A tense silence filled the Grand Hall, thick with unspoken thoughts and simmering tension. Qin Lian's piercing gaze swept across the gathered elders and core disciples, reading the expressions on their faces shock, doubt, fear, and uncertainty. But when her eyes finally landed on Ye Xiaotian, there was a distinct warmth in her gaze, one that held both conviction and determination.
She took a deep breath before speaking. "Currently, the Black Serpent Sect does not know his name or that he has joined the Vermillion Flame Sect. That gives us time to prepare for what's coming."
The elders exchanged cautious glances, some visibly relieved, others still uncertain. The fact that Ye Xiaotian's identity was yet to be revealed meant they had a window of opportunity to strengthen their defenses before the inevitable storm arrived.
But Qin Lian was not finished. Her voice turned colder, sharper.
"And let me make one thing clear. I will not hand over Ye Xiaotian to the Black Serpent Sect. Not to them, not to any other sect. So if any of you have such thoughts in your mind Kill them now."
Her words cut through the hall like a blade. The sheer finality in her tone left no room for debate.
A palpable silence descended upon the hall. Qin Lian's words, delivered with an icy finality, sent a shiver down the spines of the elders. Qin Lian was not one to issue idle threats. Her authority was absolute within the sect, and any defiance would be met with swift and severe consequences.
They all got stiffened at her declaration, while some core disciples widened their eyes in shock. There had been murmurs subtle, whispered concerns about whether it would be wiser to surrender Ye Xiaotian in exchange for avoiding war. But now, Qin Lian had silenced those thoughts before they could take root.
The elders, despite their initial shock, understood the gravity of her words. They knew that Qin Lian would defend Ye Xiaotian, even if it meant going to war.
She had made her stance clear. Ye Xiaotian was Vermillion Flame Sect's disciple. And she would protect him.
Hearing her words, Ye Xiaotian felt a warmth spread through his chest. He hadn't expected her to declare her support so openly and so forcefully. This wasn't just about keeping him safe it was a declaration of war against anyone who would threaten him.
He turned his gaze toward Qin Lian, his expression unreadable, but deep within, he felt a rare sense of gratitude.
Then, with a calm voice that carried no hesitation, he asked, "I am not worried about the Black Serpent Sect's Elementary Soul Awakening Realm experts. Just tell me do they have any Intermediate Soul Awakening Realm experts?"
The room went completely silent.
Every elder, every disciple, turned to stare at Ye Xiaotian, their expressions frozen in shock.
It wasn't just what he had asked it was how he had asked it.
There was no nervousness, no hesitation, no fear. It was as if he was asking about the weather. As if Soul Awakening Realm experts were nothing in his eyes. And now, he wasn't even concerned about the Elementary level he was asking about Intermediate Soul Awakening Realm experts.
The elders exchanged bewildered glances. To dismiss Elementary Soul Awakening Realm experts, beings of immense power, as inconsequential was… audacious, to say the least. It was like a fledgling bird declaring its intention to hunt down a hawk.
A few elders who had remained silent up to this point finally muttered under their breath, their voices laced with disbelief.
"Arrogant."
They weren't entirely wrong to think that way.
Because, They were all in Peak of Core Formation Ream so, they new the difference between a Peak Core Formation Realm cultivator and an Elementary Soul Awakening Realm expert was like the difference between a mountain and an ant. A Soul Awakening Realm cultivator could shatter mountains with a wave of their hand, and could obliterate a hundred peak Core Formation cultivators with a single, devastating attack.
Still, the gap between Elementary and Intermediate Soul Awakening Realm experts was even more terrifying. As cultivation levels increased, the difference between each small realm became a chasm vast and insurmountable.
An Intermediate Soul Awakening Realm expert was far beyond the reach of an Elementary one. Even if ten peak Elementary Soul Awakening Realm experts joined forces, they still wouldn't be enough to kill a single Intermediate-level cultivator.
Yet here was Ye Xiaotian, standing in the Grand Hall, casually inquiring about such powerhouses as though they were minor obstacles on his path.
Some elders couldn't help but question if he had gone insane.
The silence in the hall deepened. Even Qin Lian, who had braced herself for his response, couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline.
Ye Xiaotian's question hung heavy in the air, a challenge, a gauntlet thrown down. He was no longer just a young cultivator who had defied expectations. He was a force to be reckoned with, a rising star, a potential threat to the very balance of power in the Desolate Extreme Continent.
And as the elders, the core disciples, and even Qin Lian herself grappled with the implications of his words, Ye Xiaotian simply waited, his expression calm and collected, a silent storm brewing within. The silence that followed Ye Xiaotian's question was deafening. Every elder, every disciple, held their breath, their eyes fixed on him. He had just casually inquired about the presence of Intermediate Soul Awakening Realm experts in the Black Serpent Sect, as if discussing the weather.
Qin Lian, observing the scene, felt a strange mix of emotions. Shock, certainly, but also a burgeoning sense of awe. She had witnessed Ye Xiaotian's growth firsthand, seen the raw talent bloom into something extraordinary. But even she had not anticipated this.After a brief silence, she answered.
"Yes, they do. The Black Serpent Sect has four elders who are in the Intermediate Soul Awakening Realm."
The elders exchanged uneasy glances. Four Intermediate Soul Awakening Realm experts. The Black Serpent Sect, a formidable force, was truly a formidable force.
Some elders held their breath, expecting Ye Xiaotian to show some reaction but he simply nodded, as if he had expected this answer.
Qin Lian continued, her tone steady. "But you don't need to concern yourself too much. Our Vermillion Flame Sect is not weak. We also have some Intermediate Soul Awakening Realm experts among our ranks."
