As I flew into the core court, the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth stirred violently, drawn to me like a moth to a flame.
Despite my best efforts to suppress it, my aura could not be entirely masked. The sheer force of my presence rippled through the air, causing the spiritual energy to bow and shift in reverence.
Even the fortified space of the core court—designed to withstand the immense power of the elders and core disciples—strained under the weight of my cultivation.
The core court was no ordinary place. Constructed to endure the constant battles among the strongest disciples and elders, it thrived under the pressure of these titanic forces.
However, I was different. My strength surpassed the expectations of the very land we stood on. Even with its strength, it struggled to contain me.
As I descended, the ground itself seemed to hum in delight, welcoming me back as if it were alive. My feet touched the paved path leading to my courtyard with barely a sound, yet the earth quivered beneath me, a subtle acknowledgment of my return.
This place, this peak, wasn't just a residence granted to me because I was the Young Master of the Heaven Secret Sect. No, I had earned it through sheer talent and strength.
Here, the most talented core disciple resided, honing their craft in an environment reserved for those on the brink of greatness.
The inner and outer courts had their own variations of these courtyards, but none were as grand as this one in the core court. My courtyard, in particular, was a testament to my prowess, a privilege that only a handful could claim.
I was certain my return would stir the sect, drawing both disciples and elders to my peak, eager for enlightenment.
"What a headache!" I groaned aloud, though I knew I relished the attention.
ChiChu, perched on my shoulder, shook her head knowingly. She understood me too well. Despite my complaints, I enjoyed the thrill of enlightening others, of subtly guiding them toward epiphanies that would strengthen our sect.
Each time a disciple or elder gained insight from me, it not only solidified my reputation but also fortified the strength of our sect.
"After all, it will only make our sect stronger. Perhaps one day we might even surpass the Heaven Jade Sect to become number one!" That was my goal. When that day came, it would provide another layer of defense, another means to fulfill my desires.
I wasn't doing this for altruistic reasons. I wasn't some hero seeking to better the world. Everything I did was for my own ends, and should it ever become unnecessary for my goals, I wouldn't hesitate to abandon it.
Yet, I doubted that day would come. Even as the second-strongest sect in the Xianlun World and the most dominant sect in the Sky Above Realm, we held sway over countless royal families. Many sought alliances, offering their daughters in marriage, hoping to gain favor with me.
But I had turned them all down.
"Becoming the strongest sect would make us even more powerful than the royal families themselves, much like the Heaven Jade Sect." As I mused to myself, I entered my home.
The interior was as luxurious as expected. Tall windows lined the walls, letting in streams of golden light that bathed the room in warmth.
Elegant furnishings filled the space—lacquered wood carved with intricate patterns, silken drapes in deep reds and golds, and cushions plump with spiritual essence.
A grand circular table sat in the center, polished to a gleam, with jade inlays depicting mythical beasts of legend. The scent of incense lingered in the air, mingling with the faint hint of fresh tea.
"Home sweet home!" I chuckled at my own childishness, a remnant from my past life, something that still brought me small thrills in this world of cultivation.
"Master, are you certain she will come?" ChiChu asked, her soft voice filled with curiosity. Nestled comfortably on my shoulder, she shifted as I gently lifted her from her perch and placed her on my lap, her beautiful white scales shimmering in the light as I caressed them.
"Yes, ChiChu. She'll come, but not today. Not yet. She wouldn't be Mother if she came so soon," I replied, my voice filled with amusement.
My mother, with her divine realm cultivation, wouldn't simply come to clear the air. No, her pride and strength wouldn't allow that—at least, not immediately. But that was fine. Her delayed reaction gave me just enough time to attend to other matters.
After all, there was another beauty awaiting me tonight.
My Forbidden Dao stirred within me, releasing an almost ethereal glow that radiated from my body, making me all the more captivating.
It was as if the Dao itself amplified my already entrancing aura, drawing in all who saw me. Any woman, regardless of her strength or resolve, would find it difficult to resist the allure.
Tonight, my long-held affections for Yue Liqin would finally be answered.
I closed my eyes, entering my Mind Space, a vast sea of spiritual energy that had expanded greatly since reaching the Heaven Realm. The ocean of energy seemed endless, stretching out in all directions.
My incorporeal self floated above the surface, the energy beneath me swirling like an endless storm.
Heaven Realm cultivators possessed this unique ability, allowing them to not only visit their Mind Space but also project their incorporeal selves into the physical world, invisible to all but those of equal or higher realms—or those with special sight like mine.
Of course, no one could compare to my vision.
I walked slowly toward the center of the sea, the energy rippling beneath me as I touched it with a single finger. A screen of energy rose before me, displaying the plans I had crafted over the years—the plans I would follow to conquer not the world, but the hearts I sought.
Yue Liqin was the first.
Heaven Realm cultivators and above were set apart from other cultivators, their capabilities unique and vast. The energy screen before me was only a small demonstration of what could be done within the Mind Space.
Here, I could hide my deepest secrets, and even the most skilled mind reader would never find them.
As I reminded myself of my plans, a knock echoed from outside my house.
"Senior apprentice brother Yue Phaelo!" A woman's voice called out, breaking the silence. I had sensed her long before she arrived at my door.
"The troublesome one came first, huh?" I chuckled as I exited my Mind Space, ready to face the beauty who had arrived.
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An update has been made, guys!