracles. They say he reattached the severed arm of a hunter last month so perfectly the man can still draw a bow. I wanted to see if he had any 'Life-Sustaining Dew' in stock." His words were deliberate, probing for reactions.
"And?" Head Zhou leaned in, his stout frame shifting with a rumble, his earth-attribute pressure making the jade floor vibrate subtly. "What did the 'Immortal Doctor' say?"
"He didn't," Du Jing replied, his eyes narrowing with a hint of frustration. "The shop was closed. His assistant, that handsome lad Shao Ye, said the Physician was 'gathering herbs in the mountains' and wouldn't be back until noon. The man has been in our town for ten years, yet he treats the Town Lord's request like a commoner's errand." The rebuff lingered in the air, a subtle affront to his hidden power.
"Ten years..." Head Feng mused, his sharp gaze distant. "He appeared out of nowhere, set up shop, and hasn't aged a day. There are rumors he can regrow limbs and knit shattered bone in hours. But spirit roots? No physician in this backwater county can touch a destroyed root. Still, his presence is... convenient." He sipped his tea, his mind weaving potential alliances.
At that moment, several maids in emerald-green silks glided into the pavilion, their movements with practiced grace, like leaves on a gentle breeze. They served lavender-scented biscuits infused with mild Qi to steady nerves and refreshed the tea with precise, silent pours. Their eyes remained downcast in perfect decorum, but their ears were sharp, absorbing every word about the mysterious Physician Wu and the crippled genius, fragments that would weave into the town's gossip web.
The peaceful atmosphere was shattered by the sound of hurried footsteps on the wooden bridge leading to the pavilion, the koi scattering in colorful ripples below. Head Butler Gao, the Du family's chief servant, bowed low at the entrance, his chest heaving slightly from haste, his robes impeccable despite the rush.
"City Lord! Family Heads!" Gao announced, his voice trembling with a mix of excitement and dread. "The scouts have signaled from the north ridge! The Dragon-Scale Spirit Carriage has been spotted. Young Master Lin Shan is arriving at the North Gate at this very moment!"
The tea in Lin Bo's cup spilled as he stood up abruptly, his haggard face flushing with urgency. The other heads followed suit, their bodyguards tensing like drawn bows, the pavilion filling with the rustle of silk.
"He's here," Du Jing said, his voice dropping into a tone of absolute authority, rising with the poise of a hidden dragon. "Instruct the guards to open the gates wide. We will greet the Main Family with the full etiquette of the Yang Continent. Whatever Physician Wu is doing in the mountains, let him stay there for now. We have a 'Calamity' to welcome."
The group began to move, a sea of silk and hidden power flowing toward the town gates with purposeful strides. Above them, unseen by the masters below, a golden-streaked shadow broke away from the pavilion roof and soared toward the north, its flight swift and silent, ready to report back to its master amid the gathering winds of change.
The North Gate of Green Lotus Town was a massive structure of ironwood and granite, its towering arches etched with protective runes that glowed faintly under the midday sun, usually bustling with merchants hawking low-grade herbs and beast hides. Today, however, it was lined with two rows of city guards in polished emerald breastplates, their spears gleaming like forest thorns, their stances rigid in anticipation. The gate's heavy doors stood ajar, flanked by banners of the town's lotus emblem fluttering in the breeze, the air thick with the scent of incense burned to welcome honored guests.
The heavy sound of hooves thundering against the stone road signaled the arrival, a rhythmic drumbeat that quickened hearts. The [Dragon-Scale Spirit Carriage] rounded the final bend, its water-dragon scales shimmering with a prismatic light that dazzled the onlookers, casting rainbows on the granite walls. The four [Gale-Stride Spirit Horses] exhaled plumes of white mist, their manes flickering like trapped lightning, their eyes wild with elemental vigor as they pulled the vessel to a halt with graceful precision.
Mr. Hy, the centenarian coachman, pulled back on the reins with practiced ease, his gnarled hands steady despite his age, his Peak Foundation aura a subtle shield. The carriage slowed to a rhythmic halt, its arrays humming softly as they deactivated. A guard captain stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his voice booming with authority. "Who goes there? This is a restricted zone by order of the City Lord!"
