The mountain air carried an icy chill, and the silence shattered with a sharp thud as the wooden box slipped from XueBushui’s trembling hands.

Moonlight gleamed off the blade hovering inches from his throat. The sword’s reflection danced across his pale face as his arms flailed helplessly in the air, a pathetic smile twisting his lips.

“Fellow Daoist, surely you jest! How could I dare challenge someone of your caliber?”

This is the woman who killed Li Wuhe!

Xue Bushui had spent months groveling before Xu Zehua—of course he knew exactly how terrifying Li Wuhe had been.

I glanced down at the challenge letter scattered on the ground.

Behind Echo, Seraphine’s lips curved into an amused smile. “A spirit vein shouldn’t be left lying in the dirt like common trash, don’t you think?”

The words sent Xue Bushui scrambling. He snatched up the wooden box, frantically wiping it clean with his sleeves. “Of course we can negotiate! Palace Lord, the Lianshan Sect and Luanyang Palace have shared centuries of friendship. Everything can be discussed!”

The word “friendship” rolling off his tongue made Seraphine’s expression darken with disgust. Her smile sharpened as she pulled a spirit heart from her storage ring. The diamond-shaped stone pulsed with raw spiritual energy, causing the surrounding flowers and trees to practically glow with vitality.

Error poked its head out from Seraphine’s sleeve, tongue flicking out to taste the rich spiritual mist in the air.

“Here.” Seraphine held up the spirit heart, her voice mockingly sweet. “The spirit heart you wanted. It’s yours for the taking.”

Xue Bushui’s mouth went dry.

The translucent blade hung before him like a death sentence. Behind the sword’s wielder, Seraphine’s stunning face had transformed into something out of his worst nightmares. He forced out a nervous laugh, his mind churning with regret and fury.

Regret because he’d lost his composure after that humiliation at the Weaver’s Workshop. He’d rushed to make that deal with Xue Mengtao without proper planning, agreeing to conditions that were now going to cost him his life. If only he’d been more careful with his words during that oath!

Fury because he finally understood why his father had refused to come personally, sending him instead. The old man was using him as a disposable pawn to test Luanyang Palace’s strength. If Xue Bushui succeeded in bringing back the spirit vein, everyone would be happy. If he failed…… well, he’d seen what happened to Xue Bufan when their father cast him aside. After only one year of favor, what protection could he possibly have?

The realization hit him like a physical blow. He quickly lowered his head in submission. “I was being presumptuous! Please, Palace Lord, take the box. I want nothing in return!”

“Oh?” Seraphine’s eyebrows rose in mock surprise. “How generous. But I’m curious—why settle for just the spirit vein? The Eastern Continent Grand Competition will be held at Luanyang Palace. Wouldn’t you prefer I pull some strings to get you into Insight Academy Palace?”

Xue Bushui’s laugh came out strained. “Palace Lord, you flatter me.”

He knew his own limitations. All he’d wanted was the spirit vein and Xu Zehua’s Crimson Thunder Sword Manual. With money and a proper cultivation method, he could have lived comfortably in the Eastern Continent. Nothing more ambitious than that.

“No duel then?” I asked, my voice flat with disappointment.

Seeing their unforgiving expressions, Xue Bushui dropped to his knees with a desperate thud. “I was wrong! Palace Lord, please spare my life! Only my father and I know about the cultivation technique. I swear by the Heavenly Dao that I’ll never speak of it!”

The implication was clear—he couldn’t guarantee his father’s silence, but his own lips would be sealed.

I dismissed my sword with a theatrical sigh. “The Heavenly Dao must be exhausted from all these oaths people keep making.”

Seraphine’s soft laugh held no warmth. She stepped closer, glancing at the wooden box Xue Bushui had respectfully placed before him. Her voice was deceptively gentle. “I’ve been far too soft-hearted lately. It seems everyone thinks they can climb over my head and trample on me.”

Terror flashed across Xue Bushui’s face. He spun around and bolted.

But faster than his desperate flight, a stream of golden-red flame shot forward like a blade through silk, piercing straight into his spiritual sea. Xue Bushui’s agonized scream echoed across the mountain as his spiritual veins burned with audible crackling sounds.

“Ouch.” I commented mildly. “That looks painful.”

