Haotian studied the sapling in the preservation box for a long moment before speaking. "We'll plant it here, in my courtyard. It will be safer under my eyes than anywhere else."
Lianhua nodded in agreement, though her gaze carried both awe and caution.
Before they touched the soil, Haotian began tracing complex lines across the ground with flicks of his fingers. One after another, layers of formations began to take shape—first a Chi Gathering Formation to funnel spiritual energy toward the tree's roots, then a Concealing Formation to mask its presence entirely from outside senses. Over this, he wove a Defensive Formation strong enough to repel even high-realm intruders for a short time.
His hands paused mid-gesture, eyes narrowing as he considered a final addition—a killing formation, invisible and lethal to any who crossed uninvited.
"No," Lianhua said softly, stepping closer. "We don't need to turn your courtyard into a graveyard. If anyone suspicious steps through… we can deal with them ourselves."
Her reasoning was sound, and though his instinct was to prepare for every possibility, he let the tension ease from his shoulders. "Alright," he said, letting the killing runes fade from his mind.
They knelt together, working in quiet harmony as they planted the Solaris Jadeheart Tree into the prepared soil. Lianhua brushed earth over the roots with delicate hands, while Haotian adjusted the flow of spiritual currents through the formations, tuning them until the energy hummed perfectly in the air.
An hour passed before the last rune locked into place. Even the concentrated chi in the area was hidden, folded seamlessly into the courtyard's natural aura. Haotian's formation work had grown sharper and more precise than when he'd laid protections for the Zhenlong household—his runes now etched the air itself with invisible authority.
They stood side by side, watching the sapling. At first, its growth was subtle, but then the trunk thickened, branches stretching, leaves unfurling with a shimmer of jade light. Within two hours, a two-meter-tall tree stood where the sapling had been.
From outside the courtyard, it looked like nothing more than a sturdy, ordinary tree, its energy masked completely by the concealing formation. But once Haotian or Lianhua stepped through the wards, the truth appeared—its leaves glowing faintly, the flowers budding with the promise of vitality, the bark carrying the soft warmth of stored sunlight.
Haotian's eyes moved over it with satisfaction. "At this rate, it should bear fruit within the week. And with the ambient chi flowing through, about a month to ripen again."
Lianhua's face lit up, her excitement plain. "Then the sect will have a treasure that can strengthen us for generations."
Haotian nodded, his voice steady but carrying quiet resolve. "Yes. And as long as this tree remains hidden, that strength will be ours alone."
The morning sun had barely touched the peaks when Haotian and Lianhua gathered all six guards in his quarters. Feng Lanyue leaned casually against the wall, eyes bright with curiosity; An Yuerin stood calm and attentive; Huo Zhanfeng grinned like he expected trouble; Tu Jianhong's stoic posture couldn't hide his anticipation; Jin Xuanming's gaze was sharp and measuring; and Lan Shuyin's warm expression carried a trace of motherly expectation.
Haotian stepped forward, a small wooden box in his hands. When he opened it, the faint golden-green glow of the Solaris Jadeheart Fruits spilled into the room, carrying with it a sweet, invigorating fragrance that made the air feel lighter.
"These," Haotian said, his tone even, "will help you break through a realm and temper your physique. Eat them, then cultivate immediately in your own rooms."
The six exchanged glances—half eager, half stunned—but none hesitated. One by one, they took the fruits and bit in. The sweetness hit them instantly, followed by the deep, rolling surge of qi that spread through their bodies like liquid sunlight.
They left without wasting a breath, each heading for their quarters to begin cultivation.
Not even ten minutes had passed before the first thunderous BOOM shook the air, like the heavens themselves had struck the courtyard. A second BOOM followed moments later, then another… and another… each separated by barely enough time for onlookers to recover from the last.
By the time the sixth shockwave burst outward, the surrounding disciples had gathered in disbelief.
"Wait—did… did all six of them just break through together?" someone whispered.
"That's… impossible," another muttered. "No one's ever heard of something like this happening before."
The newly ascended guards emerged one by one, their auras blazing with the unmistakable power of initial stage Nascent Soul Realm, their eyes sharper, their presence heavier. The courtyard buzzed with shock and awe, word already beginning to spread like wildfire through the sect.
And Haotian, standing beside Lianhua, allowed himself the faintest of smiles.
