Morning light spilled across the Holy orchid institute, golden rays brushing over curved rooftops and fluttering banners.
Today was the day.
The day of departure.
Inside the library, preparations were already complete.
"Rations, weapons, tents—everything is ready," a young attendant reported respectfully.
"All prepared, Young Master Chen!" another voice called from the steps.
Chen Linjian stood at the center of the courtyard, calm and composed, his sharp eyes scanning the gathered group.
"Everyone's here?" he asked.
Boots stepped forward in unison.
"Yes!"
Among the gathered figures, another group stood slightly apart.
Seven members of the Sacred Family.
And at their center—Shen Yue.
His eyes narrowed the moment he spotted a familiar figure.
"…Nie Li?" Shen Yue muttered under his breath. "Why is he here as well?"
Nie Li stood quietly near the side, one hand casually behind his back. His gaze was calm, unreadable.
Shen Yue's lips curled faintly.
"Haha… You're the one sending yourself to your death," he thought coldly. "If Bronze Rank fighters can't handle you… I'll have the family send someone stronger next time."
One of his lackeys leaned close and Shen Yue whispered something into his ear, and chuckled.
"Heh heh…"
From across the room, Nie Li glanced in their direction.
Hm, he thought lazily. I wonder what lousy plan that brat is cooking up now.
Before tension could build further, a soft voice interrupted.
"Hi."
Nie Li turned.
Ye Ziyun stood nearby, dressed in light traveling robes, her violet eyes calm but curious.
"You're coming along as well?" she asked.
Nie Li scratched his head with a sheepish grin. "Yeah."
He studied her expression carefully.
…She doesn't look angry anymore. Looks like I didn't get beaten up in vain after all.
His smile widened slightly.
A middle-aged man from the Divine Family stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Young Master Chen," he reported respectfully, "rations, weapons, tents—everything has been checked twice. The carriages are ready. We can depart at any time."
Chen Linjian nodded, hands folded behind his back.
"…Good."
He glanced toward the entrance of the courtyard, eyes calm but expectant.
"Wait a little longer," he said.
The man blinked. "Young Master?"
Chen Linjian's lips curved faintly. "We're still waiting for a few VIPs."
A ripple spread through the gathered group.
VIPs?
Whispers broke out instantly.
"VIPs? Who else is coming?" "Is someone important joining the expedition?"
Before speculation could spiral further—
Step.
Step.
The sound of steady footsteps echoed from the entrance.
The courtyard gradually fell silent.
All eyes turned toward the gate.
A tall figure walked in leisurely, hands in his pockets, expression relaxed as if he were arriving for a stroll rather than an expedition into ancient ruins.
Red hair catching the morning light.
Karma Uzumaki.
Behind him walked eight uniformed figures, moving in disciplined silence. Their presence was subtle—but heavy. Each step was synchronized. Each gaze sharp.
The air shifted instantly.
Someone in the crowd gasped.
"…The Prince is coming too?"
Even the Divine Family guards stiffened unconsciously.
Chen Linjian watched the scene unfold, then shook his head with a faint smile.
"You sure took your time, Karma."
Karma smirked lightly as he approached.
"An annoying cat betrayed me" he replied lazily.
His gaze swept across the gathered participants briefly—calm, unreadable searching for someone.
Then Chen Linjian's eyes shifted to the young man standing at Karma's side.
Black hair. Calm expression. A presence that didn't scream power—but quietly carried it.
Chen Linjian's smile widened.
"I knew you'd come as well," he said warmly. "It's been a while, aye, Shisui?"
The young man smiled back, easy and composed.
"Yes," Shisui replied. "It's been a while, Lin."
Their tone was casual, familiar—like old friends meeting after a short break rather than heirs of powerful families about to enter danger.
Not far away, Nie Li leaned slightly toward Ye Ziyun.
"They know each other?" he whispered.
Ye Ziyun nodded softly.
"Chen Linjian and big brother Shisui are close friends. They were in the same class at the institute," she explained quietly. "They've sparred together many times."
Nie Li's gaze shifted back to Shisui.
Shisui Uchiha.
The heir and prodigy of the Uchiha clan.
And… Karma's sworn shield.
Nie Li's expression grew faintly serious.
In my previous life… it was because of his sacrifice that we managed to escape the demon beast horde.
The memory flashed through his mind—the chaos, the roar of beasts, the collapsing walls—
And a lone figure standing firm, buying time.
Nie Li lowered his gaze slightly.
Chen Linjian cleared his throat again, drawing attention back.
"Well," he said, looking between Karma and Shisui, "now that everyone important is here…"
He turned toward the assembled group.
"Form up!"
The participants quickly organized themselves into formation.
Shisui stood quietly beside him, eyes scanning the surroundings.
Karma eyes scanned the room once—
—and locked onto a certain lavender-haired girl sitting calmly at the table as if nothing had happened.
Ye Ziyun glanced at Karma briefly, then forward again.
Karma walked straight toward her.
"You," he said flatly.
Ye Ziyun looked up innocently.
"Oh. You're here."
"Obviously I'm here," he replied. "We were supposed to go together."
She blinked. "I left a message with the guards. I said I'd meet you here."
"That's not the point!" he snapped, lowering his voice but not his frustration. "You were supposed to wait."
She pouted slightly. "I was excited."
"I can see that," he muttered.
He crossed his arms. "You're my responsibility for this expedition. And you've already started not listening from day one."
Ye Ziyun puffed her cheeks. "I can take care of myself."
"That's not what your father said," Karma shot back instantly.
She stiffened. "Don't bring Father into this."
Karma dragged a hand down his face.
