Xuan Tian secured the barrier on the ninth chamber. His energy pulsed, sealing the space with an invisible force, he exhaled slowly. His task was complete.
Turning away, he made his way toward his own quarters. The weight of prolonged exertion pressed against him like an unseen force, dragging at his limbs. Halfway down the cavern passage, his body swayed. He caught himself, a palm flattening against the rough stone wall, steadying his balance.
I miscalculation. Not a failure—just an error in judgment. That was all.
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself forward, steps firm despite the warning signs pulsing through his body. By the time he entered his bedroom, he barely had the strength to sit.
He sank onto the bed, crossing his legs in one fluid motion. With a deep inhale, he began circulating his spirit energy, drawing it inward, letting it pulse through his meridians. Soon, his breath settled into a steady rhythm. He exhaled slowly and continued cultivating.
This cannot happen again. This will not happen again.
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In her bedroom, Ling Yu cultivated non-stop. She hadn't expected this—had never thought of herself as particularly disciplined—but somehow, she was able to continue without feeling the urge to stop. How long have I been doing this?
She opened her eyes, sitting still for a moment before stretching. But I don't know how much spirit energy I have now… how do I check? She pursed her lips, then nodded to herself. I should ask Iron Wall.
Slipping off the bed, she exited her room, searching for Xuan Tian. Her steps carried her through the dimly lit corridors of the cavern, until she reached the stone bed chamber.
Inside she found Gu Tianzhu and Chen Zhaoyun. No sign of Iron Wall.
Ling Yu was about to turn and leave when a voice called out.
"Ling Yu, you've finished cultivating?"
Chen Zhaoyun's gentle smile met her as he stepped forward. He remembered what his Shizun had told him. He wanted to help recruit her, just as his master wished.
Ling Yu turned to Chen Zhaoyun and smiled in return. "Yes. Kind of. Iron Wall— I mean, Xuan Tian— said I need to cultivate until I have enough energy to wake the victims. But I don't know how much spirit energy I have right now. I don't know how to check."
Ling Yu casually calling Xuan Tian's name didn't escape him, Chen Zhaoyun nodded. "I wish I could help, but I'm afraid I can't."
Ling Yu frowned. "Your cultivation is that low?"
Chen Zhaoyun blinked, momentarily stunned. "What—Erm, no. My cultivation is not low. What I mean is, you are a special case. I might not be able to help you detect it."
Ling Yu's eyebrows shot up. "I'm a special case?"
Chen Zhaoyun paled, realizing he had said the wrong thing. "I— I— You— You have— no core, yet you can cultivate."
Ling Yu relaxed. "Ah, that! Why didn't you say so?" She grinned and lightly smacked Chen Zhaoyun on the arm.
Chen Zhaoyun smiled awkwardly. What's this? Why am I all awkward in front of her?
"I can ask Shizun for help," Chen Zhaoyun offered. "Do you mind?"
Ling Yu hesitated for a moment. Iron Wall seemed to trust him. "Okay. Let's go ask Gu Zhenren."
They set off together to find Gu Tianzhu. As they entered the chamber, Ling Yu's gaze swept across the room. Only those who had awakened were present. The remaining nine were missing. She halted mid-step.
Chen Zhaoyun, noticing her sudden stop, turned to her. "Ling Yu? What's wrong?"
"Where are the unawakened people?" Ling Yu asked, her voice laced with concern. "Nothing happened to them, right?"
"No. Of course not. Nothing has happened to them. They were only relocated." Chen Zhaoyun hesitated, unsure if he could tell her the entire truth.
Ling Yu frowned again. "Why were they relocated? Who ordered it?"
Chen Zhaoyun froze. He hadn't expected her to keep questioning him. He was afraid of overstepping Xuan Tian's authority. After a brief pause, he turned to his Shizun for help.
Gu Tianzhu, hearing the exchange, remained silent, uncertain. He knew Xuan Tian indulged Ling Yu to a certain degree, but he wasn't sure if that extended to telling her everything. He had seen firsthand how protective Xuan Tian was toward her.
Seeing her questions met with silence, Ling Yu's suspicion deepened. Her brows furrowed as her gaze swept between the two men.
She raised her voice, the command unmistakable. "Where are they? Take me there!"
Chen Zhaoyun's eyes went dull. Without hesitation, he turned and began leading Ling Yu toward the nine chambers.
Gu Tianzhu felt a chill run down his spine. He knew he should stop them, should intervene—but his body wouldn't move. A creeping panic set in as sweat gathered at his temples. What's happening? Why can't I move?
Meanwhile, Chen Zhaoyun continued walking, his steps steady but unnatural, as if under an unseen force. Ling Yu followed closely behind, oblivious to the effect of her own words.
It wasn't long before they arrived at the first chamber. At first glance, there was no visible door, but a powerful pulse of energy radiated from the entrance, enclosing the entire chamber in an unseen barrier.
The energy was so strong that even Ling Yu—who had just begun her cultivation journey—could feel it pressing against her skin.
She frowned. "Why is there a barrier here?"
Stepping closer, she peered through the translucent energy and saw a figure inside. The person was unmoving, eyes closed, locked in a hypnotic state.
Ling Yu's frown deepened. "Why put him inside? Are all the chambers like this? Is there one person in each?" She turned her questioning gaze to Chen Zhaoyun, her curiosity sharpening into something more urgent.
In front of her, rows of similar chambers stretched into the distance. Ling Yu stepped toward the next chamber—it was empty. She moved to the next one. Also empty.
Her gaze snapped back to Chen Zhaoyun. "Where are the rest of them? Answer me!"
As her voice rang through the cavern, a sudden force rippled outward. Chen Zhaoyun stumbled back, hitting the rough cavern wall with a dull thud. The impact itself didn't hurt, but his pride certainly did. Both of them froze, momentarily stunned. It was hard to tell who was more surprised—Ling Yu, who hadn't expected him to react so strongly, or Chen Zhaoyun—poor Chen Zhaoyun—whose pride took an unexpected hit. He hadn't anticipated his body moving involuntarily, much less sending him stumbling like a novice.
Ling Yu stood where she was, blinking at him. Despite her surprise, she made no move to help him up, nor did she apologize. She wanted answers.