The inner dimension had expanded countless times—rolling hills, glowing rivers, a faint mist of spiritual energy drifting over a landscape filled with color. The soil was alive, fertile. The air shimmered with life essence. And around the roots of the great Weak Tree, a network of crystal-clear streams flowed like veins of light.

  “Whoa…” she breathed. “How did it become like this?”

  Edmund lifted his chin proudly, lounging beside a patch of glowing flowers. “All thanks to me. Don’t forget to thank your benevolent creator.”

  Lauren quickly bowed in mock reverence. “Thank you, thank you. You’ve truly worked hard.”

  But as she looked closer, her expression froze.

  These spiritual plants… looked way too familiar.

  She narrowed her eyes. “Edmund… did you dig up all the herbs outside the Ice Cave and bring them here?”

  “Yes.”

  Her tone sharpened. “Did Senior Brother see you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes what? He didn’t say anything, did he?”

  “What if he did? What if he didn’t?” Edmund said, far too calmly.

  Lauren pinched the bridge of her nose. “…And what about Master?”

  “Your Master told him to fill in the empty ground outside.”

  Lauren went silent. So that’s why Senior Brother gave me the hoe…

  She looked over the vast expanse of untouched land in her inner world. The inner dimension of the Nascent Soul stage was enormous—Edmund had only managed to plant a fraction of it, leaving wide swaths of empty soil.

  She felt a pang of guilt. So much space just sitting here… what a waste.

  “Edmund,” she said thoughtfully, “it’s a bit of a waste to fill this place with ornamental spirit plants. With so much land, we should grow something useful. I need a lot of Seven Star Grass—let’s start with two acres of that.”

  “Fine by me,” Edmund said, yawning.

  Lauren drew in a deep breath and smiled. “The spiritual energy here is so pure.”

  “Of course,” Edmund replied. “The energy of a newborn world is always the purest.”

  “It’s just a little thin, though.”

  “That’s up to you,” he said lazily. “If you think it’s too thin, then work harder. Plant more spirit herbs. This world has potential—the more effort you put in, the stronger it’ll become.”

  Lauren thanked Edmund with a smile, then stood up, brushing off the last bit of frost from her robes. She couldn’t wait to tell her master the news.

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  Drake had already returned to Starfell Hall by the time she arrived, his usual calm aura filling the room.

  “Master,” she said, unable to hide her excitement, “I’ve successfully reached the Nascent Soul stage.”

  Drake lifted his gaze, his expression steady as always. “You’ve reached the Nascent Soul stage at such a young age—that’s fast. Too fast, perhaps. You should focus on stabilizing your foundation and calming your heart.”

  Lauren bowed respectfully. “Yes, Master.”

  Still, she couldn’t help the little spark of pride that warmed her chest.

  Now that she’d broken through, she could finally shift her focus back to Talisman Crafting—and maybe take a little trip outside.

  She planned to check in on Dante and the others first. If they had also reached the Nascent Soul stage, maybe they’d go out to train or gain some experience. She’d tag along, of course. Traveling with Dante—the walking encyclopedia—was always enlightening. Learning through experience was a lot more fun than locking herself away in a dusty library.

  Of course, if they weren’t planning to go out, she’d find out where Timothy and his little group were heading, then quietly tail them. A bit of freeloading on someone else’s luck never hurt anyone.

  As always, her first stop after leaving the mountain was Elder Zane’s residence.

  Elder Zane hadn’t seen her in three years. When he laid eyes on her again, he nearly dropped the scroll he was holding.

  “You… you’ve already reached the Nascent Soul stage? When did this happen? And why didn’t we hear anything?”

  Lauren answered plainly, “My master prefers to keep a low profile. He didn’t want it publicized.”

  Elder Zane immediately nodded, not daring to pry any further.

  He changed the topic. “Ms. Lauren, are you still asking about that woman from the Moonlit Sect?”

  Lauren smiled. “Elder Zane understands me well.”

  Chuckling, the elder personally brewed her a cup of tea. They’d interacted often enough that formalities were unnecessary by now.

  “That woman truly has a Light Spiritual Root,” he said. “After starting dual cultivation with Timothy, her cultivation speed has skyrocketed. She’s now at the Great Perfection of the Core Formation stage.”

  Great Perfection already? Lauren’s expression darkened slightly.

  In the previous timeline, the massacre of her family had taken place after that woman reached the Great Perfection of Core Formation. Her interference had clearly delayed it this time, but she couldn’t afford to grow complacent.

  “What about Timothy?” she asked. “Has he reached the Nascent Soul stage yet?”

  It had been three years since he was last injured—he should’ve recovered by now.

  Elder Zane shook his head. “Two years ago, I heard he went into seclusion to prepare for the Nascent Soul breakthrough. But there’s been no word since then.”

  Meaning, he hadn’t succeeded.

  Lauren’s lips curved slightly. Good. The longer it takes him, the better.

  “Keep an eye on them for me,” she instructed. “If there’s any news, I want to know immediately.”

  “Understood.” Elder Zane nodded. “By the way, these are the materials and beast cores you ordered last time.”

  Lauren accepted the items and handed him another list. “Make me another batch according to this list.”

  Elder Zane glanced at the scroll—and froze.

  This list was… excessive.

  He couldn’t help wondering where she got all these spirit stones from. She rarely took missions, and he’d never seen her sell anything either. Just how rich is this girl?

  Even most direct disciples couldn’t afford to spend like this.

  Lauren didn’t seem to notice his shock. She paid the spirit stones without blinking and left the Mission Hall.

  Just as she stepped outside, a faint pulse of energy brushed against her ear—her communication jade vibrating softly.

  Her master’s voice came through, calm and direct.

  “Go to Ashenreach when you have time.”

  Lauren blinked. Ashenreach? That’s the main branch for talisman cultivators…

  So, this must have something to do with Talisman Crafting.

  “Yes, Master,” she replied immediately.

  Whatever plans she had for later could wait. When her master called, everything else took second place.

  Lauren hurried to Ashenreach, her robes fluttering as she crossed the wide marble courtyard.

  Cornelius was already standing at the entrance, clearly waiting for her. The moment he saw her, he practically jogged over.

  “Lauren, your master sent for you, didn’t he?”

  “Yes,” Lauren replied. “Cornelius, what’s going on?”

  He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not exactly a problem… but the talismans we’ve been drawing—well, they don’t look like yours.”

  “Mine?” Lauren blinked.