Chapter 34: Spiritual Sense
Cairen felt two presences approaching his room at high speed.
One was a silver storm, familiar, intrinsically tied to his own life. Princess Ling.
The other presence felt like a mountain. An ancient, vast, and heavy presence that, by its mere approach, made Cairen’s newly awakened spiritual sense tremble. Cairen immediately knew it was the King.
The door to his room then burst open violently.
Before Ling could even think about knocking, or the king deign to do so, both arrived at the exact same instant.
The King’s speed, even though he was at triple the distance compared to Ling, who was already close, was simply incomparable.
The wind brought by the two of them flung the door open with full force.
The King of Rhyne stopped at the threshold, his green eyes immediately piercing Cairen, who was still sitting on the floor with half-open eyes, staring into a void only he could see.
The King did not utter a word for a moment, his imposing expression cracking to give way to profound disbelief.
He whispered, low enough that only Ling’s sharp ears could catch it, yet every word echoed within Cairen’s expanded soul like a ringing bell.
"What a terrifying soul force," the King murmured, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint.
"And that... that is the spiritual sense. He actually awakened the spiritual sense in the Qi Accumulation realm. How is this possible?"
Cairen’s plan of strengthening himself quietly and in secret collapsed at that instant.
The entrance of the new Nhamara lineage had not been subtle. It was an event like a beacon, something that illuminated the castle with an intensity comparable to the king himself.
Cairen slowly pulled his consciousness back into the room, the vast map of the castle retreating to the depths of his mind. Now, a constant and passive perception.
He then turned his head and looked directly at the two standing in the doorway.
The king’s face was one of pure astonishment, analyzing Cairen as though he were a treasure from a bygone age.
Ling, at his side, had her lips curved into a wide, open smile, her eyes gleaming a mix of triumph and an even deeper possessiveness.
The silence was broken by the king’s deep voice.
"How did you do this? How did you awaken the spiritual sense?" he asked, his voice laden with a curiosity that bordered on demand, though without the commanding tone from before.
Cairen slowly furrowed his brows, pretending to ponder.
Inside, he knew it definitely came from the Nhamara lineage, another lineage granted by the system. But revealing anything about it was out of the question.
"So this is called spiritual sense?" Cairen, he said, his voice slightly hoarse.
"I don’t know how I did it. I just broke through to the new realm, and then... suddenly, the world became clearer to me."
The king studied him for a long moment, and then a glimmer of comprehension lit his eyes.
"Then... it can only be because of your lineage," he concluded, his tone filled with curiosity and an involuntary respect.
"Your lineage is definitely connected to the soul. Every time someone breaks through to a new realm, their lineage evolves. Yours... it seems it has now revealed its true path. You are a soul cultivator."
He paused, as if the weight of his own words carried immense significance.
"That is rare. Extremely rare. I myself have never seen one in my long life. I’ve only heard myths or legends from distant lands."
The King then shifted, his posture relaxing from that of a sovereign to that of an experienced elder.
"Boy! The marriage to my daughter can wait. I will no longer force you."
The declaration suddenly dropped like a bomb. Ling, however, did not lose her smile. It only sharpened further, more defiant.
"But," the King continued, his gaze severe.
"You will still have to live in the castle until the bond between you two fades. If Ling goes mad, that burden will still fall upon you, so you must remain here. We began our relationship poorly, but I believe with time, we can all get along."
Cairen understood perfectly. The King had sensed the scale of his potential. Forcing such a talent was dangerous, it was far wiser to tame him.
The threat was still there, only now disguised as opportunity.
Cairen thought for a moment, then nodded in assent.
"Understood."
That was already a victory. At least the forced marriage was off the table for now.
The king seemed satisfied.
"We will speak again, but other matters have arisen." He then turned to leave.
’At the castle’s entrance. A group of ten people. Three elders from minor sects, and the rest their disciples. They seem anxious and afraid.’
That was the information that arose in Cairen’s mind, not as a thought, but as a recognized fact, sensed through walls and distance. He kept his face impassive.
This spiritual sense was truly terrifying.
As soon as the king left, Ling stepped forward. She stopped right in front of him, her gaze traveling over his face.
"You truly never cease to surprise me," she began, whispering calmly with a cutting voice.
"We may no longer be engaged, but I have not given up on you." Her small smile returned, filled with a new, unshakable determination.
"We are still connected, for a long time. And I will make you mine. Without a doubt."
Cairen met her gaze, Mei Ran’s image flashing in his mind as he looked at Ling Xiyue.
He now felt no attraction at all. Only the weight of the bond that tied them together.
He then gave a faint, dry smile.
"You can try. Just don’t get frustrated," he said in a flat voice.
The princess’s expression didn’t change, but something in her eyes gleamed with the thrill of a new challenge.
Without another word, she turned and left, closing the door behind her, her heavy steps still echoing down the corridor.
Finally, alone, Cairen let out a long sigh.
The silence of the room was now something completely different. It was filled with information, with life, that he could feel.
He then blinked his eyes and said in his mind.
’Status.’