Chapter 81: Chapter 81
The moon hung high and serene, casting its gentle aura on the assembled group by Echo Lake.
At that moment, Seraphina opened her eyes, her expression tinted with confusion.
"Seraphina, did you feel the energy of heaven and earth?" Lyralei asked, tone both expectant and gentle.
Seraphina shook her head.
"Other than the spiritual energy that’s always present, I can’t sense any other types of energy." Her fingers tightened slightly in her lap.
Lyralei’s brows furrowed for a heartbeat. Then her face relaxed into a soft smile.
"That’s perfectly normal. You don’t need to be discouraged. Opportunities like this are rare and unpredictable—I just wanted you to try."
She continued, reassuring, "The real transformation happens after reaching the body integration realm, when a cultivator’s mental strength undergoes a qualitative leap. Only then does the perception of heaven and earth energy become possible. It’s not unusual that you can’t sense it right now."
Seraphina looked down, her voice low.
"Master, I’ve let you down."
But Lyralei waved the concern away.
"No, Seraphina. It’s simply not the right time yet. Even with Mahayana or greater pills, unless one’s cultivation has reached an advanced level, it’s almost impossible to truly perceive heaven and earth energy before the Tribulation Transcendence realm."
Relief flickered in Seraphina’s eyes, though a hint of unwillingness lingered.
Deep down, she believed that once she advanced to body integration, she’d leave her peers—and even the reputed geniuses of Skyreach Territory—far behind.
Mr. Stone let out a small sigh.
"It’s the truth—I’ve never seen a junior sense it before body integration, not in all my years."
He paused, then brightened as a thought struck him.
Actually, there’s one person who comes to mind—someone who might just surprise us all."
"Who?" Lyralei and Seraphina glanced over.
"A boy named Ethan. Earlier today at the library, he asked me about the nature of heaven and earth energy. He’s only a physical cultivator, but he already seems to be on the threshold of sensing it. His mental power is something special—I wouldn’t be shocked if he achieved what few others can."
Lyralei was silent for a moment, recalling Ethan’s tenacity, his solitary training, and his mysterious fate.
It was true—among all the young talents, Ethan was a possibility she could never ignore.
Seraphina, sitting beside her master, felt a jolt of complicated emotions at the mention of that name. Her slender fists tightened, vague resentment warring with doubt.
Why did Ethan occupy such a place in Mr. Stone’s esteem? How could someone without spiritual roots, who had wasted so many years in exile, possibly compare to her?
She looked directly at Mr. Stone.
"Old Stone, what’s your true opinion of Ethan’s talent?"
Mr. Stone grinned, eyes wrinkling with ancient humor.
"In martial arts, his comprehension and talent are among the finest I’ve ever seen in my long life."
"And compared to me?" Seraphina pressed, voice calm but laced with challenge.
"Haha, girl, that’s not something this old man will reveal so lightly. If you want to know, fight him yourself someday," Mr. Stone teased.
Seraphina’s heart burned with dissatisfaction.
She’d expected to hear that Ethan was far inferior, but Mr. Stone refused to give her that comfort. In his view, even if Ethan was not stronger, he was not much weaker.
"That despicable guy..." she muttered inwardly, confusion and unwillingness mixing in her chest.
She’d never seen much to commend in him—certainly not during their last sharp-tongued encounter in the sect. If not for Aunt Lilith’s intervention, she would have taught him his place.
Around them, the others—Flint, Jasper, Lilith, Lyra, and Gale—opened their eyes, expressions bright and satisfied. Lyralei noticed the change and smiled.
"How is it?" she asked gently.
"I’ve learned much, Empress," Flint replied first.
"I can’t wait to enter seclusion to refine these new insights."
"Me as well," Lyra chimed in.
"It seems this experience has brought me right to the bottleneck," Gale noted with pleasure.
"Same for me!" Jasper’s muffled voice radiated a straightforward happiness even behind his mask.
Lyralei nodded in approval. "It’s getting late. All of you, go back to your quarters and seize this rare opportunity."
As the group dispersed in pulses of spiritual light, Lyralei and Mr. Stone lingered near the water’s edge.
Not far away, in the shadows of broken trees, a figure in black slipped silently from bush to bush.
It was Ethan.
He watched the Mahayana experts gathering, hiding his presence with the breath-gathering technique. He grinned wryly.
"Who would’ve thought? Lyralei, Mr. Stone... the strong Mahayana Cultivators and the one who stopped me at the library, Flint—turns out he is one of the Empress’s people. Strange, I remember she had four commanders, but there were five people besides Seraphina tonight. Maybe their circle is even more complex than the rumors say."
He shrugged, content. "But it’s just as well—this leftover earth energy hasn’t gone to waste."
Once they finished, Ethan made his way back to his quarters. The moon was now low, the sky lightening, and a feeling of accomplishment warmed him from within.
But as he drew near, Ethan paused, sensing a powerful aura lingering before his door. Cloaked in elegant robes and grace, there stood Lyralei herself, the Empress, her beauty ageless and her gaze unreadable.
Ethan’s eyes narrowed briefly in wonder.
She’d left Echo Lake only moments ago—had she deduced the source of the phenomenon?
He steadied himself, composed his expression, and approached. "Senior sister, why are you here?"
Lyralei turned, her face tranquil. "Is it strange that I’d visit you?"
"Not at all, senior sister," Ethan replied, feigning cluelessness.
"But may I ask what brings you here so late?"
"Come inside. Let’s talk."
Ethan respectfully invited her in, and soon they sat across from each other amidst the scholarly silence of his simple abode.
Lyralei opened directly, eyes searching. "Did you go to the library tonight?"
"I did," Ethan answered, honest but cautious.
"Mr. Stone told me you asked him about the energy of heaven and earth. Why?"
Ethan nodded, giving a careful but truthful reply. "I found ancient records about body cultivation. They hinted at a close relationship between physical cultivation and the energy of heaven and earth. Not knowing what exactly that energy was, I asked Mr. Stone."
He kept his voice steady, his inner heart calm.
A/N:
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