When Ting turned back toward the cabin, Noah almost followed her out of reflex. He took a step but froze upon seeing her stop, turn for a brief instant, and look at him. It wasn’t denial or anger; there was even a sense of consent that he could follow if he wanted, or perhaps he was wrong. But aside from that, everything was a mystery. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t begin to understand what was happening behind those tear-filled eyes. So he pulled his step back. Remained silent. And watched her walk away.

  Did you know?

  A pointless question, since he fully knew the answer couldn’t be anything else but:

  [...Yes.]

  Noah rose to the skies, stopping amidst the clouds drifting above the forest. From there, he watched Ting’s path, observing each heavy and slow step. He saw the trees part and her arrival at the cabin. The struggle she faced trying to enter, only to freeze at the door... He almost gave in, and so he had to turn away, distant himself.

  The clouds dispersed as he left the spot. He moved toward the house and, a little while later, once again sliced through the dark mist in the air as he crossed the forest.

  [Aren't you angry, Noah..?]

  At you? For that, I would have had to expect something different in the first place. And, like her, built up expectations.

  He stopped above the waterfall.

  Now, as for what you made us do itself...

  As he opened his fists, the cracking sounds ceased. Noah descended, cutting through the air, and where he landed the waters vibrated beneath his feet.

  Everyone turned at the disturbance, staring at him. They immediately sensed that something was wrong. The air around Noah felt much heavier. It was hard to breathe, let alone face him. They swallowed hard in disconcerting unison. They should have left, they thought, believing the real problem was staying at the waterfall past sunrise.

  For his part, Xiao Yun had already felt something similar before. It couldn't be for the same reason, for if they were in the city, there would be nothing and nobody there capable of hurting her as long as she was with Noah.

  He said she was fine, so, for him to be acting this way... did something happen between them...? he guessed.

  — So, what did you decide?

  Even his voice sounded heavier, drawing from them the air they struggled to hold onto.

  His distant eyes scanned the crowd — I see some are missing. So, since you stayed, does that mean you accept? — everyone nodded with difficulty, as their chests continued to be crushed — Alright, the rules are simple. You can always leave if you wish, but you will forget the techniques we teach you. You may not share these techniques or leak information, for doing so will cause you pain. And finally, in case of betrayal, you will lose everything we gave you, even your cultivation.

  — Wow, you’re really cautious, sir... — Gao Yu muttered from behind Xiao Yun — But if these rules are just words, then-

  The blue of those frightening eyes flared.

  Gao Yu froze under a gaze that didn’t even allow him to tremble. He doubted he was even still alive. Suspended in an endless fall. His body submerged in a formless blue so cold it pierced the innermost corner of his being. A place he had never touched or known existed.

  The raising of a palm made everyone sense their insignificance. On their knees. Powerless. And some were literally submerged. The despair was greater than the lack of air. Vast, like a borderless ocean. Their souls shivered amidst a faint glow, utterly reluctant.

  The marked area glowed incandescently. No pain. However, the same couldn't be said of the burning touch. The strangest thing was that their bodies shivered with an inexplicable cold.

  A snap of the fingers made all of them rise from the pale blue flames. Their breathing and gazes out of control. Those submerged were thrown to the surface by a force they couldn't resist.

  — Don’t forget the rules I mentioned. — He tossed a book into Xiao Yun’s hands that narrowly missed falling into the water — Forget the sword-making technique and try to learn this today. Go as deep as you can, because tomorrow I’ll help you use it properly.

  Noah left, making the air lighter. Everyone collapsed, but instead of resting, Xiao Yun decided to open the book. His hands trembled, as did his eyes. Still, he preferred to know what it was about.

  — God of Thunder... — he murmured, reading the first page.

  — What is that?

  — A Qi absorption technique, I think.

  — You think? Let me see, give it here. — Gao Yu reached out, not bothering to get up. He floated in the waterfall — Hmm, yeah, I don’t know either. Seems like it. — He tossed the technique back to Xiao Yun.

