A day had passed since the intense duel.
Long Tianyan sat in quiet meditation within Elder Yan's private cultivation chamber. Wounds from the clash against Liu Yan were healing under Elder Yan's guidance. Inside his dantian, spiritual energy surged, calm yet powerful—he had firmly stepped into the 4th Layer of the Spiritual Sea Realm.
Though his body was recovering, whispers still traveled through the sect like wind through leaves. Some disciples called him a miracle, others thought him cursed. But after Elder Yan publicly accepted him as her personal disciple, no one dared insult him aloud. Even so, Tianyan could feel the shift—his presence had unsettled the fragile balance in the outer sect.
That morning, Elder Yan entered the chamber, her expression composed.
"The Sect Master has summoned you," she said softly. "Be humble, but stand proud."
Tianyan stood, and nodded. "I understand."
The path to the inner sect was long and silent. The mist thickened as he climbed the narrow stairway that led to the Sect Master's Hall, nestled atop a towering peak. No outer sect disciple was allowed here without permission—it was sacred ground.
The Sect Master's Hall loomed ahead, carved from jade stone, its doors etched with ancient celestial symbols. Tianyan pushed open the gates and entered alone.
Inside, Qing Wuyou, Sect Master of the Verdant Mist Sect, sat cross-legged atop a floating platform of green stone. He was clad in white and gold robes, long black hair flowing behind him like a waterfall. His aura was calm, but carried the pressure of the peak—9th Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm.
The Sect Master opened his eyes. "You're calm, boy," he said.
Tianyan bowed respectfully. "Disciple Long Tianyan greets the Sect Master."
Qing Wuyou studied him for a long breath. "You've caused quite the disturbance. The elders talk, the disciples fear, and even the heavens trembled faintly yesterday."
Tianyan said nothing.
The Sect Master's voice lowered. "That technique you used in the duel... It wasn't ordinary. Where did it come from?"
Tianyan hesitated. He clenched his fists slightly but gave no answer.
Qing Wuyou raised a brow, then smiled faintly. "Forget it. Everyone has their secrets."
With a wave of his hand, a golden token appeared and floated toward Tianyan. "In two months, the sect will host the Outer Sect Competition. The top ten disciples will be allowed to enter the Inner Sect."
Tianyan accepted the token.
"There's more," the Sect Master said. "There is a forbidden area within the sect. Only those below the 5th Layer of the Heavenly Passage Realm may enter. Even then, only inner sect disciples with my personal recognition can step inside."
He leaned forward, voice steady. "If you seek to grow stronger, earn your place. Prove yourself in the competition, and I may grant you access."
Tianyan bowed again. "Thank you, Sect Master."
He turned and left the hall.
Just as he stepped outside, a strange chill brushed the air behind the Sect Master.
A figure silently appeared in the space Qing Wuyou had just occupied. Dressed in simple black robes with a silver mask, the man radiated no spiritual energy—none at all. It was as if the heavens had forgotten him.
Qing Wuyou immediately turned, his senses screaming danger. He tried to measure the man's realm—but saw nothing. No aura. No realm. No life force.
He raised his hand, preparing an attack. But the moment his gaze met the masked man's, the entire world seemed to collapse.
His spiritual energy vanished. His cultivation vanished. His confidence shattered.
In that instant, Qing Wuyou felt like a powerless mortal facing a god. It was as if the man before him could erase not just him, but the entire continent, with a single flick of his finger.
A bead of sweat rolled down the Sect Master's neck.
The man's cold voice echoed only after Tianyan had disappeared from the peak.
"This is a warning. Do not investigate the boy named Long Tianyan. If you do…"
He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to.
The next moment, he vanished like smoke.
Qing Wuyou stood frozen for a long time, heart pounding, eyes wide. That pressure... that presence… He had never experienced anything like it. Not even from ancient records of legendary figures.
"Who… was that…" he whispered, voice shaking.
He sat down, trying to compose himself—but the fear lingered.
Who are you Long Tianyan?