"Did you hear the thunder last night?" an inner disciple whispered in the Mission Hall wing, glancing around. "That wasn't normal."
"I heard it too… it sounded like a tribulation," another replied. "But no one advanced a realm, so what was that?"
"Hmph! Who knows, maybe some spiritual treasure was born in the mountains," a third said, eyes gleaming with greed. "I bet some major sect will get involved."
"Whatever it was, it happened on the very same day as Elder Sai's test…" someone muttered.
"Speaking of that, did you hear? The three of them passed the test and are now officially Elder Sai's disciples!" another disciple said, changing the topic.
"Hmph! Didn't you hear what the Elder said? The test wasn't about talent or cultivation level. They passed because of luck," snapped one who had failed on the very first day of the climb.
"There's no need to be jealous… even Senior Brother Lin Xue failed. What's really unbelievable is that mortal. I never thought he'd make it," a third commented.
The test from the previous day had shaken the entire sect. Right after it ended, Sect Leader Lin Yao made two public announcements.
First: Mount of the Four Tributaries would be opened for training. Disciples could exchange contribution points for chances to temper their Heart Dao through the climb.
Second: Guest Elder Sai would give a sermon on the first day of every three months, open to all disciples — outer, inner, and core.
Although the Four-Leaf Clover Sect already held occasional sermons, everyone knew Elder Sai's would be different. Many believed even the outer courtyard wouldn't be able to hold the crowd.
And yet, the topic spreading the most wasn't just the new Elder… but the thunder that had echoed from the heavens the night before.
Not everyone, however, shared the excitement.
In the central residential area, Elder Lin Yu stared at his grandson, eyes burning with fury.
"How dare you?!" His voice was low, heavy with rage. "You received the best resources, direct guidance from me and other Elders… and you still failed a test of determination?!"
Lin Xue stood motionless, unable even to wipe the saliva splattered across his face. He had never seen his grandfather lose control like this.
"Grandfather, it wasn't like that—"
"Don't you dare speak!" Lin Yu snapped. "You will not leave the sect until you reach the ninth level of Body Refinement. After that, you will climb that mountain until your heart is tempered… or broken!"
His expression twisted.
"Losing to Wang Tao is acceptable. But losing to that girl and to a mortal? That is a humiliation the Lin family will not accept!"
Lin Xue clenched his fists.
"Yes, Grandfather…"
Lin Yu took a deep breath, trying to rein in his fury, but his eyes remained cold.
"And on top of that…" he muttered, "right after that thunder. Something is changing in this sect. And I don't like it at all."
He paused, then continued,
"As for Wang Tao… we cannot allow him to become the next pillar of the sect. This plan has lasted for years. If we fail now, once again we'll be left with scraps of power."
"But… he's now Elder Sai's disciple. They say he already has great influence…" Lin Xue ventured hesitantly.
"You still don't understand how the world works," Lin Yu replied coldly. "This matter ends here. I will handle it. You only need to be ready when the time comes."
Without waiting for a reply, he left the room.
Once alone, Lin Xue tightened his fists.
"Damn it… Wang Tao… I'll defeat you next time. With my own hands. You won't take what's mine by right."
Meanwhile, in Cloud Prefecture.
Inside a wine shop on the main commercial street, a burly man drank in silence at the counter. His clothes were plain, like those of a local merchant, and his weary eyes reflected deep boredom, as if nothing in this world could stir him.
Without turning his head, he spoke.
"Give me the report."
From the shadows of the establishment, a low and restrained voice replied,
"He not only entered the sect, but will likely become a leader if he continues at this pace."
"Very good," the man at the counter replied without emotion.
He slowly swirled the cup.
"Hm."
"A new Elder has entered the sect. They say his understanding of cultivation exceeds the province's standard. Also, Wang Tao became his direct disciple. I don't know if this will affect the mission. There are also rumors that the Elder is no more than fifteen years old… though I find that hard to believe."
"And that Elder's cultivation?"
"Ninth level of Qi Absorption."
"Then there's nothing to worry about," he said calmly. "He probably found an inheritance, or he's just a young master from an influential family gaining experience."
He set the cup down on the counter.
"If there's anything strange on that mountain, it's not our concern for now."
He paused briefly.
"Send his first mission within the sect. It's time to remind him… who he belongs to."
"Yes, Leader," the voice replied, before fading back into the shadows.
The man yawned and went back to drinking.
"How boring…"
Eastern Sub-Region of the Mount of the Four Tributaries
Inside the main hall of the Blazing Battle Sect, the flames of the spiritual torches flickered unnaturally, reflecting the tense atmosphere of the meeting.
"The Four-Leaf Clover Sect has accepted a new Elder," reported a messenger kneeling at the center of the hall. "And three disciples were taken in. They say this Elder's knowledge resonates with the Dao."
"Resonates with the Dao? Bah! Just rumors," an Elder scoffed.
The sect leader, a man with hair red as embers, narrowed his eyes.
"All rumors are born from some truth. If he advances to Foundation Establishment, we'll lose our numerical advantage."
"There was also the sound of thunder. Many believe it was the birth of a spiritual treasure," the messenger continued.
"A spiritual treasure?" asked a younger Elder, excited.
"Perhaps. Or perhaps something even more interesting," the leader replied. "But we won't sit around waiting to find out."
He turned to a man with a long beard.
"They have a spiritual crystal mine near the border, correct, Elder Zhao?"
"Yes. They discovered it less than a year ago," the old man replied in a hoarse voice.
"Then it's decided," said the leader. "Prepare some disciples. I want to test that border. If there's resistance… even better."
His eyes gleamed.
"I want that mine under our control in less than three months."
"Yes, Sect Leader!" they answered in unison.
And far away, while rumors, interests, and ambitions began to stir…
three new bonds of destiny had already been forged… in silence.