Later that afternoon, while the training grounds still buzzed with rumors of Haotian and Lianhua's overwhelming displays, the elders gathered in the council chamber. The great hall was silent save for the crackling of the incense braziers.
The Sect Master sat at the head, his expression calm but his eyes sharp as ever. Around him, the elders muttered in low voices, their faces marked by disbelief.
Elder Wu, his voice gruff, broke the quiet first.
"In one night, their cultivation foundations deepened by years. Not days, not weeks—years! How is such a thing possible?"
Elder Mei, who specialized in body cultivation, shook her head. "Lianhua's meridians widened and stabilized. I saw it myself — even the faint auxiliary channels have expanded. That should take endless tempering… yet hers are flawless. It makes no sense."
Another elder tapped the table lightly, his brow furrowed. "And Haotian's spear thrust… one movement shook the training field. It was not merely a matter of strength — his qi density has changed. His very core is heavier, deeper. This cannot be explained by ordinary cultivation."
A heavy silence followed. The elders glanced at one another, unease simmering. Finally, Elder Qingshan, the oldest among them, narrowed his eyes and spoke with quiet weight.
"There is one possibility," he said. "A forbidden one. They may have… dual cultivated."
The words hung in the air like thunder. Several elders stiffened.
Elder Wu scoffed almost immediately, slamming his palm on the table. "Impossible! The Burning Sun Sect has no such method. Nor would Haotian or Lianhua dare to practice something so… indecent!"
Elder Mei frowned. "And even if such a method existed, it is frowned upon. Most so-called dual cultivation methods are corrupt, parasitic, one partner exploiting the other. They lead to ruin, not growth."
Another elder muttered, "Yes… dual cultivation belongs to heretical sects, not righteous ones like ours."
Elder Qingshan remained calm, his gaze piercing. "Be that as it may, their growth defies every other explanation. If not dual cultivation, then what?"
The Sect Master raised his hand, silencing the rising debate. His voice was measured, steady.
"Enough. Speculation is meaningless. Whether it was dual cultivation or not, it changes nothing — their growth is undeniable, and their loyalty is beyond doubt. Haotian has never wavered in his devotion to the sect, nor Lianhua in her duty. I will not allow baseless suspicion to stain them."
The chamber quieted.
Finally, the Sect Master's gaze swept over them all, sharp as a blade.
"The truth, whatever it is, belongs to them. What matters to us is that their rise strengthens the Burning Sun Sect. That alone is enough."
Reluctantly, the elders bowed their heads in agreement, though unease lingered in their hearts.
When the council was dismissed, whispers followed in the corridors.
"Could it really have been dual cultivation…?""No. Impossible. The sect has no such method…""But then how do we explain it?"
In the end, none could answer.
And so, the truth remained hidden — resting quietly in the hands of Haotian and Lianhua alone.
The lantern light in Haotian's quarters flickered softly, shadows dancing across the walls. Lianhua sat curled beside him, her head lowered, her voice quiet.
"Haotian… the way the elders looked at us today. I think some of them suspect something."
Haotian chuckled lightly, brushing a finger along her cheek. "Let them suspect. No one can prove anything, and no one dares challenge us. What matters is that we're stronger — together."
She looked up, eyes wide, then softened at his steady confidence. Slowly, she exhaled. "You're right. Still… it's overwhelming. I can feel it, Haotian. My cultivation… it's on the edge. I'm about to break through to peak Nascent Realm."
A bright smile lit his face. "That's incredible. One night together has given you more than all the pills and spirit stones could. Our path is working."
Her cheeks turned crimson at his words. She looked down, fidgeting with the sleeve of her robe. "…Should we… continue?"
Her question was shy, fragile.
Haotian leaned closer, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief and warmth. "What could go wrong? At worst… you'll break through mid-cultivation. And if that happens, I'll protect you."
Before she could protest, he kissed her gently, deeply, easing her worries with the certainty of his touch. She melted into him, her hands clutching his robes.
The sutra's rhythm awakened between them again, qi flowing, yin and yang merging in a fierce, tender cycle. Their spirits soared as their bodies resonated, each motion a hammer strike forging their bond deeper.
