Early in the morning, a massive Half-Saint beast landed in the garden of the orphanage. Its wings stirred the air, causing the trees to sway. All four elders stood nearby, giving instructions to Elisa as she finalized the preparations. After ensuring they had packed all the necessary essentials, the beast was ready for flight. The journey would take ten days one way, with planned stops at two locations.
Elisa secured her daggers, setting them in place before taking a deep breath, ready for the adventure ahead. Just then, a girl in a beautiful red dress entered the garden, her presence drawing everyone's attention. Her elegance was undeniable, and as she greeted the leader with a warm smile, the gathered crowd erupted in excitement. However, the moment was short-lived.A boy, cloaked in flowing black and silver robes, walked into the garden, ignoring the gazes upon him. He greeted the elders respectfully before stepping next to the beast, his curious eyes scanning its form. Elder Bulma clapped his hands together and addressed them, "Since everyone is here, you should be on your way. We all wish you a safe and successful journey."With a strong roar, the beast took flight, soaring toward the north at full speed. Within thirty minutes, they had already crossed Qingming's borders, where vast forests stretched across the horizon, covering acres upon acres of land. The journey was mostly silent, with only Elisa explaining key details about their route.Sheo, deep in thought, finally spoke. "Miss Elisa, may I see the map?"Elisa flicked her hand, and a map materialized in her palm. She passed it to Sheo, who carefully memorized the details before nodding and returning it. A few seconds later, Luzi extended her hand toward Elisa. With a slightly puzzled look, Elisa handed the map over, saying, "Keep it."Sheo closed his eyes, entering meditation. He visualized different methods to integrate the Nine Paths Movement Technique into his swordplay, experimenting with ways to balance his speed. Meanwhile, Elisa continued reading a book, and Luzi gazed out at the endless expanse of wilderness below.The day passed in relative quiet, and as night approached, the beast landed near a mountainside where they set up camp. Sheo decided to gather firewood and swiftly disappeared into the forest, hopping effortlessly from tree to tree. Spotting some branches on the ground, he smiled. His body blurred, and within seconds, he reappeared near the pile, collecting the sticks and storing them in his spatial ring. "Not fast enough," he muttered to himself, dissatisfied with his speed.Returning to camp, he found Elisa perched on a tree branch, reading her book, while Luzi arranged the firewood. Sheo added his own collection to the pile, stepping back. With a simple snap of Elisa's fingers, a fire ignited, casting a warm glow over the camp.They roasted some meat and ate their share before preparing for rest. Luzi curled up in her sleeping bag and dozed off instantly, while Elisa quietly settled in for the night. However, sleep eluded Sheo. Instead, he climbed a tall tree and lay among the leaves, gazing at the breathtaking moonlit forest. From his vantage point, he could see nearly the entire stretch of trees beneath the starlit sky. The tranquil beauty held his attention until a presence stirred beside him.Turning his head, he saw a familiar figure emerge from the foliage—Elisa. She gracefully landed beside him, her expression unreadable."Quite a beautiful place, isn’t it?" Sheo remarked, breaking the silence.Elisa simply nodded, sitting beside him as they both admired the moonlit expanse. After a moment, Sheo spoke again. "What level of danger can we expect?"Elisa’s tone was strangely calm as she replied, "The dungeon is believed to be a grave. That means its owner likely left behind their belongings and treasures for future generations. The seal restricting anyone above the Nemesis level suggests that the dangers inside are designed for those of that level or higher."They continued discussing the mission and various other topics, finding an unexpected sense of companionship in the stillness of the night. However, their peace was soon interrupted.A sudden shift in the air made them tense. Exchanging glances, they disappeared in a blur, descending toward their camp. Below, a pack of wolves surrounded their resting place, eyes gleaming with hunger as they fixated on Luzi, who somehow remained deep in sleep.One wolf lunged at Luzi, but before it could reach her, two daggers pierced its skull. A tall figure appeared before her—Elisa. The moment the pack saw her, they turned to flee, but before they could escape, a sword sliced through the air. Five heads hit the ground in an instant. The remaining wolves scattered into the night, their panicked howls echoing in the distance.Sheo watched them flee and nodded. "That should keep them away."Elisa glanced at Luzi, still peacefully asleep, and then at Sheo, who had already returned to a tree branch, resuming