Seraphine calmly stored the wooden box in her storage ring and moved to stand beside Echo. Her voice was measured, almost conversational. “The Xue family head has only two sons—you and Xue Bufan. I spared Xue Bufan once, and now I’m sparing your life. These two lives aren’t because of you guys, but out of respect for your late grandmother.”

She paused, letting her words sink in as Xue Bushui writhed in agony.

“From this day forward, Luanyang Palace and Lianshan Sect, the Velka family and Xue family, have no further connection. If the Xue family causes trouble again……” Her smile turned razor-sharp. “We’ll see how many lives you have left to waste.”

Blood poured from Xue Bushui’s seven orifices as his spiritual veins shattered completely. Just like his brother before him, he’d been reduced to a mortal, his dreams of immortality crushed forever. The excruciating pain left him unable to speak, only able to stare up at the two beautiful women who regarded him with the cold indifference one might show an insect.

Seraphine released a message talisman. Within moments, Benevolent Central peak Master Yan Qingluan descended from the sky. She took one look at Xue Bushui’s bloody form, raised an eyebrow, and bowed respectfully to Seraphine.

“Peak Master Yan, please escort Young Master Xue back to Lianshan Sect. While you’re there, kindly advise Sect Master Xue to watch his words more carefully.” Seraphine’s tone was perfectly pleasant. “It’s such a pity I have other matters to attend to. I would have loved to personally witness the touching reunion between father and son.”

Yan Qingluan’s smile was sharp as a blade. “As the Palace Lord commands.”

She bent down, lifted Xue Bushui’s limp form like a sack of grain, and flew toward Luanyang City.

The city bustled with cultivators coming and going. Many noticed Xue Bushui being carried in restraints, their faces showing mild curiosity. But when they saw the patrol disciples making no move to intervene, they kept their questions to themselves and watched the spirit boat disappear into the night.

At the tavern across from the docks, newly accepted Luanyang Palace disciples were celebrating their successful bone-testing. A gentle-looking young man glanced toward where Yan Qingluan had departed, smiled slightly, and stood up. “I’m going to get some fresh air.”

“Senior Brother Wen, bring me back some hot tea when you return!”

“Of course.” Wen Chunsheng replied with a warm smile.

He looked back at the lively gathering, then stepped through the curtain onto the balcony.

The city lights twinkled below as the spirit boat vanished into the darkness. Wen Chunsheng let out a soft sigh. “Trash will always be trash.”

He shook his head and pulled something from his storage ring, crushing it in his palm.

A cheerful disciple bounded over and threw an arm around his shoulders. “Senior Brother! Come on, let’s drink!”

Wen Chunsheng brushed the crushed fragments from his fingers with a gentle smile. “I’d be happy to join you, but I only drink tea.”

“Just one cup— Hey, isn’t that a Crimson Thunder Sword Sect spirit boat? They’re sending more people?”

The disciple pointed toward the opposite dock where an impressive vessel had just arrived. A crowd emerged from the ship, all deferentially surrounding a stern-faced man at their center.

The man suddenly looked up, his gaze sharp with displeasure. Wen Chunsheng immediately bowed respectfully while his companion remained motionless, clicking his tongue in annoyance.

“Don’t tell me that’s Xu Zehua’s father? Beat the son, and the father comes running. Tch. Senior Brother, why are you bowing to Crimson Thunder Sword Sect people?”

“Old habits.” Wen Chunsheng replied sheepishly.

The disciple shook his head and wandered off. Wen Chunsheng watched him go, then turned back to stare in the direction the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect group had departed, his smile turning predatory.

⁂

Luanyang Palace, Phoenix Roost Hall.

I stood with my hands clasped behind my back, Error perched on my head like a living crown ornament, both of us studying the wooden box with intense curiosity.

Mountain breezes stirred the gauze curtains as a white crane outside the pavilion stretched its neck, trying to get a better look.

Still awake?

Seraphine’s expression remained perfectly calm as she poured hot tea over the wooden box, then gestured for the water to evaporate.

I clapped my hands in approval, a thumbs-up bubble appearing above my head.

Disinfection. Smart.

Error curiously lifted its tail to poke at the bubble.

Dragons can’t touch system interfaces, silly.

“Grandmother had this box specially crafted, but she found the unlocking technique too troublesome, so she added an additional rule.” Seraphine’s tone was matter-of-fact.

