Tian made sure no one in Kati knew about his arrival. Instead of visiting the Han Clan or announcing himself to the village leaders, he went directly toward Green Oak Manor in the eastern district. The manor had served Green Oak Sect for generations, though few people understood everything hidden within it. Tian did. During his year studying the Codex, he had learned about the small oak sapling growing at the center of the manor. To most people, it looked like an ordinary young tree that never seemed to grow. According to the Codex, however, this sapling could allow an authorized Green Oak cultivator to treat the entire Kati Village as a personal domain, giving Tian exactly the kind of advantage he needed.
Whenever Green Oak Sect established an outpost, it planted something known as a Domain Lord Formation beneath the surrounding land. The formation was not meant for everyday use. It existed so the appointed Overseer could control the outpost during emergencies, defend its residents, and respond to threats without waiting for help from the main sect. At the center of each formation was a small oak sapling connected to every part of the domain. That little tree acted as both the key and controlling mechanism. Green Oak Manor had protected Kati's sapling for generations, waiting for someone with the proper authority to claim it. Tian immediately understood its value. If he intended to revitalize Kati, controlling the village itself would make his plans much easier to carry out.
Following instructions from the Green Oak Codex, Tian placed his hand against the sapling and drew it into his Soul World. Once inside, he began refining its connection to the Domain Lord Formation until the little tree accepted him as its new master. Tian could sense Kati beyond the walls of Green Oak Manor, almost as though the village had become an extension of himself. Roads, buildings, farmland, and the edges of the formation entered his awareness through the sapling.
Next, Tian wanted to ruffle a few feathers. Using Green Oak Sect's private communication networks, he spread news that Kati Village finally had a new Overseer. The message reached disciples traveling throughout the surrounding region, encouraging them to use Kati as a place to rest, gather supplies, and conduct business during their missions. For the first time in decades, Green Oak disciples began making their way toward the village in growing numbers. The information remained within Green Oak's network, so the local powers had no warning that anything had changed. There was only 1 exception. The Han Clan received a secret notice informing them that a new Overseer had arrived, though even they were given few details about who Tian was or what he intended to do.
For years, Green Oak disciples had avoided Kati whenever possible. The growing conflict between local clans made stopping there troublesome, especially when several powers were openly challenging the Han Clan's authority. Disciples traveling through the region often camped in the surrounding woods or continued farther toward neutral towns. Tian intended to change that immediately. Green Oak disciples returning in large numbers would bring money, supplies, cultivation goods, and attention back into Kati. More importantly, their presence would remind everyone that the village was still a Green Oak outpost. Tian did not need to threaten anyone or publicly declare his intentions. The sight of sect robes appearing throughout Kati after decades of absence would send a strong enough message, and he expected the local powers to respond.
That response was exactly what Tian wanted. The clans and sects challenging the Han Clan would notice Green Oak's return and begin asking questions. Some would send spies to learn about the new Overseer, while others would likely antagonize visiting disciples to test how far Green Oak was willing to go. Tian welcomed both reactions. Instead of searching Kati for every hidden rival himself, he could encourage those rivals to reveal their intentions through their own actions. Anyone willing to cause trouble because Green Oak disciples had returned would immediately become someone worth watching. Tian could then study each power, learn who supported them, and decide how they should be handled. His first move required no battle at all. He only needed to open Kati's doors and wait for someone to make the next move.
A month later, Tian finally received a great opportunity to display Green Oak's authority through the Fire Crow Auction House. According to a clerk who had lived at Green Oak Manor for the last 20 years, Fire Crow had always been open about supporting the sect. During important events, they even allowed their peak-stage Biyu Realm Elder to pose as a Green Oak Envoy, helping maintain the sect's prestige when few actual disciples visited Kati. Now the auction house had announced a Jing Event, meaning every item presented would be useful to Jing Realm cultivators. Such an event would naturally attract local clans, wandering cultivators, and nearby powers, making it the perfect gathering for Tian to remind everyone that Green Oak is still standing.
Among everything announced for the auction, 3 Biyu Pills were easily the most valuable. For an actual Biyu Realm cultivator, the pill mainly restored large amounts of energy, making it useful during training or after difficult battles. Jing Realm cultivators could gain far more from it. A single Biyu Pill could potentially push an early-stage Jing cultivator directly toward peak Jing, saving years of cultivation. Someone already at the middle stage might even use its energy to break through and reach the early Biyu Realm. Tian understood why the pills would draw so much attention. Every local clan wanted stronger cultivators, and gaining even 1 new Biyu Realm expert could greatly change a clan's standing within Kati. That made the upcoming auction far more important than normal business.
In preparation, Tian sent a secret summons from Green Oak Manor to 2 people. The first was Fire Crow's peak Biyu Realm Elder, the man who had posed as a Green Oak Envoy over the years. The second was the leader of the Fire Crow Company. Both men were shocked when they received the summons. For years, they had supported Green Oak without expecting much direct attention in return, and now the newly appointed Overseer wanted to meet them personally. Neither dared ignore the request or delay their response. They abandoned what they were doing and headed toward Green Oak Manor as soon as possible. Tian already had an idea for the Jing Event, but whether Fire Crow would agree to play its part remained to be seen.
