Back in my guest room, I sat cross-legged on the bed, still trying to process what Azure had just told me. The pale morning light filtering through the window did nothing to make the situation feel more real.

"An artificial being," I repeated, running my fingers through my hair. "How is that even possible?"

"Only a cultivator above the Life Realm could create something so complex," Azure explained. "Those weren't just missing meridians we saw – they were manufactured channels that had completely burned out. Like circuitry that had been overloaded."

I thought about Wei Ye's appearance when we'd found him this morning – pale, lifeless, barely breathing. Then that moment when the blue sun's energy had filled those invisible channels, bringing him back from the brink.

"That's why the blue sun's energy worked," I mused. "It's similar to Life Realm energy in some ways, isn't it? Both are fundamentally about creation and restoration."

"Yes," Azure agreed. "The blue sun's energy is saturated with life force. For a construct like Wei Ye, it would be like... receiving a transfusion of something very close to his original power source."

I flopped backward onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. "What does that make Wei Lin and Wei Guang then? Are they...?"

"No," Azure replied quickly. "I've analyzed them both extensively. They're completely human – though that raises even more questions."

"You're telling me." I sat up again, unable to stay still. "How does an artificial being have human children? Is Wei Ting human? Did she know what he was when they married?" The questions tumbled out faster than I could process them.

Azure was quiet for a moment. "Perhaps we're thinking about this wrong," he finally said. "We're assuming Wei Ye was always artificial. What if he was human once?"

That stopped my spiral of questions. "You mean... someone transformed him? But why would—"

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. "Young Master Ke Yin?" It was one of the servants. "Master Wei Guang requests your presence in the study."

I exchanged a mental look with Azure before responding. "I'll be right there."

The walls of the Wei family's study were lined with books and scrolls, a massive desk carved from rare thunderwood sat opposite the door, and there were windows that offered a perfect view of the compound's main courtyard.

Wei Guang stood by one of these windows, his usual composed demeanor slightly ruffled.

"Ah, Ke Yin," he turned as I entered. "Thank you for coming so quickly. I thought you should know – we just received some interesting news about the Sun family's situation."

I raised an eyebrow, trying to look merely curious rather than intensely interested. "Oh?"

"It seems their Stellar Realm cultivator has... vanished." Wei Guang's lips twitched in what might have been a smile. "Apparently, he took their initial payment and disappeared sometime last night. Their whole plan is in shambles."

Last night. The same night Wei Ye had nearly died.

"How... convenient," I said carefully.

Wei Guang's almost-smile widened slightly. "Isn't it just? Father always said timing was everything in business." He paused, his expression growing more serious. "Though there's something strange about the whole affair. Before he disappeared, this daoist gave some lectures at the Sun family compound. Several Qi Condensation cultivators who attended experienced qi deviation afterward. Even one of their Elemental Realm experts was affected."

That caught my attention. Qi deviation in an Elemental Realm cultivator? That shouldn't be possible from just listening to a lecture.

"Were there any... casualties?"

"Most recovered, though they're severely weakened." He turned back to the window. "The Sun family paid him an enormous sum up front. For a Stellar Realm cultivator to abandon such a lucrative contract, especially after deliberately harming his employer's forces..."

"Maybe he found a better offer?" I suggested, watching Wei Guang's reflection in the glass.

"Maybe." His tone made it clear he didn't believe that for a second. "Or maybe he encountered something that made him reconsider his career choices."

I thought about Wei Ye's condition this morning, about Azure's discovery of his true nature. What kind of being could frighten a Stellar Realm cultivator into breaking a contract and fleeing?

"Master," Azure's voice held a warning note, "remember what we sensed when healing Wei Ye – those weren't just burned out channels. There were traces of... something else. Something dark."

Before I could pursue that thought, there was a light knock on the study door. Lin Mei poked her head in, her usual cheerful expression slightly hesitant.

"Sorry to interrupt," she said, "but we should start thinking about heading back to the sect soon. Senior Sister Liu will be expecting us."