his meditation. Sleep wasn’t necessary for cultivators at their level; they could go days without it. Following his example, Elisa found her own tree, leaned against it, and focused on cultivating her energy.As dawn broke, Sheo opened his eyes to find Elisa already preparing for departure. Luzi stirred awake as the morning rays hit her face, stretching as if nothing had happened the night before. She caught Sheo and Elisa’s strange looks but said nothing. After a quick meal of fruits, they resumed their journey.Six days passed in relative peace, until they neared a towering mountain range."So, this is the infamous Tyang Mountain Range," Sheo murmured as he observed the massive peaks. A storm was approaching, so they decided to land on a nearby mountain to take shelter. As they descended, Sheo's eyes caught a glimmer of blue light near a frozen pool. His gaze lingered for a moment before they found a cave and set up camp.After setting up camp in a nearby cave, Sheo approached Elisa. “Miss Elisa, I’d like to explore a little.”She didn’t even look up. “Be back before the storm.”Following the light, Sheo stopped at the edge of the frozen pool. What he saw made him freeze.A beautiful white fox sat calmly in the center of a swirling storm of space energy. With just one glance, Sheo realized—this was a being far beyond him.A divine presence.Snow danced around the creature as it sat perfectly still, eyes glowing with otherworldly calm.Then, with a bright surge of blue energy, the fox laid an egg. Glowing runes shimmered across its surface.Its energy suddenly dropped.The snow stirred—and a massive creature emerged from beneath it. A gem lizard, the size of a crocodile, slithered into view. It radiated deadly power.The two beasts faced off.Sheo could barely comprehend the clash. Energy ripped the ground apart. Patterns formed and exploded. The fox moved with elegance and control, but the lizard was brutal, relentless.In the end, the fox was overwhelmed. She collapsed, blood staining her white fur.Yet she stood one final time.With a last burst of strength, she flung herself at the lizard—intending to die with it.In that moment, she saw Sheo.Their eyes met.Help me, they said.He gritted his teeth. He wasn’t stupid. This was beyond him.But he also wasn’t heartless.He knew the lizard’s weakness: its gem. Break it, and the beast would fall.The fox struck again, cracking the gem.Sheo moved.A blur of lightning. A flash of silver.His sword plunged into the cracked gem—and shattered it.The lizard roared in agony before collapsing into the snow, dead.The fox stared at Sheo, her eyes soft.He scratched his head awkwardly. “Uh… bye, I guess?”She let out a weak roar, and he froze.Then, she gently rolled the egg toward him.Another roar—gentler this time.You… want me to take it?She coughed blood. A bright, glowing orb—her life core—emerged from her mouth, shrinking into a marble-sized sphere.She laid her head beside the egg and exhaled softly. Her eyes closed, never to open again.Sheo stood in silence.The egg began to crack.From within, a small, chubby white fox with a soft blue tint emerged. Its wide eyes blinked up at Sheo.He stared at the tiny creature in disbelief.Too cute.The fox toddled toward him and rubbed against his leg. Sheo knelt and picked it up gently.The cub lifted its tiny paw, reaching for his face—Then, with a snap, it snatched the glowing life core and swallowed it whole.Sheo blinked. “Guess you needed that.”The cub curled up in his arms and fell asleep.He buried the mother with quiet reverence.Then, turning to the lizard’s body, he extracted the core—glowing and dense.With the sleeping fox pup resting peacefully in his arms, Sheo walked back to camp, unsure of how to explain any of it.Back at the camp, Elisa and Luzi sat near the crackling fire, discussing their route and plans. Elisa leaned forward, drawing a simple map in the dirt with a stick.“In the next three days, we’ll reach our destination,” she said calmly, her tone steady but filled with quiet excitement. “We’ll land in an ancient town called Teromi. It was once known for its excellent trade routes and abundant supplies. Even the capital cities used to rely on it for provisions. It was... a true trading hub.”Luzi nodded thoughtfully as the wind around them began to rise, the temperature dropping sharply. The night air grew restless, whispering across the mountains like a warning.Elisa paused, narrowing her eyes. Her attention was drawn toward the cave’s entrance. Something was off.She stood and stepped outside, her gaze scanning the darkened path—and there, amidst the swirling snow, a lone figure approached.It was Sheo.But what truly caught her attention wasn’t the boy himself. It was the sleeping creature curled in his hands, resting peacefully despite the bitter cold. Her eyes shifted from the small beast to Sheo’s face, silently demanding an explanation.Sheo met her gaze and offered a slow nod, then entered the cave without a word. He sat down near the fire, aware of the stares from Elisa and Luzi. After a brief pause, he let out a sigh.