Ling Yu ran out of Xue Qin Lou and headed straight for the Zhang Family Clinic, still clad in her maid uniform. Her feet pounded against the stone-paved streets as dusk settled over Baishan City, painting the sky in hues of orange and deepening purple. Lanterns flickered to life along the roads, their soft glow guiding her way. She didn't waste a breath—not when her dream was so close. It's here! Her heart thumped in rhythm with her footsteps. Finally!
As she neared the clinic, she caught sight of two figures exiting from the opposite side—Zhao Zhi and Xu Yun. Neither spared her a glance, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Ling Yu, equally focused, didn't recognize them. Her gaze was fixed ahead, eyes burning with determination.
Reaching the entrance, she was immediately intercepted by a weary-looking employee. "Sorry, miss," he said, shaking his head, "we're closed."
Ling Yu didn't falter. Without missing a beat, she pulled out the wooden token and held it up, the character 选(xuǎn)—chosen—catching the lantern light. "I have this!" Her voice was firm, her dark brown eyes sparkling with unwavering hope. "You can't refuse me."
The employee's eyes met Ling Yu's, and something in her unwavering gaze made him falter. His earlier sternness crumbled as he stepped back, visibly shaken. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought—then quickly regained composure. "My apologies, Miss," he stammered. "Please—this way."
With that, she grinned and followed the man inside, ready to claim what she believed was her destiny.
The employee led Ling Yu through the dim corridors toward the restricted area. The air grew heavier as they walked, the muffled sounds of the clinic fading behind them. Upon reaching a guarded entrance, they were met by a Warrior—the same one who had subdued Xuan Tian earlier.
The Warrior's gaze flicked to Ling Yu, then to the employee. "What is it?" he asked.
"She has a wooden token," the employee explained, bowing slightly.
The Warrior's eyes narrowed, but he nodded. Without another word, he reached into his robe, retrieved a token, and approached the barrier. Gripping Ling Yu's wrist, he stepped forward. The barrier rippled, parted just wide enough to admit them, then sealed shut behind their backs.
Ling Yu glanced around as they entered a large hall beyond the courtyard. Her eyes widened at the sight before her—people sat cross-legged in neat rows, their expressions blank, eyes unfocused. A soft hum of energy filled the air, vibrating faintly against her skin.
"What are they doing?" she asked, curiosity bubbling to the surface.
"Cultivating," the Warrior replied flatly.
"OH!" Ling Yu's eyes sparkled even brighter, excitement practically radiating off her. So this is how it's done!
The Warrior watched her closely, his gaze sharp, assessing. Then, seemingly satisfied, he turned toward a wall cabinet, opened a drawer, and retrieved a small reddish-brown pill. Without ceremony, he handed it to her.
Ling Yu took the pill, examining it briefly. "What's this for?"
"Take it," the Warrior said, indicating the rows of people with a tilt of his chin. "Then you'll be like them."
Without hesitation, Ling Yu popped the pill into her mouth. Her face twisted instantly. So bitter! Grimacing, she chewed faster, trying to get it over with. "Drink, please! It's bitter!" she managed between chews.
The Warrior silently poured her a cup of tea and handed it over. Ling Yu gulped it down, but the bitterness still lingered, making her grimace again. Feeling his eyes on her, she paused and stared back at him, her brows lifting as if to say, What? Never seen someone suffer through a disgusting pill before?
The Warrior's expression remained unreadable, but his gaze didn't waver. Ling Yu shifted slightly, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Is it always this awful?" she muttered.
No answer. Just that same intense stare. Ling Yu huffed. Geez, what's his problem? She was about to open her mouth and ask exactly that when—
"ARGH!" A scream tore through the air.
Ling Yu jumped, spinning around to find the source of the sound. Her eyes darted across the room, searching for the man responsible for that loud, pitiful scream.
"What happened?" she asked, brows furrowed.
Behind her, the Warrior didn't flinch. He kept his gaze fixed on her back, unmoved. Ling Yu, sensing his stare again, turned to face him. "Someone's screaming like that and you're not even going to check?"
"It's normal," the Warrior said flatly. "That's what it feels like to develop an Immortal Core." His lips curled into a sinister smirk. "You'll scream like that too."
Ling Yu's expression went blank. She stared at him, blinking. "I… will scream like that?" she repeated, dumbfounded.
The Warrior's eyes glinted with something unreadable. His shoulders relaxed, voice dropping into a monotone. "Come. I'll take you to your room. You'll develop your core there—without disturbing anyone."
Ling Yu was led down another hallway until they reached a door. Without ceremony, the Warrior opened it, gestured her inside, and shut it behind her with a definitive click. The lock slid into place.
The room was small and bare, furnished only with a wooden bed, a simple table, and two chairs. The walls, plain and unadorned, reflected the starkness of the place. Ling Yu scanned the room quickly—no hidden compartments, no ominous tools—just... emptiness.
The earlier scream had stopped. Ling Yu exhaled in relief. Okay... not terrifying at all, she thought, though the lingering echo of that scream clung to her nerves. "He said my core will develop... and that I'll scream too," she muttered to herself. She glanced at the door. So... I just sit here and wait?
With a huff, she sat cross-legged on the floor, mimicking the cultivators she'd seen earlier. "Alright, let's get this over with," she muttered. Time passed. Then more. ...Nothing's happening. Her excitement slowly melted into boredom. Seriously? This is supposed to be life-changing?
She stood and began pacing. Maybe moving around will help? Or jumping? Her patience wore thinner with each passing second until—
There it is.
A strange warmth bloomed in her abdomen. Ling Yu froze. Wait... oh no. The warmth intensified, twisting into a sharp pain that made her double over. "Oh no, this hurts—this really hurts!" she gasped, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
The pain subsided just as quickly as it came. Ling Yu straightened, breathing heavily. Phew—
Then it returned. Worse.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" she cried, clutching her stomach. This is worse than I imagined! Feels like I'm being stabbed and twisted at the same time! She staggered toward the door. The pain ebbed. She sighed—
And then it hit again, more intense. "OH COME ON!" Her legs squeezed together instinctively. Wait... this isn't core formation— Her eyes widened in horror. I NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM!
Panic flooded her. She banged on the door. "HEY! Emergency here! It's not the core—it's something else!"
Silence.
Ling Yu clenched her jaw. No one's coming. Fine. Reaching up, she yanked the hairpin from her hair. I knew this would come in handy. Kneeling by the lock, her fingers moved swiftly, expertly. Come on... come on...
The lock clicked open. YES!
She bolted out the door—legs pressed tightly together—half-running, half-waddling down the dim hallway lit only by moonlight. "I can't believe this!" she hissed between breaths. Where is the damn bathroom?!