I perked up attentively. Rules were my favorite thing.

Seraphine opened her palm, golden-red flames dancing across her skin before flowing into the wooden box. Instead of burning, the fire seemed to merge with the wood like water finding its level. Golden arrays activated with a soft click.

“Anyone who cultivates the Phoenix Codex can unlock the box simply by channeling spiritual energy into it.”

I nodded sagely, then observed, “You have quite a collection of these boxes.”

Seraphine paused, clearing her throat with obvious discomfort. “They’re all family heirlooms. Things the elders left for me as……” She hesitated, her face carefully expressionless.

Dowry.

“……belongings.” she finished lamely, then quickly opened the box.

Error and I immediately craned our necks forward. Even the white crane outside took a few steps closer.

Seraphine propped her chin on her hand and lifted out a letter from the top of the box. Beneath it lay another spirit heart, its energy so pure it made the air itself seem to shimmer.

“……The Xue family schemed so desperately to get a spirit vein from me, never realizing one was right under their noses all along.” Her voice dripped with irony. “Fate certainly has a sense of humor.”

I nodded in agreement and carefully lifted Error, placing it inside the box. The little dragon coiled around the spirit heart in ecstasy, practically drunk on the concentrated spiritual energy. Spiritual mist filled the entire pavilion as the white crane outside spread its wings in delight, prancing around the perimeter.

While Error had its feast, I amused myself by opening and closing the box lid repeatedly.

Click. Click. Click.

Seraphine shot Echo a sideways glance before turning her attention to the letter’s unfamiliar handwriting.

[To My Dear Seraphine Velka]

[I am heartbroken to hear of this tragedy. Your mother’s sacrifice to destroy the Nine Heavens Demon Sect was a merit that will echo through the ages. I curse my old bones for being unable to die in her place.]

[When the former Palace Lord learned of the Phoenix Codex, she was already dying. Later, watching your mother wither like a flower, I searched the entire world but could find no way to save her. My heart burns with hatred for my own inadequacy.]

[I was blessed to be saved by the former Palace Lord, who taught me cultivation techniques and helped me establish Lianshan Sect. I have carried that gratitude in my heart ever since.]

[When Lianshan Sect was first founded, I accepted the former Palace Lord’s request to gather disciples and search for someone compatible with phoenix spiritual energy. Looking back now, I realize she had already foreseen today’s events. My poor child, so small and yet carrying the will of two Palace Lords. Since I cannot find the Phoenix Codex for you, I have taken it upon myself to choose you a soulmate.]

[Most sect disciples are mediocre, but my adopted grandson Bufan has exceptional talent. His spiritual sea is unique among cultivators and perfectly compatible with the Phoenix Codex. Unfortunately, I am dying and cannot personally guide his development or watch you both grow up. If when you come of age he does not suit your heart, the engagement can be dissolved without concern. But the path of Phoenix Codex cultivation will be harder and more painful than others face. I only wish for someone in this world to love you, protect you, and stand by your side with unwavering devotion.]

[So many words crowd my heart, impossible to express. I go gladly to join her in death, hoping we might meet again in the next life and walk the immortal path together.]

[Xue Nianjue’s Final Words]

Seraphine stared ahead in stunned silence.

My silver head tilted curiously toward her. “What did it say?”

“Nothing important……” Seraphine’s voice trailed off as she tried to smile, but the expression wouldn’t quite form. But when she looked into Echo’s eyes, seeing her own reflection in Echo’s pupils, and suddenly went very still.

The immortal path stretches endlessly, may you have a companion.

To help you, protect you.

With unwavering devotion.

Even without the gates of immortality, this life would not be wasted.

“Nothing.” Seraphine repeated, but this time her smile came easily.

Golden-red flames sparked from her fingertips and consumed the letter from years past.

I jerked back with a surprised exclamation point appearing over my head.

“Seraphine, please prioritize safety protocols.” I said calmly, though my bubble expression showed distinct annoyance.

Seraphine gave no reply, simply raised her hand to let the mountain wind carry the ashes away into the peaks, allowing the elder’s intentions to rest among these ancient mountains.

If they’re watching from somewhere, let them come sit in this pavilion and share tea one more time. Let them see……

The person I might have already found.