Chapter 362: A Silent Vow

Meanwhile, in the Grand Kingdom of Oros, Kalmira City.

The clouds above the city parted slowly, revealing a sky that had been hidden for days. In one particular building near the city center, frost spread across the walls and windows, creeping outward in delicate patterns that shimmered under the sudden light. Inside, the hall had been transformed: a thin layer of ice coated the pillars, floor, and chandeliers, reflecting the pale glow of the figure seated at its center.

Her white hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of snow, and when her eyes snapped open, a brilliant silver light passed through them, illuminating the frozen hall for a single heartbeat before fading. The pressure that followed pressed down on everything in the vicinity, and the guards stationed outside the hall dropped to their knees, unable to stand against the force bearing down on them.

Then, as quickly as it had come, the pressure vanished. The ice began to recede, melting away into nothing.

The woman rose from her seat, and her feet left the ground. She floated upward, stopping a few feet above the floor. She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers as if testing them for the first time.

"...Finally," she whispered, her lips curled upward. "The 6th circle."

She hovered in the air for a moment longer before drifting gently back down, her bare feet meeting the frost-covered floor without making a sound.

Looking down at her arms, she noticed the faint layer of dark impurities lingering on her skin, a natural byproduct of purging her body’s limits during the breakthrough. With a slight twitch of her brow, she turned and headed straight toward the adjacent bath chambers.

Twenty minutes later, she emerged wearing a beautiful silver dress that complemented her pale skin and snow-white hair, which tumbled loosely over her shoulders in damp waves.

She glided toward the pavilion’s main doors, pushing them open to reveal the courtyard outside.

"Congratulations on reaching the 6th circle, Zoe."

Zoe’s eyes lit up at the sound of a familiar voice. She turned around with a smile. "Thank you, Uncl-!"

Her words stopped mid-sentence as her eyes fell onto a figure standing beside her uncle, a faint smile playing on their lips.

"M-Master!"

Zoe called out, her voice trembling with sudden excitement. Ignoring her uncle entirely, she quickly adjusted her dress and bowed with deep reverence, her earlier composure completely replaced by eager delight.

Her uncle let out a short laugh, shaking his head at her immediate shift in focus. "See? I told you she’d forget I was even standing here the moment she saw you."

"Congratulations on your breakthrough, little Zoe." The figure stepped forward, a mild smile on his face as he gestured for her to rise. "Reaching the 6th Circle at your age is no small achievement."

"Thank you, Master!" Zoe raised her head, her bright eyes shining as she looked at him. "I couldn’t have managed it without your guidance."

"...Tsk, now you’re both ignoring me," her uncle grumbled, though the smile on his face betrayed his lack of real annoyance.

Zoe ignored him again and hurried over to her master’s side, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Master, when did you get here? Was your seclusion successful? How long are you staying? There’s so much I want to talk about with you!"

Her master let out a warm laugh. "Slow down, little Zoe. I’m not going anywhere."

"Indeed," her uncle chimed in, walking over to join them. "Let’s continue this somewhere comfortable... We have a few things to tell you too."

"..." Zoe paused and finally turned to look at her uncle, her brow furrowing slightly. "What’s the matter? Did something happen?"

Her uncle nodded. "Let’s go. I’ll explain it soon."

Without another word, the three of them rose into the air and flew toward the neighboring villa. The journey took only a few minutes, and soon they landed on a wide balcony overlooking a garden. A table had been prepared with drinks and snacks, and magic lanterns had been lit around them.

They all sat down and started talking while enjoying the refreshments. Zoe learned about her master’s small breakthrough, the reason he came here, and how long he was going to stay. She then told him about her life and progress over the past few years. She also talked about meeting some people who might surprise him, glancing at her uncle, wondering if he hadn’t spilled the beans yet.

"...Tsk, stop glaring at me." Her uncle, Craig, set his cup down with a sigh. "The old man already knows, both the boy and her."

Zoe’s shoulders dropped. She turned to her master with a look of mild disappointment. "Did you meet them already, Master?"

The old man nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "The boy was indeed as good as you said. Perhaps even better." He paused, then glanced at Craig. "But..."

Craig let out another sigh, already knowing what was coming. "Of course, the explaining is left to me. Fine." He turned to Zoe. "You might want to sit back. This is a long story. And if you interrupt, I won’t tell you anything else."

