The Cunning Treasure Hunter

It was an ordinary morning, just like any other.

Vera woke up early, folded her bedding, and piled it up in the corner.

Dylan was still rubbing his eyes.

"I'll go ahead first."

"Mm…"

Vera quietly greeted him, changed into her clothes, and adjusted her outfit.

She then strapped her Falling Blossom Sword to her waist.

Her hair was neatly combed, and after putting on her shoes, she stepped into the hallway.

In the hallway, Senior Brother was already waiting.

"Could've used a little rest, but you're out early as usual."

There was no trace of fatigue.

Of course not.

She had received Reverse Mountain's treatment along with the entire martial energy of Great Master Thorne's life.

Her cultivation had already reached the pinnacle, nearing the edge of the peak.

Her body was in perfect condition—could it really get any better?
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Though young, Vera could understand what it meant to feel like she was reborn.

But, it wasn't entirely a pleasant feeling.

The fact that her sect's sacrifices had led to this, weighed heavily on her heart, even if her body didn't feel it.

Vera lowered her eyes in silence.

"…I'm fine."

"You shouldn't be. If you push your body too hard, it will eventually give in."

Marcus looked at Vera with concern.

But Vera merely fiddled with her hair and nodded without raising her gaze.

She kept her eyes fixed downward.

Marcus chuckled softly.

What he meant by that was that she could take a break today and he would help her get through it, but Vera seemed determined not to.

Her reaction showed that she didn't misunderstand his intent.

She was just being stubborn.

But her complexion didn't seem dark, nor did she appear weak…

Marcus decided to respect her wishes.

"Alright then, just remember to let me know if it gets too much."

"I will."

"Good. Let's go."

It was an ordinary day.

Just like the morning before leaving for Everstone Clan.

As always, Marcus and Vera were the first to arrive at the training ground, starting their warm-up.

And as the sun rose between the mountain ridges,

the fiery red light of dawn slowly lit up the horizon. One by one, the other three main disciples began to stir awake.

As the training ground became lively, Marcus counted the number of people, then walked over to his own disciples.

Today was supposed to be another typical day…

But then, an unfamiliar sound broke the norm.

―Urrrrr…

Marcus and Vera furrowed their brows.

It was a faint sound.

But there's a clear difference between a faint sound and one that's far off yet still audible.

This one was definitely the latter.

It was the sound of something collapsing.

Vera and Marcus quickly scanned their surroundings.

But no buildings were crumbling.

Moreover, the sound was so faint that only those paying attention would notice it…

The disciples in the Blooming Peak Pavilion were most likely unaware of it amidst the bustle of tidying up.

The problem wasn't the sound, but something else entirely.

It was an unexpected event.

The sect leader, Gideon, immediately realized something had gone terribly wrong.

Without hesitation, he dashed out of Scarlet Crown Chamber and rushed down to Southern Peak.

His intuition was sharp.

Beneath Southern Peak, in the underground Mind Jade cave,

the cave was shaking.

Inside it, there was only one person.

Magnus, who had lost his sanity, his left arm consumed by Young Master's magic.

He had been submerged in demonic energy far beyond what his body could endure…

Now, he was nothing but a beast, completely consumed by the demonic power.

In the martial world, they called such beings Demon Beast.

They were no longer human, but beasts.

"...I never thought the Mind Jade would collapse."

Gideon stood at the entrance of the underground cave beneath Southern Peak, his expression somber.

His eyes flickered a few times.

Behind him, Magnus, who had just realized the gravity of the situation, arrived.

"Is it Aetheris?"

"It seems so. I suppose it's time to put an end to this."

"I'll do it."

"Good. That's what I expected."

As the sect leader and someone who had surpassed the peak, he could easily end it himself.

But he had no intention of stepping in, especially with a disciple who was almost at the peak of their skills.

Magnus, the cherry Blossom Sword Master, one of the Seven Martial Generals of the Warrior Force.

His cherry Blossom Sword was more than enough to handle the demonic beasts that had once been Aetheris.

"…Then, I'll go."

Magnus kicked off the ground and charged into the trembling cave.