As their cultivation spiraled higher, Lianhua straddled him, her face flushed with both effort and joy. Her breath trembled, her eyes glazed as she whispered, "Haotian… I—!"
In that instant, her spirit sea erupted. A torrent of qi burst from her core, golden and crystalline, slamming outward in a shockwave.
The entire chamber shook violently. The windows and door shattered under the force, wood and paper flying outward as her aura surged. The disciples in nearby courtyards gasped, looking toward Haotian's quarters in alarm.
But within, Haotian remained calm. With a single wave of his hand, formation lines etched themselves into the floor, glowing faintly.
Two arrays unfolded instantly: a concealing formation that smothered the wild flares of qi, and a defensive formation that absorbed the backlash of her breakthrough. The chaos quieted, sealed within the room like a storm caught in glass.
Haotian looked up at her — Lianhua, trembling with power, her aura radiating brilliance as her foundation settled into the Peak of Nascent Realm.
She stared at him with wide eyes, chest heaving, realization dawning through her exhaustion. "I… I broke through…"
He smiled proudly, pulling her into his arms. "Yes. And you did it beautifully."
Her eyes shimmered with relief and joy as she clung to him, the last traces of golden qi flickering like stars around them.
Together, they sat in the wreckage of the chamber, two hearts steady against the storm, their bond stronger than ever.
The next morning, the sect grounds hummed with an energy sharper than the dawn bells. Word had already spread:
Lianhua had broken through to the Peak of Nascent Realm.
Whispers followed her name like shadows. Disciples gossiped in the courtyards, in the pavilions, even in the kitchens.
"Senior Sister's cultivation surged overnight—how is that possible?"
"She's already at peak? In one night?!"
"Together with Haotian… are they… are they perhaps…"
The last whispers always trailed off in nervous chuckles, but no one dared speak their suspicions openly.
By the time Lianhua stepped outside, her face still flushed with the lingering radiance of her breakthrough, she was immediately surrounded by female disciples.
"Senior Sister, please—tell us what method you used!"
"What secret art let you grow so fast?"
"Was it a special pill? A hidden scripture?"
Before she could protest, they gently but firmly pulled her away, carrying her like a prized treasure toward the inner halls. Lianhua glanced back once, eyes meeting Haotian's, a silent plea flashing there. Haotian only smiled faintly, giving her a reassuring nod before she vanished behind a crowd of eager sisters.
His turn came soon after.
In the main council chamber, the Sect Master and the gathered elders faced him with solemn expressions.
"Haotian," the Sect Master said evenly, "Lianhua's breakthrough has stirred the sect. Her growth was… unprecedented. You were with her last night. Explain."
Haotian met their gazes calmly, his hands folded behind his back. "It was not mysterious. Lianhua consumed another Solaris Jadeheart Fruit. Its essence stabilized her foundation and pushed her through."
A murmur swept the council. Elder Wu frowned. "Another? You gave her more than one? How many of these fruits do you still possess?"
With deliberate motion, Haotian reached into his spatial ring and drew forth two gleaming jade-like fruits. Their translucent flesh glowed with inner fire, filling the chamber with a sweet, potent fragrance.
The elders' eyes widened. Even the Sect Master's gaze sharpened.
"These are all that remain," Haotian said simply. "One, I intend to use for myself when the time comes. The other, for Lianhua, to aid her eventual step into the Soul Transformation Realm."
The chamber fell quiet. The elders exchanged glances, their voices whispering beneath the surface.
"To think he would reveal such treasures so openly…""Only two remain — and he reserves them for himself and his partner."
"Even so, the Solaris Jadeheart Fruit is a gift from the heavens. It explains her breakthrough."
Finally, the Sect Master inclined his head. "Very well. The matter is settled. Your choice to use them for yourself and Lianhua is wise. Guard them well."
The pressure in the room eased. The elders accepted the explanation, even if unease still flickered in their hearts. No one dared to pry further — after all, Haotian's lineage was tied to the Four Saint Dragons.
As Haotian exited the chamber, the whispers of disciples echoed in the distance.
"The Heavenly Pair… that's what they're calling them now."
