Tianhan remained standing at the mountain's peak, breath steadying after a journey that had consumed three full years of his life. The wind tore at his torn clothes, dried blood flaked from his arms, and his crimson eyes rested upon the small spiritual tree in the center of the stone plateau—its silver leaves shimmering faintly like moonlit ripples.
But before he could take even a single step toward it—
The air behind him shifted.
A faint sound, no louder than a pebble nudged by a sandal…Yet on this height, nothing happened by accident.
Tianhan spun instantly, fingers curving into Demon Claws.
There—barely five meters away—stood an old man. His hair was white as untouched snow, his back impossibly straight for his age, his hands folded gently behind him. He wore a mist-gray robe, a green insignia resting on his shoulder—belonging to a sect Tianhan had never seen.
But the most terrifying thing…
Tianhan had never sensed him.
The elder gave a calm, measured smile.
"Ease your killing intent, boy. If I wished to kill you, I would not have allowed you to climb for three years."
Tianhan froze.
He… has been watching me this whole time?
The old man lifted a hand slightly, a gesture of peace.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Elder Linhai, one of the Recruitment Hall elders of the Heavenly Spirit Sect. My duty is to observe wandering cultivators, and harvest talents… such as yourself."
He paused, studying Tianhan's reaction before adding, almost casually:
"Ever since the strange blood awakened within you, I've been monitoring your progress."
Tianhan's eyes widened, but the elder simply continued.
"Do not worry—I am not here to steal your blood or kill you. I came for a far simpler purpose… that tree."
He pointed at the silver-leafed spirit tree.
Elder Linhai stepped forward, settling onto a stone as though the peak belonged to him.
"I can see your confusion, Tianhan. So let me clarify something crucial for your journey.If you wish to survive the cultivation path… you must understand its realms."
He raised one finger.
"First: Bone Refinement."
"This is your current realm. The cultivator strengthens bone, flesh, and ligament—binding spirit to the body. It ends only when the body becomes strong enough to endure true spiritual energy."
A second finger rose.
"Second: Spirit Gathering Realm."
"This realm begins when you open your Spirit Core. Only those with a solid foundation can achieve it. In this realm, you gather energy, form the seed of your spirit… and tread a road much harsher than anything you have known."
Then a third.
"Third: Spirit Formation Realm."
"Here, the spirit begins to take shape. Your aura becomes refined… and true power begins."
He dropped his hand and looked directly into Tianhan's eyes.
"But between every realm… there lies a tribulation."
"A tribulation?" Tianhan murmured.
The elder nodded.
"Yes. A spiritual, physical, or mental calamity. Some fail. Some die. Others lose their minds entirely. That is why everyone seeks rare resources to cross their thresholds safely."
His finger pointed once more at the silver tree.
"That tree, boy… is no ordinary plant. It is a Spirit-Opening Tree.It bears fruit once every decade. Its fruit can help a cultivator break through the barrier of Bone Refinement… and step into the Spirit Gathering Realm."
He smiled.
"And that is why I am here."
Tianhan's gaze sharpened.
"I want the tree," the elder said plainly."I want its fruit to prepare new disciples for the sect. That is my duty."
Then his eyes swept up and down Tianhan's battered form.
"And you—you survived three years of climbing, fighting, dying, and living again. Your body now sits at the peak of Bone Refinement. As a foundation… you are exceptional."
He reached into his robe and drew out a small jade bottle. When he opened it, a dense, oppressive energy surged outward, making Tianhan's muscles tense instinctively.
Inside was a single small black pill, radiating heat and ferocity.
"This," Elder Linhai said, "is a Bone Refinement Breakthrough Pill.Take it, and you will break directly into the early stage of the Spirit Gathering Realm… so long as your foundation does not crumble."
He closed the bottle gently.
"Give me the tree…and I will give you this pill."
After a breath, his tone softened:
"And afterward… I can even invite you to join my sect."
Tianhan said nothing.
His whole life had been without sect, without backing, without protection.He had faced beasts, humans, and his own blood—alone.
Should he trust a man who had watched him from the shadows for years?Should he give away a tree that could change his fate?Should he step into a world he barely understood?
But…
To enter the Spirit Gathering Realm?To finally take the first step toward becoming a real cultivator?
He closed his eyes for a moment.
Then opened them with unwavering resolve.
"…I accept."
A faint smile tugged at Elder Linhai's lips.
"Good, boy. You have made the correct choice."
And at the very moment those words left his mouth—
—the entire peak trembled.