"How is he?"
"He isn't feeling well..."
Bi Ri and Phyllis had stopped their mission and returned to their original roles as Shi Yun Lan's maid and sword maid.
At first, they had felt frustrated by the decision.
But now, their frustration had disappeared.
They were worried about their young master.
"Huuuh... huuuuh..."
Shi Yun Lan breathed heavily.
"It won't be easy."
He released his deadly aura once again.
The moment the Aura of Death spread through his body, the warmth he had gained during the previous year began to disappear.
For the first time, he felt something like pain in his heart.
He remembered his time with Jian Blu Eva.
Her warm smile.
Their conversations.
The dinner they had shared.
His own smile.
He felt as though those precious feelings were slipping away from him.
But he didn't care.
He continued training as he always had.
His aura spread around him.
Then he imagined the manuscript of his own body, remembering Jian Blu Eva's words and instructions.
'I will do it again.'
The aura surrounded his body.
But this time, he didn't simply release it.
He gathered it.
Controlled it.
Then he began reabsorbing his own aura, directing its power toward specific parts of his body.
His pale skin became even paler.
It gradually tightened until it resembled porcelain.
Shi Yun Lan continued the painful process.
Day after day.
Week after week.
For an entire month, his routine never changed.
Sleep.
Eat.
Study.
Train.
Nothing else.
Then—
Shi Yun Lan finally opened his eyes.
He touched his own skin.
He felt nothing.
"The sense of touch has vanished."
He examined his body through his aura instead.
"But I can sense everything through my aura."
He was satisfied with the result.
He was about to continue his training when the door opened.
Shi Yun Han entered the room.
Shi Yun Lan immediately stopped.
"Greetings, Father."
"How can I help you?"
Shi Yun Han sat down.
"The Jian family announced that an organization has targeted them.
They're asking the other great families for assistance."
Shi Yun Lan nodded.
He waited for his father to continue.
But Shi Yun Han remained silent.
"What else?"
Shi Yun Han sighed.
"After the young masters were kicked out, no one wants to help the Jian family unless they prepare Jian Blu Eva for marriage to one of their sons."
A spark of rage appeared within Shi Yun Lan.
But his Aura of Death immediately extinguished it.
"So...
She will be treated like a bargaining chip?"
"Yes."
Shi Yun Han lowered his gaze.
"I feel sorry for her."
"I will go."
Shi Yun Han's eyes widened.
"You want to marry her?!"
Shi Yun Lan shook his head.
"She is my instructor.
She taught me everything I know about the human physique.
I owe her a lot."
"Oh..."
Shi Yun Han felt disappointed, but he didn't allow it to show.
"Well, I have another request for you.
Can you accept it?"
Shi Yun Lan looked at him.
"I won't hesitate.
But what will you decide about the Jian family?"
Shi Yun Han smiled.
"I'll take Phyllis and several General-Level warriors.
Your brother will lead the group."
"..."
Shi Yun Lan's silence spoke for itself.
His gaze seemed to say:
'That brother is useless.'
Finally, he objected.
"Father, he already caused trouble there.
I don't think Jian Blu Eva will accept him, no matter what he does."
Shi Yun Han nodded.
"I know.
That's why I'm sending him.
He needs to clean his name and make sure he doesn't bring shame upon our family again."
Shi Yun Lan understood his father's intention.
He let out a relieved breath.
...
"Young Master, I'll leave now."
Phyllis stood before Shi Yun Lan with her sword.
She had reached the General Level.
Shi Yun Lan placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Phyllis.
If Shi Yun Suan dares to do anything to you, defend yourself with all your might."
Phyllis saw the concern in her young master's eyes.
Warmth filled her heart.
She bowed.
"I will do my best, Young Master."
Then she left.
Shi Yun Lan returned to his training.
The moment he released the Aura of Death, his feelings began fading again.
It made him feel worse than before.
But eventually, he became accustomed to it.
...
Six months passed.
Shi Yun Lan's eyes were pitch black.
They trembled slightly.
Then—
A faint light returned to them.
"That...