"Haotian and Lianhua — both rising faster than anyone else. The sect shines because of them."
"They're unstoppable together…"
Haotian allowed himself a small smile. The truth of last night remained hidden — and would remain theirs alone.
In the women's training hall, Lianhua found herself encircled by a tide of eager disciples. Their eyes gleamed with curiosity, envy, and reverence. Some clutched her hands, others leaned close, their voices overlapping.
"Senior Sister, you must tell us!"
"How did you break through so quickly? Your aura is so stable—it doesn't even feel rushed!"
"You'll shame the rest of us if you keep this hidden!"
Lianhua's cheeks flushed red, her heart racing. She knew the real reason—last night's union with Haotian—but she could never let that slip. The weight of their bond was too sacred, too private. She forced her lips into a nervous smile, steadying herself with a breath.
"It wasn't anything mysterious," she said softly, yet firmly enough for all to hear. "I ate another Solaris Jadeheart Fruit. The energy from it stabilized my cultivation and pushed me into breakthrough."
A gasp rippled through the circle. Several disciples clasped their mouths, their faces alight with awe.
"A Solaris Jadeheart Fruit?!"
"No wonder—those fruits are said to rival ancient treasures!"
"But aren't they nearly extinct? How could…"
Their voices overlapped again, until one more cautious disciple asked, "Senior Sister, do you still have more?"
Lianhua bit her lip, feigning a slight hesitation, then shook her head with careful gravity. "Haotian had only a few. Now there are just two remaining. One for him, and… one set aside for me when the time comes to step into Soul Transformation Realm. That's all."
The disappointment was palpable, but it was mingled with respect. The disciples nodded, understanding, though longing flickered in their eyes.
"I see… then it's only natural."
"Senior Brother and Sister are the sect's pillars now. Of course the fruits should go to you both."
"Still… to think our sect has such treasures…"
The murmurs died down into admiration, the fire of their curiosity soothed—at least on the surface.
What none of them knew was the deeper truth: in Haotian's private courtyard, hidden behind layered formations, a young Solaris Jadeheart Tree had taken root, nourished by his qi and the sect's ley lines. Its branches already held budding fruits, glowing faintly with golden-green light, waiting patiently to ripen.
Lianhua's heart skipped a beat as she thought of it, but she quickly banished the image, keeping her smile gentle. She would never betray Haotian's secret.
One of the younger disciples clasped her hands with sparkling eyes. "Senior Sister, even if we can't have the fruit, can you at least guide us? Your sword last night—it split a dummy six times with one stroke. I want to learn too!"
Lianhua chuckled softly, the tension easing. "Very well. Come tomorrow. I'll show you what I can."
The disciples cheered, their admiration redoubling. To them, she was no longer just Haotian's partner—she was a rising star of her own.
And Lianhua, though still blushing faintly, carried herself with a quiet pride. The secret was safe. For now.
The evening glow painted the sect in hues of amber and violet. In Haotian's courtyard, the air was quiet save for the rustle of bamboo in the wind. Inside his chambers, Lianhua leaned against him, her face still flushed from the day's relentless attention.
"Haotian…" she murmured, voice tinged with exasperation. "The sisters nearly pried the truth from me today. They surrounded me like a flock of sparrows demanding grain. I thought my cheeks would catch fire."
Haotian chuckled softly, tilting her chin up. "And yet, you kept it hidden. You did perfectly."
Lianhua pouted, though her lips curved into a smile. "I told them the same story you told the council — the Solaris Jadeheart Fruit. They believed me. But…" She hesitated, her gaze deepening. "Haotian, about the tree… Can we see it?"
Haotian's eyes glimmered with approval at her caution. He took her hand. "Come."
They stepped through layer after layer of protective formations, Haotian weaving his qi to part them like veils of mist. At last, the air grew thick with heat and vitality, and before them stretched the hidden grove.
In its heart stood the Solaris Jadeheart Tree. Its trunk shimmered with a faint golden luster, branches spread like a radiant crown, and from them hung eleven fruits glowing faintly with inner fire. Their fragrance alone filled the lungs with warmth.