The pure inner energy of the Clear Mind Technique would shield his body and mind from the demonic influence.

…Or so he hoped.

Aiden ran towards the residence of Great Master Thorne early in the morning.

There was a faint, unsettling sound along the way, but…

To him, that trivial noise didn't matter.

The well-being of Grand Master was far more important.

Especially when it involved his own disciple.

"You're in quite a hurry."

"...How could I afford to waste time, Master?"

Despite Damien's words, Aiden quickened his pace.

Even though he couldn't use his Light-foot techniques any faster,

Damien sighed and followed, running alongside him.

Soon, the two arrived at Great Master Thorne's residence.

And it didn't take long for them to realize the atmosphere around the house was different from usual.

"...There's a lot in the yard."

Fallen leaves, scattered branches...

Things that weren't often seen.

Great Master Thorne was someone who always woke up early,

and cleaned his front yard meticulously.

Despite his age, being the Suncrest Elder and Sect Leader's senior disciple,

he would still pick up a broom and sweep the yard himself.

But not today.

The yard was dirty, and Great Master Thorne was nowhere to be seen.

There was movement inside, so he must've been there,

but why hadn't he woken up by this time?

At this hour, he would usually already be cleaning.

Damien and Aiden exchanged glances, silently considering their next move.

Eventually, Damien spoke first.

"...Master, have you been coughing?"

At Damien's low voice, a response came from inside.

But it wasn't the strong and firm voice they remembered.

"Ah... Damien, you're here. Aiden must've come too."

It was a hoarse voice, half-muffled.

He hadn't even come to the door.

Damien realized that something was terribly wrong and slowly walked across the yard.

He opened the old wooden door.

"...What is this?"

Great Master Thorne was still lying in bed.

But his face looked extremely haggard.

Damien's pupils flickered.

Aiden's face mirrored the same concern.

"What on earth happened, Master? I heard Vera killed the Dark Emperor, but...?"

"Listen carefully to what I'm about to say. Never, ever let Vera know... do you understand?"

Great Master Thorne weakly reached out his hand from under the blanket and gestured for Aiden to come closer.

He wanted him to listen closely.

Then, he slowly sat up in bed and began to recount the events.

The tale of Vera who used up all her Innate True Energy.

The circumstances of the Reverse Heaven Unity that left him with no choice but to bet everything on Vera.

And how, even though he would never surpass Combined Battle, he didn't regret saving a future talent.

Logically, his judgment was right.

Great Master Thorne had already reached the end of his life.

There was almost no possibility of him surpassing Combined Battle now.

He had already attained all the realizations and achievements that any ordinary person could hope for.

But what about Vera?

She was only fourteen.

Yet she had already entered the beginning stages of Supreme Mastery.

With a bit more time, more training, and enlightenment...

Could she not become the sword that could defeat Combined Battle?

The age of the old masters had passed.

The future of the Central Plains lay on the shoulders of the young.

Everyone said that, but Damien and Aiden had never seen anyone truly put it into action.

Everyone just talked about it, trying to guide the youth,

while blaming their lack of effort and trying to rule over them.

But Great Master Thorne was different.

He had truly burned his entire life to pass everything on to Vera.

In return, he had been granted only three more months in this world.

"Three months..."

Damien let out a bitter sigh and smiled.

He truly was his master.

The master who never hesitated to support a talented child.

The one who ignored all opposition to take in a capable disciple.

And so, he had done something so absurd.

Even if Reverse Mountain had created the forbidden technique that absorbed Innate True Energy,

and even if he knew about it...

The choice to make such a decision required a different level of resolve.

"There's no regret, is there, Master?"

"Of course not. When have you seen me regret something I've done? And Aiden, listen well."

"Yes? I…?"

"I have one last, difficult request for you."

Great Master Thorne chuckled and slowly rose from the bed.

He grabbed the sturdy branch that Vera had given him, using it as a cane.

"Until I ascend to the heavens, send Vera this way."

"Yes?"

"By now, that child must have reached the very edge of Supreme Mastery. You must help her cross the threshold into Kingdom of Harmony."