Mr. Hy didn't look down, his hunched form unmoving as he simply held up a jade medallion carved with a soaring mountain, its surface pulsing with authentic Qi from the Golden Mountain Sect. "This is the carriage of the Calamity Sovereign, Young Master Lin Shan of the Imperial Jade Capital. Stand aside." His words carried the weight of imperial decree, brooking no argument.
The guard captain's face went pale, the color draining as recognition dawned, the medallion's aura pressing on his senses. The Imperial Jade Capital—the seat of the Emperor and the heart of the Yang Continent, a place of legends and power. He bowed so low his helmet nearly touched the dirt, his voice quavering. "I... I have received word from City Lord Du! Please, enter! Welcome to Green Lotus Town!" The guards snapped to attention, spears raised in salute as the gates swung fully open with a resonant groan.
Mr. Hy gave a sharp crack of his whip. Hyah! The horses neighed, a sound like whipping winds, and pulled the heavy carriage through the gates, the Sound-Isolation arrays humming as the luxury vessel rolled into the cobblestone streets, drawing gasps from hidden onlookers peeking from windows and alleys.
The Lotus Tea House, a few blocks away, was packed with the town's curious souls, the air thick with the scent of roasted tea leaves and steamed buns fresh from spirit-infused ovens, the chatter a lively hum that masked deeper anxieties. Wooden tables crowded the space, lanterns of glowing crystal hanging overhead, casting warm light on faces flushed with speculation.
At a corner table, Li Zhonghao and Li Ziling sat in a daze, their clothes still slightly singed from the mountain ordeal, their faces pale with lingering shock and exhaustion. Their teacups steamed untouched, the lavender-scented biscuits crumbling in their hands.
"You know, Brother," Ziling whispered, her voice trembling as she sipped her tea tentatively, "we were so busy running for our lives that we forgot the most important thing. We didn't even get the Fire Lotus. Mom's medicine... we failed." Her silver-gray eyes clouded with regret, her braid disheveled from the trek.
Zhonghao sighed, his shoulders slumped under his rough tunic, his heavy butcher-style knife sheathed at his side. "I know. We were so scared and surprised by that Physician and his Crow that I just... I just wanted to get off that mountain. My mind was blank." His square face twisted in frustration, his Double Fire Roots still simmering from the earlier battle.
Miss Jen, the waitress, approached with a tray balanced expertly, her emerald apron fluttering. "That'll be three low-tier spirit crystals for the tea and buns, dearies. Ready to pay?" Her voice was cheerful, but her eyes noted their disheveled state with quiet curiosity.
"Yes, sorry," Zhonghao muttered, reaching into his Interspatial Bag—a low-tier spatial storage tool, a simple pouch enchanted to hold more than its size suggested. He began rummaging around, his fingers brushing familiar items until they hit something warm and pulsing, a subtle heat that made his breath catch.
His eyes snapped open wide, then he closed them quickly, his heart nearly stopping in disbelief. [Inner Thought: What the—?! How? How did the Fire Lotus end up in my bag? I never touched it! The Physician's assistant was the one who picked it...] He felt a surge of joy, followed immediately by cold, gripping fear, his mind replaying the grotto scene. He looked toward the door, half-expecting the scary physician to be standing there, strings at the ready.
"Brother Zhonghao? What's wrong?" Ziling asked, noticing his face twisting between a grin and a grimace, her brow furrowing. "Why are you making that face?"
"Nothing! It's nothing!" Zhonghao snapped, quickly pulling out the crystals and handing them to Miss Jen with a forced smile, his hands steadying.
As the waitress walked away, humming a tune, the chatter in the room suddenly spiked, voices rising like a wave. A woman at the next table stood up abruptly and pointed at the window, her eyes wide. "Look! Is that the Young Master's carriage? It's... it's majestic! I've never seen wood that glows like that!" Her companion nodded, craning his neck.
Her husband, a man named Ling, nodded in awe, his teacup forgotten. "That's the Lin Family carriage for sure. I didn't think he'd actually show up today." His voice carried across the room, igniting more whispers.
Two young sisters nearby, Mei and She Hi, leaned over their table, their faces alight with excitement, fixing their hair with quick pats.
"It's been three days since the news broke," Mei giggled, her cheeks flushing. "Finally! Our 'sexy' Young Master is here. I don't care if he's a cripple—is he looking for a wife? I'd be a concubine in a heartbeat for a man who travels in a house made of dragon scales." Her words drew chuckles from nearby tables.
