The crowd was in absolute chaos. Thousands of disciples and even Elders were on their feet, shouting, screaming, and waving their arms in disbelief.
The air was electric with tension and excitement, the very atmosphere seeming to vibrate with the aftershocks of the battle.
"What just happened?!" a disciple in the front row yelled, his voice hoarse from shouting. "Did you see that?! He just... He did something!"
"And that golden light!" another disciple chimed in, her eyes wide with awe. "It was like staring into the sun! I couldn't see a thing!"
"He's not human!" a voice from the back of the crowd shouted, cutting through the din. "He's a monster! A god among men!"
The words sent a ripple through the crowd, causing a momentary hush before the chaos erupted again.
"How is that even possible?!" a senior disciple demanded, his face red with disbelief. "He's just a new disciple! How can he have that kind of power?"
"Did you see his eyes? They were golden! Like a dragon's!" a young female disciple exclaimed, clutching her friend's arm in excitement. "I've never seen anything like it!"
The chaos continued to build, the noise level reaching a deafening crescendo. Disciples were shouting, speculating, and arguing, all trying to make sense of what they had just witnessed.
"He's cheating! There's no way a new disciple can be that strong!" a voice accused, rising above the crowd.
"No way! He's a genius! A once-in-a-generation talent!" another disciple countered, his voice filled with admiration.
The arguments continued, with some disciples defending Tianmo's abilities and others demanding an investigation into possible foul play. The tension in the arena was palpable, the air thick with emotion and uncertainty.
A foundation stage is more fearsome than the Golden Core realm powerhouse.
As the crowd continued to buzz with excitement and disbelief, a small group of disciples near the front caught sight of Tianmo as he stepped off the platform. Their eyes widened in awe and fear as they took in his imposing figure, his white hair, and golden eyes.
"Look! It's him!" one of them whispered, nudging his friend with his elbow.
"He's even more intimidating up close," another disciple murmured, her voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.
Tianmo ignored the stares and whispers, his expression calm and composed as he made his way through the crowd. The other disciples parted before him, creating a path through the sea of bodies.
As he walked, the whispers and shouts followed him. Few women were even talking about giving him a powerful healthy child.
Finally, he emerged from the crowd, the noise fading behind him as he made his way back to the waiting area. Ling'er was waiting for him, her eyes shining with excitement and pride.
"Brother! You were amazing!" she exclaimed, rushing forward to greet him. "I can't believe you won again! Look at you, your eyes are shining golden..."
Tianmo smiled slightly, ruffling her hair affectionately. "It was nothing," he said, his voice calm and confident. "But you shouldn't be here. You should practice the breathing manual I gave."
Ling'er pouted, swatting his hand away but careful not to disturb the Frost Lotus hairpin pinned in her locks. "I've been practicing the heavenly way for three days straight! I have comprehended the first two chapters about breathing and Qi circulation."
She looked up at him, her eyes wide and pleading. "Besides, if I don't watch you fight, how will I learn to be as domineering as my Big Brother? I need to see how you crush your enemies so I can do the same one day."
"Oh, you want to be as domineering as me?" Tianmo asked, amused by her eagerness. "Then I suppose you can stay. But don't get too excited. You might faint from the heat."
Ling'er rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide the grin that spread across her face. "I won't faint, silly. I'm a big girl now. Besides, someone has to cheer for you. All those other disciples are just jealous of your strength."
She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Between you and me, I think they're scared of you. Did you see how they all backed away when you walked through the crowd? They looked like they were about to wet their pants."
Tianmo chuckled softly, shaking his head. "They're just surprised," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "They've never seen a cultivator like me before. But don't worry, they'll get used to it eventually."
Ling'er nodded, her expression serious. "I hope not. I like it when you stand out. It makes it easier to spot you in a crowd."
She paused, her brow furrowing slightly. "Hey, Brother? Can I ask you something?"
