Mack lingered alone in the courtyard by the door.
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The garden had cycled through all its seasons and now lay beneath winter’s snow, the swirling flakes seeming to merge with him until he was part of the wintry scene.
His presence was icy, devoid of emotion, like a shard of ice.
It was also like a snowflake drifting endlessly, never finding a place to settle.
Though he seemed near, he felt impossibly distant.
But at that moment, Linda caught a hint of contemplation and a rare hint of worry on Mack’s face.
‘How strange,‘ Linda thought to herself.
Linda rose to her feet and made her way over to Mack, her steps slow and deliberate. “Master,” she greeted softly.
Mack heard her approach, turned around, gave a slight nod, and met her eyes. “Are you feeling better?” he asked.
“Much better now,” Linda said with a gentle smile.
They stood on opposite sides of the doorway, and Linda felt a bit weird about it. “Aren’t you coming in, Master?” she asked.
Mack stayed outside and said, “Hold out your hands.”
Linda, puzzled, reached out her hands.
An Infinite–Expansion Satchel and two brocade boxes landed in her palms, heavy as if carrying the weight of his instructions.
“These are Grade Four Rain Dew and Grade Four Fire Mystique Crystal,” Mack explained. “I figured you’d want to fix your Gilded Cores after waking up
“These two spirit medicines will help you restore your Water and Fire Gilded Cores. As for the other three, don’t worry.
“Claudio is already on his way back. He’ll bring you three more Grade Four spirit medicines, and that should solve everything.”
Linda felt a surge of emotion as she gripped the gifts tighter. “Master…” she murmured.
Mack said in his usual calm way, “Hang on to the rest. If you ever need anything else, tell me.”
“Master Mack,” Linda called out, her voice trembling with emotion.
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Chapter 77
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Mack paused, maybe picking up on the storm of emotions inside her, and decided to say a bit more. “I’m not used to dealing with people. The eight of us mostly mind our own business.
“Having a young disciple like you is a first for me, so I’m kind of winging it. But one thing’s for sure, which is that no one messes with my disciple.
“From now on, when you’re out there, make your own way. If anything happens, I’ve got your back.
“If there’s something you want to do, go for it.”
“Don’t worry about causing trouble for the sect. We can take whatever comes.”
Linda’s eyes were red–rimmed. She could still feel the trace of the outside clinging to Mack, and those herbs… and the ornate designs on the brocade boxes.
These were straight from the High Sanctum of Archmagi. He’d actually gone out there for me.
‘Just saying “thank you“… It just didn’t feel enough,‘ Linda thought.
Linda brushed away her tears, refusing to get sentimental. She pulled a brocade box from her Amethyst Band and presented it respectfully to Mack with both hands.
She said earnestly. “Master Mack, this is for you.”
Mack was taken aback for a moment. “For me?”
“Yeah, it’s a Grade Five Wood–Fire Spirit,” Linda replied.
Mack’s fingers curled slightly. “You…”
Linda spoke softly, “I heard from Sect Kermit a while back that you’ve got both Ice and Fire in you, but you always stay up here in the Frost–Crowned Highlands.
“If I’m not wrong, your fire energy is too intense, so you need all this ice and snow to keep it under control. This Wood–Fire Spirit is super gentle. It should help balance out the Fire Poison inside you.”
Linda looked up at him, her smile radiant. “I think it’ll help.”
Mack stared at the brocade box in her hand for a long moment before finally taking it. “Yeah, it’ll help,” he said.
Linda said, “This is just Grade Five. If I ever come across a higher grade, I’ll find it for you.”
Mack replied, “Just do your best. Don’t force yourself.”
Linda smiled, saying, “I won’t.”
They went quiet for a bit, but Linda broke the silence. “So, now that I’ve got your gifts, I can do whatever I want with them, right?”
Mack replied coolly, “They’re yours now. Even if you want to leave them lying around or play with them, it’s
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Chapter 77
up to you. Not my business.”
“I won’t mess around with them. I’ll use them well,” Linda promised.
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Then, Linda suddenly remembered something. She stepped back, dropped to both knees, pressed her hands. to her forehead, and kowtowed deeply.
“Linda Barber, your disciple, greets her master,” she declared, her voice clear and respectful.
Mack didn’t say a word for a long time, and Linda remained kneeling.
Through the swirling snow in the courtyard, Linda knelt straight and respectful.
