Note: Just a quick heads-up. No cultivation realm will go without a proper explanation, but those will only be fully described when Aotian himself breaks through to avoid repeating the same ideas too much. So the descriptions will be lighter when it's not about him. Also, Elder Zhao is guarding Black Rock Mountain, so there were only 9 external elders on the ship, not 10. This has already been corrected in the previous chapter.
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Under the close watch of all Aotian's minds, he monitored every step of the breakthrough process. Slowly, the auras of the elders began to rise, exhaling an aura far more terrifying than before.
The many elemental spirit stones glowing in five different colors around them gradually dimmed and crumbled into dust, alongside several ordinary spirit stones — showing just how much energy was needed for this realm transition.
'So this is what the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment looks like! Even though I compiled the technique and had a very clear understanding of the process, watching nearly fifty avatars break through at once gives me an even better vision of what I'll do next time.' Aotian reflected, staying hyper-focused on the moment.
When the avatars' auras peaked, they opened their eyes almost simultaneously, and a wave of power burst forth violently around them.
WHOOOOM!!
After examining their bodies for a moment, they closed their eyes again to stabilize their new realms.
All the avatars were hidden far from the cities, so the surge of power likely didn't draw any unwanted attention.
The biggest impact happened aboard the ship, where nine elders were breaking through at the same time. This caused a noticeable disturbance, slightly shaking the vessel. Fortunately, it was sturdy enough not to be damaged by their powerful auras.
Stabilizing the dantian took longer than it did during the Qi Refinement stage, but thanks to the Celestial Rotation of the Five Elements technique, their newly formed dantians were of very high quality — reducing the stabilization time.
Gradually, the elders opened their eyes and stood.
'It's a bit reckless to have everyone break through all at once. If someone powerful happened to pass by and noticed, they might get curious. But the odds are low in this desert. Sometimes, you have to take small risks — especially when they're this small. Besides, whenever I break through with my main body, something even weirder always happens, and I can't even control it.' Aotian thought to himself with a wry smile.
Clenching his multiple fists, Aotian took control of his bodies and quickly adapted to the new strength they now possessed.
It left him quite satisfied.
'I can still adapt to my strength without issue, and my speed remains as sharp as ever, thanks to the experience I've gained in this realm through my other avatars. Now... just two more things before the attack begins.'
Even though the external elders were scattered across absurd distances, their coordination was astonishing. They sat down at the same time, closed their eyes, and condensed new Enlightened Minds.
In an instant, another 50 minds joined Aotian's existing 171 — totaling 221 active minds simultaneously.
'Time to synthesize spells and finally attack!' Aotian thought, feeling excited — and a bit nervous — about orchestrating his first sect-level war… or wars.
Focusing his attention on Tian Zhu, the spell synthesis process began — and it didn't take long for the first spell to be completed.
It was a Qi concealment spell of Founder-tier.
As Aotian mastered his avatars' abilities, his understanding of how to use them deepened.
Back when he hadn't even started cultivating, Aotian believed that Qi concealment techniques were fundamentally different from spells. Because of that, he tried to search for specific concealment methods to synthesize his own.
But in truth, that wasn't necessary at all.
As long as he had a Founder-tier Qi concealment spell to use as a base, he could synthesize a better one using data from other same-tier spells.
As for cultivation techniques, those were indeed different — they focused on nurturing spiritual roots and fortifying the dantian, while spells utilized spiritual energy to perform other actions. Spells didn't contain sufficient cultivation data to help synthesize cultivation techniques.
Back to the newly synthesized technique — it was a level above the Qi concealment technique previously used by Aotian and his avatars.
It allowed Foundation Establishment cultivators and below to hide their aura from early-stage Golden Core cultivators. A Golden Core cultivator could conceal their aura from other Golden Core cultivators regardless of stage, and Nascent Soul cultivators could hide from anyone up to one level below within their realm.
With this, the sect's secrets were much better protected on this continent.
As soon as Tian Zhu synthesized the technique, all avatars activated it at once. And with so many minds and bodies working in sync, the brand-new technique was executed flawlessly.
The elders' auras disappeared from the perception of any Golden Core cultivator, revealing only that they were Foundation Establishment — not even their exact level.
Suns away, Bao Wuji's aura vanished as well, detectable only by late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.
Tian Zhu didn't stop. While expertly concealing his own aura, he continued creating offensive, defensive, and movement techniques for each element.
Time passed, and less than an hour later, all seated avatars rose to their feet. Led by Tian Zhu, he walked — eyes still closed — to the prow of the ship.
Arriving there, with all the elders lined up behind him, he opened his eyes as a cold glint flashed across them.
The wind stirred his robes and hair, along with those of the elders behind him.
Faced with the epic scene, Aotian couldn't help but deliver a motivational line in his mind:
'Avatars! What is your profession?'
He shouted internally.
'HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!' A chorus of his own voices answered in unison.
'...'
'...'
'Okay, where are the cultivation world's psychiatrists? I need a few — urgently. Damn it, I ruined my own mood…'
…
With the end of the "conversation" — and Aotian thoroughly embarrassing himself — the avatars, their expressions serious and determined, left their hiding places in various locations and moved out to fulfill their tasks without hesitation.