"Of course," Tianmo replied, his voice gentle. "What is it?"
Ling'er hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "When you fought that last guy... your eyes turned golden. What was that?"
Tianmo's expression didn't change, but a hint of pride flickered in his eyes. "It's called the Dragon Might," he explained, his voice low and mysterious. "It's a technique that allows me to tap into the power of the ancient dragons. It's what makes my eyes glow golden."
Ling'er's eyes widened in awe, her mouth hanging open. "The power of the ancient dragons?!" she repeated, her voice filled with wonder. "That's amazing, Brother! Can you teach me how to do it too?"
Tianmo shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm afraid not," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "The Dragon Might is a rare and powerful technique. It requires a dragon bloodline to use, one that you don't possess."
Ling'er shook her head, her lower lip jutting out in disappointment. "That's not fair," she complained. "Why do you get to have all the cool techniques?"
"Life is always unfair."
Ling'er looked away with a huff. "Hmph. Life is unfair because you're mean."
Tianmo chuckled, his mood lightening. Despite her occasional tantrums, Ling'er was the only person in this world whose presence didn't feel like a transaction or a threat. Her jealousy was childish, her greed transparent, but her affection was genuine. Regardless, she is but a pawn.
She is the same age as him, with a well-developed body.
She has a beautiful face, long lustrious black hair, and a curvaceous figure with a slender waist and wide hips. She is wearing a tight-fitting green dress that accentuates her curves, and her skin is as white as snow.
She is indeed a beauty.
...
"Brother, the Elder is coming," Ling'er whispered, tugging on his sleeve.
Tianmo looked up to see the black-robed Elder who had intervened in the match descending from the sky. The Elder landed lightly on the stone floor, his robes fluttering in the wind. He had a stern expression on his face, but his eyes held a hint of respect as he looked at Tianmo.
"Disciple Wang Tianmo," the Elder said, his voice deep and resonant. "You have shown exceptional talent today. Your mastery over the martial technique and that... unique bloodline technique, are commendable."
He extended a hand, holding two tokens. One was made of white jade, the other of black iron.
"These are the tokens for the Spirit Gathering Caves," the Elder explained. "The white token grants access to the Earth-grade cave for one month. The black token is for the Heaven-grade cave for one month, reserved for the top disciples. You have earned the Heaven-grade token as well by decree of the Archbishop,"
Tianmo took the tokens. The black token was cold to the touch, etched with complex runes that pulsed with spiritual energy.
"Thank you, Elder," Tianmo said, bowing slightly.
"Do not let this victory go to your head," the Elder warned. "The Azure Cloud Sect is vast, and there are many geniuses older and stronger than you. Cultivate diligently."
With that, the Elder turned and walked away, his figure disappearing into the crowd of disciples who were eager to curry favor with him.
Tianmo looked at the tokens in his hand, then at Ling'er, who was eyeing the tokens with undisguised envy.
"Earth-grade cave..." she murmured. "Brother, the Qi density there is ten times that of the outside world. If I could cultivate there for a month, I might be able to break through to the early fourth stage of the Qi Refining!"
She looked up at him, her eyes wide and pleading. "Can I have Earth-cave? Please, Brother? I promise I'll cultivate hard and won't let you down!"
Tianmo looked at her. Giving away an Earth-grade cave opportunity was a waste in the eyes of any rational cultivator. Such resources were usually fought over with blood and steel.
But for Tianmo, it was a trifle. With his Immortal Dantian and the System Shop, he could cultivate anywhere. The cave was unnecessary for him. However, for Ling'er, it was a life-changing opportunity.
He tossed the black token to her.
Ling'er fumbled to catch it, her eyes widening in shock. This was Heaven-grade. "B-Brother? Are you serious? You're giving this to me? No! No! No! You should use it, you are the one who fought hard for it."
She tried to shove the token back into his hand, her face pale. "I can't take this. It's too precious. If the Sect finds out, they'll say I'm stealing your merit!"
