With the exhilarating battle behind him and the demon king's defeat still fresh in his mind, Reece knew that he needed to secure the demon king's remains to prevent anybody from snatching the demon king's meat from him. He carefully gathered the demon king's meat, which was imbued with potent energy, and he could use its essence to help advance his physical strength to a more elevated level.
Countless cultivators who had witnessed the epic battle stood in awe as Reece, carrying the demon king's meat, took off into the sky with one leap, soaring toward his mountain cave. The word of his victory had spread like wildfire among the cultivator community, and they watched in reverence as Reece, their hero, disappeared into the distance.
Back in his secluded mountain cave, Reece placed the meat in a specially prepared chamber, warded with powerful protective spells to ensure the demon king's malevolent essence remained was purified and refined. He knew that the dark energies within the demon king's meat held great potential for his ancient demon body and could help to strengthen it.
Days turned into weeks as Reece delved deep in a meditative state as he was refining the essence in order to use it as part of his own strength. He also undertook a study into the Tao soul power that was within as he would occasionally go into his sea of consciousness to study and see what he more was there besides the Tao soul book.
As time passed, Reece's efforts began to bear fruit. He developed techniques and spells that could harness the Tao in his soul more easily without having to go through all that in the battle before. It took time to train but he successfully managed to train the first phase and achieve total control over it and could unleash unlimited potential from using only the first phase.
Meanwhile, the cultivators who had witnessed Reece's victory and disappearance from the battlefield continued to spread tales of his heroism and prowess. Many sought to follow in him into his mountain cave to recruit him into either their families or sects more so who tried to heavily recruit him were the ancient sects which had long existed in Tongtian Continent. They all wanted to recruit him and learn of his secrets and to acquire this emerging powerhouse in the continent.
One by one, they journeyed to Reece's mountain cave, seeking to recruit him to their sects. Reece, now a revered figure among cultivators, many sect and family elders showed up to his mountain cave, and family elders from far and wide embarked on pilgrimages to his secluded mountain cave. They came with hopes of recruiting Reece into their respective sects, knowing that having someone of his unparalleled talent on their side would elevate their power and prestige to new heights.
The first to arrive was Elder Zhuang of the Resplendent Sun Sect, a powerful martial arts sect known for their mastery of fire-based techniques. He approached Reece with a respectful bow and said, "Young Reece, your prowess in the battle is truly remarkable. We could use your talents to lead our sect to greater glory. Join us, and together, we shall conquer the realms of fire and light."
Next came Elder Meng Ling of the Tranquil Lotus Clan, renowned for their expertise in healing and restoration techniques. She gazed at Reece with a gentle smile and said, "Reece, your mastery of the healing as you healed yourself in the battle could greatly benefit our clan's efforts to heal the wounded and restore balance to the world. Join us, and together, we shall bring solace and peace to those in need."
One by one, elders and representatives of various sects and families presented their cases to Reece. They offered him positions of power, access to ancient secrets, and the opportunity to lead their organizations. Each visitor brought with them gifts and tokens of appreciation in the hopes of winning Reece's favor.
Reece, however, remained steadfast and humble in the face of these offers. He listened to their proposals with respect and gratitude but made no hasty decisions. His priority was to find his grandpa (family servant) and also advance his own strength.
Then finally Elder Chuang He arrived representing the Jao Sect the largest and strongest sect that was in the Eastern region came as the final representative sect to try and recruit Reece. "We want you to join our sect it's a place where geniuses like you and only we can give you what you deserve the resources, training and spiritual stones that you deserve."
The other elders hissed with discontent as they knew Elder Chuang He was trying to impose the Jao sect power and influence to sway Reece over to their sect. And it sounded more like a threat that if he didn't, he'd go against them.
After several days of deliberation, Reece finally addressed the gathered elders and representatives. "I am deeply honored by your offers and the respect you have shown me," he began, his voice carrying the weight of his wisdom. "But my decision is that I'll instead join the Jao sect not because of the nonsense their whatever elder said but I have a promise I still have to keep to someone I promised I'll meet her there. Instead, I'll go over to the Jao sect to meet her and probably after that I'll try to come over to see elder Mei Ling."
His words were met with nods of understanding and appreciation. Reece's decision to join the Jao sect was met with some discontent and others were glad but especially elder Chuang was disappointed when he heard elder Mei Ling mentioned. The elders and representatives departed, grateful for the opportunity to have met the hero cultivator and eager to associate with their respective sects and families.
Reece continued to reside in his mountain cave, where he stayed for a while before finally departing for the Jao sect with the select guard and entourage that was sent to escort him over to the Jao sect. Luce was part of the entourage that was sent to escort him to the sect. She kept flashing glances over to Reece who rode on a demon tiger, he rode like an immortal who was invisible, and no one could lay a claim on him.