Ryan stood in the middle of the courtyard, staring at the spot where Long Xin had vanished. There was no trace of him, but the aura he left behind still lingered in the air, like a hidden curse. This wasn't a mere threat—it was a declaration of war.
As Ryan prepared to return to the meeting hall, the system's voice echoed inside his mind:
[Emergency Analysis: The entity Long Xin poses a high-level threat to the Heavenly Sect.]
[Survival rate in direct confrontation: Less than 5%.]
[Suggestion: Strengthen the sect or search for hidden power sources.]
Ryan narrowed his eyes, though he showed no outward reaction. "If the system itself considers Long Xin a serious threat, then we have no chance in a direct battle… not yet."
Before he could think further, another notification made his heart sink.
[Additional Warning: Long Xin is merely one of the weakest followers of the Xiao Tian Clan.]
[Analyzing the Xiao Tian Clan…]
[Retrieved!]
Suddenly, the system began transmitting vast amounts of information directly into Ryan's mind, causing him to freeze.
[Xiao Tian Clan: One of the main clans in the Heavenly Alliance—a coalition formed in the Heavenly Realm thousands of years ago to eliminate the Heavenly Sect.]
[The Heavenly Sect was considered a major threat to the balance of power, prompting the strongest sects and clans to unite in its destruction.]
[The Xiao Tian Clan played a key role in the war, using Heavenly Annihilation Techniques to wipe out the sect's strongholds.]
[However, the legacy of the Heavenly Sect was not entirely destroyed, and hidden forces may still lie dormant, waiting to be awakened.]
A cold shiver ran through Ryan's body. "So... the Heavenly Sect wasn't just another sect—it was a force that threatened even the great powers of the Heavenly Realm?"
But what made it worse… was that Long Xin, already a formidable opponent, was just a weak follower of the Xiao Tian Clan!
[Warning: Any direct confrontation with the Xiao Tian Clan at this time will result in 100% destruction of the sect.]
[Suggestion: Seek the Heavenly Sect's legacy to strengthen power.]
Ryan clenched his fist, trying to suppress his emotions. "If the Heavenly Sect once stood against such powers, then something must be missing… its true legacy hasn't been discovered yet."
Before he could think more, a new notification appeared in his mind.
[Main Quest Updated!]
Quest: Shield of the Heavenly Sect
Description: The sect is in danger, but its true strength remains hidden. You have two options:
1. Search for the "Sanctuary of the Heavenly Ancestors," said to hold the sect's true legacy.
2. Strengthen the sect by recruiting powerful cultivators and upgrading its defenses.
Rewards: Will be revealed upon quest completion.
---
The senior leaders sat around a massive stone table. The air was thick with tension.
"Long Xin isn't just a regular threat," said Li Mei, arms crossed. "He's already destroyed two sects. Nothing's stopping him from doing the same to us."
"But why now?" asked Jiang Hai. "No one even knew about the Heavenly Sect until recently. Why target us specifically?"
Ryan looked at them seriously, then said in a low voice:
"Because the Heavenly Sect isn't just any sect… it's the one the strongest forces of the Heavenly Realm united to destroy."
Silence filled the room for a few seconds, before Ling Xiao's eyes widened in shock.
"What did you just say?"
"The system confirmed it," Ryan said. "Long Xin is just a weak follower of the Xiao Tian Clan—one of the clans that participated in destroying the Heavenly Sect."
"That's impossible…" muttered Jiang Hai. "The Xiao Tian Clan is one of the major powers of the Heavenly Realm. No sect in this world could oppose them!"
"Then why do they care about us now?" asked Li Mei anxiously.
Ryan took a deep breath and said, "Because the Heavenly Sect… wasn't completely destroyed. Its legacy still exists somewhere. If we can find it, we might have a chance to survive."
Before anyone could speak further, a violent explosion shook the sect's gates!
Everyone ran outside to find a group of strange cultivators standing at the gate. There were about ten of them, but their auras were powerful and filled with killing intent.
A tall man with silver hair stepped forward and looked at Ryan mockingly.
"Leader of the Heavenly Sect, I've come to deliver another message from our master, Long Xin."
"And what message would that be?" Ryan asked coldly.
The man smiled, then raised his hand. Suddenly, a blast of black energy shot toward the sect!
But before it could hit, a notification appeared in Ryan's mind.
["Heavenly Sect Protection" Activated – Pure Heavenly Barrier.]
Suddenly, an invisible barrier formed around the sect, completely absorbing the attack. The attackers stared in shock, while a faint smile formed on Ryan's lips.
"If you think we're defenseless, you're mistaken."
The silver-haired man narrowed his eyes, then laughed. "It seems your sect still hides some secrets… Very well, we'll be back soon."
He turned with his men and vanished in a flash of black energy.
Everyone returned to the meeting hall, tension still thick in the air.
"Ryan, it looks like Long Xin is testing our defenses," said Ling Xiao seriously.
"Exactly," Ryan replied. "Which means he didn't expect us to have protection. We need to use that to our advantage."
He looked at the leaders and said, "I'll go to the Sanctuary of the Heavenly Ancestors myself."
A new notification appeared in his mind.
[Side Quest Activated: "Legacy of the Heavenly Ancestors."]
Description: Discover the true power of the Heavenly Sect.
Rewards: Will be revealed upon finding the sanctuary.
Ryan closed the notification, then smiled confidently as he said:
"The Heavenly Sect won't fall so easily."
But inside, he knew the enemy he would face wasn't just a powerful cultivator… but a force that had once destroyed the Heavenly Sect.
Suddenly, Long Xin's phantom appeared before him, staring with a cold smile.
"Ryan… don't think that barrier will protect you forever."
Then the phantom vanished, leaving behind a rising darkness.
End of Chapter.
---