As master of the Green Oak Codex, Tian had learned more than just cultivation techniques and ancient knowledge. He had also witnessed the mannerisms of countless masters and elders who placed their legacies within it. Some were stern, others mysterious, while a few could make powerful cultivators nervous with nothing more than a look. Tian borrowed pieces from all of them and created an interesting persona for himself. He wanted outsiders to see an enigmatic master whose thoughts were difficult to read. Through the Green Oak Domain, Tian had also learned several things about Fire Crow Auction House. He tried not to rely too heavily on the formation, but knowing who was entering his domain and what major powers were doing within Kati was too useful to completely ignore.
When the 2 Fire Crow leaders arrived at Green Oak Manor, they were welcomed by a disciple and escorted through the grand hall. Instead of meeting Tian there, they were led into a private chamber farther inside the manor. Tian sat at the head of the room waiting for them, his expression revealing nothing. His posture and appearance followed several habits he had copied from masters within the Codex. The result worked better than expected. Even the peak-stage Biyu Realm Elder felt some pressure while looking at the young Overseer. Tian noticed their caution immediately and maintained his expression. If either man knew what was happening inside his head, the entire image might have collapsed. Tian was practically giggling at how tense they looked while wondering just how long he could keep the act going.
"We humbly greet the Overseer. I am Bai War, Chief Elder of Fire Crow, and this is my son, Bai Lin, the current Fire Crow Lord," the elder introduced. Tian gave them a small nod but offered no immediate response, allowing several seconds to pass while the 2 men waited. A Green Oak disciple who had recently moved into the manor to serve as Tian's guard and attendant stepped forward and gestured toward the seats prepared for them. Bai War and Bai Lin accepted without hesitation. Neither knew Tian's cultivation, background, or intentions, only that Green Oak had suddenly returned to Kati after decades of absence and this young man stood at the center of it. Tian finally looked between father and son, ready to learn exactly how loyal Fire Crow truly was.
Tian waited a moment before finally speaking. "Green Oak Envoy?" A slight laugh escaped him as he looked toward Bai War. "Quite bold to assume such a title." Both men immediately became nervous, unsure whether they had already offended the new Overseer. "All in good faith," Bai Lin quickly replied. Tian laughed again before leaning back. "Then I suppose there must be something to show for it." At his signal, the Green Oak disciple approached Bai War and presented him with an official Green Oak Envoy token. War stared at it for a moment before accepting it with both hands. He immediately bowed and thanked Tian. What had once been a title used to support Green Oak's reputation was now truly his.
Tian waved for Bai War to sit before moving to the real purpose of their meeting. "Your upcoming Jing Event is well timed and a perfect stage for the sect's new ambitions. However, I must ask that a second grand seat be prepared in your Highest Honor Balcony." Bai Lin immediately agreed. Tian explained that the invitation for that seat would be sent directly to the head of the Han Clan. He already knew Fire Crow had prepared a seat for the Overseer after learning about his secret appointment through its Green Oak connections. However, their relationship with the Han Clan had been far less supportive. Fire Crow had never openly opposed the Hans, which Tian respected, but remaining on the sidelines would no longer be enough.
"I intend to declare Kati a State soon, and its Lordship will be given to the Han Clan." The announcement surprised both father and son. They had expected the new Overseer to restore Green Oak's presence, not reshape Kati's entire government. Yet Tian's plans were becoming clear. Giving the Han Clan a place beside Green Oak at the Jing Event would publicly restore their standing before the local powers. Declaring Kati a State afterward would go much further, placing the ancient clan at the center of whatever Tian intended to build. Bai War and Bai Lin exchanged a brief look before standing and bowing. Both swore to follow Tian's command, then departed Green Oak Manor to make the necessary changes. The Jing Event was approaching, and Tian had just prepared its most important surprise.
After Bai War and Bai Lin departed, Tian made his way toward the back courtyard of Green Oak Manor. The place looked completely different from when he first arrived a month ago. Nearly 100 Green Oak disciples now filled the grounds, with some practicing cultivation techniques while others helped renovate the aging manor. Damaged walls were repaired, unused rooms were reopened, and old training areas were restored for the growing number of disciples staying in Kati. Tian watched them for a while, pleased by how much life had returned to the outpost. Green Oak Manor had spent decades with only a few people maintaining it. Now disciples passed through its halls every day, missions were coordinated from inside, and the eastern district was already benefiting from their return.
Managing all of that would have taken much of Tian's time, so he placed someone he trusted in charge. Ān Fù, the senior disciple Tian had helped break through to the Jing Realm, had become his closest friend and most loyal supporter within Green Oak. At Tian's personal request, Ān Fù was appointed Deputy Overseer of Kati and given control over the daily operations of Green Oak Manor. He handled visiting disciples, supplies, repairs, assignments, and anything else that did not require Tian's direct attention. Ān Fù had accepted the responsibility without hesitation. He still remembered spending nearly 3 years trapped at peak Ling before Tian discovered the problem with his cultivation, and he had never stopped being grateful for the breakthrough that followed.
With Ān Fù managing the manor, Tian could focus his attention on reforming Kati itself. The return of Green Oak disciples was only the first part of his plan. Fire Crow would soon provide a public stage, the Han Clan would be brought back into prominence, and Tian intended to transform the village into a State capable of growing far beyond its current limits. Standing in the courtyard, he watched the 100 disciples train beneath Green Oak's banner and thought about how much had changed in just 1 month. Most people in Kati still had no idea who their new Overseer was or what he was preparing. Tian preferred it that way. By the time they understood his ambitions, Kati might already be heading somewhere none of them expected.