A nearly invisible, mysterious figure moved forward in silence. She wore a black, assassin-style robe, and a dark mask concealed her face, revealing only a pair of sharp, cold eyes.
It was daytime.
The sun had already risen high into the sky, bathing the clan city in bright light. The streets were alive—disciples moved toward training grounds, guards stood alert at their posts, and clan members went about their daily routines. Warm sunlight reflected off stone paths and tiled rooftops, and the city buzzed with ordinary life.
Yet within this brightness, the figure moved as though she did not belong to the world itself.
She passed guards without drawing attention, crossed manor entrances unnoticed, and slipped through crowds as if she were nothing more than a passing breeze. No one sensed her presence.
At last, she stopped before the Fang Family Manor.
Even under daylight, the manor carried a different aura—tall walls, ancient stone pillars, and faint spiritual fluctuations hidden within its protective formations. This was no ordinary residence. Every brick seemed to carry the weight of history and bloodline.
This figure was none other than Chu Jingxia.
Her thoughts flowed quietly:
"So I've arrived… Did they already leave the banquet hall? I sensed their movement earlier."
Her gaze drifted inward.
"If they are still together now, then it means they have already realized that someone was watching them."
She slowed her breathing even further.
"I'll have to be more careful. The Bloodshade Phantom Pill can evade even Rank 5 powel level… I just must not collide with anyone."
Without hesitation, she stepped forward.
The solid wall of the Fang Manor seemed to lose its meaning entirely—
and she passed through it as if it never existed at all.
***********
Inside the banquet hall,
all eyes were fixed on Fang Lin and Fang Qinxian.
As Fang Lin walked toward Fang Qinxian,
his thoughts churned:
"A single black mist was enough to affect everyone… If someone is truly watching me, then this is dangerous. They could discover my weaknesses—
or even realize that I am not the real Fang Lin."
For a brief moment, the tension on his face became clearly visible.
Fang Qinxian noticed the change immediately. Looking at Fang Lin's troubled expression, he spoke in a steady, reassuring voice:
"Don't worry. There is no need to panic. I am about to give you something—something that will ensure no one can easily harm you."
Hearing this, Fang Lin looked at Fang Qinxian's calm, confident face and thought:
"If he is doing this for my sake, then why should I hesitate? I should be relieved… even grateful. My family is willing to go this far just to ensure my safety."
With that thought, Fang Lin finally reached Fang Qinxian's side.
Standing not far from Fang Qinxian, Kael Rukhan watched the scene in silence.
A thought crossed his mind:
"What kind of thing does the Fang family head possess… that allows him to stand with such confidence?"
Fang Qinxian released his Rank 5 peak golden aura.
The moment his aura surged, the ring on his finger began to glow intensely. Space itself seemed to tremble. From the ring, an artifact slowly emerged, carried by the flow of his aura.
A circular artifact, slightly smaller than a fist, floated above his palm. Its thickness was about a single finger.
The moment it appeared, a heavy and ancient pressure flooded the entire banquet hall.
On one side of the artifact was engraved the visage of a Buddha, serene and calm, radiating boundless peace.
On the other side was the face of a Demon, fierce and oppressive, carrying endless wrath.
As the artifact hovered, the hall itself seemed to lose its sunlight.
On one side, purple-black demonic aura spread like an abyss, suffocating and violent.
On the other side, golden light bloomed gently, sacred and warm, symbolizing enlightenment.
Fang Lin, standing directly in front of Fang Qinxian, widened his eyes.
"What kind of treasure is this…? Just its aura alone is enough to choke everyone's breath," he thought.
Kael Rukhan was equally shaken. His voice trembled as he spoke,
"Did you… take out that thing?
The artifact that was sealed away and considered a forbidden secret many years ago?"
His eyes shone brightly, unable to hide his shock.
Even Fang Qinxian's wife was stunned.
"I never imagined the Fang Family possessed such a thing… Even my husband kept this hidden from me," she thought.
A trace of anger surfaced in her eyes.
"What kind of father is this? Such a treasure should have been given to his own child… not to someone else."
Nearby, Su'er looked at Fang Hanbo, her voice trembling.
"If our family truly had something like this… why wasn't it given to our daughter?
If she had possessed it, she might still be with us today…"
Tears flowed down her cheeks.
Fang Hanbo gently comforted her.
"At that time… we didn't know such a disaster would occur. That is why the secret treasure was kept hidden."
Fang Qinxian grasped the artifact firmly in his hand. His posture was proud, his voice calm and confident. As he spoke, the overwhelming aura was immediately suppressed.
"Fang Lin, this artifact is one of the top five treasures of the Fang Family.
Our ancestors kept it a secret for countless years."
He then placed the artifact into Fang Lin's hands.
"Its name is the Samsara Demon-Buddha Artifact."
Inside Fang Lin's mind, the name echoed endlessly.
Samsara… Demon… Buddha…
Fang Qinxian continued,
"This artifact can be used for both defense and offense.
It is a Rank 5 artifact. As for how it came into our family—even we do not know.
All we know is that it has always been protected as a supreme secret."
