Jin Yu stepped into the room and closed the door behind him with a soft click.

  He sighed and waved a hand. Mist unfurled from his fingers, wrapping the whole room in a light veil

  The Misty Veil technique would muffle sound and prevent weak senses from peeking in.

  The space was too small.

  The bed was wooden, plainly built, and covered with a thin blanket that had seen better years. A single window let in faint evening light, dull and colorless.

  He didn’t move at first. His gaze swept over everything, the cracked walls, the rough floor, the faded rug. A frown tugged at his lips.

  "So dirty." he muttered

  It wasn’t the room. There was something else, something beneath the surface. He could feel it.

  The air was stale, and the spiritual current here felt… wrong. Like the Qi itself was tainted.

  It wasn’t overtly hostile, but it clung to the skin like a cold sweat, and it made him feel unsettled.

  He walked to the bed and sat, not even bothering to remove his outer robe. The mattress creaked slightly under his weight. His robe, regal and clean, looked too out of place in this dull, shadow-soaked room.

  “This place doesn't suit me,” he muttered. “But for tonight… it'll do.”

  From within his Ring, he summoned the orb. A flash of light, and the floating mansion shimmered inside. He sent a thread of will through the bond.

  He could see both Min Li and Haozi sitting in the dining room. The kids were opposite them, fully focused on eating.

  “Do you think Master has gotten to the slavers’ base?” Min Li asked.

  “I doubt that,” Haozi replied. “Why would he ask for coins if he’s going there to fight?”

  “What do you know? Maybe he’s buying a weapon or something.”

  “I know more than you, Brother Min. Master wouldn’t pay those bastards. He’d just use their weapons against them.”

  His tone was firm, face dead serious, like he’d just stated universal truth.

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  “Hmmm,” Min Li nodded, not to be outdone. “That’s right. But don’t think you know more than me. What if Master’s actually cosplaying with them? You know... paying for their lives before taking them. Ever thought of that?”

  He raised his brow in a mock challenge.

  Haozi sighed. “Why are you bickering with me, Brother Min? You should just wait and ask Young Master.”

  “Brat, who’s bickering? I’m just trying to liven the atmosphere. You dare call this bickering?”

  Haozi rolled his eyes. “Just admit you’re bored and stop disturbing me.”

  “You brat! You dare disregard my good intentions? Do you believe I won’t beat you up?!”

  Haozi looked him straight in the eye and replied calmly, “You dare beat your Master’s brother? Wow. How bold of you.”

  “You—! Don’t think I won’t! I’m your Elder!”

  “Pfft. My only brother is Brother Yu. I don’t have any else.” he said, face blank.

  “You don’t know what’s good for you, brat. One day—”

  “I’m not afraid of you.”

  “You—!”

  The children had stopped eating by now, watching in silence. A little tense, a little confused, they sat fidgeting in place. Yara looked between the two, eyes locked on them.

  “Master? The cultivator?” she asked softly, eyes shining faintly.

  Min Li glanced at her.

  “Kid, I know what you’re thinking. But you’re just a mortal, and too young at that. Master wouldn’t even take you as a maid.”

  “She’s just a kid. Don’t say that,” Haozi frowned.

  “Brat, can’t you see her eyes glowing? I’m saying it now before the seed gets planted.”

  Overlooking, Jin Yu watched all of this in silence.

  These people are jobless, aren’t they?

  “Is that the cultivation you should be focusing on?” he asked suddenly.

  They all looked up at once.

  “Master!” Min Li straightened instantly.

  “Min Li, why are you bickering with a child?”

  “Master, I’m only trying to guide these kids but they don’t appreciate it!”

  “Shut up and focus on your cultivation. With your meagre strength, you'd die out here without even realizing it.”

  “Master is wise!” Min Li bowed without hesitation.

  “But...” He raised his head slightly.

  “What?”

  “We need to replenish our energy after each improvement, or our bodies won’t hold up.”

  Haozi nodded quickly beside him.

  “Oh?”

  “But... if Master gives us the Body Tempering and Nutrient Pills, we won’t need to eat for a while.”

  “Did I buy those?”

  “Yes, Master.”

  Jin Yu went silent. He didn’t actually know what they looked like.

  “One’s purple. The other’s white,” Haozi said helpfully.

  A moment later, four bottles appeared on the table.

  “Haozi.”

  “Yes, Young Master?”

  “If I see you slacking off, you’ll be in trouble. You’re still the weakest.”

  “I dare not, Master.”

  Jin Yu looked out the room, his eyes landed on Rainbow.

  She looked vibrant, full of life, and a subtle Qi aura now danced around her.

  She’s... breaking through?

  He was about to check her more thoroughly when—

  Knock knock.

  At least this one's polite. Not barging in.

  He thought.

  His attention returned to the door.

  Knock knock.

  It came again, but Jin Yu didn’t move from the bed.

  Then, A soft voice came through the wood.

  “Sir, your tea. Complimentary from the house. For a traveler such as yourself, rest must be hard to come by.”

  He stood and opened the door slowly, his eyes cold.

  A young girl stood there, tray in hand, smiling sweetly.

  “Sleep is sacred in Blackflame,” she said, stepping inside and placing the tray on the small table. “But don’t worry... here, no one bothers anyone they shouldn’t.”

  She smiled again, softly, then turned and walked out.

  Jin Yu’s eyes dropped to the tea. A grey-colored letter lay beneath the cup.

  He picked up the cup to move it aside when...

  Ding!

  Poisonous Qi detected.

  Absorbing...

  Progress bar: 43.7%... 43.8%... 43.9%...

  His gaze darkened as he gently placed the cup aside.

  I want to burn this place down.