The noon sun hung high, spilling golden light through the open window, casting restless patterns across the wooden floor. Aaryan sat cross-legged, unmoving, yet his mind churned. Outside, the distant hum of Green Veil City carried through the warm breeze, blending with the herbal aroma from the clay pot on the stove. The soft creak of wood echoed in the silence—stillness outside, a storm within.

Two weeks.

It had been nearly two weeks since he had arrived, and in that time, the quiet had become familiar—though never comfortable. His days were spent caring for Kalyani, tending to small tasks, and ensuring she took the medicines he had brought, whether she liked it or not. But his nights… his nights belonged to cultivation.

Even now, his hands twitched at the thought of training, but space was limited, and Coiling Serpent Bind was impossible to practice here. That didn’t mean he had abandoned it. If anything, these past weeks had given him time to dissect the technique in a way he couldn’t before.

The moment an opponent shifts their weight…

Redirect their momentum… Coil instead of resist… Let them defeat themselves…

His understanding of Coiling Serpent Bind had once been pure visualization. But after real battles, the raw unpredictability of combat had shown him how flawed that approach was. It was one thing to imagine a strike—it was another to be seconds away from getting hit.

His fingers tapped against his knee as he reviewed the fights he had experienced. The feints, the overextensions, the wasted movements—weaknesses disguised as attacks. He could use those. The technique wasn’t just about execution but about reading an enemy’s flow. And now, he had experience to draw from.

With real battle experience, the openings were clearer. That opponent—Ren—had overcommitted, his center of gravity unguarded for a fraction of a second. Aaryan had dodged at the time, instinctively avoiding the attack. But now he knew better.

Dodging wasn’t necessary. Instead, he should have coiled around Ren’s strike, letting the force work against him.

This realization solidified what he had suspected— Coiling Serpent Bind wasn’t just about movement. It was about timing, precision, and reading an opponent’s flow in battle. He hadn’t been able to practice it in Kalyani’s home, but the next time he fought, he would see the technique differently.

A slow breath escaped him as he shifted his focus inward. While Coiling Serpent Bind had stalled, his progress with the Purification Sutra had exceeded expectations.

He could still recall the sensation—a slow-burning heat coiled deep beneath his skin, lingering long after the training had ended. It wasn’t just warmth; it was a fire woven into his very blood, purging every impurity it touched.

At first, it had been just another attempt—another night spent pushing his body to refine itself. The first stage, Internal Flow Regulation, had once been an uphill battle, but now, it was instinctive. The real challenge had been Blood Purification—a process that wasn’t just about circulating energy but about burning away every hidden flaw in his body.

When he activated the sutra, he felt it immediately.

A deep, searing heat spread through his veins, like molten iron flowing beneath his skin. His heartbeat slowed, his breath turned shallow, but the wildfire remained, consuming every impurity it found. It was as if his own blood was fighting against itself, purging anything that didn’t belong.

His jaw clenched, fingers digging into his knees as the heat surged—but he endured.

This wasn’t the first time I tried this, he had thought, but it’s the first time something is actually happening.

That was when he noticed it—the flicker of something foreign stirring in his bloodstream. A hidden energy, buried so deep he had almost forgotten it was there.

The residual medicinal effects from his breakthrough to Anima—1st Level.

At the time, he hadn’t fully absorbed all the medicinal energy that had surged through his body. Some of it had remained locked away, trapped, wasted. But with the help of Soma Root, it had been drawn out, slowly refined, finally used.

He had flexed his fingers, testing the newfound lightness in his limbs. His body felt sharper, more refined—as if a weight he hadn’t noticed before had finally lifted.

Now, as he sat in the warmth of noon, his fingers instinctively curled into a loose fist. He could still feel it—the difference. The refined strength humming beneath his skin, the smoother circulation of Urrja, the lingering sense of clarity that came with it.

I hadn’t expected it to be this effective.

But it wasn’t just the Soma Root. The resources he had won during Resource Distribution Day had played an equally crucial role. For the first time, he had cultivated without restrictions, without clawing desperately for every ounce of progress.

And that realization had settled deep inside him.

Resources determine everything.

