Aaryan sat cross-legged, still poking at his meridians like a child inspecting a broken toy. His brow furrowed in brief thought.

Maya watched him for a moment, then spoke gently. "You're wondering why your cultivation's gone."

He glanced up, cautious. "…You're not going to say it was stolen by a ghost, right?"

"No," she said dryly. "Your body was completely reconstructed. Not just healed."

Aaryan blinked. "Reconstructed? As in… rebuilt?"

"Yes. The damage was too severe. The only option was to use high-grade pills and rare herbs to remake your foundation. Every muscle, every vein, every meridian—everything had to be restructured."

She paused. "Which means… you'll have to go through Body Tempering again. From the beginning."

Aaryan was quiet.

A long silence stretched.

Maya braced herself for the outburst. Any normal cultivator would panic. Rage. Despair. At the very least, sulk.

Instead, he tilted his head, expression unreadable for a beat—

Then grinned.

"Hah! So, I'm rebooted, huh? Well, as long as I still got my old personality and charm, I should be fine."

Maya blinked. "You're… smiling?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" he said with a shrug. "I'm alive. Sure, I'm back at square one. But square one is still better than being buried six feet under, isn't it?"

Sampoorna, still hidden, raised an eyebrow. Maya's surprise was more visible. Her lips parted, but no words came for a moment.

"You're... okay with this?"

Aaryan looked at her, this time with a strange calm in his eyes. "Whether I'm okay with it or not doesn't matter, does it? It already happened. Complaining won't undo it. Besides…" he stretched his arms with a relaxed sigh, "my new body feels great. It's like someone replaced my bones with silk-wrapped steel."

A flicker of admiration passed through Maya's gaze, echoed faintly in Sampoorna's hidden one. This level of acceptance, calmness—even casual optimism—was rare. Even among battle-hardened cultivators who had stared down death a dozen times.

Maya cleared her throat and quickly masked her thoughts. "That body didn't come cheap, by the way. The pills and herbs used to reconstruct you… most people wouldn't be able to afford them in three lifetimes. You will have to pay me back."

Aaryan froze. His eyes widened. "Ah."

He looked at her.

She looked at him.

"…Look," he said slowly, hands raised in defence, "I'm grateful, really. But I'm not that kind of guy."

Maya blinked. "What?"

"I mean, I'm flattered you went so far to save me, but I'm just a kid," he said, leaning back nervously. "Still too young for that kind of repayment. Mentally and emotionally."

Her eye twitched.

Sampoorna let out a choking sound in the shadows.

"That's not what I meant, idiot!" Maya snapped, turning bright red. "I meant you owe me a favour! In the future!"

Aaryan blinked. Then grinned. "Ohh, you should've just said that. I thought you were trying to turn this into a tragic romance. You've got the veils and dramatic timing for it."

Maya looked like she might combust on the spot. "You absolute—!"

"Ahem! Okay, okay!" Aaryan laughed, waving his arms. "You did me a solid and now I owe you one. I get it. Perfectly noble. Completely not romantic. Understood."

Maya exhaled slowly through her nose. "When the time comes, I'll call on you. But right now, you're just a mortal again. Start rebuilding your strength."

"Back to the grind, huh?" Aaryan scratched his head. "Fine. How hard can Body Tempering be the second time? I've done it once. It's just like washing dishes twice, right?"

Maya didn't say anything, just standing there hiding her amusement under a stern gaze.

"And now I've got you investing in me," he said brightly. "So really, I'm like a startup with premium backing. A soon-to-be spiritual unicorn!"

Maya stared blankly. She and Sampoorna had racked their brains figuring out how to provide resources without raising suspicion. Saving someone on the verge of death could be brushed off as impulse—but giving away rare pills without a reason? That would draw questions. Which they were not sure on how to answer but it seems like they overthink this. Their young master doesn't seem to have any qualms about this.

Still maya asked with same serious face "And why would be I investing in you?"

Aaryan grinned "Well, you said you saved me rare herbs and pills, either it's a suicide mission, or a secret task you can't share with your sect. In both cases you need someone who is strong enough to complete the task and isn't afraid to die, and hence you need me to get strong, so the investing, or maybe it really was that thing, and you're just waiting for me to make the first move. Hmm, how scandalous."

