"Son, why didn't you tell us you've gotten stronger?" Liu Zexian stared deeply at her beloved son.
Her husband stood beside her and nodded. They had not expected Mo Jian to break through to Mortal Rank-7 in less than a month.
When they discovered his true cultivation level, they were stunned for a moment. If not for the assassination attempt, they wouldn't have found out.
Looking at his parents, Mo Jian rubbed the back of his head, unsure of how to respond. "I-I planned to tell you when I broke through to the Foundation Realm."
Sigh…
His parents gave a bittersweet smile. How could they not know their son's talent? And since he had progressed so rapidly, he must have had a fortuitous encounter.
"You don't have to hide anything from us. We're your parents. If you ever need help, tell us right away," his father said seriously.
"I know, I know." Mo Jian shrugged. "So, how is the Radiant Sect?"
"Those bastards…" his father cursed. "At the border, they've started to show their true colors, but our sect is not a pushover."
Mo Jian knew the Radiant Sect was up to no good. With the failure of their plan and the sect's retaliation, it was only a matter of time before the two went to war.
But all that had little to do with him.
Now that all the spies in the sect had been apprehended, his business could proceed smoothly.
"Boss! Boss!"
Suddenly, Zhao Tian's voice rang out outside the villa.
"What's that lazy fatty doing here?" Liu Zexian asked, glancing at Mo Jian.
"I don't know, but it must be something important," he replied quickly.
Leaving the villa, Mo Jian saw Zhao Tian pacing back and forth outside.
"What happened? Why are you shouting? Don't you know my mother dislikes noise?"
"Ah! Sorry, sorry! But I have important news for you," Zhao Tian responded in a panic and took an object from his pouch.
"What is this?"
"That's from the Radiant Sect. They call it 'Wind Echo.'"
Quickly, Zhao Tian explained how the artifact worked. Similar to Spirit Link, the Wind Echo allowed people to communicate.
However, it differed from Spirit Link—it was like a traditional voice transmission talisman but upgraded.
Instead of using a talisman directly, the device had a slot where you inserted the recipient's talisman.
This allowed communication with multiple people at the same time, as long as they had the corresponding talisman.
As for the distance, it worked within 5 kilometers.
Although it couldn't compare to Spirit Link, it had become a competitor—something that deeply worried Zhao Tian.
His grandfather had praised him repeatedly for his business partnership with Mo Jian, and now, the Radiant Sect was trying to steal their market.
How could he not be worried?
"Hahahaha!"
Mo Jian burst into hysterical laughter.
How could this garbage compare to his Spirit Link?
Zhao Tian was confused.
Why was he laughing? Didn't he realize how serious the situation was?
Just then, Mo Jian's father stepped out, wearing a solemn expression.
"Son, have you heard about the Radiant Sect's new communication device?"
"Father, you mean this?" He showed him the Wind Echo.
"Yes…" he nodded. "What are you going to do?"
The sect had been planning to capitalize on Mo Jian's Spirit Link to increase its influence in the region. But now, their arch-rival had entered the market.
How could they allow this?
"Nothing… Let them keep selling it," Mo Jian responded casually.
"Really? This will affect us and the sect," Zhao Tian said earnestly.
"There is nothing to worry about. I've got everything under control. Go back to the chamber and focus on the mission I gave you."
Back in the villa, the sect master and his wife looked at their son in confusion.
They realized they could no longer read him.
"What is your plan?" his father asked.
"Father, how many formations have they set up so far?" Mo Jian inquired.
"Since you expanded them to cover the whole region, they should be completed in five days."
"Good. Mother, I need your help." He turned to his mother.
"What do you need?"
Meanwhile…
Quickly, news of the Wind Echo spread throughout the Western Region.
Before its official release, the Radiant Sect had already opened multiple stores in major cities.
Thus, when the announcement was made, many people rushed to their stores to purchase the artifact.
Previously, the public had been eagerly anticipating the Dust Valley Sect's magical Spirit Link, but since the sect had yet to release it publicly…
They could only wait.
Now, with the Radiant Sect's Wind Echo, many people forgot about the Spirit Link and began praising the Radiant Sect for their ingenuity.
Even those under the Dust Valley Sect's protection did not hesitate to commend the Radiant Sect.
Inside the Dust Valley Sect, both the disciples and elders wore grim expressions.
Many disciples tried to sell Spirit Links outside the sect to show people the true power of the artifact…
But strict orders from the sect master prevented them from doing so.
"What are we going to do?" an elder asked with a grave expression.
With the Radiant Sect gaining fame, they needed to act fast—otherwise, the public would start to view them as the villains.
"Why are you all acting like children?" Supreme Elder Zhao said angrily.
"For the sect master to refuse to sell the Spirit Link outside the sect, he must have a plan."
"I don't have any plans," the sect master said matter-of-factly. "My son is the creator, and he chooses not to sell it to the outside world."
All the elders were shocked for a moment but soon sighed in resignation.
"So what do we do now?" another elder asked.
"Just prepare according to the mission I gave you," the sect master responded slowly.
Just then, his Golden Spirit Link vibrated. He took it out and answered the call.
Instantly, he stood up and left the grand hall in large strides, leaving only one command behind:
"Follow me."
The sect master and all the elders arrived at the Refining Hall, stunning the disciples inside.
'What is going on?'
'Why are the sect master and all the elders here?'
Although curious, none of the disciples spoke. Instead, they quietly watched the elders enter the Refining Hall.
Inside the grand refining chamber, the hall master and Zhao Tian stared at the artifact in Mo Jian's hand in shock.
Just as they prepared to ask the burning question in their hearts, the sect master entered.
"Son, what is so urgent?"
With a bright smile, Mo Jian turned to his father and the arriving elders.
"Father, I want to show you my latest invention."
His voice was filled with pride.
"Spirit Smartphone."
In his hand was a sleek, palm-sized rectangular device.
With a simple touch, the Spirit Smartphone came to life—its screen lighting up in a soft, radiant glow.