Within My Sect, All Realms Unite

As Chu Yue was still deep in thought, trying to process everything that had just happened, Lin Xiaotian casually took out a jade plate and tossed it toward her without any explanation. The plate spun once in the air before she caught it, and the moment her fingers touched it, she could feel a faint presence flowing through it.

The words Celestial Origin Supreme Sect were engraved clearly on its surface, simple yet carrying an unspoken weight that made it hard to ignore. Chu Yue looked at it for a brief moment before deciding to keep it, as there was no harm in holding onto something like this for now.

She then lowered her head slightly and spoke in a calm tone, though her thoughts were still unsettled from everything she had witnessed. "I must take my leave for now, Sect Master, as I need to report the irregularities within the Beast Forest to my sect."

Lin Xiaotian nodded lightly as if this was already expected, his expression calm and without any change as he listened to her words. "Go ahead, but it won’t matter much," he replied casually, as if speaking about something insignificant.

He paused for a brief moment before continuing, his tone still relaxed yet carrying a quiet certainty that did not need to be emphasized. "Soon, the Beast Forest will be considered part of my sect’s territory."

Chu Yue’s steps slowed slightly as she heard that, her eyes narrowing just a fraction as the meaning of those words settled in her mind. The Beast Forest was not some small region that could be casually claimed, but one of the most important areas in the entire region.

Even after centuries of changes, it remained filled with resources and opportunities, and no single force had ever managed to take control over it completely. And yet, he spoke as if it was already decided, as if it was simply a matter of time before it became reality.

Chu Yue did not respond She simply bowed once more, her thoughts still unsettled, before turning and leaving the sect grounds without another word. Her figure slowly faded into the distance as she departed, leaving behind a silence that lingered for a moment longer.

Lin Xiaotian watched her leave quietly before shifting his gaze toward the disciples, who were slowly standing up after finishing their cultivation. Their auras were more stable now, their expressions calmer, yet there was a clear change in them compared to before.

He stepped forward slightly and spoke, his tone steady and carrying the same calm authority as always. "For the next year, all of you will focus entirely on cultivation without distraction."

"We will participate in the Hundred Sects Tournament held across Yangzhou, which only takes place once every fifty years," he continued, his gaze sweeping across them. "Only the top three sects will gain the chance to step into the upper regions."

A brief pause followed as his words settled. "I expect that none of you will disappoint me," he added calmly.

Hearing this, all of them bowed at once, their movements firm and without hesitation, as if they had already accepted that path without needing to think about it further. No one spoke, yet their actions made their answer clear.

Lin Xiaotian nodded slightly before distributing cultivation resources among them, his movements unhurried as he handed out what was needed. After all, he had gained a large number of points during this expedition, and there was no reason to hold back now.

The disciples accepted the resources and gradually dispersed, each heading toward their own cultivation areas as the sect slowly returned to its usual rhythm. The hall grew quieter as their figures disappeared one by one.

Then the system’s voice rang out again. "2× cultivation speed for the next six months."

Lin Xiaotian paused slightly as he heard it, a brief flicker of surprise passing through his eyes before it settled into quiet satisfaction. The rewards were indeed generous, and it seemed that expanding influence and control would bring even greater returns.

He then turned his gaze toward Han Leu, who still stood in place with his eyes closed, as if he had entered a deeper state of understanding. Without disturbing him, Lin Xiaotian moved him into a cultivation chamber, allowing him to continue undisturbed.

After that, Lin Xiaotian disappeared as well. He reappeared within his own chamber and sat down slowly, letting out a quiet breath as the events of the day replayed in his mind. After a moment, he shook his head slightly, a faint thought passing through him. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Strength really is everything."

His gaze shifted slightly as he remembered something, and without wasting time, he reached into his robe and took out the locket he had picked up earlier. It rested quietly in his palm, small and unassuming at first glance, yet carrying a presence that did not match its simple appearance.

The locket was shaped like a raven with its wings folded close to its body, the edges worn as if it had existed for far too long. Its surface was a dull dark metal with faint black markings running along it, so subtle that they almost blended into the material unless looked at closely.

There was no shine to it, no obvious aura leaking out, yet the longer it was held, the more it gave off a strange, heavy feeling that was hard to explain. It did not feel powerful in a direct way, but rather ancient, as if it had witnessed things that no longer existed in the current world.

Lin Xiaotian turned it slightly in his hand, his fingers brushing over the faint engravings as his eyes narrowed just a little. Even after scanning it with his spiritual energy, it revealed nothing, remaining completely silent as if it refused to respond.

For a brief moment, his expression tightened.

Then the system’s voice rang out again within his mind.

"Mission issued: Find the next heir of Raven and restore it."

"Rewards: Unlocking of the locket."

"Time limit: Uncertain."

Lin Xiaotian’s gaze sharpened slightly as he looked down at the locket once more, the earlier calm in his eyes slowly fading away as he remembered the boy’s word’s it’s time for us to serve again.

He took a slow breath and sat down cross-legged, letting his mind settle as he began cultivating once more, his aura gradually stabilizing at the second level of Core Formation. After all, as the sect master, falling behind his own disciples would be a little too embarrassing, and that was something he had no intention of allowing.

It’s all just for their own good and protection

Then slowly the qi in the room began to stir, gathering around him before turning into a steady swirl that spread outward in faint waves. Soon after, clouds formed above parts of the mountain, drifting and circling slowly as signs of cultivation and diligence appeared, though it was not something that covered the entire Region.