The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Reading the Heavenly Secrets is a rare talent. Few in history, such as the famed Master Kieran, ever achieved it. But leading the Heavenly Secrets—that was a talent that only a select few, like Emperor Caius, the founder of the Vermilion Crane Dynasty, could claim.

Born a poor orphan, Caius rose from a life of begging and servitude to become the emperor of the Central Plains. Such individuals were like the eye of a storm: calm in themselves yet drawing everything into their vortex. They overturned the tides, purified the seas, and shattered the dirt clinging to the world. Yet, no one could predict which gentle breeze might transform into a devastating hurricane.

And so, the storm hid its fangs until the moment of reckoning.

A spacious room.

Vera reminded herself that she was no longer the sole female among the Mount Suncrest Sect's three great disciples. After all, Dylan had joined just yesterday.

"But Jace and Dylan aren't here," she thought.

They weren't staying in the Blooming Peak Pavilion, which led her to a simple conclusion. The disciples residing in the Blooming Peak Pavilion weren't the real contenders.

Those truly chosen as successors by the Sect Leader's faction were elsewhere—training, eating, and sleeping directly under their master's watchful eyes.

"Why, Master…"

The hut Aiden lived in was small but had enough space for four children to sleep. The traditional rules of separation between boys and girls might have played a role, but in hindsight, this arrangement was better.

The hut was accessible to anyone. Elders or teachers could visit without raising suspicion. But the Blooming Peak Pavilion was a different story. Everyone in the sect knew the Sect Leader had personally visited Vera there.

Anyone who wanted to extend their influence over her now had to risk the attention such a move would draw.

Opening the shutters, Vera looked out. The faint light of dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and red. The sun had not yet fully risen, and she was awake earlier than the other children—by a full Hour.

"I am still young, weak, and small," she murmured.

The words she had once spoken to the Sect Leader Gideon were true. She knew this better than anyone. Objectively, those words might seem wrong.

Within her core, the black dragon of the Harmony Realm curled, emanating the power of a thirty-Year. It responded to her with unwavering loyalty and affection.

But even with this strength—enough to place her at the pinnacle of her peers—she felt it was insufficient.

"To twist the heavens and forge a path against destiny…" she thought.

a thirty-Year of inner power, mastery of supreme techniques—it wasn't enough.

With a calm breath, Vera sat cross-legged. She had a Hour, the perfect amount of time for one cycle of the Great Heaven Circuit.

Closing her eyes, she sank into the depths of her inner world.

The beast that fed on immortality lay quietly with its eyes closed.

A tranquil surface, a sky that seemed to spill stars—a boundless space stretched infinitely in every direction. Each step she took sent ripples across the still waters.

"…You're here," she whispered.

At the sound of her voice, the black dragon opened its golden eyes.

Massive and majestic, it rivaled the size of the great spirit beasts known as Mountain Kings. Yet Vera instinctively knew—it was still so small compared to its full potential.

Lowering its head, the dragon nudged her gently, allowing her small hands to stroke its proud, twin horns. A deep, rumbling purr of contentment echoed as she patted it.

"How much more will you grow?" she wondered.

Would it evolve into something beyond a spirit beast? Would it ascend to the realm of Divine Beasts?

It had to.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the dragon playfully knocked her down, leaving her sprawled on the ground.

"Ugh…" she groaned.

The dragon loomed over her, golden eyes flickering as though surprised at how easily she had fallen. Vera laughed softly and reached up to scratch its jaw.

"It's fine. That didn't hurt."

The dragon's actions were overly affectionate, almost childlike. Every ounce of her strength and inner power was tied to this magnificent creature, yet here, in her Mental Plane, she was just a small girl.

She sat up, wrapping her arms around its massive neck. The dragon let out a pleased growl, curling around her protectively. Warmth radiated from its body, a comforting heat that reminded her of…

Her father's embrace.

A warmth she had to forget to survive, yet could never bring herself to abandon.

Tears blurred her vision, welling up and spilling down her cheeks.

The dragon leaned in and licked her face, a quiet gesture of comfort. It stayed there, holding her as if it were the family she had lost.

Vera rose from her meditation, wiping her tear-streaked face with her sleeve. Her eyes were red and swollen, but she had no time to dwell on it. The faint rustling from nearby signaled the awakening of her fellow disciples.

Donning her training robes and securing the sword her master had gifted her at her waist, she tied her flowing sleeves and stepped outside.

On the doorstep sat Noah, waiting.

"...Senior brother?"

"You're up. Let's go, junior sister."

"Were you waiting for me?"

Noah shrugged, a wordless affirmation.

"Why would you…"

"Walking out together makes for a better picture, don't you think?"

"...I suppose so."

"You've been crying."

"...No, I haven't!"

"Your eyes are red."

Vera quickly turned her head away. The last thing she wanted was for rumors of her being a crybaby to spread across the Mount Suncrest Sect.

"...Please don't say anything," she murmured.

"I won't… but there's a condition."

The voice didn't belong to Noah. It was sharper, more irritable—Ethan. Turning her head, Vera saw him approaching from the corridor.

"...Senior brother Ethan?"

"There's a condition, like I said."

"What condition?"

Ethan scowled, nudging Noah to explain. He seemed reluctant to speak, as though his pride was on the line. Noah, laughing softly, let out a sigh before explaining.

"For the Peak Assembly, each master can only send two of their three disciples to compete."

"...Two?"

Which meant only two could vie for the Jade Elixir, the most coveted prize. This also meant there would be an internal "preliminary" among them first.

"Senior brother Marcus is obligated to participate as the eldest, so only one spot remains. Ethan and I already discussed it. You'll take the spot, Vera."

"...What?"

"That's not all," Ethan interjected, cracking his knuckles and thrusting a fist toward her face.

"You better crush them! Go out there and destroy everyone!"

"...Even senior brother Marcus?"

"Destroy him too!!"

There was an odd sense of bitterness in his tone when he spoke about the eldest disciple. However, Vera had no time to question it further.

"If you don't, I'll spread the word that you're a crybaby who bawls at the crack of dawn."

"...Understood."

Placing her left hand on her sword's hilt, Vera asked quietly, "I just have to beat everyone, is that it?"

"Everyone. If you meet Buddha, cut down Buddha. If you meet the eldest brother, cut him down too—"

"What's all this fun chatter about?"

The voice of Marcus cut in, startling Ethan so much that he choked. Noah, however, merely shrugged and smirked.

"Ethan was telling Vera to take you down, senior brother," Noah said with a mischievous grin.

"You… you traitor!!" sputtered Ethan.

"Is that so?" Marcus responded, smiling faintly.

Unable to reply, Ethan clamped his mouth shut, his frustration evident. The sight made Vera chuckle softly.

Though Ethan surpassed Marcus in skill, he didn't dare disrespect the eldest brother. Beneath his abrasive demeanor, Ethan was someone who upheld the values of respect and integrity.

"...What are you laughing at?" Ethan grumbled at her.

Vera shrugged. "I'll make sure to handle your share too, senior brother."

"You better! I'm counting on you."

Noah shook his head in exasperation, while Marcus tilted his head curiously.

"Who exactly are you planning to handle, Vera?" he asked.

"Why… the other senior brothers, of course," she replied, glancing slyly at Ethan. His uneasy expression amused her greatly.

"Including me?" Marcus asked, his tone calm.

"I will do my best," she said simply.

Vera would not lie to the eldest brother.

Marcus, smiling gently, patted her head. "Good. I will do my best as well."