The chamber remained silent.
The shadow clone stood several meters away.
Motionless.
Featureless.
Nothing more than condensed darkness shaped into the outline of a lizard.
Lizarius stared at it.
Then activated the newly acquired bloodline.
**Eyes of Truth.**
The world shifted.
Not physically.
But perceptually.
Countless faint lines seemed to emerge from existence itself.
Some vanished almost immediately.
Others stretched into the distance beyond the chamber walls.
Most were too faint to properly examine.
Then—
his gaze landed on the shadow clone.
And he froze.
A thread connected it directly to him.
A bright blue thread.
The line extended from the clone's chest directly toward his own body.
Unbroken.
Stable.
Obvious.
Lizarius narrowed his eyes.
*Blue?*
The thread continued to glow softly.
His gaze shifted between the clone and the thread several times.
*I thought I wouldn't see anything.*
The clone wasn't alive.
It wasn't even a true creature.
It was merely a construct created from his shadow.
Yet the thread remained visible.
The lizard fell silent.
Thinking.
Then finally asked.
*Why is there a blue thread?*
*You only mentioned four colors.*
The answer arrived immediately.
**[The user possesses an incomplete understanding of Eyes of Truth.]**
Lizarius waited.
The system continued.
**[The previously displayed thread colors were examples of the most commonly encountered categories.]**
**[They are not the only thread types.]**
The lizard's eyes narrowed slightly.
*Explain.*
The system complied.
**[Red Threads — Hostility, hatred, aggression.]**
**[Gold Threads — Fortune, opportunity, luck.]**
**[Purple Threads — Debt, obligation, gratitude, karmic ties.]**
**[Black Threads — Death, fatal outcomes, destruction.]**
A brief pause followed.
Then—
**[Blue Threads represent direct connections.]**
Lizarius stared at the glowing line.
The system continued.
**[Ownership.]**
**[Control.]**
**[Creation.]**
**[Authority.]**
**[Spiritual linkage.]**
**[Dependency.]**
The blue thread pulsed faintly.
**[The shadow clone was created by you.]**
**[It remains connected to you through shadow energy.]**
**[Therefore, a Blue Connection Thread is visible.]**
Silence filled the chamber.
Lizarius continued observing the clone.
The explanation made sense.
Simple.
Clean.
The clone existed because of him.
Its shadow energy originated from him.
Its actions depended entirely upon him.
The connection was undeniable.
Therefore—
the thread existed.
The system continued.
**[Additional thread colors exist.]**
**[Some represent emotions.]**
**[Some represent bloodline relationships.]**
**[Some represent ownership.]**
**[Some represent contracts.]**
**[Some represent fate intersections.]**
**[Some represent temporary influence.]**
**[Some represent soul entanglement.]**
The lizard's golden eyes flickered.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
*So the four colors weren't the only ones.*
**[Correct.]**
**[The four colors were merely the most important introductory classifications.]**
**[As proficiency increases, additional thread types may become visible.]**
**[Your understanding directly influences interpretation.]**
Lizarius stared at the blue thread once more.
Then slowly turned his gaze toward himself.
For a moment—
he wondered.
If he looked outward.
At Ling Wei.
At Ling Yue.
At the Clan Head.
At the Four Great Elders.
How many threads would he see?
How many connections existed that ordinary eyes could never perceive?
Debts.
Hatred.
Fortune.
Death.
Relationships.
Contracts.
Lies.
The possibilities were endless.
The shadow clone continued standing silently.
The blue thread connecting it to him glowed steadily within his vision.
For the first time—
Lizarius realized that Eyes of Truth might be far more dangerous than he initially believed.
Because information was power.
And seeing connections others could not perceive…
was often more valuable than seeing the future itself.
The small white-scaled lizard remained motionless.
Golden eyes fixed upon the glowing blue thread.
Learning.
Observing.
Understanding.
One secret at a time.
---
The streets of Lotus City remained lively as Ling Wei and Ling Yue exited the Golden Lotus Pavilion.
Merchants called out to passing customers.
Spirit beast-drawn carriages rolled steadily along the roads.
Cultivators moved between shops and trading halls with practiced ease.