Maya snapped "It's definitely not that thing." Then she fell quiet, in some manners her young master was right, they did wanted him to become strong, although Sampoorna said that the choice will be left to young master, but truth to be told if young master really choose a safe life over his parents, they will be utterly disappointed.

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Expressions unreadable, Maya asked "Aren't you afraid of death?"

Aaryan kept grinning "Oh, I am terrified of it, I will tell you a secret, the whole point of me life has been survive since I can remember."

"Then?" She asked.

"Sometimes you have to face what's in front of you, even if you are scared silly by it, the only way to survive is through it, and it seems like I am making a habit of it." He replied calmly.

🔱 — ✵ — 🔱

Aaryan sat up straighter, grinning ear to ear—not the usual sly, scheming kind of grin, but one that belonged to a kid visiting a wealthy relative he barely knew… and fully expecting a return gift.

Maya, unfortunately for her composure, had the misfortune of being that "relative."

She tried. She truly tried to maintain the cool, unbothered air she'd honed over the years. But Aaryan's expectant gaze, so open and childlike, made the corners of her lips twitch despite herself.

She let out a slow breath. "You'll be allowed to pick two kinds of techniques."

Aaryan's eyes lit up like a festival.

Maya gave him a firm look, trying not to smile. "I'd recommend picking one good Qi cultivation method, and one movement type utility technique."

Before she could say anything else, Aaryan leaned in, curiosity blazing. "Wait, wait—are there other types too?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes. The place you grew up in… it's too far from the mainland. Isolated. Detached. And because of that, the cultivation knowledge here is—bluntly—shallow, fragmented, and in some cases, outright wrong," she said, her tone calm, but direct.

"Techniques aren't just about punching harder or flying faster. They fall into categories—Qi cultivation, attack, defence, secret arts, utility... each with sub-branches and paths, some so rare your local scrolls don't even mention them."

She tapped her fingers together thoughtfully.

"And their strength is measured by grade: from lowest to highest—Azure, Verdant, Eclipse, and the mythical Celestial. No one's ever seen a Celestial technique. They exist only in stories. Each grade has low, mid, and high tiers."

She paused before adding, "The strongest techniques used in these backwater places? At best, high-tier Azure."

Aaryan absorbed every word, nodding slowly like a disciple in a temple.

Then, his smirk returned—light, playful, dangerous in the way only he could make it.

"So, what you're saying is…" he raised a hand to count on his fingers, "I've been using trash to cultivate trash, to fight trash, in a trash region... and somehow, I still ended up terrifying those three trashes elders, and blew up half of the cliff."

He straightened his back, placed a hand on his heart, and said with grand sincerity, "Then you've picked the right man for the job."

Maya blinked. "What?"

"I mean," Aaryan grinned, "if you're handing out good stuff, might as well give it to someone trustworthy, competent, humble... well, two out of three isn't bad."

She blinked again. "That wasn't the concern, but... thank you?"

Before the mood could settle, Maya tilted her head slightly. "Don't you find it suspicious?"

"Hm?"

"That I saved you. That I'm offering you techniques. That I'm helping you."

From the shadows, Sampoorna—still cloaked in concealment—closed her eyes and facepalmed.

Why... just why would she bring that up herself? Everything was going fine! It's like watching someone nail their own coffin shut—with perfect form.

Things had been going almost perfectly. The young master hadn't questioned a thing. And now, Maya—of all people—had decided to bring it up herself. Sampoorna honestly couldn't tell which was harder to endure: Maya's emotional breakdown or her strategic self-sabotage.

Aaryan tilted his head, eyes narrowing in amusement. "You mean, do I suspect you of some sinister plan?"

He shrugged. "I don't know why you saved me. But that just means you won't kill me until the 'mission' you want done is finished. So, I'm safe—for now."

He grinned.

But then the expression softened—his eyes, his posture, even the way his shoulders relaxed.

This time, he smiled. Not his usual one. Not mischievous, not smug.