“I didn’t want to hide it completely, but I also don’t plan to reveal everything just yet,” he thought, choosing his words carefully. “The two beasts I was watching… they killed each other in a brutal fight. Afterward, I found an egg left behind, and it cracked right before my eyes. Since then… this little one’s been following me.”He gently raised the creature for them to see.Elisa and Luzi stared in disbelief at the small, furry thing nestled in Sheo’s lap. It was oddly adorable, with thick fluff and a faint pulse of energy lingering around its body. But they had no words to argue. There was something unusual about this little beast.Soon, the storm outside fully claimed the mountain range. The group huddled closer around the fire, roasting meat and quietly sharing a meal. As they sat in silence, Sheo felt a faint movement on his lap. The little creature was stirring.Slowly, it opened its eyes—large, round, and impossibly cute. Its gaze sparkled with childlike curiosity as it looked up at him. Then, it raised a tiny paw and reached for Sheo’s nose.Sheo flinched back playfully, trying to avoid the soft poke. Elisa, who was usually composed and emotionless, smiled faintly at the scene.“Sheo,” she said, still smiling. “If you like this beast… make a blood contract.”Sheo blinked. He had read about the technique before. A blood contract—it was a sacred method of taming a beast, binding their spirits together. Once formed, the master and beast could communicate through thoughts, and their strength would grow in unison. It was more than companionship—it was a bond of life and death.But most beasts, even young ones, resisted it.Sheo looked at the little creature again. Then, without hesitation, he cut the tip of his finger and extended it. The blood welled up, a crimson drop trembling in the air. He didn’t force it—he simply waited.The beast looked at the blood, tilting its head. Then, after a few seconds, it smiled… and licked the drop.In an instant, Sheo felt something snap into place—as if a thread now connected their minds. He could sense its emotions: comfort, joy, a childlike warmth.He lifted the creature high above his head, grinning like a child himself.“From today… your name is Dreamy!”Luzi and Elisa gave him a long, confused look.“Dreamy?” Luzi repeated with a raised eyebrow.Even Elisa looked unsure.But, surprisingly, the little beast chirped happily at the name, snuggling into Sheo’s shoulder with visible delight.And just like that, the rest of the night passed with laughter, warmth, and quiet conversation.The storm passed by dawn. They packed their things and mounted their beasts, taking flight toward their next destination: Teromi.They didn’t plan to stop anywhere else.The days passed smoothly. Dreamy spent most of her time asleep, curled against Sheo’s chest or shoulder. He understood why. She had inherited her mother’s life core—a powerful one. Though he couldn’t be sure of its exact grade, it felt at least like a Saint-level 5 Gene Life Core.It was an enormous burden for a newborn to refine. But she was doing well. Through their bond, he could sense her slow but steady progress.On the morning of the third day, a large town appeared on the horizon, nestled between jagged cliffs and sprawling trade roads.“There it is,” Elisa said, her tone serious now. “Teromi.”She turned to the group.“Don’t mention our mission here. Not to anyone. This place was discovered by Elder Bulma. It’s considered a secret by our group.”After landing, they visited the nearest beast station to leave their mounts, then searched for lodging. As they settled in, Sheo approached Elisa.“I want to explore the city,” he said casually, and then, without waiting for a reply, disappeared into the bustling crowd.His curiosity was endless—especially for a place like this.He had read about Teromi in old texts during the years he couldn’t train. Its legendary trade center, its oddities, its hidden treasures—this was a place of forgotten wonders.He wore a long, black cloak with the hood pulled low. No one could recognize him. Dreamy was curled around his shoulder, sleeping again.Store after store offered glowing items and wild claims, but most were scams. Sheo saw through them with ease.Eventually, he stumbled across a dull, old shop tucked into a quiet alley. Its wooden sign was faded, the windows dusty.He entered.Inside, the scent of old parchment and herbs filled the air. An old woman stood behind the counter, watching him with eyes that seemed far too sharp for her age. Her gaze pierced through him like needles.Then, her voice softened into a sweet, gentle tone.“Dear child, what are you looking for?”Sheo replied politely. “I’m looking for flexible techniques—ones that can be merged or modified for other uses.”Her expression changed ever so slightly, a glint of interest flashing in her eyes.