Bhummmm—

  The entire treasury trembled.

  A low vibration spread through the floor, subtle yet heavy.

  Winay stiffened. His mind instantly began analyzing the explosion-like sound, but this kind of disturbance was unfamiliar to him. He couldn’t reach any conclusion.

  He looked at Rainor.

  “What is going on outside? What is this sudden shockwave?”

  He could clearly feel the vibration passing beneath his feet.

  Rainor immediately raised his hand slightly.

  “Don’t move. Stay still. Wait for ten seconds. Let’s first probe the situation outside.”

  He closed his eyes briefly.

  “These rooms are constructed using titanium-lead glass, infused with pseudo-origin stone essence. Titanium-lead glass disrupts divine sense, and pseudo-origin stone essence blocks it entirely. My divine sense doesn’t function here.”

  Ten seconds passed.

  Nothing followed the initial shockwave.

  Rainor frowned slightly.

  What happened? Why did it suddenly stop? Did someone suppress it midway? he wondered silently.

  Then—

  Ping…

  The receptionist quickly checked her communication device.

  “Ah, Sir,” she said calmly, “we’ve received confirmation. There’s no need to worry. It’s just a greeting exchange between the High Priest of the Temple of Creation and the High Priest of the Temple of Destruction.”

  Rainor exhaled softly.

  “Hah… that explains it. I was wondering why it stopped so abruptly.”

  Winay blinked.

  “What? If that was just a greeting, why did it feel like a meteorite struck the city?”

  Rainor gave a faint smile.

  “That is their way of greeting, Winay.”

  Winay’s confusion deepened.

  “But… why?”

  Rainor shrugged slightly.

  “Even I don’t have clear information. Some say they test whose lifespan will end first. Others say it’s symbolic — to prove which temple stands superior.”

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  He paused briefly.

  “But from what I understand, whenever they meet, they exchange a single fist. That’s it. They never escalate it further.”

  Rainor’s expression shifted slightly.

  “But what is the occasion this time? They don’t usually meet near White Flower City.”

  The receptionist answered respectfully,

  “Sir, today they are holding discussions regarding the remaining unexplored floors inside the Designer’s Ruins.”

  Rainor’s eyes narrowed.

  “You mean… they’ve discovered a way to enter the remaining two unexplored floors?”

  She shook her head.

  “That information hasn’t been publicly revealed. I don’t have access to it. But one thing is confirmed — both temples are planning to send a team of eleven people into the ruins.”

  Her gaze shifted toward Winay’s token.

  “And along with them… individuals holding special access tokens. Like this one.”

  Rainor nodded slowly.

  “Hm. I see.”

  By then, they had returned to the reception area from the treasury.

  “Here, Mr. Winay,” she said, handing back the token. “You may take it.”

  Winay accepted it.

  “Thank you.”

  After completing the formalities at the Archive, the two of them left for their final destination within White Flower City.

  As they walked away from the central districts, the noise of the city gradually faded. The surroundings became quieter. The air felt heavier.

  Winay spoke first.

  “Professor…”

  Rainor raised his hand slightly.

  “Wait. Before you ask anything… let me ask you something first.”

  Winay looked at him.

  “After entering the academy, you will have to choose someone as your master for your future growth.”

  Rainor stopped walking and turned to face him directly.

  “I won’t lie to you. I want you to take me as your master.”

  Winay froze for a moment.

  “I…”

  Rainor continued calmly,

  “Don’t worry about losing your freedom. I don’t restrict my disciples. And I can teach you something unique — a deeper understanding of soul energy. Something very few people truly grasp.”

  Why is Professor asking me this suddenly? Winay thought.

  Taking him as a master would definitely benefit me… but I was planning to remain independent.

  Rainor added gently,

  “You don’t have to answer immediately. You still have time until we reach the academy.”

  Did I startle him? Rainor thought.

  His growth shouldn’t be left unsupported… but I can’t force him.

  Winay silently decided.

  I’ll think about it later. Right now… the ruins are more important.

  They resumed walking.

  “Now,” Rainor said, “what was your doubt?”

  Winay nodded.

  “Professor… I have many doubts. Most of them I believe I can figure out myself.”

  He paused.

  “But my biggest doubt is about the exploration you mentioned… and the unexplored floors.”

  Rainor gave a slight smile.

  “Then listen carefully, Winay.”

  “There are five floors in the Designer’s Ruins. The ruins were discovered nearly five hundred years ago. Yet even after all this time… no one has cleared all five floors.”

  He continued walking steadily.

  “We suspect the floors are interconnected. They are not independent trials.”

  Winay listened intently.

  Rainor went on,

  “The first floor is relatively simple. Most cultivators can clear it. But from the second floor onward, the difficulty increases drastically. Many cultivators cannot even remain inside for long.”

  He paused.

  “And the reason only three floors have been explored is because, for centuries, no one could even properly identify the method to access the deeper levels.”

  His tone lowered slightly.

  “It’s complex. Mysterious. Almost… alive.”

  Winay’s eyes sharpened.

  “Now it feels even more interesting.”

  Rainor nodded.

  “It should.”

  Then his tone grew slightly serious.

  “But remember this — there may be people with ill intent inside. It’s rare… but not impossible. Being cautious is always better than regretting later.”

  He looked at Winay calmly.

  “Fortunately, the ruins restrict entry to cultivators below the Integration Realm. Anyone above that is rejected by the entrance itself.”

  Winay asked immediately,

  “So Integration Realm and above cannot enter?”

  “No,” Rainor replied. “The entrance rejects them automatically.”

  Winay nodded firmly.

  “Alright, Professor. I’ll look after myself.”

  Rainor smiled faintly.

  “And you should know the basic details of the first three floors…”

  He began explaining the known structures, danger classifications, recorded failures, and partial clear conditions.

  By the time he finished—

  They had arrived.

  The entrance of the Designer’s Ruins stood before them.

  Massive.

  Ancient.

  Silent.