Yet neither sibling paid much attention.
Their destination was already clear.
And unfortunately—
so was the reason for it.
Ling Yue walked beside her brother with her hands clasped behind her back.
"What do you think it wants this time?"
Ling Wei sighed softly.
"How would I know?"
His expression carried quiet helplessness.
"Trying to understand that thing is a waste of effort."
Ling Yue couldn't argue with that.
After all—
nothing the white-scaled monster did was ever normal.
After a few moments, Ling Wei added,
"At least the timing wasn't worse."
"Hm?"
"If it had activated the mark while you were in the middle of breaking through…"
His expression turned slightly grave.
"…that wouldn't have ended well."
Ling Yue immediately winced.
Cultivators despised interruptions during breakthroughs.
Even minor disturbances could cause injuries.
More severe interruptions could damage cultivation foundations entirely.
And the pain caused by the mark?
That was far from a minor disturbance.
She nodded quickly.
"Yeah."
Then a faint smile appeared on her face.
"Still."
She straightened slightly.
"I'm officially at the Fourth Stage of Spirit Refining now."
A trace of pride entered her voice.
Ling Wei glanced at her.
Then chuckled softly.
"Congratulations."
Ling Yue grinned.
"You still haven't broken through."
Ling Wei's eye twitched slightly.
"…I noticed."
"Looks like little sister is catching up."
"Don't get arrogant."
"I'm not arrogant."
"You sound arrogant."
"I'm celebrating."
"That's just arrogance with extra steps."
Ling Yue immediately rolled her eyes.
The two continued walking.
For a while—
the conversation remained light.
Relaxed.
A rare atmosphere for them recently.
Eventually, Ling Yue spoke again.
"You know…"
"Hm?"
"If you really think about it…"
She hesitated briefly.
"This situation isn't entirely bad."
Ling Wei looked at her.
"Oh?"
Ling Yue shrugged.
"We've obtained resources."
"Our cultivation has improved."
"We're stronger than before."
A pause.
"Without… that thing…"
She didn't dare say Lizarius's name.
"…none of that would've happened."
Ling Wei remained silent for several moments.
Then slowly nodded.
"I suppose."
It wasn't entirely wrong.
The situation was terrifying.
Dangerous.
Potentially fatal.
Yet the opportunities it had created were equally real.
Ling Yue smiled faintly.
"See?"
Ling Wei snorted softly.
"Let's wait until we're no longer poisoned before calling ourselves lucky."
"…Fair."
The siblings continued toward the Ling Clan estate.
Soon—
the familiar walls came into view.
Guards greeted them respectfully as they entered.
Neither of them stopped.
Their pace remained steady as they moved deeper into the clan grounds.
The afternoon sun bathed the courtyards and walkways in warm light.
Disciples trained in the distance.
Servants moved between buildings with practiced routine.
Everything appeared peaceful.
Normal.
For a brief moment, Ling Yue almost forgot they were walking toward a hidden monster capable of wiping out the entire city.
Then—
a voice called out.
"Ling Wei."
"Ling Yue."
The siblings stopped.
Both turned simultaneously.
A young man in blue robes approached from the opposite direction.
His long blue hair was tied neatly behind him.
His features were sharp.
Handsome.
Confident.
Several disciples followed at a respectful distance.
The moment Ling Yue recognized him, her expression shifted slightly.
Ling Wei's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
Ling Jianfei.
The second son of the Clan Head.
One of the most talented younger-generation disciples in the Ling Clan.
And—
their cousin.
Jianfei stopped several meters away.
A faint smile rested on his face.
"Cousins."
His tone was polite.
Even friendly.
Yet something about his gaze felt unusually sharp today.
His eyes lingered briefly on both of them.
Especially Ling Wei.
Then he smiled again.
"It seems you've both been difficult to find recently."
Ling Yue exchanged a quick glance with her brother.
Ling Wei stepped forward slightly.
"We've simply been cultivating."
Jianfei chuckled softly.
"So I've heard."
His gaze sharpened just a fraction.
"The Golden Lotus Pavilion seems to be seeing quite a lot of you lately."
Silence.
