The Patriarch took another sip of his tea, his gaze steady as he observed Xian Tiandi across the low wooden table.
The steam from the Green Essence Leaves tea curled upward between them, carrying its subtle fragrance through the quiet room.
"What do you plan to do next?" Xian Chen asked, his tone measured but carrying weight.
Xian Tiandi met his father's eyes calmly. He had anticipated this question. The Patriarch wasn't one to summon him for idle conversation, especially not to his private residence.
"I intend to continue my cultivation and grow stronger," Xian Tiandi replied simply. His voice was respectful but carried quiet confidence.
Xian Chen nodded slowly. "A good answer. But general." He set down his teacup. "Let me be more specific. Have you considered joining a sect?"
Xian Tiandi's expression didn't change, but internally he felt a spark of interest. 'So he's moving toward this already,' Xian Tiandi thought.
'In my past life, I joined a sect much later and through different circumstances. The Patriarch's guidance now is more proactive than before. Perhaps because I've shown more promise this time around.'
"I have thought about it," Xian Tiandi admitted. "A sect would provide resources and opportunities that are difficult to obtain otherwise."
"Indeed." The Patriarch leaned back slightly. "Your sister, Xian Yu, has done well in the Four Symbols Sect. She has become a core disciple and earned the Sect Leader's favor. Her future there looks bright."
Xian Tiandi listened quietly, waiting for his father to continue. 'The Four Symbols Sect,' he mused internally.
'Perfect. That's exactly where I need to be to access the four elemental spirit treasures. The Patriarch doesn't know he's playing right into my plans.'
'Those four treasures are essential for me to forge a perfect Chaos Foundation when I breakthrough to Foundation Establishment. Without them, my foundation will be incomplete.'
"The Four Symbols Sect will be holding their disciple selection in another city in two months," Xian Chen said.
"It's not here in Xianling City, but in Crimson Lotus City, which is about two weeks travel from here by carriage. The sect rotates their selection locations to give opportunities to cultivators from different regions."
"I see," Xian Tiandi said thoughtfully. 'Two months. That timeline matches what I remember. The sect selection happens just after the Ancient Elemental Ruins expedition. I need to use this time wisely. Two months should be enough to reach the peak of both cultivation paths if I'm efficient.'
Xian Chen studied him for a moment. "I think you should participate in that selection. With your recent awakening and your current cultivation level, you have a strong chance of being accepted. And if you mention your connection to Xian Yu, it would help even more."
Xian Tiandi considered this openly. "That would be beneficial," he agreed. "Having Yu'er as a reference would smooth the path."
"Exactly." The Patriarch nodded with satisfaction. "Your brother, Xian Long, is also at an age where he could benefit from sect training. I'm thinking of sending him along with you. The two of you could join together."
"Xian Long?" Xian Tiandi raised an eyebrow slightly. Though they weren't blood siblings, having been raised together since Tiandi was found as a baby at the clan's doorstep, Xian Long was still someone he cared about.
The boy was somewhat talented and enthusiastic, though still young. "That could work well. We could look after each other."
'Having Xian Long along adds a variable I didn't account for,' Xian Tiandi thought. 'But it could be useful. His presence gives me another piece to work with. I'll need to ensure his safety while using the journey to temper him properly. Though we share no blood, the Patriarch has always treated me fairly. I should repay that by looking after his son.'
"My thoughts exactly." Xian Chen picked up his tea again. "However, there is something else I want to discuss with you."
Xian Tiandi waited attentively.
"Two months is not a long time, but it's not short either," the Patriarch continued.
"You've been in the clan your whole life, mostly within Xianling City. You've trained and cultivated, but you lack real world experience. Real combat experience against enemies who want to kill you. Experience dealing with dangerous situations and thinking on your feet."
Xian Tiandi understood immediately where this was going. "You want me to go out and gain experience before the sect selection."
"Yes." Xian Chen's expression turned serious. "I want you to leave the city. Travel. Face demonic beasts. Perhaps encounter rogue cultivators. Learn what it means to fight for your life."
"The sect selection won't just test your cultivation level. They'll test your combat ability, your decision making under pressure, your temperament."
"That makes sense," Xian Tiandi said. Internally, he was pleased.
'Excellent. The Patriarch is giving me exactly what I need. A legitimate reason to leave the city and pursue my own objectives without raising suspicion.'
'I can use this time to break through both cultivation paths to their peaks. Stage 10 of Body Refinement to match my Stage 10 Qi Refinement. Then I'll need to push both to the peak of their respective next realms before entering the sect.'
The Patriarch continued. "I suggest you leave within the next few days. Take a week or two to travel and gain experience. Then head toward Crimson Lotus City. You can meet up with your sister there. She's currently in that region on a mission for her sect."
At the mention of Xian Yu, Xian Tiandi's attention sharpened. "A mission? What kind of mission?"
Xian Chen frowned slightly. "She didn't provide many details when she visited two days ago."
"She only mentioned that it had something to do with hunting down an evil sect member who is currently causing trouble in the area. The sect assigned her and several other disciples to deal with the situation."
Xian Tiandi's mind began working immediately. 'An evil sect member causing trouble? In the Crimson Lotus region? Around this time?'
His thoughts turned analytical. 'The Moon God Cult was active in that area during this period in my previous life. They were conducting rituals and abducting civilians for their dark practices. Bai Xueyao was hunting them as well.'
He processed the connections rapidly. 'If the Four Symbols Sect has sent disciples to deal with an evil cultivator, and Bai Xueyao is tracking the Moon God Cult in the same region, there's a high probability they're targeting the same group. Which means Yu'er might cross paths with Bai Xueyao.'
His expression remained neutral, but internally he was calculating possibilities.
'This could be the convergence point I need. If I position myself correctly, I can monitor Yu'er's safety while also observing Bai Xueyao's movements.'
'And if the Moon God Cult is involved, there might be opportunities to acquire resources or intelligence from their activities. I'll need to be at least peak Qi Condensation Realm by then to have any meaningful impact.'
"Is something wrong?" Xian Chen asked, noticing Xian Tiandi's thoughtful expression.
"No, Father." Xian Tiandi refocused on the conversation. "I was just thinking about the journey ahead. You're right that I need practical experience. I'll prepare to leave soon."