"So, about that reward?
The sect master had the look of a 40 year old man but he clearly had in his life extended due to being a cultivator. Ones lifespan would increase by 50 years after each breakthroughs in the 9 body stage. This did not apply to the immortal stages or later. The sect master was every bit as handsome as his son. Yet, his eyes showed much wisdom and determination. Not an air of arrogance and superiority like his son had. He was currently was at the 8th rank soul realm and stuck at bottleneck into the 9th rank. He needed a catalyst to assist to push him through. He looked at Damien with curiosity.
"Father this bumpkin is clearly a dangerous outsider and is not qualified to receive any reward!"
The crowd turned to the sect master. Sending a irritated glance at his at his injured son, who was just beginning to stand up he spoke. The sect master spoke with the upmost respect or was it fear. Not many noticed, due to their own thoughts running a million miles a second.
"Are your the sect master now. SON?"
"N-no father I was just-"
"You will be silent."
Shin Ling bowed and stepped backwards while sending a glare at Damien.
"Yes humble cultivatior. 10,000 High grade spirit stones, High grade martial technique and cultivation technique from the inner core sect library. One day inside the condensed spirit pool."
Damien simply nodded. "Sounds acceptable. Yet, I would like to learn from you personally and join you as sect disciple. If need be, I would give up the prize winning to study under yourself."
"C
The let out a small sigh. He was humbled by Damien. The sect master knew that Damien was hiding his true strength. His father and master had always taught him to respect cultivators who could hide their actual power from strong mortals. That is the fastest way to have your sect annihilated.
"We welcome the new member of the inner core sect."
Shin Ling, was boiling with rage. He looked at his father and Elders who were cowed by this fraud. Yes he was powerful but not more so than his father. It was simply impossible for someone so young! He stormed off to the sect, plotting a way to murder this peasant who dares to embarrass him. He will die!
The sect master Mu Ling had Damien lead to the sect building by a upper sect disciple. The crowd parted and looked down afraid to look up. Terrified to look into the of someone so powerful. In the coming days Damien had gotten settled into the sect. Yet most of the people avoided him. They heard about his monstrous power and was told by the upper disciples to avoid if if they wanted to live. Damien thought this was funny but that would help him move around with much more freedom.
Currently, Damien was in his fairly lavish room. Damien noticed cultivators were mostly left. He currently had on a spatial ring that had a fortune. High grade spirit stones were worth tens of millions of small grade stones. Yet, to cultivate with most of them would push him further into the immortal realm. From probing the mind of the upper disciple that was his guide. He had a layout of the outer sect.
Taking out a stone Damien was about to being cultivating when their was a loud knock at the door. Damien opened the door to see sect master on the other side. Damien stepped to the side and the sect master walked in. Damien bowed with cupped hands and offered the sect master a seat.
"Hello, apologies for the intrusion. I'm just stopping by to check on my newest... disciple. The sect master said the last word with a strange glint in his eyes. In a blink of an eye the sect master swung his sword at Damien with the intent to kill but was met by Damien's sheathed sword. The entire area behind Damien exploded showing the after noon sky with dust and debris.
The sect master sheathed his blade and turned around and walked the way he came. "Come with me"
Damien reluctantly followed the sect master into his courtyard. He still didn't know the sect master's angle so Damien had his guard up. Especially since he couldn't read his thoughts or emotions. The sect master was more than meets the eye apparently. Damien followed the sect master to his court yard the and he finally stopped. He turned around looking at Dam6with a serious expression and dropped a black cube on the ground. It instantly released into black barrier around them.
Damien could no longer sense anything outside of it. It was like he went completely blind. He began to panic, beads of sweat rolled down his face he was cut off from the world and everything seem more dull. Damien focused his attention on the sect master his anger growing along with his power before his aura exploded and the sect master was thrown into the air and smashed into the wall. Cracking sounds were heard as braking sounds were heard as his bones started breaking from the pressure. All the sect master could get out was a bloody "Wait." As a mouthful of blood gushed out.
