"I’m not going."

Murphy’s reply was simple and clear, without a hint of hesitation.

The New Realm might be full of opportunities, but it also meant unknown risks.

Abandoning his current foundation to rashly step into a world with completely different Laws and unknown powers was not a wise move.

His foundation was here, his connections were here, and his Path was here as well.

That legendary land of plenty held limited temptation for him.

[Wandering Seeker of the mortal world, fate has manifested two distinct, heavenly Paths before you.]

[Option 1: Defeat the enemies from the Northern Territory, defend Lingyun Pavilion, and by chance, obtain an immortal opportunity from the "Canglan Realm." Looking back upon the Jianghu, the song of your sword never ceases, but your ties to the mortal world are severed. Thus, you journey east into the twilight, stepping alone into an unknown great world suffused with Spiritual Qi and fraught with danger.]

[Reward: Inner Alchemy Golden Core "Initial Glimpse"]

[Option 2: Defeat the enemies from the Northern Territory, defend Lingyun Pavilion, and by chance, obtain an immortal opportunity from the "Canglan Realm." Though the immortal opportunity is wondrous, your heart remains as still as water. You understand the importance of your foundation and the responsibility of passing on your teachings. Setting aside the ethereal dream of immortality, you stand guard over Lingyun Pavilion for twenty years, recruiting worthy talents and innovating upon the old ways, ultimately becoming a grandmaster of the Martial Arts world and establishing a legacy to last for ages.]

[Reward: Qi Absorption and Eating Dew "Slightly Accomplished"]

Besides, the system had already given him this choice ten years ago.

Margaret seemed to have anticipated this answer, showing no surprise on her face.

"Then Maggie won’t go either." Her voice was soft, as if stating the most natural fact in the world. "If Master isn’t going, what’s the point of Maggie going?"

She raised a hand, languidly tidying the strands of hair the wind had mussed. "No matter how tempting the New Realm’s resources are, they can’t compare to staying by Master’s side. Besides..."

A cold, sharp light glinted in her eyes.

"The Royal Family wants me to go only because they’re eyeing the power vacuum I’d leave behind, plotting how to carve up the wealth and influence of the Temeris Territory. They don’t genuinely hope I’ll achieve anything in the New Realm; they’d be thrilled if I never came back. That’s why Maggie must stay and protect this foundation for Master."

Murphy listened quietly, the night wind making the hem of his dark blue robes snap and flutter.

"Foundation..." he repeated the word in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over the faintly lit Taymer Palace below and the vast territory beyond, which was shrouded in darkness.

It was both Margaret’s Duke’s Domain and, by controlling her, a territory he could effectively influence.

As long as he had Margaret in his grasp, the wealth and power of this land were a crucial pillar for building his own strength.

"Is that really all, Maggie?" Murphy’s voice was low. "Is it merely to protect my foundation? Regarding the Old Realm—this world beneath our feet—what we learned from interrogating those Ghostly Touch Wizard Apprentices back then wasn’t limited to just that."

He paused, his voice growing slower. "Are you not going really just because I’m not, or to protect the power you have now? Don’t you have any designs on the treasures that might be buried throughout the Old Realm, waiting to see the light of day again?"

The night wind swept by, lifting more strands of hair at Margaret’s temples.

She was silent for a moment, then let out a soft, low chuckle.

"Master always sees right through Maggie. Yes, the legends... about the ruins from the Wizard’s Golden Age before the Dawn War, the clues to lost technologies, the forgotten knowledge, the powerful ancient artifacts. No ambitious Wizard could remain completely indifferent."

"But, Master, exploring the secrets of the Old Realm is far riskier than exploring the New Realm. The New Realm is, at least, a ’known unknown.’ The ruins of the Old Realm, however, are often tied to the deepest taboos, the most ancient curses, and certain... entities that even the great beings at the height of the Wizard World dared not speak of. To pursue them blindly might not lead to power, but to destruction."

"Besides, of those lurking in this world, coveting and competing for those legendary treasures, which one isn’t some old monster who’s lived for who knows how long, or a ruthless figure with a powerful backer? Competing with them would be no easy task."

Murphy watched her quietly, his deep eyes betraying no emotion. "So, you have no designs on them?"

Margaret chuckled softly again, the sound seeming to drift away on the night wind. "No, Master. As a Wizard, as one who pursues power and knowledge, it’s impossible not to be tempted by such legends. That curiosity and desire are etched into my very bones."

She paused, the emerald glint in her eyes seeming to stir in their depths again. "But temptation is one thing; reason and risk are another."

"And what if I tell you no?" Murphy’s voice was calm and steady.

The smile on Margaret’s face deepened, her expression taking on an enraptured quality. "Then naturally, I would obey Master. If Master says no, Maggie will not entertain the thought. If Master says it is taboo, Maggie will turn a blind eye. Master’s will is Maggie’s direction."

She lowered her eyelids slightly, her thick lashes casting small shadows in the starlight. "It’s just..."

"Just what?"

"I just hope that Master will always give Maggie clear commands," she said, raising her eyes. Her gaze was filled with a devout dependence. "Tell Maggie where to go, what to do, and what not to do. The clearer Master’s orders, the more at ease Maggie feels."

The night wind blew past, carrying the subtle fragrance of night-blooming flowers from the distant garden.

Suddenly, Margaret took a step forward, leaning her body slightly toward Murphy.

Her pale yellow velvet shawl slipped from one corner, revealing a slender, fair shoulder. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Master," she said, tilting her face up with an almost adoring expression, "tomorrow is Eleanor’s birthday. As her dear father, what gift have you prepared for her? Maggie is terribly curious."

Murphy didn’t push her away. Instead, he naturally wrapped an arm around her shoulder, letting her lean against his side.

Margaret leaned against him obediently, resting some of her weight in the crook of his arm.

"A gift..." Murphy’s gaze returned to the deep night sky, his voice low. "She will see it tomorrow."

He said no more, and Margaret, naturally, didn’t press him, simply resting her head gently on his shoulder and growing quiet.

The wind blew steadily, stirring their hair and occasionally tangling the strands together.

It swept past the high spires of Taymer Palace, through the open dome of the Observatory, and finally dissipated into the boundless night.