A brilliant pillar of light split the sky above the ruins of Ji Xia Sect.
Moments later, the light slowly faded, revealing four figures standing upon the stone courtyard.
Yan Fu had returned.
Beside him stood the three newly contracted guardians of the sect—Vorath, Aetherion, and Tianlong.
But the moment Yan Fu lifted his eyes to look around, even he paused slightly.
The sect… had completely changed.
The broken ruins that once stood there were gone.
In their place rose magnificent structures made from radiant spiritual stone. Towering halls with golden roofs stretched toward the sky, their edges glowing with ancient runes.
Massive stairways carved from jade-like stone connected the various platforms of the sect grounds.
Nine enormous pillars of golden light stood at the edges of the territory, forming a powerful barrier that shimmered like a dome above the sect.
The Celestial Barrier ×9 had fully activated.
Spiritual energy flowed through the entire area like a living river.
The once-abandoned Ji Xia Sect had been reborn.
Even Tianlong raised its head slightly in surprise.
"This…"
The dragon's deep voice echoed softly.
"This level of spiritual energy rivals the great sects of ancient eras."
Vorath slowly stepped forward, its claws scraping lightly against the polished stone courtyard.
"The system reward is more impressive than I expected."
Aetherion's turquoise eyes glowed faintly as it examined the surrounding formations.
"The sect's spiritual veins have been awakened."
Yan Fu stood silently in the center of the courtyard.
He had seen many things since arriving in this world, yet the sight before him still carried a certain weight.
Just days ago this place had been nothing but ruins.
Now it stood like a divine palace.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Good."
Then suddenly—
Footsteps echoed from the main hall.
A young boy rushed down the steps with hurried excitement.
"Master!"
Li Fei appeared in the courtyard, his silver hair slightly messy as he ran forward.
But the moment he reached the open courtyard…
He froze.
His pink eyes widened.
Before him stood three enormous divine beings.
Vorath's massive black form radiated terrifying dominance.
Aetherion glowed softly like a creature made from pure celestial light.
And Tianlong's enormous dragon body coiled through the sky above the sect like a living storm.
Li Fei's mouth slowly fell open.
"M…Master…"
Yan Fu calmly turned toward him.
"I have returned."
Li Fei pointed shakily toward the three guardians.
"What… what are those?!"
Vorath snorted slightly.
Aetherion remained calm.
Tianlong's dragon eyes glanced down curiously at the young disciple.
Yan Fu walked toward Li Fei.
"They are the guardians of Ji Xia Sect."
Li Fei blinked several times.
"Guardians?"
Yan Fu nodded.
"This is Vorath."
The black lion gave a slow nod.
"The first guardian of the sect."
Li Fei swallowed.
Yan Fu gestured again.
"This is Aetherion."
The radiant celestial being lowered its head politely.
"The second guardian."
Li Fei looked even more stunned.
Then Yan Fu raised his hand toward the sky.
"And that…"
Lightning crackled faintly above them as the dragon moved through the clouds.
"…is Tianlong, the third guardian of Ji Xia Sect."
Li Fei stared up at the massive dragon with wide eyes.
"A… a dragon…"
He slowly looked back at Yan Fu.
"Master… you were gone for two days."
Yan Fu nodded.
"Yes."
Li Fei blinked again.
"And you came back with three divine beasts?"
Yan Fu simply replied,
"That was the goal."
For a moment Li Fei just stood there silently, trying to process what he had just seen.
Then suddenly—
A powerful wave of spiritual energy surged from the ground.
The entire sect trembled slightly.
Yan Fu's eyes sharpened.
"The system reward is activating completely."
From the center of the courtyard, a brilliant golden light erupted from the ground.
Ancient runes spread across the stone floor like living symbols.
Then slowly—
A weapon began rising from the center of the formation.
It was a spear.
A magnificent spear covered in golden patterns shaped like phoenix feathers. The blade shimmered with crimson light, as if flames burned within it.
The weapon floated in the air before Yan Fu.
A system notification appeared again.
[Divine Weapon Unlocked]
Phoenix Crown Spear
Celestial Grade Artifact
Yan Fu reached out calmly.
The moment his hand touched the spear—
A burst of fiery spiritual energy exploded outward.
The weapon accepted its master instantly.
The phoenix patterns along the shaft glowed brightly before settling into a steady golden shine.
Yan Fu examined the weapon briefly before spinning it once in his hand.
The air itself trembled from the movement.
Tianlong looked down from the sky with interest.
"A divine weapon worthy of a sect master."
Vorath gave a low rumble of approval.
Aetherion simply nodded.
Yan Fu rested the spear beside him.
Now Ji Xia Sect possessed:
Three divine guardians.
A celestial barrier.
And a divine weapon.
But Yan Fu knew this was only the beginning.
He turned toward Li Fei.
"Come."
The young disciple immediately straightened.
"Yes, Master!"
Yan Fu looked across the vast sect grounds.
"It is time for your real cultivation to begin."
Li Fei's eyes lit with excitement.
Meanwhile, the three divine guardians watched quietly.
The rise of Ji Xia Sect had truly begun.
And this small sect hidden within the mountains would soon shake the entire Dongxu World.