Back in his cave dwelling, Lu Jie sat cross-legged and focused once more on cultivation. He was already very close to breaking through to the Realm of Unification.
The following year, while cultivating, faint voices echoed from the cave's entrance.
"You hear? Two more disciples vanished outside the sect…""They say it was the work of the Myriad Shadows Sect.""Shhh! Keep your voice down… Master Mei doesn't like rumors being spread."
Lu Jie kept his eyes shut. That matter had nothing to do with him — the less he appeared in anything, the safer he would be.
From time to time, he noticed Qiu Yan visiting Su Li or leaving messages for both of them, but he avoided unnecessary interaction. His replies were always polite, yet brief.
One day, a sudden pressure of Qi swept across the mountain — like an immense aura flaring and vanishing in an instant. The ground trembled faintly. Lu Jie opened his eyes for a moment."Someone broke through… probably one of the elders."There was nothing more to say. He took a deep breath and returned to meditation.
Another year passed.
"Seventh level of the Circulation Realm… my progress is fast. Without the system's pills, it would probably take another five years to get here," he murmured, assessing his own foundation.
Meanwhile, on a vast mountain crowned by a single great tree, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect was speaking with the Grandmaster.
"Master, are you close to breaking through to the Realm of Transformation?""Still far. The spiritual Qi in the Dragon Celestial Domain is far too thin. I'll need many more years.""I tried contacting the Great Master, but he is in seclusion in a remote land. He cannot return.""Even if the Myriad Shadows Sect attacks us with a cultivator in the Realm of Transformation, we still have many elders in the Current Soul Realm. We can hold them off.""Understood. I'll do my best to break through soon to ensure the sect's safety."
During this time, Lu Jie was considering whether to go visit someone or continue cultivating until he reached the peak of the Circulation Realm."I'll reach the peak first, and only then seek Master Mei Lin to transcend the tribulation."Decision made, he returned to his cultivation.
It took another two years to reach the peak."Finally ready… time to find Master."
As he left the cave, he ran into Su Li.
"Younger brother!" she greeted with enthusiasm."Hello, senior sister. How is your cultivation?""Very well. And yours?""Going well too," he replied, silently assessing her. "Second level of Circulation… not bad."
"Younger brother, have you heard the rumors about demonic cultivators abducting disciples?""Just a few whispers.""We have to be careful during missions.""Don't worry. I don't intend to leave for now.""That's true… I've hardly seen you around the sect since we joined."
They chatted briefly before parting ways. Lu Jie headed straight for Mei Lin's temple.
"Oh? You're already about to break through to the Realm of Unification?" Mei Lin raised her brows, surprised."Yes, Master. I need a proper place to transcend the tribulation.""Very well, come with me."
They flew to the northern region of the mountain, where temporal vortexes slowly revolved in the air.
"These are our mountain's temporal vortexes. They contain all the elemental environments a cultivator might need to break through. Use this one for your tribulation." She pointed to a darker vortex, faint lightning flickering around it."When you're done, come find me."
Lu Jie nodded and stepped into the vortex. The scene shifted into a desolate plain under heavy, storm-filled clouds.
"Perfect. I can break through in peace here."He sat down, circulating his Qi to draw in the tribulation. Dark clouds swelled above him, and a barrier of Qi formed around his body.
The first bolts of lightning struck, hitting him precisely. The Unification Realm tribulation did not affect the surroundings — only the cultivator himself.
Lu Jie absorbed the energy and expelled the excess, but quickly noticed the difficulty."Is my foundation stronger than normal because of the system's technique?… I'm taking internal damage."Enduring the pain, he held firm.
Five days later, the tribulation ended. Slowly opening his eyes, he reflected:"The next one will be even worse. I need to prepare some treasures to withstand it… having too strong a foundation can be troublesome."
Leaving the vortex, he went straight to Mei Lin.
"Master, I've successfully transcended the tribulation." He bowed respectfully."Very good. Tell me, which elements does your core require?" she asked, sensing his aura and finding it unusually strong."Fire, thunder, water, and earth.""Four elements?" Her eyes widened. "Choose one to cultivate.""Can't I cultivate all four?""Cultivating multiple elements in the Unification Realm is foolish. It will delay your progress by decades. Even young, you might never break through again before your lifespan ends.""I understand, but I'm willing to cultivate diligently.""If you insist, know that your tribulations will be far more severe.""I'm aware, Master."She sighed and explained the function of each elemental vortex before dismissing him.
In the Formless Wind Sect, in a grand hall, the elders were gathered before the Sect Master.
"Master, the Myriad Shadows Sect is targeting the Heavenly Sword Sect again."
"We've also heard rumors that Mo Xian is close to breaking through to the Realm of Transformation. Should we ally with the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
The master was silent for a moment before replying:
"Why help them? Can you defeat a cultivator in the Realm of Transformation?"
The elders fell silent.
"Tsk. The Heavenly Sword Sect has always been stingy with resources. If they're destroyed, so be it."
"But Master, if the Heavenly Sword Sect falls, won't we become the Myriad Shadows Sect's next target?"
"They wouldn't dare. Our ancestor humiliated their founder years ago. They still fear us."
"But our ancestor left with the Heavenly Sword Sect's founder long ago and hasn't returned."
"And do they know that?"
"If the ancestor returns and finds out we didn't help, won't he be furious?"
"I'll deal with it if it happens. Even united with the Heavenly Sword Sect, we couldn't face someone in the Realm of Transformation. Joining this war now would be suicide."
"So… we just stand by?"
"We observe. And negotiate when it benefits us. No pointless heroics."
Meanwhile, Lu Jie was returning to his cave to stabilize his foundation — only to be stopped by Qiu Yan.