Back at the Thunder Sect’s inn, Jade sat waiting in the lobby, her expression thunderous.

  One look at her darkened face was enough to smother everyone’s smiles. Like guilty children, they lowered their heads.

  “What did I tell you before you left?” Jade’s voice was sharp as a whip. “We enter the Hidden Mist Secret Realm tomorrow. No distractions. No accidents. And yet—you went and picked a fight.”

  Lauren stepped forward, her tone steady. “Senior Sister Jade, they didn’t fight. I was the one who fought.”

  “You—” Jade clenched her teeth, then sighed. “Fine. Go back to your room and rest. I know you didn’t start this. Dante, however, should have handled Timothy’s provocation without dragging you into it. This is on him.”

  Dante stood and bowed low, voice heavy with guilt. “Uncle Master Jade, I was wrong. I wasn’t skilled enough, and I let Timothy’s provocation get under my skin. Ms. Lauren only stepped in because of me. If punishment is due, punish me alone—they had nothing to do with it.”

  Jade’s eyes fshed. “So you do know you were wrong? Tell me, Dante—what would you have done if you’d actually gone through with that duel? What if Timothy had crippled you? How would you have led the team into the Hidden Mist Secret Realm then? Could you afford the consequences for Thunder Sect?”

  Her voice cracked like thunder. Dante lowered his head, unable to answer.

  “The Hidden Mist Secret Realm opens only once every hundred years,” Jade went on, her tone sharp with disappointment. “Not every cultivator is as fortunate as you. I formed my golden core before the realm opened st time—I never had this chance. And yet you, blessed enough to encounter this opportunity, treat it so carelessly. Truly disappointing.”

  The room fell silent. No one dared to breathe too loudly under her rebuke.

  Jade studied their chastened faces. At st, she exhaled and let her fury ebb. “Fortunately, nothing irreversible happened. You should all be grateful Lauren stepped in when she did. Otherwise…” She stopped herself, shook her head. “Enough. We enter the Secret Realm tomorrow. Go to your rooms and rest.”

  “Yes, Master,” they answered in unison.

  At first, many of them had quietly resented Lauren. The Hidden Mist Secret Realm only opened once in a century, and Thunder Sect had just twenty pces. Each of them had earned their spot through years of grueling competitions. Lauren, by contrast, had appeared out of nowhere—accepted only because she was Drake’s apprentice. No one knew her true ability.

  But after tonight’s battle, none of them dared question her again.

  .....

  Immortal Venerable Herbert frowned, genuinely puzzled. He had never heard of such a figure among Thunder Sect’s younger disciples.

  “If she’s the same age as Indiana, then she must’ve joined the sect only three years ago. And with ice spiritual roots, to reach the tenth level of Foundation Establishment in just three years…”

  The room fell into stunned silence.

  Three years ago, Herbert himself had stumbled across a wandering girl and taken her as his disciple. With his personal guidance, she too had reached the tenth level of Foundation Establishment within three years and secured a pce in the Hidden Mist Secret Realm.

  Yes, mutated spiritual roots were remarkable—but could they compare to the Jade Phoenix Marrow Body, born with light spiritual roots? Indiana had proven the point; she’d climbed just as high, just as fast.

  “Master,” one disciple ventured, “maybe she didn’t actually enter Thunder Sect three years ago. Maybe someone discovered her while traveling and brought her back, the same way you found Junior Sister Indiana.”

  Herbert nodded slowly.

  That was possible.

  But were all these so-called geniuses really just accidents of luck these days? Perhaps it was time he got out more.

  “Indiana, Yates, step outside.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Yes, Master-Uncle.”

  Once they were gone, Herbert turned to Timothy. Producing a small cquered box, he slid the lid open. The pill fragrance hit the air instantly, potent and heady.

  Timothy’s eyes widened. “Master, this medicine…”

  “Open your mouth.”

  Startled, Timothy obeyed. The pill slipped down his throat, spreading a chill that devoured the cold poison in his veins—only to fre into unbearable heat moments ter.

  Herbert’s palm struck lightly between his shoulders, his True Essence flowing like warm spring water through Timothy’s meridians. The discomfort melted away, repced by pure relief.

  “Master, I was careless,” Timothy said bitterly, his voice low. “I underestimated the enemy and brought shame to your name. I don’t deserve your kindness.”

  “Don’t waste breath. Center your mind. Restore your state.”

  Timothy steadied his breathing. “Yes, Master.”

  Half an hour ter, his injuries were gone, his body as steady as before. Overwhelmed, he dropped to his knees.

  “Master, you healed me with your own True Essence when I failed you. I…” His voice cracked. “I can’t even begin to repay you.”

  Herbert’s expression softened, but only slightly. “Then repay me by succeeding. I expect you to secure the boundary marker of the Hidden Mist Secret Realm. Do not disappoint me again.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  When Timothy was settled, Herbert left and went straight to the Thunder Sect inn. He wanted to see this so-called genius with his own eyes—the one who had defeated his disciple at Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment while only at the tenth level.

  His spiritual sense swept forward, piercing walls until it nded on a young woman sitting cross-legged on the bed.

  She was about the same size as Indiana. About the same age, too. Even her face carried a startling resembnce.

  But before he could probe further, a sharp spiritual backsh drove his consciousness out.

  Herbert’s gaze snapped upward. Across the rooftop, a figure stood waiting.

  Jade.

  She inclined her head politely. “So it’s Mr. Herbert. You must be here about your disciple’s injury. Thanks to your timely aid, Timothy will recover quickly. It won’t dey tomorrow’s expedition into the Hidden Mist Secret Realm.”

  Herbert studied her, then said evenly, “Jade, it has been a long time. Your cultivation has advanced impressively.”

  “You ftter me,” Jade replied, her voice cool. “I am still far behind you. But tell me—why have you come in the dead of night to spy on my disciples?”

  Caught red-handed, Herbert didn’t so much as flinch. He only smiled faintly. “Curiosity, nothing more. I never imagined Thunder Sect was hiding such a talent. Since I’m already here, why not call her out and let me meet her face to face?”

  Jade’s expression darkened. Shameless old bastard, she thought. He’s getting worse with age.