Ascension of the Silent Guardian

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Mei Lianhua said her goodbyes and returned to assist in the sect's reconstruction. Tian Ling watched as she disappeared into the horizon, feeling a mixture of gratitude and responsibility. Mei Lianhua had always supported him, but now he knew that the burden he carried had grown even heavier. He shook his head slightly, pushing those thoughts aside for now.

As he entered the newly constructed palace, Tian Ling paused to appreciate his surroundings. The gray stone walls exuded a sense of solidity and permanence, while the soft sunlight filtered through the tall windows, illuminating the space with an almost ethereal glow. He sighed deeply, feeling momentarily at peace.

"This is where it all begins... my refuge, my sanctuary," he thought, his eyes scanning the empty hall. There was still much to do, but he was satisfied with what he had built so far.

He walked slowly toward the meditation stone he had carefully placed in the center of the room. Each step was a reminder of his purpose. When he finally sat in a lotus position, he closed his eyes and let his breathing become calm and rhythmic, feeling the flow of energy around him. The softness of the Qi filled the air, and he could feel it pulsing slowly, as if the Mythical Realm itself was welcoming him.

"This place has limitless potential... Here, I can reach unimaginable heights," Tian Ling thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips. But the smile soon faded, replaced by a serious expression.

Determined to check his system-monitored friends list, he opened the interface with a simple thought. Several new faces appeared, and he scrolled through them with curiosity, his eyes quickly scanning the images. "Who are all these people?" he wondered, noticing the significant increase in cultivators listed. He intended to investigate further, but for now, something unusual caught his attention.

Suddenly, he came across an image that made his body tense. The picture showed an old man with half his face burned, a grotesque scar running from his eye to his jaw. He wore a red band wrapped around his forehead, which only added to his sinister appearance. Tian Ling frowned, trying to remember where he had seen him before, but his mind drew a blank.

"Who is this man...?" He clicked on the image, and a series of details immediately popped up.

[Name: Kun Yong]
Demonic Cultivator of the Crimson Fire Sect
Age: 4321 Years
Cultivation: Void Body Realm (Level 3)
Spiritual Root: High Grade (Enhanced)
Lineage: Disciple of a great demon, inherited his cultivation techniques, possesses a special physique
Affinity: He deeply despises you for killing his servant and thwarting his plans. He will kill you as soon as he gets the chance.

Tian Ling felt the blood run cold in his veins. His hands began to tremble slightly, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead. The name and description echoed in his mind like distant thunder. He reread the information several times, trying to process what he had just discovered.

"Kun Yong… Void Body Realm, level three?!" His eyes widened in shock. "If he comes after the sect... everything will be over. There’s no way to face him with the sect’s current power."

He felt his heart beat faster. For a brief moment, fear dominated his thoughts, and images of destruction flooded his mind. The sect in ruins, his friends and companions dead... all because of his interference in the past.

"Calm down… breathe… it's not over yet," he thought, forcing himself to stay calm. "If he hasn't attacked yet, it means he's far away. That gives me some time... enough time to prepare."

Tian Ling clenched his fists, feeling his nails dig into his skin. He needed to get stronger. He needed to reach the Void Body Realm as soon as possible.

"I need to break through to the Void Body Realm before he makes his move. If not... the sect will be destroyed," he muttered, his lips trembling, but his determination renewed. He closed his eyes, trying to suppress the fear that still threatened to consume his courage.

With one final deep breath, he focused. His mind, once chaotic with thoughts of destruction, was now centered on a single thing: cultivation. There was no time to waste.

One year later...

News of the Dark Sect's defeat by the Serene Mist Sect spread quickly across the Nine Stars Region. Cultivators eagerly discussed the event, but for many, the defeat wasn't so surprising. Only a few powerful cultivators knew that Bai Jian, the leader of the Dark Sect, had broken through to the Perfected Soul Realm, and even then, they couldn’t understand how he had been defeated.

However, Tian Ling remained far from the spotlight. He had asked his master to ensure that his name wasn’t mentioned. For him, the last thing he wanted was to draw attention to his achievements. "If they find out I defeated someone in the Perfected Soul Realm, it’ll only bring endless trouble..." he thought, fully aware of the repercussions.

Sitting in meditation, Tian Ling felt the constant flow of spiritual Qi around him. The Mythical Realm provided the perfect environment for his progress, with spiritual Qi far denser than in the Serene Mist Sect. Each breath brought a wave of power that spread through his meridians, nourishing his inner strength.

Suddenly, he sensed a familiar presence outside the portal of the Mythical Realm. A spiritual Qi he knew well.

"She actually came..." He opened his eyes slowly, immediately recognizing the person waiting for him.

"Jin Yu..." Tian Ling murmured to himself. He stood up, walking towards the portal with slow, measured steps. With a wave of his hand, the portal opened, revealing Jin Yu’s figure standing there, waiting patiently.

As she entered, Tian Ling noticed the surprise in her eyes.

"The spiritual Qi here... it's so dense... And this Mythical Realm... how vast is it?" Jin Yu thought, her gaze scanning the endless horizon. She seemed lost in thought, absorbing the immensity of the place.

"Welcome to my Mythical Realm, sister," Tian Ling said with a gentle smile, breaking the silence.

Jin Yu glanced at him sideways, still impressed by the location. "Hmph, seems like that promise you made me was just empty words, wasn’t it?" she scoffed, her cold gaze locking onto Tian Ling, who let out a sigh in response.

"Of course not. Come, let's go inside and talk," he said, keeping his tone calm, though a bit disheartened by Jin Yu's reaction.

She hesitated for a moment but finally nodded. "Alright."

The two of them walked to the palace, where they sat to share a cup of tea. As the soft aroma of the drink filled the air, Jin Yu couldn't stop admiring the place.

"My master was right... This place is simply incredible," she thought, her eyes wandering over the palace’s details. Even in its simplicity, there was an elegance that seemed to transcend the mundane.

"So, sister, what brings you here?" Tian Ling asked, his voice soft but curious.

Jin Yu hesitated for a moment, her face flushing slightly. "Well... I... I just wanted to see you," she replied, averting her gaze, embarrassed.

Tian Ling remained silent for a moment, surprised by her response. "This girl..." he thought, observing her carefully. His eyes lingered on Jin Yu longer than usual. "Come to think of it, I have no reason to reject her."

She wore a red robe that highlighted her golden hair, and her figure, with its alluring curves, radiated undeniable beauty. She was a rare sight, and for a brief instant, Tian Ling found himself lost in her presence.

He took a deep breath, pushing away any distracting thoughts. "Alright, I understand the reason for your visit. I agree to be your Dao companion, but for now, we need to keep it a secret. I'm not yet strong enough to protect you as I should." His words were firm, but his gaze revealed the kindness he felt towards Jin Yu.