Chapter 22: Tides of Suspicion

By the time the group returned to Qingye Sect, the sun had climbed high above the eastern peaks. Lin Ho walked silently behind Elder Mo, the tension from the sea beast attack still lingering in his bones. Behind him, several disciples whispered quietly — not in fear, but in curiosity.

> "He moved like a shadow," one muttered. "Did you see how he killed that armored beast?" "He's only at Meridian Forging… right?"

Rumors had already started. Lin Ho ignored them.

At the central plaza, Elder Qiu awaited them, arms crossed beneath his robe. Several high-ranking inner disciples stood beside him, their expressions solemn.

Elder Mo stepped forward and bowed slightly.

> "The patrol mission was attacked by five ascendant-class sea beasts. They were not natural. Someone is cultivating them."

Gasps rippled across the disciples.

Elder Qiu narrowed his eyes.

> "And casualties?"

> "None, thanks to swift action." Elder Mo turned to glance at Lin Ho. "Particularly from this one."

Elder Qiu regarded Lin Ho for a moment.

> "You. What technique did you use in combat?"

Lin Ho met the elder's gaze without flinching.

> "My grandfather passed it down to me. I don't know its name. I just know how to circulate it."

A pause.

> "Your grandfather?"

> "Lin Tianzhen," Lin Ho said plainly.

That name silenced the square.

Elder Qiu's brows lifted subtly. He nodded once.

> "Very well. You'll report directly to me if you sense any disturbances again. Dismissed."

As the disciples dispersed, Lin Ho walked toward his lodging, but a figure blocked his path — the girl with the twin sabers from the selection.

> "You don't act like someone who just broke through."

> "And you talk like someone who's been waiting to say that all day," Lin Ho replied calmly.

She blinked, then chuckled.

> "Name's Yue Lian. I don't like mysteries. But I do respect strength. Try not to hide behind shadows too long."

She walked off.

Lin Ho exhaled, returning to his room. Once inside, he sat cross-legged and summoned the spiral of golden-black Qi within his core. The meridians pulsed with a steady hum.

> "Father… Mother… I'll reach the God Realm. I'll find you."

Outside, the sun glowed peacefully over Qingye Sect. But far below the ocean, in the trench where the beasts had emerged, something vast began to stir — its eyes opening for the first time in centuries.

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End of Chapter 22