"This is a terrible decision," he muttered under his breath. "A terrible, horrible decision. Why did the City Lord agree to this? Why did he say yes?"
He began mumbling to himself as he paced.
"'Karma will be there.' Of course I'll be there. That doesn't mean I signed up to manage a stubborn brat."
Ye Ziyun glared at him. "I can hear you."
"Good," he replied without missing a beat. "Maybe you'll start listening too."
She stood up abruptly. "I told you I left a message!"
"And I told you to wait!"
They stared at each other for a second.
Then—
She huffed and turned away.
He sighed dramatically.
"I swear," he muttered, "your old man better be grateful. I've already cursed him a hundred times in my head."
Ye Ziyun turned sharply. "Don't you dare curse Father!"
"I'm not cursing him out loud," Karma said defensively. "I have manners."
She shoved his arm lightly.
He groaned. "See? Violent. And I'm supposed to protect this."
She muttered, "You're overreacting."
Karma sighed.
"…Just don't run off like that again."
His tone was softer this time.
She paused.
"…Fine."
He nodded once, still annoyed—but visibly relieved.
"Good. Now sit down before I actually start filing complaints against the City Lord."
Nie Li, who had been quietly watching the entire exchange like it was a stage play, finally cleared his throat.
"Ahem."
Ziyun turned to look at him.
Nie Li smiled gently. "Calm down, you two. From now on, we'll stay together. No one runs off alone. That solves the problem."
Ye Ziyun hesitated for a second… then nodded obediently.
"…Alright."
Karma slowly turned his head toward Nie Li.
One eyebrow lifted.
"Ahh?" he said flatly.
Just that one sound carried a very clear message:
You stay out of this.
Nie Li immediately straightened.
"Yes. Right. Good talk. Very productive," he said quickly.
Karma stared at him for two long seconds.
Nie Li decided, very wisely, that silence was the best cultivation technique available at the moment.
He clasped his hands behind his back and looked away, pretending to admire the bookshelves.
Yes. Silence is golden.
Let him cool down first.
Behind him, Ye Ziyun pressed her lips together to stop herself from smiling.
Karma exhaled slowly, still annoyed, but no longer arguing.
"…Fine," he muttered. "Nobody disappears. Nobody gets kidnapped. Nobody causes heart attacks."
He glanced at Ye Ziyun.
"You especially."
She rolled her eyes. "I said fine."
Nie Li nodded solemnly, as if mediating a historic peace treaty.
"Good. Then let's move before we start a civil war inside the library."
Karma gave him one last look.
Nie Li smiled nervously.
Yes. Definitely wait until he cools down.
From ahead, Chen Linjian raised his hand for attention.
"By the way," he began, voice firm and clear, "this trip has been described to outsiders as nothing more than a training expedition to the Secluded Mountain Valleys."
He glanced around seriously.
"Everyone, keep a low profile."
"YES!" the group shouted in unison, fists raised high.
Karma slowly looked around at the cheering crowd.
"…That," he muttered dryly, "is the loudest 'low profile' I've ever heard."
Chen Linjian's eyebrow twitched. "I already said to keep a low profile!"
The group awkwardly coughed and began moving.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Boots echoed against the stone streets as they left Glory City behind.
Karma walked lazily beside Nie Li and Ziyun.
Ziyun looked between them.
"Nie Li, you and Chen Linjian know each other?"
"We don't really," Nie Li replied. "We only chatted once at the library."
Karma hummed thoughtfully. "Lin's proud. If he let you in, it means you impressed him somehow."
Nie Li laughed. "Maybe he saw how handsome I was."
Ziyun couldn't help it—she burst into laughter.
Karma blinked at her
Behind them, Shen Yue watched silently, a dark smile creeping onto his face.
Once we reach the wilderness… you won't be laughing.
Karma's eyes flicked briefly toward Shen Yue.
He didn't say anything.
But he noticed.
Hours passed as the group moved deeper into the mountains, climbing uneven stone paths and crossing narrow ridges beneath towering trees. With six Silver-Rank experts present, no demon beasts dared approach.
Karma walked lazily near the center of the formation, hands behind his head, looking like he was on a sightseeing trip rather than a dangerous expedition.
A few steps behind him, Shisui observed everything.
His expression was calm, almost gentle—but his eyes missed nothing.
A slight shift of his gaze.
A subtle nod.
One squad member adjusted position to the front flank. Another widened the rear spacing. A third drifted higher along the ridge line for a better vantage point.
No words were spoken.
Just small hand signals. Tiny movements. Perfect coordination.
To outsiders, they looked like ordinary companions walking together.
In reality—
They were scanning wind direction, listening for irregular footfalls, measuring distance between trees and calculating ambush angles.
As the sun dipped low, painting the sky gold and crimson, Chen Linjian raised his hand.
"Night is falling. Let's make camp here."
The group moved efficiently, setting up tents between tall trees. Lanterns were lit. Guards took positions.
Karma stepped into the clearing, hands in his pockets, surveying the area with a more thoughtful expression than usual.
"Hm," he said quietly. "Trees are dense. Visibility's low past twenty meters. Good cover."
Nie Li glanced at him.
"You're being serious."
"For once, I have a responsibility you know" Karma replied.
Karma glanced back and saw Shisui and Chen Linjian walking side by side, speaking in low voices while subtly adjusting the formation around them.
Karma then stretched and dropped his serious tone instantly.
"But for now," he added lightly, "food first. Heroics later."
Ziyun shook her head softly. "You're impossible."
Karma grinned.
Around them, the forest slowly darkened. The last traces of sunlight faded behind the mountains, and the campfires flickered softly beneath the trees.