Su Yan led Gu Chen up the winding stone steps toward the summit of Lotus-Phoenix Peak. They were entering the private domain of Master Meng Xue.
At the end of the path sat the Peak Master's private pavilion, an grand structure carved from white frost-jade and mahogany wood.
Stepping through the carved wooden doors into the private meeting hall, Gu Chen’s dark eyes immediately caught a figure standing near the center of the room.
It was a young man in pristine grey-and-gold inner disciple robes. He stood with a posture as straight as a spear, a heavy, unyielding aura of an Early Foundation Realm cultivator lingering around his frame. This was Senior Brother Chu Ran, Lotus-Phoenix Peak’s top outer sect disciple representative and one of the most disciplined prodigies in the current generation.
Unlike the loud, barking young masters of Sun-Refining Peak, Chu Ran carried himself with stoic, measured composure. However, as Gu Chen and Su Yan entered, Chu Ran’s sharp grey eyes swept over Gu Chen, instantly registering his 5th-Stage Qi Refining aura.
Chu Ran’s brow furrowed slightly. Turning toward the high seat at the front of the hall, where Master Meng Xue sat concealed behind a hanging curtain of sheer white silk, Chu Ran offered a respectful bow.
"Master," Chu Ran spoke, his voice cool and even. "May I ask why an untested newcomer, who has barely spent a day in our peak, is being brought into a high-stakes tactical meeting? The Outer Sect Trial is a matter of survival for our division. Why is he here?"
From behind the silk veil, Master Meng Xue’s melodious, chilling voice echoed gently through the hall. "He is qualified, Chu Ran. You do not need to concern yourself with his entry."
Chu Ran stiffened slightly. He bowed his head to acknowledge his master's decision, but a subtle twitch in his jaw betrayed his internal skepticism. He disliked the unearned confidence Master Meng Xue seemed to place in this 5th-Stage newcomer, a discipline who hadn't proven his worth in blood or battle.
Unbothered by Chu Ran’s measuring gaze or cold scrutiny, Gu Chen stepped forward, keeping his demeanor calm, polished, and polite.
"Master Meng Xue," Gu Chen said smoothly, bowing slightly. "If I may inquire... why has this gathering been summoned today?"
From behind the veil, Meng Xue offered a faint, approving hum. "Su Yan, explain the situation to them."
Su Yan stepped forward, her golden-phoenix aura pulsing faintly. "The Outer Sect Monthly Trial in the Black-Mist Forest is approaching," she began. "On the surface, the sect organizes this trial to polish the junior disciples, test their survival capabilities, and grant them real combat experience against wild spirit beasts. Those who secure top rankings are rewarded personally by the Sect Leader and granted fast-tracked eligibility for inner sect promotion."
Su Yan paused, her expression growing grave. "However, behind the scenes, the trial is a battlefield for the elders. It is a direct measurement of which peak possesses superior candidates and political leverage. Simply put, Master requires one of you, preferably both, to be at top of the trial and bring prestige to Lotus-Phoenix Peak."
Gu Chen calculated the situation mentally. To maximize his gains and exploit the upcoming chaos, he needed a complete picture of the playing field.
"Senior Sister Su," Gu Chen said, his tone razor-focused. "As I am still new to the sect, I request a full briefing on the Sect Division Power Dynamics. I prefer knowing the exact balance of forces before stepping into the field."
Master Meng Xue let out a soft nod from behind her silk screen. "A thorough mind. Explain it to him, Su Yan."
Su Yan nodded and continued. "The Sun-Moon Sect operates under a strict, delicate hierarchy:
The Top : Apex Peak, ruled directly by the Sect Leader. Holds ultimate veto authority over all divisions and maintains peace by keeping the major peaks in balance.
The Two Pillars (Left & Right Hands): Sun-Refining Peak (The Right Hand) represents aggressive expansion, heavy martial power, and holds the largest number of disciples. Lotus-Phoenix Peak (The Left Hand) represents ancient heritage, defensive array arts, and pure spiritual refinement.
