"Younger brother, how are you?" Qiu Yan asked brightly.
"Hello, senior sister. I'm well, and you?" he replied politely, though his mind added, Just when I was going to stabilize my foundation… this sister always brings trouble.
"I'm well too. But… how is your cultivation? I can't see your level anymore." She looked at him curiously.
Lu Jie hesitated. I don't want to draw attention… but if I don't say, Master will tell her anyway."I just broke through to the Realm of Unification."
"Realm of Unification? Wasn't that too fast?" she asked in surprise.
"I was lucky," he replied humbly.
"This won't do. I need to hurry in my cultivation!" she said, rushing off. How can I let my junior brother surpass me? she thought as she left.
I'll try not to draw any more attention… if possible. Lu Jie returned to his cave dwelling.
He sat cross-legged and began consolidating his cultivation. Six months later, the system's voice echoed in his mind.
[Detected that the Guardian has broken through to the Realm of Unification. Rewards: one jar of Unification Realm pills and a terrestrial-grade treasure.]
[Congratulations! You have received: Frost-Gray Mantle.][Made from the fur of an immortal wolf by a master craftsman. Can block ordinary attacks from cultivators in the Golden Core Realm.]
The mantle materialized in his hands — solid gray with faint blue engravings along the edges.
"Blocks Golden Core attacks?… This is a real treasure," he murmured. It was the first treasure he had ever received from the system. He pricked his finger, letting a drop of blood bind it to him, then stored away the jar of pills.
"A shame there are only twelve… and the sect doesn't have many of these. If it did, I could cultivate even faster," he muttered.
Just as he was about to resume cultivation, more messages appeared:
[Spiritual Bond Gauge: Mei Lin +55 – Extremely Friendly.][Spiritual Bond Gauge: Qiu Yan +49 – Friendly.]
So it even detects changes in bond level… Breaking through to Unification so young must have impressed them both.
In the Realm of Unification, he had to cultivate each of the elements determined at his breakthrough, forming their elemental cores. In the end, he would merge them into a single Golden Core. He had five in total — four elemental, plus one of pure spiritual energy. He decided to work on the spiritual core first, before using the temporal vortexes for the other elements.
Three years passed in isolation, until a voice came from outside.
"Younger brother, are you there?" It was Su Li.
Lu Jie stood to greet her. "Senior sister, has something happened?"
"Yes. Master has summoned everyone to the temple. It seems important. Sister Qiu Yan asked me to fetch you."
They headed out quickly. When they arrived, the hall was packed with disciples, all in a stir.
"What's going on?""Probably the Myriad Shadows Sect again.""I heard junior brother Kun disappeared.""I was almost caught by them on a mission… I haven't dared to go out since."
When Lu Jie entered, murmurs rose — especially among the female disciples.
"Who's that?""That's junior brother Lu Jie. He joined not long ago.""How come I've never seen him?""He's shy. Since he joined, he's only cultivated in isolation."
Lu Jie was already uncomfortable. Few in the sect knew him; he had no reason to change that.
"Silence." Mei Lin's voice echoed through the hall, instantly quieting the crowd.
"Recently, there have been many cases of disciples being kidnapped and demonic cultivators infiltrating the sect. Our Realm of the Thousand Beasts — the mystical territory that nourishes the sect — is being targeted. The Sect Master has ordered the Four Swords to choose promising disciples to guard it. As for my choice…" Her gaze fell on Lu Jie.
"Lu Jie, are you willing? This mission could bring you great recognition, and even the guidance of the Sect Master."
"What? He just joined!""It's unfair! He's only at the first level of Unification!""This chance should be mine!"
The hall erupted with noise, but Lu Jie raised his hand."I appreciate the opportunity, Master, but I've just broken through to Unification. I fear my strength is inadequate. It's better that this mission go to more experienced brothers and sisters."Guarding the Realm of the Beasts now? What if a Golden Core cultivator attacks? Far too risky. Declining is the safest choice.
Mei Lin sighed. "Chu Hao, my oldest disciple… will you accept?"
"Yes, Master," he replied immediately.
And so it was decided — Chu Hao and Qiu Yan would be sent to the Realm of the Thousand Beasts. The disciples were dismissed.
I gave him a rare chance for fame and connections, and he refused… This boy is hard to read, Mei Lin thought.
This time, Lu Jie didn't return to his cave. Instead, he headed straight for the fire-element vortex. His spiritual core was complete; only the elementals remained. Though he was at the second level of Unification, he used the system to suppress his cultivation to the first — avoiding unnecessary attention.
The moment he entered the vortex, the scenery changed completely. The ground was dry, with smoking volcanoes scattered in the distance. He found a quiet corner and sat down.He had saved eight pills — two for each element. He would start with fire.
While cultivating, he noticed other disciples arriving to use the vortex. He merely registered their presence and returned to his meditation. As long as they don't bother me, I don't care.
Meanwhile, in a dense forest within the Dragon Celestial Domain, the Stellar Axe Sect stood, surrounded by towering trees that gave the sect its name. In the main hall, the elders were gathered with the Sect Master.
"Master, we've been encountering more and more demonic cultivators during missions."
"It's true. Something big is brewing."
The Sect Master spoke calmly:"The Heavenly Sword Sect seems to be in conflict with the Myriad Shadows Sect again. We will not interfere."
"Master, this could be our chance to seize the Heavenly Sword Sect's territory," one elder suggested.
"If we succeed, we'd be the largest sect in the Dragon Celestial Domain."
The Sect Master was silent for a moment."Send some infiltration disciples to assess the situation. We're an orthodox sect, but… if the Heavenly Sword Sect falls, we'll take the opportunity."
"Yes, Master."