Wei Guang nodded. "Of course. We wouldn't want to delay your return any longer than we already have." He turned to me with a warm smile. "The Wei family owes you a great debt, young master Ke Yin."

I waved off his words, still uncomfortable with their gratitude. "Really, it was nothing—"

"You saved our father's life," he interrupted firmly. "That is never 'nothing.'" His expression shifted then, something cold and calculating entering his eyes. "And as for the Sun family... well, they're about to learn why you don't try to destroy a tiger without making absolutely sure of the kill first."

The way he said it - the tone, the slight curl of his lip, the dangerous glint in his eyes - it was so similar to Wei Ye that for a moment I could barely tell the difference between father and son.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Whatever the Wei family was planning, I was glad I wouldn't be around to witness it.

Lin Mei waited until we were in the hallway before speaking again. "Since we're heading back anyway," she said casually, "I was thinking... your family's village isn't too far off our route, it’ll only add a few more days to our journey. We could stop by if you'd like?"

My heart skipped a beat. The original Ke Yin's family... I hadn't let myself think about them much, but Lin Mei's suggestion brought all those complicated feelings rushing back.

"I..." I swallowed hard. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not?" she asked, genuine confusion in her voice. "You've advanced so much in just a few months! Your parents would be so proud."

And there was the problem. A few months. The original Ke Yin had only left home a few months ago. Not nearly enough time for the dramatic changes in personality and behavior to seem natural. In cultivation novels, protagonists who took over other people's bodies always seemed to fool everyone so easily, but reality wasn't so simple.

How could I face two people who had raised their son from birth? Who knew every expression, every gesture, every little habit? Even if I could somehow explain away the personality changes as 'cultivation enlightenment' or something similar, there would be countless tiny tells. The way I held chopsticks, the foods I instinctively reached for, how I laughed or frowned or scratched my nose – a thousand little things that would feel wrong to parents who had watched their child grow up.

"It was..." I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "It was hard enough saying goodbye the first time. I don't want to put them through that again so soon. They need time to adjust to me being gone, and I need time to focus on my cultivation."

Lin Mei's expression softened. "That's really thoughtful of you. It must be difficult, but you're right – sometimes being kind means staying away."

I managed a weak smile, grateful she had accepted my excuse. The guilt of deceiving her – of deceiving everyone – sat heavy in my chest, but what choice did I have? 'Sorry, I'm not actually Ke Yin, I'm just borrowing his body' wasn't exactly a conversation I could ever have.

***

The next few hours passed in a blur of preparations and goodbyes.

"Mother, we can't possibly carry all this," Wei Lin protested, watching servants bring out yet another basket of food. He touched the storage ring on his finger. "Even with my ring, there's a limit."

"Growing cultivators need proper nutrition," Wei Ting insisted, directing servants to stack supplies near Rocky. "And Rocky..."

"Rocky eat lot!" Rocky rumbled proudly, making Liu Chen grin from his perch on the stone guardian's shoulder.

"Don't worry, Auntie," Liu Chen called down, helping to secure baskets to Rocky's broad shoulders. "Rocky's really strong! He can carry tons!"

"Now remember," Wei Ting fussed with Wei Lin's robes, "I've packed healing talismans, emergency signals—"

"Mother!" Wei Lin protested, though he didn't pull away. "We're cultivators, not children going to the market."

"You'll always be my child," she replied, pulling him into a tight hug. Before he could escape, she had somehow grabbed Lin Mei as well, enveloping them both.

"Lin Mei," Wei Ting's voice grew thick with emotion, "please keep an eye on my foolish son."

"Mother!" Wei Lin's muffled protest came from somewhere in the group hug.

Wei Guang, who was watching from the side, maintained his dignified stance right up until Wei Lin broke free and tackled him with a hug that nearly sent them both sprawling.

"Stay safe," Wei Guang whispered, his composed facade cracking as he returned the embrace.

"Always," Wei Lin promised.