The sixth thunderclap hadn't even faded before elders from neighboring halls began arriving in the courtyard, their robes fluttering as they moved swiftly to investigate. Disciples whispered in tight clusters, the phrase "divine-grade resource" passing between them with wide-eyed disbelief.
"How could all six of them ascend at once?"
"It must be some ancient treasure…"
"No, more like something stolen from the forbidden realm…"
By the time the last guard emerged from their quarters, radiating fresh power, the rumor had already reached the upper pavilions. Moments later, a messenger disciple appeared before Haotian, bowing deeply.
"The Sect Master summons you—immediately."
Lianhua gave him a quiet nod, and Haotian followed the messenger up the stone steps to the high pavilion. Inside the audience hall, the Sect Master sat with the High Elder and two senior elders flanking him, their expressions unreadable.
"Haotian," the Sect Master began without preamble, "what happened this morning?"
Haotian stood straight, meeting his gaze. "The fruits were from the Azure Sky Forbidden Realm. I recovered them from its inner area. They are called Solaris Jadeheart Fruits—capable of granting a breakthrough and strengthening the body. However," he continued, voice firm, "their effect is useless for anyone above the Soul Transformation Realm."
A murmur passed between the elders. The Sect Master's eyes narrowed, not in suspicion but in interest. "How many do you have?"
Haotian reached into his spatial ring and produced a small, jade-lined case, sliding it forward across the low table. "I offer three to you, Sect Master. They would serve best as awards for our disciples. Given to those who prove themselves in major trials or sect competitions, they could be a powerful motivator."
The Sect Master's hand rested lightly on the case, his fingers feeling the faint warmth emanating from within.
"And," Haotian added, "I suggest another be placed in the upcoming auction. A single Solaris Jadeheart Fruit will draw interest from every sect within a thousand li. Its rarity alone will push the bidding to extraordinary heights—and the prestige of the Burning Sun Sect will grow with it."
The High Elder's lips curved faintly at that, and the Sect Master's eyes gleamed with calculation. "A treasure that elevates both strength and influence… I approve."
Word of the Solaris Jadeheart Fruit moved through the cultivation world like wildfire. At first, it was whispers—rumors overheard in teahouses and trading halls—but soon names of sects began appearing in quiet conversations, spoken with the weight of intent. Rival sects, great clans, and wandering powerhouses all wanted confirmation. By the third day, the Burning Sun Sect's auction committee had received "informal inquiries" from organizations that had not acknowledged the sect's existence a month ago.
The Sect Master allowed the rumors to spread, even fed them subtly through trusted traders. Invitations began to take shape: the most influential merchant houses, prominent rogue cultivators, wealthy noble clans, and select sects with political value. The list grew longer every day, and with it came unseen ripples—forces moving in shadow to secure a place at the bidding floor, and others preparing to sabotage or steal if they could not buy.
While the elders and pavilion staff worked on the logistics, Haotian had retreated into his alchemy hall, the Solaris Jadeheart Fruit at the center of his desk. For days he tested, dissected, and meditated on its properties, comparing them to rare herbs in his Golden Text Library.
His theory was bold—if combined with certain stabilizing spiritual grasses and marrow-strengthening herbs, the fruit's effects could be extended beyond Core Condensation and Nascent Soul, reaching even Soul Transformation experts. After a week of trials, sleepless nights, and countless ruined cauldrons, he succeeded.
The resulting pill was unlike anything in his repertoire. Its qi signature was deep and steady, layered like a perfect melody—granting not just a realm breakthrough, but an anchored foundation afterward. Used properly, it could prevent the instability that often plagued rapid ascension. And with the right dosage, it could even work for cultivators up to the Dao Comprehension Realm.
Haotian turned the warm, fragrant pill over in his palm, considering its implications. The sect's elders could soar in power. But then his thoughts grew cautious. The Sect Master was the sect's supporting pillar, the symbol of strength that bound every faction together. If every elder leapt to the Dao Comprehension Realm, some might grow too ambitious, and the balance that kept the sect unified could fracture.
He set the pill back into its case, his mind made up. This was not a decision to make alone. He needed to speak with the Sect Master.
There was also the matter of improving the pill for Dao Comprehension experts themselves—but the supplementary herbs required for such a leap were not found in this region. Without them, the pill's ceiling remained firm.
Still, the potential was staggering. And Haotian knew that once the Sect Master understood both the possibilities and the risks, the sect's course would change.
