The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Chapter 127 The Weight of a Decision

"...That's not what I meant."

For a moment, Jordan was at a loss for words.

Because Great Master Thorne was right.

How else were they supposed to realize the truth?

After everything had already collapsed?

After facing a miserable, inevitable end?

When it was too late to change anything?

"But still..."

Even if it was right, it wasn't easy to accept.

If Great Master Thorne lost his strength—

If he died—

Then Reverse Heaven Unity would lose its greatest pillar.

So far, Aria and Aiden had been able to lead this shadowy organization because their authority had been acknowledged.

Who had given them that authority?

It was none other than Great Master Thorne—

The second greatest figure in the entire martial world, right below the Sword Sovereign Zephyrion Akrest.

But what happened if he was gone?

Jordan didn't want to even imagine it.

In the worst case, the organization could collapse entirely.

Yes, Aria and Aiden had proven they were more than capable—

But there were times when power alone was not enough.

They were trying to overturn the world itself.

Every member of the Reverse Heaven Unity was someone who chased impossible dreams.

And the world was cruel.

People feared what was young and unproven.

*"...What about Aria and Aiden? What happens to them?"

"Even if I am gone, there is still Damien."

Damien.

A martial artist at the mid-stage of Transcendence.

Aiden's master, and Vera's great-grandmaster.

But he was not a man of fame.

He had always remained in seclusion atop Mount Suncrest, dedicating himself only to his swordsmanship.

"Or perhaps Kael."

"...Kael is not ready."

"But he has the talent, does he not?"

Martial Dragon of Mount Suncrest Kael.

Though a junior to Aiden, he had reached higher realms, standing at the peak of Transcendence.

But even he was not yet complete.

"...He is not fully refined. You know this."

Meanwhile, Medicine Immortal was already preparing.

There was no time left.

Great Master Thorne had no need to convince anyone further.

"Very well. Let's say you are right. But..."

His snow-white eyebrows furrowed.

It was a clear sign of anger.

"Do I need your permission for this?"

A sharp rebuke.

Jordan lowered his head.

There was no justification for his resistance.

He should have been grateful that Great Master Thorne had even bothered to explain himself.

"...Please reconsider."

"I already have. Step aside."

Great Master Thorne brushed past him.

Jordan simply watched as he disappeared into the cave—

Then slowly drew his sword, planting it into the ground at the entrance.

"...I wonder how this will end."

A Fragile Peace

While Jordan and Great Master Thorne had been arguing,

Immortal Pharmacist had taken Vera from his arms.

Great Master Thorne handed her over without a word.

Even Jordan, who had been standing guard outside, could not ignore the scent.

"Medicine Immortal... is that—?"

Great Master Thorne immediately recognized it.

But Jordan did not.

In his fifty years, he had never smelled anything like it.

Not even heard of it.

Immortal Pharmacist spoke with a grim look.

"Yes. It's Divine Meridian Elixir."

Divine Meridian—another name for Azurite.

Then, what was Divine Meridian Elixir?

A heavenly elixir formed deep underground within caves filled with Azurite, shaped only in rare geological formations where the earth's energy converged.

Only places like the Everstone Clan's secret chambers could house such a treasure.

"Did you really need to go this far?"

Great Master Thorne let out a bitter laugh.

Immortal Pharmacist sighed.

"You are old, and this child is young. If I don't use this to cleanse her meridians, she won't be able to withstand your Innate True Essence."

"...I see."

"Come here and take the acupuncture. It will be painful. I need to align your meridians with hers—make them as similar as possible."

It wasn't just painful.

It was inhuman.

"Your body will shrink, and all of your remaining internal energy will be spent trying to temporarily rejuvenate your meridians."

It was beyond madness.

To transfer something as pure as Innate True Essence...

One must align their very nature to the recipient.

This was why it was normally impossible.

Internal energy could be passed—because it was something cultivated after birth.

If one belonged to the same martial sect, their internal energy would naturally align.

But Innate True Essence...

It was preordained at birth.

Even identical twins could not share the same Innate True Essence.

Still, Immortal Pharmacist did not hesitate.

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He pried open Vera's lips and poured the essence into her mouth.

Barely a half-mouthful.

But the effect was instantaneous.

Even though she hadn't even circulated it, her lips and cheeks already began to regain color.

"She will naturally begin circulation on her own. Now it's your turn."

Immortal Pharmacist pulled out his needles.

And before him—

His oldest friend was shedding his robes.

Despite his age, Great Master Thorne body was taut with compressed muscle.

A warrior's body.

A grandmaster of the sword.

"Why the sad face, Medicine Immortal?"

"We're saving a precious child. You should be smiling."

But Immortal Pharmacist did not smile.

"I am also sending my oldest friend to his death."

"Don't be so dramatic."

"Don't joke, Great Master Thorne. We both know what this means."

The moment this transfer was completed—

Great Master Thorne would have at most three months left to live.

And in those three months—

He would have no internal energy.

No way to defend himself.

He would live out the rest of his days as nothing more than a dying old man.

The legend of Mount Suncrest's Sword Master would die.

Leaving behind only an ordinary elder...

"Before my disciples come to stop me—hurry up and do it."

"...I already said I would, didn't I?"

Immortal Pharmacist took his needles—

And began the ritual.