He looked directly at Fang Lin.
"As the head of the Fang Family, I give this to you so that you may remain safe.
You are the first in our family to awaken an A-grade aptitude.
We do not wish to lose you."
Fang Lin stared at the Samsara Demon-Buddha Artifact in his hands and spoke softly,
"So that's how it is…"
He then bowed deeply.
"Family Head, thank you… truly. I never imagined you would do so much for me."
Yet inside his heart, another thought surfaced—quiet, cold, and unmistakably clear.
"Is this treasure really given to me.This isn't because I am Fang Lin…
"It's because I possess greater talent and greater power than others."
"In this martial world, good fortune and precious treasures are never given to the weak or the low-graded."
"They are reserved only for the talented… for the geniuses."
"If justice truly existed, this artifact should have gone to Fang Qing because he has a family head son, not me.
He is B-grade, while I am A-grade."
"But the world doesn't reward fairness—it rewards superiority."
"And right now… I am the superior one."
A faint smile appeared in his heart.
"But then again… if something benefits me, why should I ever refuse it?"
The moment the Samsara Demon Buddha Artifact settled into Fang Lin's palms, it trembled—
not violently, but as if it were breathing.
A faint hum spread through the banquet hall.
Fang Qinxian said in a deep, warning voice,
"Fang Lin, this artifact does not accept anyone easily.
Once blood-bonded, it recognizes only one master.
If you hesitate now, step back."
Fang Lin lowered his gaze to the artifact.
On one side, the Buddha engraving radiated calm, golden serenity.
On the other, the Demon visage pulsed with dark, oppressive will—
as if daring him to choose.
He did not hesitate.
Fang Lin bit the tip of his finger and let one drop of blood fall onto the artifact.
The instant the blood touched its surface—
Hiss—
The drop vanished.
The hall shook slightly.
Golden light and black demonic mist erupted at the same time, spiraling around Fang Lin's arm like twin serpents. The Buddha side glowed warmly, while the Demon side roared with silent fury.
Kael Rukhan's pupils shrank.
"A dual-recognition…? Impossible…"
The artifact suddenly pressed itself against Fang Lin's chest, shrinking and reshaping. Threads of ancient patterns spread like invisible silk, weaving into his clothes, his skin—then disappearing completely.
The moment the blood-bonding completed, the pressure vanished completely.
The Samsara Demon Buddha Artifact, which had moments ago merged against Fang Lin's chest, suddenly lost all presence—as if it had become an ordinary object.
It slipped free and fell directly into Fang Lin's hand.
No aura.
No light.
No pressure.
Just a slightly heavy, ancient-looking circular artifact—silent and plain.
Fang Lin blinked in surprise.
Before he could say anything, Fang Qinxian spoke calmly:
"…It's done."
He looked at Fang Lin and continued,
"Wear it around your neck.
As long as it stays close to your heart, it will protect you at all times."
Only then did Fang Lin notice a thin rope tied to the artifact—
gray-black in color, old yet unbroken, as if time itself had failed to wear it down.
Without hesitation, Fang Lin slipped the rope over his head and wore it.
The Samsara Artifact rested against his chest.
At Fang Qinxian's gesture, Fang Lin tucked it inside his clothes, hiding it from view.
From the outside—
Nothing had changed.
But Fang Lin could feel it.
Not power.
Not warmth.
But a quiet sense of distance, as if danger would have to cross an invisible boundary before reaching him.
Fang Lin raised his head and asked, genuinely curious:
"How does it work?"
Fang Qinxian's gaze sharpened slightly.
"This artifact does not activate by primal essence alone," he said slowly.
"It responds to intent."
"When it senses hostile intent directed at you, it automatically forms a defensive field.
Weak attacks are nullified silently.
Stronger attacks are distorted, reduced, or redirected."
Fang Qinxian placed a firm hand on Fang Lin's shoulder and spoke in a low, steady voice:
"The Samsara Demon Buddha Artifact has limits."
Fang Lin's attention sharpened instantly.
"Without using primal essence, it can activate only five times," Fang Qinxian continued.
"After those five activations, it will enter a dormant state and can only be used again after twenty-four hours."
His gaze deepened.
"That is why—if you ever sense real danger—inform us immediately. Do not try to handle everything alone."
Fang Lin hesitated for a moment before asking carefully,
"…And if primal essence is used?"
Fang Qinxian nodded, as if expecting the question.
"With primal essence, the restrictions change.
As long as you have sufficient essence, you can activate it whenever you wish."
He paused deliberately before delivering the key point:
"At its limit, the artifact can defend against attacks up to Rank 5."
Fang Lin's eyes widened instantly.
"Rank… five?"
"Yes," Fang Qinxian confirmed calmly.
"But its true effectiveness depends on your cultivation realm.
The higher your rank, the more efficiently the artifact responds."
He then clarified the earlier limitation:
"Without primal essence, it can only block attacks up to Rank 4, and only five times.
Once those five activations are used, there will be no protection left—no matter the danger."
Silence followed.
Fang Lin slowly nodded, his expression serious now.