The Sect Master received Haotian in the inner audience chamber, a place used only for the most sensitive matters. The air inside carried a stillness that even sound seemed reluctant to disturb.
Haotian stepped forward, bowing. "Sect Master, I've developed something that may benefit the sect greatly—but it also carries risks if handled without care."
The Sect Master gestured for him to sit. "Speak."
Haotian placed a jade case on the low table and opened it. A faint, warm fragrance drifted out, filling the space with a stabilizing calm. "This is the product of the Solaris Jadeheart Fruit combined with supplementary herbs. It not only grants a breakthrough but also stabilizes the new realm. It works for cultivators up to the Dao Comprehension Realm."
The Sect Master's eyes sharpened. "And the risk?"
"If every elder takes this, many could break through to Dao Comprehension within months. That level of power is… difficult to keep in balance. You are the pillar of the sect, Sect Master. If too many pillars grow at once, the roof could shift."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then the Sect Master leaned back slightly, his gaze thoughtful. "You're suggesting controlled distribution."
"Yes," Haotian said firmly. "We can start with the Soul Transformation elders who have been most loyal and essential to the sect's current stability. Spread the breakthroughs out over time. That way, each new Dao Comprehension elder can be integrated into the leadership without shaking the foundation."
The Sect Master nodded slowly. "And the rest?"
"They can be offered the pill as a reward for extraordinary service. We make it rare and coveted, not a guarantee. That will keep ambition directed toward the sect's goals rather than personal gain."
A faint smile ghosted across the Sect Master's lips. "You think like someone who's been guarding a throne."
"I think like someone who doesn't want to see it toppled," Haotian replied evenly.
The Sect Master closed the jade case with deliberate care. "Very well. We will begin with three elders. You will oversee their preparation and ensure the stability of their breakthroughs. The rest will have to wait. As for the auction, one fruit remains your decision—its effect will make them bid like starving wolves."
Haotian inclined his head. "Understood."
Haotian paused before rising to leave, as if remembering something important. "Sect Master—there's one more matter. I've also created the theoretical framework for a pill that can benefit even Dao Comprehension Realm experts."
The Sect Master, in the middle of taking a sip of tea, froze. His eyes widened just as the words registered, and the cup slipped from his fingers, splashing across his robe.
Haotian blinked. "Sect Master—are you alright?"
The Sect Master waved a hand quickly, straightening his posture with exaggerated calm. "I'm fine. Continue." Inside, however, he was silently cursing. Does this boy intend to give me a heart attack before I reach the next realm?
Haotian went on, completely unbothered by the sudden mishap. "The pill's formula is stable, but the supplementary herbs required are not available within this region. Without them, I cannot complete the refinement." He reached into his robe and produced a folded slip of parchment. "This is the list."
The Sect Master took it and unfolded it slowly, his eyes scanning each name. Some he recognized immediately—rare herbs found only in dangerous or far-flung territories. Others he'd only heard of in old records. He set the list down, expression settling into quiet resolve.
"I know of some of these, and their likely locations. I'll issue missions myself to acquire them. They will be marked urgent."
Haotian gave a respectful bow. "Thank you, Sect Master."
With that, he took his leave, the door closing quietly behind him.
The Sect Master sat alone for a long moment, looking at the jade case of pills on the table and the list of impossible herbs beside it. A faint smile tugged at his lips, though his thoughts were heavy with awe.
Is there no limit to his potential?
By the next morning, the Burning Sun Sect was a hive of controlled chaos. The Sect Master's orders had already reached the outer pavilions—auction preparations were to be accelerated. The main square near the new market pavilion was cleared, a massive stage erected under layered protective formations. Invitation scrolls, sealed with the sect's flame emblem, were dispatched by swift-footed messenger disciples and, for the farthest reaches, by talisman hawks that streaked into the clouds.
Word of the Solaris Jadeheart Fruit appearing in the auction had already spread well beyond the sect's territory, and the list of expected attendees swelled by the hour. Established merchant guilds sent envoys with full purses; rogue cultivators who normally avoided sect territory now sought passage; even hidden agents of rival sects secured cover identities to gain entry.
The elders coordinated security with military precision, weaving barrier formations through the crowd areas and posting hidden squads to monitor troublemakers. At the Sect Master's request, Haotian added his own subtle rune work—concealments that would reveal anyone concealing weapons or suppressing their cultivation aura.