"Heaven-grade cave contains a better spiritual vein. Your cultivation speed will be one hundred times faster compared to the bamboo peak. You should use this opportunity and try to break through to the early sixth stage of the Qi refining realm. The pills and Spirit stones I gave last time should be enough."
It would be a lie to say, he really didn't care. He could potentially reach the later stage of the Golden Core realm if he could cultivate in a Heaven-grade cave.
Ling'er stared at the black token in her hand, her fingers trembling as if she were holding a star rather than a piece of jade. The runes etched into its surface pulsed with a faint, rhythmic light, responding to the Qi in the air.
"One hundred times faster..." she whispered, the number hanging in the air like a dream. She looked up at Tianmo, her eyes swimming with tears. "Brother... this is too much. The Heaven-grade caves are usually reserved for Core Formation disciples or personal disciples of the Sect Master. If I use this, people will talk. They will say I used underhanded means to get it."
"Let them talk," Tianmo said, his voice dismissive. "The Sect won't punish you for it. You are my sister. Whatever I earn is yours to share."
Ling'er bit her lip, her fingers closing tightly around the token. The cold, smooth jade felt like a lifeline in her palm.
"But what about you?" she asked, her voice trembling. "You worked so hard for this. You should be the one to use it. You have better spirit root compared to me."
Tianmo waved his hand, dismissing her concerns. "I have other ways to cultivate. Besides, I need you to grow stronger. A Big Brother needs his Little Sister to be strong too, right?"
"No, brother I am being serious. You should use Heaven-grade cave. I am fine with an Earth-grade cave. You need it more than me."
"Heaven-grade cave is useless to me," Tianmo replied coldly. "One month there might give disappointing results compared to one month with Liu Ruyan, besides you can use an earth-grade cave as well."
"Brother, you can't be serious." Ling'er stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You're saying you can cultivate faster with Ruyan than in the Heaven-grade cave?"
"Correct."
Ling'er's face turned a shade of crimson that rivaled the setting sun. She sputtered, clutching the black token to her chest as if it were a shield against the scandalous words her brother had just uttered.
"D-Dual cultivation?" she stammered, her voice dropping to a frantic whisper as she looked around to ensure no one was listening. "Brother! You can't just say things like that out loud! It's... It's immoral!"
Tianmo looked at her with an expression of mild amusement. "Immorality is a concept for mortals who fear their desires. For cultivators, it is a path to power. The Yin-Yang harmony is a fundamental law of the universe. Why should I deny myself the fastest route to strength for the sake of morality?"
He reached out and tapped the Frost Lotus hairpin in her hair. "Take the token. Consider it an investment. If you reach the sixth stage of Qi Refining, you won't be a burden to me."
Ling'er bit her lip, the logic cold but undeniable.
"By the brother... What should we do with the spiritual garden in our peak? Our spiritual food resources are diminishing, we need to plant the spiritual rice and other plants to cultivate."
Ling'er changed the subject. Usually, menial disciples with water-based spirit roots are the ones working in the spiritual garden, nourishing the herbs and plants.
Tianmo glanced towards the direction of the spiritual fields located at the back of Purple Bamboo Peak. The land there was fertile, infused with the residual energy of the mountain's veins, but it was currently overgrown with weeds and wild spiritual grass.
"The spiritual garden!? You can use it, I have no use for it." Tianmo recalled its use. However, he has a system and infinite spirit stones so, he couldn't care less.
"By the way sister... I will give you another reward once you reach the foundation stage." Tianmo said.
There are many treasures in system space including Divine Spirit Ascension Fruit—a magical fruit that can upgrade the quality of your spirit root by one grade up to Heaven grade.
However, Ling'er isn't powerful enough to handle the energy of this fruit yet. Otherwise, he wouldn't hesitate to give it to her.
The fruit is powerful enough to shatter the souls of weak cultivators.