The power receded and the Sect master could breathe, mostly. He was gasping from the internal injuries. "Talk"
"I,I,I am sorry for all of the smoke and m,mirrors but I h,h,had to see." He painfully got out the words. Damien healed the sect master wounds. Hes body glowed golden and he was restored to his previous condition. "Yes, this confirms it. You are an immortal!" The sect master fell on his face in submission smashing his head into the ground and creating a crater.
"Please spare my sect, great immortal master. This lowly one did not try to offend!
"That's all? You can stand up, man. I dont want to destroy you or your sect. I'm fishing for information to get home. I figured this place was as good as any to start. Well since you are my master, then tell me about the sect and the world. I am from a far away land and am ignorant about this land."
"Yes immortal master. The city name is Dragon's Rise city. Outside of the city are 4 sects with the Heavenly Ascension sect being the most powerful. There is always a chance at invasion so each sect must keep powerful cultivators. All of the sects want the Heavenly Ascension sects spot in the city due to the cultivation resources that are easily available. Others are for jealousy or centuries old grudges. However now that we just added a such a talent like yourself, all the other sects will likely try to claim you before the Dragon Palace gets word of you. A human with a pure bloodline is a target for any sect to capture or to kill before someone so dangerous can grow. The other sects will stop at nothing to claim you."
"What are the cultivation levels."
"Mortal, Core, Body, Nascent, Transcendent, Immortal beginning stages, which I am not too knowable on. As of now I am at the peak of the Transcendent stage, yet I suppress my cultivation to strengthen my foundation. The Devil's Fang sect is our sect mortal enemy and the bad blood runs deep between our sects. We have been locked in a secret war with them for centuries. Neither sect able deal a finishing blow to the other without receiving punishment from the royal family in the capital city."
Damien thought hard on what he heard so far.
"So do you feel they will create an excuse to attack due to my being here and does any other of the sects have immortals?"
"Each sect master is at the peak Transcendent stage. Yet, once you break into the immortal rank, a representative from the capital comes to take you off to the palace to join their ranks. The power gaps between ranks in the immortal stage are massive and rising in rank to the next stage takes an unbelievable amount of time and resources. Thus, why many new to the immortal realm accepts the Emperors request for this reason. There are a few thats choose to venture out on their own yet they still have a very hard time and many disappear."
Damien had a lot to think about but at least felt like he could trust the sect master. He seemed just wanted what was best for his sect and needed to know if Damien was a threat, even at the cost of his life. Damien admired this trait. He didnt know how such a man could produce a stain like his son but, no one's perfect in any dimension he guessed.
"Well, looks like we have some training to do master. How about we start by breaking you into the immortal realm. First I'll expand your meridians." Damien said.
"Thank you immortal master but the potions to expand a mortals meridians outside of natural means can be fatal. Even Heavenly ranked potions aren't a sure thing."
Damien just went along with the sect master calling him an immortal. He had no idea if that was the case but it gave him a place to start. He had to find that bastard the demon lord and rip the knowledge for the portal out of his f****** skull!
Damien must have been wearing his thoughts on his face because the sect master was involuntarily taking steps back.
"Oh, is that the issue? No potions needed." Damien rasied his hand and channeled from his grey core and expanding the sect masters meridians like he had to his cultivators. The sect master was floored and had no words. From all that's he learned this should be impossible. He felt he could break through in weeks to the immortal ranks. Damien on the other hand wanted a proper sparring partner to raise his stat points.
"This should be impossible! NO ONE should be able to do this. Who or what ARE you?"
The last was said with a tremor.
"For now your ally and biggest key to breaking through to the immortal realm. I'll get you strong enough to protect your sect. Training starts now. Oh, and dont hold back or you might die."
Damien transformed into his bloodline stated and blurred the sect master had just bearly been able to block the blow. Damien had the same creepy smile the sect master had earlier that sent a chill up the sect masters spine. They clashed with increasing intensity non stop except to eat and cultivate using the sect masters resources. Which were of course also available to Damien.