Chapter 77 - Keepsakes

Ling Yu cried too. She tried to stay silent, but her sobs became harder to suppress. She couldn't imagine the pain Lin Qian was going through. It reminded her of her own parents—the most loving husband and wife she had ever known. She couldn't imagine how her mother would survive if her father were gone.

The atmosphere in the room grew heavier. They mourned the loss of a spouse, a best friend, and a comrade.

Lin Qian was the first to pull herself from grief.

"We need to stop this. He wouldn't want us to fall into mourning for too long. He would want us to keep living—to live the best lives we can. That way, his sacrifice will mean something."

Nods passed silently around the room.

Lin Qian sniffled and turned to Ling Yu. "I'm sorry about Chen Wei. We couldn't protect him."

Ling Yu, still sniffling, replied, "Lin Jie, don't say that. This isn't your fault. It's Tie Yanfang's."

Her voice rose, trembling with fury. "And I'm glad he's dead. In the most painful way possible! I saw it—I saw it happen!"

Lin Qian nodded gently. "But you can't hold on to that anger forever. Let it go. Maybe not now, but one day, you'll have to."

She reached into her robe and produced a tiny white orb, no bigger than her thumb.

"This is Chen Wei's core. I managed to steal it from Tie Yanfang. He didn't notice—he was too focused on heading to the cavern."

Ling Yu gasped. Her trembling hands reached forward but didn't take it at first.

"Here," Lin Qian said softly, placing it in her hands. "You keep it."

Ling Yu cradled the core in both hands.

"It's so tiny," she whispered. She sniffled again. "I never imagined it would be so small."

"It's because it's a Low Immortal Stage 1 Core," Lin Qian explained.

Ling Yu looked to Xuan Tian. "What do I do with it?"

Xuan Tian stepped forward and examined the core, ensuring it was stable.

"Do what you like with it. Immortal Cores can be useful. But it's taboo—and immoral—to extract them for personal gain. Like Tie Yanfang and his kind."

He continued, "Normally, when immortals die, their cores are destroyed with them."

"Although sometimes, they leave their cores behind to those closest to them—to help them advance in their cultivation."

He looked at her gently. "So, you can do what you like."

Ling Yu looked down at the core. "I'll keep it for now. It's Chen Wei's keepsake. Is there a way to preserve it?"

Her eyes drifted to Lin Qian's pendant. "Like that?"

Lin Qian touched her pendant, her expression softening.

Ling Yu didn't fully understand the significance, but something about it felt right—like it was the only thing she could do for Chen Wei.

Xuan Tian nodded. "Yes, you can. But unfortunately, I'm not currently strong enough to forge a pendant that can safely hold Chen Wei's core."

"How about Shizun? Is he powerful enough?"

Xuan Tian nodded. "Yes, he is."

"Then," Ling Yu said, handing the core back to Lin Qian, "Lin Jie, you keep this for now. When we get back, I'll ask Shizun."

Lin Qian carefully put the core away. "Shizun?"

Ling Yu smiled and nodded. "Yes. I have a Shizun. I am now officially a cultivator—and the last inner disciple of Gu Tianzhu Zhenren of Ziyu Sect."

Lin Qian lit up. "Congratulations, Ling Yu!"

The doctors and Ling Yu continued chatting while Xuan Tian headed for the door.

"Iron Wall, where are you going?"

"I'm going to find Captain Bai, and go to Mo Chaoren."

"Okay." Ling Yu waved goodbye.

Xuan Tian stepped out of the room, scanned the yamen, and found Bai Xunli in her study.

Bai Xunli was reading reports and messages when she felt Xuan Tian's presence outside her study. She stood up and immediately headed to open the door.

"Shengzun," she said, saluting him.

"I was just finishing my work, then—" she began, but Xuan Tian cut her off.

"It's okay, Captain. You have work to do. I understand."

He looked at her steadily. "I understand your reservations with me. But don't let them control you. I'm currently your guest here in the yamen. This is your place. Your authority matters. You can't show your subordinates that you fear another. Do not let my presence undermine your authority, Captain."

Bai Xunli was taken aback. She had indeed been acting cautiously around Xuan Tian—not out of respect, but out of fear. His presence was so overwhelming that she had struggled to be herself. And now, hearing it from him, she felt the sting of truth. Shame prickled at her. She was a leader, and she hadn't been holding her head high.

She noticed a few officials and ICEB Warriors watching them.

She closed her eyes and exhaled.

When she opened them again, determination had returned to her gaze.

She looked Xuan Tian in the eye. "Shengzun, thank you for reminding me. I have behaved poorly—and not up to ICEB's standards. I hope you won't take it as a reflection of our organization."

Xuan Tian had been watching Bai Xunli since their first meeting. He knew about ICEB. He had never dealt with them before, but he understood the critical role they played in the Human Realm's political and power structure.

He had been looking forward to dealing with ICEB. He actually understood their dynamic better than he understood the Court's. ICEB reminded him of an elite division within his own Celestial Army—his Shadow Army. Their Enforcers were similar to his Shadow Blades.

The only difference was, his Shadow Blades operated in the dark.

He was a little disappointed with both Bai Xunli and Wu Zhenhai. An ICEB Captain should possess strength—not only in cultivation, but in character, intelligence, and presence—that set them apart from regular Enforcers.

He couldn't help but tell Bai Xunli to stand tall, just as he would want his Shadow Blades Captains to stand tall.

Seeing Bai Xunli recognize her own flaws, and not get offended when being called out by a stranger—but instead use it to bounce back—proved her inner resilience.

Xuan Tian liked that about her. It was the first positive mark he'd given Bai Xunli.

Maybe she's not hopeless after all.