[Ding! Sign-in successful. Congratulations, host, on obtaining the Human King Seal and the Great Void Technique!]
Ye Junlin's eyes lit up, a surge of excitement rising in his chest.
In the ruthless world of cultivation, strength was everything. Very few prodigies could challenge those at higher realms. Until he transcended the Heavenly Dao, staying undefeated would depend entirely on his own power.
This time's sign-in reward couldn't have come at a better moment—top-tier divine techniques, a true blessing!
---
"Elder, may I ask what brings you to our Wind Thunder Sect?"
Sensing the powerful presence outside, Chen Yunhai led the sect's upper echelon out of the Grand Hall.
When his eyes landed on Ye Junlin, his heart skipped a beat.
This young man... he looked exactly like that once-in-a-generation genius from the Xuantian Sect decades ago!
He remembered vividly—back then, that youth had reached the Golden Core Stage at an age where most were still laying their foundations. He had been genuinely alarmed, fearing Xuantian Sect might rise to dominate the region.
Fortunately, a sudden ambush had crippled the prodigy's cultivation, and he'd since disappeared into seclusion. After so many years, Chen Yunhai had assumed he'd long perished.
Now, seeing him again left Chen Yunhai dumbfounded.
Ye Junlin gave a faint smile. "Still pretending? You dared trespass on Xuantian Sect's territory. That alone warrants punishment. Starting today, Wind Thunder Sect no longer exists."
Boom!
The moment his words landed, a wave of panic swept through the Wind Thunder Sect.
"So the Qingpeng Demon King has fallen. Seems Xuantian Sect's been hiding their strength well," Chen Yunhai muttered, his expression turning grim.
He hadn't expected the prodigy to survive, much less reach the Nascent Soul Stage in silence.
In the past, he might've bowed in terror. But today, he had backing—the Yuhua Sect had sent a powerhouse to support him.
Looking at the calm old man beside him, Chen Yunhai's confidence steadied. "Mu Lao, how do you wish to handle this?"
He knew full well—this wasn't something a Nascent Soul cultivator could deal with.
Mu Lao remained calm, his expression indifferent.
He was slightly surprised that such a barren region had produced a cultivator strong enough to kill a Nascent Soul beast.
But in his eyes, even the Qingpeng Demon King was a mere pest. Someone he could crush with a flick of the wrist.
"Brat, I suggest you leave. Now. Before I change my mind," Mu Lao said flatly, waving a hand like shooing away an insect.
---
"Mu Lao…"
Chen Yunhai frowned. In his view, this elder should have immediately struck and killed the intruder.
Ye Junlin chuckled. "You talk big for an old fossil. Who do you think you are to demand respect from me?"
The entire Wind Thunder Sect went stiff.
"Outrageous! That man is from Qingzhou's Yuhua Sect! You're just a lowly cultivator from Xuantian Sect—how dare you speak to him like that!" Chen Yunhai roared, though inside, he was gloating.
Ye Junlin was as good as dead.
"Arrogant fool!"
Mu Lao's eyes flared with killing intent. His aura erupted like a storm, shaking the heavens.
The pressure was suffocating.
"Transformation Stage!!"
Gasps echoed around him.
A Transformation Stage cultivator… they were finished!
The very mention of such a realm commanded awe—especially in Arid Province. Even Nascent Soul experts couldn't stand before it.
"Transformation Stage, huh? Perfect," Ye Junlin's eyes gleamed. "Let's just hope you don't run. Anyone who runs is a coward."
Mu Lao's expression twisted.
Why wasn't this kid afraid?
What was with that eager look?
"Courting death!"
Mu Lao snapped, thrusting his hand forward.
Swish!
A colossal green palm—crafted from pure wood essence—materialized in the air, descending like a divine hand.
It was enough to crush even the most elite Nascent Soul cultivators with ease.
"Heh, he's finished now," Chen Yunhai sneered. Once Ye Junlin died, Xuantian Sect would crumble.
Then, with the Transformation Infant Pill in hand, he'd lead an assault and raze the sect to the ground!