"Really, brother? But it might take me three to five years to reach the foundation establishment realm."
"Three to five years?" Tianmo repeated the number, his tone laced with a faint, mocking disbelief. He shook his head slowly, the white strands of his hair catching the sunlight. "If you take that long, Ling'er, then you are not my sister. You are just a mediocre waste of space."
Ling'er flinched as if physically struck. Her lower lip trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she didn't look away. She knew his words were harsh, but they were also the truth. In the cultivation world, mediocrity was a sin.
For their family, the Second-grade spirit root was already a blessing. Who told her brother to be this much talented? It's the fault of that whore Liu Ruyan.
Yes! It's the fault of that bitch Liu Ruyan. Her brother has always doted on her. To think her brother would call her trash and mediocre despite it being the truth, is all her fault. If she hadn't existed, she and her brother would have lived happily.
She needs to die! She needs to die! She needs to die! She needs to die! Die! Die! Die! She needs to die.
Her brother can only love her! Yes, brother can only love her. Only only only love her. Her brother should only love her. Her brother is the best. He is the most handsome. He is the strongest. He is hers and hers alone. Brother and sister should live in harmony and peace. Brother and sister should love each other. We are family it's only natural to love one another.
'I love my brother, my brother loves me. I love my brother my brother loves me. I LOVE MY BROTHER, MY BROTHER LOVES ME. I LOVE MY BROTHER, MY BROTHER LOVES ME.'
Ling'er's internal monologue spiraled into a feverish chant, a desperate mantra to drown out the insecurity gnawing at her heart. She gripped the black token until her knuckles turned white, her fingernails digging into the jade.
"I will do it," she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of determination and manic obsession. "I will show you, Brother. I will show you that I am not a waste. I will become strong... strong enough to protect you from everyone. Even from that slut."
She looked up, her eyes clearing, the tears replaced by a cold, hard glint that mirrored Tianmo's own ruthlessness. "I will enter the Heaven-grade cave tonight. I won't come out until I break through to the seventh stage."
Tianmo nodded, satisfied seeing her motivated to cultivate.
He saw the shift in her aura. The jealousy and hate were useful fuels for cultivation; they burned hot and clean, driving the practitioner to exceed their limits. He doesn't know why she hates Liu Ruyan but well, it's useful is all he can say.
"Good," he said. "Go prepare. I have matters to attend to."
Ling'er bowed deeply, clutching the token like a lifeline, and turned to leave. As she walked away, her steps were brisk and purposeful. She didn't look back, but Tianmo could sense the dark, sinister energy swirling around her.
He watched her go until she disappeared from sight. Then, he turned his attention back to the arena. The second round was continuing, but the fights were lackluster compared to his own.
He had no interest in watching ants struggle.
"System," he thought. "Open the shop."
[Shop Interface Open.]
He browsed through the items, his mind already thinking about his next move. The one unable to think ahead will always be at the bottom of cultivation.
He had reached the mid-fifth stage of the Foundation Establishment realm, but his combat power was comparable to that of a Golden core realm powerhouse.
"Is there anything that can help me gather the combat experience? Like battle simulation?"
[Simulation Pagoda: 100,000 Saint-grade Spirit Stones.]
[Description: Allows the Host to enter a hyper-realistic combat simulation. Time dilation: 100:1. One day in the real world equals a hundred days in the simulation. The Host can fight against opponents of any realm or specific combat styles. Pain is set to 100% realism to ensure muscle memory retention.]
Tianmo's eyes narrowed. It was the first time he heard of the term Saint-grade spirit stone. Regardless, he instantly purchased the simulation pagoda.
Woosh!
It was a Divine artifact, the size of a kid's toy. However, it can expand and shrink as the user desires.
Tianmo bit his thumb and dropped a single bloodessence onto the Simulation Pagoda. The small artifact absorbed it instantly, vibrating with a low hum before vanishing into thin air.
The pagoda was now inside his sea of consciousness.