The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Suddenly, a new master had claimed her, and from that point on, she had been too busy to even practice her breathing techniques properly.

Why would a spiritual beast follow a master who neither visited nor fed it?

"I understand. I won't neglect you anymore..."

Finally, the Black dragon stopped licking her.

It wrapped its massive body around the girl and lay down, letting her rest against it. Every time her small hand stroked its mane, it made a soft, contented sound.

How long had they stayed like this?

Vera rose from her mental space. One complete cycle of Great Heaven Circuit had finished. It was time to return.

"I'll count on you from now on, too," she said, gently stroking the horn of the Black dragon before closing her eyes.

When she reopened them, she would be back in her room.

When she reopened them...

"Did you just perform Great Heaven Circuit?"

Standing before her was the sect leader, Gideon, his voice calm yet tinged with surprise.

"Hic!"

Startled, Vera hiccupped uncontrollably.

"...I apologize," Grandmaster Thorne said as he patted her back for half a shichen (an hour). Only then did her hiccups stop.

He had reason to feel apologetic.

Sitting upright with her hands neatly on her knees, Vera asked, "It's fine. May I ask what brings you here, Sect Leader?"

"Ah, well, you see..."

Was it true that she had already achieved Great Heaven Circuit, as Grandmaster Thorne claimed? He couldn't ask openly, not with so many ears around.

It was the time of day when the third-generation disciples had finished their afternoon training.

"Why is the grandmaster here as well?"

Tilting her head in curiosity, Vera asked the question innocently.

Unfortunately, Grandmaster Thorne had no intention of protecting the sect leader's dignity.

"Oh, our dear sect leader simply doesn't believe me."

"Senior Brother, must you do this?"

"Now, do you believe me? My great-grand-disciple is a prodigy of the world?"

"That's hardly the issue here," Gideon retorted sharply.

He extended his inner energy, creating a barrier that silenced the surrounding noise.

The sudden quiet didn't faze Vera, as she had already witnessed Aiden use this technique.

"I've heard that you are marked by the Celestial Blade Star," Gideon said solemnly.

"That is correct," she replied, her tone even.

"I'll be honest. I'm afraid of you," he admitted.

Vera blinked, genuinely confused by his words.

"Then why do you not end my life?"

"...What?"

"I am still young, weak, and small. If I frighten you, you could easily kill me."

Gideon was momentarily at a loss for words.

She was right.

He could destroy her core and cast her out, or eliminate her here and now without anyone knowing.

Grandmaster Thorne would fiercely oppose such actions, but the ultimate decision rested with Gideon.

So why hadn't he done it? Why couldn't he?

"...Such audacity. Do you think I won't do it?"

"No," she replied simply.

Her black eyes held no trace of fear.

Gideon tried to discern what lay coiled within her gaze but found nothing.

All he could do was listen to her words.

"I don't think you will."

"And why not?"

"Because you are a kind person," she said matter-of-factly.

The response was so unexpected that both Gideon and Grandmaster Thorne widened their eyes in surprise.

"Kind... you think I'm kind?"

Gideon repeated the words as if tasting them.

"Why do you think so?"

"Because you hesitate," she explained.

"Hesitate?"

Vera nodded.

"Kindness comes from hesitation. If one never reflects on their choices, they are no better than a beast. Kindness lies in questioning what is right and what should be done, constantly reevaluating oneself and moving forward without arrogance."

Silence fell.

Both Gideon and Grandmaster Thorne understood the weight of her words.

They also knew that such wisdom was not something a child should possess.

Vera continued, "You are debating whether to expel me, kill me, or destroy my martial arts."

"So, you know," he said.

"You must have heard about me from the grandmaster," she replied calmly.

"And yet you remain so composed."

Even in the presence of the sect leader of Mount Suncrest, Vera remained unshaken.

"I have done everything I could."

"...Is that so?"

"Yes. Even after losing my father and mother, I fought to survive. I held on to my master's hand and made it here. I have answered your questions to the best of my ability."

Her small fist clenched tightly.

"So, I will not go quietly."

Gideon's brows furrowed.

Even Grandmaster Thorne seemed surprised, as neither had expected such boldness.

"Even though my family was cast out, Bloomspire Sect remains a martial lineage. And I am its daughter. If you think I will accept death silently, you are mistaken."

"Do you think you could harm even a hair on my head?" Gideon asked.

"I am not that foolish," she replied.

"Then why such reckless words—"

"—Because," she interrupted, her head held high, "I will die standing."

The cherry blossom is one of the Four Gentlemen, revered in Mount Suncrest as a symbol of integrity and resilience.

It is not a mere emblem of beauty.

It blooms in late winter, defying the harshest cold.

In Vera's unwavering posture, Gideon saw a cherry blossom blooming amidst a snowy night.