The Four Specialized Houses:
Pill-Flame House (Alchemy & Medicine) and Flaming-Sword House (Frontline Vanguard) are firmly allied with Sun-Refining Peak, supplying them with pills and military shock-troops.
Moonlight House (Shadow Infiltration & Assassination) is allied with Lotus-Phoenix Peak, handling covert intelligence.
Poison-Toxin House (Poison Dao, Gu Arts, & Interrogation) acts as a mercenary wildcard division, selling their lethal services to whichever peak offers the rarest toxic resources."
"The threat we face this time is unprecedented," Su Yan added, her voice dropping into a serious whisper. "Sun-Refining Peak and its allied houses intend to sweep seven or eight of the Top 10 spots in the Black-Mist Forest. If they succeed, they will use their political leverage to petition the Sect Leader, legally stripping Lotus-Phoenix Peak of its 'Left Hand' status and carving up our spiritual veins."
Master Meng Xue’s majestic Core Formation pressure rippled subtly through the silk veil. "Your mission is simple. Step into the Black-Mist Forest, hold the line, and secure your places among the Top 10."
Chu Ran stepped forward, bowing deeply with solemn resolve. "Master, Lotus-Phoenix Peak will not fall on my watch. Even if I must carry the entire burden of this trial alone, I will secure a top ranking."
As he spoke, Chu Ran shot a quiet, lingering side-glance at Gu Chen, making it abundantly clear he expected zero meaningful contribution from a 5th-Stage Qi Refiner.
Gu Chen offered an impassive, knowing smile, entirely unbothered. To a former Sovereign, the squabbles of mortal factions were trivial, but the Black-Mist Forest Trial presented an ideal hunting ground to plunder resources and slaughter arrogant fools without drawing sect scrutiny.
‘This trial came at the best moment,’ Gu Chen thought.
Looking toward the silk veil, Gu Chen bowed respectfully. "Master Meng Xue, since the trial is approaching, I request permission to enter a period of secluded cultivation. I wish to consolidate my foundation over the next few days so I may operate at peak performance."
Master Meng Xue was visibly pleased by Gu Chen’s proactive, disciplined attitude. "Very well, Gu Chen. You are granted permission for secluded training in your private quarters. I shall issue an official seal so no disciple disturbs your meditation unless an urgent matter arises."
"Thank you, Peak Master," Gu Chen replied.
Dismissed from the grand hall, Gu Chen and Chu Ran walked out side-by-side onto the frost-covered stone pathway.
Once they were out of earshot of the main hall, Chu Ran stopped in his tracks. He turned to face Gu Chen, looking down at him with a cool, sarcastic edge in his grey eyes.
"Having a silver tongue and pleasing Master with smooth words might get you far in the pavilion, Junior Brother," Chu Ran remarked coldly. "But out in the Black-Mist Forest, talk is cheap. We need real skill and absolute power to survive. Don't become a liability."
Without waiting for a response, Chu Ran tapped his foot, summoned a glowing silver sword beneath his boots, and shot into the sky, tearing through the clouds.
Gu Chen didn't even bother watching him leave. To a former Demonic Sovereign, being lectured on "true power" by an Early Foundation Realm ant was almost amusing.
Returning unhurriedly to his private outer disciple courtyard, Gu Chen locked the heavy wooden door behind him and activated the stone walls' noise-isolation array.
Sitting cross-legged on his meditation mat, he dismissed all thoughts of Chu Ran, Sun-Refining Peak, and the petty sect politics. With a single thought, he called upon his internal dantian interface.
DING!
A brilliant, crystalline blue window expanded across his retinas:
[WORLD TRAVEL PROTOCOL: INITIALIZED]
Primary Anchor: Sun-Moon Sect
Time Dilation: 6 Days (Sub-Realm) = 1 Hour (Mortal Realm)
Status: Ready for First Realm Hop.
‘Time to harvest a foreign realm,’ Gu Chen smirked coldly, and with a silent pulse of Abyssal Qi, the void before him began to tear open.