Morning sun came up over the big stone hills of Phoenix Valley, pushing away the thick white fog. Below the tall gray rocks, ancient stone yards stood quiet and strong behind heavy wooden gates strapped with black metal. The cold mountain breeze smelled of sweet pine trees, blowing away the bad smell of city fire and black smoke.In the outer yard, thirty wounded soldiers lay on dry grass mats, crying out softly as the cold air touched their cuts. Old Doctor Oakhaven wiped cold sweat from his forehead with shaking hands, his fingers stained with green leaf juice as he stirred a hot clay pot over small red coals. He looked around with worried eyes to make sure no common soldiers were listening close by."Young Master Lucas, three more men are throwing up black muck," Doctor Oakhaven whispered in a low voice, leaning close to the young man. "The black frost in their bones is too mean and cold for my common fire herbs to cure. My old hands do not know what else to mix."Lucas knelt down

The red morning sun rose over the high stone ridges of Phoenix Valley, chasing away the cold gray mist. Down on the ancient terraces, Lord Julian and Doctor Oakhaven led twenty trusted workers between the green rows with woven baskets.They moved with gentle care, cutting fifty bundles of glowing Grade-5 Sun-Dew Lotuses at their thick stems. The workers wrapped each pale root in damp mountain moss, sealing the sweet golden mist tight inside the petals.The entire southern ridge smelled sweeter than wild honeycomb, filling the tired workers with fresh strength just from breathing the clean morning air.Deep inside Lucas’s mind, the clear chime of the System rang out like a silver bell.[Ancient Herb Line Restored to the Mortal Realm.][Karmic Reward: +10 Karma Points Acquired. Current Balance: 45 Karma Points.][Physical Drop: Ancient Alchemy Scroll — 'Basic Jade-Marrow Refining Pill Formula'.]A cool scroll made of pale green silk slipped silently into the inner pocket of Lucas’s gray

Cold river mist rolled across the dark waters of the South River. Governor Sterling, Commander Brant, and Envoy Cedric led thirty armored soldiers through the tall river reeds, following Lucas toward the wooden wharves without making a sound.Up on the wide deck of the central grain barge, Vice-Captain Huo drank warm spiced wine with his two lead officers. He laughed loudly into the cold night air, his cruel scar twisting as he pointed toward the distant hills."Those weak fools in Phoenix Valley are dead puddles of black slime by now," Huo boasted, slamming his cup onto a barrel. "The Prime Minister will reward us with gold and lands when we reach the imperial capital."Heavy splashing broke the quiet of the pier below. Young Master Corbin and Lady Morana dragged themselves out of the muddy riverbank, their expensive silk robes torn, soaked, and covered in stinking river slime.They fell onto their trembling knees before the gangplank, weeping bitterly as they looked up at the armore

The heavy wooden wheels of the carriage rolled through Tiger Leap Gorge. Towering black cliffs rose on both sides, blocking the morning sun, while the violent river roared over sharp rocks far below.Inside the cabin, Clara pulled her small knees up and clutched her wooden rabbit doll against her chest. She looked out the small window and shivered. "Brother, why did all the little birds stop singing in the trees?"Lucas gently smoothed her black hair, his eyes turning cold and alert. "Stay down, Clara. Keep holding your rabbit, and do not look out the glass."Before Clara could answer, a thunderous blast shook the canyon walls. Massive black boulders crashed down from the high ledges, smashing the rear supply cart to splinters and sealing the narrow road behind them.Choking dust rose in the dark pass as forty killers in black serpent armor dropped from the jagged stone walls. At the front walked a tall brute with a pale scar carved across his blind left eye."The road ends here, litt

Lady Seraphina stood before the grand trading hall of the Golden Chamber, her hands clenched tight. Heavy iron chains hung across the carved cedar doors, locked under thick royal wax seals.Royal bailiffs marched along the stone steps, posting bright yellow notices on every pillar. Lord Jesse had signed the decree himself, freezing every silver vault and herb warehouse in the capital."He did not just freeze our gold," Seraphina said, her voice shaking with quiet fury. "Jesse put forty armored guards around the northern manor, sealing the Sun-Core Spring behind iron bars."Clara stood close to Lucas, her dark eyes flashing with sharp defiance. "My father always taught me that evil dogs bark loudest right before winter arrives to bite them.""Even if the cold fever returns, I will never leave your side, Lucas," Clara whispered softly. Lucas squeezed her hand firmly, feeling the faint winter chill resting on her soft skin."You will not suffer the cold again, Clara," Lucas said with qui