Ascension of the Silent Guardian

"I can help you. Come to my island. My Mythical Realm is vast and can support your tribulation. Besides, the spiritual Qi there is much denser and superior, which can greatly aid your cultivation," Tian Ling said calmly, his voice firm but gentle. His eyes fixed on Lian Ziyue, carrying the determination of someone who had made an important decision. Deep down, he knew he couldn't reveal the existence of the system, as it could bring unexpected complications. "It’s something I don’t fully understand myself… If she knew, could she use it against me?" he thought.

Lian Ziyue, still caught up in her own thoughts, seemed to be snapped out of her confusion by the sudden offer. She furrowed her brow slightly, looking at Tian Ling with curiosity.

"How can you help me?" she asked, her voice soft, but tinged with doubt. While she was grateful for the offer, part of her mind was shrouded in uncertainties. "Why would he offer to help me like this? And how can he be so sure he has the power to do so?"

Tian Ling noticed the hesitation in her eyes and sighed internally. Explaining without revealing too much was a delicate challenge.

"I’ll explain better when we’re at my island, alright?" he suggested, trying to maintain a casual tone, though he knew what would follow could be decisive. "Here... there are too many ears," he added in a lower voice, as if even the wind might carry his words to the wrong places.

Lian Ziyue bit her lip lightly, pondering for a moment. She knew the world of cultivation was full of spies and traitors lurking, always ready to steal valuable information. Finally, she relented, giving a small smile that was both grateful and mysterious.

"Alright, but first, I need to visit Elder Mei Lianhua. Shall we go together?" she said with a gentle smile, her voice wrapping the words in a nearly comforting softness. It was as if, even amid uncertainties, she still carried a natural grace that made her admired by all.

Tian Ling nodded readily. "Maybe it’s a good opportunity to show my respect to the elder and ensure that my plans are accepted." He knew he couldn’t do anything without the blessing of the elders.

The two walked side by side toward Elder Mei Lianhua’s palace. The silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable but full of pondering. Tian Ling could feel that, even without words, Lian Ziyue was deep in thought. He wasn’t free from it either. "Will my offer really be able to help her? The system hasn’t been clear about it... It just directed me to her, but what else should I do?" he questioned himself, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

Upon reaching the palace, the imposing figure of Mei Lianhua appeared before them. Sitting on a mat in the center of the hall, her eyes were closed as she cultivated in silence, her aura serene and unshakable. When Tian Ling and Lian Ziyue entered the place, the elder slowly opened her eyes, recognizing the familiar auras. Her penetrating gaze seemed to see through both of them, as if their souls were exposed in a single instant.

They bowed respectfully, offering due reverence to the powerful cultivator.

"The two of you?" The elder’s voice sounded emotionless, though her presence carried an undeniable weight. "It’s been a while since you’ve come together. If I recall correctly, Lian Ziyue was the one who welcomed you first, wasn’t she, Tian Ling?"

"Yes, Master. I’m eternally grateful to her for that. That’s why I intend to help her break through," Tian Ling replied, maintaining his respectful but firm tone. He knew he needed to convey confidence, both to Lian Ziyue and to the elder.

Mei Lianhua raised an eyebrow slightly, her interest finally piqued.

"Break through?" The elder cast an inquisitive glance at Lian Ziyue. "You haven’t been able to break through, Ziyue?"

Lian Ziyue lowered her head, as if the weight of the elder’s words pressed her own frustration down upon her.

"Yes, Elder. I’m at the seventh level of the Foundation Realm, but I still find it difficult to break through, despite all my efforts," Lian Ziyue replied, her voice filled with helplessness. "Why can’t I break through? What’s holding me back?" These thoughts had tormented her for some time, but now, in front of her master and Tian Ling, the frustration felt more real, more tangible.

Elder Mei Lianhua observed her in silence for a few moments before turning to Tian Ling, curious about what he had to offer.

"And how do you plan to help her, Tian Ling?" The elder’s voice was firm but not dismissive. There was a genuine curiosity there. What could he, a younger cultivator, offer that Lian Ziyue hadn’t achieved on her own?

Tian Ling straightened up, maintaining his composure.

"I believe the Mythical Realm on my island could be of great help. The spiritual Qi there is much denser and purer. It might be what she needs to break through this barrier," he replied with conviction, though deep down, he knew there was more behind his offer. "The system has something in store for this, but I don’t know what yet." He avoided criticizing the sect’s technique directly, as it would be disrespectful to speak ill of a technique passed down by the sect itself.

Mei Lianhua pondered for a moment before nodding slightly.

"I understand. Indeed, the spiritual Qi in your Mythical Realm is much stronger. It could be a good idea." The elder’s words, though simple, were a sign of approval that Tian Ling did not take lightly. Having her support was crucial.

The conversation continued for some time, with them discussing the next steps. After respectfully bidding farewell, Tian Ling and Lian Ziyue left the palace, their minds focused on what was to come.

As they walked through the sect grounds, something caught Tian Ling’s attention. In the elder’s training area, he saw a young man practicing with a sword. The boy wore the standard sect robe, and his blood-red hair gleamed under the soft light. His eyes, sharp as blades, were fixed on the sword in his hands.

However, what intrigued Tian Ling the most wasn’t the young man’s appearance, but the way he trained. "No special techniques… just basic thrusts? Like a mortal…" Tian Ling narrowed his eyes, observing the pattern of movements.

It was rare to see cultivators train so simply, especially someone like him, who seemed to have enormous potential. Tian Ling noticed that the young man was only at the beginning of the Spiritual Core Realm, something he could sense without needing the system.

But his curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to call the system for more information.

Immediately, a screen with dark borders and a soft purple hue appeared before his eyes. What he saw left him completely surprised.

[Name: Kim Long
Inner Disciple of the Serene Mist Sect
Age: 51 years
Cultivation: Seventh Level of the Spiritual Core Realm
Spiritual Root: Superior Grade
Lineage: Transmigrator. His soul crossed multiple universes and arrived here. Thanks to the aura he obtained after the transition, the Spirit of the Heavenly Dao chose him as the host of the Celestial System. He comes from a planet called Earth, in universe seventy-seven. Since he read many cultivation stories, he believes himself superior to everyone and that everything in this world works like the stories he read, making him extremely arrogant.
Affinity: He’s heard little about your deeds and hasn’t met you personally, so for now, he remains neutral toward you.]

Tian Ling was stunned. "Celestial System? Is it the same type of system I have?" A wave of concern passed through his mind. "If there’s another with a system... what does that mean for me?"

His heart raced as he tried to process the implications of this revelation. He already knew he wasn’t alone in this vast world, but encountering another system bearer was something he hadn’t anticipated. "This could change everything..."

Dear Readers,

If you're enjoying the journey of Tian Ling and the world of Ascension of the Silent Guardian, I would love to hear your thoughts! Reviews and feedback are invaluable in helping me improve the story and ensure it's an exciting adventure for you. Whether it's about your favorite characters, plot twists, or even suggestions for future events, your insights are truly appreciated.

Feel free to leave a review or drop a comment—every bit of feedback helps me grow as a writer and makes this story even better for all of you.

Thank you for your support!

Best regards,
[JuniorPks]