The cheers inside the Sky Arena slowly faded, but the tension that remained in the air was far heavier than any celebration.
Lin Xuan's victory had shaken Celestial Gate City.
A Core Formation cultivator defeating a Spirit Sovereign should have been impossible.
Yet everyone had seen it.
Not only had Lin Xuan won—
He had devoured the opponent's attack.
Completely.
Many spectators left the arena with pale faces, whispering the same words again and again.
"Devourer…"
"Calamity Rank…"
"He consumes laws…"
For some, the words carried excitement.
For others, fear.
And for a few powerful figures watching from the highest towers of the city—
Opportunity.
Above Celestial Gate City floated nine colossal islands.
Each island housed one of the Nine Dominant Sects of the Heavenly Boundary Realm.
These sects ruled cultivation in the region.
Their disciples controlled resources, techniques, and even the fate of cities like Celestial Gate.
Within minutes of Lin Xuan's battle ending, messages began traveling upward.
Inside the Azure Sword Pavilion, an elder stroked his long white beard.
"A devourer-type Dao…"
His sharp eyes narrowed.
"Interesting."
Across the sky, within the blazing halls of the Blazing Heaven Sect, Huo Zhen's defeat was already being reported.
An armored elder frowned deeply.
"Defeated by a Core Formation?"
"Yes, Elder."
"Then this Lin Xuan is either a monster…"
The elder's eyes glimmered.
"Or a treasure."
Back on the arena floor, the crowd had begun dispersing.
Wei Jian stretched his shoulders as if trying to shake off invisible pressure.
"I hate days like this."
Lin Xuan glanced at him.
"Because I broke another thing?"
Wei Jian snorted.
"No."
"Because now the sects will come."
Bai Lianhua stood nearby, her silver robes fluttering softly in the breeze drifting through the open arena.
"They were always going to come."
Lin Xuan folded his arms.
"So the rumors were true."
Wei Jian sighed.
"Celestial Gate City is basically a recruitment ground."
He pointed toward the floating islands above the city.
"Every promising cultivator eventually gets invited to join a sect."
Lin Xuan looked upward.
The islands were enormous.
From this distance they resembled miniature continents floating among the clouds.
"So they recruit based on strength?"
"Strength… talent… potential…"
Wei Jian hesitated.
"And sometimes politics."
Lin Xuan smirked.
"That sounds annoying."
Bai Lianhua chuckled quietly.
"You haven't even met them yet."
They had barely stepped out of the arena when a group of cultivators approached.
Their robes were deep blue, embroidered with silver sword patterns.
Wei Jian groaned under his breath.
"Already?"
The leader of the group was an elderly man with piercing eyes.
He walked forward calmly and clasped his hands.
"I am Elder Shen of the Azure Sword Pavilion."
His gaze settled on Lin Xuan immediately.
"You must be the one called Calamity."
Lin Xuan shrugged.
"Some people are calling me that."
Elder Shen nodded thoughtfully.
"Your battle was impressive."
Bai Lianhua's eyes narrowed slightly.
Elder Shen continued.
"The Azure Sword Pavilion values talent above all else."
He lifted a jade token.
"If you join our sect, you will be accepted immediately as a Core Disciple."
Wei Jian almost choked.
"Core disciple?!"
That position usually required decades of cultivation and countless trials.
Yet this elder was offering it instantly.
Elder Shen smiled faintly.
"Our sect does not ignore exceptional talent."
Lin Xuan looked at the jade token.
Then he asked calmly:
"What do you want in return?"
The elder's smile deepened.
"Loyalty."
Before Lin Xuan could answer—
The temperature in the street suddenly increased.
Golden flames flickered through the air.
Another group approached.
Their armor shimmered like molten sunlight.
At their center walked a tall woman with crimson hair.
Wei Jian whispered nervously.
"Blazing Heaven Sect…"
The woman stopped several steps away and looked directly at Lin Xuan.
"So you're the one who defeated Huo Zhen."
Her voice carried both authority and amusement.
Lin Xuan nodded.
"Apparently."
She smiled.
"I'm Elder Huo Mei."
Her fiery eyes studied him carefully.
"My nephew spoke highly of your strength."
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"Huo Zhen is your nephew?"
"Yes."
She crossed her arms.
"He hates losing."
Then she tossed a golden token toward Lin Xuan.
He caught it easily.
"If you join the Blazing Heaven Sect, you'll receive direct training under me."
Wei Jian whispered urgently.
"That's huge…"
Huo Mei's gaze sharpened.
"And unlike the sword sect…"
She glanced toward Elder Shen.
"We reward strength with power."
The tension between the two groups became obvious.
Elder Shen spoke calmly.
"The Azure Sword Pavilion offers stability and prestige."
Huo Mei scoffed.
"Prestige doesn't win battles."
Before the argument could escalate—
A quiet voice spoke behind them.
"You're both being too loud."
Everyone turned.
