Chapter 63: A Phoenix Ember Amulet

Theo checked the data displayed by his system overlay. He glanced at the frail little street urchin lying in the dirt, barely breathing. The contrast between the two was staggering.

Making sure he wasn’t seeing things, Theo stood frozen in place.

The youngest daughter of the Dynasty’s Emperor. A born Sovereign Core.

These descriptors echoed in his mind, leaving him momentarily dazed.

Though Elara’s golden destiny wasn’t as extraordinary as Liana’s, the shock it brought him was no less profound.

He had no idea how many hidden experts existed across the domains. But in terms of status and prestige, who could surpass the Emperor’s bloodline?

No wonder.

Even in such dire straits, Elara still retained her golden destiny. For anyone else, simply avoiding a deathly fate would have been a blessing.

"She must be the person Liana is looking for."

Theo was almost certain.

It dawned on him that Liana hadn’t been searching for a lost relative or friend from the start. Rather, having encountered Elara in her past life and recognizing her extraordinary nature, Liana sent him to find her.

"Liana, if you were here, I would kiss you right now."

Theo withdrew his intense stare.

It made much more sense now. Destined individuals like Elara naturally attracted extraordinary figures who stood out from the crowd.

"Theo, is Stuttering Sister really sick?"

Pip looked up, puzzled. He misinterpreted Theo’s shock as concern for Elara’s condition.

The other little urchins also turned their gazes toward him. Some curious, some hopeful, others fearful.

"Let me check first."

Suppressing the excitement surging within him, Theo stepped into the dilapidated hut.

He placed his fingers on Elara’s slender wrist. He closed his eyes to assess her condition.

Failing organs. Severe cold. Infected wounds. Extreme malnutrition from prolonged starvation.

Her core had been carved out.

At this moment, Elara resembled a tattered doll, barely held together. A single touch might shatter her.

Anyone else would have perished long ago.

But Elara’s situation was peculiar. Each time her life force flickered on the verge of extinguishing, an inexplicable power pulled her back from the brink.

"What illness does Sister have?" a cautious voice asked.

Theo softened his tone and replied gently.

"Her condition is complicated."

"But it can be treated."

Her golden destiny showed no signs of being tainted by death’s shadow. Even without his intervention, Elara wouldn’t die. Though she would endure a long and painful struggle.

After a moment’s thought, Theo removed the Phoenix Ember Amulet hanging from his neck. He pressed it into her palm.

"Her body can’t handle medicinal supplements right now."

"This amulet will gently nourish her. Once she recovers somewhat, we can proceed with stronger treatments."

Miraculously, the moment the amulet touched her hand, Elara’s breathing steadied slightly.

The cold sweat covering her body lessened.

At the same time, a system notification chimed in Theo’s mind.

[Congratulations, Host. You have invested a Phoenix Ember Amulet in ’Elara’.]

[Investment Reward: Earth Vein Spirit Dew.]

[Claim now?]

"Not yet."

Theo silently declined. He turned his attention elsewhere.

"Sister can be saved!"

"Theo, your medical skills are amazing!"

"Ah-bah ah-bah!"

The little ones erupted in joy. Their faces lit up as if they regained their pillar of support.

After exchanging glances, the oldest among them scurried outside.

When he returned, he clutched a small lump of yellow salt in his hand. His head bowed almost to his chest.

"Theo, we... we don’t have money."

"So you are inviting me to a meal instead?"

Theo couldn’t help but chuckle.

The contrast was striking. Theo, dressed in fine robes, looked every bit the noble young master who descended from the clouds. The group of ragged children gathered around a broken pot of watery vegetable soup.

Pip once thought the saber-wielding constables patrolling the streets were the most impressive people in the world. Yet earlier, he saw those very constables lower their eyes in deference, not daring to even glance at Theo.

The food they usually ate wasn’t even fit for stray dogs. How could they possibly offer it to someone like Theo?

"Wild vegetables are a delicacy. Pure and untainted."

"Honestly, I rarely get to eat something this natural."

With that, Theo walked over to the pot.

He added a handful of rice. With a flick of his wrist, he produced a piece of cured meat from his inventory that instantly transformed into finely diced cubes.

"It has been two days since I last cooked. I missed this."

The children stared in awe.

They hadn’t expected this refined young master to suddenly shift into the role of a humble cook, moving about with such ease.

"Theo, do you cook often in the sect?"

"Of course. The sect’s dining hall serves terrible food."

"Theo, what are you making? It smells so good."

"Wild vegetable and meat porridge. And let me tell you, my cooking skills far surpass my medical ones."

Theo grinned.

Secretly, he slipped a Five Elements Spirit Pill into the pot. A precious elixir for replenishing vitality. Its effects were gentle enough even for ordinary, untrained bodies.

A single ordinary pill could fetch five thousand silver pieces in the market.

His was a six-mark variant. Far more valuable.

Not that such things mattered to Theo.

...

Before long, wisps of smoke curled up from the rundown courtyard.

"I have never eaten anything this good in my life."

"Ah-bah ah-bah!"

"I am so full."

"Wuwu... I miss Mother."

Theo stood nearby. A faint smile played on his lips as he silently watched them enjoy the meal.

[Name: Da Zhu]

[Age: 8]

[Cultivation: None.]

[Destiny: Gray]

[Evaluation: Life as fleeting as wild grass. With Elara’s help, escaped the clutches of child traffickers and no longer survives by stealing.]

This particular investment yielded no tangible returns.

After all, these little urchins all shared Da Zhu’s gray destiny.

But Theo was in good spirits nonetheless.

Tap.

Footsteps sounded behind him.

Theo turned to see the blindfolded girl leaning against the doorframe.

Though her eyes were concealed, he could sense the wariness in her gaze.

"You... it is you..."

"Correct. I made the food. I gave you the amulet."

Theo answered before she could finish.

"Why..."

Gurgle.

Before she could voice her question, Elara’s legs gave way. She nearly collapsed.