She Hi nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling. "Exactly! We could give him an heir. That child would grow up with more resources than this whole town combined." They shared a conspiratorial glance, dreaming of elevation.
An older woman sitting nearby scoffed loudly, her wrinkled hands gripping her cane. "You kids... all you think about is money and men. Have you no shame? That boy is in pain, and you're looking at his coin purse." Her voice cut through the giggles, drawing nods from a few elders.
Ziling ignored the old woman and looked out the window, her curiosity piqued. "Ooh, Brother Zhonghao, look at that carriage! I wish I had one like that. We'd never have to walk in the mud again." Her voice held a wistful tone, her earlier regret momentarily forgotten.
Zhonghao stared at the passing Dragon-Scale carriage, its scales catching the light like living jewels, his mind going back to the Physician's words in the mountains. [Inner Thought: 'Watch the fun.' That's what Physician Wu said. He knew exactly when this carriage was coming. He even put the Lotus in my bag without me seeing... who is that man?] A chill ran down his spine, mingling with gratitude.
"Yeah," Zhonghao responded to his sister, his voice distracted as the carriage rolled by. "But I bet it costs a mountain of spirit crystals to buy one."
Miss Jen, the waitress, leaned in as she wiped a nearby table, her ears perked. "I heard you can get a mid-grade one at the Auction House in the next city over, but for one like that? You'd need to be an Imperial official." Her words fueled more speculation as the tea house buzzed.
Outside, the carriage rolled slowly toward the Lin Branch Estate, its passage drawing crowds to windows and doors, unaware that every eye in the town—and one Fire-Crow in the sky—was watching its every move, the arrival stirring the pot of local intrigue.
The sun hung low over Green Lotus Town, casting long, amber streaks across the training compound behind the Wu Physician Shop, the light filtering through the ancient, twisted trees that formed a natural barrier, their leaves rustling with absorbed Qi. It was a secluded space, hidden from the street by high stone walls overgrown with spirit ivy, the ground etched with faint training arrays that hummed subtly underfoot, the air carrying a faint tang of ozone from practiced techniques.
In the center of the courtyard, Alex Wu sat cross-legged on the ground, his caramel skin warmed by the fading light, his pretty boy face focused as his violet hair with blue streaks cascaded from its loose ponytail. To an untrained eye, it looked like he was merely fidgeting with thin air, but the space between his fingers hummed with a dangerous, rhythmic tension, his Gray Qi Strings dancing in intricate, kaleidoscopic patterns—shifting from gossamer-soft silk to razor-edged wire and back again, a testament to the Monochromatic Loom of Ruin's mastery over connections.
A streak of red-gold flame descended from the sky, piercing the amber glow like a harbinger. Sun Ki landed with a flourish on a stone lantern directly in front of Alex, his pitch-black feathers with shimmering red and golden streaks settling as he bobbed excitedly.
"Master!" the Fire-Crow rasped, his beak clicking with excitement, his ember eyes gleaming. "The 'sexy' Young Master has arrived! The carriage just passed the central square!" His voice dripped with his usual snark, his high sapience allowing him to embellish for effect.
Alex didn't stop his string-play, his fingers flicked a micro-loop into existence, the air vibrating faintly. "Oh? He's arrived? And you say he looks 'sexy', Ki?" His tone was even, his Early Core Formation allowing seamless multitasking.
"Yes, yes, Master! He is very sexy," Sun Ki cackled, ruffling his feathers theatrically. "Even without you looking at him, I can tell he's exactly your type. Towering, silver-eyed, and looks like he was carved out of cold marble. But I'll tell you this, Master—he looks as straight as a spear-pole. I don't think this one can be bent so easily!" The crow's laughter echoed, his Demon-Core vision having captured every detail.
Alex gave a small, enigmatic hum, a thin loop of Qi snapping softly like a taut wire. "Really? Now that's interesting. I wasn't even interested in him in that type of relationship... yet." His words hinted at shifting curiosities, his Fusion Spirit Root pulsing subtly.
Sun Ki hopped closer, his golden streaks glowing with intrigue. "So, what type of relationship do you want with him? Do you even want one at all?" He tilted his head, probing.