Lianhua's breath caught. "They're nearly ripe…"
Haotian's gaze sharpened. "A few days at most. Then we'll harvest them." He turned to her, his expression resolute. "With these, the six guards will advance to the Soul Transformation Realm. And from there, we'll have a true shield around us."
Her eyes shone with pride and relief. But then, her thoughts turned sharper, more ambitious. "What if… we shared future fruits with other trusted disciples? Raised them up alongside us?"
Haotian nodded slowly. "It would strengthen the sect. And if we choose carefully, those disciples would become loyal allies."
Lianhua's lips curved, her eyes narrowing with a spark of cunning. "Or… what if we formed a faction of our own? A banner within the sect, a gathering of elites who rise with us. With the tree as our foundation, our influence would spread naturally."
Haotian fell silent, considering. The idea was not reckless. It was pragmatic, perhaps even inevitable. At last, he smiled faintly. "A faction of our own… Yes. That way, we anchor our power while uplifting those around us. The sect would see us as pillars, not rivals."
"Then it's decided," Lianhua said brightly, tightening her grip on his hand. "Tomorrow, we'll register our faction."
But before he could reply, she stepped closer, her eyes shimmering with playful heat. A sly, cunning smile curved her lips as she whispered, "But tonight… let's go again."
She rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his, the kiss warm, insistent. Haotian's arms wrapped around her without hesitation, his passion answering hers.
The Solaris Tree swayed gently in the night breeze, its fruits glowing brighter as though blessing the union of their resolve — and their love.
The mission hall was already bustling when Haotian and Lianhua entered, hands clasped tightly. Behind them trailed the six guards, who, as always, couldn't help but chatter.
"Look at them—always glued together.""Our Young Mistress Lianhua is glowing brighter than the sun.""Careful, if she blushes any more, the hall might catch fire!"
Lianhua's cheeks turned crimson as she tried to hush them, swatting lightly at the nearest guard. Haotian only smiled faintly, unbothered, leading them steadily to the registration counter.
The female attendant looked up, ready to greet them with the usual courtesy, when Haotian spoke with calm authority:
"I want to register a new faction."
The hall froze.
The clatter of dice at the gaming table stopped mid-roll. Scrolls and pens hovered half-written. Dozens of eyes turned as one toward the young man who had just declared such a thing so casually.
"A… a new faction?" the attendant repeated, blinking in shock. She caught herself, straightened her robes, and quickly pulled out a long scroll and brush. "Very well. Please provide the necessary details. First… the name of the faction?"
Before Haotian could answer, the six guards leaned in like mischievous children.
"How about Heavenly Lovers Sect?" one grinned."No, no—Radiant Blush Pavilion!" another laughed, winking at Lianhua."Wait! Spears and Petals Alliance!""Terrible. Absolutely terrible," one of them groaned.
The hall erupted into chuckles. Lianhua, covering her face with both hands, giggled despite herself. "Perhaps… we could combine our names? Hao-Lian Alliance? Or Radiant Hearts Sect?"
"Too sweet!" the guards chorused in unison, waving their hands dramatically. "The rest of us would drown in the syrup!"
Haotian pinched the bridge of his nose, though his lips tugged upward at the corners. Their antics softened the weight of the moment, but he knew the name mattered.
It would be the banner under which they gathered strength, the symbol of their ambition, the mark they left in the annals of history.
He thought for a long breath, then spoke with steady conviction.
"The Rising Dragon Faction."
The hall hushed again. The words carried power, evoking not just a name, but a vision: a dragon ascending, unstoppable, radiant above all.
The attendant's brush trembled as she wrote the name onto the scroll. Around the hall, disciples exchanged glances—some in awe, others with envy.
"Rising Dragon…""A faction of their own… with Haotian at its head?""Even the elders won't ignore this."
Lianhua squeezed his hand gently, her eyes gleaming with pride. "It's perfect," she whispered.
The six guards, for once, said nothing. They simply grinned, exchanging knowing looks. Beneath their teasing, they, too, felt the weight of what had just begun.
The Rising Dragon Faction had been born.
And with it, the Burning Sun Sect's balance of power would never be the same.