Wushuang Sect.
Inside the Trial Tower, the disciples of Wushuang Sect were coming and going as usual, the place bustling with activity.
Only now, whenever they entered or left the Trial Tower, there was an extra step: they'd glance at the ranking stele standing outside.
At the top of the difficulty-level Trial Tower rankings, one name stood far ahead.
[Yun Jin: Difficulty-Level Trial Tower: Cleared.]
Their Sect Master had already cleared the difficulty-level Trial Tower over a year ago. But for more than a year, she'd remained inside the tower, making no move, giving no sign of her presence.
More than a year had passed.
Without the corrupting force of the Blood Moon, the entire demon domain had been completely transformed by humans. With the efforts of earth and wood-element cultivators, the land had been reconstructed, green vegetation slowly returning, turning it into a habitable area.
A few months ago, humans had begun migrating gradually into the former demon domain. Under the guidance of cultivators, cities and capitals were established, and diligent mortals began farming and building. The old demon domain was slowly coming alive.
No.
It could no longer even be called a demon domain.
Now, the place had a new name: the Wushuang Zone.
The human leadership had agreed to assign this land to Wushuang Sect.
The central region, based on the location of the Holy Land, was divided into four sectors, with the former demon domain covering the equivalent of two of these sectors combined.
As mortal bodies grew stronger and survival rates rose, the population would inevitably boom.
With the four major Holy Lands actively encouraging human migration, the Wushuang Zone would quickly become prosperous.
Within human ranks, a resolution had been passed to establish a fifth Holy Land, which naturally would be Wushuang Sect. Although Wushuang Sect didn't have Immortal Artifacts suppressing Luck, it had Yun Jin, which outweighed countless Immortal Artifacts.
Of course.
Because Yun Jin hadn't emerged yet, these resolutions hadn't been implemented. Everything would have to wait for her approval. Even so, Wushuang Sect had steadily grown stronger.
Branches across the continents continued to receive fresh blood, with the best disciples absorbed into the sect's main base. If recruitment were completely open, tens of thousands of applicants wouldn't be enough to satisfy them.
Resources were limited, though, and under Yun Jin's rules, the sect only recruited a few disciples that year. Once the total number reached a thousand, recruitment was temporarily paused.
The Boundless Sea branch was overseen by Bai Yiran.
The Nanlan Continent was managed by several Mahayana elders assisting Yu Songnian, with Yue Zhao and Si Wanning offering guidance.
As for the central region, Wushuang Sect's reputation was unmatched. Though it wasn't officially a Holy Land yet, it had already surpassed the original four, becoming the most coveted place for all cultivators.
Over the past year.
Qin Ping had been focused on guiding mortals in body refinement.
This refinement cultivation method had a relatively low ceiling, but the early-stage progress was much faster than most immortal cultivation methods. After a few years of practice, many mortals had already reached the lower stages of Qi Refinement.
Some talented mortals were even preparing to reach the final three stages of the method, equivalent to the foundation-establishing stage of immortal cultivation.
Qin Ping himself studied the method and invested great effort in guiding mortals. Within the human realm, he even established a dedicated Refinement Academy to teach practitioners.
Step by step, the strength of this small world was steadily rising.
Everything was thriving.
Yet without Yun Jin appearing, the world always felt a little dull.
Whenever Wushuang Sect disciples visited the sect, they instinctively looked up toward the highest floor. Their Sect Master was cultivating there. With her style, the moment she emerged would surely be a breathtaking spectacle.
One day.
They glanced at the ranking stele out of habit, then looked up at the tower's peak.
They were about to leave when…
They noticed the top floor of the Trial Tower trembling slightly.
"Is the Trial Tower shaking?" someone asked, eyes wide with surprise.
At first, it wasn't obvious. Only the very tip of the tower shivered slightly. Then the trembling grew more pronounced, becoming impossible to ignore. The entire tower began to sway subtly.
The disciples weren't alarmed. They were excited. This kind of phenomenon could only mean one thing…
Their Sect Master!
She was about to emerge!
Who else could cause such a disturbance in the Trial Tower?
Within Wushuang Sect, disciples who were still inside the tower abandoned their rewards and rushed outside to wait. Disciples from other regions also poured toward the Trial Tower.
Soon, all Wushuang Sect disciples gathered at the base of the tower, waiting for Yun Jin to emerge. But this time, the commotion was even greater than they imagined.
First, the entire Trial Tower trembled.
Then, the elements throughout the Wushuang Sect's secret realm erupted!
Red fire-elemental energy.
Green wood-elemental energy.
Blue water-elemental energy.
Yellow earth-elemental energy.
And golden metal-elemental energy.
They surged from every direction, five streams of color flowing like rivers from the sky toward the tower's peak.
"Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth… all five," Hong Ye murmured, gazing at the sky.
It was the first time all five Primordial Force streams had been gathered in this small world. The five elemental rivers surged endlessly into the Trial Tower, seemingly tireless.
The elements of the sect rejoiced, high and proud as if they'd finally met someone worthy of them, unable to contain their excitement.
After a full day and night. The elemental rivers finally settled. The once-colorful sky returned to its peaceful state.
Everyone instinctively looked at the Trial Tower's gate.
The next moment.
The tightly closed gate slowly opened.
A familiar figure appeared.
It was Yun Jin.
After more than a year of secluded cultivation, she didn't look much different from before.
But.
Just from the previous display, everyone knew. Their Sect Master had likely grown far stronger!
"Sect Master!" the crowd cheered joyfully.
Yun Jin smiled faintly. "Why are you all just standing here? Go handle your own business."
The disciples laughed and dispersed. They didn't even know why they'd been waiting. It was just… seeing their Sect Master in person, even if they got scolded a little, made them feel calm and reassured.
From the beginning.
Yun Jin had been the heart and anchor for all of them.
"Hong Ye," Yun Jin said, turning to her. "Tell me everything that's happened over the past year."
Hong Ye quickly agreed.
Yun Jin brought her to the Celestial Divine Palace in an instant.
Then, she poured a cup of tea, and the two of them began to chat leisurely.