The Heroine Must Die

If she reached Spirit Severing and extended her lifespan again, she could revert to a middle-aged state at will.

But returning to her exact twenty-year-old appearance? That would require another swift breakthrough.

Drake, on the other hand, had entered Mahayana early in life.

That was why he still looked like a man in his twenties, despite being older than Herbert.

Lauren exhaled slowly. “How could he advance so quickly? I thought it would take him a hundred, maybe two hundred years.”

“What blocked him wasn’t cultivation,” Edmund replied. “It was his inner demons. Once those shattered, advancement was inevitable.”

Lauren nodded. “Right.”

......

Lauren didn’t go looking for Timothy or Wayne after leaving Starfell Hall.

Instead, she stayed outside.

If she guessed right, her master would summon her again soon. And she preferred to be close when that happened.

......

Inside Starfell Hall.

“Mr. Drake,” Herbert said in a low voice, “you were right. That Indiana is acting strangely. I suspect she’s been possessed.”

Drake’s gaze sharpened slightly. “Possessed? You’ve seen her?”

“I didn’t confront her. I observed her secretly.” Herbert’s brows knit together. “The cultivation technique she’s practicing—it’s not one I ever taught her. And it’s certainly not a Heavenly Rank technique. I’ve locked her up for now. No one is allowed near her. I don’t want her causing more trouble.”

He hesitated. “Do you think I did the right thing?”

Drake raised a brow. “If she truly were possessed, do you believe you could keep her locked up?”

Herbert fell silent.

“…Perhaps it isn’t possession,” Drake continued. “Your real concern should be whether someone is with her.”

Herbert’s heart skipped. “Someone… from above?”

“Yes.” Drake’s voice was calm but cold. “I suspect someone has descended. And that person is likely beside Indiana.”

Herbert’s expression darkened immediately. “Then what should I do?”

“You will keep watching her,” Drake said. “Pretend you know nothing. Do not confront her unless there is no other choice. I’ll arrange for someone to locate the key to breaking this deadlock. We cannot allow her to stir chaos.”

Herbert nodded quickly. “Understood. I’ll monitor her.”

He paused, then asked, more softly, “And my disciple? How is his injury?”

“He has fully recovered,” Drake replied. “He is focusing on cultivation.”

Relief flooded Herbert’s face. “Good. Very good.”

He straightened. “I want to see him. I’ll be leaving soon. I need to give him a few instructions so he can cultivate without distractions.”

Drake sent a telepathic message.

Outside, Lauren received it instantly. Bring Timothy.

She turned and headed toward Timothy’s courtyard.

“Hey,” she called as she stepped inside, “your master’s here to take you home. Pack up.”

Timothy had been cultivating. The sudden interruption jolted him out of meditation.

“My master… is here?”

He didn’t even question it. He scrambled to his feet and hurriedly packed his belongings.

Soon, he followed Lauren back to Starfell Hall.

Inside, he froze. A broad-shouldered, tall middle-aged man stood before Drake.

“Immortal Venerable,” Timothy said, confused, “where is my master?”

The man stepped forward eagerly. “Timothy. I’m here.”

Timothy stared. “…Master?”

“Yes. It’s me.”

“How…?”

Herbert smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes. “I’ve successfully advanced. I am now a Mahayana cultivator. My lifespan has doubled. Naturally, I’ve become younger.”

Timothy blinked, stunned. “Really? Master, truly?”

“Foolish child.” Herbert chuckled. “Would I lie about that? Ask Mr. Drake. Wasn’t I like this in my youth?”

To prove it, he opened his palm. Lightning crackled. The familiar aura surged outward.

Timothy’s eyes widened.

There was no mistaking it. That lightning was his master’s. The elderly sage with the flowing white beard— And the powerful, thick-built man before him— Were the same person.

Still…

Timothy couldn’t help thinking— Before, his master had looked like a transcendent hermit. White beard drifting in the wind. Otherworldly.

Now… Now he looked more like a blacksmith.

Herbert grinned. “Do you believe me now?”

Timothy immediately cupped his hands. “Congratulations, Master.”

Herbert beamed. He subconsciously reached up to stroke his long beard— Only to grasp air.

His hand paused awkwardly on his face, now covered in coarse stubble.

“Ahem.”

He patted Timothy’s shoulder. “You’ve become much steadier. It seems sending you here was the right decision.”

Then his expression turned serious. “You will stay here and cultivate.”

Timothy froze. “What?”

Lauren’s brows lifted as well.

“Aren’t you taking me back to the sect?” Timothy asked.

“You cannot return for now,” Herbert said firmly.

“Because of Indiana?” Timothy’s jaw tightened. The thought of her still hurt. “Master, I won’t be fooled again. I won’t listen to her.”

Herbert shook his head. “It’s not that simple. Some things are… strange. Even I was deceived, let alone you. Don’t underestimate her just because she speaks softly.”

“Master, I won’t fall for it again.”

“I know.” Herbert’s voice softened. “And this isn’t your fault. But if you return now and fall into their hands, it will complicate matters. Stay here. Cultivate properly.”

He took out a storage ring and pressed it into Timothy’s hand.

“Use this. You must ascend in this generation.”

Timothy gripped the ring tightly.

“Write me a letter,” Herbert added.

“…A letter?”

Herbert handed him a jade pendant. “Copy the contents.”

Timothy extended his divine sense and quickly engraved the message.

When he finished, Herbert took the pendant, nodded once to Drake—

And left without another word.

Timothy stood there, staring at the empty doorway.

He had always believed he was strong. Born to protect others. And yet—

In the end, he was the one being hidden away and protected. His hand tightened around the storage ring.

For the first time, he felt a burning, desperate desire to become stronger.

Without another word, he turned and left.

Lauren watched him go, then muttered coldly, “Master, that guy is so rude. He barged in, stayed to cultivate for so long, and then left without even saying goodbye.”

At that exact moment— Timothy reappeared at the doorway.

He bowed deeply to Drake. “Thank you for sheltering me, Immortal Venerable.”

Lauren: “…”

After he left again, Drake said quietly, “He has indeed changed.”

Lauren didn’t argue. “Master, I’ll take my leave.”

“Go.”

......

In the desolate mountain range, Briar and Wayne had somehow turned a barren slope into a thriving chicken farm.

Eggs piled up in baskets. Chickens strutted around like they owned the place. Even the spiritual herbs nearby seemed healthier.

“Briar,” Lauren said one afternoon, watching them from the ridge, “I’m going into seclusion again. What are your plans?”

Briar blinked at Wayne. Plans? What plans could I possibly have?

It puffed up its chest. “Don’t worry about your seclusion. I’ll take care of Wayne.”

Lauren nodded, reassured.

“Fine. But you’re not allowed to just drag him around to play all day. Supervise his cultivation too. Got it?”

“Got it.” Only then did Lauren finally relax.

......

Back at her residence, Edmund snorted.

“Now you’re in a hurry?” Lauren rolled her eyes.

Be grateful you met me, she thought. If it were some lazy idiot, you’d be stomping around in frustration every damn day.

She picked up the Ice Spirit Fruit and examined it.

“Should I eat this now,” she muttered, “or after I break through to Spirit Severing?”

“Eat it whenever,” Edmund replied lazily.

Lauren frowned. Edmund had said the fruit would significantly boost cultivation—but by how much was uncertain.

She was already at the threshold of late-stage Nascent Soul.

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