Beyond the sect's borders, movements began in earnest.
From the Iron Tiger Sect, a group of cloaked riders left their stronghold at night, their leader carrying a storage ring meant to secure whatever prize they couldn't win through bidding. The Azure Wind Trading Consortium doubled their security escort, their chief appraiser rumored to be personally attending. Even within the Burning Sun's own territory, a few unaffiliated powerhouses were spotted on the roads, their cultivation levels masked but their intentions impossible to hide.
In the Burning Sun Sect's inner halls, the auctioneers finalized the order of items—lesser treasures first, rare artifacts in the middle, and the Solaris Jadeheart Fruit reserved for the climax.
Meanwhile, Haotian worked quietly in his forge and alchemy hall, preparing several of his true works for the auction. Though disguised as relics from long-lost ruins, each bore his craftsmanship—subtle runes woven into the material, power sleeping under the surface, waiting for the right owner.
The air in the sect felt different—electric, tense, expectant. Two days remained before the grand auction, and every hour brought new eyes to their gates.
The morning of the auction dawned clear, the sky a polished blue unmarred by a single cloud. Yet the Burning Sun Sect's main market square was already thick with movement long before the sun cleared the eastern ridge. Merchants in fine silks jostled with armored guards, rogue cultivators in travel-worn cloaks inspected the sect's defensive formations with guarded eyes, and nobles from distant cities stepped down from ornate carriages, their attendants struggling under the weight of gift chests meant to curry favor.
The crowd flowed toward the great stage at the heart of the market, now framed by high banners bearing the sect's flame emblem. The air shimmered faintly with layered barrier formations—Haotian's runes quietly humming beneath them—ensuring no weapon or concealed killing intent would pass unnoticed.
Haotian stood with the Sect Master, high elders, and selected pavilion attendants on the raised platform behind the auctioneers' table. From this vantage point, he could see them all—the disguised faces among the crowd, cultivation levels muffled but not invisible to his Eyes of the Universe.
There, to the east, a trio from the Iron Tiger Sect hiding behind plain trader's garb. To the west, a lone figure in pale blue robes, qi signature suppressed to almost nothing—yet their stillness was too precise for a mere merchant. Even the Azure Wind Trading Consortium's appraiser, dressed like a modest scholar, carried an unshakable aura of one who had studied treasures all his life.
The auctioneer, a well-spoken elder from the Commerce Hall, stepped forward. His voice carried effortlessly across the square.
"Honored guests, welcome to the Burning Sun Sect's Grand Auction. Today's items are one-of-a-kind—relics and treasures from the farthest reaches of the cultivation world. As tradition demands, we begin with the lesser prizes and build toward the rarest."
The first item was unveiled—a set of Wind-Stepping Boots, light armor forged to enhance speed by thirty percent. Bidding started immediately.
"Five hundred spirit stones!""Six hundred!""Eight hundred!"
The boots sold quickly for over a thousand spirit stones—an auspicious start that drew approving murmurs. The next few lots followed, prices climbing steadily. A jade amulet that boosted qi recovery fetched two thousand stones; a silvered glaive with embedded fire runes reached nearly three thousand.
Haotian kept his focus forward, knowing the fruit was still deep in the order. Every successful sale heightened the anticipation—and tightened the pressure on those who had come for the true prize.
The sect's name was already being whispered with a different weight.
The auctioneer's voice rolled through item after item, each one rarer than the last. By the time the mid-tier treasures began, the crowd's energy had shifted—bidders were leaning forward, calculating, measuring their reserves against what was still to come.
A Stormlash Whip, forged from the spine of a Thunder Drake, started at three thousand spirit stones and climbed in a storm of shouts until it sold for six thousand. A Mirror of Verdant Clarity, able to dispel most low-grade illusions, fetched over eight thousand. When a Phoenix-Tear Pendant, a defensive artifact that could shield the wearer from one fatal blow, came to the block, the competition turned fierce—three buyers refusing to back down until it reached an unprecedented thirteen thousand spirit stones.
Haotian could feel the collective pulse of the crowd tighten. Merchants clutched their bidding tokens more tightly; rogue cultivators whispered to their backers. Several disguised sect envoys had yet to place a single bid, their restraint a clear sign—they were saving their strength for something specific.