  Noah stood above the lake for a moment, letting his hair and clothes blow in the surrounding wind. He had closed his eyes while approaching, then descended to the sandy ground. The sand vibrated as he landed.

  They all blinked. Noticed the change in atmosphere and turned. They froze.

  — How many of you left?

  — Th-Thirteen... — Gao Yao replied, forcing the words out of her throat.

  — I see. That means everyone here agrees to accept my offer? — After exchanging glances, they all nodded — I don’t know if you noticed, but my eyes are closed.

  — Y-Yes.

  — So, again, the rules are: first, you can always leave, but you will forget any techniques we teach you; you cannot pass these techniques to others or leak information, as it will hurt you; and finally, in case of betrayal, you will lose everything we gave you, including your cultivation.

  The same question ran through their minds as Gao Yu’s, and it was quickly answered. Pain came. The flames. The cold. And the marking. After a snap of fingers, their souls were thrown back into their bodies. They struggled to stand, and someone caught the tossed book.

  — Try to learn this. You’re free to stay, tomorrow I’ll help you use it correctly.

  Noah departed, but didn’t head toward the city — Is he leaving...? — Gao Yao wondered, gripping her sandy fists. Someday she would do the same, have the power to sneer at the beasts and the wall. Or not... She forgot and turned her attention to the book beside her.

  With blurred vision and confused senses, Noah fell beyond the wall. The grotesque script flashed fiercely, then faded. His mind cleared as he reached the herbs he’d come to find. He was in a rush. He wanted to go back. But... Clenching a fist, he crushed the herb in his hand. He couldn’t.

  Ting... Connecting us... I think that goes far beyond the connection you planned to get from marriage.

  He wandered through the forest, sometimes sighing, very often reconsidering. He tried to convince himself that going back was the right thing. However, the look she gave him before she left kept shutting out that idea. In the end, he kept searching for herbs.

  There were forty-nine people left, so, if we use five pills for each to master that technique properly, we'll need two hundred and forty-five pills... We've got enough herbs for some of them already, so-

  [But what about what Ting said?]

  — About what? The blood-replenishing pill? I got all those herbs already, right?

  [No, about giving them a technique suited to their bodies, not one that’ll require them to change themselves.]

  — Ah, that... — Noah threw away the twig in his hand and took the yellowish root from the hole he’d dug. It was small, a bit longer than a handspan. He stashed it straight away — Yes, she did say we should do that...

  Standing up, he dusted the dirt from his clothes and kept searching. There were more than enough herbs, yet he didn’t stop. If he stopped, he would go back. If he went back, he wasn’t sure he could pull away from her if he saw her crying.

  As he reached for another herb, Noah paused midway. Eyes were watching him. He straightened, scanning for the source. So small and scared — Is that... a wolf? — He lifted the animal by the scruff, then sensed something very familiar in its breath — That smell... Looks like we were very careless when we removed the half-dragon from the inventory... I thought the blood in its body had already run dry.

  The pup’s red eyes trembled, its once-white fur now almost entirely shrouded in a living darkness — But what did you come here for, anyway? If you’d just run, you might have become a powerful creature someday, I think. Then again, having half-dragon blood in your veins... It’s a shame Ting wouldn’t accept eating this.

  The pup shivered. It lifted its paws and placed them over its nose, as though trying to hide.

  — You... can understand me? — it didn’t reply, just trembled. Staring at its fragile neck, Noah reconsidered. He put it down — Stop trembling. If you keep this up, I will kill you.

  The creature hunched, tucking its paws under and pressing its chest to the ground, but it didn’t tremble.

  — Is that instinct or awareness? — He grabbed the pup and, leaving the herbs aside, rose into the trees. A small smile flickered over his lips, for Noah thought he had found something that might actually be useful — You’re lucky, because I think she’s going to think you’re cute.

  The wolf grunted as its skin was squeezed.