I stood back, watching the family moment, absently turning my new storage ring. The weight still felt foreign on my finger - a sudden jump from having nothing to managing a ring full of spirit stones and resources.

Through the bustle, I noticed Wei Ye walk over. He looked completely recovered, though I noticed he wore a white pendant that seemed to glow faintly in the morning light.

"Master," Azure's voice held a note of unease, "that pendant... there's something not right about it. The energy signature is unlike anything I've encountered. It's almost as if it's... consuming something."

Before I could process that, Wei Ye approached. Up close, the pendant's glow seemed to pulse ever so slightly, like a heartbeat.

"That man you mentioned," I said quietly, trying not to stare at the artifact. "The one with similar energy to mine. Who was he?"

Wei Ye's expression darkened, one hand unconsciously moving to touch the pendant. "Pray you never meet him," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Some paths, once walked, can never be fully abandoned."

"The pendant's reaction intensified when he touched it," Azure observed. "It's definitely not a normal cultivation tool. The energy patterns... they're almost like the channels we saw in his body, but inverted somehow."

I wanted to ask more questions - about the man, about the pendant, about Wei Ye himself - but something in his eyes stopped me. Instead, I bowed. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"I think I'm the one who should be thanking you." He reached out as if to pat my shoulder, then seemed to think better of it. "Safe travels, young Ke Yin. And... watch yourself at the sect. Power draws attention, and not all attention is welcome."

Wei Lin called out that we should get moving if we wanted to make good time. I nodded to Wei Ye and turned to join my friends, leaving the mysteries of Wei Ye and his true nature behind. For now, at least.

As our small group passed through Myriad Paths City's gates, I couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed in such a short time. I'd arrived at the Wei compound as a third-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, nervous about my first time leaving the sect. Now, around two weeks later, I was leaving as a fifth-stage cultivator with an inner world that defied convention.

I glanced at my companions – Wei Lin and Lin Mei chatting happily, still firmly in the third stage of Qi Condensation. Even Rocky, for all his impressive size and strength, was only at the fifth stage like me. It felt strange being the strongest in our little group, but also... nice. Not in an arrogant way, but in the sense that I could better protect my friends if needed.

"Master," Azure's voice echoed in my thoughts, "you're smiling."

I was, I realized. Despite all the complications and mysteries, despite the weight of secrets I carried, I felt... content. I had friends who saw me as me, not as the person whose body I inhabited. I had power growing at a rate that would make any xianxia protagonist proud. And most importantly, I had a path forward that was entirely my own.

"Just thinking about how far we've come," I replied mentally as we walked down the road, leaving the city behind. "And wondering what's next."

"Your two suns are preening again. I think they like it when you acknowledge your progress."

I had to stifle a laugh. Sure enough, both the red and blue suns were putting on quite a show in my inner world, their light display making the Genesis Seed's branches cast ever-shifting shadows across the terrain.

"Show-offs," I thought back. Then, more seriously, "Azure... what Wei Ye said about paths that can't be abandoned – do you think he was talking about the demonic dao?"

"Perhaps," Azure replied thoughtfully. "Though I suspect there's more to his story than simple cultivation gone wrong.”

I nodded absently, watching Liu Chen demonstrate some kind of dramatic story to Rocky, complete with wild hand gestures that nearly sent him tumbling off the stone guardian's shoulder.

"One mystery at a time," I decided. "For now, let's focus on getting everyone back to the sect safely. Then we can worry about artificial beings, mysterious cultivators, and whatever other surprises are waiting for us."

"A wise choice," Azure agreed. "Though I do hope you realize that by saying that, you've practically guaranteed we'll run into at least three life-or-death situations before reaching the sect."

I groaned. "Don't even joke about that. This isn't some cultivation novel where the protagonist can't travel ten miles without encountering ancient ruins or young masters looking to cause trouble."

"Of course not," Azure's voice was perfectly serious. "I'm sure our journey will be completely uneventful."

"You're mocking me, aren't you?"

"I would never, Master."

A/N

That concludes book 1!

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