Without them, he would have stagnated. He would have fought for scraps while others surged ahead. But with the right resources, progress had come smoothly, almost effortlessly.

Resources weren’t just about progress—they were about survival. In the sect, they were taken, stolen, fought over. Stronger disciples didn’t just cultivate faster—they made sure others didn’t cultivate at all. If Aaryan wanted to keep what was his, he couldn’t rely solely on his growing strength. He had to outthink the battlefield itself.

The warm noon light flickered against the walls, but Aaryan’s thoughts were already turning toward the future.

He had rested long enough.

It was time to move again.

The afternoon sun poured through the open window, casting a warm golden hue on the worn wooden floors. Aaryan had just finished preparing another round of congee—a dish Kalyani would likely insult, but he made it anyway, knowing she'd finish it regardless. His hands still carried the lingering heat from his cultivation session, but he couldn't help but pause for a moment, staring out the window. There was a shift in the air—something subtle, but undeniable.

As he stepped outside to stretch his legs, he spotted Kalyani talking to the neighbor again. The woman had always been friendly enough, but today, there was something different. Kalyani was standing straighter, her posture no longer as hunched as it had been days ago. And her face… her face seemed fuller, healthier, with a faint glow that had been missing before. The pills were working.

The neighbour was staring at Kalyani with wide eyes. “Kalyani, is that really you?” she exclaimed, a touch of awe in her voice. “You look… you look ten years younger!”

Kalyani’s usual stoic expression didn’t waver, but Aaryan could see the faintest twitch at the corner of her lips. She shifted uncomfortably, though she masked it quickly. “It’s just a trick of the light,” she muttered, waving her hand dismissively. “Nothing special.”

The neighbour didn’t seem convinced. “No trick of the light can do that. You’re glowing, Kalyani! I’ve never seen you look this strong before. What’s your secret?”

Aaryan, standing just out of earshot, couldn’t help but grin. He was just about to step forward when Kalyani shot him a warning glance. He raised an eyebrow, then decided to play along.

“Oh, she’s glowing alright,” Aaryan said, striding toward them with his usual cocky grin. “It’s all thanks to my miracle tonic. A little something I whipped up for her at the sect.” He wagged his eyebrows dramatically. “I call it ‘Aaryan’s Special Rejuvenation Elixir.’ Works wonders!”

Kalyani’s eyes narrowed. “I swear, if you tell them one more thing about those pills, I’ll make you eat every single one of them.”

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The neighbour raised an amused eyebrow. “Is that so? Well, if you’re handing them out, I wouldn’t mind a few.”

Aaryan smirked, flicking his fingers toward Kalyani. “See? Even the neighbours want some. You’re missing out, grandma.”

Kalyani glared at him, but Aaryan could see the small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Don’t listen to him,” she said to the neighbour, her tone sharp but softer than usual. “He’s insufferable.”

Aaryan, feeling the shift in her mood, drops his grin slightly and leans against the doorframe, watching her with an almost contemplative look. He couldn’t help but notice how strong she seemed, how different she looked from the first time he’d arrived. And how that gave him satisfaction in the depths of his heart.

The neighbour laughed, shaking her head. “You’re looking better, Kalyani. I’m glad to see you up and about.”

Kalyani gave her a brisk nod, though her eyes softened for a moment. “I’m fine. Go back to whatever it is you were doing.”

The neighbour hesitated but nodded, giving Aaryan a final curious glance before walking away.

As the neighbor walked away, the playful tension between Aaryan and Kalyani seemed to dissolve, leaving a more subdued air between them. Aaryan lingered in the quiet, his thoughts slowing as he took in the change he had been too distracted to fully notice before. The way Kalyani held herself now—it wasn’t just about the pills, though they certainly had their effect. No, there was something deeper. Something beneath the surface that she wasn't willing to show.

He leaned against the doorframe, his smirk softening as he studied her. She stood taller, more assured than she had when he first arrived—when her steps had been slower, her voice weaker. Back then, he had wondered how much time she had left.

Now? She looked like she might just outlive him out of pure spite. And honestly? He wouldn’t even be surprised.

The change in her wasn't just physical—it felt like a shift inside her too. Aaryan found himself standing still, almost caught off guard by how much he was noticing. He quickly masked the feeling, but for a brief moment, he let his grin fade.

