When the Lord of Stone City apologized, Senju Yukika didn't respond. He simply opened his palm, and a strange-looking pill appeared in the center of it.
The moment the pill emerged, a rich and potent fragrance filled the room once more, causing the City Lord's eyes to widen in astonishment.
"This pill… seems to be of very high quality!"
Deep down, the City Lord was shocked, but he dared not show even a trace of greed on his face.
He knew full well that the reason the White Radiance Sect Master had nearly lost his life just moments ago was because this very pill had stirred up uncontrollable greed and desire in his heart.
That's why, no matter how badly he wanted it, the City Lord kept his feelings tightly hidden.
Senju Yukika said coldly, "You may leave."
With those words, the City Lord let out a silent sigh of relief and respectfully took his leave.
Inside the room, Yukika turned to Tanaka the little bear and asked in a gentle tone, "Where did this pill come from?"
Yukika had a strong feeling that Tanaka was hiding a big secret.
To others, this might just look like a high-grade medicinal pill—but to Yukika, it was anything but ordinary.
Because this wasn't just any pill.
It was a relic—exactly like the ones spoken of in Buddhist lore.
Yes, those legendary relics—the most precious spiritual treasures in Buddhism. But relics like that only existed in scripture and legend. No one knew if they truly existed, even across the vast universe.
Still, among mortals, Buddhism had created a kind of medicinal pill that could improve spiritual cultivation and refine one's heart and mind. It came to be known as a relic as well, even if it wasn't the true sacred kind.
Even so, it had powerful effects: healing injuries, boosting spiritual power—it was a rare treasure.
Thinking back on Tanaka's natural connection to Buddhism, Yukika began to piece things together quickly.
But unexpectedly, when Tanaka heard his master's question, he hesitated. His tone was evasive, clearly reluctant to share what he knew.
After a short pause, he said, "Master… I got this pill at an auction house…"
Yukika's expression darkened slightly. His voice cooled. "You had nothing on you when I found you—how could you afford to buy a treasure like this at an auction?"
He knew just how rare and priceless this kind of item was. Even if others didn't recognize its full value and saw it only as a top-grade pill, that alone would make it unimaginably expensive.
After being kicked out of his old home, Tanaka had fallen into poverty. Yukika knew that just surviving would've been hard, let alone buying something like this.
So clearly… Tanaka had lied to him.
Yukika couldn't help but wonder if he'd been too kind—so kind that his newly accepted disciple was already learning to keep secrets from him.
Tanaka, seeing the look on Yukika's face, felt a sudden wave of fear and guilt.
He thought about his master's strength, the teachings he'd been given, and the kindness shown to him. All of it weighed on him.
Shame welled up inside him, and finally, he broke down and confessed.
"Master… I'm sorry. I'll tell you the truth. This pill was given to me by a very respected Buddhist monk."
"Oh?" Yukika raised an eyebrow. "Which monk gave it to you?"
At that explanation, Yukika became more certain: this pill was indeed of Buddhist origin. If Tanaka had been lying, there were easier ways to make something up. Why bring Buddhism into it?
Now he found himself intrigued—curious about the Buddhist powers that existed on this planet.
He continued, "Where is this person from? And where is he now?"
Tanaka thought carefully, then replied, "I was about three hundred miles outside Stone City, on Mount Jufeng. I nearly fell off a cliff… but then an old monk appeared and saved me."
Yukika listened quietly, waiting for him to go on.
"The old monk told me that I would have a fated encounter in the future. Then he gave me this pill, told me to guard it well, and left."
Tanaka's eyes were clear and sincere. He didn't look like he was lying. Yukika stayed silent for a moment.
If what Tanaka said was true, then the monk had been able to predict that the young bear would face a major turning point. And perhaps… that turning point wasn't just for Tanaka alone.
If that were the case, then this monk wasn't ordinary at all. He could glimpse the future—what an extraordinary gift.
Yukika found himself even more intrigued. He suddenly felt a strong desire to meet this monk… to explore the teachings of Buddhism together.
······ Seeking the Flower ········
At that moment, along the outer wall of the City Lord's Mansion, the White Radiance Sect Master was still slumped over, unmoving.
The Lord of Stone City walked toward him, his face drawn with a bitter smile.
Looking at the dazed Sect Master, he didn't know where to begin.
Once he got close, the City Lord sighed before the Sect Master could speak.
"You—why would you try to steal something from that man?"
Hearing this, the White Radiance Sect Master snapped, "You're the one who's at fault! If someone that powerful was here, why didn't you give me a heads-up?!"
The City Lord shook his head helplessly. "How was I supposed to know you'd actually provoke him? I thought you could tell he was dangerous!"
"Bullshit!" the Sect Master shouted. "His spiritual aura was suppressed—I couldn't sense anything! How was I supposed to know how strong he was?"
He paused, then added with suspicion, "Who is that man? What's he doing in your mansion? What's your connection to him?"
The City Lord exhaled deeply, then said carefully, "That man killed the daughter of the Spire Tower's Lord. He came here searching for an image carved on a stone wall—he's hunting a demon. What would you have me do?"
"What? He killed the daughter of the Lord of Fang Tower?" The Sect Master was stunned.
The death of that girl had already sent shockwaves throughout the region within a thousand miles.
After all, among the various towers in the Demon Kingdom, Fang Tower was one of the top three in influence.
Rumor had it that the tower lord himself had emerged from seclusion to personally hunt down the killer.
And yet… the killer was that mysterious young man?
In that moment, the White Radiance Sect Master couldn't help but feel worried—for the Lord of Fang Tower.
If he had believed the killer was weak or dying, maybe he'd have dared to confront him.
But now, after that brief exchange, he understood just how terrifying Senju Yukika's strength truly was.
Even someone as powerful as the Lord of Fang Tower, who had long reached the peak of the super-rank realm, probably wouldn't stand a chance.