Ascension of the Silent Guardian

Tian Ling remained seated on his jade throne, his eyes fixed on Lian Ziyue, who watched him with a mix of expectation and anxiety. There was a palpable tension in the air, a silent struggle between the desire to advance and the insecurity that permeated her cultivation. Finally, Lian Ziyue broke the silence, her voice laden with hope, though it carried a slight tremor of hesitation.

"If that's the case... what can I do to break through?" Her question was direct, but the expectation in her eyes spoke volumes.

Tian Ling studied her face for a moment, his gaze intense and steady. He knew the answer would not be simple, nor would the path ahead. Still, the decision was hers to make. He took a deep breath and responded, his voice calm but filled with seriousness.

"I will teach you another cultivation technique, one that will allow you to reach the perfect state of the Foundation Realm. But you must be willing to abandon the sect’s technique," he paused, watching her reaction before continuing. "After all, if you continue with that technique, you’ll face the same problem when you reach the Spiritual Core Realm."

Lian Ziyue didn’t hesitate. Her response came quickly, almost desperate.

"That's fine! I can’t be picky now. My life is already slipping away, and I’m relying on longevity pills. I need to break through as soon as possible." There was an urgency in her voice that did not go unnoticed. The need to survive seemed to overshadow any doubt.

She had been suffering in the late stages of the Foundation Realm for years, almost forming a mental demon due to the stress and frustration. Worries consumed her mind. "Am I not fit for cultivation? Should I just give up and live the rest of my life as a mortal?" These thoughts constantly haunted her. However, Tian Ling's words reignited a spark of hope she thought she had lost.

Tian Ling saw the determination in her eyes and knew she was ready. He nodded, adopting a solemn tone as he gave the next instructions.

"Turn around and remain seated," he ordered, his voice calm but filled with authority.

Lian Ziyue quickly obeyed, turning her body and settling back into a meditative position. Tian Ling rose with an almost supernatural lightness, approaching her. His hands slowly lifted, positioning them over Lian Ziyue's back, feeling the energy flow between his fingers.

"I will transmit the 'Path of Inner Flow' technique to you. After that, I’ll help guide the first steps, ensuring your energy circulates properly. Just relax and allow my energy to flow within you," Tian Ling said, his voice filled with responsibility.

Lian Ziyue nodded again, this time more slowly. Though she was anxious, there was a growing confidence in her actions. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and mentally preparing herself. Suddenly, a wave of information flooded her mind, almost making her dizzy. It was as if her consciousness was being forcefully expanded, assimilating all the knowledge Tian Ling had about the technique. She felt the vastness of the technique unfolding within her.

"This technique... the flow is constant, while the absorption is continuous... amazing!" She thought, marveling at the grandeur of the technique. She had never encountered anything like it in her life. As she tried to process the new information, she felt Tian Ling's spiritual energy entering her body, starting to circulate and guiding her own energy.

The sensation was immediate. Energy flowed through her meridians with a smoothness she had never experienced before. Her body began absorbing the Qi around her at an astonishing speed. It was as if her body had become a sponge, soaking up every drop of energy around her. Tian Ling, attentive, observed every detail.

"She’s absorbing more energy than I did when I was in the Foundation Realm. As expected of her lineage..." He thought silently, admiring the efficiency of her energy circulation.

Hours passed in this state. Tian Ling patiently guided her, ensuring that every movement of Qi was precise, that each cycle was complete. When he felt that Lian Ziyue had mastered the fundamentals of the technique, he slowly withdrew his hands, feeling the energy recede from her body. She, in turn, remained immersed in her meditation, continuously absorbing the Qi around her.

Tian Ling stood up, moving carefully so as not to disrupt her cultivation. He took a few steps back and watched her in silence. The concentration on Lian Ziyue's face was clear. She was finally at peace, free from the uncertainties that had tormented her.

"I'll let her cultivate in peace now." Tian Ling thought as he watched for a few more moments, satisfied with the progress she had already shown. He then turned his attention back to his own thoughts, returning his focus to his most recent concerns.

The information he had obtained from the system still resonated in his mind. "Another person with a system... but a different one from the Guardian System." He frowned, diving deep into his thoughts. "His potential must not be less than mine. In fact, it might even be superior..."

This thought troubled him. He wasn’t someone who was easily intimidated, but the idea that Kim Long possessed such hidden power was unsettling. Without thinking twice, his consciousness dove into the simulation arena.

He blinked, and the environment around him changed instantly. The stone walls of the palace dissolved, replaced by the vast battlefield of the arena. Tian Ling looked around, familiar with the place. He had defeated countless opponents here. And now, he was ready to face someone who intrigued him.

"I'll test your strength... but I don’t expect much," Tian Ling murmured, his voice tinged with cold pride. He selected Kim Long as his opponent in the simulation.

The battle began. Tian Ling remained on the defensive, allowing Kim Long to attack with all his might. He dodged, blocked, and observed every move, analyzing his opponent's technique and strength. With each blow struck by Kim Long, Tian Ling felt the intensity of his energy.

"He really is something..." Tian Ling whispered, dodging another attack with precise movement. "An ordinary person in the True Soul Realm wouldn’t stand a chance against him."

The fight continued for several minutes, until Tian Ling decided to end it. He had seen enough. With a swift gesture, he ended the simulation, and the arena disappeared before his eyes.

Back in the palace, Tian Ling opened his eyes, still surprised by the result. "He really lasted all that time. Not even Bai Jian, with all his experience, can hold out against me for that long..." He was genuinely impressed by Kim Long's strength. "But in the end, he still isn’t a match for me. His path will be tough, but so is mine."

Taking a deep breath, he pushed thoughts of Kim Long aside and turned his attention back to Lian Ziyue. The power she demonstrated through her lineage was remarkable, but Tian Ling knew she would need constant guidance.

"Emperor Realm... Sage Realm... I can’t even begin to imagine what these realms truly mean." Tian Ling pondered, his gaze fixed on the horizon of his palace.

Despite his worries, he didn’t let them consume him. There was much to be done, and though the challenges seemed distant, he knew time would pass quickly. Refocusing, he closed his eyes and dove back into his cultivation state.

But suddenly, something bothered him. He remembered something important.

"I went to investigate the demon attacks and didn’t even get the chance to ask... Next time, I’ll make sure to ask," he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible, before returning to deep meditation.