Was...
Torturing..."
Shi Yun Lan looked terrible.
He stared at himself in the mirror.
His body had become stronger.
His physique resembled a dead, fossilized body carved from stone.
Yet he had still failed to reach the Pillar Level.
He left his room to rest.
But the moment he stepped outside, he noticed a celebration.
"What is going on?"
Bi Ri approached him.
"It's the return of Shi Dun Mi.
She has reached the Pillar Level."
Shi Yun Lan nodded.
He stepped forward to greet her.
Shi Dun Mi approached him with a smile.
"Young Master Lan!"
Shi Yun Lan stopped before her.
Shi Dun Mi suddenly felt something strange.
She remembered Shi Yun Lan as a cold man who rarely allowed anyone to approach him.
But now—
He had received her personally.
"What?"
Shi Yun Lan asked.
Shi Dun Mi quickly regained her composure.
"I just didn't expect you to receive me personally."
Shi Yun Lan smiled warmly.
He remembered Jian Blu Eva's advice.
She had told him to reduce his use of the deadly aura and allow the people around him to breathe freely.
But his warm smile startled Shi Dun Mi.
She instinctively stepped backward.
Bi Ri immediately stepped forward.
"Let me explain everything..."
Shi Dun Mi listened carefully.
She was surprised by everything she heard.
But eventually, she smiled happily.
She grabbed Shi Yun Lan's hand.
"Come with me to the celebration!"
She expected to drag him along easily.
After all, she was at a higher level than him.
But the moment she touched his hand—
She froze.
It was surprisingly difficult to move him.
Shi Yun Lan simply looked at her.
"Well.
Let's go together."
He walked beside her.
They talked about her life in the Northern Academy.
Shi Dun Mi explained that an elder there had helped her reach the Pillar Level.
Shi Yun Lan told her about his studies and his year in the Southern Continent with Jian Blu Eva.
"Hmmm?"
Shi Yun Lan noticed a strange look in Shi Dun Mi's eyes.
He didn't understand what it meant.
He didn't know that expression was called jealousy.
...
"Your skin has become like porcelain.
Your muscles are rough and solid.
And even your bones have become like stone."
Shi Yun Han carefully examined his son.
"I can also sense the aura control inside your body.
You intend to reach the Pillar Level through physical training."
"Yes."
Shi Yun Lan hesitated.
His father noticed immediately.
"What is wrong?"
"It's my training.
I don't know how to continue without feeling pain."
Shi Yun Lan had been trying to affect his internal organs.
But their softness made it difficult for him to endure the pain.
It wasn't emotional pain.
It was physical.
Even when he had been injured in the past, he could endure it.
But now...
'Huh?'
Shi Yun Lan suddenly stopped thinking.
'Why?
I didn't feel physical pain before.
Why can I feel it now?'
Shi Yun Han thought for a moment.
"I feel like Jian Blu Eva might be able to help you with that pain."
"..."
"Lan?"
"Ah.
I'm sorry.
I became confused for a moment.
I'll take my leave."
He left the room.
Then he summoned Leon when he reached his room.
"Yes, young master."
"How is my aura?"
Shi Yun Lan released his aura.
Leon remained completely calm.
Shi Yun Lan shook his head inwardly.
'No.
He's been with me for a long time.
He wouldn't be affected easily anymore.
And he might not notice the difference.'
Leon suddenly spoke.
"I think it's weaker."
"!!!"
Shi Yun Lan looked at him in disbelief.
Leon continued.
"When I remember the old days, I was terrified of your aura.
Well, it's not like I don't—"
"Continue."
Shi Yun Lan's voice became nervous.
Leon swallowed.
"Your aura has become more normal than before."
"..."
Shi Yun Lan fell into deep thought.
Leon felt as though he had disrespected his young master.
But he couldn't lie.
"I see.
You can go."
Leon left.
Shi Yun Lan remained silent.
'I see.
I let my feelings conquer my will.'
He stretched his body.
Then he locked himself inside his room.
He took a deep breath.
He remembered the old memories.
The kidnapping of Bi Ri.