“I see…”With a flick of her hand, four shimmering technique scrolls appeared in the air.Sheo read the descriptions carefully. His heart skipped a beat. These weren’t ordinary techniques.But he remained calm, careful not to let his emotions show. If he did, the prices would surely soar.He chose two: Flame Ganatoma and Space Heart.Flame Ganatoma was a rare flame-seeding technique. One could plant a flame within their own body, nurturing it with pure energy until it matured—for battle or alchemy.Space Heart, on the other hand, sounded deceptively mild. But the text claimed it could bend space itself. That level of control—space manipulation—was normally reserved for top-tier cultivators.The old woman watched him closely.“This boy…” she muttered to herself. “He picked the best two. His knowledge… it’s not ordinary.”The other two techniques had flashier names and looked powerful, but were low-level tricks designed to attract desperate youth. Sheo had ignored them completely.“How much for these two?” he asked casually.The old woman laughed quietly, her voice tinged with sadness.“As you can see, dear… I don’t get many customers. I’m just an old lady. Give me whatever you feel is right.”Sheo blinked. What kind of merchant was this?Still, he nodded.“Elder,” he said respectfully, “I don’t have what these techniques are truly worth. But I can offer you this.”With a flick of his fingers, he summoned several shimmering Life Cores:Five Half-Nemesis-LevelThree Rising Nemesis-LevelOne Full Nemesis-LevelHe had collected them in this journey—some from training, others from personal challenges.The old woman’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected such a payment. Not from someone who didn’t even know the true level of her scrolls.“This boy…” she thought. “Not only knowledgeable, but honest.”She smiled. “Are you sure, child? These are expensive.”“If you accept them, then I would like to use these as payment,” Sheo said calmly.She nodded and accepted the cores.As he tucked the techniques away, she added in a mysterious tone:“Have you heard of the Knight Soul Magic Academy?”Sheo nodded. “In my village, they said there’d be a selection soon. I’ve heard some things.”The old woman smiled and, with another flick of her hand, handed him a small token.“I have a friend there. If you get into trouble… show her this. Consider it a gift. For buying from an old lady.”Sheo hesitated. Then, slowly, he accepted the token and bowed.“Thank you.”With that, he disappeared into the crowd.As he left, the smile faded from the woman’s lips. The shop—and everything in it—vanished.In its place stood a tall, mysterious figure, her gaze distant and thoughtful.“This will be fun,” she whispered, before vanishing into thin space.Sheo walked through the bustling streets of Teromi with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The city was vast and filled with life—countless shops, merchants yelling over one another, and travelers from all walks of life bartering, boasting, or simply observing.But none of it interested him as much as the place he was heading to now—the centerpiece of the city. The true spotlight.The Trade Haul Auction House.It stood tall and proud at the heart of Teromi, a grand building made of stone and crystal, gleaming faintly under the late afternoon sun. Its many banners fluttered in the wind, each stamped with the golden emblem of the House: a seven-pointed star surrounded by rings of flame.Sheo stopped outside for a moment, pulling his black hood lower to obscure his face. He exhaled softly, gathering his energy and focusing his presence. Today wasn’t for sightseeing. He had come here with purpose.Inside, the lobby was elegant and wide. Marble floors stretched across a room lit by suspended gemstone orbs, casting warm, dancing light across the walls. Receptionists stood behind an ornate desk, attending to the elite and common alike with practiced smiles.Sheo approached the counter with steady steps, his cloak fluttering gently behind him. When he spoke, his voice was deep and unwavering—laced with power, but calm.“I want to register some items for auction,” he said. “Prepare a private room for me. And send your chief executive.”The receptionist, a young woman with curled silver hair and pale green robes, froze for a moment. His voice alone made her heart pound, but it was more than that—his presence was… unnatural. His energy was so pure, yet so well-hidden that even trained eyes would find it hard to gauge his level.She instinctively bowed her head and nodded quickly, her voice caught in her throat. “Y-Yes, sir. At once.”She turned and vanished into the hallway behind her.A few minutes later, a soft knock came at Sheo’s side. A maid in a delicate dark-blue uniform approached, gesturing politely.“Please follow me, honored guest.”She led him through the corridors until they arrived at a private room lined with velvet seats and a polished crystal table at its center. Sheo entered and sat quietly. He didn’t have to wait long.The door opened again—and she entered.Her steps were graceful, deliberate. Her robes shimmered with pale violet threads, flowing like water with every movement. Her beauty was effortless, yet enchanting—like a dream wrapped in elegance. Her smile was soft, but confident.