The courtyard gradually fell quiet once more.
The cool evening breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees, carrying with it the faint scent of flowers drifting through the estate.
Ling Yufei smiled faintly as she looked at the siblings.
"I was actually looking for the two of you."
Ling Wei gave a polite nod.
"...For what reason?"
Ling Yufei folded her arms across her chest.
"The entrance examination for the Cloud Sword Sect will begin soon."
Her gaze shifted between the two of them.
"I heard that both of you are among the disciples recommended by the clan."
Ling Wei nodded again.
"That's correct."
"Good."
Ling Yufei smiled.
"Then the two of you should begin preparing yourselves."
"The Cloud Sword Sect isn't an ordinary sect."
"The entrance examination is notoriously difficult."
She paused for a moment before her expression became noticeably more serious.
"And remember..."
"...Don't bring shame upon the Ling Clan."
Before Ling Wei could respond—
Ling Yue frowned.
"...What do you mean by 'bring shame upon the clan'?"
Ling Yufei turned to look at her.
Ling Yue folded her own arms.
"You should be worrying about yourself instead."
"After all..."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"...We're all Fourth Stage Spirit Refining cultivators."
Ling Wei blinked.
He hadn't expected his sister to answer so directly.
Ling Yufei, however, merely let out a soft chuckle.
"I was only offering some advice."
She didn't appear offended in the slightest.
Instead, she calmly continued.
"Besides..."
"Cultivation isn't the only thing the Cloud Sword Sect evaluates."
She raised a slender finger.
"They also consider age."
Her eyes settled on Ling Yue.
"You and I may currently share the same cultivation realm..."
"But I'm still several years younger than the two of you."
She smiled faintly.
"That is what talent means."
She slowly circled around them as she continued speaking.
"The younger someone is when they reach a particular realm..."
"...the greater the potential they possess."
"The sect values future growth more than present strength."
"There is also an age limit for admission."
"So while cultivation is certainly important..."
"...it is only one of several factors they take into consideration."
Ling Wei nodded thoughtfully.
"...That's true."
Ling Yue remained silent.
She couldn't deny it.
Talent wasn't measured solely by one's cultivation realm—
it was also measured by how quickly one reached it.
High above them—
hidden completely from everyone's sight—
Lizarius quietly observed the exchange.
His golden eyes remained fixed on Ling Yufei.
Countless colored threads extended from the young cultivator.
Gold.
Gray.
Purple.
A faint trace of red.
And—
another thread.
One he had never encountered before.
A soft green thread.
It stretched gently toward both Ling Wei and Ling Yue.
Unlike the others—
it carried neither tension nor hostility.
Lizarius became thoughtful.
*Explain the new thread.*
The response came immediately.
**[Green Thread Detected.]**
**[Represents care, affection, goodwill, and positive emotional attachment.]**
Lizarius remained silent.
The system continued.
**[Green Threads commonly appear between family members, close companions, trusted allies, mentors, and individuals who possess genuine concern for another person's well-being.]**
**[Thread intensity corresponds directly to the strength of the emotion.]**
Lizarius examined it carefully.
Interesting.
The green thread connecting Ling Yufei to the siblings was neither exceptionally bright nor particularly faint.
Steady.
Stable.
Without obsession.
Without possessiveness.
Simply...
Concern.
*So she genuinely wishes them well.*
The realization was mildly unexpected.
Outward appearances could be fabricated.
Words could deceive.
But emotional threads...
Were far more difficult to falsify.
Lizarius silently committed another observation to memory.
*Green.*
*Care.*
*Affection.*
*Goodwill.*
His understanding of the Threads of Truth deepened a little further.
Below—
the conversation continued as though nothing had happened.
Completely unaware that the invisible, terrifying creature resting atop Ling Yue's head had just uncovered yet another hidden color within the emotions of living beings.
Ling Wei gave a polite nod.
"Thank you for your concern."
"We'll keep it in mind."
For just a brief moment—
Ling Yufei's composed expression faltered.
A faint blush crept across her cheeks.
"W-Who's concerned about you two?"
She quickly crossed her arms and looked away.
"I just don't want to see members of the Ling Clan disgrace our family."
"That's all."
Her voice carried a trace of embarrassment that she tried—
and completely failed—
to conceal.
She turned around almost immediately.
"Just..."
"...keep it in mind."
With that—
she hurried away before either of them had the chance to respond.
The siblings watched her disappear along the stone pathway.
Silence lingered for a few moments.
Then—
Ling Yue smirked.
"...Brat."
Ling Wei glanced at her.
"People really do change as they grow up."
Ling Wei smiled faintly.
"...Yeah."
"She used to be such a nice kid."
Ling Yue laughed softly.
"And now she acts all mature."
The two of them resumed walking toward the estate gates.
Several minutes later—
Ling Yue suddenly remembered something.
"...Brother."
"Hm?"
"Are we really going to the Cloud Sword Sect..."
She looked toward Ling Wei.
"...Can we even go?"
Ling Wei instinctively lifted his gaze upward.
Toward the seemingly empty space above Ling Yue's head.
A helpless smile appeared on his face.