"Well," Alex mused, his eyes tracking a nearly invisible thread of Gray Qi as it wove through the air. "I wouldn't mind a one-night stand with someone of that caliber. You know me, Ki—I don't like politics. I especially don't like Sect politics. It's clear the boy has enemies in the shadows trying to end his destiny in the near future. They haven't noticed that there is an Immortal Doctor in this town yet. My destiny is to become that doctor... at least, that's what the Old Man's spirit told me thirty years ago." He recalled the cave's inheritance, the spirit's prophecy shaping his path.
Sun Ki burst into a raspy laugh, flapping his wings. "You're right, Master! That old man said you would be the Immortal Doctor. Even though I wasn't there yet, I believe it. The way you move those strings... the way you built that giant over there?" The crow gestured with a wing toward the shadow of a large Spirit-Iron Oak, its bark like armored plating.
Behind the trunk, the 7'2" frame of Gein stood like a silent monolith, his dangerously handsome face blank, his athletic V-taper body immobile, a Tier 2 Human Puppet awaiting orders.
"Yeah," Sun Ki continued, his voice a mix of awe and amusement. "Even for a Fire-Crow, I'm still surprised by what you can do. And not surprised at the same time." His ember eyes sparkled, recalling his own creation.
The sound of footsteps on the gravel signaled the arrival of Shao Ye, his athletic V-tapered frame striding with purpose as he carried a tray with a steaming pot of high-grade green tea, its aroma wafting calmingly. He set the tea on a low stone table and moved to stand respectfully beside Alex, his Dual Wind and Water roots steady.
"Master," Shao Ye said, his ragged-edge handsome face earnest. "Why did you give those two siblings the Fire Lotus back in the mountains?" His question lingered from the grotto, curiosity in his tone.
Alex paused his strings for a moment, his expression thoughtful as he poured the tea, steam curling like Gray Qi. "I really don't know, Shao Ye. I guess... I felt bad for them. Like I said, I don't really know why I did it." His caramel skin glowed in the light, his slim swimmer's body relaxed yet alert.
Sun Ki let out a sharp, mocking crow sound, his beak wide. "Those naked monkeys! Hah! Master, that girl was undressing you with her eyes the whole entire trip! I wish I could have reached out and dug her eyeballs out for the disrespect." He mimed a peck, flames flickering.
Alex looked up at the bird, his gaze cool and unyielding. "Sun Ki, there will be no digging of anyone's eyeballs out unless I say so. You already know I like men. I don't like women." His statement was clear, a boundary drawn.
"Yes, Master, I know!" Sun Ki chirped, deflating slightly. "That's what I told the naked monkey, but she still didn't have a clue. She's probably dreaming of wedding veils as we speak."
Alex gave a thin, cold smile, resuming his barbed weave. "Yes, I know. And when she eventually comes here to confess... I'll make sure to reject her very quickly and painfully." The promise carried a chill, his strings tightening.
Shao Ye blinked, concern flickering. "Master... you mean quickly and painlessly, right?" His loyalty prompted the correction.
"No," Alex replied, his fingers crafting a new, barbed pattern of Gray Qi, the air humming with intent. "Quickly and painfully. I'll make sure her heart is broken into tiny, jagged little pieces." His pretty boy features sharpened with resolve.
Sun Ki let out a full-blown cackle, flapping his wings in glee. "That's my Master! I'll make sure I'm there that day with some crackers! I want to watch a good old show when the 'Doctor's' medicine turns bitter!" His raspy joy filled the space.
Alex picked up his tea, sipping as the steam rose to meet his neutral eyes. "The fun is only just beginning. Let the Lin family spend their gold on the 'Sages.' We have strings to pull." His words wove the future, the courtyard's shadows deepening with the setting sun.
The [Dragon-Scale Spirit Carriage] rolled to a halt before the massive vermillion gates of the Lin Branch Estate, its heavy wheels silent upon the swept stone, the Gale-Stride horses snorting elemental mist that swirled ethereally. Lin Bo, the Branch Head, stepped forward, his robes rustling in the breeze. Behind him, the entire branch hierarchy was arrayed in a perfect wedge of submission, their auras bowed. To his left stood his eldest son, Lin Chen, whose face was a carefully crafted mask of filial piety, though his fingers twitched rhythmically against the hilt of his sword, a tell of inner conflict.
The carriage door hissed open, a subtle release of Qi.
