The mountain winds howled faintly as night fell over the Ji Xia Sect.
What had begun as a calm and promising day ended with a lingering tension in the air. Though the scouts had retreated, their presence had left behind something far more dangerous than a simple encounter—
Attention.
Inside the main hall, Yan Fu stood before a large stone table. Spread across it was the Ancient Sect Map he had obtained from the system.
The map glowed faintly, revealing not only the terrain around Ji Xia Sect but also nearby regions, sect territories, and hidden zones within the Forest of Yin and Yang.
Li Fei stood beside him, arms crossed.
"So they ran away… but they'll definitely report back."
Yan Fu nodded calmly.
"They already have."
Vorath lay near the entrance, his massive body relaxed but his sharp eyes half-open.
"Scouts never come alone in the long run," the ancient lion rumbled. "Next time… it won't be a small group."
Above them, Tianlong coiled silently near the ceiling beams, faint lightning flickering along his body.
"I sensed their communication technique," the storm dragon said. "They sent a message before retreating."
Aetherion stepped forward, his voice calm yet firm.
"Which means… the real threat has already begun."
Yan Fu placed a hand on the glowing map.
"Good."
Li Fei blinked.
"…Good?"
Yan Fu's gaze sharpened.
"A sect cannot rise without pressure."
He turned to face them.
"If they come, we will use them."
Vorath grinned.
"Now that's the kind of thinking I like."
---
Meanwhile — Far Beyond the Mountains
Deep within a distant mountain range, a massive fortress stood carved into black stone cliffs.
Flames burned along its outer walls.
Inside the grand hall—
A man sat upon a throne made of dark crystal.
His aura was heavy.
Oppressive.
The kind of presence that could crush weaker cultivators without effort.
Before him, a scout knelt.
"Reporting to Sect Master… Ji Xia Sect has awakened."
The man's eyes opened slowly.
"What did you see?"
"Three divine beasts… and a young sect master with unknown strength."
The scout hesitated.
"And… a disciple with Divine Talent."
Silence filled the hall.
Then—
The man chuckled.
"Divine Talent… in a fallen sect?"
His gaze turned cold.
"Interesting."
Another elder stepped forward.
"Should we eliminate them early?"
The Sect Master shook his head.
"No."
He leaned back slightly.
"Send a stronger group first."
"A test."
His eyes gleamed faintly.
"If they survive…"
"Then they are worth destroying properly."
---
Back at Ji Xia Sect
The next morning.
The courtyard was filled with disciples.
But this time—
It wasn't recruitment.
It was training.
Yan Fu stood at the center.
"From today onward…"
"Ji Xia Sect enters a new phase."
His voice echoed clearly.
"Combat readiness."
The disciples straightened instantly.
Even the new ones could feel the seriousness in his tone.
Li Fei stepped forward.
"Today's training will be different."
He pointed toward the open training ground.
"You will not train alone anymore."
Yan Fu continued.
"You will train as a unit."
He raised his staff.
A formation activated beneath the ground.
Golden lines spread across the courtyard, forming multiple sections.
"This is a Combat Simulation Formation."
The disciples looked surprised.
Yan Fu explained,
"You will fight illusions, pressure, and each other."
"Your goal is not just strength…"
"…but coordination."
Vorath stood up slowly.
"And we'll be watching."
That alone made several disciples nervous.
---
Training Begins
The formation activated fully.
Suddenly—
The environment changed.
The courtyard transformed into a battlefield illusion.
Broken land.
Burning skies.
Roaring winds.
The disciples gasped.
"This feels real…"
Li Fei smirked.
"It is."
"Now move!"
Groups of disciples were formed.
Each group faced different scenarios.
Some were surrounded by illusion beasts.
Others faced overwhelming pressure.
But one group stood out—
Zhao Tian's group.
Three disciples stood with him.
The moment the illusion activated—
A massive beast charged toward them.
The other two panicked slightly.
But Zhao Tian didn't move.
"Stay behind me," he said calmly.
The beast lunged—
And Zhao Tian stepped forward.
His hand moved.
A strange, flowing energy formed around him.
Not explosive.
Not wild.
But controlled.
Precise.
The beast's attack slowed mid-air—
As if caught in invisible currents.
Zhao Tian turned slightly.
"Now."
The two disciples behind him reacted.
They attacked together—
And the beast shattered.
Li Fei, watching from outside, raised an eyebrow.
"That technique…"
Yan Fu nodded slightly.
"He's not just talented."
"He understands control at a deeper level."
---
Pressure Training
Next—
Yan Fu increased the formation intensity.
The sky darkened.
Spiritual pressure multiplied.
Several disciples immediately dropped to their knees.
"Stand up," Yan Fu said calmly.
"If you cannot endure this…"
"You will die in a real battle."
Zhao Tian remained standing.
So did Li Fei.
But even they felt it.
A crushing weight pressing against their bodies.
Aetherion stepped forward slightly.
A soft wave of healing energy spread—
Not removing the pressure—
But stabilizing their condition.
"This is how growth works," Aetherion said gently.
"Pressure… and support."
---
A Glimpse of Power
After hours of training—
Yan Fu finally stepped forward.
"Enough."
The formation stopped.
The illusions vanished.
The disciples were exhausted.
But their eyes were different now.
Sharper.
More aware.
Yan Fu looked at them.
"Watch carefully."
He raised his staff.
For a brief moment—
Everything went silent.
Then—
A single wave of energy spread outward.
No explosion.
No destruction.
But every disciple felt it.
A presence beyond their level.
Beyond their understanding.
Zhao Tian's eyes narrowed slightly.
This…
This is true control…
Even the guardian beasts watched quietly.
Yan Fu lowered his staff.
"That…"
"…is the level you must aim for."
---
The Calm Before War
As evening fell—
The sect returned to silence.
But it was no longer peaceful.
It was focused.
Prepared.
Yan Fu stood alone at the edge of the mountain.
Looking into the distance.
The wind moved gently around him.
Behind him—
Zhao Tian approached.
"Master."
Yan Fu didn't turn.
"You felt it too, didn't you?"
Zhao Tian nodded.
"They're coming."
Yan Fu smiled faintly.
"Good."
His eyes gleamed.
"Let them come."
Far beyond the mountains—
Spiritual energy surged.
Multiple powerful auras began moving.
Toward Ji Xia Sect.
The real test…
Was about to begin.