"...I don't think I'm the one you should be asking."
Ling Yue blinked.
"...Right."
She slowly tilted her head upward.
"...Senior?"
Silence.
She called out again, this time a little louder.
"Senior."
"We've been recommended to participate in the Cloud Sword Sect's entrance examination."
She hesitated briefly before continuing.
"...Would it be alright if we went?"
Several moments passed.
Then—
the invisible lizard finally answered.
His calm, emotionless voice drifted into their ears.
"Hm."
So...
They intended to join a sect.
A brief silence followed.
Then he asked,
"When?"
Ling Yue's eyes immediately brightened.
"...Senior?"
"Does that mean you'll allow us to go?"
Before Lizarius could answer—
Ling Wei spoke first.
"The entrance examination begins in about twelve days."
"The recommended disciples are expected to arrive three days beforehand."
"So..."
"We'll need to leave Lotus City in approximately nine days."
He paused before adding,
"The Cloud Sword Sect is nearly a week's journey from here."
Silence followed once more.
The invisible lizard remained quiet.
His golden eyes became thoughtful.
After a long moment—
Lizarius finally spoke.
"...I see."
His tone remained as calm and indifferent as ever.
"Very well."
Both siblings stopped walking.
Ling Yue's eyes widened.
"...Really?"
"Yes."
"The sect may possess knowledge worth acquiring."
"There is no reason not to observe it."
Ling Yue's face immediately lit up with delight.
"Thank you, Senior!"
Ling Wei also released a quiet breath of relief.
Although some uncertainty still remained...
At least they now had an answer.
Above them—
the invisible white-scaled lizard slowly closed his golden eyes once again.
The siblings continued walking through the bustling streets of Lotus City.
Night had fully descended.
Spirit lanterns illuminated the roads one after another, casting a warm glow across the polished stone streets.
Merchants called out to lingering customers.
Restaurants buzzed with lively conversations.
The rich aroma of roasted meat mingled with the earthy fragrance of medicinal herbs drifting through the evening air.
Ling Yue's steps had become noticeably lighter.
Every now and then—
she hummed softly to herself.
Ling Wei couldn't help glancing at her.
"...You're in a good mood."
Ling Yue smiled brightly.
"Of course."
"We can still go to the Cloud Sword Sect."
"And Senior agreed."
She lowered her voice slightly.
"I was honestly worried we'd have to refuse the recommendation."
Ling Wei nodded.
"So was I."
Above her—
Lizarius remained completely motionless.
Invisible.
Silent.
Listening.
The conversations of countless humans drifted through the streets around him.
Most of them were meaningless.
Idle gossip.
Business negotiations.
Family discussions.
Petty arguments.
Yet every so often—
a useful piece of information surfaced.
He simply listened.
Observed.
Analyzed.
Remembered.
Before long—
an elegant building came into view.
The magnificent seven-story structure stood proudly near the heart of the commercial district.
Golden spirit lanterns illuminated its grand entrance.
Beautiful lotus carvings adorned its towering pillars.
Guests continuously entered and exited through its ornate doors.
The Golden Lotus Pavilion.
Ling Yue looked up at the towering building.
"We're here."
The siblings ascended the broad stone steps together.
Before they could reach the entrance—
a graceful young woman dressed in refined robes approached with a courteous smile.
The moment she recognized them—
her smile became even warmer.
"Young Master Ling."
"Young Miss Ling."
She bowed gracefully.
"Welcome back to the Golden Lotus Pavilion."
Ling Wei returned the greeting with equal politeness.
"We've come to browse a few items."
"Of course."
The attendant smiled warmly.
"Our pavilion is honored by your visit."
She respectfully gestured toward the lavish interior.
"Please, come inside."
The siblings stepped through the grand entrance.
The familiar fragrance of sandalwood and spirit herbs immediately greeted them.
Brilliant crystal lamps illuminated the spacious halls, their soft light reflecting from countless treasures displayed throughout the pavilion.
Weapons.
Spirit herbs.
Alchemy ingredients.
Talismans.
Rare ores.
Ancient scrolls.
Every item had been meticulously arranged upon elegant shelves and display cases.
The attendant walked a respectful distance ahead as she guided them.
"If there is anything in particular the Young Masters are searching for, I would be delighted to assist."
Ling Wei instinctively glanced toward Ling Yue.
Or more accurately—
toward the invisible passenger resting atop her head.
For a brief moment—
nothing happened.
Then—
a calm voice echoed softly into the ears of only the siblings.
"Split up."
Both of them froze for the briefest instant.
The attendant noticed their hesitation.
"...Is something the matter?"
Ling Yue quickly forced a smile.
"N-No."
She turned toward her brother.
"I'll look around upstairs."
Ling Wei immediately understood.
"Then I'll search the first and second floors."
The attendant nodded politely.
"Very well."
"I shall have someone accompany each of you."
Above Ling Yue—
Lizarius slowly opened his golden eyes.
His invisible gaze swept across the bustling pavilion.
Humans.
Cultivators.
Treasures.
Shelves filled with objects he had never encountered before.
And perhaps—
among them—
lay the knowledge he sought.