The immediate aftermath of Elder Gao Feng's annihilation brought silence and, eventually, a terrifying sort of peace to the Hidden Peak Citadel. The Jade Lake Palace would be in chaos, having lost a crucial Spirit Severing Elder and two Nascent Soul Elders to a single, unknown faction.
Ling Tian spent the next three days in uninterrupted seclusion, focused entirely on the massive influx of energy harvested from the Mid-Grade Immortal Vein and the dissipated Spirit Severing essence of Gao Feng.
The Peak of Golden Core
The Spirit Severing essence proved to be a magnificent catalyst. It contained refined spiritual knowledge and power that, when purged of corruption by the Perfect Golden Chaos Core, pushed Ling Tian's cultivation to its absolute limit.
Ling Tian successfully entered the Peak Golden Core Realm. His core was a perfect, silent furnace of power, vibrating on the very edge of forming a nascent soul—the final step before the true Immortal Stage (Nascent Soul Realm).
The foundation is complete, Ling Tian mused, exiting seclusion. I have maximized the limits of the Golden Core in this Realm. The next step requires a true divine catalyst, or the breakthrough will be flawed.
Restructuring the Chaos Sect
Ling Tian emerged to find the Citadel bustling with activity. Lin Yue, acting as his primary administrator, had organized the Bladefang Corps into a cohesive, terrified, but fiercely loyal force.
He summoned Hu Lie and Lin Yue.
"The Bladefang Corps is no more," Ling Tian announced. "The Citadel is now the headquarters of the Chaos Sect. You are its two primary Elders."
Hu Lie, now Mid-Immortal Foundation and completely devoted, knelt instantly. "We obey, Sect Master Ling Tian!"
"Hu Lie, your role is external—resource gathering and protection," Ling Tian instructed. "Find every valuable herb, crystal, and formation remnant in the surrounding region. Lin Yue, your role is internal—formation management and intelligence. Use your knowledge of the Jade Lake Palace to anticipate their next moves."
Ling Tian then focused on the most critical need: A steady supply of high-grade Immortal Herbs to craft the catalyst for his Nascent Soul breakthrough.
"I require the ingredients for the Supreme Soul Tempering Pill," Ling Tian commanded. "It is a Tier-9 Immortal Pill. The primary ingredient is the Ghost Dragon Heartbloom. It is only found in the most ancient, dangerous regions."
Lin Yue's eyes widened. "Master, the Ghost Dragon Heartbloom is legendary. It grows only in the Thousand-Pillars Wasteland, a region controlled by the Celestial Sword Syndicate—a faction far more formidable than the Jade Lake Palace!"
The New Enemy
Ling Tian was unconcerned. "The Jade Lake Palace is already crippled. If we remain stagnant, the Celestial Sword Syndicate will inevitably view us as prey."
"We will face them on my terms," Ling Tian stated, a familiar cold challenge in his eyes.
"Lin Yue, find every map and every record regarding the Thousand-Pillars Wasteland and the defenses of the Celestial Sword Syndicate. Hu Lie, prepare the Corps for high-risk operations."
"The Chaos Sect is not merely a sect; it is a declaration of war against the complacency of this Realm."
Ling Tian knew that to achieve the true Nascent Soul Realm and secure his ascent to the Middle Immortal Realms, he needed to challenge the true hegemons. The Celestial Sword Syndicate—a group of sword cultivators rumored to be even more powerful than the Jade Lake Palace—would be his next target.
His era of easy acquisition was over. The game had just gotten harder, and Ling Tian was thrilled.