Half an hour ago—
After the fierce duel between Xue Taiyang and Yi Ran concluded, Elenora, who had been observing high in the sky, was preparing to return to the guest quarters arranged for her by the Supre Dao Sect.
But just as she turned to leave, a glint of curiosity—too curious, perhaps, for a Supre Being—sparked in her eyes.
A subtle smile ford on her lips as a thought took root.
"Hmm... I can't just question him outright. That would be too abrupt. Instead..." she mused, "I'll place a Monitoring Spell on him. I need to see more of what he truly is while I remain here."
Yet even as that idea settled, another more cunning notion slipped into her mind, and her smirk deepened.
"If I can uncover a genuine weakness of his... perhaps I can make him reveal the truth himself." Her expression darkened slightly, a flicker of mischief dancing across her face.
One might wonder—why not simply use a mory Searching Spell? Surely soone of her strength could force the truth from him without resistance.
But the answer was clear.
She had stepped into the territory of the Supre Dao Sect, within the Eastern Province of the Sleeping Dragon Continent—where their authority reigned supre and unchallenged.
Even if Xue Taiyang was nothing more than an Outer Disciple, any action against him could ripple into dangerous consequences.
If she were to cast a mory Searching Spell on sect grounds, and that disciple happened to contact the elders using his Essence Token—or if they discovered it by any other ans...
The sect might ignore the cry of an Outer Disciple under ordinary circumstances. But should they discover that she, a Supre Being from another continent, had violated their territory with a forbidden magic spell...
They would see it as a blatant challenge to their sovereignty—like stepping into a dragon's lair and boldly daring to rouse it from slumber.
These proud Supre Beings of this continent might turn a blind eye to the loss of a single life, but they would go to great lengths to defend their fragile egos.
They might even kill the boy themselves just to erase the evidence, and then accuse her of his murder. All to justify a political move—turning a guest into a foe and reducing the strength of her holand.
After all, Supre Beings were strictly forbidden from crossing into other continents without a legitimate cause. She had co rely to offer congratulations, a peaceful visit under careful watch.
"No, it's too risky. Better to act with subtlety." Her lips curled upward. "I'll let him reveal his secrets on his own."
And so, with a slow, deliberate wave of her hand, a glowing magic circle ford in the air before her.
In the blink of an eye, a delicate, butterfly-shaped mark materialized on Xue Taiyang's neck, invisible to the naked eye.
"There," she said with satisfaction. "This mark holds both the Monitoring and Recording Spells. Now let's see what truths he hides."
Then, silently, she returned to her quarters—her gaze now locked on the spiritual screen that projected every move of her unsuspecting subject.
Xue Taiyang, unaware of the surveillance, walked calmly back to his abode.
But it was when Cloudia—still in her human form, sleeping atop Reon—ca into view that Elenora's eyes widened in shock.
"W-What?" she stamred. "That beast who fought alongside him against Yi Ran... she can take human form?"
That alone was shocking. A beast with such weak apparent strength should not have the power to transform—unless...
"Could she be from a Noble Lineage? Maybe... but even that wouldn't be enough for him to reveal his secrets," she muttered aloud, brows furrowed.
A flicker of jealousy tugged at her heart. "Tch... so young, yet already clinging to each other like lovers. The younger generation really doesn't know restraint these days."
"Humph! They ought to learn a bit of dignity from us," she said with a touch of pride, attempting to soothe the ache in her lonely heart.
Then, an unsettling thought struck her.
"Wait—there are no Noble Lineage Mist Cloud Foxes left in this world. That bloodline was believed extinct."
Her eyes narrowed as the pieces began to fall into place.
"The Mist Cloud Fox Clan lost its pure blood generations ago, demoted to servants under the Nine-Tailed Fox Tribe."
She paused, her mind racing.
"The highest known Mist Cloud Fox bloodline now is just the Unique-Lineage. So where did she get a Noble Lineage bloodline?"
The answer ca to her, sudden and startling.
"Don't tell ... she's a Dual-Bloodline beast?" Her eyes widened, then narrowed as a grin tugged at her lips.
"Hehehe... this is perfect." she whispered to herself, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "If that girl truly carries a rare Dual Bloodline, I can use this. Against him."
She chuckled, low and proud.
"Ah, Elenora... you really are too clever for your own good."
Without a second thought, she stood up and swiftly cast a teleportation spell.
...
Present ti.
"You brat... you're surprisingly good at hiding secrets."
The voice was soft—mature, elegant—but it ca from beside Reon's wooden bed.
His eyes snapped open, a chill running down his spine.
"W-Who...?" he whispered.
He sat up abruptly, jolting Cloudia awake. Still drowsy, she blinked sleepily—then, spotting a stranger, she shyly hid behind his back and swiftly shifted into her smaller, beast form.
Standing just beyond the bed was a woman—poised, radiant, and unfamiliar.
Her skin was as smooth as polished jade, her features refined and exuding a mature grace.
Long golden curls flowed down her back, while her erald, deer-like eyes shimred with a knowing amusent.
A graceful brow frad her gaze, and a serene, almost teasing smile played on her lips.
Reon's first thought was instinctive:
"Is this beautiful woman... one of the sect's Elders?"
Then, Luna's voice echoed within him, calm but alert.
"Master, this woman possesses imnse power. Please be cautious."
"Of course I understand that," Reon thought grimly. "For her to appear in my room without even realizing or unlocking the door... she must be at least a Elder—maybe stronger."
He considered activating Identify, but quickly dismissed the idea—soone at her level was far beyond the reach of that skill.
Reon rose from the bed and gave a respectful bow. "Greetings, Elder. May I ask who you are?"
Suddenly, her smile twitched. Her voice turned thunderous, laced with pressure that pressed against the walls.
"W-Who are you calling an Elder? I'm not even half the age of the Elders in this sect!"
BOOM!
The sheer force of her voice sent Reon flying back—until a gentle wave of energy caught him midair and placed him carefully on the ground.
"A-Ahem... my apologies. I forgot how fragile you are," she said with a slightly awkward chuckle. "Just call Miss Elenora."
Reon coughed, stunned and speechless.
"Who is this crazy woman?" he thought. "She barges into my room, blasts across it for calling her an Elder—and now wants to act like nothing happened?"
But he couldn't just say that out loud to her.
He steadied himself with a deep breath. "Cough... Miss Elenora, may I ask again—who exactly are you? I don't believe showing respect is sothing Elders would take offense to."
Elenora blinked, then sighed with mild exasperation.
"Oh, right. I forgot—on this continent, anyone even slightly mature gets called an Elder. I'm still not used to that custom."
She crossed her arms and smiled. "Well, I'm not part of this sect, so no need for formalities."
Reon's eyes narrowed. "This sect...? Then you're from another sect?"
"Sothing like that," she replied lightly. Then her tone sharpened.
"Enough small talk. Let's get to the point—I'm here to ask you sothing."
She stepped forward, eyes gleaming with curiosity, her voice cool as ice.
"Tell ... what artifact did you use to defeat Yi Ran in that duel?"
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