The boat glided steadily through the waterways of Lotus City.
Unlike many fortified cultivation cities, the river-facing side bore no towering defensive walls.
It didn't need one.
The river itself served as the city's lifeline.
Trade ships, fishing vessels, merchant barges, and transport craft continuously flowed in and out through a vast, interconnected network of canals that threaded through the city like veins.
The moment their vessel entered the city proper, the atmosphere shifted entirely.
Voices.
Laughter.
Negotiations.
The sounds of everyday life surged in from every direction at once.
Rows of buildings stretched tightly along the waterways, rising in layered tiers.
Tea houses leaned out over the canals, their wooden balconies casting soft reflections on the rippling water below.
Restaurants filled the air with rich, mouthwatering aromas that drifted across the docks.
Merchants stood on raised wooden platforms, calling out to passing customers with practiced enthusiasm.
Cultivators mingled openly with ordinary people, their robes clearly marking different clans and organizations as they moved through the bustling streets.
For the younger disciples who had spent the entire day in the wilderness, the sight felt oddly comforting.
The yellow-haired youth stretched his arms lazily.
"Finally."
"Civilization."
One of the girls rolled her eyes.
"You say that like we were gone for months."
"It felt like months," he replied without hesitation.
That earned a round of soft laughter from the group.
The vessel continued deeper into the city until it eventually reached a private docking area reserved specifically for cultivators.
Wide wooden platforms extended over the water, reinforced and polished from constant use.
Several clan insignias were carved into nearby structures, each one subtly radiating authority and heritage.
The boat slowed.
Then—
THUNK.
It gently bumped against the dock.
Ropes were quickly thrown and secured.
The journey had come to an end.
Elder Qin stepped onto the dock first.
"We're here."
One by one, the disciples followed after him.
Ling Wei stepped off carefully, his expression outwardly calm.
Inwardly, however, he remained tense.
Because hidden within his arms—
an invisible calamity lay perfectly still.
Not a single fluctuation leaked out.
Not a single person noticed.
Even Elder Qin and Elder Zhao remained completely unaware.
Ling Yue followed closely beside him.
Though she tried to appear composed, her movements were slightly stiff.
Every so often, her gaze unconsciously drifted toward her brother.
Then quickly away again.
Neither of them dared speak about it.
Not here.
Not now.
Once everyone had gathered on the dock, Elder Zhao spoke.
"The training excursion has officially ended."
A collective sigh of relief immediately spread through the group.
"We survived."
"Barely."
"It wasn't even that dangerous."
"You weren't the one getting chased."
The usual banter quickly resumed among the disciples.
Elder Qin ignored them entirely.
His gaze swept across the group with measured calm.
"Return to your clans."
"Rest."
"Review today's battles."
"Experience only has value if you learn from it."
Everyone nodded respectfully.
"Yes, Elder."
Soon after, the group began to separate—each disciple returning to their respective clans and factions.
Different paths.
Different destinations.
The yellow-haired youth waved lazily.
"See you all later."
The blue-haired young man nodded.
"Next time, let's find a place with fewer spirit beasts."
"Next time, let's find stronger ones," another immediately countered.
"Easy for you to say."
Laughter followed as they dispersed.
Gradually, the crowd thinned.
Until only a few remained.
Ling Wei and Ling Yue stood quietly near the dock, watching everyone leave.
Neither of them moved immediately.
Because both understood the same thing.
Once they returned home—
they would have to explain something.
Or rather—
hide something.
Ling Yue glanced toward her brother.
"Big Brother…"
Her voice was low. Very low.
Ling Wei understood instantly.
His expression twitched slightly.
"I know."
The invisible weight in his arms suddenly felt heavier.
Not physically.
Mentally.
After all—
he was currently carrying a terrifying demon beast capable of speech, poison, and casually threatening cultivators without hesitation.
A demon beast that had likely survived battles they could not even begin to comprehend.
And now—
he was bringing it directly into Lotus City.
Ling Wei suddenly felt tired.
Extremely tired.
Then—
a calm, hoarse voice echoed directly beside his ear.
So close it nearly made him flinch.
"…Move."
Both siblings stiffened instantly.
The invisible Lizarius said nothing further, as though the single command had already concluded the matter.
Ling Wei swallowed once.
Then slowly nodded.
"Let's go."
Ling Yue nodded immediately.
Together, they turned and walked deeper into Lotus City.
Neither of them noticed—
beneath the layers of concealment—
Lizarius had finally opened one golden eye.
For the first time since entering the city, he began to observe human civilization in earnest.
Watching.
Calculating.
Learning.
Because recovery was only the beginning.
And a wounded predator hiding within a city could be just as dangerous—if not more so—than one roaming the wilderness.
---
The main gates of the Ling Clan rose high above them—massive stone pillars carved with intricate protective runes that faintly glowed even under daylight.
Guards stood at attention on both sides, posture rigid, immediately recognizing the returning group.
"Welcome back, Young Master Wei. Young Miss Yue," one of them said, stepping aside at once.
Within the clan grounds, the atmosphere changed noticeably.
Quieter.
Heavier.
More controlled.
Everything—from the paving stones to the carefully trimmed trees—reflected structure, discipline, and long-standing heritage.
Ling Wei did not slow his pace.
"Go straight," he muttered under his breath.
Ling Yue nodded quickly, staying close behind him.
But they did not get far.
A small group stood waiting along the main pathway ahead.