As for the sect's ship, it rose into the air and blasted forward at full speed toward the Bamboo Sword Sect, the elders onboard preparing for the looming battle.
'The Bamboo Sword Sect, according to the information I've gathered, specializes in sword techniques. From what my avatars have learned in the surrounding cities, their reputation doesn't seem too bad, but I'm still not sure…' Aotian reflected seriously.
The ship accelerated as the elders aboard began to radiate powerful spiritual fluctuations.
…
It was just another ordinary day in the Bamboo Sword Sect.
As usual, both disciples and elders maintained serious attitudes, a sharp aura swirling subtly around them. Apparently, the sect's sword-focused training had influenced its members, making them colder and more direct.
Perhaps this influence was the reason the sect maintained a relatively clean name in the region. Of course, this wasn't an absolute rule, but it certainly shaped the members' demeanor. When humans live in an environment where sharp, straightforward behavior is valued, they naturally begin to reflect those traits.
This attitude, like a warrior's sword, had consequences: although somewhat arrogant and cold, the sect's members didn't value trickery or deceit.
But despite the apparent calm, that day was far from normal.
Something was about to happen — something that would shatter the Bamboo Sword Sect's peace.
The cause? A sudden surge of intense auras emanating from a black flying ship with a dragon-shaped prow, approaching at terrifying speed.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Deep, echoing bells began to ring throughout the sect, signaling a possible enemy attack.
"What's going on?!" Many disciples were stunned by the sudden, unprecedented event unfolding before them.
"Powerful cultivators are approaching! All disciples retreat to the shelter formations!" boomed the voices of the elders, cutting through the confusion and guiding the disciples to safety.
Inside the inner sect, a few disciples stood with determined eyes and said:
"We are proud disciples of the Bamboo Sword Sect. The sword dao in our hearts does not allow us to retreat!" Young men and women spoke with utmost seriousness.
"No. You are the sect's second life. If all goes wrong, you are its hope for rebirth. Retreat! You will only become a burden in this battle. The level of the enemies this time is not simple!" an inner elder declared with solemn eyes, casting a worried glance at the rapidly approaching ship.
Reluctantly, the disciples obeyed and took refuge after the elders' firm warning.
In the outer sect, things were more chaotic — not because many wanted to fight for the sect, but because many wanted to hide first.
Outer disciples were often less valued and invested in, so while some were still loyal, their self-preservation instincts often outweighed their allegiance.
If the sect had ordered them to fight, they would have obeyed—after all, refusal meant being hunted as traitors, and they still held a certain loyalty to the sect. But since the order was to retreat from powerful enemies, there was no need to ask twice.
As everyone scrambled, dozens of figures soared into the sky on elegant swords, their splendid robes fluttering in the wind, expressions grim and serious, exuding sharp auras.
Among them, the most dazzling figure was a woman dressed in luxurious golden robes, standing at the center of the group.
Her cold, indifferent gray eyes matched her silver hair that danced gently in the breeze.
She hovered midair with no sword beneath her bare, delicate feet. However, a bamboo sword adorned her waist, golden rings wrapped around its sections.
All the elders standing on swords — Foundation Establishment cultivators — looked at her with respect and reverence.
But in that moment, the woman's eyes held only calm indifference as she gazed at the approaching flying ship.
She rubbed a golden ring on her hand, and suddenly, a formation disk materialized.
With a gentle pulse of spiritual energy, a roar erupted from the earth, and a massive golden barrier surged upward, shielding the entire sect and everyone within it.
She then calmly approached the inner edge of the barrier and waited.
Tian Zhu — or rather, Aotian — watched the scene from afar, maintaining a calm and indifferent gaze to preserve his persona, but inwardly, he was thrilled to see, for the first time, someone besides Rihai using a storage ring.
'A storage ring is truly rare in the desert, but it seems a few still exist. As for the woman… she must be the sect leader of the Bamboo Sword Sect. According to the information I gathered, she's considered one of, if not the greatest beauty in the region. I'm still amazed at how beautiful the women in this world can be…' Aotian couldn't help but think as he gazed at the cold profile of the cultivator.
He admired her beauty, but didn't allow improper thoughts to surface.
Though he had joked in the past about having a fairy in each arm, ever since meeting Rihai, that idea had never crossed his mind again.
And he would never consider allowing his avatars to pursue romantic relationships. That would be strange and dishonest to him — tricking a woman into thinking she was falling for someone whose appearance and personality weren't real.
Worse, what if he fell for her in return? He'd be in love with someone, but interacting through another man.
It would be like putting a green hat on himself. Extremely weird — and he was firmly against doing anything like that.
He was too honest and sincere to even think about it.
As Tian Zhu and the leader of the Bamboo Sword Sect exchanged glances, the Infinite Dao Sect's ship gradually slowed down and came to a halt just a few meters from the golden barrier protecting the Bamboo Sword Sect's territory.
Tian Zhu stepped forward and stood at the prow of the ship, facing his opponent.
The woman did the same.
Two emotionless and indifferent gazes met across the shimmering golden barrier.
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Image in the comments.