Death has a peculiar way of focusing the mind.

One moment, I was being transformed into pure light by a fanatical priest. The next, I was opening my eyes to find myself cocooned in a protective shell of vines within the Wei family's training ground.

The transition was even smoother this time – perhaps I really was getting used to dying.

"Master?" Azure's voice carried a note of concern. "How are you feeling?"

I took a deep breath, appreciating the simple act of having lungs that weren't being converted into divine energy. "I'm fine." The night air was cool against my skin, carrying the scent of spirit herbs from the nearby gardens. "How long was I gone for?"

"Approximately two hours here," Azure replied. "Though you spent about a month in the Two Suns world."

I nodded, letting that sink in. Still plenty of time before the duel with Chen Wu. More importantly, though...

I turned my attention inward, examining my inner world. The Genesis Seed still floated at the center, while the miniature red sun cowered in one corner, as usual. But what really drew my attention was the new addition – a tiny blue sun huddling in the opposite corner, as far from its red counterpart as possible.

"Congratulations on another power-up, Master," Azure said, a hint of pride in his voice.

I couldn't help but smile. "If it wasn't for the Genesis Seed's ability to purify the energy and prevent me from going insane like the others, I wouldn't dare bring something like this back. Hell, I probably wouldn't return to that world at all."

The differences between the two energy sources were fascinating. The red sun's power seemed heavily focused on physical enhancement at Rank 1, only branching into elemental manipulation at Rank 2.

The Lightweavers, on the other hand... I'd only seen Rank 2 and above, but they all demonstrated impressive healing abilities alongside their light manipulation.

"Though I doubt they're limited to just that," I said internally. "The Two Suns' magic system operates on runes at its core. The main difference is just the energy source they use to power them. I wouldn't be surprised if you could power Skybound runes with blue sun energy..."

"We can test that theory another time, Master."

"You’re right,” I nodded. “Let’s see what effects the raw power of the blue sun has."

I focused back on my inner world and reached for the blue sun's energy, but the celestial orb proved surprisingly reluctant. It tried to shrink away, but the Genesis Seed's attention snapped toward it like a stern parent. The tiny sun practically wilted under that gaze, releasing its energy with what felt like a sulky huff.

The red sun started glowing slightly brighter – almost smug – until the Genesis Seed turned its attention that way. The red sun immediately dimmed, radiating an almost palpable sense of "I wasn't doing anything!"

As the blue energy flowed through my body, my brown eyes flickered with an azure light. The lingering exhaustion from my death vanished instantly, replaced by... something else. For a brief, disturbing moment, I had an overwhelming urge to start preaching about divine light and sacred purification, but it passed almost immediately thanks to the Genesis Seed's influence.

"The blue sun's madness really is more potent than the red sun," I murmured as the urge passed. "They just do a better job hiding it."

Focusing on the sensation helped me understand the priests better, though. This energy was absolutely overwhelming in its vitality. It wasn't just "full of life" – that description fell woefully short. Every cell in my body felt supercharged with pure, righteous power.

"The true strength of the blue sun isn't healing or light manipulation," I realized. "It's the fundamental promotion of life itself. The healing is just a side effect." I let out a dry laugh. "No wonder they convinced so many people they were the 'good guys.' This energy practically radiates divine righteousness."

"Master," Azure interrupted my thoughts, "your soul essence has increased by 50 points."

Cultivation: Qi Condensation Stage 4

Inner World: 135 cubic meters

Soul Essence: 850/850

Spiritual Essence: 750/750

Physical Essence: 700/700

Special Features: Blue sun active

Notes: Soul enhancement active, duration unknown

Looking at the 50 points increase, I nodded. It made sense.

While the red sun focused on the physical, the blue sun seemed to resonate more with the soul – which explained all that "purification" nonsense. Both could affect spiritual energy, but they each had their specialties.

But then I thought of something that deeply concerned me. "Azure..."

"What's wrong, Master?"

"That Rank 2 priest couldn't permanently damage my soul, but a higher-ranked Lightweaver might be able to." I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "We should probably avoid the Two Suns world for now. Or at least steer clear of any Lightweavers if we do go back."