At the center was a young woman with sky-blue hair, neatly tied with a silver clasp. Her expression was composed, even elegant—but her eyes carried a faint edge of arrogance.
Behind her stood several attendants and clan servants dressed in refined robes.
The moment she saw them, she smiled.
Not warmly.
More like she had just found something mildly entertaining.
"Ah."
Ling Yufei—the clan head's daughter, and their cousin.
Ling Yue's steps faltered for the briefest moment.
She leaned slightly toward her brother, voice lowered.
"Big brother… it's Yufei. Ling Yufei."
Ling Wei did not even glance at her.
"I know."
Ling Yue hesitated.
"She's not—"
"Not worth it," Ling Wei cut in immediately.
"Don't engage. We don't have time."
Without slowing down, he attempted to walk past.
Ling Yue quickly followed.
But Ling Yufei shifted sideways.
Blocking their path.
Her attendants adjusted subtly behind her, watching with quiet amusement.
Ling Yufei tilted her head.
"Well, well."
Her gaze moved slowly over them.
"Looks like you two came back in one piece from your little… play date."
A soft chuckle slipped from one of her attendants.
Ling Yue's fingers tightened slightly at her side.
Ling Wei did not respond.
He simply tried to walk around her.
But she moved again—just enough to remain in his way.
"Not injured," Ling Yufei continued lightly.
"That's surprising."
Her smile sharpened slightly.
"I honestly thought at least one of you would come back crying."
Her eyes flicked between them.
"Or not come back at all."
A brief silence followed.
Then she sighed softly, almost disappointed.
"It would've been cleaner that way."
Ling Yue's expression tightened.
"Cousin Yufei, we're—"
Ling Wei raised a hand slightly, stopping her.
Still not looking directly at Ling Yufei.
"Move."
Just one word.
Flat.
Cold.
Ling Yufei blinked once.
Then her smile widened.
"Oh?"
"You've gotten a little bold after going outside."
She leaned in slightly.
"But boldness doesn't change anything here."
The air subtly shifted.
Her attendants straightened immediately, ready.
Ling Yue felt it at once.
Pressure.
Not killing intent.
But authority.
Status pressure.
Ling Yufei lowered her voice slightly.
"Next time you go out, try not to embarrass the clan."
Then she finally stepped aside.
Not because she feared them.
But because she was finished with them.
As Ling Wei and Ling Yue passed, Ling Yufei's gaze lingered.
Then she spoke again, almost casually.
"…Still alive."
A faint pause.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"That's unfortunate."
Ling Yue flinched but kept walking.
Ling Wei did not react at all.
He did not even turn his head.
Only one thought passed through his mind as they moved deeper into the clan grounds.
*Troublesome.*
And somewhere unseen—
hidden within Ling Wei's arms, completely undetectable—
Lizarius remained silent.
Golden eyes half-lidded.
Listening.
Observing.
The structure of the clan.
The flow of power.
The hidden hierarchy.
---
They continued deeper into the Ling Clan estate.
The pressure of the outer paths gradually faded, replaced by carefully maintained courtyards lined with warm stone tiles and medicinal plants that glowed faintly with spiritual energy.
Soon, Ling Wei reached a familiar courtyard.
It was quiet.
Too quiet.
A private residence within the clan grounds—clearly designated for someone of status, though not quite part of the core direct lineage.
Servants moved at a distance, careful not to intrude unless summoned.
As Ling Wei stepped inside—
a figure immediately appeared from the side corridor.
Black hair.
Neatly tied.
Simple maid robes, though clean and well-kept, suggesting she was no ordinary servant.
She bowed slightly the moment she saw him.
"Young Master Wei."
Her voice was calm and respectful.
"I've prepared your courtyard. Do you require anything else?"
Her eyes briefly flicked toward Ling Yue, then returned to him.
"I can arrange bathing water, medicinal tea, or spiritual recovery herbs if your excursion caused any injuries."
Ling Wei did not slow down.
Did not look at her properly.
"No."
The maid straightened slightly, still composed.
"If there is anything inconvenient, I can—"
"I said no."
His voice cut in again, sharper this time.
He finally stopped walking.
Only then did he turn slightly, just enough for her to see his expression.
Cold.
Flat.
Uninterested.
"Fu Qing."
The maid paused.
Ling Wei continued, voice lower.
"Stay out of my courtyard."
A brief silence followed.
Ling Yue, standing behind him, looked between them uneasily.
Fu Qing did not react immediately. Her expression remained controlled, but her eyes tightened almost imperceptibly.
"I am assigned to serve this residence," she replied evenly. "It is my duty—"
Ling Wei cut her off again.
"Not anymore."
He stepped forward once.
Just once.
But it was enough to shift the atmosphere.
Not with cultivation pressure.
But warning.
"If you dare enter without permission," Ling Wei said slowly, "you'll regret it."
Silence fell.
A few nearby servants immediately lowered their heads and retreated.
Fu Qing held his gaze for a moment longer.
Then she bowed.
Lower than before.
"…Understood, Young Master."
Her voice remained steady.
But something unreadable passed through her eyes before she turned away.
"I will remain outside unless summoned."
She withdrew down the corridor with controlled, measured steps.
Only then did Ling Yue exhale softly.
"…Big brother, was that necessary?"
Ling Wei did not answer immediately.
He simply continued deeper into the courtyard.
"Don't trust anyone in here," he said flatly.
Behind him—
unseen, unfelt, unheard—
Lizarius listened from within the concealment.
Golden eyes observing the maid.
Observing the clan.
Observing everything.