For the briefest moment—
the atmosphere shifted.
Not hostile.
Not friendly.
Something more probing.
Ling Wei maintained a polite smile.
"One must cultivate while opportunities exist."
Jianfei nodded slowly.
"Indeed."
His eyes lingered on Ling Wei a moment longer.
Then he laughed softly.
"Well said."
Yet inwardly—
Ling Wei felt a faint sense of caution.
Unlike the elders earlier—
Ling Jianfei wasn't asking questions on behalf of the clan.
He was asking for himself.
And that made him far more difficult to deal with.
Ling Wei maintained his calm expression.
Yet he made no effort to hide his impatience.
"If Cousin has something to say, please do."
His eyes met Jianfei's directly.
"Is there something in particular you want?"
Ling Yue immediately glanced between them.
The atmosphere remained polite.
But she could already feel the conversation growing uncomfortable.
Ling Jianfei blinked.
Then laughed lightly.
"Particular?"
He spread his hands.
"Why the rush?"
His gaze swept over the siblings.
"You seem to have somewhere important to be."
Ling Wei answered immediately.
"Yes."
There wasn't even a moment of hesitation.
Jianfei raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
Ling Wei nodded.
"It seems so."
The answer was neither a confirmation nor a denial.
Yet it somehow carried complete sincerity.
Ling Yue almost laughed.
*What kind of answer is that?*
Jianfei seemed equally amused.
For a moment, he simply studied his cousin.
Then he smiled.
"Interesting."
Ling Wei remained silent.
Waiting.
After a few seconds, Jianfei finally sighed.
"Fine."
"It isn't anything important."
His tone remained casual.
"I merely wanted to congratulate you both."
Ling Yue blinked.
"Congratulate us?"
Jianfei nodded.
"The elders have been speaking highly of you lately."
His gaze shifted toward Ling Wei.
"Especially after your summons to the grand hall last month."
Neither sibling reacted.
Jianfei continued.
"The Cloud Sword Sect examination isn't a small opportunity."
"Many disciples would be jealous."
Ling Yue smiled awkwardly.
"We haven't even decided yet."
Jianfei laughed softly.
"You'll go."
His tone carried complete certainty.
Then he added,
"Anyone with ambition would."
Ling Wei's expression remained unchanged.
"Perhaps."
Jianfei watched him carefully.
As though searching for something.
A reaction.
An emotion.
Anything.
Unfortunately—
Ling Wei had spent the last month dealing with something far more terrifying than Jianfei.
Compared to Lizarius—
this felt almost relaxing.
After several moments, Jianfei finally shook his head.
"You've changed."
Ling Yue stiffened slightly.
Ling Wei merely asked,
"Have I?"
"Yes."
Jianfei's smile faded slightly.
"Before, you would've spent half this conversation explaining yourself."
"And now?"
Ling Wei smiled faintly.
"Now I'm busy."
For a brief second—
Jianfei stared.
Then unexpectedly burst into laughter.
Even the disciples behind him looked surprised.
"Haha!"
"Fair enough."
He shook his head.
"I won't keep you any longer."
Ling Wei immediately nodded.
"Thank you."
The speed of his response almost made Jianfei laugh again.
Ling Yue quickly cupped her fists.
"Then we'll take our leave."
Jianfei stepped aside.
"Go."
The siblings wasted no time.
They immediately continued down the corridor.
Their pace noticeably faster than before.
Jianfei watched them leave.
The smile on his face gradually faded.
One of the disciples behind him stepped forward.
"Young Master Jianfei?"
The blue-haired youth remained silent for a moment.
His gaze lingered on the departing backs of Ling Wei and Ling Yue.
Then he spoke softly.
"They're hiding something."
The disciple blinked.
"Something related to the resources?"
"Maybe."
Jianfei folded his arms.
"Maybe not."
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"The strange thing isn't that they became richer."
"It's that they became different."
The disciple looked confused.
Jianfei continued watching the siblings disappear into the distance.
Ling Yue looked nervous.
Ling Wei looked calm.
But both of them—
looked like people carrying a secret they could not afford to reveal.
And for some reason—
that secret felt far more interesting than a few spirit stones.