Ascension of the Silent Guardian

Tian Ling's mind was overwhelmed with questions. He reflected on the strange circumstances surrounding Kim Long, the young man who, inexplicably, seemed to have a more powerful spiritual root and such advanced skills that even Tian Ling, despite being in the True Soul Realm, couldn't decipher. When he least expected it, the familiar echo of the system interrupted his thoughts, surprising him with a revelation he was not prepared to hear.

["The Celestial System only assists the host until they reach the peak of the Celestial Dao. The Guardian System, however, is far superior. Due to the host's current cultivation level, few details can be revealed at this time."]

Tian Ling frowned, a mix of confusion and frustration crossing his expression as he pondered the system's words. “If the Guardian System is so superior, why does Kim Long seem stronger than me? He's already reached the peak of the Spiritual Core Realm, and even though I'm a cultivator in the True Soul Realm, I couldn't detect his cultivation level. His talent seems even greater than mine..." His thoughts weighed heavily on him like a dense cloud, and frustration grew within him. He didn't even expect a response from the system for these doubts. But to his surprise, the system spoke again, more clearly this time.

["The Guardian System grows alongside the host. The stronger you become, the better the rewards. The Celestial System, on the other hand, prioritizes rapid progress, hiding the host's cultivation level with a special function. However, this function is also available to you from the beginning, though you haven't needed to use it yet."]

Tian Ling's eyebrows raised. "I can also conceal my cultivation level? And even those in higher realms won't be able to identify it?" The idea was intriguing, almost seductive.

["You can hide your cultivation level and display only what you wish. No one will be able to see through your true strength."]

Tian Ling pondered deeply on this new ability. The information was powerful, and though he didn't need to conceal his cultivation at the moment, the world of cultivation was volatile and unpredictable. Who knew what kind of enemies or challenges would arise in the future? Concealing his true strength could be a valuable weapon in his hands. Slowly, he pushed those thoughts aside to focus on what really mattered in the present. "And what about Kim Long? Can he see my status or know that I possess the Guardian System?"

["No. The Guardian System is superior and, for now, cannot be detected by any existence."]

Tian Ling let out a sigh of relief, his chest relaxing slightly as his eyes returned to focus on the young man before him. Kim Long was immersed in his own training, oblivious to the fact that Tian Ling was watching him more intently than before.

"Well, if he has a system, let him follow his own path. I'll follow mine, without interfering." Tian Ling's decision was firm, but a twinge of curiosity still gnawed at him. He knew their paths might cross again in ways he couldn't yet foresee.

At that moment, a soft voice broke his train of thought.

— "Tian Ling? Is everything alright? Did something catch your attention?" — Lian Ziyue’s voice was an invitation to reality, her expression curious and slightly concerned.

Tian Ling blinked, as if returning from a daydream. His lips curved into a gentle smile, trying to dispel any worries.

— "It's nothing," — he said lightly, though his mind was a storm of thoughts. — "Let's head to my Mystic Realm. There, we'll have the perfect environment to talk about what truly matters."

He offered a soft smile, and Lian Ziyue nodded, still a little suspicious, but without pressing further. They walked together toward the Mystic Realm.

As they arrived at the portal, Lian Ziyue stopped, her eyes widening as she gazed at the colossal structure before her. The portal wasn’t just large; it was magnificent. With intricately carved borders and ancient symbols glowing with a mystical light, its presence exuded power and mystery. The wind seemed to swirl around the entrance, carrying an energy that felt alive, as if the portal itself was breathing.

— "This... this portal is immense!" — she whispered, her voice choked with awe. — "I've never seen anything like this. Is this the portal to your Mystic Realm?"

Tian Ling smiled at her reaction, accustomed to the grandeur of the portal but understanding that any cultivator would be impressed upon seeing it for the first time.

— "Yes, it's the portal. And believe me, what lies beyond is even more impressive. Let's go." — He gestured for her to follow, and they both crossed the portal.

Once they passed to the other side, Lian Ziyue was left speechless. Her eyes wandered over the vast horizon ahead, where a sky in shades of gold and purple seemed to merge with the distant mountains, covered in lush vegetation. The air was filled with such dense spiritual Qi that it was almost palpable. Each breath she took seemed to infuse her body with pure, vibrant energy. Around them, crystal-clear streams meandered through the fields, and different elemental essences danced in the air, almost as if they were alive.

