Unfortunately for her… killing her at the sect gates wasn’t an option.

  “Have someone keep watch on her,” Lauren said. “The moment she leaves, inform me.”

  “Understood.”

  After they left, Edmund spoke beside her.

  “You’re planning to kill her the moment she leaves the Moonlit Sect, aren’t you?”

  “Of course. Now that she’s been expelled, this is the perfect opportunity.”

  “…Not yet,” Edmund said.

  Lauren turned sharply. “Why?”

  “When you broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, you triggered heavenly lightning. Your master shielded you.”

  “Yes…?” What did that have to do with Indiana?

  “The puppet has undergone a major shift,” Edmund said gravely. “That kind of change doesn’t escape the notice of the higher planes.”

  Lauren subconsciously lifted her gaze—to the sky above.

  “Have someone keep an eye on her,” Edmund said quietly. “We might get something unexpected out of it.”

  Lauren slowed to a stop at the side of the road. “You mean… they might give her direct instructions?”

  Edmund paused. “They might even send someone in person.”

  Lauren frowned. “Directly? With a Substitute Talisman?”

  “It’s hard to say. You human cultivators have terribly complicated minds. You always come up with strange methods.”

  Lauren: “…”

  As a human herself, she felt thoroughly mocked.

  “Fine. I’ll go talk to Elder Zane.”

  ......

  “Oh? Ms. Lauren, is there anything else?”

  Lauren got straight to the point. “Elder Zane, can you arrange surveillance?”

  “What exactly does Ms. Lauren intend to do?”

  “I want someone to follow Indiana. Discreetly. Do you know anyone who does that kind of work? The pay doesn’t matter.”

  Elder Zane nodded. “There’s a group that specializes in assassination and tracking. They take on this sort of job.”

  Lauren’s eyes lit up. “Perfect. What’s the usual rate?”

  “One person isn’t reliable. Too many things can go wrong. Two or three would be safer.”

  “Then three,” Lauren said instantly. “Let’s do it properly.”

  Honestly, she could easily hire six.

  “The price isn’t low,” Elder Zane warned, gesturing a figure with his fingers.

  Lauren didn’t hesitate. She paid for three on the spot.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  After a brief thought, she took out several Thousand-Mile Message Talismans and handed them over.

  “Give these to them. And tell them safety comes first—no reckless heroics.”

  “Understood.”

  Elder Zane couldn’t help thinking: Ms. Lauren really is too kindhearted.

  .......

  When Lauren returned to the ruins of the Evercrest estate, reconstruction was already underway. Workers filled the grounds, hauling debris and laying new foundations.

  She spotted Preston standing amid the wreckage in the distance.

  “Grandpa.”

  Preston turned, and his face lit up with relief.

  “Lauren! You’re back. Are you alright?”

  She ran to him, shaking her head with a small smile. “I’m fine, Grandpa.”

  “And the Moonlit Sect… that disciple…” Preston hesitated. “You didn’t suffer retaliation?”

  “It’s been handled. My master stepped in.”

  Only then did Preston truly relax. “Good. Good. Don’t stand here—too much dust in the air.”

  Lauren glanced around. “Where are Mom and the others?”

  “They’ve been sent to the countryside estate for now. This place is uninhabitable until repairs are finished.”

  “Then don’t repair it,” Lauren said calmly. “Let’s move.”

  Preston blinked. “Move?”

  “Yes. To Sunspire. We’ll help my master manage his talisman business. Food and lodging included.”

  “…What?” Preston was stunned. “How could that be possible?”

  Lauren laughed. “My master fears nothing in this world—except managing businesses. He hates it. He won’t let us freeload, though. We’ll have to help him run the shops.”

  Preston fell silent for a long moment. “You mean… the whole family moves?”

  Lauren nodded immediately. “Everyone.”

  “That’s not a small decision,” he said slowly. “I’ll need to discuss it with the clan.”

  “No rush. Anyone who wants to go can go.”

  “Alright.”

  Preston had Lauren stay at a nearby inn while he sent word to recall the family from the countryside.

  Sunspire…

  With its abundant spiritual energy, perhaps he might even have a chance to break through again.

  Lauren left the ruins and headed straight to the marketplace.

  She bought two chickens. No—one rooster and one hen.

  If Butcher wasn’t being greedy and raised them properly, eggs and meat would no longer be a concern.

  “Boss,” she asked, “these two can build a whole flock, right?”

  The chicken seller chuckled. “Of course. But if you want a proper brood, you should buy a few more hens.”

  “Why?”

  “One rooster leading multiple hens forms a stable flock much faster.”

  Lauren nodded in understanding.

  So… chickens are polygamous.

  “Then give me nine hens.”

  “Coming right up.”

  “All of them should be young and ready to lay within the year.”

  “No problem.”

  In the end, Lauren bought ten chickens total—nine plump young hens and one proud, glossy-feathered rooster.

  She tied them together with a rope and brought them straight to Sky-Covering Valley.

  Once inside, she released them into the fields.

  She also tied a letter she had written around the rooster’s neck.

  In it, she told Flower Wife everything that had happened over the years—both the danger and the absurdities. She thanked the great monk for his generous gift and even hinted at a few secrets regarding the protective barrier.

  In a separate note, she warned Butcher to keep his damn mouth shut. Once the chickens multiplied, food shortages would no longer be an issue.

  Edmund peeked out from her sleeve.

  .....

  “I thought you were planning to raise them in your inner space.”

  “…I don’t eat meat,” Lauren replied. “Why the hell would I raise chickens inside my body?”

  “You could introduce suitable seedlings first. Raise them before they develop sentience. As they grow, they absorb the spiritual energy of the inner space and eventually become part of it. Once they awaken intelligence and take human form, they can tend your flowers and spirit plants.”

  Lauren stared at him.

  Then imagined ten chickens rampaging through her spirit fields.

  “…If I brought those things in, do you think I’d still have any spiritual plants left?”

  Edmund fell silent.

  “…That’s a fair point.”

  ......

  Sky-Covering Valley

  Years ago, Lauren had sent a single pig into Sky-Covering Valley.

  Now, she’d sent them an entire flock of chickens.

  Butcher’s mouth watered instantly. His gaze flicked to the scar on the pig’s head. While everyone else was gathered around reading Lauren’s letter, he quietly reached out and snatched one chicken away.

  Viper noticed immediately. He grinned slyly and tugged at Light’s sleeve.

  Light lifted his eyes and saw Butcher sneaking off with the chicken.

  “Stop.”

  Butcher’s back stiffened. He turned slowly, his face twisting in grief and resentment.

  “Master… are you serious? She gave me a whole damn flock, and you won’t even let me eat one?”

  Light said calmly, “Watch them properly. Lauren specifically told you to keep your mouth shut about this. These ten will become a large flock within a few years. Then you won’t have to worry about food ever again.”

  Damn it…

  “Ten chickens! Eating one won’t affect their reproduction at all!” Butcher pleaded. “Master, just give me one. Just one!”

  Light’s expression darkened slightly. “I never said you’re forbidden to eat them. But you must build up the flock first.”