The wind carried the news faster than any messenger ever could.
By the time the wounded cultivator returned to his sect, pale and trembling, the story had already begun to spread across nearby territories—
Ji Xia Sect had defeated an elite squad.
And not just barely.
They had dominated.
---
The Crimson Flame Sect
Deep within a volcanic mountain range, flames roared endlessly beneath the surface.
At the heart of it stood the Crimson Flame Sect.
Inside the main hall—
The same Sect Master sat upon his dark crystal throne.
This time—
He wasn't smiling.
The injured cultivator was dragged forward and thrown to his knees.
"I… I delivered the message…"
The man's voice shook.
The Sect Master's gaze was cold.
"Speak."
The cultivator swallowed hard.
"They… they crushed us."
"Completely."
Silence.
The hall grew heavier.
Even the elders standing nearby didn't dare speak.
"They have… divine beasts."
The cultivator continued.
"Three of them…"
"And their Sect Master…"
His body trembled violently.
"…he didn't even try."
That was the final straw.
BOOM
The Sect Master's aura exploded.
The entire hall shook.
"Useless."
He stood slowly.
"A rising sect dares humiliate my Crimson Flame Sect?"
An elder stepped forward cautiously.
"Sect Master… should we mobilize fully?"
The man shook his head.
"No."
His eyes narrowed.
"If we act now, we look desperate."
He turned slightly.
"Send him."
The elders froze.
"…Young Master?"
The Sect Master nodded.
"Let him handle it."
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"It's time he proves his worth."
---
Meanwhile — Ji Xia Sect
Back at Ji Xia Sect—
The atmosphere was completely different.
Excitement.
Energy.
Confidence.
The disciples gathered in the courtyard, still discussing the battle.
"We actually won…"
"Not just won—we crushed them!"
"I fought an elite cultivator…"
"And survived!"
For many of them—
This was their first real battle.
And they had endured it.
Li Fei stood nearby, arms crossed, trying to act calm.
But the slight grin on his face gave him away.
Zhao Tian, however, remained quiet.
Observing.
Thinking.
"This was only the beginning…"
he murmured.
---
Yan Fu's Reflection
At the peak of the sect—
Yan Fu stood alone once again.
But this time—
His expression wasn't as calm.
"They'll send someone stronger next."
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
[Correct.]
[Warning: Escalation phase initiated.]
Yan Fu sighed lightly.
"Of course it is…"
Then—
A new notification appeared.
---
System Reward
[Quest Completed: Defend Ji Xia Sect]
[Rewards Granted:]
- Celestial Weapon: Starfall Staff (Upgraded)
- Formation Upgrade: Ninefold Heavenly Barrier (Level 2)
- Special Reward: Guardian Resonance Technique (Unlocked)
Yan Fu's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Guardian Resonance…"
The system explained.
[Allows synchronization between Sect Master and Guardian Beasts.]
[Temporarily multiplies combat power.]
A faint smile appeared on Yan Fu's face.
"Now that… is useful."
---
Testing the Power
Moments later—
Yan Fu appeared in the training grounds.
Vorath, Aetherion, and Tianlong all turned toward him.
"You feel different," Vorath said immediately.
Yan Fu nodded.
"I got something new."
He raised his staff.
"Let's test it."
The three guardian beasts exchanged glances.
Then—
They stepped forward.
Yan Fu closed his eyes briefly.
"Guardian Resonance…"
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then—
BOOM
A massive surge of energy erupted.
Golden light connected Yan Fu to all three beasts.
Vorath's shadow aura—
Tianlong's lightning—
Aetherion's light—
All merged.
The ground cracked.
The sky trembled.
Even the disciples far away felt it.
"What is that power?!"
Li Fei rushed forward, shocked.
Zhao Tian's eyes widened slightly.
"This… isn't normal cultivation…"
Yan Fu opened his eyes.
They glowed faintly—
Carrying traces of all three energies.
Then—
He lowered his staff.
The connection faded.
Silence returned.
Vorath let out a low whistle.
"That… was insane."
Aetherion nodded calmly.
"With mastery… this could rival higher realms."
Tianlong smirked.
"Now I'm excited."
---
A Subtle Reminder
As the energy settled—
Yan Fu suddenly froze.
Another system notification appeared.
---
[Warning: Guardian Quest Incomplete]
[Time Remaining: 2 Hours]
---
Yan Fu's expression darkened slightly.
"I almost forgot…"
Vorath stepped forward.
"The third guardian."
Aetherion nodded.
"We don't have much time."
Tianlong flicked his tail.
"So what's the plan?"
Yan Fu looked toward the distant forest.
"The answer…"
"…is still inside the Forest of Yin and Yang."
---
A Hidden Presence
Far within the forest—
Deep beyond even the Spiritual Palace—
A hidden region pulsed with ancient energy.
The ground was cracked.
The sky above it distorted.
At the center—
Something slept.
Something ancient.
Something far beyond ordinary divine beasts.
A faint voice echoed in the darkness.
"…so it begins…"
The same voice.
The one from before.
The one that had shaken the palace.
Its presence stirred slightly.
"A human…"
"…gathering guardians…"
A low chuckle echoed.
"Interesting."
---
Preparing for Departure
Back at the sect—
Yan Fu gathered the guardians.
"We leave immediately."
Li Fei stepped forward.
"I'm coming too."
Yan Fu shook his head.
"No."
"You stay."
Li Fei frowned.
"But—"
"You're not ready for what's ahead."
That shut him up.
Zhao Tian spoke calmly.
"He's right."
Li Fei clenched his fists—but said nothing.
Yan Fu looked at him.
"Protect the sect."
"That's your role."
After a moment—
Li Fei nodded.
"…Understood."
---
Into the Unknown
Vorath lowered his body slightly.
"Let's move."
Yan Fu stepped onto his back.
This time—
There was no hesitation.
Tianlong rose into the sky.
Aetherion followed beside them.
And just like that—
They left.
Heading deeper into the forest.
Toward something unknown.
Something powerful.
Something—
Waiting.
---
Final Scene
As they disappeared into the distance—
Zhao Tian stood at the sect gates.
Watching.
Thinking.
"This world…"
"…is much bigger than I thought."
Behind him—
The disciples trained harder than before.
The sect grew stronger.
But far away—
A storm was gathering.
Not just from enemies—
But from something ancient.
Something that had already noticed them.
And this time—
It wouldn't just observe.
It would act.