Sam's Master ?

Sam understood that concealing his true identity would be futile.

Instead, he chose a different approach: he pretended to be a master in order to clear any potential doubts.

Mastering inscription techniques was no small feat, especially for someone as young as Sam. 

A sensible observer would conclude that he had the backing of a mythical inscription master, even if such a figure did not exist.

This technique, however, was not without risk. The world was full of unpredictable people, some of whom would dismiss the concept of such a master totally, posing a threat to Sam.

Yet, Sam chose to confront these risks head-on. 

After all, he was a cultivator of martial arts; avoiding challenges due to potential danger was not in his nature. If he were to shy away from every shadow of adversity, he'd never reach the pinnacle of the martial path.

Witnessing Sam's guarded demeanor, Jonas directed the others to leave the room. Soon, only Jonas and Hen Portia remained.

Jonas skillfully enveloped the room with an imperceptible sound-sealing barrier. "Little brother, I harbor no ill intentions. This is merely a technique to ensure our conversation remains private. I'm simply curious, did you create that flame-engraved inscription symbol?"

In the realm of inscription, each master had a unique symbol that signified their identity and encapsulated the spirit of their craft. Sam's was a blazing inferno, representing his burning ambition for the martial path.

Holding her breath, eyes wide with anticipation, Hen Portia waited for his response.

Sam hesitated for a moment before nodding firmly. "Yes, it was me."

Having committed to this ruse, Sam understood that he needed to maintain it wholeheartedly. 

Only then would he command the respect of others, convincing them that his mysterious master was an untouchable figure of legend.

While they had anticipated this revelation, Jonas and especially Hen Portia were taken aback by Sam's confirmation.

As an accomplished inscriptionist herself, Hen Portia understood the magnitude of Sam's achievement. 

Becoming an inscription master at the age of fifteen was an extraordinary feat, beyond measure.

She recognized that for every summit, there was always a higher peak. 

Starlight Haven Kingdom was just a small corner of the vast Starlight Spill Continent. 

While she was considered exceptionally talented here, if she were to venture beyond these borders, she might find herself amidst countless prodigies.

Hen Portia, possessing a sixth-rank martial talent and unrivaled inscription skills in Starlight Haven Kingdom, was truly a favored child of the heavens. In her circle, there was no contemporary who could even approach a fraction of her abilities.

Yet, in Sam, she had met her match. While his physical strength might lag behind hers, his prowess in inscription surpassed hers by leagues.

In the realm of inscription, she was a fledgling who had yet to spread her wings, while he was an eagle soaring through the skies. The gap was simply too vast.

This newfound challenge invigorated Hen Portia. With a goal in sight, she could now strive to surpass her own limitations.

Though she wished to befriend this young prodigy and exchange knowledge with him, she recalled her previous invitation, which had been declined. 

Being a girl of noble birth, pride and shyness were woven into her character. Even though she desired friendship, she hesitated to extend another invitation.

After hearing Sam's admission, Jonas managed to collect himself from his initial shock. The reality was almost unbelievable. He had surmised that the creator of the inscription symbol couldn't have a cultivation level surpassing the third stage of body transformation, but evidently, he was mistaken.

Sam's cultivation was merely at the peak of the first stage. Yet, due to his rock-solid foundation and the precision of his soul force, it gave the illusion of a higher level.

This dense soul force suggested a mastery of a top-tier martial skill, the kind typically guarded by ancient and formidable clans.

Observing Sam's unwavering dedication, especially his recent display of skill with a simple knife, Jonas suspected that the youth hailed from an ancient lineage or was under the wing of a supreme master.

With this in mind, Jonas enveloped the room in a sound-sealing bubble and inquired respectfully, "Forgive my boldness, but may I ask the name of your esteemed master?"

Despite his lofty status in Starlight Haven Kingdom, Jonas held a deep respect for the legendary and enigmatic figure supporting Sam.

Sam, choosing his words carefully, replied, "I regret to say, senior, that my master has advised me against revealing his name. My parents are also unaware of my apprenticeship. When I was twelve, my master found me and imparted some knowledge."

Jonas nodded in understanding. "I apologize for my impertinence. Elders of such caliber often traverse the world, their whereabouts seldom known. It is not for me to inquire so directly. Your mastery of inscription is truly exceptional, and it seems unlikely that you hail from Starlight Haven Kingdom. Perhaps your master comes from an ancient sect..."

While Jonas refrained from pressing for Sam's master's identity, his curiosity lingered. Encountering a figure of this magnitude was a rare stroke of luck indeed.

For years, Jonas had been on the cusp of breaking through to the next stage, but without guidance, that single step remained an insurmountable chasm.

Throughout Starlight Haven Kingdom's history, many had reached the stage of Pulse Condensation, with some even advancing to the Houtian stage. Yet, in eight years, the kingdom had not produced a single Xiantian master.

Transitioning from Bone Forging to Pulse Condensation was like crossing a stream, but from Houtian to Xiantian was akin to navigating a tempestuous ocean. Without the guidance of a sect, the likelihood of achieving Xiantian was nearly nonexistent.

Jonas had long passed the point of joining a sect. His only hope lay in encountering a venerable elder who could offer a guiding hand and kindle the spark of hope for his eventual ascent to Xiantian.

Sam divulged, "My master lives in seclusion, but he once told me he had been a member of a sect."

This revelation sparked envy in Jonas. He never had the privilege of joining a sect, but Sam's master had departed from one. 

"Your master must have reached a remarkably high level of cultivation to leave his sect for travels. It's likely he surpassed even the Xiantian stage."

To Jonas, the Xiantian stage was a distant dream. For martial artists without sects, the stages beyond Xiantian were unimaginable realms.

Upon hearing this, Sam grasped Jonas's underlying intent. The old man sought answers for his own cultivation, and the eagerness in his eyes betrayed his yearning for guidance. 

Sam recalled the fragments of the elder's memories, and though they were incomplete, he had enough to share.

"The truth is, I'm uncertain of my master's current cultivation level. He once mentioned that the martial path consists of two major parts, and he is currently contemplating the second part."

Jonas's eyes gleamed with interest. He hung on

Sam's every word, realizing the profound significance of this opportunity to learn from a senior.

Hen Portia, equally captivated, listened attentively as Sam continued.