"I understand."
Inside, however, his heart was anything but calm.
A treasure that can block Rank 4 attacks without essence…
And block attack of your cultivation stage with essence…
His fingers tightened slightly.
This is no longer just protection.
This is a lifeline… and a responsibility.
He lifted his head and met Fang Qinxian's gaze, determination clear in his eyes.
"I will keep this in mind."
********
An invisible figure silently passed through walls and barriers, arriving directly inside the Fang family's banquet hall.
She moved to a corner and stood there quietly, as if no one existed in that space at all.
It was Chu Jingxia.
She murmured under her breath,
"So they're still here… that means they've already realized someone is watching them."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Hmph. It doesn't matter. I won't make the same mistake again."
Her gaze soon drifted toward Fang Lin.
A few moments later—
"…What is this now?"
Her voice trembled with shock and disbelief.
"He's getting another treasure?"
Confusion and disbelief flooded her mind.
"Just how lucky can one person be?" she whispered bitterly.
"First, he was given the chance to choose a sword and a cultivation manual—something countless people would die for.
Then the patriarch personally handed him a storage ring, and that was surely no ordinary treasure.
After that, even his friend brought him gifts, someone who didn't even choose a sword for himself…"
Her teeth clenched.
"And now—another artifact?"
"This is bad…"
Her expression twisted—anger, greed, and helplessness mixing together.
"For just one cultivation manual, I was assigned to secretly watch over someone.
I've had to risk myself, hide, endure, and scheme for something I don't even truly like…"
Her fists tightened inside her sleeves.
"And yet he gets everything handed to him so easily."
**********
Fang Lin had just turned around, about to leave, when a voice sounded from behind him.
"Fang Lin, you're going out for a walk, right?"
Fang Qinxian said in a relaxed tone.
"Do you have any spiritual stones with you?"
Fang Lin froze. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head and replied hesitantly,
"Spiri… spiritual stones?"
Inside his mind, panic erupted.
What… spiritual stones? I've never even heard of those.
Just then, a heavy voice echoed in his mind.
"What? You don't even know about spiritual stones?"
"It's the basic currency of this world. You use them to trade, buy resources, techniques, and artifacts."
Fang Lin nearly jumped internally.
Wait—who said that?
"…Lingyi? When did you wake up? I thought you'd never wake up again."
Then he added mentally,
"Well, thanks for explaining. Now I get it. Spiritual stones… I've read about these in novels before."
Lingyi snapped irritably,
"Stop spouting nonsense. I'll explain everything later.
Right now, answer the family head properly, or he'll misunderstand."
"…Right."
Fang Lin nodded internally.
Just as Fang Lin was about to speak—
Fang Qinxian, noticing his hesitation, spoke first,
"If you don't have any, don't think too much about it.
You can ask me directly. There's no need to feel burdened."
Before Fang Lin could react, a sharp voice rang out in the hall.
"Family Head, there's no need for concern.
We simply forgot to give them earlier."
Fang Lin turned toward the voice.
It was none other than his father—Fang Hanbo.
Before Fang Lin could even form an opinion, an arrogant voice echoed through the hall.
"Elder brother, you don't need to trouble yourself with such matters anymore.
I am the family head now—leave these things to me."
Fang Hanbo's face darkened with embarrassment, and he lowered his head.
Fang Lin tried to process the situation, but before he could—
Fang Qinxian calmly took out a large pouch from his storage ring and handed it to Fang Lin.
"take it, Fang Lin," he said evenly.
"There are fifty white spiritual stones and three red spiritual stones inside.
This should be enough to last you until you enter the sect."
Fang Lin took the pouch.
It was at least the size of two clenched fists.
He quickly bowed.
"Thank you very much for your generosity, Family Head."
A faint devilish smile appeared on Fang Lin's face.
Today, my luck is insane.
I don't even know the exact value of these things…
But judging by this reaction, they must be extremely valuable.
Fang Qinxian's wife, upon seeing this, nearly exploded with anger.
Her face turned red as she spoke to him through secret voice transmission.
"Why are you going this far?"
"Shouldn't you care more about your own son?"
Fang Qinxian shot her a sharp gaze and replied coldly through the same method.
"What I do is not for you to question."
"Interfere again, and you'll regret it."
Then his eyes darkened.
"And that useless Fang Qing—where has he run off to?"
"As an elder brother, he should be staying by Fang Lin's side and protecting him."
Watching Fang Lin leave, Fang Qinxian thought to himself,
I'm doing all this to push the Fang family ahead of the Tian family.
This opportunity will never come again.
I will not lose it—for the sake of a wife or a son.
*********
In the corner of the hall, Chu Jingxia witnessed everything.
She nearly fainted from shock.
Still in her invisible state, she murmured in disbelief,
"This is… far too unfair."
"He even got spiritual stones—an entire bag!"
Her chest tightened with envy.
"There must be at least thirty or forty stones in there…"
"I only get three stones a week…"
She was too far away to hear their exact conversation, but even without hearing it clearly—
The scene before her eyes was more than enough to make her heart burn.