The journey back was swift.
Neither sibling lingered within the Golden Lotus Pavilion, nor did either waste time exchanging unnecessary words. The moment the pain of the poison mark had flared, they understood the message without needing it spoken aloud.
The creature had awakened.
And when the creature awakened—
it expected results.
---
The bustling streets of Lotus City gradually faded behind them.
Soon, the familiar gates of the Ling Clan came into view.
Servants bowed respectfully as they passed. Guards offered formal greetings.
Neither Ling Wei nor Ling Yue acknowledged the attention beyond a brief, passing glance. Their pace did not slow.
Through courtyards.
Across stone pathways.
Past training grounds where younger clan disciples were engaged in cultivation and sparring.
Until finally—
they arrived at Ling Wei's private residence.
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
Quieter. More secluded.
The servants stationed nearby wisely refrained from asking questions. Everyone in the residence was aware that the young master had been spending increasing amounts of time at the Golden Lotus Pavilion. No one wished to disturb him.
The siblings entered without hesitation.
Through the outer hall.
Along the long corridor.
Past the inner courtyard.
Until they finally stood before the sealed cultivation chamber.
The same chamber.
The same stone door.
The same place that had become the dwelling of the white-scaled creature.
For a brief moment—
neither of them spoke.
Then Ling Wei cupped his fists respectfully.
"Senior."
His voice echoed softly through the corridor.
"We have arrived."
Beside him, Ling Yue followed immediately with equal respect.
"We greet Senior."
Silence.
Then—
the stone door trembled faintly.
RUMBLE.
Formation lines flickered across its surface like veins of light awakening from slumber. Slowly, the heavy stone door slid open, revealing only a narrow gap.
Nothing more.
No glimpse of the interior.
No sign of the creature within.
Yet before either sibling could react—
the storage pouch hanging at Ling Wei's waist suddenly lifted into the air.
WHOOSH.
It tore free from his possession and shot directly through the opening, vanishing into the chamber.
The door began to close at once.
RUMBLE.
BOOM.
The stone sealed shut completely, restoring absolute stillness to the corridor.
Silence returned as though nothing had happened.
Ling Wei blinked once.
Ling Yue blinked as well.
Both stared at the closed door.
Then—
the familiar hoarse voice drifted from within.
Calm. Indifferent.
"Do not gather more."
The words struck them in subtle surprise.
For an entire month, every summons had carried the same expectation: corpses, beast cores, and resources of death and refinement.
Yet now—
suddenly—
it wanted no more.
Ling Wei recovered first. He lowered his head slightly and cupped his fists.
"As Senior commands."
Ling Yue followed without delay.
"We understand."
No response came.
Only silence remained.
Ling Wei waited a moment longer before speaking again.
"If Senior requires anything further…"
"…we shall remain at your disposal."
"We can be summoned at any time."
Still—
no reply.
The conversation had clearly ended.
Understanding this, the siblings did not linger.
They offered one final respectful salute, then turned and departed.
Their footsteps echoed softly through the corridor, gradually fading with distance.
Only when they had left the residence entirely did Ling Yue finally speak in a low voice.
"…So he doesn't want corpses anymore."
Ling Wei gave a slight nod.
"It appears so."
Ling Yue frowned thoughtfully.
"Then what does he want?"
"Resources?" she continued. "Information? A place to conceal himself?"
Ling Wei shook his head slowly.
"I don't know."
"Nothing about that creature is predictable."
Ling Yue exhaled lightly.
"That much is true."
They continued walking side by side.
Ahead, daylight gradually spilled into view.
Moments later, they stepped out of the residence.
Warm sunlight washed over the courtyard, and the sky above was bright and clear, untouched by clouds. Birds chirped faintly within the surrounding trees.
For the first time that day—
the atmosphere felt ordinary.
Peaceful.
Ling Yue stretched slightly, rolling her shoulders.
"So…" she said, glancing at her brother.
"Back to the Pavilion?"
Ling Wei nodded without hesitation.
"Of course."
The Golden Lotus Pavilion had become, in many ways, their second home.
With sufficient resources, cultivation speed there had grown almost frighteningly efficient. Neither of them intended to waste such an opportunity.
Ling Yue smiled faintly.
"I thought as much."
They turned and continued forward, crossing the courtyard toward the main exit.
Then—
both stopped at the same moment.
Their footsteps halted in perfect unison.
Because someone stood directly ahead.
Blocking their path.
An old man.
Thin.
Gray-haired.
Dressed in simple blue robes.
One hand rested behind his back, while the other leaned lightly on a wooden cane.
At first glance, he appeared utterly ordinary—like a retired elder enjoying a quiet afternoon stroll.
Yet the moment Ling Wei saw him, his expression subtly changed.
Ling Yue's faint smile disappeared instantly.
Without hesitation, both immediately cupped their fists and bowed.
