The moment he stepped out—
The world felt different.
The young cultivator froze mid-step, his breath catching in his throat.
"…What…?"
Everything looked the same.
The street. The buildings. The sky.
But something—
Something inside him was gone.
ROAR—!
The beast returned.
A massive, black-scaled creature lunged from the end of the street, its eyes burning with killing intent. The ground cracked beneath its weight as it charged forward.
A Void Devouring Beast.
A creature that even Core Formation cultivators feared.
"Damn it—!"
The young man reacted instantly, drawing his sword.
His movements were faster now.
Sharper.
His injuries were completely gone.
Even his spiritual energy felt… stable.
Stronger, even.
"I can fight it—!"
He took a step forward—
Then stopped.
His expression froze.
"…Why isn't it moving?"
The beast was still charging.
Still roaring.
Still trying to kill him.
But in his perception—
It felt slow.
Too slow.
Like watching something struggle against an invisible wall.
Inside the shop—
Lin Mo poured himself a cup of tea.
"He's noticing."
Outside—
The young cultivator frowned.
This wasn't right.
His body felt perfect.
His senses sharper than ever.
But—
There was no growth.
No potential.
No future.
The realization hit him like a blade to the chest.
"…I can't… get stronger."
His grip tightened on the sword.
He circulated his qi—
Nothing changed.
No response.
No expansion.
No improvement.
It was as if his cultivation had been locked in place.
Forever.
The beast lunged.
He moved on instinct.
Slash—!
The sword cut cleanly through its scales.
Too easily.
The beast's body split in half, crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.
Silence followed.
The young cultivator stood there, breathing heavily.
He had just killed something stronger than himself.
Without effort.
Without risk.
Without… progress.
"…So this is the price."
His voice trembled slightly.
"I survived…"
"But I'll never go further."
Inside the shop—
Lin Mo took a sip of tea.
Calm. Unbothered.
"Fair trade."
Far above the city—
In the depths of the sky—
A figure stood on nothingness.
An elder in long, flowing robes, his eyes glowing faintly as he observed the world below.
A Nascent Soul Realm expert.
One of the strongest beings in this region.
His gaze locked onto the street.
"…That fluctuation."
His expression darkened.
"That wasn't a normal exchange."
He had felt it.
A moment ago—
Something fundamental had been altered.
Not energy.
Not law.
Something deeper.
"…Fate."
Back on the street—
The young cultivator slowly lowered his sword.
His expression became complicated.
Relief.
Regret.
Fear.
"…That shop…"
Before he could finish—
A cold voice echoed from above.
"You."
The air froze.
Pressure descended.
The young cultivator's body trembled as he looked up.
The elder had arrived.
"You killed a Void Devouring Beast," the elder said calmly.
"But you are only at Core Formation."
His eyes narrowed.
"Explain."
The young cultivator hesitated.
His thoughts raced.
Should he tell the truth?
Should he mention the shop?
Inside—
Lin Mo placed his cup down.
"…Let's see what you choose."
Outside—
The pressure grew heavier.
The elder's patience was thinning.
"Speak."
The young cultivator clenched his fists.
Then—
Slowly—
He pointed.
Toward the shop.
"That place…"
His voice was low.
"…It can grant anything."
Silence.
The elder turned.
His gaze fell upon the wooden shop.
Plain.
Ordinary.
Unremarkable.
And yet—
The moment he looked at it—
His pupils shrank.
For a split second—
He saw something else.
Not a shop.
Not a building.
But something vast.
Endless.
Unfathomable.
Then it was gone.
"…Interesting."
Inside the shop—
Lin Mo smiled faintly.
Another customer.
The bell rang.
Clink.
"Welcome," Lin Mo said.
The elder stepped inside.
And for the first time in hundreds of years—
He felt something he had long forgotten.
Uncertainty.