"Ok, ok, I promise." Zoe nodded half-heartedly, already fidgeting in her seat. "Hurry up!"

Craig gave her a look, then began. He told her everything, starting from meeting with Soren till the incident and the aftermath. He left out a few details he couldn’t reveal to her and soon finished.

Zoe had managed to keep her promise, though her expression had changed a dozen times throughout the story. Shock, worry, relief, anger, and everything in between had crossed her face in waves.

"So much happened," she muttered, her head lowered. "And I wasn’t there for any of it."

Craig and her master, Hector, exchanged a glance but chose to stay silent.

A moment later, Zoe raised her head. "How much time has passed since I went into seclusion?"

"...Almost two months," Craig replied.

"...Then, do you know where they went?"

Craig didn’t answer. He just looked at her, his expression unreadable. Hector watched the exchange in silence, sipping his tea.

"Why do you want to know?" Craig finally asked.

Zoe blinked. "What do you mean, why? It’s because I want to see them... I want to help. After everything you just told me, how could I just sit here and do nothing?"

"...Is your relationship with them that close?" Craig asked, his tone flat. "You were with them for barely a month. Yes, the boy helped you, and yes, you owe him for that. But he’s already been compensated more than he deserves. So stop worrying about them and focus on stabilizing your cultivation. You just broke through, so that should be your priority right now."

"..." Zoe stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then her eyes narrowed. "You’re hiding something, aren’t you?"

Craig’s expression didn’t change. "What makes you say that?"

"Because you’re never this cold about people I care about. You’re always the first one to support me when I want to help someone. So why now?" She leaned forward. "What aren’t you telling me?"

"...I’m only doing this for your own good, Zoe," Craig replied after a moment. "It is dangerous to get involved with them anymore. If you really want to pay them back yourself, just text them or send them some money; it will be more than enough. There’s no need to go looking for them in person."

Zoe stared at her uncle for a long moment, then let out a slow breath and leaned back in her chair. Her expression softened, though her eyes still held a hint of stubbornness.

"...I understand what you’re saying," she admitted. "You’re right. I only knew them for a month. It’s not like we’re lifelong friends or anything."

Craig nodded, relieved she was seeing reason.

"But," she continued, "that month was enough for me to know what kind of people they are. And I don’t think I’m wrong about them."

Craig sighed. "I never said you were wrong. I just said it’s dangerous."

"Then let me ask you this," Zoe said, turning to face him fully. "Is it dangerous because of who they are, or... because of who’s after them?"

"...You’re too perceptive for your own good," Craig muttered after a moment. "But since you know about it now, you should realize why I’m so worried. The people targeting them are more powerful and sinister than you can imagine. The gate incident is proof of that. I..." He paused, his voice dropping. "You’re the only family I have left, Zoe. Your parents entrusted you to me before they passed. I don’t want to lose you too, especially over a fight that isn’t even yours."

"Uncle..."

"So, please forget about them." He stood up from his chair, his expression hardening. "If you refuse, then forget about having an uncle and do whatever you want."

"Uncle!" Zoe called out, rising from her chair.

But he didn’t look back. He stepped off the balcony and disappeared into the night sky, leaving her standing there, hand half-raised.

"Uncle..." ℴ

She stood frozen for a long moment, unsure what to do.

"He’s right, little Zoe."

"Master?" She turned to Hector, her eyes pleading for a different answer, but Hector only shook his head.

"I don’t want to see you throw your life away either." He muttered, his expression unreadable. "The reality is that even I can’t offer them much help against forces like these. I think the best thing you can do right now is get stronger and focus on your own path."

"..."

"I’m certain they wouldn’t want you putting yourself in unnecessary danger for their sake, too."

"...I understand." Zoe lowered her head, her voice subdued. "I’ll focus on my cultivation, and I hope you’ll help me with it, Master."

Hector nodded, satisfied with her answer. "Good. Then let’s get started tomorrow. We have a lot of work to do."

"Mm." Zoe nodded, but her gaze drifted toward the night sky where her uncle had disappeared. She didn’t say anything else, but deep down, she made a silent promise.

’...I’ll get stronger. Strong enough that they won’t have to worry about me. Strong enough to make my own choices. And strong enough to make sure no one can ever hurt the people I care about again...’