Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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After the Mana–Stoking, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Astral Sovereign Form, and Aether Transcendence stages came the Void Phase.
Those at the Void Phase were even stronger than Coleman.
Linda looked at Laurence’s back and, for the first time, truly felt safe. Byron could see she was worried.
He realized the reason she was so badly hurt was that she’d been forcing herself to keep her aether steady.
Byron had never admired a kid before, but he couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
“No one’s going to hurt them. You don’t feed to worry.” Byron said.
Linda was afraid that her impulsive actions would get Laura and the others caught up in her mess.
That was why she kept forcing herself to hold on.
Linda whispered, “Is it okay if I sleep….?”
Hearing that, Rafael broke down in tears. “Why are you even asking? Just sleep, Linda. If you want to sleep, then sleep.”
But Linda kept her eyes fixed on Byron, refusing to look away until she got an answer.
Byron understood that she was looking for his promise.
Byron said, “Go ahead and sleep. I promise, when you wake up, you’ll be safe at First Unity Coven.”
Only then did Linda finally relax. She murmured, “Byron, I really miss the Frost–Crowned Highlands.
“And… I miss my master, too…”
With that, Linda closed her eyes and drifted into a deep sleep.
Byron’s hand slowly clenched into a fist. He shot a cold glare at the crowd gathering in the distance and said coldly, “All of you from High Sanctum of Archmagi, show yourselves.”
His Azure Thunder Sword flashed as he drew it from its sheath.
Lightning crackled around him as Byron stepped onto the mountain slope that Laurence had already flattened. His voice was icy as he shouted, “All of you, get the hell out of here!”
From that day forward, everyone knew. If one wanted to challenge First Unity Coven, one could try one’s luck. But touch one of their juniors, and the seniors would hunt one down for revenge.
And if the seniors were done, there was always someone even older ready to step in and finish the job.
Byron and Laurence, burning with fury for Linda, leveled the entire Somnambulist Highlands in a single
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rampage.
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The shockwaves rocked Mist–Haven Borough and sent tremors through the whole cultivation world.
Linda was completely unaware of everything that had gone down. Byron hadn’t lied to her. When she finally woke up, she was in the Hermit’s Sanctum at First Unity Coven, just like he promised.
But Linda was still drifting in and out, and no matter what, her eyelids wouldn’t budge.
She could vaguely hear people moving around her, and Laurence’s sharp scolding mixed with his ingratiating chuckles. It sounded like Mack was fuming, and Kermit, the sect leader, was doing his best to calm him down.
Kermit said, “Laurence and Byron already wiped out that whole bunch. If you go and kick down the High Sanctum of Archmagi’s door now, it’s kinda hard to justify.
“I mean, I wouldn’t mind giving them a beating myself, but we don’t have a reason.”
Then he added, “Just hold it in.
“We’ve got Aurelio back, and he brought medicine this time. He’ll fix Linda up for sure.
“Poor girl, forcing her breakthrough like that. Why doesn’t she ever look after herself? Just like you.”
Linda couldn’t make out what Mack said, but she could tell he was standing up for her. She closed her eyes and drifted off again, sleeping for a long, long time.
This time, she slept with a peace she’d never known before.
Never in either of her lives had she felt so safe, so at ease.
It was like walking barefoot on soft grass, with the sky a clear blue, the lake shimmering turquoise, and the grass lush and green.
It felt just like the world she’d always imagined, the kind of sleep she’d been chasing for years.
She’d finally found where she belonged.
Her heart was home.
*****
At First Unity Coven, Linda finally woke up a month later, and the first thing she saw was Rafael’s swollen, red eyes from crying.
Rafael said, “Linda, I told you to get some rest, but I didn’t mean for you to sleep this long. If you keep it up, everyone will not be able to hold back Mack.
“My master said if that happens, it’ll be an all–out war between our sect and theirs.
“I’m not afraid of dying on the battlefield, but I’m scared you won’t get to see me showing off on the battlefield.
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Chapter 70
“Come on, wake up already. Please…”
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Linda kept her eyes open, staring at Rafael for a good while before he finally realized she was awake.
He let out a loud yelp and literally jumped one foot in the air.
Rafael shouted, “She’s awake. She’s awake. Linda’s up!”
Rafael yelled himself hoarse, bolted out of the room, and started shouting toward the mountains from the courtyard.
