The light shot across the room, striking Lin Xingyao in the chest and leaving everyone momentarily stunned.
She let out a startled yelp and stumbled back, instinctively gripping the edge of Liu Yulan's sleeve.
All three elders froze where they stood, their composure cracking for the first time.
Slowly—almost cautiously—the thin elder lifted the mirror again and angled it toward her.
The surface stirred like disturbed water, and golden radiance unfurled from it in rippling currents far too bright for a dim, lantern-lit home.
The air itself seemed to thicken.
Faint threads of light began to gather around Lin Xingyao's body, drifting like weightless silk before spiraling inward toward her chest. The lantern flame flickered violently, then steadied—burning taller and brighter as if nourished by an unseen force.
A low hum echoed through the room, subtle at first, then growing into a deep resonance that seemed to come from everywhere at once. The wooden walls creaked softly, and fine dust lifted from the floor, suspended midair as if gravity had momentarily loosened its grip.
The mirror trembled.
Its surface rippled outward in concentric waves, and the golden light condensed into a faint, rotating pattern—a halo-like ring that pulsed in rhythm with Lin Xingyao's breathing. Within that light, fleeting symbols flickered into existence and vanished just as quickly, ancient and indecipherable.
Even the space around her distorted slightly, as though the world itself were leaning closer.
The elders exchanged looks of shock.
"…Impossible…?"
"Such… a pure Primordial essence."
Lin Xingyao blinked at them with wide, frightened eyes. "Um… is that a bad thing?"
Before anyone could respond, the mirror pulsed again, the radiant ring sharpening into a clear, trembling wheel of light. The hum deepened, and for a brief instant, a faint phantom shadow—vast and indistinct—seemed to loom behind her before dissolving into nothingness.
The sunken-eyed elder drew in a sharp breath. "The omen… it wasn't for the newborn."
His gaze locked onto Lin Xingyao, burning with sudden excitement.
"It was for her."
Liu Yulan's face drained of color. "What? No. No—Xingyao has nothing to do with any omen."
The braided elder stepped forward. "Child, come here."
Lin Xingyao took a half-step back without thinking and pressed herself against Liu Yulan's leg. "M-Mom?"
"Liu Yulan… this is no longer a matter of preference."
Lin Zheng's expression turned strained, his jaw tightening as he struggled to remain composed.
Li Chen didn't understand most of what was happening, but the shift in the room was unmistakable. Something had changed—and it wasn't small.
The thin elder flicked two fingers toward the doorway, and a faint translucent barrier shimmered into place, sealing it silently.
Liu Yulan stiffened immediately. "You intend to silence us—?!"
The thin elder exhaled through his nose, his expression turning faintly annoyed. "The Temple does not engage in such practices. We are not here to coerce you."
Liu Yulan's gaze remained cold. "Then why seal the door?"
"We sealed it because what we offer is something you should hear in full."
Lin Zheng looked between them, tension evident in his voice. "Then speak plainly."
The elders exchanged brief glances before the braided woman stepped forward.
"We wish to nominate the girl for entry into the main branch," she said calmly. "She would represent Pearlroot Temple. A talent like hers is rare—far rarer than you realize. With proper cultivation, she could rise to the inner ranks."
Liu Yulan shook her head, almost desperately. "She isn't—"
"We understand your fear," the thin elder said gently, "but listen to our terms."
Lin Xingyao tightened her grip on Liu Yulan's dress, her small body trembling.
The sunken-eyed elder folded his hands behind his back. "First: both of you will be offered positions within the Temple grounds. You will live under Pearlroot's protection."
Lin Zheng's eyes widened. "Inside the Temple… as residents?"
"With a monthly stipend," the braided woman added. "Enough to ensure comfort. No more fishing through storms or fearing the winter."
For the first time, Liu Yulan faltered.
The thin elder continued, "Second: if she shows even modest talent, the Temple will sponsor your relocation to Azure Reef City. Your children will receive formal education, and your future will be secured."
Liu Yulan took a slow breath. "And if… she chooses not to join?"
A quiet silence settled over the room.
"She will not be forced," the thin elder said at last. "However… leaving a talent of this magnitude untrained carries its own risks…"
Liu Yulan lowered her gaze to the girl clinging to her. Lin Xingyao's tiny fists were clenched tightly, fear and confusion written plainly across her trembling frame.
"Mom…" Lin Xingyao whispered. "I don't know. I'm scared."
Liu Yulan knelt and cupped her cheek gently. "I know, little pearl. But we have to choose what keeps you safest."
In Liu Yulan's arms, Li Chen remained silent. With so little understanding of this world, he couldn't tell whether this was salvation or the beginning of something far worse.
Lin Zheng finally drew in a long breath, steadying himself. "Elders… this offer. Is it genuine? Truly? No consequences if she fails?"
"None," the thin elder replied. "And there is no need to speak of failure."
He clasped his hands behind his back. "You have two days. At dawn on the third, we will return to escort her to Azure Reef City—if you consent."
Lin Xingyao's eyes widened. "I have to go… that soon?"
"Discuss it as a family," the thin elder said with a slight nod. "We will not pressure you further."
With a wave of his hand, the barrier dissolved.
The three elders turned and left as quietly as they had entered.
Lin Zheng closed the door behind them and let out a long breath, resting his forehead against the wood. He didn't speak, simply standing there as if the weight of everything had settled on his shoulders.
Lin Xingyao, still clutching Liu Yulan's sleeve, suddenly swayed and slumped forward, slipping into sleep from sheer exhaustion.
"She's worn out," Liu Yulan murmured softly.
She carefully set Li Chen down, then lifted Lin Xingyao and laid her gently on the bed. After making sure the girl's breathing had steadied, she stepped outside.
Lin Zheng was already there, waiting.
"We always knew something like this could happen one day," he said quietly.
Liu Yulan gave a faint, bitter smile. "Maybe… but not this early. And not from our village Temple. I didn't even know they possessed a treasure like that mirror."
Lin Zheng nodded slowly. "Still… there are worse fates. Pearlroot Temple belongs to the Jade Stream lineage. She may have a future far beyond anything we could give her."
From his blanket, Li Chen listened in confusion, his thoughts racing.
Wait… were they acting earlier?
Those two fooled even me?!