Chapter 48 – Seeds of Trust
Choosing from the Vault
The disciples stood within the vault of the Red Phoenix Auction House, a cavern of treasures glittering under golden braziers.
Bai Liang's eyes were immediately drawn to a pair of gauntlets forged from beast bone and starsteel. Their original enchantment increased grip and stability, but once Lin discreetly brushed them, they pulsed with new life. The upgraded version bonded to his saber, amplifying his strikes with thunderous force.
Junior Sister Mu hesitated before selecting a crystal cauldron, elegant but fragile. Its original purpose was for delicate pill refinement, unsuited to harsh flames. After Lin's touch, the cauldron became Heaven-tier, sturdy enough to withstand heavenly fire while amplifying the purity of her concoctions. Mu's eyes shone with delight.
Lin Xuan himself selected a jade slip containing a mid-tier defensive art. Upgraded, it wove spatial distortions into his barrier, transforming what was once a shell of qi into an elusive shield that bent attacks around him.
When the choices were made, Feng Haoran simply nodded, his expression unreadable. "Fair ransom," he said.
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Whispers of Marriage
That evening, over a quiet family meal, Xiaoyue leaned toward her father. "Lin Xuan… he's unlike other cultivators. Have you considered what it would mean if Red Phoenix bound itself to Cloudsky through marriage?"
Her father chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Your instincts are sharp, daughter. But Cloudsky's path is blood and war. Be certain before you tie your heart to a storm."
Xiaoyue's gaze lingered on Lin that night as he spoke quietly with Bai Liang and Wen. Her curiosity deepened, but Lin remained unfailingly courteous, never more.
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On the Road Again
The group left Red Phoenix City under rising dawn, their packs heavy with the Heart Orchid, two rare ingredients, and the vault's treasures. The road stretched long, mountains hazy in the distance.
The air was easier here, and for the first time since the forbidden zone, they spoke without blades in hand.
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Wen's Suspicion
Around the campfire one night, Wen glanced between Bai and Mu. "Both of you… you're different. Stronger. More refined. It's not just training." His eyes turned to Lin. "I've noticed."
The fire crackled. Bai said nothing, but Mu flushed, quickly busying herself with her cauldron.
Lin studied Wen for a long moment, then finally gave a small nod. "You're not wrong. But this must remain between us."
That night, while the others slept, Lin pressed a hand to Wen's chest. Power surged, reshaping bones, marrow, and meridians. Wen gasped silently as his sword qi crystallized, his blade-song sharper, his foundation denser.
When the energy faded, he stood taller, awe flickering in his eyes. "You've… remade me."
Lin's tone was steady. "Then fight as if you were born for it. And speak of this to no one."
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The Divine Artifact
Later, under the same starlight, Lin summoned his divine artifact. The shadowy helmet shimmered, twisting, and reshaped itself into a Celestial Cauldron, its form vast and radiant.
Wen and Bai watched silently as Lin fed upgraded herbs into its mouth. Mu, wide-eyed, hovered close, committing every motion to memory. Flames bloomed within, refined by the artifact itself, until a batch of shimmering cultivation pills emerged.
"These will push you closer to your limits," Lin said, handing them out. "Use them wisely."
Each disciple felt their cultivation stir, their dantian brimming with fresh qi. It was more than a gift—it was a promise that they would rise together.
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World Beyond the Road
As they traveled onward, the world revealed itself. Merchant caravans rattled down the trade roads, guarded by mercenaries. Vast fields of spirit rice shimmered gold beneath the sun. Mountain passes echoed with the cries of beasts, while small towns bustled with rumors of sect rivalries and demonic sect movements.
Every step reminded them: Cloudsky was not alone. The world was vast, full of powers that shifted like tides.
And somewhere ahead, their map promised the next ingredient—hidden in another forbidden land, waiting to test them.