Before Linda could call out to stop him, someone else had entered the room.
He had long silver hair and wore a silver robe, the whole look making him seem like he’d stepped straight out of the Frost–Crowned Highlands.
Even his features were gentle and pale, almost ethereal in their softness.
He stood three steps away, looking Linda up and down, making sure she was in one piece. Then his eyes landed on her face, and he frowned.
He said, “Where’s that fighting spirit? If you couldn’t win, why didn’t you call for backup?”
Linda pressed her lips together, and Mack frowned, wondering if maybe he’d come off too stern and scared her.
Her eyes were still red from crying, but she broke into a smile. “But Master Mack, I honestly don’t know how to ask for help. I’ve never done it before.”
Mack’s lips twitched, but he didn’t scold her before everyone.
Keeping his face calm, he flicked his hand, sending a flash of aetheric light into the Disciple Token by her bedside. Instantly, his Astral mark appeared inside the token.
“Next time you’re in over your head, holler for me,” Mack said.
Linda nodded. “Okay.”
Mack didn’t know what else to say.
Both of them went quiet for a moment.
Normally, all they ever talked about was cultivation.
Mack had no idea how to break the ice, especially with Linda sitting there so meek and gentle, obediently perched on the bed.
It was so different from her usual stubborn self, always bottling up her feelings and pushing herself to stand
out.
Right now, Linda looked even more delicate than ever. He couldn’t just open his mouth and tell her to go
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Just then, Laura and Craig came in. Mack said calmly, “They’ve been dropping by every day lately. I’m guessing they’ve got something to talk about with you. I won’t intrude.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared right then and there.
Rafael rushed in, just about to call out for Mack, but Mack had vanished. Rafael scratched his head, puzzled. “What’s got Master Mack running off so quickly?”
“Linda.” Craig burst in like a gust of wind, flopped down at her bedside, and started bawling his head off. Laura flicked her sleeve and sent him flying.
Craig was speechless.
Laura gripped Linda’s chilly hand, and before she could even get a word out, her tears were already falling.
Linda gently reached out to wipe her tears, smiling. “Laura, don’t go turning into a crybaby on me.”
Laura nodded vigorously, saying, “Don’t go charging in alone. If things get tough, you’ve got us, and Master, too. We’re in this together.”
“Alright, I promise,” Linda said softly to Laura.
Then, Laura seemed to remember something. She looked up at Linda, her voice firm and clear. “Listen, you weren’t wrong. If something’s yours, you have every right to take it back.
“If you still want revenge, we’ll march straight to the High Sanctum of Archmagi and drag those bastards back for you.”
Laura’s eyes burned with determination as she stared at Linda, waiting for her answer. If Linda nodded, she’d be out the door in a heartbeat.
Craig and Rafael nodded in agreement, just as determined as Laura.
“We’re senior and junior fellow disciples. Your problems are ours, too. If you need anything, tell us. It’s our duty to stand by you!” Craig and Rafael declared together.
Linda looked at them, saw how serious they were. Suddenly, she pulled Laura into a hug. Softly, she said, “Honestly, I don’t want anything else. Having you guys with me is enough.”
Linda glanced at Craig and Rafael, repeating herself, “Really, just having you all here is all I need.”
Craig scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
Rafael made a couple of awkward noises, fidgeting. “Hey, Linda, you’re gonna make me all shy. I’m still a bachelor, you know.”
Laura and Craig both shouted, “Get lost.”
Linda couldn’t help but smile as she listened to Rafael getting scolded and smacked around.
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The noisy banter in the room warmed up the cold, wintry atmosphere of the Frost–Crowned Highlands. As Linda sat there watching her friends, she felt a pair of eyes quietly fixed on her.
She looked up and saw Claudio standing quietly in the doorway.
Claudio stood there, watching everyone have fun inside. Nobody could tell what was going through his head.
His eyes were full of longing, but hidden deep inside was a fear nobody else seemed to notice.
He wanted to come closer, but couldn’t make himself do it.
Linda called out, “Claudio.”
Everyone inside paused and turned to look toward the doorway.
Claudio stiffened, forcing himself to meet Linda’s gaze. She grinned, looking like a kid who’d gotten away with a prank. “I’m number six on the disciple list.”
Claudio said nothing.
“You’re the senior, and I’m the junior, ” Linda teased.
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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.