“You know, you looked pretty young there for a second. I thought you might start doing some cartwheels or something.”

Kalyani shot him a look that could slice through steel. “Don’t tempt me. I’ll show you what’s really youthful.”

Aaryan chuckled, unbothered. “Ooh, scary. Guess I’d better behave then.” He crossed his arms. “But seriously, you’re looking good. The pills worked, didn’t they?”

Kalyani scoffed, though there was a twinkle of something in her eyes. “I’ve told you a thousand times, I don’t need your help. But fine, I suppose they’ve made a difference. Just don’t get any funny ideas about being my savior.”

Aaryan smirked. “Not my intention, grandma. Just here for the free meals and your eternal gratitude.”

Her gaze softened for just a moment before she turned away, heading back into the house. “You’re impossible,” she muttered under her breath, but there was no bite in her tone.

Aaryan followed her inside, still grinning. “Maybe. But I’m your impossible, aren’t I?”

Kalyani didn’t answer right away. Instead, she walked over to the stove, busied herself with preparing another meal, and then glanced back at him. “You’re still here, aren’t you?”

Aaryan raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe. “Yeah. What’s your point?”

“I’m fine now. You don’t need to stay,” Kalyani said, her voice almost soft, though it carried the same authority as always.

Aaryan hesitated. The words stung more than they should have, and for a moment, his gaze flickered to the worn walls of the house, the quiet air of the afternoon, the scent of the meal Kalyani was preparing. He hadn’t realized how much he had come to enjoy this little routine—how the house, the very space between them, had shifted from being a place to simply fill time to one that held... something else.

Aaryan lingered, watching the way Kalyani moved with newfound ease, strength in her posture. Hadn't she seemed weaker, less sure, only days ago? Now, she stood tall, even as she was quick to brush off any sign of help. He didn’t want to admit it—didn’t want to admit he’d gotten attached—but there was a pull here. And for some reason, he wasn’t ready to leave.

He smirked, masking the turmoil that threatened to bubble up. “Well, someone’s gotta keep you from scaring off the neighbours. And, you know… the food’s decent.”

Kalyani rolled her eyes but didn’t answer immediately. Finally, she let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. Stay, then. But don’t think you’re getting off easy. I still expect you to do your share.”

Aaryan’s grin returned. “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of it any other way.”

The scent of simmering broth filled the small house, mingling with the lingering warmth of the afternoon sun. Aaryan stood at the table, absently stirring a pot of congee, though his thoughts were elsewhere.

Tomorrow, he would leave.

It had been almost a month since he arrived, and despite how comfortable the days had become—despite the small routines that had started to feel… familiar—he knew it was time to move on. He had a path to walk, and it wasn’t within these walls.

Not that Grandma was making his departure easy.

“Don’t eat anything you haven’t seen someone else eat first,” she muttered from across the room, arms crossed as she watched him.

Aaryan quirked an eyebrow. “Ah, yes, because watching someone else die from poison first is a fantastic survival strategy.”

Kalyani scowled. “I’m serious. People will try to get rid of you, and I’d rather not have my idiot grandson drop dead because he trusted the wrong meal.”

Aaryan gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. “So you do care.”

“I care about not having to deal with the headache of someone dragging your corpse back to my doorstep,” she shot back.

He chuckled, placing the ladle down before turning to face her. “Alright, what other wisdom do you have for me, oh wise and definitely not sentimental Grandma?”

Kalyani didn’t even hesitate. “Don’t get involved with sect politics.”

“Too late.”

“Don’t provoke people stronger than you.”

“Way too late.”

She exhaled sharply through her nose. “At least don’t go fighting over every stupid thing.”

Aaryan tilted his head, pretending to think. “Define ‘stupid.’”

“Unnecessary.”

“…Define ‘unnecessary.’”

She rubbed her temples. “I swear, boy, if you come back here half-dead, I’m throwing you back out.”

“Duly noted,” Aaryan said cheerfully. “Anything else? Should I avoid mysterious old men with long beards too?”

“Yes.”

“Wait, that was a joke—”

“And don’t waste your time chasing after every pretty girl that smiles at you,” Kalyani added, narrowing her eyes.

