Within My Sect, All Realms Unite

Another five months had passed in quiet accumulation, and now only a single month remained before the Hundred Sects Tournament began stirring the entire region with unseen movements.

Inside his chamber, Lin Xiaotian slowly opened his eyes, exhaling a steady stream of spiritual qi as the surrounding aura withdrew inward and settled with perfect control.

The circulation within his body stabilized completely, his foundation firm and unmoving as the strength of the eighth layer of Core Formation revealed itself with quiet clarity.

A faint sigh escaped his lips as he adjusted his posture slightly, his expression calm yet carrying a trace of awareness that did not belong to someone satisfied with mere progress.

Ha... it seems it will be a long time before I see such smooth progress again, he thought inwardly, not disappointed, but clearly recognizing that such effortless advancement was never meant to last.

His divine sense extended outward without disturbance, spreading across the sect like an invisible tide that touched every corner without leaving even the slightest ripple behind.

The disciples remained immersed in cultivation, their auras stable and orderly, while the newly recruited ones had already begun adapting under the sect’s resources with surprising efficiency. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Tian Jian Zun was still in seclusion, his aura steady yet deeper than before, as if something within him was still being refined and merged with unsettling completeness.

Lin Xiaotian’s gaze stilled for a moment before he spoke directly into the minds of both elders and the first-generation disciples, his voice calm yet absolute as it echoed within them. "Gather at the main hall."

The words were simple yet carried a weight that did not require repetition. The next moment, his figure vanished from the chamber and reappeared within the main hall, his steps unhurried as he walked toward the main seat and sat down without the slightest excess movement.

The hall remained silent for a brief moment before figures began arriving one after another, each carrying a steady presence that did not disrupt the calm atmosphere.

The disciples entered first, followed by Han Leu, their expressions respectful as they took their positions without unnecessary movement, though a faint anticipation lingered beneath their composure.

Tian Jian Zun arrived last and the moment he stepped into the hall, the atmosphere shifted ever so slightly, not violently, but in a way that made the space feel subtly heavier, as if something intangible had settled into it.

Almost instinctively, everyone’s gaze turned toward him, unfamiliarity and caution surfacing as none of them recognized this newly arrived figure.

Seeing this, Lin Xiaotian spoke from the main seat, his tone calm yet carrying an authority that left no room for doubt. "Everyone, greet him."

"He is your Second Elder from now on."

The disciples reacted immediately, bowing without hesitation, though curiosity remained visible in their eyes, unable to be completely concealed.

Yan Feng, however, did not lower his gaze entirely, his eyes fixed on Tian Jian Zun as if trying to measure something beyond the surface.

Tian Jian Zun’s gaze shifted in return, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed Yan Feng, sensing something faintly unusual within him that did not align with the others. For a brief moment, the two stood there in silent confrontation, neither speaking, yet neither withdrawing their attention.

Han Leu watched this exchange with visible confusion, his gaze moving between Lin Xiaotian and Tian Jian Zun as if trying to understand what had occurred without his knowledge.

Lin Xiaotian met his eyes briefly and gave a small, almost careless wink, his expression calm as if telling him that some things were better left unquestioned.

Han Leu paused, then chose silence.

Lin Xiaotian rose slowly from his seat, his gaze sweeping across the hall before settling on Tian Jian Zun, a faint smirk forming as he spoke in a light yet deliberate tone. "Elder Zun, first meetings should always leave something behind."

"I believe the disciples would appreciate something... worth remembering."

For the first time, Tian Jian Zun’s facial muscles tightened slightly, though he still inclined his head in acknowledgment without any visible resistance. "Indeed, Sect Master," he replied calmly. "A first meeting should not be forgotten so easily."

The moment his words fell, a sword intent as deep as an endless abyss began to rise from his body. It did not erupt wildly, nor did it tear through the hall with overwhelming force, but instead spread with terrifying control, silent yet absolute, as if an unseen blade had been drawn within the space itself.

Before anyone could fully comprehend what was happening, that vast sword intent began to divide. One strand became two, two became four, and within a single breath, thirty-two strands of pure qi separated from the whole, each one condensed to a level that made the air around it feel sharp.

The strands moved without haste, drifting forward like controlled fragments of a greater will, before each one descended toward a disciple and entered their dantian without the slightest resistance.

There was no pain, no disturbance, only a quiet settling as if something had taken root within them.

Only after everything had been completed did Tian Jian Zun speak again, his tone casual to the point of indifference. "It is not much," he said. "Consider it a small meeting gift."

"In ordinary situations, it may help resolve minor troubles. With a trace of qi, you may activate it, and if your life is in true danger, it will awaken on its own."

Silence followed and Han Leu stood frozen, his thoughts momentarily unable to keep pace with what he had just witnessed. Possessing such pure sword aura was already beyond ordinary understanding, yet what truly shook him was the control behind it.

To divide sword intent so precisely, then seal each fragment as if it were a single-use talisman without allowing even the slightest instability to leak out, was something that even experts in Palace formation realm would struggle to achieve.

Yet what unsettled him most was not the technique itself. The power contained within those strands did not feel overwhelmingly vast and instead seemed to rest only at the peak of the Golden Core realm.

His gaze shifted toward Lin Xiaotian, unable to suppress the question any longer. "What realm... is the Second Elder in?"

Before Lin Xiaotian could respond, Tian Jian Zun spoke calmly, as if the matter held no significance at all. "I am merely a loose cultivator," he said. "I broke through the Golden Core realm a few days ago and was fortunate enough to be accepted by the Sect Master."

Lin Xiaotian’s expression twitched almost imperceptibly, though he quickly forced out a light laugh "Golden Core... indeed, huh."

Han Leu fell silent once again, his confusion deepening, though this time he chose not to pursue the matter further.

Before the atmosphere could linger on the topic, Lin Xiaotian shifted his attention back toward the disciples, his tone steady as he spoke once more. "You have all prepared well for the tournament."

"Today, I have gathered you here for one final gift."

The moment those words fell, the calm within the hall subtly shifted, anticipation rising as every disciple’s attention sharpened toward him.