With no one to answer his question, Liechen chose silence. He pushed the doubts aside and focused instead on his missions—and his ultimate goal: joining the Venomheart Sect.
There, he could vanish. Hide among shadows. Be forgotten.
He was, after all, the most unknown of the heirs—viewed as the weakest and least significant. He had never tried to outshine anyone, never competed, never made waves. He completed his missions with only the bare minimum of effort, careful never to draw attention.
Unlike the other heirs, who scrambled for recognition—building factions, gaining favors, currying favor with elders, completing missions to boost their merit—Liechen stayed out of it all.
He hadn't created a faction. He hadn't joined one. He simply stood on the sidelines, saying nothing, doing just enough, never once expressing interest in the heir position.
And for that reason, none of the other heirs saw him as a threat.
And none of them bothered to target him.
"Like I always said—the greatest step forward right now is to not move at all. It is by staying still that no one notices your existence."
With that, Liechen pushed the matter to the back of his mind—for now.
—
Far away, deep within the forest, Lin Shu was still running.
Not far behind him, Yan Qing pursued the same direction, eyes locked ahead.
Both of them were heading back—toward the mine.
Lin Shu had recovered a good portion of his Qi. As he ran, Ivory Dominion began to form across his limbs—bone-gray gauntlets and armor plates snapping into place like a second skin. Still, he refrained from using Lightning Steps, relying purely on his raw strength and cultivated speed to move forward.
Behind him, Yan Qing followed at a distance. He too avoided using any Qi techniques, conserving every ounce he could. Their pace was fast—but measured.
"It'll probably take me a few days to reach the mine."
Lin Shu pulled out a worn map and glanced at it.
"Right now I'm in the Forest of Pines… not too far from the city of Cloudrest."
Cloudrest City—one of the largest and most well-known cities in the Stormridge region. Massive jade-tiled walls, multi-tiered buildings with curved roofs, and bustling streets filled with merchants, cultivators, and scholars alike. The city housed not only several sect branches but also a Pill Pavilion, multiple artifact stores, and a hidden market beneath the central plaza. Most importantly—it held a well-supplied cultivation bazaar.
"If anywhere has what I need for the first stage of the Thunderforge Physique, it's there. Maybe even some ingredients for the second stage…"
Lin Shu made up his mind. He stopped, letting Yan Qing catch up. The latter narrowed his eyes as he approached, his hand slipping into his pouch and drawing a sword in silent warning.
"I'm going to Cloudrest," said Lin Shu plainly.
Yan Qing's grip on his sword didn't loosen. "And why are you telling me that?" he asked coldly.
Lin Shu met his gaze, thoughts racing.
"I can't let him get back to the mine first. He might twist the truth—blame me, lie about what happened. He already hates me, and I don't trust him not to use this to his advantage."
So instead, he said, "I'd like to know if you would like to head there too. It's safer if we move together."
Yan Qing laughed—a bitter, sharp sound. "Safe? Together? Don't make me laugh. You tried to kill me. Anywhere away from you is safer."
Lin Shu frowned. "Can you blame me? You used me as a shield in the river. And what, you think I'm dumb enough to let you get back first and tell your version of events? What are the chances you won't lie and frame me?"
Yan Qing's expression didn't change, but his voice turned icy.
"I'm not going anywhere with you. But if you're that worried about being framed, we can make an oath. I'll say we got split up in the river and that we'll only speak the truth—no lies, no added details. If you want more conditions, fine. But I'm not following you. It's this… or we fight. And you already know which way that ends."
He raised his sword slightly, the tension clear.
Lin Shu narrowed his eyes, but eventually nodded. "Fine. But the oath will include this—you say nothing about where I went. You say we got separated by the river's current and only mention what actually happened. Leave Cloudrest out of it. No lies, not even half-truths."
Yan Qing stared at him, then slowly said, "Deal."
They made the pact—an oath witnessed by the heavens.
Afterward, Lin Shu smirked and said, "I guess you're not as stupid as you were months ago?"
Yan Qing didn't respond. He turned and sprinted toward the mine, not giving Lin Shu another glance.
"Too bad I can't kill him. I still really hate that bastard. But cultivation comes before grudges."
Lin Shu turned in the opposite direction, disappearing into the trees.
"You're already on my kill list, Yan Qing… just a matter of time."
And with that, he ran toward Cloudrest City.