  Even from the skies, Noah could hear Ting crying. He swallowed dry. Sighing, he lifted the beast up to eye level — I think I know what you were after coming here. You wanted more of that blood, didn’t you?

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  The wolf tucked itself in tightly.

  — I’m sure you understand me to a degree, because you drank the half-dragon’s blood. So remember, just acting cute won’t help you now. Head over there and...

  [Make her stop crying..?]

  — Don’t hurt her. — Noah landed at a distance from the cabin. If he did otherwise, he’d go to her and never leave again. He put the pup down and, before getting up, flipped it onto its back — Do this as you approach her, I think it’ll work. But if you scare her, I’ll hunt you under every stone in this place.

  Noah left, leaving the trembling wolf behind. He hurriedly exited the place, afraid he might change his mind. Giving someone time was harder than he imagined.

  I need to make the pills, but... He gazed at the dilapidated building in the distance. They're from out of town, so maybe they know something if that sect those two belonged to is even a little bit known. Ting seems to have heard of it, so that's likely the case.

  — Give me some blue crystals. — As soon as they appeared, he stored them in his spatial pouch.

  The clouds parted at his passage, leaving a trail in the sky. He stopped, dispersing them, and descended to the doorway, most of it burnt away. With no door to knock on, he knocked on the portions of the wall that still looked intact.

  — I believe this is the first time I've seen you around, — said the old man who appeared further down the corridor. — Are you new in town? How can we help you? I assure you we'll do our best within our abilities.

  — No need to be on guard, you can come down from the ceiling, — Noah said, taking a step and looking up at those hiding above the threshold. — Isn't that uncomfortable...? I just want to ask a few things.

  The old man nodded and in an instant, the three vanished into the shadows. That intrigued Noah. It was a more interesting technique than any he'd seen so far.

  — Forgive us for that, sir. If so, — the old man bowed, ushering him in, — please come with me.

  Noah followed the old man through the Hall's corridors, observing his surroundings, analyzing everything displayed or at least what remained. Most items had been reduced to mere dark stains clinging to the walls like shadows.

  — Are these things for sale too? — he asked, eyeing a small blue-green jade bracelet.

  — Certainly, sir. However, I must apologize in advance as I doubt anything here will interest you.

  — Hmm, and how much for the bracelet?

  — If I recall correctly, that's an artifact capable of defending against the attack of a cultivator at the first stage of Foundation Establishment...

  Is he trying to justify whatever price he'll say...? Noah arched an eyebrow.

  — Please... consider it as an apology for what happened earlier.

  — An apology...? — Noah brought the necklace into his hand. — Alright. But from now on, just show me any feminine artifacts you have, I think I'll buy a few more.

  Feminine...? So I was rushing. It wasn't a test, he really wanted the bracelet for someone… That girl, probably.

  The old man sighed with relief, the pressure in his chest easing. — As you wish, then please follow me.

  After looking at a significant number of artifacts, Noah picked a few to take with him. Aside from the bracelet, he decided to buy four more things: a set of clothes that could defend its wearer from some attacks by those at the early stages of Qi Condensation; a necklace capable of storing Qi to create a shield that could withstand attacks from someone at the peak of Qi Condensation; a sash that would wrap around an enemy that tried to attack its owner and immobilize them; and a jade hairpin, the only offensive artifact he chose since it was also quite beautiful.

  He paid a total of 19 blue crystals; although the old man seemed a bit incredulous when he handed them over, making Noah wonder if he had misunderstood the price. Maybe the items were more expensive, but Noah wasn't interested enough to inquire further.

  — Were those all the feminine products you have here? Is there no more clothing?

  — I'm not certain. Please, sir, come in so we can discuss the information you're seeking first. I'll check if there's more.

  — Alright, thank you.

  As he passed through the door, Noah found a young man waiting for him by a small table with just two chairs. — Please, — he said, gesturing to the seat opposite him.

  The man only sat down after Noah did.

  — My name is Zhao Fan. May I know your name, young friend?

