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In one of the mansion's rooms, one Ken has not yet been inside and probably won't be for many more years to come, Qi surged.

Directed under the power of Zhang Dongmei, inner disciple of the Twilight Lotus sect, the Qi slowly but surely takes its intended place. It manifests and becomes visible to the naked eye. Many valuable resources are drained of their energy and wither or break in order to sustain the spell.

Even for the inexperienced eye it would be easy to notice that the inscription currently being formed is unlike what is normally seen by cultivators. The pressure it exudes for one is enough to kill the regular mortal man where he stands. Then there is the uncharacteristic brightness and violent swirling.

And, most notably, it is not two dimensional like the ones found on the mansion’s surfaces or on the cultivators weapons, clothes and armor. Instead it expands through the air in all three of the axes.

As the spell reaches its peak, the runes begin to condense into a more solid form, crystallizing and forming a homogenous transparent mass like a diamond in the rough. Unfortunately it does not grow at the expected speed.

Sweat forms on the cultivator's forehead as she uses her tail as a third limb to assist with her work, her concentration unbreakable. Her legs begin shaking from strain, quickly followed by her arms and tail. Yet despite her efforts, the crystal's growth slows down even further, to the point where it is impossible to say if it is even growing at all.

Seconds pass.

Then minutes, followed by what feels like hours.

Yet nothing other than Zhang Dongmei's form changes. Her face is white as a sheet as she nears the end of her stamina, the sweat soaking her body further hinting at the bone deep exhaustion.

Then, a flash of bright light floods the room, as if the sun itself had been placed inside, so bright that its light penetrates through the hard walls of the windowless room.

It lasts for barely a moment before fading, just long enough to be perceived.

And with the lights fading, Zhang Dongmei is finally able to see the result of her labor.

A perfect sphere the size of a fist is floating a meter above ground, transparent but not perfectly so. It is faintly white, as if several drops of milk had been dropped inside during its creation. It spins ominously slowly, exuding a pressure that makes it difficult to directly look at.

Dongmei's legs finally give out from under her as she collapses to the wooden floor, her labored breath being the only sound in the room.

Stolen novel; please report.

She focuses her senses on the orb, making sure that the orb is exactly what she'd meant to create and not some failure. Fortunately for her, she had succeeded in her task. It is not as large or as pure as she could have potentially made it, but it would do.

The back of her head hits the floorboards with a dull thunk as she goes completely limp. A long sigh of relief leaves her lips and she closes her eyes.

'Even the matriarch wouldn't judge me for taking a nap now. Emperor, I can’t move my body anymore, even if I wanted to.'

Blowing a lock of hair away from her nose she uses the last of her strength to take on a more comfortable position.

Now that I have the heart… I need to strengthen the defensive enchantments, then contact an administrator and report that I've safely secured myself in Verdant Soul territory. I also have to draft a new training plan for the boy…

She drifts off to sleep as she deliberates on the tasks that await her.

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"Mother, you've barely touched your food, if you don't eat anything you'll turn skinnier than Mishi'' The voice of Daiki, Kenki's older brother, could be heard. Humor is evident in his tone, though the astute observer would notice that his smile does not reach his eyes.

"I'm just… not hungry." she replies, the words leaving her lips as quiet as a whisper, further adding onto the heavy atmosphere of the room. It would appear that this day, just like those following it, would be a slog to get through.

Turning to his father for support, Daiki only sees him shaking his head, Isamu mouths the words 'plague' while his wife isn't looking.

'Plague? Did I misinterpret him? No, perhaps he is telling me that she acted the same way after the plague struck the village?'

Daiki places a hand on his little brother Yun's head and ruffles his hair. He's pushed away but unlike his mother, the gesture does serve to lift the kid's spirit up, if only by a little bit.

'Considering how many died back then, not only in our family but in the entire village, she must have been much worse. My father is an intelligent and capable man, he must have tried many things in an attempt to lift her spirit… yet the result is this? Just wait it out?'

Daiki finishes his breakfast

'If only that little airhead wasn't so good at drawing' With grit teeth hidden behind his lips, he stands up.

"I'll go take the sheep to graze."

Before he's fully out of the room he hears his fathers voice. "Take your hat"

'I would have if I was actually doing what I said I would do, but…'

Upon leaving the front door of the house he heads in the exact opposite direction of the sheep, towards the village center.

The walk there is a short one, the first light of the sun had just occurred, bathing the entire village in red as a result.

Most of those living in the center of the village were still sleeping or just waking up. A result of them not being farmers. The reason why most farmers wake up so early in the morning is to avoid working in the blazing noon sun anyways.

Their only work when it comes to farming is the compulsory harvest of sun blessed wheat, but that particular crop can only be gathered during the middle of the day. Each household must provide the set amount regardless of occupation.

"Daiki!"

The young man turns upon hearing his name called out. It's a voice that he recognises.

"Ayame!" He holds his arm up in greeting once he sees his childhood friend.

"Here again to check for any updates on your brother, huh?" Taking in a deep breath Ayame sets down the water filled bucket she'd been carrying.

"Indeed."

"Well, fortunately for you there's been a development"

Daiki's face goes stone cold.

"A development? Ken's not dead is he?"

"Emperor, No." A charming smile on her face, Ayame waves her hands in denial. "The village head has forbidden us from talking about it but… well, perhaps it would be best to check it out for yourself. Everyone's a bit confused at the moment."

"So he's alive and well?"

"Alive and well." She confirms. "I can see that you've got a lot on your mind right now, so how about you come find me and tell me what happened after all this is done with, yeah?"

"Yeah…I will"

Ayame's smile widens "Well, you better get going then." She slaps Daiki on the shoulder before picking up her bucket and going on her way.