"Elder."
The old man smiled faintly. A smile that revealed nothing.
"Hm."
His gaze swept briefly over the two siblings, lingering slightly longer on Ling Wei.
A faint, unreadable glimmer passed through his eyes.
Over the past month, the rapid growth of these two had not gone unnoticed.
Especially Ling Wei.
His cultivation had advanced at an astonishing pace—far beyond what had previously been expected.
The clan had, of course, taken note.
Ling Wei straightened respectfully.
"Elder Tang."
Standing before them was one of the Ling Clan's senior elders, dressed in dark blue robes. The spiritual fluctuations around him clearly revealed a Late Spirit Refining cultivation base.
A figure of considerable authority within the clan.
Ling Wei lowered his hands.
"If I may ask… what brings Elder Tang to my courtyard?"
The old man's smile deepened slightly.
"The Clan Head wishes to see both of you."
Silence.
Ling Yue blinked in surprise.
Ling Wei's eyes narrowed just slightly.
"The Clan Head?"
"Correct," Elder Tang replied.
"The summons was issued this morning."
Ling Yue exchanged a quick glance with her brother.
The Clan Head.
A figure rarely seen, even by direct descendants. Meetings with him were reserved for matters of real significance.
Ling Wei spoke carefully.
"May I ask the reason?"
Elder Tang shook his head.
"The Clan Head did not elaborate."
He paused briefly.
Though his expression remained composed, his next words caused a subtle tightening in the air.
"However…"
"The elders have taken note of your recent progress."
Ling Yue's heart gave a small, involuntary skip.
Ling Wei remained expressionless.
Elder Tang continued evenly.
"The cultivation chambers."
"The resources."
"And your repeated transactions with the Golden Lotus Pavilion."
None of these actions were truly hidden. The clan, with sufficient attention, could uncover such movements without difficulty—especially given the Pavilion's established connections with various clans.
The old elder offered a faint, reassuring smile.
"There is no need for concern."
"If anything, the Clan Head appears… pleased."
Ling Yue quietly released a breath she had not realized she was holding.
Pleased was far better than suspicion.
Elder Tang folded his hands behind his back.
"Regardless."
"The Clan Head is waiting."
Ling Wei immediately cupped his fists again.
"We understand."
"We will follow you, Elder."
The old man nodded once.
"Good."
Without another word, he turned and began to walk.
The siblings followed closely behind.
As they left the courtyard, Ling Yue leaned slightly toward Ling Wei, lowering her voice to a whisper.
"…What do you think this is about?"
Ling Wei kept his gaze forward.
"I don't know."
"You don't have any guesses?"
"A few."
Ling Yue waited expectantly.
"…And?"
Ling Wei exhaled faintly.
"Either something good…"
"Or something terrible."
"That doesn't narrow it down at all."
"It wasn't meant to."
Ling Yue rolled her eyes softly but said nothing further.
They continued onward through the vast Ling Clan estate.
Around them, disciples trained in open courtyards. Sparring arenas rang with clashing weapons. Meditation gardens sat in quiet contrast to the surrounding activity. Servants moved efficiently between buildings carrying supplies.
Life within the clan was steady, structured, and disciplined.
As they walked, more and more disciples noticed Elder Tang.
Then they noticed the two siblings following behind him.
Whispers began to spread almost immediately.
"That's Ling Wei…"
"And Ling Yue…"
"Why is Elder Tang personally escorting them?"
"Where are they going?"
"No idea…"
"But it must be important."
Neither sibling paid attention to the murmurs.
Gradually, the ordinary residential districts fell behind them. The buildings ahead became larger, more refined, and increasingly imposing.
They were approaching the heart of the clan.
Ling Yue's heartbeat subtly quickened.
Because she recognized their destination.
The Clan Hall.
A vast and ancient structure raised upon a stone platform. Massive pillars supported its grand roof, while spirit lanterns glowed softly beneath intricately carved eaves.
An invisible sense of authority radiated from the building itself, as though the very air grew heavier in its presence.
Few disciples ever set foot inside.
Fewer still were summoned there.
Elder Tang stopped at the foot of the wide staircase and turned back toward them.
"The Clan Head is already inside."
His expression grew slightly more serious.
"Remember your manners."
Both siblings bowed at once.
"Yes, Elder."
The old man nodded once in acknowledgment, then began ascending the steps.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Ling Wei and Ling Yue followed behind.
As they approached the massive entrance, both unconsciously straightened their posture.
Whatever awaited them within—
they would soon discover.
And deep within Ling Wei's residence—
behind layers of formations and sealed stone—
a certain white-scaled creature remained entirely unaware.
Or perhaps—
entirely unconcerned.
Because while the siblings ascended toward the Clan Hall…
inside the sealed chamber—
a pair of golden eyes slowly opened.