The aura he had unleashed back then.
"I will do it again."
Shion Lan was surprised.
He didn't know who had spoken.
Was it him?
Or Shi Yun Lan?
There was no time to think.
Shi Yun Lan unleashed his aura.
But this time, there was something different.
His aura was alive.
Shi Yun Lan focused on the deadly part.
"Kgh!"
He wanted to scream.
But he forcibly closed his mouth.
He looked deeper into his aura.
Then he remembered Jian Blu Eva's teachings.
'She told me that there can be poisons inside the aura itself.
So...'
He spread the aura throughout his entire body.
Using death, he searched for life.
Then—
He found something strange.
"That's..."
A green aura emerged.
It was as if an entire forest were breathing.
A scent of life.
A scent of beauty.
"Why?"
Shi Yun Lan stared at it.
Then he realized what it was.
Jian Blu Eva's aura.
His expression changed.
"Why?!"
His memories of that year flooded back.
The green aura spread through his body.
It began destroying his own aura.
He remembered her advice.
'Take a rest from time to time.'
Her aura had always spread gently through his body.
"WHY?!"
Rage erupted from Shi Yun Lan.
He destroyed the green, vital aura.
Then—
Silence.
His breathing returned to normal.
His pitch-black eyes became cold again.
"Why?"
His voice was emotionless.
Just like the first time he had met her.
He stopped thinking about it.
He simply continued his training.
He had decided to complete his Art of Annihilation.
...
Months passed.
Shi Yun Lan remained inside his room.
Bi Ri became increasingly worried.
Her young master had returned to his old self.
Leon also felt regret.
He remembered Shi Yun Lan's question.
And his honest answer.
...
In the main hall of the Shi family—
Shi Yun Han looked down at his eldest son.
Shi Yun Suan was kneeling before him.
"What did you do there?"
Shi Yun Han's voice was cold and threatening.
Shi Yun Suan felt as though his throat had been squeezed.
But he didn't dare keep the elders waiting.
"I...
I failed."
The elders immediately began speaking.
"What is new about that?!"
"I hoped I could hear something different this time."
"You are the eldest son of the Shi family!"
Their words were directed at Shi Yun Suan.
But their true target was Shi Yun Han.
They wanted him to hear every word.
Shi Yun Han ignored them.
"How many of them were there?"
Shi Yun Suan answered,
"All the young masters retreated.
I was one of them.
We couldn't advance any further!"
His voice rose.
"I survived!
What is wrong with that?!"
Then—
"The third young master asks for permission to enter!"
The guardian's voice echoed through the hall.
Shi Yun Han immediately allowed him to enter.
Shi Yun Lan stepped inside.
His father was already frustrated with Shi Yun Suan.
But the moment he sensed his youngest son's aura—
His eyes widened.
"The Pillar Level?!
When did you reach it?!"
The entire audience turned toward Shi Yun Lan in shock.
Even Shi Dun Mi's grandfather stared at him in disbelief.
The Aura of Death that once spread uncontrollably around Shi Yun Lan was now concentrated within his muscles and veins.
His presence had become even more terrifying.
Yet his face was flawless.
His pale skin resembled porcelain.
His body wasn't enormous, but every line of muscle displayed overwhelming strength.
His pitch-black eyes were the only thing preventing his appearance from becoming beautiful.
They warned everyone:
Be careful when speaking to him.
Shi Yun Han noticed the silence filling the hall.
He remembered his father's words.
'Little Lan is a special case.'
He decided not to interfere.
Shi Yun Lan stepped forward.
"Greetings, Head of the Family."
"Greetings, Elders."
"Greetings, Brother."
He stood straight.
His father felt proud.
But it wasn't the right time to celebrate.
Shi Yun Lan looked around.
Shi Yun Han asked,
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
Shi Yun Lan shook his head.
"I came here to inform you about my advancement.
And to ask about my sword maid.
I don't see her."
Shi Yun Han's expression changed.
His gaze immediately turned toward Shi Yun Suan.
"Your brother's maid.
Where is she?"