“I am Jennie,” she said, her voice smooth as silk. “How may I assist you today, sir?”Sheo didn’t hesitate. He kept his aura sharp, his tone neutral but commanding.“I want to sell some items.”With a flick of his finger, fifty Half Nemesis-level Life Cores floated into the air, shimmering with soft glows. He flicked again, and forty Rising Nemesis-level Cores appeared beside them, followed by twenty full Nemesis-level Life Cores, each pulsing faintly with refined energy.And then—one final core.He placed it gently in the center of the table.The moment it touched the surface, the entire room seemed to grow colder.A stillness fell.Its energy pulsed—calm, but suffocating. Refined to near perfection.A Saint-Level 5 Gene Life Core.Even Jennie, with her experience, couldn’t hide the flicker of shock in her eyes. But she smiled again, regaining her poise like a master performer returning to the stage.She clapped her hands once.A maid entered with a tray of neatly prepared snacks and drinks—fine cuts of fruit, warm tea in crystal cups, and a few savory delicacies. Jennie nodded toward her.“Please bring Elder Huzen,” she added.The maid bowed and left.A few moments later, the door opened again—this time revealing an old man, his beard long and robes marked with the sigil of an appraiser. His steps were slow, but his eyes were sharp. Jennie gestured toward the table.“Please inspect our guest’s items.”The elder bowed slightly toward Sheo, then extended a palm over the cores. He murmured a chant, and a faint glow pulsed from his sleeve. A formation activated—a thin golden disc floated above the cores, scanning each one with rhythmic pulses of light.Then his eyes fell upon the Saint-Level Core.He inhaled sharply.“This…” he muttered. “This is no ordinary Saint-Level core… the refinement process is near flawless. Who…”Jennie raised a hand. “No need to press. We’re only here to sell.”The old man nodded respectfully and made his way out after confirming all the cores.Jennie turned back to Sheo, her tone now more formal, but still warm.“Thank you for choosing our Trade Haul. We can sell the Rising Nemesis and lower-level cores at a decent price. The full Nemesis ones will fetch a high bid. As for the Saint-Level 5 Life Core…”She let out a light breath.“It could easily become one of the stars of tonight’s auction.”Sheo simply nodded.Jennie continued, “According to our auction house’s policies, we retain 5% of the total sale amount as commission.”“That’s fine,” Sheo replied without hesitation.Jennie smiled again, satisfied.The maid carefully gathered the cores into storage artifacts and left the room.Jennie leaned forward slightly, her voice softer now, curious.“Do you plan on attending the auction yourself?”Sheo hesitated. “I don’t know.”“You should,” she said with a smile that hinted at secrets. “There are some interesting things on the list. Some… very rare items.”She stood, walking to a shelf and retrieving a small velvet box. She opened it and handed him a sleek purple token engraved with a faint glowing rune.“This will grant you access to the VIP floor.”Sheo took it with a polite nod.“Thank you.”“Enjoy your evening,” Jennie said with a graceful bow.As the doors closed behind him, Sheo stepped back into the lively streets of Teromi, blending into the shadows once more.He returned to the inn where they were staying—a large, spacious complex divided into four distinct sections, each designed to offer privacy and peace. It was perfect for a team like theirs.Without speaking to anyone, Sheo went straight to his room and shut the door behind him.He removed his cloak, sat cross-legged on the floor, and took out the scroll he had obtained earlier.Space Heart.He opened it slowly, reading its strange, flowing script once more. It described how space itself could be manipulated with will and understanding, bending distance and dimension.He began training in silence.His sword techniques were already strong—but he could feel it. Something was missing. A gap, a flaw in the flow. He couldn’t explain it yet, but if this technique was what it claimed to be—it could be the final piece to complete his foundation.Time passed unnoticed.Outside, the city lights dimmed. The noise softened. Stars blinked in the clear night sky.Inside his room, Sheo’s breath steadied, his focus deepened, and his body moved with slow, deliberate precision. Every movement of his sword was guided by an invisible force, a feeling that space itself was beginning to shift ever so slightly.He didn’t stop.Not until the first rays of dawn touched the windowsill.His body felt heavy, but his mind was calm—sharp, even. The technique still had its mysteries, but the foundation was laid.Now, all that remained… was to see what the day would bring.
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