"Don't worry, young man. If I wanted to hurt you, I would have already done so. Come closer," the old man beckoned, his voice both reassuring and chilling.
"Senior is kind. He won't do anything to you," Wuying assured, her eyes darting between the old man and Xuefeng.
"Okay," Xuefeng replied, realizing he had no choice but to comply. He stepped closer, the old man's presence overwhelming yet oddly comforting. He guessed Ling couldn't interfere without being detected, so he had to trust his instincts.
"Don't resist. I will just check your body. I've always wanted to examine the after-effects of the Six Petals Lotus Flower," the old man said, placing his hand on Xuefeng's shoulder. Xuefeng felt an intense surge of Spirit Qi invade his body, a force both invasive and curious.
The old man's eyes widened slightly as he detected three Rank 5 Spirit Artifacts within Xuefeng's Spirit Grandmaster's body, but he kept his silence. He meticulously scanned Xuefeng's Spirit Qi, finding no anomalies—only pure Black Talent Qi, indistinguishable from its natural form.
Next, he delved deeper into Xuefeng's Spirit, careful not to cause any harm. After a few more minutes, his frown deepened. "Were you really not born with a Black Talent? I can't find any changes," he said, withdrawing his Spirit Qi and studying him intently.
"I can't really tell myself. All I did was eat the herb," Xuefeng shrugged, uncertainty clouding his features.
The old man seemed to accept his explanation, pondering aloud. "I guess Six Petal White Lotus only affects the Spirit Talent and doesn't provide any other benefits. I would need to scan the inside of your spirit to know for sure, but that could potentially harm you."
"Thank you for understanding," Xuefeng bowed gratefully, the tension easing just enough.
"Ah, I'm not that desperate for answers," the old man muttered, his voice heavy with a blend of resignation and nostalgia. "I just thought it might have been my sworn brother who gave you the white lotus. He's the only one who ever possessed it. Must've sold it to the Trade Union—always was in need of money, that bastard..." He chuckled dryly, the sound brittle like dead leaves underfoot, and rolled up his sleeve to reveal a tattoo: a sword entwined with a dragon, its ink faded but still sharp against his weathered skin. "He decided to roam free nearly two hundred years ago. Haven't seen him since."
To think he lived for so long... Xuefeng marveled inwardly, the weight of the revelation settling over him.
"Thanks to you, I regained some hope that he is still alive. Before my death, I wanted to meet with him for one last time, to share our stories and adventures," the old man smiled warmly, pulling out a token engraved with a sword and dragon. "Here, take this token. If you ever find yourself in the Empire, go to the Sword Dragon Academy. Tell them it was gifted to you by Senior Wang, and they will definitely accept you as a disciple."
"Thank you, Senior." Xuefeng accepted the token with both hands, the metal cold and strangely heavy in his grasp.
"Alright," Senior Wang said, brushing invisible dust off his sleeve. "You can go about your business. I'll take my leave. But first—your Spirit Qi is almost depleted." His sharp eyes flicked over Xuefeng, as if reading the flow of Qi in his very veins. With a casual motion, he tossed a round pill into Xuefeng's palm. "Take this Spirit Replenishing Pill. You've probably exhausted yourself reading manuals."
"Thank you, Senior. I really needed one," Xuefeng replied, swallowing the pill without hesitation. He trusted that if the old man intended harm, he wouldn't need to use poison. A mere snap of his fingers would suffice, and even Ling had to hide from being detected.
Senior Wang nodded approvingly. If Xuefeng had hesitated, he would have suspected him of lying.
The moment the pill dissolved, Xuefeng felt a surge of Spirit Qi rushing towards his dantian. In seconds, his almost empty dantian was full, even increasing in capacity by at least ten percent.
The pill dissolved quickly, and Xuefeng felt a surge—no, a flood—of Spirit Qi rush toward his dantian. His depleted reserves filled in seconds, swelling beyond their usual capacity. At least ten percent larger. He gasped softly, the sensation like drawing in a deep breath after nearly drowning.
"Remarkable... This pill is incredible," he said, his awe slipping into his voice. He realized, with a jolt, it would've taken a week of cultivation to achieve the same effect.
"It's a Rank 6 pill, after all," Wang said with a knowing smile. Then he turned to Wuying. "You're a polite young lady. Here, take one as well. Look after her, young man," he added, his tone sharp with meaning. "Don't let anyone snatch her away."