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"A wise precaution," Azure agreed. "Though the Genesis Seed's protection might extend to your soul as well. It's worth investigating... carefully."

The blue sun's energy gradually faded, returning my stats to their base, but leaving me feeling surprisingly refreshed.

"Do you need rest before we begin training?" Azure asked.

I shook my head. "The blue sun took care of that. Let's figure out how to create a Fundamental Rune in this world."

We discussed our options. The first was trying to weave the rune directly in my inner world using red sun energy – theoretically possible, but incredibly advanced. The second was the traditional method of inscribing it on my physical body.

"You don't have enough practice creating runes with pure energy," Azure pointed out. "Elder Molric mentioned it was a higher-level technique."

"True. I have exactly zero practice with that." I nodded. "The physical inscription method is probably safer. We can channel the red sun's energy through it afterward."

I commanded the plants that were covering me to withdraw so I could stand up, I then stretched muscles that felt surprisingly good thanks to the blue sun's lingering effects.

It was time to gather the equipment needed to inscribe the rune.

The Wei compound was quiet at this hour, but I managed to find a servant to guide me to Wei Lin's room.

Wei Lin looked up in surprise when I knocked. "Why are you here, I thought you'd be breaking through for at least another..." He trailed off, studying my face more closely. His eyes widened. "You... you've already broken through!"

I couldn't help but smile at his excitement. "I was only a hair's width away anyway."

Relief flooded his expression – clearly, he'd been more worried about the duel than he'd let on. "Did you want to get some combat practice in? We could—"

"Actually, I need a knife."

"If you're hungry, you could have asked a servant," he said, looking confused. "Though we did just eat... then again, breakthroughs can work up an appetite—"

"No," I cut him off with a smile. "I need a knife capable of cutting through the skin of a fourth-stage Qi Condensation cultivator."

Wei Lin opened his mouth, probably to ask why, then seemed to think better of it. "Come in," he said instead, shaking his head. "I should have a few."

His room was exactly what I'd expect from a merchant's son turned cultivator - practical luxury with hidden depths. The furniture was expensive but chosen for durability, and what looked like simple decorative carvings were actually storage seals. A desk near the window was covered in papers full of neat calculations and lists.

Wei Lin rummaged through one of the many boxes until he eventually produced a knife. The blade was dark metal with subtle patterns that seemed to shift in the lamplight, and the handle was wrapped in what looked like spirit beast hide.

I raised an eyebrow at how casually he handled such an expensive item. "That's... not a common tool."

Wei Lin shrugged. "You can have it if you want. I don't even use it. Father's always sending me cultivation resources I didn't ask for. I think he hopes I'll eventually focus more on combat techniques."

He then studied my face carefully, was that the look of guilt in his eyes?

"I keep thinking about Father's challenge. Are you sure about this? Chen Wu isn't just some hired muscle – he's one of our best combat specialists."

"I noticed," I replied dryly. "The way he controls his qi... he's had proper training."

Wei Lin nodded. "Father hired him specifically because he's good at testing potential recruits. He can fight at exactly the level needed to push someone to their limits without accidentally killing them." He paused. "Usually."

"How reassuring."

"I'm serious, Ke Yin. If you want to back out..."

I shook my head. "I need that wind essence." I didn't add that after what I'd just experienced in that other world, a spar with a 5th Stage Qi Condensation cultivator seemed almost relaxing.

Wei Lin sighed, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. "I thought you'd say that. Well, if you're determined to do this..." He handed over the knife to me.

"Thank you." I carefully accepted the blade, testing its weight. "Could you find out what you can about Chen Wu's fighting style? Any techniques he favors?"

Wei Lin's laugh surprised me. "Already on it. Did you think I'd let my brother face one of Father's cultivators without proper intelligence? By morning, I'll know everything from which leg he leads with when he attacks to his favorite breakfast."

I left feeling oddly touched by his dedication.

Back in my room, I settled onto the meditation mat and opened my robe, exposing my chest. The knife felt cool against my palm as I centered myself, preparing to inscribe the Fundamental Rune that would let me store the red sun’s energy.

"Ready, Master?"

I took a deep breath, visualizing the pattern we'd practiced so many times in the Two Suns world.

"Ready."