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The winds swirled atop the Celestial Concord Summit, a revered gathering ground for sect leaders, clan patriarchs, and powerhouses across the cultivation world. The summit's lofty peaks scraped the heavens, its marble pavilions shimmering with an ethereal glow.
This place was both a sanctuary and a battlefield—where treaties were forged, alliances cemented, and rivalries kindled into roaring flames. Today, it hosted a conclave that promised to shake the foundations of the immortal world.
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A Brewing Storm
"Thud," the heavy doors of the main hall groaned as they swung open, revealing the figure of Shi Feng, the indomitable sect leader of the Azure Sky Sect. His piercing golden eyes scanned the room, his long robes trailing behind him like the mantle of a monarch.
Conversations fell silent as all eyes turned toward him. Shi Feng's presence was magnetic, his cultivation at the peak of Nascent Soul radiating power like a raging inferno. He was a man known for his decisive actions, feared and respected in equal measure.
"Shi Feng," a cold voice rang out, slicing through the heavy atmosphere.
The speaker was Huang Yue, matriarch of the Scarlet Moon Clan, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall of moonlight. Her cultivation was similarly formidable, and her reputation as a ruthless tactician preceded her. She sat with an air of effortless dominance, her sharp features set in a faint smirk.
"I didn't think even you would be concerned about the Creator's movements," Huang Yue continued, her crimson robes shimmering faintly. "Surely, such matters are beneath your notice?"
Shi Feng's lips curled into a thin smile as he took his seat at the round table. "Beneath me? Hardly. When a figure like Jin reshapes the world with a mere gesture, only fools remain indifferent."
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The Shadow of the Creator
Jin's recent actions—uplifting the Ethereal Moon Sect to high-grade status—had sent ripples through the cultivation world. The once-middle-grade sect now rivaled powerhouses that had taken centuries to climb the ranks.
Leaders feared what this meant. Was Jin selecting allies? Picking favorites? If so, where did that leave the rest of them?
"Let's not pretend we're here out of curiosity alone," interjected Zhao Ren, a stoic elder from the Ironblood Fortress Clan. His gruff voice matched his rugged appearance, his arms crossed over his broad chest.
The room grew tense as Zhao Ren leaned forward, his voice dropping to a near growl. "If Jin can elevate a sect overnight, what's to stop him from toppling one?"
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The World's Power Hierarchy
In this world, power was measured in levels of influence and cultivation. The ranking system divided sects, clans, and countries into four distinct tiers:
1. Low-Grade: Dominated by Foundation Establishment cultivators, with Core Formation leaders being rare exceptions. These factions ruled over minor territories and relied on sheer numbers rather than individual might.
2. Middle-Grade: Home to Core Formation experts and the occasional Nascent Soul elder. These groups wielded significant influence in their regions, often serving as vassals to high-grade powers.
3. High-Grade: Dominated by Nascent Soul cultivators and bolstered by intricate formations, powerful artifacts, and deep foundations. They held sway over large territories, their influence spanning continents.
4. Supreme-Grade: A near-mythical status, inhabited by sects and clans with Immortal Stage cultivators or those on the cusp of reaching it. They dictated the fate of nations, their word as binding as the heavens.
The Ethereal Moon Sect's ascension to high-grade status in a single stroke disrupted this carefully balanced system.
"Woosh," a breeze swept through the open pavilion, carrying with it whispers of unease.
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Power Struggles
Outside the summit, the world churned with power struggles. In the western regions, the Crimson Sun Sect launched a campaign to annex smaller factions, their Core Formation armies sweeping through territories like wildfire. To the north, the Frostshade Valley Clan clashed with rival sects over access to a spirit vein that promised unparalleled cultivation resources.
These conflicts showcased the raw might of the cultivation world.
In the western warzone, Elder Qiu, a Core Formation cultivator of the Crimson Sun Sect, stood atop a battlefield, his sword dripping with blood. His eyes burned with fervor as he faced his opponent, a Nascent Soul cultivator from the resisting faction.
"Bang!" Their clash sent shockwaves rippling across the land, reducing the surrounding forest to splinters.
Meanwhile, in Frostshade Valley, Lian Xue, a rising talent in the Scarlet Moon Clan, led a daring raid against a rival sect's supply line. Her icy blades shimmered under the moonlight, her movements fluid and deadly.
"Whoosh," she danced through her enemies, leaving trails of frost in her wake.
These were cultivators who could level mountains and part rivers with a flick of their hands. They were powerful in their own right—beings that could shape the fate of nations.
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The Creator's Shadow Looms
Despite these displays of power, Jin's existence rendered them insignificant. His tournament a decade ago had showcased abilities that transcended the mortal plane, abilities that no amount of scheming or cultivation could rival.
Back at the summit, the sect leaders debated fiercely.
"We must unite," Huang Yue argued, her voice sharp. "If we stand divided, we risk becoming pawns in Jin's game."
"And what if we join him?" suggested a younger elder. "Would that not ensure our survival?"
"Fool!" Zhao Ren bellowed, slamming his fist on the table with a resounding thud. "Do you think the Creator cares for our petty squabbles? He could destroy us all without lifting a finger!"
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Ripples of Change
As the summit concluded, its participants left with heavy hearts and wary minds. The world was shifting, its balance teetering on the edge of collapse.
Far to the south, in the Emerald Tempest Sect, Liang Cheng stood atop a mountain peak, gazing at the distant horizon. The pendant in his hand felt heavier than ever.
"The world is changing," he murmured. "But no matter how grand it becomes, my purpose remains."
The winds carried his words, a quiet promise amidst the chaos.
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To Be Continued
In this chapter, we explored the broader world—its power struggles, its hierarchy, and its uneasy relationship with Jin's overwhelming presence. While the world grapples with its new reality, individuals like Liang Cheng continue their personal quests, proving that even in the shadow of a titan, stories of struggle, ambition, and resilience still thrive.