Within My Sect, All Realms Unite

As the atmosphere grew heavier and heavier, Lin Xiaotian suddenly broke it with a chuckle. That chuckle slowly turned into open laughter, and seeing this, all the disciples were left completely confused. Only Han Leu and Chu Yue looked utterly relaxed, as if none of this was strange to them at all.

Just as the confusion among the disciples deepened, the writing on Yan Feng’s forehead suddenly stopped. Then, to everyone’s shock, he stood up as if nothing had happened. Before anyone could even react, Yan Feng calmly raised a hand to his forehead, and as his fingers touched it, a small translucent strip slowly emerged from his skin. It was the same worm as before, except now it looked frosted over, thin and lifeless, completely captured.

Seeing the stunned expressions around him, Lin Xiaotian finally spoke, a faint smile still on his face. "It was only a plan. You do not need to worry."

Even after hearing that, the disciples were still confused, but since both Lin Xiaotian and the elders looked completely at ease, they gradually forced themselves to relax as well. Walking up to Yan Feng, Lin Xiaotian took the captured Gu from him and said, "You really are brave. If this Gu-capturing rune had failed, we do not even know what would have happened."

Yan Feng only lowered his head slightly and replied in a steady voice, "I believe in you fully, Master."

Hearing that, Lin Xiaotian did not feel joy. Instead, a deep burden settled over his heart. Looking at Yan Feng and the others, he could only think to himself, from now on, I am not leaving the sect any time soon. At least not until we have enough strength... or at least not until I am certain I can protect them.

But before that thought could settle, a terrifying aura suddenly erupted from the boy’s torn body.

It came so abruptly that everyone was slammed to the ground before they could react. The horrifying part was that this was not spiritual pressure, nor was it demonic qi.

It was something else entirely, something so strange and dreadful that for a single moment, everyone felt as if death itself was standing before them. Lin Xiaotian’s breath hitched as he forced himself to look up, yet just as suddenly as it had appeared, the pressure faded.

The torn body of the boy was slowly healing. Then a voice came from his mouth. "So... this is what is left of me."

The boy lifted his head and looked down at his own pale body, his expression unreadable. Then he glanced around, laughed softly, and said, "Father, you were never right."

At last, his gaze settled on Lin Xiaotian. "Looks like you are the leader here. I do not know where, when, or even what I am anymore, but I will say one thing."

His voice turned calm, yet every word carried a chilling weight. "The end is near. What you saw today was only the beginning of the eruption of a mistake that was sealed long ago in blood. But it seems... it was far too great."

As he spoke, his body began to disintegrate into fading fragments. Then, with what seemed like the last of his strength, he reached toward his neck, pulled off a necklace, and tossed it toward Lin Xiaotian. "Take it," he said. "And make use of it, if you can."

The calm on the boy’s face at that moment was strange, almost peaceful, as if an endless wait had finally come to an end. Lin Xiaotian was still shocked by everything that had happened, but just before the boy completely vanished, he spoke one final sentence.

"It is time for us to serve you again."

Those words made Lin Xiaotian freeze. Serve again? What does that even mean?

But there was no time to think further. The cave had already begun collapsing around them. Escaping would not be too difficult, but staying even a moment longer would only invite disaster.

Lin Xiaotian immediately rushed to Han Leu, supporting him while stuffing a stabilizing pill and several healing pills into his mouth. Then, without wasting another breath, the group hurried toward the exit.

By the time they emerged, the cave behind them was already collapsing in on itself.

Standing outside, Lin Xiaotian looked at the barren ground, at the scattered corpses, and at the ruin left behind. The wind carried dust through the air, making the entire place feel even more desolate, as if life itself had been drained away.

And just as he was staring at the aftermath, the system’s voice suddenly rang out once more.

[System Notification]

Congratulations, Host.You have successfully completed the mission: Seal the Demonic Corruption.

Rewards: 100,000 Points

[Mission Status Update]-Mission Three: Sealed

[Territory Achievement Unlocked]

Congratulations, Host. The Beast Forest has been successfully conquered and all beasts at the Golden Core Realm and above have been eliminated.

Rewards:• Reputation Value: +5000• Reputation Shop: Unlocked

[Territory Expansion Bonus]• Divine Blessings Granted

[System Notice]All rewards will be credited upon your return to the sect.

Seeing the notifications, Lin Xiaotian was stunned for a moment before a hint of excitement appeared on his face. The sudden rewards and the scale of what had just happened were far beyond what he had expected.

It was only after a brief pause that his expression shifted, his brows slightly furrowing as the situation settled in his mind. The destruction of the entire Beast Forest was not something small it was something that would shake the whole region.

A faint chill ran through him as his gaze sharpened. This matter was far too high-profile, and if even a trace of it was exposed, the consequences would not be something they could handle.

Without wasting time, Lin Xiaotian immediately suppressed his reaction and turned toward the others. His expression was calm and steady, as if nothing unusual had occurred.

"We leave no traces," he said quietly.

Then, without giving room for questions, he continued, "Prepare to move. We return to the sect immediately."

Hearing this, the disciples quickly gathered themselves, sensing the seriousness in his tone. No one dared to speak unnecessarily as they prepared to depart.

As they began to move, a faint satisfaction still lingered beneath Lin Xiaotian’s composed expression. The rewards were already secured, and whatever came next would only unfold after they returned.

With that, he stepped forward, leading the group away from the barren and silent remains of the Beast Forest.