This time, it was the elders who turned their attention toward her.She smiled faintly with a hint of pride in her voice.
"In fact, I spoke to our previous Sect Master this morning. She told me that she is on the verge of breaking through to the Intermediate Soul Awakening Realm. In half a month, she is confident she will succeed."
A murmur rippled through the room.If that was true, then the Vermillion Flame Sect would have four Intermediate Soul Awakening Realm experts equaling the Black Serpent Sect.
This news shifted the atmosphere in the Grand Hall. Some elders who had been hesitant earlier now looked relieved. Having a cultivator on the verge of a breakthrough meant that their sect's strength was about to rise significantly. The Vermillion Flame Sect, once a relatively minor player in the grand scheme of things, was about to become a major force in the Desolate Extreme Continent.
But even as the elders discussed the implications of this new information, their attention inevitably drifted back to Ye Xiaotian. He sat calmly, his expression unreadable, his eyes reflecting the turmoil within the hall.
Even with this knowledge, the most pressing question remained just how strong had he become?
A few days ago, he had already defied reality by killing Yuan Zhao. And now…
Now, he spoke of Elementary Soul Awakening Realm experts as if they were beneath him. And, he had just casually inquired about Intermediate Soul Awakening Realm experts, as if they were mere inconveniences, minor obstacles on his path.
Ye Xiaotian absorbed the information silently.
Four Intermediate Soul Awakening Realm experts… that was indeed troublesome. He had no illusions as he was now, facing even one would be extremely difficult.
But Elementary Soul Awakening Realm experts?
A month ago, defeating one had required everything he had his entire arsenal of skills, precise planning, and sheer determination.
Now?
Now, with his solidified foundation, refined spiritual energy, and the rapid advancements in his cultivation…He could kill one with ease.
He wasn't underestimating his opponents. He wasn't being reckless. He had simply grown.
And he could feel it in every breath he took, in the way his spiritual energy flowed through his veins, in the way his body had adapted to the intense pressures of his training.
If he had to fight Yuan Zhao again, he wouldn't need the same level of effort. He wouldn't struggle.
For the first time in his life, he understood what true power felt like.
The thought sent a strange sensation through him a mixture of pride, awe, and a newfound sense of confidence. He was no longer just a disciple, a student, a fledgling trying to find his place in the world. He was a warrior, a survivor, a force to be reckoned with.
He could feel it now, a subtle shift in his perception, a subtle change in the way his spiritual energy flowed. It was like a river, once a narrow trickle, now a mighty torrent, surging with power and potential. His foundation, once shaky and uncertain, was now solid, unshakable. He felt a new level of control, a deeper understanding of his own strength.
A soft chuckle suddenly broke the silence.
It was Qin Mei. She leaned forward slightly in her seat, her sharp, intelligent gaze locked onto Ye Xiaotian.
"You truly are something else," she mused, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Most people would tremble at the mere thought of facing a Soul Awakening Realm expert, and yet, here you are, acting as if they're an inconvenience."
Though her words carried amusement, there was no mistaking the trace of wariness hidden within them.
Ye Xiaotian glanced at her briefly but said nothing. He had no interest in justifying his confidence or explaining himself. Those who understood his strength didn't need an explanation, and those who didn't… well, they would learn soon enough.
One of the elders, Elder Guo Ren, an Advanced Core Formation Realm cultivator, let out a scoff.
"We can't afford to underestimate the Black Serpent Sect," he said, looking toward Qin Lian. "Even if our forces are evenly matched, war is not a matter of simple numbers. Strategy, timing, and alliances will determine the outcome."
Qin Lian nodded. "Of course. That is why I intend to strengthen the sect's defenses and fortify our position before they can make their move."
She turned to Ye Xiaotian.
"You've been training in isolation for the past few days," she said. "What are your plans now?"
Ye Xiaotian thought for a moment.
He had spent a considerable amount of time cultivating, stabilizing his foundation, and strengthening his spiritual energy. But there were still areas in which he needed improvement.
"I plan to visit the Alchemy Pavilion to study pill refinement and spirit herbs," he finally replied. "If war is coming, I'll need resources not just for myself, but for the sect."
Many of the elders were caught off guard by his answer.
They had expected him to ask for higher-level techniques, powerful weapons, or more combat training. But instead, he wanted to learn about alchemy?
Even Qin Lian arched an eyebrow in slight surprise.
"You're interested in alchemy?" she asked, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity.
Ye Xiaotian nodded firmly. "Yes."
He had no intention of revealing the existence of the Spirit World, nor did he wish to explain his true reasons for wanting to study alchemy. However, learning about spiritual herbs and pill refinement was a logical cover for his future plans. With his rapid cultivation speed and increasing spiritual energy demands, having access to rare and high-grade medicinal pills would be invaluable. Additionally, if he could cultivate spiritual herbs on his own, it would reduce his dependency on external resources.
Qin Lian studied him for a moment before nodding approvingly. "That is a wise decision. Alchemy is an essential part of cultivation. The right pill at the right time can determine life and death, breakthroughs and stagnation. If you're serious about it, Qin Mei can introduce you to the Alchemist Pavilion's master."
At this, Qin Mei, who had been quietly observing the exchange, smirked slightly. A playful glint flickered in her eyes as she crossed her arms. "Oh? Am I to be his guide now?"
Qin Lian turned to her younger sister with a pointed look, one that silently conveyed do not tease him too much.
Qin Mei chuckled softly, clearly amused. "Fine, fine. We already talked about going to the Alchemy Pavilion and introducing him to alchemy before coming here. I'll take him there." She then turned her gaze toward Ye Xiaotian and added with a small smirk, "But don't expect special treatment just because Big Sister favors you."
End of Chapter 28