"Thank you, Senior!" Wuying said, bowing low, her sweet smile lighting her face as she accepted the pill. Her eyes darted to Xuefeng, eager for his response.
"Yes, Senior. Who wouldn't?" Xuefeng replied honestly, his voice steady and calm, though a flicker of warmth crept into his tone. Wuying's heartbeat quickened, and for a moment, her thoughts wandered, unbidden and vivid.
"Alright," Senior Wang said, dusting off his hands as if the moment were done. "I'll be going now." Before anyone could respond, his figure blurred, then vanished, leaving only a faint tremor in the barrier surrounding the Spirit Arts Tower. It shivered helplessly, unable to contain him.
Ugh, that old man is finally gone. Ling reappeared as soon as the old man disappeared, her presence a reassuring shadow beside him. He was definitely at the Spirit Saint stage or above. If I hadn't sealed myself, he would have detected me for sure. I'm too weak at the moment.
Spirit Saint… Xuefeng echoed, a note of awe creeping into his voice. Yeah, I understand. Don't worry.
The token seems harmless, but it actually has a hidden mechanism. The other party can track you as long as you hold onto it. If you try to get rid of it, he will know. This old man is not simple, Ling warned after scanning the token in his hand, her tone edged with caution.
Well, there's nothing we can do, right? I don't think we should be too worried. If he wanted to harm us, why leave a token? Xuefeng reasoned, trying to rationalize the situation.
Maybe you are right. If I regain my prowess, I might be able to seal it, but that's definitely a plan for the future, Ling informed him, her voice steady despite the underlying tension.
Okay, let's forget about it for now. We should focus on this floor, Xuefeng said, placing the token inside his Storage Ring and walking towards the bookcases.
"Wait for me," Wuying called out, snapping out of her daydream and following him with a determined stride.
***
In the Clan Leader's Mansion, Liu Xiaobei reclined in his study, the air thick with the scent of aged parchment and smoldering incense. The flickering light of a single lantern cast long, wavering shadows across the walls. The door swung open abruptly, breaking the tranquil silence. Liu Xiaobei's sharp gaze darted to the figure stepping inside.
It was Senior Wang.
"Did you find out anything?" Liu Xiaobei asked, his voice calm, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of anticipation.
Senior Wang's expression was pensive, his brows knit tightly. "No. The Young Master's dantian appears perfectly normal, as though he was born with Black Talent," he said after a pause. "If the Six Petal White Lotus were responsible, there would be traces—indications of forced improvement. But there's nothing. I have my doubts."
Liu Xiaobei leaned back, his fingers steepled as he absorbed the elder's words. A heavy silence hung between them, broken only by the faint crackle of the incense burning nearby. The Clan Leader's face remained unreadable, but his mind churned with deliberation. "You are right, it's not," he conceded, the words heavy with resignation.
"I knew it," Senior Wang clicked his tongue, frustration lacing his voice. "What is this then? Is this the work of some master?"
Senior Wang's lips pressed into a thin line. He clicked his tongue in frustration. "I thought so. Then what is it? Could this be the work of a master?"
Liu Xiaobei straightened, his eyes narrowing slightly. "He has indeed found a master—someone capable of healing his dantian and enhancing his talent," he admitted, his voice low but firm. "My wife and I agreed it was best not to pry. As long as our son is advancing, we see no reason to meddle. Whoever this expert is, they haven't shown any malice."
Senior Wang exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing just a fraction. "That's a wise choice. A figure of such power could crush this clan with a mere thought if provoked. But," he hesitated, his gaze sharp, "aren't you concerned about their motives? No one intervenes without reason."
"Of course," Liu Xiaobei said, his tone hardening. "But their intentions—whatever they may be—are for my son to face. This is his destiny, not ours. Our role is to support him. Observe him closely and intervene only in life-and-death situations. That's all I need from you."
Senior Wang nodded slowly, though a flicker of unease crossed his face. "Understood," he said finally. With a slight bow, he vanished into the shadows, leaving the room eerily quiet once more.
Liu Xiaobei sat in thoughtful silence, his expression darkening. His fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the desk as plans unfurled in his mind. If my son can truly elevate our talents... the Liu Clan's destiny will change forever.
A faint smile tugged at his lips, cold and calculating. Once I recover my full cultivation, we will dominate this world. No one will stand in our way.