"What? An alliance of sects that belongs to you?"

Lin Tian nodded clearly. For Cao Ying and An Yue, this was also the first time they’d heard the proposal, since Lin Tian had never said a word about it before.

Besides Yu Xin and the elders of Wuwei Sect, both of them were also genuinely curious about Lin Tian’s alliance plan, especially Cao Ying.

She wanted to know what made Lin Tian’s alliance different from the Qin Sect Alliance. If the difference wasn’t significant enough, then the whole thing would be pointless.

Nobody would be interested in hearing the proposal. It would just go in one ear and out the other.

"There’s no denying that the Qin Sect Alliance is appealing and carries a reputation that’s far from simple. But joining it requires resources that aren’t cheap," Lin Tian said.

"And don’t forget about the alliance qi pathway," he added.

Yu Xin and Cao Ying were startled. They both knew what an alliance qi pathway was and how it connected to the sects that were members of the alliance. Fenhai had joined the Qin Sect Alliance and that pathway ran through their sect.

"For a small sect like yours, you’d have to allocate qi resources from your sect’s spiritual vein to the alliance’s central hub," Lin Tian said.

"Or if not to the central hub, then at least connect it to one of the core member sects within the alliance," he explained.

"Do you know why?"

Yu Xin shook his head, and the sect elders followed along, equally curious. Lin Tian narrowed his eyes and looked directly at Yu Xin.

"They’re squeezing small sects like yours with promises of a status upgrade, while the alliance’s qi flow is actually being used to boost the cultivation base of disciples in the major sects like Yuntian."

That rumor had reached their ears before, but they’d never believed it. People from the alliance called it a flat-out lie and a trick meant to drive a wedge between alliance members.

"The people from the Qin Sect Alliance called it fake news. They’ve never used the alliance qi pathway for their own sect’s disciples," Yu Xin replied.

"That’s exactly what they want you to believe."

"If you’re willing to join the Heavenly Sect Pavilion, I won’t ask for any resources, and I won’t touch your sect’s spiritual vein either," Lin Tian said.

"You’d only need to do one thing: obey and respect the orders of the pavilion master."

Yu Xin listened carefully to everything Lin Tian laid out. His words were convincing and genuinely tempting for a small sect like Wuwei.

But the middle-aged man also knew he couldn’t afford to act rashly. The Qin Sect Alliance was far more powerful than Lin Tian and Lingxian Sect combined.

He was worried that one hasty decision could bring disaster down on himself and Wuwei Sect in the future.

"Forgive me. I don’t mean to distrust you. But our situation is complicated."

"We’re trying to minimize the chance of things going wrong. As for your offer regarding the Heavenly Sect Pavilion, I can’t give you an answer right away."

"That said, we’d remain open to the possibility of inter-sect cooperation if the opportunity arises," Yu Xin said.

Lin Tian went quiet, a little disappointed, but he understood where Yu Xin was coming from. One decision could determine whether Wuwei Sect survived or fell apart.

Because of that weight, Lin Tian chose not to push him.

"Alright. Think it over carefully and wisely," Lin Tian said.

"Thank you for understanding, Sect Master of Lingxian Sect."

Shortly after, one of the elders came carrying the items Lin Tian had asked for. He put everything into his bag of holding, then said his goodbyes and left Wuwei Sect’s main hall.

One of the elders stepped forward toward Yu Xin’s throne. "Why did we turn down his offer?"

Yu Xin let out a long breath and settled into his throne. "Too risky. Every sect in the Qin Sect Alliance knows just how ruthless and brutal Lingxian Sect can be."

"We also can’t confirm whether the Heavenly Sect Pavilion he mentioned could actually stand against the Qin Sect Alliance or not."

"Better to stand on solid ground than take a dangerous path."

Outside the sect’s main hall, Lin Tian walked out with Cao Ying and An Yue by his side.

The sect’s disciples watched the three of them leave with relief and gladness in their hearts. Wuwei Sect’s fate hadn’t ended up like Fenhai Sect’s — they could still go about their lives as normal.

"Tell me... did you only just think of the sect alliance idea back there?" Cao Ying asked.

"No."

"I’d already been thinking about it after the last battle," Lin Tian replied. "I didn’t go in with high hopes either. I just said what I felt needed to be said."

"My most immediate focus is adding disciples and raising their quality. My goal is to help An Yue and the four other core disciples break through to Core Formation," Lin Tian said.

An Yue heard what Lin Tian said, and her heart warmed knowing he’d thought about her and the four other core disciples in such detail. Breaking through to Core Formation felt like a dream coming true for An Yue.

"Master Lin doesn’t need to worry. I’ll train hard so I can break through to Core Formation just like you’re hoping," An Yue said firmly.

Lin Tian glanced over and smiled, giving a short nod. The matter at Wuwei Sect was settled. Now it was time for them to head to Nadao Sect.

Even so, Lin Tian remembered the disciple tasks assigned to An Yue, Ya Fei, and Luo Mei. He needed to pick up some technique scrolls, arrays, and pill recipes for the three of them.

"Before we head to Nadao Sect, we’ll stop by Zhu City first."

"Alright."

They flew quickly until Zhu City came into view ahead of them — not a particularly large city, but not as small as Gui City either.

Lin Tian was the first to land. He raised his hand to the side and shifted their robes to black. It wasn’t just his own — Cao Ying and An Yue’s appearances changed too, all through Lin Tian’s qi.

An Yue was confused, but once Cao Ying explained it, she understood right away.

"There are a lot of cultivators here. Suppress your cultivation base, Cao Ying."

"Got it."

Lin Tian and Cao Ying raised their hands, letting qi light flow across their bodies and forcing the cultivation base radiating from their qi auras down to no more than Perfect Foundation Establishment level.

There was a reason for it. Most of the cultivators Lin Tian could spot were Foundation Establishment cultivators. Blending in with them would be far safer.

Lin Tian’s steps came to a stop in front of a shop. But just as he was about to walk in, a loud voice from the side caught him off guard.

"Come to the Zhu Clan’s main auction!" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"The three featured items at this auction are an Earth-Grade Technique, a Tier-4 Pill, and a High-Grade Earth Flame."

A high-grade Earth Flame?

Cao Ying and An Yue stopped walking and watched as Lin Tian turned to the side and approached a woman in a red uniform.

"What’s he doing?" Cao Ying asked.

Lin Tian reached the woman, and she immediately handed him an auction brochure.

"Would Senior like to attend the Zhu Family auction?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Right this way," the woman said, handing him the brochure. "The auction starts tomorrow. But Senior can register today."

Cao Ying came over and saw Lin Tian holding the auction brochure. "You want to join the auction?"

"Yes."

"There’s a High-Grade Earth Flame up for auction. That’d be great for Luo Mei."