Today marked the beginning of the great Treasure Hunt, an annual event where the four dominant sects of the Eastern Lands converged to seek ancient, powerful relics.
Every participant, fueled by ambition, desperately hoped to claim a powerful artifact or a rare treasure. Lei Ze was focused on his final moments of cultivation in his usual spot. He had successfully advanced past the Foundation Establishment phase and stabilized his cultivation at the Mid-Golden Core Stage.
Just as he concluded his session, Hú Yì, who had recently mastered the art of sword flight, landed unsteadily near Lei Ze.
The sheer volume of energy Lei Ze contained was so great that when he released the final surge, it knocked Hú Yì back a few steps.
"That damned pest!" Hú Yì cursed, glaring at Lei Ze, his face contorted in anger.
Lei Ze rose, calmly brushing dust from his robes, his expression composed and satisfied with his progress.
"How may I assist you, Senior Hú Yì?"
Hú Yì stepped forward, his fists clenched in frustration. Lei Ze regarded him with obvious disappointment.
"Instead of appreciating the fact that I protected you, you're here causing trouble again," Lei Ze remarked, his voice steady.
Hú Yì scoffed, trying to regain his composure after the fresh embarrassment.
"And why, exactly, should I be grateful to someone like you?"
Lei Ze let out a soft sigh, releasing the lingering tension from his morning cultivation. "Tell me this: Have you ever considered why you haven't faced any punishment for trying to kill me?"
Hú Yì took an instinctive step backward. The question pierced his arrogance; he knew he should have been disciplined by now. "So what?" he managed, forcing a stubborn, arrogant attitude to shield his pride.
Lei Ze simply nodded, weary of the waste of time. He turned and walked away without uttering another word. Hú Yì, taking the silence as a blatant insult, seized Lei Ze's arm and yanked him back.
"You have no respect! I will teach you some manners right now!" He lifted Lei Ze and forcefully slammed his back against the ground.
Lei Ze didn't even flinch. Instead, he grabbed Hú Yì's wrist and pulled sharply, dragging the Senior Brother down hard beside him.
Not wanting to escalate the conflict right before the main event, Lei Ze quickly brushed the dirt from his clothing and attempted to walk away. But Hú Yì, stubborn and enraged, launched a low kick toward Lei Ze's legs. With swift reflexes, Lei Ze caught the strike, then twisted and delivered a sharp, focused blow to Hú Yì's stomach. The force sent Hú Yì flying several feet, where he crashed hard, unable to stand up immediately to continue the fight.
His face was a picture of disbelief. He could not believe he had been effortlessly defeated by a mere Mid-Golden Core cultivator. "Is he truly only at the Golden Core Stage?" Hú Yì winced, clutching his abdomen and watching Lei Ze walk off.
It was time for the hunt to commence. The Sect Leaders and Elders selected twenty disciples from the Green Pine Sect, a group that included Lei Ze, Lán Tíng, and Hú Yì.
"Lǐ Yúnzhōu?" Jìng Xū called out, though his eyes were fixed on the Elder, Huò Jié, standing nearby.
"Is something troubling you, Jìng Xū?" Lǐ Yúnzhōu asked, following the Master's line of sight.
"Last night, I noticed Huò Jié leaving the sect grounds while wearing a full black cloak," Jìng Xū stated, suspicion heavy in his tone.
Lǐ Yúnzhōu studied Huò Jié for a moment, sensing that he might be the one leaking their internal information.
"Where did Huò Jié come from originally?" Jìng Xū inquired calmly.
"Wèi Kāng often leaves the sect to scout for new talent. He found Huò Jié running through the streets, being chased by three men who claimed he had stolen their money.
Wèi Kāng defended him and brought him into the sect."
Jìng Xū stroked his beard thoughtfully. "He has to be the traitor. I never trusted him from the start. If we fail to act, something truly disastrous is bound to happen."
Lǐ Yúnzhōu nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on Huò Jié, who was already departing with the other Elders after the selection of the twenty disciples.
Lǐ Yúnzhōu gathered the chosen members. "You twenty disciples of the Green Pine Sect are heading now to the Wǔ Yán Gǔ (Five Flames Valley) premises. Your unit will be led by Lei Ze." He paused, looking over the assembled group, realizing Lei Ze was missing.
Just then, Hú Yì arrived, clutching his stomach and gritting his teeth in lingering pain.
"Hú Yì, where is Lei Ze?" Lǐ Yúnzhōu demanded.
Hú Yì quickly scanned the crowd and replied with a deceptive politeness. "My Lord, Lei Ze was near the big tree by the valley, the one where he fell. I think he is choosing not to come." He tried to lie, hoping to sabotage Lei Ze and claim the leadership position for himself.
"What!" Lǐ Yúnzhōu exclaimed. It was time for the hunt to begin before any other major sect arrived at the valley.
Just as Lǐ Yúnzhōu was about to reluctantly choose Hú Yì as the interim leader, Jìng Xū intervened, advising the Sect Master to wait just a moment longer.
Perfectly on cue, Lei Ze appeared.
He rushed to the front and bowed with deep respect. Lǐ Yúnzhōu smiled, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "My grandson, you are selected as the leader of these nineteen students."
Lei Ze nodded calmly and bowed again. "I will not fail you, Master Jìng Xū. I will ensure the safety of every person here."
The Masters nodded, looking at him with pride. Hú Yì was consumed by furious jealousy and greed. "How can they put their trust in that pathetic insect?"
Lei Ze stood straight, clasped his fists in a final salute, and bowed his head, ready to depart.
"We may now begin our journey."
Jìng Xū watched them leave, a proud smile gracing his lips until the party vanished from sight.
Four great powers dominated the Eastern Lands and would participate: the Qīng Sōng Shān Zōng (Green Pine Mountain Sect), the Jīn Yàn Sect, the Bì Yù Zōng Sect, and the Chì Jiǔ Mén (Crimson Wine Gate).
Each sect brought its chosen disciples, though the number of participants varied. The Green Pine, Jīn Yàn, and Bì Yù Zōng Sects each selected twenty members, all eager to retrieve a powerful, special artifact.
Since Lei Ze and five other disciples could not yet fly using their own energy, they were paired up with those who possessed flying swords. Lei Ze joined Lán Tíng on her sword.
They soared toward their destination: a vast, volcanic region where the ground appeared to be perpetually covered in roaring flames and harsh fire energy.
"Isn't that the Wǔ Yán Gǔ territory?" one disciple shouted, pointing toward the scorching land.
Soon after, they spotted flying members from the other sects also heading toward the same dangerous, fiery landscape.
"Outsiders!" Hú Yì muttered, a cruel smile spreading across his face.
"This is going to be so much fun."