  Leaning back in his chair, he replied, — Noah Evil, — as he rested his face on his fist and sized up the man before him with a quick glance.

  The blunt reply filled the room with silence, making the atmosphere heavy. The effect was only amplified by Noah's constant finger tapping on the backrest.

  — To be honest, there's a small doubt that's been bothering me for a while. Have you been following me since I arrived in the city, or did you start after I came back from the forest? Because that's when I began to notice. That shadow-entering technique is truly fascinating, I suppose it's thanks to that you had enough courage to do so.

  — ...We stopped doing that some time ago.

  — I thought you would at least try to deny it. — He smiled as Zhao lifted the lids from the cups and raised the clay teapot. — Anyway, do you know the two elders Hui Wen and Luo Bo?

  The green tea poured noiselessly, filling the room with a faint herbal scent, before it stopped. — The ones from the Stone Flower Sect? — Zhao asked, looking for confirmation.

  Stone Flower Sect... Noah accepted the cup offered to him. So, that's the name of that old man's sect?

  Tasting the tea, he noticed a slightly sweet flavor. Clenching his teeth, he stifled nausea. — How long would it take to come from the Stone Flower Sect to this place? — He held the cup and ran his finger along its rim, but didn't drink again.

  — Well, it depends. Riding a horse, flying on a sword, or post-Foundation Establishment?

  — Someone at the Golden Core level.

  Zhao Fan paused, nearly choking on his tea. He looked at Noah, thoughtful. Then he turned back to his cup for another sip.

  — It's hard to say, — he spoke. — Those who reach the Golden Core have the ability to traverse distances through space, so it would depend on the strength and determination of the individual, I suppose. It could take a few days, sixty to seventy maybe, if the person wasn't especially motivated. Or less than twenty days if they pushed themselves. In such cases, though, I think the strain from excessive Qi use would wear them down a lot. This could be mitigated by using a lot of crystals, so the situation would have to be very serious for it to become an option.

  Fingers running along the cup's rim, Noah seemed distant. His gaze lost in the vapor rising from the reflective liquid before him.

  — Is that all, sir?

  — No... — Noah looked in his eyes for a moment, making Zhao tense up. — I believe you knew about what the Xiao and Chen families were doing, as well as about what was happening in the forest northeast of the city. Also, after what happened here with the sudden fire and ice situation, why haven't you left yet? I was told you're the only ones who could. Why are you still here? If it's not to help people, is it for the Qi vein?

  Even with a tight chest and blood boiling with frustration, he couldn't move. Zhao Fan held his breath, fearing he'd be devoured otherwise. Those eyes transported him to somewhere strange and dark, where sinister stares seemed to watch him as his body was enveloped and squeezed.

  — So?

  — N-No. I don't know!

  — You don't know...? — Noah frowned.

  — N-No, we knew about the odd movements they were making, but we didn't get very far on that matter. We couldn't… The forest was being guarded by some senior, so we couldn't enter it.

  — Hmm, of course...

  Standing up, Noah placed ten blue crystals on the table.

  — My questions were all simple, so I believe this will pay for them, right? — Zhao nodded, eyes wide, shifting between the stones and Noah's face. Then Noah added another. — Consider that an apology for the things I did.

  Once the door was closed, Zhao Fan collapsed. His body slid down the chair, legs weak, breathing erratic. His vision flickered with dizziness.

  Is he that person? But how... How did he make all that death energy vanish? Impossible… No, from what he said, something must have happened in the forest, so maybe that person is already... or has left too. But then why did he ask about the Stone Flower Sect? Was it just a conversation starter so he could reach the topic he truly cared about?

  ...What were those eyes, and what kind of monster do they hold...?

  — Did you find anything else? — Noah asked after shutting the door.

  — Yes, there was one more piece in stock, sir.

  Upon reaching a nearby room, Noah saw a white-and-blue dress laid out on the table, as if the sky itself had been printed on the fabric.