Aaryan gasped dramatically. “Grandma, I am shocked—shocked—that you would suggest I, a humble and upright disciple, would ever—”

Kalyani waved a hand. “Spare me your nonsense. Just don’t be stupid.”

“I make no promises.”

She let out a sharp sigh, muttering something under her breath before stepping forward and smacking him lightly on the back of his head. “Just watch yourself, fool.”

Aaryan grinned but, for once, didn’t argue. Instead, he reached into his robes and pulled out a small palm sized device, placing it on the table between them. Kalyani eyed it suspiciously.

“What’s this?”

“One of the elders from the sect gave it to me,” Aaryan said, his voice turning more serious. “It’s a communication device. It’s linked to mine, so if you ever need anything—anything—just activate it, and I’ll come back.”

Kalyani stiffened, her fingers hesitating over the device.

“Hmph. What makes you think I’ll ever need to call you?” she muttered.

Aaryan smirked. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe if you miss me too much?”

Kalyani scoffed, snatching the device up and stuffing it into her robes. “Keep dreaming, brat.”

But she didn’t meet his eyes.

Aaryan saw the way her hand lingered over the spot where she had tucked the device away, the way her lips pressed into a thin line.

For just a second—a brief, fleeting second—he thought she might actually say something sentimental.

Instead, she turned on her heel. “Now finish stirring that congee before it burns, idiot.”

Aaryan snorted. “Yes, ma’am.”

And just like that, the moment was gone.

he sky was still dark when Aaryan tied his travel pack over his shoulder, slipping soundlessly through the quiet house.

Kalyani was still asleep—or at least, she was pretending to be.

He hesitated for a moment, glancing toward her room. A part of him wanted to say something. Maybe another joke, another teasing remark about how she was going to miss him.

But somehow, that felt… unnecessary.

Instead, he simply smiled, shaking his head before stepping out into the cool pre-dawn air.

What he didn’t see—what he couldn’t see—was the faint gleam of slightly misty eyes peeking from the shadows of her room.

Kalyani lay still, her hands clenched beneath the covers. She watched as Aaryan lingered at the doorway, hesitating just long enough for her to know.

Her lips pressed together.

"Brat… don’t die out there."

She wanted to say it. The words burned at the tip of her tongue. But by the time she found the will to open her mouth, Aaryan was already stepping out into the cold pre-dawn air.

She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

"Come back safely, idiot."

Then, just as quickly, she closed her eyes, letting the house fall back into silence.

The crisp morning air bit at Aaryan’s skin as he stood at the edge of a small clearing just beyond the city’s walls.

The first thing Aaryan did after leaving the city? Find a clearing. A nice, wide, nothing-to-interfere clearing.

Not because he was feeling sentimental about the sunrise.

No. Because he absolutely, completely, did not trust this damned teleportation token.

He held it up, eyeing the innocent-looking stone like it was a venomous snake. His last teleportation had dumped him in a mess he still hadn’t fully wrapped his head around—so forgive him if he was a little paranoid.

He turned it over in his hands. No visible cracks. No ominous glow. No eerie whispers of doom.

That’s what makes it even more suspicious.

Every instinct screamed at him to just walk. Take the long way. Maybe even hire a carriage—a slow, safe, non-reality-warping carriage. But that would take weeks. And effort. And patience. And, quite frankly, Aaryan wasn’t in the mood for any of those things.

He sighed. “I swear, if this thing kills me, at least I won’t have to hear Grandma say, ‘I told you so.’”

He let out a deep breath. “Alright, let’s go over this logically.”

Step one: Activate the token.

Step two: Pray.

Step three: Try not to die.

After a moment of profound hesitation and one last glance back at Green Veil City, he reluctantly activated the token.

Instantly, the familiar sensation of energy wrapping around his body took hold.

The air crackled.

The ground beneath his feet wobbled dangerously.

Aaryan tensed. “Alright, so far, so—”

The sky spun.

His stomach lurched.

A sudden realization struck him like a hammer.

The universe folded in on itself.

Aaryan had just enough time to regret every decision leading up to this moment.

“OH, COME ON—NOT AGAIN—”

And then, with a violent snap, he was gone.