Cade was both surprised and confused by the unexpected personal visit. Why hadn’t she sent a message first?

  “Lucy, would you mind putting the kettle on? We have an unexpected guest,” he said, frowning slightly.

  The girl nodded with a bright smile, halting mid-step on her way to the kitchen as she realized she was supposed to open the door first.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll let her in myself,” Cade chuckled, catching her hesitation. He stepped outside to open the gate just before Jade arrived.

  “Brother Cade? How did you know I was coming?” A flash of surprise crossed the princess’s features as the gate opened right when she raised her hand to press the visitor plate.

  “I have keen senses,” Cade said with a faint smile. “Please, come in.”

  “I’m sorry for coming unannounced. And thank you, but there’s no need to invite me in,” Jade shook her head, a faint smile brushing her lips. “I just wanted to apologize for ignoring you. It took me some time to come to terms with everything that happened. I also found out that you apparently saved my life during the trial—a tiny detail you failed to mention.” A note of irritation flashed in her tone but quickly faded.

  “There’s no need to apologize. As for not mentioning the trial—I didn’t think it was important at the time, since you weren’t actually present during that little scuffle,” Cade offered a small shrug. “Oh, and let me congratulate you on both your advancements. Are you sure you don’t want to come in?”

  From Jade’s spiritual fluctuations, her middle stage of Foundation Establishment felt rock-solid. He had no doubt she’d make quick progress toward the late stage.

  “Thank you. It has been a frantic few weeks, but it was all worth it. I didn’t mean to intrude; besides, I’ve still got a lot of house arranging to do. However, since we’re both now in the inner court, we might see each other more often, so I wanted to make sure you know I appreciate your help and to clear the air between us,” Jade cupped her fist in a slight bow. “If I get the chance, I’ll repay you,” she added seriously.

  “There’s really no need to thank me. After all, your Master paid me to look after you,” Cade’s smile was a little stiff.

  “True. Still, you took a big risk. Without you, I’d probably be dead. I don’t think I could’ve handled three Shadow Dao Palace body refiners on my own. I’m in your debt,” she said.

  “I’m sure you would’ve found a way,” he replied politely.

  “Regardless, I’ll make sure to pay it back,” Jade insisted, clearly unwilling to let the matter go until he accepted her intentions.

  Cade sensed her attitude wasn’t from warming up to him but from discovering his role in dealing with the assassins. Her tone was polite but neutral.

  It’s hard to believe how this memory loss has turned everything upside down, Cade sighed internally.

  “Thank you. I appreciate you coming and letting me know,” he nodded.

  It was difficult to reconcile the warm familiarity of their past with her current detached demeanor. Even her emotional fluctuations felt muted, as if speaking to him was just another item on her list. He had to accept she simply no longer felt any attachment to him.

  “Sorry for interrupting your evening. I’m sure we’ll see each other around,” Jade said, cupping her fist once again before turning and leaving.

  However, just as she started to walk away, Cade noticed another familiar life signature heading their way. He always limited the range of his life sense while in the citadel; otherwise, focusing became impossible.

  Oh. This might be a little awkward.

  Jade turned her head slightly, noticing the lithe, unmistakably feminine figure approaching from the opposite direction—silver hair sparkling like live fire in the warm glow of sunstones bathing the inner court in the soft amber light of the setting sun.

  As the two women drew close, their steps slowed almost imperceptibly. Their gazes met—Jade cupped her fist in stiff formality, while Aria responded with a subtle nod, her abyssal eyes narrowing just slightly. Without a word, they passed each other and continued on.

  “Martial Sister, I must say I wasn’t expecting to see you in the inner court,” Cade greeted the gorgeous fey, cupping his fist.

  Surprisingly, she returned the greeting as if they were equals. He knew she was high fey nobility from a very influential clan, her cultivation a stage higher than his own, and she was a core disciple. Her returning the salute said a lot about her changed attitude toward him.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Greetings, Martial Brother,” Aria smiled lightly. Even that small tug at her lips felt special. Cade imagined most men receiving that smile would’ve felt chosen by the heavens.

  “I brought you something from the Grandmaster; he said you might find it useful.”

  “Please come in. I have decent tea,” Cade said, stepping aside to invite her in.

  “Thank you. I won’t take much of your time,” Aria said as she entered.

  When Lucy saw Aria enter, she was dumbstruck. The silver-haired fey had a natural allure and charm that was hard to resist. The girl blushed, struggling to find words to welcome the guest.

  “Aria, this is Lucy—my friend who works in the citadel as a servant. Lucy, this is Aria of the Voidwalker Clan. She’s my Martial Sister and also a friend.”