  — Is this also an artifact...? — he asked tentatively. The piece gave off only a little Qi. Though beautiful, it was similar to one Ting had worn previously, quite revealing.

  — Yes, but its defense is not very good. It's limited to the early stage of Foundation Qi only.

  — Hmm... — Hesitant, Noah thought for a while. The dress was truly lovely, and he was sure Ting would like it, so he should buy it. However, the slit on the side seemed even longer than the other. — Alright. — He sighed. — I'll take it. Same price, five crystals?

  — N-No, how could I? Just two crystals will do.

  Leaving two more blue crystals behind, Noah left, making the air in the Hall instantly much lighter. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as soon as his feet left the floor.

  Back at Radiance residence, the waters rippled with his descent, fish circling amid little waves, and Noah went into the underground chamber.

  At first, the first pills he created were just to make sure his mental training had worked. Out of three blood tonics, only one failed, turning to liquid in the end.

  — Hmm, a 66% success rate. I thought it would be better...

  He spread all the herbs he'd gathered on the floor, hundreds of them, and sorted them into groups. Except for the root he pulled into his hands, along with two other herbs. — This is ginseng, right? All three of these are 'green' grade, meaning they contain the highest amount of Qi among the herbs here.

  He stored two herbs away, but put the ginseng in his spatial pouch. — If Ting eats this, she should also be able to evolve, right?

  The herbs rose from the ground in large amounts. He didn't want to stay there long; he wanted to go see her and check if she was doing better.

  — If I use the system's assistance now, I shouldn't have trouble keeping this same completion rate, even if the pill total goes up... I think.

  He exhaled, and the herbs jumped into the cauldron in a coordinated movement.

  [Pill-creation assistance activated.]

  The black fire leaped into the furnace, spinning around the herbs. The heavy lid danced, releasing more heat and flames that wandered the dark room before rushing back inside with a boom. At the clap of his hands, everything calmed.

  Did they all fail...?

  He thought maybe he was too hasty when the first pill popped out, whitish, small, and glowing. Unlike the original, its green glow was weak, but at least it kept the herbal sweetness in its scent.

  — Not perfect, but it should work. — He looked at the cauldron, reached for the lid, and called the rest to him. — It didn't reach 100%, but rather seventy-five.

  Various results showed themselves. Some were greener than others, while some had no trace of green at all, just little spots that made Noah wonder if those had failed.

  — If I increase the amount, will the rate stay the same? No, that would be overdoing it. I'd need even more control- The first chant! — he supposed. — Maybe I could use it here? After all, it helps with Qi control too.

  The pills slid into the bag and the next batch of herbs rose immediately. They entered the cauldron alongside the flames. In his mind, the mantra kept echoing while the fires shone forth.

  Like a serene mirror, I reflect the universe's perfect duality.

  More docile, the mixture flowed like water. The effort reduced considerably, no pressure, just waiting for the mixture to finish.

  Within every opposite lies the path to balance.

  So, I breathe in tranquility.

  I vibrate in the harmony of contrasts,

  And am renewed in every moment.

  With every new breath, I dance where darkness embraces the light and the light soothes the shadows.

  In the sacred circle, I find the eternal flow

  That joins calm and action, peace and movement.

  At the end of the mixture, his palms met and he opened his eyes to check the result.

  — Balance, — he murmured as the lid allowed the pills to pass through to him.

  One, two, three... a hundred?! Did all really succeed? A smile crept onto his face. What would happen if he tried to make just one, then? Could he get at least a cloud?

  He was tempted and a bit curious, but didn't try. He stored the pills and prepared to create them one last time. More than curious, he was eager to see her.

  — Finally... — At the top of the stairs, Noah gazed at the dark sky. With no sun, it was the moon that welcomed and illuminated his path. — Looks like it took longer than I thought.

  The door closed behind him as he set off across the starry and clear sky, carried by the wind towards the forest. It was far, but he could already see the cabin. The light from the crystals scattered between the tree branches shone on the area, and the thick mist made by the vapor spread all around.