The Cunning Treasure Hunter

While standing in the long line in front of the Entrance Hall, Vera observed and heard many things.

She knew exactly what people thought of her.

Thus, when she spoke, her voice was calm but resolute. "Please be honest with me. I already know their thoughts."

Her black eyes gleamed deeply as she looked at Master Damien.

"Do you truly hate me that much?"

What did it mean to enter a Daoist sect and receive a Daoist title?

It meant severing all worldly ties.

To sever such ties meant leaving behind all past sins, deeds, honors, and merits.

A person with a Daoist title was no longer who they were before.

Upon entering the gates of a sect, one's past was erased. The only identity that remained was that of a disciple of the sect—a fact that defined their status and essence in the world of the Central Plains.

For this reason, Daoist sects did not judge people based on their background or origins.

This was the essence of Vera's question.

If it wasn't personal hatred toward her as an individual, on what grounds could he reject her?

A cold breeze flowed in through the open window, carrying silence into the room.

The silence was broken by none other than Great Master Thorne.

"There is a condition."

"…Master?" Damien widened his eyes in surprise, while Aiden smiled knowingly.

"Your name is Vera, is it not?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"Can you keep silent about your origin and lineage?"

This was the standard teaching of the Daoist sects.

If only it were truly followed as such.

Even if Gideon, the sect leader, would inevitably oppose it, one couldn't disregard him outright.

But it was better to conceal the truth. After all, in the martial world, the unspoken rule was to avoid probing into someone's past.

"I will keep silent," she replied.

"Good. Does it not fill you with resentment, though? When your father, the Gate Leader of Bloomspire, was executed, Suncrest did nothing to help."

"How could I not feel resentment?"

"And yet?"

"But I know that not everything flows according to justice and order."

There was a flicker of interest in Great Master Thorne's eyes.

"How old are you?"

"I am fourteen this year."

"What an unpleasant child," he said, his tone rough and blunt.

Vera lowered her head slightly, but his voice grew softer, and his gaze was kinder.

"Such a young voice, yet within it lies a snake as mature as any adult. Your heart is scarred and hardened like leather."

The old man placed a hand on her head, gently stroking it.

"Children who grow up under such harsh conditions often turn out this way."

"…I cannot deny it," she admitted.

"I have taken in many talents over the years. Aiden, Kael, and even Damien are examples."

His gaze shifted to his disciple and grand-disciple. Both Damien and Aiden bowed their heads.

"But you are no talent," he said, his words hanging heavily in the air.

Confused, Damien tilted his head. "What do you mean, Master? If that's the case, why would we…"

"How dare you refer to her as 'this child'? A Daoist who cannot show respect even to a child is no Daoist at all," Great Master Thorne rebuked sharply.

"…My apologies," Damien muttered.

"This girl is not a talent."

Thorne looked at Aiden, who smiled faintly. His master's recognition of his judgment was as good as praise.

"This girl is a monster."

Among the group, only Damien failed to understand the meaning behind the statement.

"She will become the phoenix of Suncrest. You've done well, Aiden."

"I knew you would see it, Grandmaster," Aiden replied with a grin.

"Ah, so you brought her here knowing I wouldn't turn away someone with such potential?" Thorne raised a brow.

"That's not entirely…"

"And I hear you taught her the Hidden Fragrance Steps as well?"

"She didn't know any movement techniques…"

"Silence!"

Great Master Thorne roared, his voice echoing through the room.

"You knew plenty of other techniques, yet you deliberately taught her the Hidden Fragrance Steps, didn't you?"

"…That is true."

"You figured I would rather wrestle with Gideon than abolish her martial arts. Is that it?"

Aiden remained silent, but his lack of denial was telling.

After glaring at Aiden for a long moment, Thorne sighed heavily.

"Ha… Very well. How can I scold you for something I used to do myself?"

In the end, he relented, lifting Vera off the ground and placing her on his knee, as though she were his own granddaughter.

Her eyes wavered with confusion.

"Well then, was your journey here uncomfortable?"

"…Why are you suddenly being so kind to me?"

"Why wouldn't I be? I am the master of your master's master. That makes you my great-grand-disciple. And what kind of ancestor doesn't dote on their descendants?"

"Is that so?"

"It is."

Vera stared into Great Master Thorne's eyes, her gaze calm and unwavering.

"What if someone asks about my past?"

"Tell them this," he said, looking into her eyes with a smile.

"But his words carried the weight of truth.

"Inquiring about the past is not the way of a Daoist. Once you are part of Suncrest, you are a Daoist of Suncrest—and nothing else. No past can overshadow that."

His desire for exceptional talents was clear. But more than that, Thorne was a true Daoist.

For a moment, Vera gazed at him with her black eyes.

"…Suncrest is vast," she said finally.

"It is indeed vast," Thorne replied.