---
[Ding! Host under attack from a late-stage Transformation enemy. Passive ability activated: Adversity Strengthening—cultivation raised to peak Transformation Stage!]
In an instant, power surged within Ye Junlin's body. His aura erupted like a rising tide, shaking the heavens.
Boom!
The massive green hand shattered with a casual wave of his hand, exploding into starlight that rained down like divine sparkles.
Everyone froze.
"You… you're Transformation Stage too?!" Mu Lao's voice trembled.
This silver-haired youth, who had just been Nascent Soul, now radiated an aura even more refined than his own?
Was this some kind of sick joke?
How could a backwater like Arid Province produce a Transformation Stage cultivator?
"No… this can't be real!" Chen Yunhai's face turned ghostly pale. His scream was shrill, almost feminine.
He was terrified.
A mere Xuantian Sect... had someone this powerful?
The Wind Thunder Sect's disciples stood paralyzed, their faces etched with horror as they stared at Ye Junlin.
In this land, even a Nascent Soul cultivator was revered as a founder-level existence—capable of guarding a sect for a thousand years.
But a Transformation Stage cultivator? They lived ten thousand years, held power that could shake the heavens, destroy cities.
This was no longer a battle. This was judgment.
---
"Mu Lao… what do we do now?" Chen Yunhai asked, voice quaking.
If he had known Xuantian Sect had such a hidden monster, he wouldn't have dared cross them in a million years.
Mu Lao's expression shifted, but he quickly regained composure, sneering, "Why panic? I'm from Yuhua Sect. The techniques I possess are far beyond his comprehension. Strength alone means nothing—he has no chance against me."
Chen Yunhai's eyes lit up with hope again.
After all, Yuhua Sect was a sacred land for cultivators. Their martial arts were unmatched. Many cultivators in the Eastern Domain would kill just for a chance to join.
Compared to them, Xuantian Sect was still lacking in heritage. Even if they had a Transformation Stage expert, they likely lacked the profound techniques to back it up.
With that thought, Chen Yunhai relaxed, glaring at Ye Junlin with newfound hatred.
'We nearly lost everything…'
---
"You seem confident, old man," Ye Junlin said, raising an eyebrow.
Mu Lao scoffed, "I'll admit your talent is impressive, but in actual combat, you're no match. I come from Yuhua Sect, after all."
That name alone carried immense weight.
Even their lowest disciples were peerless talents by Arid Province standards. They were born to defy the odds—something these small sects could never grasp.
"Prepare to die!"
Mu Lao formed hand seals, his robe billowing as spiritual energy surged.
Rumble!
A sky full of emerald vines twisted together, forming a massive green hand that blotted out the sun.
Taiyi Green Wood Palm!
—an Earth-tier top-grade divine technique!
In the cultivation hierarchy—Mortal, Spirit, Profound, Earth, Heavenly, Sovereign, Immortal, Saint—this was already a terrifying level.
In Arid Province, even Spirit-tier techniques were rare. Profound-tier techniques could become a sect's core treasure.
Mu Lao had just casually unleashed an Earth-tier divine technique.
The foundation of Yuhua Sect was truly monstrous.
"To be killed by me is the highest honor a low-ranked cultivator like you could ask for!"
Mu Lao's voice boomed with pride.
This was his strongest technique, renowned even among outer elders.
---
"Hmph. Just a flashy trick."
Ye Junlin's expression didn't change. He calmly formed hand seals of his own.
Boom!
A colossal phantom rose behind him, regal and oppressive like an emperor ruling over millions.
Mu Lao's body stiffened.
"What… what is that…"
A cold sweat broke out over his back. His pupils shrank. His entire body trembled.
Just one glimpse at that looming figure sent fear coursing through his veins.
"Human King Seal!"
Ye Junlin's voice echoed through the heavens, majestic and commanding.
With all eyes on him, he raised his hand.
A seal bearing the might of kings crashed down—its momentum enough to tear the sky apart, to reverse the order of the cosmos!
---