A single woman stood there.
Her robes were white as falling snow.
Her presence felt gentle—
But terrifyingly deep.
Wei Jian's face turned pale.
"Oh no…"
Lin Xuan noticed the shift immediately.
"Who is she?"
Wei Jian whispered.
"The Moon Reflection Sect."
The woman stepped forward with graceful calm.
"I am Elder Yue Qing."
Her gaze rested on Lin Xuan.
Unlike the others—
She wasn't evaluating him like a weapon.
She looked… curious.
"I watched your battle carefully."
Lin Xuan tilted his head.
"And?"
"You devour energy."
"Yes."
"You devour laws."
"Sometimes."
Her lips curved faintly.
"Fascinating."
Elder Shen frowned slightly.
"Moon Reflection rarely recruits directly."
Yue Qing nodded.
"That's true."
Then she produced a silver token.
"But exceptions exist."
Within minutes—
Three of the Nine Dominant Sects had extended invitations.
Azure Sword Pavilion.
Blazing Heaven Sect.
Moon Reflection Sect.
Spectators nearby stared in disbelief.
Even Wei Jian was stunned.
"This is insane…"
Lin Xuan examined the three tokens in his hand.
Blue.
Gold.
Silver.
Three paths.
Three powers.
Bai Lianhua stepped closer.
"What do you think?"
Lin Xuan looked at each elder calmly.
"Can I ask a question?"
Elder Shen nodded.
"Of course."
Lin Xuan smiled slightly.
"Which of your sects can help me reach the Heavenly Wardens fastest?"
The question stunned everyone.
Even the elders.
Huo Mei frowned.
"You're aiming for the Wardens already?"
Lin Xuan shrugged.
"Eventually."
Yue Qing's eyes gleamed faintly.
"That's quite an ambition."
Lin Xuan met her gaze.
"I didn't come to the Upper Realm to stay small."
The three elders exchanged glances.
For a moment—
None of them spoke.
Then Yue Qing said quietly:
"The Moon Reflection Sect studies ancient laws."
She stepped closer.
"And the Heavenly Wardens guard those laws."
Lin Xuan's interest sharpened slightly.
Elder Shen added quickly:
"The Azure Sword Pavilion has several elders who once served under the Wardens."
Huo Mei smirked.
"And the Blazing Heaven Sect has the power to fight them if necessary."
Wei Jian whispered:
"This is getting dangerous…"
Lin Xuan looked up at the floating islands again.
So many paths.
So many powers.
But only one that truly mattered.
The Devourer Star pulsed quietly inside him.
It didn't care about prestige.
It cared about growth.
About power.
About devouring heaven itself.
He turned back to the elders.
"I'll visit your sects."
All three blinked.
Lin Xuan continued calmly.
"I'll decide after I see them."
Huo Mei laughed loudly.
"I like this kid."
Elder Shen nodded slowly.
"A reasonable approach."
Yue Qing simply smiled.
"Very well."
She stepped back.
"Come to the Moon Reflection Sect whenever you wish."
The other elders also withdrew.
Within moments—
They vanished into the sky.
Wei Jian stared at Lin Xuan like he had lost his mind.
"You just made three dominant sects compete for you."
Lin Xuan shrugged.
"They started it."
Bai Lianhua chuckled softly.
"You're enjoying this."
"Maybe a little."
Wei Jian rubbed his face.
"This city is going to explode with rumors tonight."
Lin Xuan glanced upward again.
The floating islands seemed closer now.
More inviting.
More dangerous.
Perfect.
As they walked through the city streets, Bai Lianhua suddenly stopped.
Lin Xuan noticed immediately.
"What is it?"
Her gaze had shifted toward a shadowed rooftop.
"Someone is watching us."
Wei Jian stiffened.
"From where?"
Lin Xuan extended his senses.
And felt it.
A presence.
Cold.
Sharp.
Hidden perfectly in the darkness.
A figure dropped silently from the rooftop.
Landing several meters away.
The newcomer wore black robes with silver threads.
A mask covered half their face.
Their aura was faint—
But incredibly dangerous.
Wei Jian whispered hoarsely:
"...Void Assassin."
The masked figure spoke calmly.
"Lin Xuan."
Lin Xuan looked amused.
"Yes?"
"You've been invited by the Nine Dominant Sects."
"Yes."
The assassin tilted their head slightly.
"But you've been summoned by someone else."
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
The assassin raised a black jade token.
Etched with a single symbol.
A golden eye.
Wei Jian's breath stopped.
"That symbol…"
Lin Xuan studied it quietly.
Then he asked softly:
"The Heavenly Wardens?"
The assassin nodded.
"They wish to meet the one who devours laws."
The street fell completely silent.
Bai Lianhua slowly exhaled.
"Well…"
She murmured.
"That was faster than expected."
Lin Xuan smiled.
The Devourer Star burned brighter inside him.
"So heaven noticed after all."