Just warm.

"I don't know why," he said quietly, "but when I first saw you… there was a strange feeling in my heart. A comfortable one. Like…"

He paused, searching for the words.

"Like meeting someone for the first time... but feeling like you've known them forever. I don't have any kin, so I wouldn't know for sure. Maybe that's what it feels like."

He scratched his cheek. "Otherwise, I guess the other possibilities were: either you cast a spell on me… or you just smell really nostalgic."

Maya visibly shivered.

Sampoorna groaned softly. "He's actually saying this…"

Aaryan kept smiling, that same calm smile. "And you know… this whole pretending-to-be-hard act? It doesn't suit you. I don't know why you're doing it—if you even know yourself—but…"

His voice lowered slightly, tone gentler.

"You don't have to pretend. You can just be you."

Maya froze.

Her back slowly turned to Aaryan, shoulders stiff. She faced the concealed corner instead, eyes locking with Sampoorna's.

Their gazes held.

Her shoulders trembled just once. Then, from the side of her face—unseen by Aaryan—a single tear slid down her cheek.

Maya turned back toward him, composed once more. Her hand dipped into her sleeve, and with a flick of her fingers, she tossed a familiar object his way.

Aaryan caught it with ease. His eyes widened slightly.

"My ring?" he asked, momentarily stunned.

Aaryan looked at the ring in his hand, visibly relieved. "Good," he muttered. "I didn't even get a chance to check if it was still on me when I woke up... Would've cried real tears if it had vanished."

Before he could say more, Maya raised her hand again.

With a pulse of Qi, the space before him shimmered—and nearly a dozen scrolls floated into the air, each glowing faintly with subtle auras. They hovered in neat clusters, suspended like stars in the night sky.

Aaryan's jaw slackened. His eyes darted from scroll to scroll like a child in a divine candy shop.

These weren't just ordinary techniques. Even a cursory glance told him they were a league beyond anything he'd ever seen. Maybe—just maybe—the mysterious Qi technique from the tomb rivalled these. And the one passed to him by that strange figure within the tomb's depths... perhaps it was equal in tier. But the rest? Not even close.

Maya gestured to the nearest cluster. "These are body tempering techniques," she said. "Pick one. When you step into Qi Condensation, you'll receive a cultivation technique of your choice."

Aaryan raised an eyebrow. "I can't just pick it now?"

"You can," Maya said evenly. "Or wait until you break through. Your call."

She moved her hand again, and pointed around the floating scrolls. "That group is offensive. That one—defensive. Over there—utility. And those at the top are secret arts, but I suggest avoiding them for now."

Aaryan whistled low. "Only Two. You're really holding back, huh?"

Maya didn't answer.

Truth was, she'd wanted to give him all of them.

But Sampoorna had been adamant. "Two," his voice, voice cold, final. "No more than two. These techniques are merely tools, over reliance on them will hinder the growth of young master."

Aaryan stepped closer to the hovering scrolls, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He reached out and grabbed one from the Qi cultivation technique group. The moment he unfurled it, a subtle force pulsed outward.

Maya instinctively raised a brow. "Careful," she warned. "You're not strong enough to read those yet. They're not just ink and parchment. They require—"

Her words trailed off.

Because Aaryan wasn't just reading the scroll.

He was absorbed in it.

His eyes flicked across the lines with razor focus. His breathing slowed. The air around him stilled. The golden light of the scroll reflected in his pupils like fire dancing in oil.

Maya's expression shifted from mild concern to shock.

"That shouldn't be possible," she murmured. "His soul was... after the split…"

Sampoorna, still hidden, narrowed his eyes.

He, too, had felt the stir of soul power from Aaryan's mind. Even splintered, even half-awake, his soul force was far beyond what anyone should be capable of.

His soul was already that strong when he was born... he thought. No wonder…

Moments later, Aaryan blinked.

He slowly lowered the scroll, lost in thought. A faint crease formed between his brows. He looked... conflicted.

"Something wrong?" Maya asked carefully.

Aaryan didn't answer immediately. He stared down at the scroll in his hands as if wrestling with a decision which could decide his future.

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