Ye Xiaotian stood in silence, his gaze lingering on the pulsating egg resting atop its pedestal of Chaos Stone. The rhythmic thumping of its heartbeat had grown even stronger after the recent blood feeding, a steady and powerful resonance that echoed through the Spirit World. It was evolving, steadily drawing closer to its inevitable awakening.
Despite his curiosity, Ye Xiaotian knew there was little more he could do for now. Watching it wouldn't make it hatch any faster. With a final glance at the egg, he exhaled softly, turning away.
"It's time to return," he muttered. "I've spent enough time here. There's still much to do outside."
It had been two days since he last left the Spirit World. Completely absorbed in cultivation and tending to his spirit beasts, he had lost track of time. Now, with his ever increasing strength.
He raised his hand, summoning a shimmering portal of silver and green energy. Without hesitation, he stepped through, feeling the familiar shift of space as he transitioned back into the mortal world.
The moment he reappeared inside his pavilion, a calm silence greeted him. The soft glow of morning sunlight filtered through the wooden windows, casting warm golden hues across the room. The air carried the faint scent of incense, and everything was just as he had left it untouched and undisturbed.
After freshening up, he changed into a fresh set of robes deep red with gold embroidery, a simple yet elegant attire that reflected his status as the first core disciple of the Vermillion Flame Sect. Stepping outside, the crisp mountain air greeted him, along with the distant murmurs of disciples going about their daily routines.
Today, he had a clear goal in mind.
As his strength continued to grow, his reliance on spiritual pills and high-quality spiritual herbs would only deepen. Alchemical resources would soon become essential, not just for accelerating his cultivation but also for stabilizing his breakthroughs and refining his foundation to ensure steady progress.
However, beyond merely acquiring pills through external means, a more ambitious idea had taken root in his mind and that was about cultivating spiritual herbs within the Spirit World itself.
The dense concentration of spiritual energy in the Spirit World was leagues above anything found in the mortal world. If he could successfully grow rare herbs there, their maturation rate would far surpass that of ordinary cultivation fields. With time, he could create a self-sustaining supply of high-grade ingredients, eliminating the need to rely on external sources.
But to make this vision a reality, he first needed knowledge.
And for that, he needed to visit the Alchemist Pavilion on the Second Mountain.
Just as he was about to leave the Sect Master's Courtyard, a melodious voice called out from behind him.
"Xiaotian."
He paused, turning his head.
Walking toward him was Qin Mei, her graceful figure clad in form-fitting white robes that accentuated her elegant presence. A delicate veil covered the lower half of her face, but her captivating eyes, gleaming with intelligence, needed no embellishment—they alone spoke volumes of her beauty.
As she approached, the morning sunlight danced upon her silver embroidery, making her appear almost ethereal.
Ye Xiaotian quickly bowed in greeting. "Greetings, Miss Qin."
Qin Mei halted before him, a slight frown crossing her brow at his overly formal tone. A trace of awkwardness flickered in her expression, but she quickly masked it.
"It's been two days since you last came out of your room," she said, tilting her head slightly. "Big Sister has been talking about you."
Hearing her words, Ye Xiaotian felt a twinge of guilt. He hadn't meant to ignore Qin Lian, but time flowed differently when he was engrossed in cultivation.
"I was in deep cultivation," he explained. "I just came out, so I didn't even realize two days had passed."
Qin Mei studied him for a moment before nodding in understanding. There was an odd sense of restraint in the way he spoke to her, as if he was still unsure how to act around her. She had noticed it before the way he interacted naturally with Qin Lian, yet remained distant with her.
Was it respect? Or was he simply wary of her?
She brushed the thought aside.
"And where are you headed now?" she asked, changing the topic.
"I'm going to the Alchemist Pavilion on the Second Mountain," Ye Xiaotian replied. "I want to learn more about alchemy and spiritual herbs."
Qin Mei's expression shifted slightly. There was a brief flicker of surprise in her eyes, but it was soon replaced by something softer.
"You?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Interested in alchemy?"
Ye Xiaotian nodded. "As I continue cultivating, I'll need spiritual pills. I figured it would be useful to learn more about spiritual herbs and alchemy."
Qin Mei tilted her head slightly, observing him with renewed curiosity.
Most cultivators viewed alchemy as a profession for scholars and refiners—not warriors. They simply bought the pills they needed and had little concern for the complex process behind their creation. But Ye Xiaotian, despite his talent as a martial cultivator, was willing to learn about it himself.
Her admiration for him grew slightly.
"That's an interesting thought," she said. "I didn't take you for someone who cared about the finer aspects of cultivation."
Ye Xiaotian scratched his cheek, feeling slightly awkward under her teasing gaze. "It's just something I thought would be useful," he muttered.
Qin Mei chuckled softly. "Well, you're in luck. I was just about to head there myself. Since I oversee the Alchemist Pavilion, I can introduce you to it."
"That would be helpful," Ye Xiaotian admitted. "Thank you, Miss Qin."
At his continued use of 'Miss Qin,' a faint flicker of dissatisfaction crossed Qin Mei's gaze, but she chose not to comment on it. Instead, she suddenly remembered something important.
"But at first," she added, "we need to go to Grand Hall. There's an important meeting today, and your presence is necessary."
Ye Xiaotian raised an eyebrow. "A meeting?"
