Feng Yuntian's descent from Green Cloud Mountain was uneventful, but his mind was still occupied with the intricacies of the Heavenly Void Art. The technique was powerful, yet its potential was locked behind layers of understanding that would take time to unravel. Even with his experience as Xuan Jiutian, the profundity of this art was something that would require careful cultivation.
He knew the next few weeks would be critical for mastering the basics of the technique. While others might have rushed to show off their newfound power, Feng Yuntian preferred patience. He would focus on refining his foundation, expanding his strength gradually, and ensuring no one suspected just how far he had come. There was no need to draw attention—yet.
Back in the small town near Green Cloud Mountain, life carried on as it always had. The local townsfolk were busy with their day-to-day affairs, oblivious to the undercurrents of the cultivation world. This peaceful setting had become a familiar backdrop for Feng Yuntian over the past months, allowing him to blend in while quietly pursuing his goals.
As he walked through the town's bustling market, his eyes briefly lingered on a group of young martial artists practicing in the square. Their movements were precise but limited in power, clearly at the beginning stages of cultivation. Watching them reminded him of how far he had come, though he felt no desire to compete with them. Their struggles were insignificant compared to the path he had chosen.
"Brother Feng!" A voice called from behind.
Feng Yuntian turned to see a familiar face—Xiao Ling, a cheerful and curious young man he had befriended when he first arrived in the town. Xiao Ling was not a cultivator, but his warm nature and helpfulness had made him a good ally for gathering local information. He often seemed to idolize Feng Yuntian, unaware of the true depths of his cultivation.
"Where have you been? I haven't seen you for days!" Xiao Ling smiled, approaching with a small bag of fruits in hand.
"I went to Green Cloud Mountain for some training," Feng Yuntian replied calmly. "It was a good opportunity to improve my skills."
Xiao Ling nodded enthusiastically, his eyes wide with admiration. "The mountain is filled with danger, yet you look like you didn't break a sweat! You must be really strong, Brother Feng."
Feng Yuntian gave a small smile, not denying the comment but offering no further elaboration. "How have things been here?"
"Same as usual," Xiao Ling shrugged. "Though, I did hear something interesting. The Skyshatter Sect is holding a recruitment event in the neighboring city. They say it's one of the largest sects in the region, and they're looking for new disciples."
Feng Yuntian's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the Skyshatter Sect. He had heard of them before—a powerful sect with influence spanning several provinces. Their recruitment events often drew ambitious young cultivators eager to prove themselves, and while the Skyshatter Sect wasn't the strongest in the land, they had a reputation for training talented individuals who would go on to make names for themselves.
"I thought you might be interested," Xiao Ling continued, unaware of Feng Yuntian's thoughts. "A lot of people are heading there to try their luck. Even if they don't get selected, it's a good chance to see the sect's power up close."
Feng Yuntian nodded thoughtfully. The Skyshatter Sect wasn't on his list of concerns, but it might be worth investigating. If nothing else, he could gain insight into the current state of the cultivation world, and perhaps pick up useful information about other sects and hidden realms. Besides, sects like these often harbored ancient texts or artifacts that could aid his cultivation.
"Thank you for letting me know," Feng Yuntian said. "I'll consider attending."
Xiao Ling beamed. "Great! Maybe I'll tag along just to see what it's all about. Even if I'm not a cultivator, it's exciting to see these big events."
Feng Yuntian gave a brief nod, though he already knew that he would keep a low profile during the event. Drawing attention to himself would serve no purpose at this stage, and he preferred to observe from the shadows.
Three days later, Feng Yuntian stood on a cliffside overlooking the sprawling city of Silvermist, where the Skyshatter Sect's recruitment event was set to take place. The city buzzed with excitement, and even from a distance, he could see the flood of people gathering at the city's central plaza.
He had chosen to arrive early, well before the main event, to scout the area and get a feel for the atmosphere. The Skyshatter Sect had sent their most senior disciples to oversee the event, and their presence could be felt throughout the city. Guards patrolled the streets, keeping order as crowds gathered in anticipation of the recruitment trials.
As Feng Yuntian made his way toward the city, his spiritual sense extended, picking up on the various cultivators scattered throughout. Most of them were young, filled with ambition and energy, but there were a few older figures in the mix—cultivators who had already gained some experience and were now looking to align themselves with a powerful sect.
The recruitment event was clearly more than just a trial for young disciples. It was an opportunity for the Skyshatter Sect to solidify its influence by attracting talent from across the region.
As he entered the city's bustling streets, Feng Yuntian kept his aura restrained, blending in with the crowd. There was no need to stand out. He passed by several groups of cultivators, their conversations filled with talk of the sect's reputation and the challenges they would face in the trials.
"Did you hear? They're going to have a Skyshatter Elder oversee the final trial this time," one young man whispered excitedly to his friend. "It's rare for an elder to attend a recruitment event!"
Feng Yuntian listened in silence, absorbing the information. The presence of an elder was unusual, and it suggested that the Skyshatter Sect was taking this event more seriously than usual. It also meant that the trials would likely be more difficult than in past years.
As he continued through the streets, his eyes were drawn to a tall platform being constructed in the center of the plaza. It was clear that this would be the stage for the final trial, where the strongest cultivators would display their skills for the sect's leaders.
Feng Yuntian's gaze lingered on the platform for a moment before he turned away. The trials would be interesting to watch, but his true goal lay elsewhere. He was here to gather information and to assess the Skyshatter Sect's strength. If they possessed any hidden treasures or techniques that could aid his cultivation, he would find them.
For now, he would remain patient, watching from the shadows as the Skyshatter Sect revealed its cards.
As the sun set over Silvermist, the city's streets were still alive with energy, but Feng Yuntian had already retreated to a quiet inn on the outskirts of the city. From here, he could observe without drawing attention, his thoughts focused on the events to come.
The recruitment trials would begin in the morning, and the city would be filled with eager young cultivators looking to make their mark. But while they competed for a place in the Skyshatter Sect, Feng Yuntian would be focused on a different prize.
He sat by the window, his eyes scanning the darkening sky. The ripples of power in this world were growing, and the time would soon come when he could no longer stay in the background. But for now, he would continue to bide his time, taking things as they came, and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.