Three months in the cultivation world could pass in the blink of an eye.
For the disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, it was a time of frantic preparation. They sharpened their swords, bought talismans, and formed alliances. The Ancient Trial Grounds opened only once every fifty years. It was filled with spirit herbs, ancient inheritances, and deadly beasts. It was the forge where true legends were made.
For Mo Tian, it was a time of digestion.
He sat in the center of the Ghost Hollow, which was now completely shrouded in a thick, unnatural fog. The [Aura of the Tyrant] had warped the local environment. Trees grew twisted and black. The birds had stopped singing.
Mo Tian breathed in.
[Cultivation Status] [Realm: Foundation Establishment - Stage 3]
He had consumed the entirety of Elder Zhang's hidden stash. Hundreds of thousands of spirit stones worth of pills. A normal cultivator would have exploded. Mo Tian simply burped.
"Slow," Mo Tian complained, opening his eyes. "Pills are inefficient. They lack... flavor."
He stood up. His body was a masterpiece of lethal grace. Every muscle was tuned for violence. The Purple Nether Flame lived in his left eye, and the Death Qi in his right.
"Master."
Ghost One appeared from the mist. He had grown taller. He moved with a silence that rivaled Mo Tian's own.
"Report," Mo Tian said.
"The teams are set," Ghost One said. "The Azure Cloud Sect is sending fifty disciples. Led by Yan Luo and the new rising star, Ye Chen."
"Ye Chen," Mo Tian tested the name. "Has he been making friends?"
"Yes," Ghost One nodded. "He is charismatic. He defended a group of female disciples from harassment. He exposed a corrupt deacon. He is beloved by the Outer Sect."
"Disgusting," Mo Tian sneered. "He is building a harem and a fan club. Typical."
"Also," Ghost One hesitated. "Ye Chen has been seen spending time with... Senior Sister Yan Luo."
The temperature in the clearing dropped absolute zero.
"Oh?" Mo Tian's voice was soft, dangerous.
"They were seen discussing sword arts. Ye Chen seems... infatuated. And Yan Luo treats him with respect."
Mo Tian laughed. It wasn't a jealous laugh. It was the laugh of a man who just found a new toy to break.
"He thinks he is the protagonist," Mo Tian said. "He thinks he can charm the Saintess. But he doesn't know that the Saintess is already a cracked vase."
Mo Tian walked to the edge of the cliff, looking down at the bustling sect.
"Ghost One. Did you plant the 'gifts' in the supplies of the other Sects?"
"Yes, Master. The Iron Fist Sect and the Violet Sword Sect both have our 'special' rage-inducing incense hidden in their rations. Once they enter the Trial Grounds, they will be... irritable."
"Excellent. Chaos is the ladder."
Mo Tian turned back.
"I am ready. Is my identity prepared?"
"Yes," Ghost One handed him a new token. "You are officially registered as 'Han Fei', a logistic support disciple attached to Yan Luo's team. Elder Zhang approved it personally."
"Support disciple," Mo Tian smirked. "Perfect. No one looks at the baggage carrier. Until he stabs them in the back."
A horn blew in the distance. The great sky-ships were descending to the main plaza.
"It begins," Mo Tian said.
He grabbed his bag—which contained not supplies, but empty soul jars and binding chains.
"Let's go meet this 'Ye Chen'. I want to see the look on his face when his destiny starts to rot."