Just across the threshold, Mack stood there, unmoving, accepting her salute with solemn respect.
Because they both understood. This bow carried a weight far beyond tradition.
It was Linda’s genuine recognition, straight from the heart.
After a long silence, Mack’s gentle voice finally broke the quiet. “You may rise.”
Linda stood up, her eyes bright with a gentle smile. “Master.”
Mack answered softly, then turned and walked away, carrying the gifts.
Linda watched Mack leave, her respect unwavering. When Mack’s silhouette finally disappeared, her eyes drifted to the brocade box in her hands.
She ran her fingers gently over the High Sanctum of Archmagi’s emblem etched on its surface.
“It’s all behind me now,” she murmured.
Her whisper was just for herself.
Just like the markings that faded under her touch.
It was all behind her now.
After leaving the Violet–Soul Atelier, Mack sat on a stone platform, gazing at the Wood–Fire Spirit for ages.
After a long while lost in thought, he pocketed the brocade box and headed up to the main peak to find Kermit, who was busy testing out new recipes.
“Kermit, I’ve got something for you to check out,” Mack said.
Kermit looked up, surprised. “What could be so important that you’d come all the way down here just to show
me?”
Mack pushed the brocade box forward, looking serious. “Take a look.”
Kermit opened it and stared at the warm glow of the Wood–Fire Spirit, his eyes going wide. “A Grade Five
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Chapter 77
Wood–Fire Spirit? Pretty good quality, really.
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“Not as rare as your Grade Seven Wood–Fire Spirit, but still a solid find. So, what are you planning with this?”
“My disciple gave it to me,” Mack replied.
Kermit was speechless for a moment.
He stared at Mack, his eyes wide. “Linda gave this to you?”
‘Wait, it wasn’t for Linda herself?‘ Kermit thought, a little thrown off.
Mack nodded, repeating, “She gave it to me.”
Kermit let out a sigh, feeling a little jealous. “Seriously, what a good disciple you’ve got.”
Once he got what he came for, Mack left with the brocade box. He headed over to Verdant Ridge and tracked down Laurence.
When Laurence finally heard the whole story, he stared at Mack, speechless.
After leaving Verdant Ridge, Mack headed over to Sword Peak to track down Byron.
Byron shot Mack a look, teeth clenched. “You looking to throw down with me or what?”
He knew Mack had picked up a disciple who was a real handful.
Mack thought for a moment, then said, “If you ever want some tips, just ask.”
Byron’s eyes lit up instantly. “Seriously?”
Mack hadn’t actually fought anyone in years.
“Yes,” Mack replied.
Mack opened the Void Battlefield. “Get in.”
Byron immediately followed him inside.
Two hours later, Byron was flat on his back, covered in cuts and bruises, but his eyes were blazing with excitement. “Man, that was a blast! Next time, I’m in for another round.”
Byron could feel it. If he fought Mack a couple more times, he’d smash right through the Astral Sovereign Form wall and ascend to Aether Transcendence.
“Hey, you gotta fight me again next month, deal?” Byron shouted, still grinning from ear to ear.
Mack ignored Byron’s challenge, idly turning the communication stone over in his hand, his mind clearly elsewhere.
Suddenly, Byron’s communication interface flashed open by itself.
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Chapter 77
A Purple Command!
Just one step below a Red Command in urgency.
Byron was dumbfounded.
Everyone in the First Unity Coven freaked out.
:
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Alan, the eldest, asked in a low, serious voice, “What’s going on? Did something happen to the sect?”
Calvin, the second eldest, sounded anxious. “Did someone mess with us? Hold on, I’ll finish up this Veil and head back right away.”
Shawn Helberg, the sixth, was completely baffled. “Is this from Mack? Did the snowy mountain collapse? Or did Mack wipe out another sect? Were they strong? Did he clean up the mess?
“Did he leave any loose ends? Should I go help tidy things up?”
Alan and Calvin just stared at him, totally speechless. “Shawn?”
Shawn immediately put on a serious face. “Just kidding.”
It was Aurelio, the fifth, who cut straight to the point. “A few days ago, Mack sent me a message saying Linda got hurt. Now this Purple Command pops up out of nowhere… Is Linda in trouble?”
The other four seniors immediately started bombarding him with questions, all desperate for an answer.
Only Byron and Laurence were left facepalming in exasperation.
‘Damn,‘ both of them thought, completely speechless.
曲
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
