# Chapter 36 — After the Battle
# Sun City — Xu Family Main Estate
Rain fell quietly across Sun City.
After days of destruction and crimson skies, the soft sound of rain finally cald the city slightly.
Broken streets remained filled with rubble.
Formation towers still burned faintly.
And countless cultivators continued patrolling the outer districts carefully.
But compared to before—
the city finally breathed again.
---
Inside the Xu Family estate—
servants and disciples hurried through the halls carrying dicine, spirit herbs, and formation materials continuously.
The entire family remained on high alert.
Nobody knew when the next attack would co.
---
Xu Yuan sat beside an open window inside his courtyard while quietly drinking warm spirit tea.
Bandages wrapped around one arm beneath his robes, though most injuries already healed partially from cultivation.
The rain outside reflected softly through the dark courtyard stones.
Peaceful.
At least temporarily.
---
Then—
the system screen appeared again.
> New Function:
>
> Soul Sense
>
> Status: Beginner
>
> Current Range:
>
> 300 ters
---
Xu Yuan stared silently for several seconds.
Then ntally tested it.
---
Instantly—
his perception expanded outward unnaturally.
He sensed:
* guards patrolling nearby walls,
* disciples training in distant courtyards,
* servants talking quietly in kitchens,
* even spiritual energy fluctuations beneath the estate itself.
The feeling startled him slightly.
It was like seeing without eyes.
---
Then suddenly—
he sensed Xia Yu approaching before she even reached the courtyard entrance.
A few seconds later—
she appeared exactly where he sensed her.
---
Xu Yuan imdiately stopped using Soul Sense.
That ability felt strangely invasive.
---
Xia Yu entered calmly while carrying dicine and fresh spiritual bandages.
“You should rest more.”
Xu Yuan answered honestly:
“I’ve been resting for almost six hours.”
“That is not enough.”
---
She placed the dicine beside him naturally before sitting nearby.
The atmosphere between them remained comfortable even in silence.
Years of growing up together made quiet monts easy.
---
Rain continued falling softly outside.
---
After several monts—
Xu Yuan finally asked:
“How injured is the city?”
Xia Yu’s expression beca slightly colder.
“The eastern district is mostly destroyed.”
“Many cultivators died.”
“And corruption still remains near the mountains.”
Xu Yuan nodded slowly.
About what he expected.
---
Then Xia Yu looked toward him quietly.
“The elders are discussing you.”
“…That also sounds expected.”
---
She did not deny it.
Because everyone saw what happened during the battle.
The giant entity kneeling.
The strange pressure.
The resonance.
None of it could remain hidden anymore.
---
Xu Yuan sighed softly.
“At least they still think it’s my physique.”
“For now.”
---
That part mattered.
Because even Xu Yuan himself barely understood what happened.
Calling it “physique resonance” felt easier than explaining impossible ancient pressure from nowhere.
---
Then suddenly—
Lin Hao entered the courtyard carrying enough food for five people.
“I brought ergency recovery supplies.”
Xu Yuan looked toward the mountain of food.
“That appears dically questionable.”
Lin Hao sat imdiately.
“Near-death experiences increase appetite.”
“You were hiding behind walls half the battle.”
“That was tactical survival.”
---
Even Xia Yu quietly looked unconvinced.
---
Lin Hao suddenly lowered his voice afterward.
“The city lord wants to et you tomorrow.”
Xu Yuan paused slightly.
That was faster than expected.
---
“Why?”
Lin Hao imdiately answered:
“Probably because terrifying ancient monsters bowed to you.”
“…Fair.”
---
Rain continued falling quietly.
---
Then—
far beyond the Xu Family estate—
deep beneath the eastern mountains—
sothing opened its eyes again within endless darkness.
Watching.
Waiting.
---
But inside Sun City—
life slowly began moving again.
Markets reopened cautiously.
Cultivators repaired streets.
Families searched for survivors.
People adapted quickly.
Because in cultivation worlds—
survival always ca first.
---
anwhile—
inside hidden chambers throughout the city—
many factions secretly discussed the sa person.
Xu Yuan.
---
So believed:
* his physique resonated with ancient ruins,
* he possessed a hidden inheritance,
* or the gate recognized him sohow.
Others feared:
* corruption attached itself to him,
* or disaster followed him naturally.
But nobody reached a clear conclusion.
---
And honestly—
Xu Yuan himself knew little more than they did.
---
Later that night—
after Lin Hao finally left and the rain weakened outside—
Xu Yuan quietly stood within the courtyard alone.
The night sky looked calm again.
No crimson eye.
No shattered heavens.
Only darkness and rain.
---
Then—
he activated Soul Sense once more carefully.
This ti focusing farther outward.
The ability stretched smoothly through the Xu Family estate…
across nearby streets…
toward the outer city…
Then suddenly—
Xu Yuan sensed sothing strange beneath the eastern ruins.
A pulse.
Deep underground.
Slow.
Massive.
---
BOOM.
Several seconds later—
another pulse echoed through the earth itself.
---
Xu Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Because whatever remained beneath the mountains—
was still alive.
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