Chapter 37: The Legacy

He turned to ask Liana if it was dangerous. He found her expression unreadably complex.

His stomach dropped... First time he saw the ice block look like this.

"Is this... your inheritance?" Theo ventured.

Liana’s voice remained calm. "Yes."

Silence fell over the cavern. Only the crackle of electricity echoed.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

"You aren’t going to kill me for the treasure, are you?" Theo stood up. He tested the waters. "We are practically teammates."

Liana’s emotions tangled. But the nervous look on Theo’s face struck her as comical.

She arched her brows. "Why not?"

Theo relaxed. "You are bluffing. You aren’t that kind of person."

Liana remained silent.

If he didn’t trust her completely, he wouldn’t have jumped into the gorge.

"This is important to you," Theo said.

"Yes."

Liana nodded. She slipped into memories.

The Spark was an inseparable part of her past destiny. It helped her through countless trials.

Now, this piece of her life chose someone else.

"Then this must be extraordinary." Theo examined the bird hopping in his palm.

Liana’s brows furrowed. Then they eased.

"It chose you. It belongs to you now."

"Huh?" Theo blinked. "After going through so much trouble, aren’t you resentful?"

"I am. But it chose you," Liana regained her composure. "Besides. Without it, I am still me."

Such arrogance.

Theo was impressed. He wanted to tease the ice block, but he ended up awestruck.

No wonder she was a Sovereign.

He chuckled. He blocked the bird from nuzzling him.

The Spark looked aggrieved. Its expression seemed almost human in its confusion.

"Go where you belong."

"Stay with her. You will see me often enough."

Theo gently tossed the Spark back to Liana.

Liana looked up. Her face lost its usual calm.

She stared at the boy. Bewilderment filled her eyes.

She seemed to see him for the first time.

"It could change your fate," Liana said. "It could put you at the pinnacle of the Nine Domains. If you regret this, it is not too late."

"I know."

Theo’s smile was genuine.

The more precious the treasure, the greater the return on investment.

An Emperor-tier legacy? The System reward would be astronomical.

"It is rare to see you care about something. That is not easy to find."

Liana’s eyes lingered on him, unmoving.

The boy’s smile held no reluctance. No hesitation. Even a hint of anticipation.

In two lives, she witnessed too much. Spouses schemed. Fathers and sons turned on one another. Brothers shed blood for lesser treasures. She grew accustomed to it all.

It was precisely because she never fully trusted anyone that she came this far.

But today.

An exception appeared.

"Being sentimental doesn’t suit you," Theo said. "Accept the legacy."

The unreadable emotions in Liana’s eyes shifted. They softened.

"Alright." The Spark flew into her brow. It transformed into a silver mark. Light erupted in an instant.

The glow shot out from the cave entrance. It bloomed into an indescribable spectacle of brilliance. Outside, dusk had begun to fall.

But Thunder Gorge brightened. It transformed into a river of stars woven from light. A crystalline cry echoed across the heavens. It resounded through the Whispering Woods. Atop the cliff, the elders stood frozen. Their shock was plain to see.

"The gorge has changed."

"Notify the sect master at once!"