The cultivation master

**Boom! Boom! Boom!**

The sound of consecutive explosions echoed across the northern mountains, shaking the air. Flocks of birds fled southward in a wild panic. The ground shuddered, sending tremors for miles.

The stone-eating wyrm shrieked, their unified roar filling the sky. Shards of the Titan's remains crunched between their dagger-like teeth, as fragments of stone rained from their mouths, while others were swallowed whole.

**Grrrrrr!**

The wyrms, towering fifty meters tall, their bodies half-buried in the earth, roared as they shredded the Titan's massive corpse. Every time they lunged to tear more of the body, they shot up to a hundred meters and crashed down with terrifying speed, piercing both the ground and the Titan's remains. The land bore the scars of their relentless assault.

Several miles away, behind a wide, snow-covered stone wall that remained frozen most of the year, a vast plain stretched endlessly. In the heart of this forest, atop a spruce-covered hill, a lone cultivator sat in silent focus. She was practicing the dual cultivation of body and soul when a faint tremor from the north broke her concentration.

In an instant, her suspended soul plummeted back into her body. Su Yun's eyes snapped open.

"Something's happening in the northern mountains?"

The night was retreating, giving way to the first rays of dawn. The stars blinked out one by one, replaced by the soft golden glow of the rising sun. Su Yun hadn't even realized that morning had arrived.

She stretched her body, now stiff from hours of cultivation. The fire before her had long since burned out, leaving only a bed of ash.

"I'll need to cover the mountain base today. Not much left. Best to finish quickly so I can check out that sound."

---

The previous night, in front of the entrance to the Second Hanging Temple, three venerable elders stood in a tense standoff with Elder Su. Their spiritual weapons glowed faintly in their hands, casting an ominous light on their faces.

With a respectful but firm tone, Elder Su spoke:

"Please, return to your quarters, venerable elders."

One of the elders sneered, "Is this how the Mist Sect treats its benefactors?"

"Honored elders, forgive my boldness, but no matter who you are, you cannot enter the inner disciples' temple without permission."

The elder laughed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Elder Su stopping us is not something a mere sect elder can do."

Elder Su smiled, a smile that hinted at trouble. It was as though he hoped they would attack, giving him an excuse to settle matters here and now. But deep down, he knew this was beyond his power.

"Once again, I urge you to return to your quarters. The sect leader will resolve this matter."

One of the three elders chuckled, raising his hand. A faint glow emerged from his palm, growing brighter with every second.

"Should I view this as the foolishness of a lowly elder, or as the Mist Sect declaring war?"

"And should I see this blatant violation of sect rules as the reckless arrogance of three elders, or as the supreme Moon Sect declaring war?" Elder Su retorted, his voice cold.

The elder's laugh turned into a deadly smile. "Take it however you want because you won't live to see tomorrow."

With a flash, a beam of light shot from the elder's hand, racing toward Elder Su. It was too fast—he couldn't react in time. If it hadn't been for the sudden appearance of the sect leader, he would have lost half his body.

The sect leader materialized before Elder Su like a shadow, absorbing the attack with ease. His eyes, black as ink, gleamed under the faint moonlight. With pale skin and a robe that shimmered like silk, he stood like a divine being before the elders.

His voice, cold and sharp, cut through the tension. "What's going on here, Elder Su?"

"Sir…"

**Boom!**

A powerful slap landed on Elder Su's face, blood spurting from his mouth.

"I asked, what's going on here…?"

"Leader…"

**Boom!**

Another strike sent him to the ground. Motionless, Elder Su whispered, "I deserve death, sir…"

The sect leader, unfazed, turned to the three elders of the supreme Moon Sect. His voice was calm, but the threat in his words was unmistakable. "Apologies, Your Excellencies. This unfortunate incident was due to Elder Su's incompetence. I hope this hasn't spoiled your mood. You may return to your quarters."

"But let's ensure this doesn't happen again. I won't always be able to find the culprit so easily."

The three elders exchanged looks, their faces twisted in scorn. "Hmph… Let's go." They turned and left, disappearing into the night.

"How are you feeling, old So?" The sect leader's voice was suddenly light, a stark contrast to his earlier tone.

Elder Su spat out the blood from his mouth, the bitter taste still lingering.

"I'd be better if you hadn't hit so hard…"

"Hahaha, come, let's talk in my room."

---

Inside the sect leader's chamber, Elder Su and the sect leader sat across from one another. After taking a pill to help with his injuries, Elder Su began to feel better. He poured himself a drink and waited.

"The elders are really pushing hard to recruit your daughter into their sect," the sect leader finally said.

"We need to find a way to deal with this," Elder Su responded, his tone serious.

"We already have a way."

"What do you mean? After what they just did, it's clear they're willing to reach her by any means. Who would've thought they'd sneak into the second temple to sway Yun Yun? The shamelessness of their sect knows no bounds!"

"They made a mistake. Violating the host sect's rules won't help them, no matter who they are."

"You plan to use this incident against them?"

"Not directly. They'd find a way out too easily."

"Then what?"

"I'll use it to shift the situation in our favor. We need to settle this before Su Yun returns."

Elder Su chuckled, understanding. "So, that's why you staged this whole scene, knowing they'd go after Yun Yun behind our backs?"

"Exactly. They knew she was your daughter and still made their move. They probably thought they could tempt her with promises of a better future."

"They'd drive a wedge between me and her, knowing how close we are. Not only would they steal one of our sect's most promising disciples, but they'd also weaken me in the process. Truly a devious plan."

The sect leader's eyes gleamed, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "That's why we need to answer their devious plan with one of our own."