And then, the auctioneer paused. His smile widened as attendants wheeled forward a jade pedestal covered by a silk cloth embroidered with burning suns.
"Honored guests," his voice took on a deliberate gravity, "the next item needs no embellishment. A treasure so rare that few in this generation will ever lay eyes upon it, let alone possess it."
He took hold of the cloth and drew it back in a single motion.
Gasps rippled through the square. Resting on a nest of white spirit silk was a single fruit the color of dawn light, its skin shimmering faintly as if it breathed. The rich, refreshing fragrance rolled over the crowd like a tide, and in its wake came the unmistakable weight of pure spiritual energy.
"The Solaris Jadeheart Fruit," the auctioneer declared. "Recovered from the heart of the Azure Sky Forbidden Realm, guarded by dangers that cost the lives of many who sought it. Its effect—" he let the words hang for emphasis "—is to grant the consumer a direct breakthrough and to refine the body itself. Usable for cultivators up to the Soul Transformation Realm. There will be no second fruit offered today… or perhaps, in your lifetime."
The murmurs swelled into a roar. Those who had been silent until now stirred, eyes locked on the pedestal.
"Opening bid: Ten thousand spirit stones."
Almost before the words were finished—"Fifteen thousand!""Seventeen!""Twenty thousand spirit stones!"
Haotian stood quietly beside the Sect Master, but inwardly he noted every bidder, every flicker of intent, and every disguised killer whose hand hovered just a little too close to a hidden weapon.
The frenzy had begun.
"Twenty-three thousand!" a merchant guild leader barked, his voice hoarse but steady.
"Twenty-five thousand," came a calm, clipped voice from the left—a cloaked figure whose aura, though suppressed, pulsed with restrained might.
A ripple of whispers ran through the crowd. The Iron Tiger Sect's envoy, though disguised, was already being recognized by those with sharp enough eyes.
"Thirty thousand!" shouted another bidder, this one from the Azure Wind Trading Consortium, his tone almost casual—as if daring the others to follow.
The numbers climbed fast."Thirty-two!""Thirty-five!""Thirty-seven!"
By the time the auctioneer called "Forty thousand," the weaker bidders had already fallen silent, and only four serious contenders remained. The atmosphere was thick with qi as each bid slammed into the air like a challenge.
"Forty-three thousand!" The Iron Tiger Sect envoy leaned forward slightly, his voice edged with steel.
From the Azure Wind side: "Forty-five!"
Then, unexpectedly, a voice from the back—soft but unshakable: "Fifty thousand spirit stones." The crowd turned to see a veiled woman in azure silk, her bearing too refined to be a rogue cultivator. Haotian recognized the faint resonance in her qi—it was from the Frostpetal Immortal Pavilion, a sect known for moving in shadows until they struck.
The Iron Tiger envoy didn't blink. "Fifty-three thousand."
"Fifty-five," came the quick reply from Azure Wind's man.
The veiled woman tilted her head, her voice barely above a whisper but carrying to every corner of the stage. "Sixty thousand."
A hush fell over the crowd. That sum was enough to purchase a mid-grade spiritual vein outright.
The Iron Tiger envoy's eyes narrowed. "Sixty-five thousand."
Azure Wind's representative grit his teeth. "Seventy thousand."
Gasps rose; even the auctioneer hesitated a fraction before nodding. "Seventy thousand spirit stones! Do I hear—"
"Seventy-five thousand." The veiled woman again, her tone calm as if she were buying a cup of tea.
The Iron Tiger envoy's jaw flexed, but he didn't raise again. The Azure Wind representative glared but lowered his bidding token, conceding with poor grace.
"Seventy-five thousand spirit stones… once… twice… SOLD!" The auctioneer's voice rang out like a final gong.
Polite applause spread through the crowd, but under it swirled a current of tension. The Iron Tiger envoy left without another word, his steps stiff and deliberate. The Azure Wind man lingered just long enough to exchange a glance with two other disguised sect agents before disappearing into the side streets.
Haotian's gaze tracked them all. There was no mistaking the undercurrent—those who lost today would not leave their grudges behind. The Solaris Jadeheart Fruit had done more than fill the sect's treasury; it had planted seeds of rivalry and ambition that would sprout in unpredictable ways.
The Sect Master leaned toward Haotian, his voice low. "We have made the world look our way. Now we must be ready when it comes knocking."
Haotian nodded once, his eyes already following the departing figures.