The caravan departed Stonebrook beneath a cloudless sky.
The King's Road stretched endlessly before them, winding through rolling hills and fields of tall emerald grass that danced with the morning breeze.
For the first few hours...
The journey was peaceful.
---
Kieran walked beside Ronan while Mira hummed a cheerful tune ahead of them.
Selene, as usual, held an old book in one hand.
To everyone's surprise...
She managed to read while walking without ever stumbling.
"I still don't understand how you do that," Mira said.
Selene didn't even look up.
"I look up every seven steps."
Mira blinked.
"You counted?"
"I did."
Ronan gave a small nod.
"Efficient."
Mira sighed dramatically.
"I feel like I'm surrounded by strange people."
For the first time in days...
The four shared a laugh.
The distance between them had become noticeably smaller.
---
By midday, the caravan entered a valley carpeted with wildflowers.
An old stone road branched away from the King's Road.
It was cracked with age, and vines crept over weathered pillars that lined its sides.
One of the younger Wanderers pointed toward it.
"Where does that road lead?"
Darius glanced at it briefly.
"A forgotten shrine."
"No one lives there anymore."
"The Guild occasionally clears the path, but few travelers bother visiting."
---
Kieran looked down the old road.
Something about it...
Felt peaceful.
Not mysterious.
Not dangerous.
Simply...
Quiet.
---
The caravan stopped nearby to allow the horses to rest.
"Stay within sight of the wagons," Darius reminded everyone.
With time to spare, several applicants wandered about the meadow.
Mira soon disappeared in search of colorful flowers.
Ronan began practicing simple spear forms beneath a tree.
Selene sat upon a fallen stone pillar and opened yet another book.
Kieran found his feet carrying him toward the old shrine.
---
The stone path was covered in moss.
Ancient statues lined either side.
Many had lost their heads or arms to time.
Yet despite their condition...
Their faces still carried expressions of serenity.
Soon...
A modest shrine came into view.
It wasn't grand.
Nor was it magnificent.
It was built from pale gray stone, surrounded by ancient oaks whose branches formed a natural canopy overhead.
At its center stood a weathered monument.
No name.
No inscription.
Only a smooth stone tablet worn away by centuries of wind and rain.
---
Kieran quietly approached.
There was nothing remarkable about it.
Yet...
He instinctively placed his hand upon the cool stone.
Closing his eyes...
He simply stood there.
Listening.
To the wind.
To the rustling leaves.
To birds singing overhead.
Everything seemed...
Connected.
Not through words.
But through existence itself.
---
Unknown to Kieran...
Far away in the caravan...
The Nine-Tailed White Fox suddenly lifted its head.
Its ears twitched.
Golden eyes fixed upon the distant shrine.
"...Interesting."
Though no words were spoken...
The fox remained where it was.
Watching.
Waiting.
---
At that very moment...
A faint warmth spread through Kieran's chest.
Hidden beneath his skin...
The Ancient Foundation Seal released another nearly imperceptible ripple.
This time...
One of its countless intricate markings dimmed ever so slightly.
The change lasted only a heartbeat.
Then everything returned to normal.
Kieran noticed nothing.
He simply opened his eyes once more.
---
"You felt it too."
The voice startled him.
Turning around...
He saw an elderly man sweeping fallen leaves from the shrine's entrance.
His robes were faded.
His hair entirely white.
He looked like nothing more than an ordinary caretaker.
Kieran bowed respectfully.
"I apologize."
"I entered without permission."
The old man smiled kindly.
"This shrine belongs to no one."
"It welcomes anyone who comes with a peaceful heart."
---
His eyes drifted toward the stone monument.
"Most visitors come looking for blessings."
"They leave disappointed."
Kieran asked,
"And you?"
The old caretaker chuckled softly.
"I stopped looking for blessings a long time ago."
"I simply enjoy sweeping the leaves."
Kieran looked around.
"But more will fall tomorrow."
"They will."
"So why sweep them?"
The old man's smile widened.
"Because today's leaves deserve today's effort."
Silence settled between them.
Kieran repeated the words inwardly.
Today's leaves...
Deserve today's effort.
Simple.
Yet profound.
---
When Kieran finally returned to the caravan...
The old caretaker watched him go.
His gentle smile slowly faded into one of quiet contemplation.
"So..."
"Another child has begun walking."
He glanced toward the weathered monument.
"I wonder how far you'll go."
---
As the caravan resumed its journey...
Kieran felt strangely refreshed.
He couldn't explain why.
The shrine had contained no treasures.
No techniques.
No cultivation inheritance.
Only an old man sweeping leaves.
Yet somehow...
It had become one of the most memorable stops of his journey.
And deep within him...
The Ancient Foundation Seal grew just a little quieter.
Not because it was weakening.
But because another piece of Crystal's final condition had quietly fallen into place.
End of Chapter 63