The rumors detonated at dawn.
"They say cultivators will be purged by the Immortal Realm."
"Follow the Mortal Sect and you'll be punished by Heaven."
By noon, the upgraded version spread:
"Some cultivators have already been erased in secret."
The words moved fast.
But they didn't land the way the Immortal Realm expected.
East Market — Morning
An old vegetable vendor slammed a cabbage onto his cutting board.
"I've been cultivating for six months."
"My legs don't shake anymore. My back doesn't bend."
"You call that heresy?"
He spat.
"I think you're the one spreading evil talk."
Someone beside him laughed.
"Right? If it's so evil, why don't you take this 'corrupted' life back first?"
The crowd chuckled.
The mood was steady.
Unafraid.
Then—
Several unfamiliar auras pressed down.
Not orthodox Immortal Realm elites.
But "authorized enforcers."
The kind sent when someone wanted to keep their hands clean.
They stood at the street entrance.
Faces cold.
"Disperse immediately."
"Mortals are forbidden from cultivating outside the approved system."
The market fell silent.
For one second.
Then—
A voice rose from the crowd.
"Approved by who?"
A young blacksmith stepped forward.
He rolled up his sleeves.
Faint spirit markings glowed along his forearms.
"I cultivate so my hammer doesn't slip."
"Not so you can tell me how to live."
The First Strike
The enforcer moved first.
Not a killing blow.
Just suppression.
Spiritual pressure descended.
Under normal circumstances—
Mortals would drop to their knees.
But this time—
The blacksmith didn't kneel.
His foot slammed against the ground.
The spirit markings ignited.
Basic Body Cultivation — Rooted Stance.
BOOM.
The pressure met resistance.
And stopped.
The enforcer's eyes widened.
"…Impossible."
Then It Spread
Another flare of light.
The vegetable vendor.
A courier.
A retired veteran.
No spells.
No flight.
No lightning.
But none of them knelt.
They stood.
The entire scene was recorded.
Ten breaths later—
The footage reached the Mortal Sect.
Mortal Sect — Main Hall
Su Wan watched the projection.
A slow smile curved her lips.
"It's happening."
Shen Yan was already issuing commands.
"Three conflict points in the outer city."
Xiao Xuanyin didn't hesitate.
"Activate Mortal Sect Combat Protocol — Level One."
For the first time—
The sect bell rang not for cultivation.
But for battle.
Deployment
Figures launched into the sky.
Not high-tier masters.
Not legendary elders.
But the very instructors who taught public classes.
They landed at the market entrance.
Forming a line.
In front of the civilians.
The lead instructor spoke calmly.
"You have crossed the boundary."
The enforcer sneered.
"You intend to incite rebellion across realms?"
He raised his hand—
"Mortal Sect Enforcement."
The System Responds
A formation ignited.
Not a killing array.
A suppression field.
The ground sank.
The enforcers' spiritual output dropped sharply.
"What—?!"
Su Wan's voice echoed through the transmission array.
"Friendly reminder."
"This is the Human Realm Environmental Modifier."
"Welcome to the weighted version."
The first scream sounded.
Not from death.
But from being pinned face-first to the pavement.
Unable to rise.
Realization Across Three Realms
It wasn't about cultivation levels.
It wasn't about realm breakthroughs.
It was about system advantage.
The Mortal Sect had not leveled up in power.
They had leveled up in structure.
Immortal Realm — Emergency Session
An Immortal powerhouse shot to his feet.
"They attacked?!"
The report came quickly.
"Yes."
"But not against the Immortal Realm."
"They defended civilians."
Silence consumed the hall.
Back in the Mortal Sect
Su Wan was practically glowing.
"Your Majesty!"
"Basic cultivation real-combat feedback: fully validated!"
Xiao Xuanyin's gaze remained steady.
"Issue a decree."
"From this day forward, the Mortal Sect enters full practical-upgrade phase."
"Anyone who crosses the boundary—"
His voice sharpened slightly.
"Will be met head-on."
Far Above
In a place deeper than the Immortal Council—
A hidden figure finally leaned forward.
Interest awakened.
"…So this was the fight they were preparing."
The smile that followed—
Was not anger.
But anticipation.