  “Let’s all sit down and enjoy my Master’s tea,” Cade said, then turned to Aria. “After, you can tell me what the Grandmaster wanted me to see.”

  Lucy managed to regain her composure, and soon they were all sitting at the large table, chatting over steaming azure cups. It didn’t surprise the fey that Cade treated Lucy as a fellow cultivator employed as a servant, not just a servant who happened to cultivate.

  Her lack of reaction, in turn, surprised him; he imagined noble houses would have servants for every mundane task. He struggled to picture nobles drinking tea with their servants, but Aria seemed genuinely unbothered. Cade stopped observing her emotional fluctuations—it felt rude now that they were properly acquainted.

  “Maybe you can first tell me how Naia is?” he asked.

  “She’s doing much better. I helped her purchase a small house—just for the two of them for now. I’m not sure if you knew this, but she was living in a single room with her mother. The conditions weren’t good,” Aria shook her head. “The new house wasn’t expensive, and in two hours, the deed was signed. Then I took her to the Treasure Emporium, where we sorted through everything inside the ring. It’s good you took out all the… rubbish.”

  “I couldn’t just hand it over to her; it would’ve traumatized her even more,” Cade grimaced at the memory of all the disgusting crap he buried in the desert.

  Aria nodded. “It’s as you said—a terrible ordeal turned into a huge opportunity, and it’s all thanks to you. I think she’ll be fine. Cultivators aren’t just stronger physically, but also mentally.”

  “Unfortunately, I’m partially the reason she was put in that situation,” Cade’s expression sagged. “All I did was try to make it up to her. Obviously, I can’t give her back what was stolen, but hopefully a little good can come out of it for her and her mother.”

  Lucy listened with a baffled expression but was too timid to ask for an explanation. She stared into her cup, occasionally casting shy glances at Aria and Cade.

  “Regarding that situation, are you in some kind of trouble, Martial Brother?” Aria asked.

  “I never expected you to be so powerful. Naia told me that old man’s cultivation was at the peak of early True Core. I know I wouldn’t have survived facing him, despite all the benefits my upbringing gave my cultivation, which you apparently did not have.”

  “It was mostly luck,” Cade smiled. “My arts happened to counter his quite well. As for trouble… it follows me wherever I go,” he shrugged helplessly. “But it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

  “If you need my help, just ask. Since we’re both disciples of the Grandmaster, we need to support each other,” Aria said, passion entering her voice.

  “Thank you. The same goes for you,” Cade nodded gratefully.

  The silver-haired fey took out a small crystal from her ring and handed it to him. “Here’s the map of the Life and Death Divine Realm—at least what the three organizations have discovered so far. Hopefully, it will help you plan your route.”

  Their fingers touched briefly—hers cold, his warm, almost hot from the powerful blood qi saturating his muscles.

  Cade’s expression burst with excitement when he saw what was on the crystal.

  Maybe I can use it to find the location from the vision!

  “Thank you again, Martial Sister. It’s exactly what I needed,” he cupped his fist after injecting a tiny spark of qi into the crystal and confirming the map worked.

  Aria nodded, another soft smile gracing her lips. She took a careful sip of tea, and her deeply black eyes widened in surprise.

  “This tea really is amazing,” she said, disbelief tinting her voice.

  Given Cade’s humble origins, she must have expected less. The fey took another sip, then finished the cup, satisfaction relaxing her features.

  The Asura chuckled quietly. Master Lao Ren really knew what to pack into his ring.

  After finishing her cup, Aria stood up.

  “Sadly, I have other matters to attend and must be on my way. Thank you for the delicious tea,” she said to Cade before turning to Lucy.

  “It was very good to meet you, Lucy. Cultivate well; you’ll reach the Skeletal Reinforcement realm in no time.”

  Aria offered Lucy a full smile, showing two rows of perfect teeth. Lucy blushed so hard she couldn’t eke out a word. She hurriedly stood, bowed, and cupped her fist, trembling from a mixture of appreciation and excitement.

  “Thank you for coming by, Martial Sister. Anytime you want to visit, you’re more than welcome,” Cade offered his best grin, receiving only another light smile in return. “Oh, and why don’t we link our tokens?” he proposed, the idea just occurring to him.

  Aria agreed, and their monastery emblems touched gently, exchanging contact information.

  A few minutes later, Lucy had also left, and the house fell completely silent. Cade walked upstairs, entering his cultivation chamber.

  It’s time to begin preparations for the Life and Death Divine Realm.

  He rubbed his hands excitedly. After settling into the lotus position, he sent a trickle of qi into the small crystal, opening the map within his realm of consciousness.

  A mere couple breaths later, Cade gasped, his voracious heart thumping madly in his chest as a surge of excitement and disbelief washed over him.

  It really is the space from my vision!