Butler Ja stepped out first, his Early Core Formation pressure a silent warning. Then came Xiong Kaun, his 6'5" frame and explosive, lean-muscular physique dwarfing the guards. Finally, Lady Yin Ji emerged, supporting a pale, sweating Lin Shan.
"Brother Bo," Lady Yin Ji said, her voice like silk over shattered glass. "It has been many years."
"Sister Ji," Lin Bo bowed low, his voice thick with compassion. "Our hearts bled when we received the news. The Lin bloodline is one; your pain is our pain. We have prepared the Blue Lotus Pavilion. It is fueled by a small spirit vein to aid the Young Master's recovery."
Lin Shan leaned heavily on Xiong Kaun's shoulder. His silver eyes scanned the estate—a place he would usually never deign to visit. The air was too thick, the spiritual energy too thin. He felt the gazes like needles.
"Thank you, Uncle," Lin Shan rasped, his voice a ghost of thunder.
Lin Chen stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Cousin Shan, I am Chen. It is an honor to have the Calamity Sovereign under our humble roof. If there is anything you need—sparring partners to keep your form, or perhaps some of our local elixirs—you need only ask."
[Inner Thought: So this is the 'Genius' of the Capital? A broken lion, leaking Qi like a cracked jar. Even in this state, my father bows to him as if he were a god. If I had half the resources spent on his 'accident,' I would already be in the Nascent Soul realm.]
Lin Shan's eyes flicked to Chen, sensing disdain. "Sparring... might have to wait, Cousin Chen. Unless you wish to spar with a man who can barely stand."
"Chen'er, step back!" Lin Bo hissed. He turned to Yin Ji. "Sister, we have heard that the Capital Sages are coming, but in the meantime, we have contacted the best local physicians. There is a man in town—a Physician Wu—who is said to have... unique methods."
Lady Yin Ji's expression hardened. "Local doctors? My son is a disciple of the Golden Mountain Sect, Brother Bo. We do not need country herbalists. The Imperial Alchemist Association is sending a Grade 4 Master. He will arrive within the fortnight."
"Of course, of course," Lin Bo stuttered, backing away.
The tension was palpable. The branch family felt the Capital's arrogance, while the visitors felt the town's smallness.
As they walked toward the inner sanctum, Lin Shan looked up. High above, a gold-streaked crow circled once before vanishing.
"Xiong Kaun," Lin Shan whispered.
"Yes, Young Master?"
"I feel like... I am being watched. Not by my cousins. By something... colder."
Xiong Kaun scanned the rooftops, tensing. "The town is small, Young Master. But small waters often hide deep monsters. Rest now. I will stand guard."
Town Lord Du Jing sat alone in his personal study, lined with ancient maps and shelves of manuals. He tapped on a jade parchment of the Lin lineage, circulating his Early Core Formation Qi to eavesdrop via hidden arrays.
A servant entered, bowing. "My Lord. Head Butler Gao is requesting audience."
"Send him in."
Butler Gao entered, concerned. "My Lord, the Young Master is settled. But the tension... Lady Yin Ji dismissed local physicians. She speaks only of 'Capital Sages'."
Du Jing sighed. "Pride goeth before a massive medical bill, Gao. The Main Family thinks our County is a backwater."
"What should we do?" Gao asked. "The Young Master is in agony. His Qi is leaking."
Du Jing walked to the map, tapping the Wu Physician Shop. "Send a fresh messenger. Tell him the City Lord requests his presence. Offer twenty high-grade spirit crystals."
Gao hesitated. "My Lord... the first messenger returned crestfallen. The assistant said 'The Physician is a simple man. The Lin family requires an Immortal.' They want nothing to do with politics."
Du Jing's jaw tightened. A silence fell. "They refuse the City Lord's request?"
"He said 'no,' My Lord. Busy with 'research materials'. Wouldn't accept the crystals."
Du Jing whispered, "They want to play the 'hidden master' game." He smoothed his robes, picking up a brush.
"My Lord? The messenger?"
"No, Gao. Do not send another. He is a 'simple' physician. We respect his privacy."
They want to watch the fun, Du Jing thought. Fine. I can wait. The Capital Sages will arrive, and we will see who is simple.
"We wait for the Capital," Du Jing commanded. "The town's fate rests on the Sages' hands, not a back-alley physician."