Cloudrest City wasn't far from the Azure Crystal Mine, so Lin Shu wasn't worried about wasting time or drawing suspicion. He continued running, and after a while, came to a stop—before him rose the mountain that led to Cloudrest itself.
A thick mist covered its peak, a veil of drifting clouds that wrapped around the mountain like a crown. That was where the city got its name. He looked up and saw the path—a road already carved through the mountain, winding higher and higher. Several staircases and paved trails led toward the summit. Travelers, merchants, and cultivators alike moved up and down, their chatter echoing faintly through the stone corridors.
Lin Shu started climbing. His steps were silent, steady.
As he neared the top, the city's full form came into view—and what a sight it was.
Massive white gates stood ahead, each carved with elegant cloud emblems. They gleamed in the mountain light, pristine and regal. Compared to Greenwood Hollow, this place was beyond comparison—many times larger, many times wealthier.
This was Cloudrest.
Not just a city, but a hub of power and influence. The Silverpeak Sect had one of its core branches here. He could already see disciples wearing their robes—their emblem, a gleaming silver peak across the chest, with faint cloud patterns embroidered along the sleeves.
As Lin Shu approached the gates, a few guards looked over from their post. They sifted through some papers but didn't stop him—he wasn't on their list.
They let him through.
He entered the city.
The streets of Cloudrest were beautiful—polished stone roads lined with pavilions, teahouses, and colorful banners swaying in the breeze. Elegant buildings towered above, roofs curved and tiled in jade green and obsidian black. Delicacy stalls filled the air with the scent of spices and cooked meat. Clothing stores displayed robes made from rare silks and beast-hide blends. Cultivation supply shops boasted pills, herbs, and strange glowing items behind reinforced glass counters.
Lin Shu walked slowly, taking it all in. The last time he had entered a city, it was Darkveil Crossing—and back then, he hadn't enjoyed a moment of it. Hunted, cornered, and forced into secrecy, he never explored anything beyond the auction hall.
But here… here, no one knew him.
He had plans now. Real ones.
He would enter the libraries reserved for cultivators only and look for books, maps, and hidden information. He would find the ingredients required for the first stage of the Thunderforge Physique, and if possible, some for the second. He would seek out a Crimson Flow Pill—mid-tier, Rank 1. And if he found an auction house, he would attend. Maybe he'd even find something unexpected there.
"This time… no one's hunting me. Not yet."
And so Lin Shu walked deeper into Cloudrest City, eyes sharp and mind already setting its next steps.
Lin Shu's first destination was the Grand Library.
The moment he stepped inside, he was stunned. Shelves stretched from wall to wall—an endless ocean of books. The Stone Path Hall's library had hundreds, but here… here were thousands. Rows upon rows, floor upon floor, each shelf packed tight with tomes of knowledge, old and new.
He walked deeper in, but before he could explore, a worker stepped in front of him—a middle-aged man with a calm smile.
"Hello, young man. Since I don't recognize you, you must be new?"
Lin Shu nodded.
"Well, you are most welcome. But customer, please allow me to explain the rules and how our library operates," the man said with practiced ease. "First and foremost, all books here are sealed with a special art. You may read the cover, an introduction, and a brief portion of the content—just enough to verify its authenticity. If you wish to read the entire book, you must bring it to one of our workers for unlocking, after purchasing it."
His tone became more serious. "And of course, should any book be stolen… punishments will be enforced. We do not take kindly to those who steal from us."
He went on to mention a few more formalities and finally asked, "I presume you understand the rules now, dear customer?"
Lin Shu gave a short nod.
"Wonderful," the man said, brightening again. "Now then, what sort of books are you looking for? I can direct you to the correct sections and rows so you may find them immediately."
"I would like books on the history of the region," Lin Shu replied, "as well as some books on different kinds of pills. And… some information about the Far Lands. I've always heard about those places and wondered what they really mean."
The man's smile remained, though it shifted slightly at the mention of the Far Lands.
"We have more than enough books on the region's history and pill-related studies. As for the Far Lands… well, the mid-tier sects and the Empire are very restrictive regarding that subject, for security purposes. Still, we do have some general knowledge available."
He gestured to a stone tablet nearby. "You'll find the history books in Section 14. Books about pills and alchemy are in Section 28. As for the Far Lands, they're also located in Section 14, alongside historical texts."
"Thank you," Lin Shu said.
"No problem at all. I'll be here if you need anything—or if you find a book you'd like to buy."
Lin Shu gave a polite nod and turned away, walking towards the towering shelves.
A vast sea of knowledge awaited him.