Truth.

Pei Xuan, digesting Hong Chen Sage's explanation of the Three Ancient Armaments, mused inwardly.

His words echo the Manor Lord's—except to the Manor Lord, this is trivial, unworthy of mention. So, this is Axe Intent… A taboo? Then, what's a taboo's bearer? Wait, deal with the present first.

"I share your view, Sage. Lingering here is futile. Better we return to our own tasks."

…

"Haha! Right, why stay? Let's go do our duties!"

The crowd stirred, snapping awake, glancing around bewilderedly.

…

After they dispersed, Pei Tien pulled Pei Xuan into the tent, voice stern.

" Xuan, was that display a taboo?"

Pei Xuan, not hiding, relayed Hong Chen Sage's words.

Pei Tien listened intently, then spoke gravely.

"Xuan, most focus on cultivation, neglecting training. You may not know—taboo bearers draw the Heavenly Path's gaze. One misstep against morality, and it strikes with heavenly tribulation and curses. Not just you—your clan, even a nation, could fall. Ten thousand years ago, this shattered the Dragon Empire into our five states. Be cautious, understand? Your face says you don't… Here, read these books. And cut the carousing."

Pei Xuan, alarmed, thought: A taboo bearer under Heavenly Path's scrutiny—one slip, and I'm done? The Manor Lord gave me something this dangerous? And Hong Chen Sage congratulated me… Right, he's a scholarly cultivator… Argh!

"Uncle, what do I do? Live like a saint? I can't! Abandon it? No, I've grasped the intent realm—I can't!"

Seeing his nephew's panic, Pei Tien, as uncle, could only offer encouragement.

"Calm down. You're not a child. Act like an adult—marry, have kids, ditch wine, gambling, your wandering ways. This is your chance to reform."

Pei Xuan's mind raced. Before, the Manor Lord and I had a spat… But this is too cruel! Forced to study? He seems kind, but he's petty, vengeful. I was careless…

"Uncle, rest assured, I'm not reckless. I'll be careful."

Soon, the legions of Tian Tzu Empire and The Domain of Chromatica withdrew, stirring no small commotion. Rumors swirled—perhaps these kingdoms learned something, or found what they sought.

Amid fervent gossip, that night, for unknown reasons, The Land of the Ancestors and Great Prosperian Dominion also retreated. Whispers claimed the celestial phenomenon heralded an ancient force's emergence.

In one night, four of the five-nation alliance abandoned the battlefield.

Only Moonlight Empire remained, facing foreign powers eyeing the prize. Realizing a blockade was unwise, its emperor withdrew to defend the capital, leaving a garrison in Wolfspire Citadel.

Finishing everything, Pei Xuan thought: I've sent the five armies below the mountain away, fulfilling the Manor Lord's intent… Wait! He never said to do this… Whatever, hopefully he won't hold it against me.

Time to return.

Gazing at Strong Bull Mountain, shrouded in mystic, primal fog, he knew it hid great fate. Immortality's within reach. I can't miss this.

…

Late at night, under bright moonlight, in Lalatina's room, Liora clutched a pillow, chin propped, listening raptly as Luna recounted.

"This evening, the Manor Lord summoned me to test his constitution.

He we met isn't his true body, but a fragment split from it, with independent consciousness."

Seeing their wide eyes and dropped jaws, Luna sighed.

"Unbelievable, right? I know only immortal cultivators can create avatars, but they're mere puppets, not conscious."

…

"Then I tested his body. It felt… strange.

At first, it was like a mortal's, untouched by cultivation, yet a powerful force shielded it. Touching it, I felt lost in an endless void, isolated, with nothing around. I was terrified—like an invisible hand gripped my heart, ready to crush me if I overstepped.

In that moment, I felt so small. That's likely his true power—an infinite expanse. It's my first time witnessing such strength."

Lalatina nodded, agreeing. Master of this manor, bridging two realms—how could he be weak? Spatial laws, perhaps?

Liora, impatient with their silence, urged.

"Luna, then what?"

…

"After that, the force scanned me, then eased its guard. I regained my senses and tested as usual.

But even checking twice—soul and body—it's clearly a Mortal Constitution, never cultivated. It's like the Manor Lord and that energy are separate entities.

During the test, I'm not sure, but he might've sent that mystic force through me, mirroring my qi's path. Maybe he tested my constitution too. I don't know.

It felt instinctive—why cultivate if he could wield it?

After I finished, it withdrew. So strange."

Lalatina, pondering, said.

"Don't worry too much. If he meant harm, he'd just have Sage Zhao handle it. Why use hidden injuries? I think it's just instinctive defense. His current body and soul may be mortal, but he was once a great power."

Liora, seeing Luna about to argue, cut in, defending her "oppa."

"Sister, it's just self-defense. He wouldn't harm you so crudely. One word to Sage Zhao, and you'd be like a turtle in a jar.

You must've offended him. Don't hide it."

Luna, hearing Liora, thought: 'Good' sister, calling me a turtle? I need her to speak for me before the Manor Lord…

"Everyone, I have something to say. Manager Zhao isn't a Sage. He's Lady Kim's old admirer… Yes, Lady Kim.

She said he loved her, but their statuses differed, so he never dared cross that line. He's Zhao Yu of the War God Temple, an immortal cultivator, Golden Core a century ago—still is, I think."

…

Lalatina gasped.

"You're serious? But two Grand Scholars confirmed it—how could they be wrong? You're not slandering a Sage out of anger, are you?"

Luna, seeing her sister's worry and anger, thinking her foolish for badmouthing a Sage, felt both furious and wronged, choking up.

"Sister, I'm not lying. Lady Kim said so. Didn't you notice Manager Zhao trailing her today?

Those Grand Scholars—I suspect the Manor Lord intervened. Remember, before we got the tokens, the manor felt hostile, rejecting us. After, it turned welcoming, soothing.

And Lady Kim gives me the same unreadable feeling as Manager Zhao."

…

Lalatina said.

"Luna, if you're right and Manager Zhao isn't a Sage, then in the hall, when he tried to toss those Grand Scholars into the river… Such loyalty…"

Liora cut in.

"No matter, oppa's too strong. His appointment fooled Grand Scholars—can it fool Sages?"

Lalatina and Luna eyed Liora's smug, carefree expression, thinking: 'Good' sister…

…

"Liora, didn't you say I was the Manor Lord's rival in a past life? Say something, don't stay quiet…

I feel he loves showing off to me. I'm helpless, letting him flex, even learning to flatter.

When I told him his Mortal Constitution is weak in this era, he said it was a Sacred Constitution in his time.

I knew I misspoke, so I didn't argue, even groveling, admitting my ignorance. But somehow, he's so vengeful toward me."

"Sister Lalatina, Liora, you must help me make peace with him."

Liora stared at Luna, puffing her small chest, brimming with confidence.

"Sister Luna, don't worry—Liora's got your back."

"Hao sister!" both thought.

"Luna, relax. Tomorrow, I'll take you to reconcile."

Luna, moved, threw herself into Lalatina's arms, sobbing.

"Thank you, Sister, thank you so much. You're the best…"

Stroking Luna's back, Lalatina teased.

"Your flattery's so bad, no wonder he's vengeful…"

… Silence…