The Vajra Sect elder's brows lifted slightly.
"Reserved?"
He was not the only one surprised.
A ripple of astonishment spread across the lakeshore as nearby cultivators exchanged glances.
Seats to enter the Mysterious Poison Realm were unimaginably precious. No sect would willingly leave such an opportunity unused.
Moreover, this gathering place lay deep within the Fallen Demon Forest, a region where Foundation Realm demon beasts frequently roamed. The journey itself was dangerous, and under such circumstances, disciples normally travelled together with their sect elders for protection.
For a position to remain reserved—with no disciple yet present—was both unusual and intriguing.
"Elder Jian," the Vajra Sect elder said with a faint mocking smile,
"May I ask… for whom is this seat reserved?"
His gaze swept across the fourteen sword cultivators before returning to the Thousand Sword Sect elder.
"Or," he added slowly, his voice carrying open ridicule,
"Are you merely saying so to preserve the Thousand Sword Sect's dignity?"
Several nearby cultivators held their breath.
The atmosphere around the lake grew heavier.
Everyone could sense that this was no longer simple curiosity—it was deliberate provocation.
Hearing the mocking tone, the disciples of the Thousand Sword Sect could no longer remain completely calm.
Faint anger flickered in their eyes.
In truth, the matter of the vacant seat had already caused unrest within the sect.
Originally, fifteen disciples had been selected to enter the secret realm. Each of them had trained tirelessly, some preparing for nearly half a year for this rare opportunity.
Yet just as the final roster was confirmed, an unexpected order arrived.
A Core Formation elder had personally requested that two seats be reserved.
The announcement immediately sparked dissatisfaction among the younger generation.
For cultivators standing at the peak of the ninth stage of Qi Condensation, this secret realm represented a rare chance to obtain Foundation Pill ingredients and break through their bottleneck. To have their hard-earned positions suddenly taken away was something few could accept calmly.
Arguments broke out.
Some disciples openly protested. Others questioned the fairness of the decision.
After a long and tense discussion, a compromise was finally reached.
Only one seat would be vacated.
Even so, resentment lingered in many hearts.
Now, standing beneath the Vajra Sect elder's mocking gaze, memories of that incident resurfaced.
Faint strands of sword qi stirred around several Thousand Sword Sect disciples as their tempers rose.
Yet none of them spoke.
They could only wait for Elder Jian's response.
The other sect elders and gathered cultivators also fell silent, watching the exchange with growing curiosity.
Matters concerning entry seats to the secret realm were never trivial.
Even the Core Formation elders of the remaining major sects cast subtle glances toward the Thousand Sword Sect's formation. Their expressions remained calm, but their eyes revealed unmistakable interest.
Among the outer disciples, whispers quietly spread.
Who could be worthy of a specially reserved seat?
What kind of background or strength did this mysterious individual possess?
Anticipation, dissatisfaction, and curiosity intertwined in the tense atmosphere.
It felt as though the entire lakeshore was waiting for someone to appear.
At last, the Core Formation elder from Spirit Beast Mountain spoke.
"Elder Jian," he said calmly, resting his hand upon the head of the silver-furred wolf beside him,
"Would you care to reveal a little?"
His sharp eyes studied the Thousand Sword Sect's formation.
"After all," he added with a faint smile,
"It is rare for your sect to leave a position unfilled."
Though his tone lacked mockery, his curiosity was clear.
All eyes turned toward Elder Jian.
"Hmph…"
Elder Jian let out a faint sigh.
He understood that continued silence would only invite further provocation.
His disciples were already dissatisfied. If their emotions were allowed to spiral out of control now, the sect's reputation would suffer before the secret realm even opened.
After a brief pause, he finally spoke.
"The reserved seat," he said calmly,
"belongs to a newly discovered disciple."
His words immediately drew everyone's attention.
"This individual was recently found by Elder Ling Xing Yue. According to the information she provided, he has already reached the peak of the ninth stage of Qi Condensation."
A ripple spread through the gathered cultivators.
A newly discovered disciple… yet already at the peak of Qi Condensation?
Even the Vajra Sect elder's mocking smile faded slightly.
Interest replaced ridicule.
"Elder Ling Xing Yue?"
The Core Formation elder from Divine Sound Valley spoke softly.
She appeared to be a graceful woman in her early thirties, her calm gaze revealing sharp perception.
"If I recall correctly," she said, fingers resting lightly upon her guqin strings,
"She has only one direct disciple."
"That disciple entered the secret realm during the last opening."
She paused briefly.
"She was once considered exceptionally talented. Yet after breaking through to the Foundation Realm… her strength declined instead of improving."
A subtle stir spread across the lakeshore.
Such a situation was extremely rare.
Normally, advancement into a higher realm brought overwhelming improvement. A decline instead suggested hidden danger—perhaps soul contamination or severe internal damage.
"I have also heard," the Divine Sound Valley elder added thoughtfully,
"That Elder Ling Xing Yue has been searching everywhere for skilled alchemists."
The implication was obvious.
Something had gone terribly wrong.
She was speaking of Ning Wan'er.
Once hailed as a rising genius, Ning Wan'er had suffered an unforeseen calamity after reaching the Foundation Realm.
A parasitic entity hidden within her soul gradually awakened, devouring her spiritual essence bit by bit.
At first, the changes were subtle.
Over time, however, her cultivation destabilised. Her strength declined instead of rising.
Within a decade, her once brilliant talent had dimmed significantly.
"Yes, you are correct," Elder Jian said calmly.
"Her condition worsened in recent years. However, according to the latest information… she has now recovered."
This revelation caused another wave of reactions.
"The reserved disciple is not her direct disciple," Elder Jian continued.
"He is a member of our sect who joined under her guidance."
When the gathered cultivators heard that Ning Wan'er had been cured, their reactions were mixed.
Some were astonished. Others showed quiet surprise.
For the Thousand Sword Sect, this was undoubtedly good news.
But for the other sects, it brought a subtle sense of concern.
If a fallen genius had truly recovered, the balance among the younger generation might soon shift again.
Whispers spread along the lakeshore.
"Congratulations, Elder Jian," the Divine Sound Valley elder said with a gentle smile.
"It seems your sect has gained another genius."
Other elders also offered polite congratulations.
Elder Jian acknowledged them calmly.
Yet in the next moment, his expression changed.
He suddenly turned toward the distant sky.
Far above the forest canopy, a giant eagle was flying toward the gathering place.
Its enormous wings stirred violent gusts of wind, scattering the mist above the lake.
A powerful aura radiated from the spirit beast, causing ripples to spread across the water.
Gradually, conversations faded.
Dozens of gazes lifted toward the heavens.
Someone… was arriving.