The Sect Master of the Wind-Thunder Profound Sect—Pei Tianzhuo.
He had emerged from seclusion.
Ever since five years ago, when the Sect Master returned from an external trial, he had immediately announced closed-door cultivation. For five full years, he never showed himself once. During that time, the First Elder and Second Elder personally served as his guardians, while all sect matters were handed over to Third Elder Wen Lang.
Though Wen Lang appeared carefree, he managed the sect's affairs exceptionally well. For five years, no enemy dared to invade.
Now, the Sect Master had finally come out.
Standing beside Pei Tianzhuo was a young man in blue robes. His eyes were filled with arrogance. When he saw Lin Ye, he merely gave a disdainful smile, as if to say: no matter how strong you are, in front of the Sect Master you will still kneel.
That youth was Pei Shaoyi.
With his father backing him, Pei Shaoyi feared nothing.
"I have already heard about Geng Shiqiu," Pei Tianzhuo said calmly. "He attempted to harm Lin Ye and has already paid with his life. This matter ends here. Bury the two Peak Masters with full honors."
Then he looked toward Lin Ye.
"Lin Ye, I restore your status as a Core Disciple. If you wish to become an Elder of our sect, you may simply take the assessment."
With only a few words, Pei Tianzhuo settled the aftermath with absolute authority.
Wen Lang finally let out a long breath of relief. With the Sect Master personally handling things, the storm had finally cleared. This was the true dignity of a great sect. Lin Ye's name was cleared on the spot. Though the reversal came quickly, it still offered Lin Ye a priceless opportunity.
"Lin Ye," Pei Tianzhuo continued warmly, "your father and I were old friends. The future of the Wind-Thunder Profound Sect will depend on young heroes like you. If you remain within the sect, I will spare no effort to cultivate you."
He spoke like a gentle elder, full of sincerity.
And it made sense: a disciple who had reached the Heavenly-Phenomenon Eighth Realm was beyond shocking. If Lin Ye truly stayed loyal, the sect might even someday rise beyond the Wind-Thunder Riverlands.
But only if Lin Ye was willing to remain.
"Lin Ye, hurry and thank the Sect Master!" Wen Lang urged anxiously.
A sect master's words carried absolute weight. If Pei Tianzhuo promised a future, it meant Lin Ye's path in the sect would soar.
But Lin Ye only waved his hand.
"We can talk about that later," Lin Ye said. "Who is Pei Shaoyi?"
Pei Tianzhuo's warmth faded slightly.
Pei Shaoyi, however, stepped forward openly.
"I am Pei Shaoyi."
Then he said proudly, "Accept the Sect Master's goodwill. Digging too deep into certain matters brings you no benefit. Do you understand?"
His arrogance was absolute. Others feared Lin Ye, but Pei Shaoyi was the Young Sect Master of the Wind-Thunder Profound Sect. And with Pei Tianzhuo standing there, what was there to fear?
He even leaned closer and whispered coldly:
"You think you're strong? As long as you're inside this sect, no matter what realm you reach, you will always be beneath my foot."
His eyes overflowed with confidence, as if Lin Ye's power was nothing but a temporary wave he could crush whenever he pleased.
Lin Ye simply smiled.
Then his hand shot out—straight for Pei Shaoyi's throat.
A protective talisman on Pei Shaoyi immediately lit up, forming a barrier of light around him.
"You dare!" Pei Tianzhuo shouted.
He never expected Lin Ye would attempt to kill his son right in front of him.
Regardless of what Pei Shaoyi had done, if the Sect Master could not protect his own child, then what authority did he have left? Pei Tianzhuo had stepped in specifically to suppress this entire incident—he even killed Chen He with his own hand to show his stance.
But now, Lin Ye refused to yield.
Crack.
Pei Shaoyi stared in horror as the talisman's barrier shattered—Lin Ye crushed it with nothing but raw grip.
In the next instant, Pei Shaoyi felt death approaching—
But Pei Tianzhuo struck.
He blasted a palm toward Lin Ye while pulling Pei Shaoyi back in the same motion.
Boom!
Two terrifying auras arrived from afar.
"The First Elder, Song Wuqe!"
"The Second Elder, Jin Shengbai!"
Both elders appeared, their presence announcing their strength.
Heavenly-Phenomenon Realm—high-tier.
Lin Ye looked at Pei Tianzhuo, whose confidence was so absolute it seemed he believed he could control everything.
Then Lin Ye spoke calmly:
"You only just stepped into the Star River Realm. Killing you won't be difficult."
That single sentence made Pei Tianzhuo's expression darken. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes.
How could Lin Ye see through his realm?
And how could Lin Ye remain so calm even after knowing?
"The Sect Master entered the Star River Realm?"
"He broke through!?"
"A Star River expert!?"
"Our Wind-Thunder Profound Sect has produced a Star River Realm powerhouse!"
The elders erupted in disbelief.
Even Wen Lang and Leng Ruo inhaled sharply. If this was true, then the Wind-Thunder Profound Sect would become the undisputed first sect of the entire region. No other faction could even stand beside them.
But suddenly—
Pei Tianzhuo sensed something surging inside Pei Shaoyi.
A hidden, violent force—dark strength.
Pei Tianzhuo pressed a palm against him and poured his cultivation inside, forcing most of it out.
Yet one thread was too late.
Bang!
Pei Shaoyi's left arm exploded.
The arm flew off in a spray of blood. The joint was obliterated into dust—no chance of reattachment. If it had been cut cleanly, it might have been repaired. But this was destruction.
"AAAHHH!"
Pei Shaoyi screamed in agony.
Second Elder Jin Shengbai, who specialized in medicine, rushed forward and sealed Pei Shaoyi's acupoints. But after examining the damage, he could only shake his head.
Pei Tianzhuo's eyes turned to ice.
"Lin Ye!"
His voice was low, but the killing intent was absolute.
Boom!
A terrifying aura erupted from him.
His Star-Calling Bridge soared straight into the heavens. Streams of star power descended like divine rain, gathering around his body. Above his head, it formed what looked like an endless river of stars.
Wen Lang's face turned pale.
"It's over… it's completely over. Lin Ye, Lin Ye… why are you this stubborn?!"
Wen Lang was frantic, but his strength in front of a Star River cultivator was like a grain of sand before the sea.
The pressure of a Star River Realm expert covered the entire Wind-Thunder Profound Sect.
Countless disciples looked toward the Sect Master with worship in their eyes.
"The Sect Master reached Star River Realm!"
"Star River! I would trade my life to reach that realm!"
"Who could possibly force the Sect Master to reveal such power?"
The disciples were shocked, and also confused—because anyone capable of pushing the Sect Master this far had to be monstrous.
Lin Ye felt the crushing storm of energy rushing toward him.
"You can't even stand steady," Lin Ye said, shaking his head, "and you still want to reach the heavens?"
Then his hand seals moved like lightning.
"Secret Art—Mad Blood Curse!"
Instantly, the Shura Blood Sea within him surged, sending up a hundred-zhang wave. Vast blood-fiend energy poured into Lin Ye's body like a flood.
Boom!
A second Star-Calling Bridge erupted—
Straight into the sky.
"Another… another Star River Realm expert!?"
"Who… who is it!?"
"Our Wind-Thunder Profound Sect… has produced TWO Star River Realm powerhouses!?"
On Xuanlei Peak, two world-shaking forces collided.
Pei Tianzhuo's eyes flashed with excitement.
"Interesting!"