Qin Mei nodded. "It concerns recent events across the Desolate Extreme Continent. The Sect Master wants all core disciples and high-ranking elders to be present. You're the first core disciple now, so you need to attend."
Ye Xiaotian exhaled quietly. He hadn't been expecting this.
But if it was serious enough to involve the Grand Hall, then it's likely that something great is happening outside the sect.
He gave a short nod. "Alright, lead the way."
Qin Mei turned gracefully, her white robes flowing behind her as she led him toward the Grand Hall. Ye Xiaotian followed, his mind already shifting from thoughts of alchemy to the impending meeting.
As Ye Xiaotian and Qin Mei stepped out of the Sect Master's Courtyard, they joined the stream of core disciples and elders heading toward the Grand Hall. The morning air carried a crisp chill, but the atmosphere was anything but cold excitement and tension simmered among the gathered disciples. Today's meeting was of great importance, and everyone could sense it.
As they walked, several core disciples and elders noticed their presence and hurried forward to greet them. Qin Mei, as the esteemed Vice Sect Master and head of the Alchemist Pavilion, received respectful bows from the elders, while the core disciples, their gazes filled with awe and reverence, directed their greetings toward Ye Xiaotian.
Ever since his ascension as the first core disciple, an unspoken hierarchy had formed. No one dared to challenge him anymore, and those who once doubted him now looked upon him with silent respect, if not outright fear.
The Grand Hall, usually a place of bustling activity, now hummed with a subdued energy. Elders and core disciples, their faces a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, milled about, their conversations hushed as they awaited the start of the meeting.Ye Xiaotian, walking beside Qin Mei, felt a surge of unfamiliar emotions. He had spent the last few days cultivating within the Spirit World, oblivious to the ripples on the continent.
As they entered the hall, all eyes turned toward them. The elders looked at the duo, especially Qin Mei, with fascinated expressions. The core disciples, on the other hand, stared at Ye Xiaotian with a mixture of fear and reverence, a newfound respect evident in their eyes.
Mu Qinglan, standing amidst the other disciples, observed Ye Xiaotian with a mixture of admiration and apprehension.
Ye Xiaotian, feeling the weight of their gazes, maintained a calm facade. He didn't know what was happening or why everyone was looking at him.Qin Mei, walking beside him, remained composed, her gaze sweeping across the hall. She noticed the elders' apprehension and the disciples' fear, a subtle smile playing on her lips.
As they reached the center of the hall, Qin Mei walked towards her seat near the Sect Master's throne, taking her place with a natural grace that spoke of her status. Qin Lian, already seated on the Sect Master's throne, turned her gaze towards Ye Xiaotian, a hint of amusement in her eyes.
When Ye Xiaotian met her gaze, she simply turned her head away with a soft huff. "Hmph."
Ye Xiaotian instinctively rubbed the back of his head, a small pang of guilt creeping in. He had been so engrossed in his cultivation that he had completely forgotten about the her.He knew Qin Lian would be upset.
As the elders took their places, the hall gradually fell into silence. The weight of the moment settled upon them, and all eyes turned to Qin Lian as she rose to speak."The Vermillion Flame Sect has been quiet for the past month,"
Qin Lian began, her voice carrying a measured authority. "But beyond our walls, the continent is in turmoil."Her words sent a ripple through the audience. Everyone had heard whispers, but few knew the full extent of what had happened.
"The reason for this chaos," she continued, her gaze sweeping across the gathered disciples and elders, "is none other than the death of Yuan Zhao, one of the twin Sect Masters of the Black Serpent Sect."
A murmur ran through the hall. Though some had already heard the news, the gravity of it was undeniable. A Soul Awakening Realm expert a being capable of reshaping landscapes with a flick of his hand had been slain. Such an event had not occurred in the Desolate Extreme Continent for over a hundred years.
Ye Xiaotian, who had been observing the elders' reactions, suddenly realized what this meeting was about. He had been so engrossed in his own world within the Spirit World that he had completely missed the news.
"Had the news already spread to the continent?" Ye Xiaotian asked Qin Mei, his voice low.
Qin Mei looked at him and replied hesitantly, "Yes. In the previous two days, the news about Yuan Zhao had already leaked to the continent. And one Soul Awakening Realm expert entered the Black Serpent Sect and confirmed it."
Ye Xiaotian moved his gaze across the hall. Some elders were looking at him with shocked expressions, their eyes wide with disbelief. Even the Grand Elder, usually stoic and composed, had a look of disbelief on his face. He seemed to be struggling to reconcile the image of the young man standing beside Qin Lian with the rumors that had been swirling across the continent.
One of the elders, a man with a stern face and a sharp gaze, stood up abruptly. "Sect Master, is it really him? The one who killed Yuan Zhao?"
Qin Lian, who had been observing the reactions of the elders, finally spoke. Her gaze, sharp and intense, swept across the hall. "He killed Yuan Zhao in front of me to save me," she said, her voice firm and unwavering. "That's why I invited him to join our sect. But you all… you didn't believe me then."
The elders exchanged uneasy glances, their faces a mixture of shock, disbelief, and a touch of apprehension.
Qin Lian looked around at the confused elders and core disciples. "the rumors that have spread across the continent that a mere Foundation Realm cultivator had killed him were true." She paused, letting the weight of her next words sink in. "And that cultivator… was Ye Xiaotian."
A stunned hush fell over the Grand Hall. Then, like the crackling of a fire before an explosion, whispers erupted.
End of Chapter 26