— "This place... is magnificent!" — Lian Ziyue exclaimed, marveling. — "The spiritual Qi here is so dense... Breaking through here feels almost easy. And there are... all kinds of elemental Qi?" — Her eyes gleamed with a mix of admiration and desire.

Tian Ling watched her reactions in silence, pleased to see that his Mystic Realm impressed her so much. With a calm nod, he broke the silence.

— "Come. Let's go to my palace, and there I'll explain everything more clearly," — he said, his tone gentle but filled with seriousness.

As they walked toward the palace, Tian Ling noticed that Lian Ziyue was absorbing every detail around her, clearly enchanted by what she saw. It was evident that she had never been in a place so rich in power and mystery.

In Mei Lianhua's training courtyard, Kim Long frowned as his thoughts swirled. Something about the way Tian Ling had looked at him earlier didn’t feel right. He sensed that there was something he couldn't quite grasp, something being hidden from his eyes.

“System, why was he staring at me so intensely?” he thought, puzzled.

A small blue fairy, glowing like a crystal under the moonlight, suddenly appeared on his shoulder, landing delicately as her wings shimmered. Her voice was soft and gleaming, but carried a hint of uncertainty.

["I don't know... But I can't see through him. That's very strange."]

Kim Long pressed his lips together, a deep frown forming on his forehead.

— "You can't see through him?" — he asked aloud, clearly surprised. Until that moment, he believed the system could see through any being, any barrier. The idea of someone escaping its sight made him uncomfortable.

["I can see that he's in the early levels of the True Soul Realm, but nothing beyond that. I think I can only see this because he allowed it."] The fairy brought one tiny hand to her chin, thoughtful.

— "What do you mean?" — Kim Long narrowed his eyes. — "Aren't you supposed to see everything, especially in the Celestial Dao?"

["That's the point. I can't see more. The only plausible explanation is that he possesses a lineage outside the Celestial Dao."]

A pang of anxiety surged in Kim Long’s chest. He had always believed the Celestial Dao was the limit, the insurmountable barrier of existence. Now, however, the possibility of something beyond it left him unsettled.

— "Something... beyond the Celestial Dao? What else is there?" — he asked, his voice lower, as if speaking to himself.

["There is much beyond, but now is not the time to talk about it. Knowing too much might alert monsters from the higher worlds. First, cultivate more."]

With those last words, the fairy disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving Kim Long with his growing worries. As a reincarnated soul from Earth, he had always thought he knew everything, but now this doubt planted by the system made his confidence waver. "Do I not understand enough about this world? Or is there much more than I ever imagined?"

Back at Tian Ling’s palace, the atmosphere was calm and inviting. He sat on a sky-blue silk rug, gesturing with his hand and making another rug appear in front of him. The soft light from the torches on the walls created a warm, comforting glow, reflecting off the stone walls.

— "Come, sit. I’ll explain everything," — he said with a serene but commanding voice, looking directly at Lian Ziyue.

She nodded, still impressed with the environment around her, and quickly sat in front of him. Silence hung in the air for a few moments, creating a subtle tension as Tian Ling organized his thoughts.

— "The cultivation technique of the Seren Mist Sect is not suitable for you," — he began, his voice calm but carrying a seriousness that could not be ignored.

Lian Ziyue frowned, confused. — "Not suitable? What do you mean by that?" — She felt a knot forming in her stomach, the uncertainty growing.

— "Let me explain in the simplest way possible. Both in the Foundation Realm and the Spiritual Core Realm, there are nine minor levels."

— "Nine?" — Lian Ziyue interrupted, her voice filled with disbelief. — "But aren't there seven?"

Tian Ling smiled, understanding her surprise. — "Yes, that's what most cultivators think. But, in fact, there are nine levels. However, due to a deficiency in the cultivation technique, most can only break through at the seventh level. Perfect cultivation, however, goes up to the ninth."

Lian Ziyue was even more confused, trying to process this new information. — "But what does that have to do with me not being able to break through? I've already reached the seventh level, and I feel stronger than most at the same stage."

— "It has to do with your lineage," — he explained, his eyes fixed on hers. — "Your special lineage will not allow you to break through without achieving perfect cultivation. Right now, you’ve already surpassed the seventh level. You're at the eighth, about to break into the ninth. That's why you're finding it difficult."

Lian Ziyue was stunned, her world shaking under this new revelation. Her heart raced, and her mind swirled with questions. Even so, for some reason, she decided to believe Tian Ling. After all, what did she really have to lose?