Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

Now that Pei Yue had exposed him in front of everyone, his lips moved, but no sound came out.

His master, who had been so kind to him and like a father to him, was dead.

Yan Feng's usual coldness and ruthlessness vanished instantly, leaving him only bewildered and helpless, as if all his strength had been drained away.

Pei Yue shook his head.

This was information given to him by the sect leader before entering the secret realm; it wasn't just about Yan Feng, but also included information about Lin Zhao's parents.

The purpose was to enable him to unite or even guide the actions of ten sect disciples at crucial moments.

The sect leader has to consider more things, such as the sect's reputation and interests.

He didn't say anything in the secret realm because he had no interest in, nor any need to, use someone else's family as a bargaining chip, unless that person was truly beyond redemption.

Ultimately, Yan Feng was just a pawn.

With the Luo Tian Secret Realm merging into the cultivation world, casualties were inevitable; it was just a matter of how many. The sect had already done its best.

But the secret realm is over, and Yan Feng will find out about it sooner or later. Moreover, he did open the secret realm ahead of schedule, so he has to bear the consequences.

The group in the secret realm behind them didn't quite understand what Pei Yue was talking about, but seeing Yan Feng's instantly defeated expression,

A surge of pleasure welled up inside him, and he sneered inwardly: Serves him right.

A summons came from inside the hall from True Lord Beichen. Yan Feng, somewhat lost and dejected, stepped into the Beichen Hall.

Xia Jin watched his retreating figure and asked Pei Yue, "Why are you saying these things at this time?"

He really disliked Yan Feng, but he didn't like using such methods. He dealt with people by confronting them directly.

Pei Yue remained silent for a moment.

"Temporary hardship is the best test of a person, but prolonged hardship can distort a person's mind and will. However, if one can overcome it completely, one can gain greater growth and strength."

Lin Zhao and Qin Tianjun listened from the side, seemingly lost in thought.

Pei Yue didn't say anything more.

These weren't his own words; they were spoken at the behest of True Lord Qingyuan.

Yan Feng was too obsessed and plagued by inner demons. He was driven by hatred all the way and had long since gone astray on the path of cultivation.

If one can overcome this hurdle and break through one's inner demons, the path ahead will be open and the potential limitless. If one cannot overcome it, one will be trapped in obsession and guilt for the rest of one's life, forever stuck at the Core Formation stage, with no possibility of reaching the Nascent Soul stage.

Yan Feng's temperament and decisive methods displayed in the secret realm earned him some recognition from True Monarch Qingyuan, who was preparing to give him a helping hand.

Whether he is given a chance to break free from his cocoon and be reborn, or whether he is trapped by his inner demons or washes away his resentment and reshapes his Dao heart, depends entirely on his own destiny.

Pei Yue, like Yan Feng, wanted to move up the ranks.

Yan Feng simply prefers unconventional methods; the risks are high, but the rewards are also high.

Pei Yue likes to ride the tide and move forward, but while he achieves great things, he is also ultimately held back by those same trends.

His situation in the secret realm was just like it had been in his early years.

Pei Yue had indeed come into contact with cultivators in his early years, but at that time he was already the imperial tutor of a dynasty and controlled hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

If he were to cultivate immortality and achieve eternal life, what would become of the royal family? The royal family had not wronged him; he was just a farmer who was exceptionally promoted to tutor of three emperors.

Pei Yue remained in his old age and frailty until he retired and returned to his hometown.

He only "accidentally" revealed his talent, which attracted the attention of the Core Formation family, and then he entered the sect.

His early life can be summed up in one sentence.

I will not fail the people, I will not fail the ruler, and I will not fail myself.

-----

Half an hour later, it was Pei Yue and Luo Wen's turn.

The two entered the hall. The hall was larger inside than it appeared from the outside. True Lord Qingyuan sat on a large chair, his posture casual, as if he had just woken up.

He exuded no imposing aura, yet possessed an air of composure that seemed to look down upon all living beings.

Pei Yue presented a clear and logical account of the entire secret realm, the struggles between various factions, the distribution of opportunities in the sacred land, and the current state of the archipelago.

Luo Wen stepped forward, holding up the shrunken Luo Huang Ding with both hands, and respectfully presented this fourth-tier magic weapon.

Qingyuan Zhenjun casually took it and played with it in his hand, his expression somewhat indifferent, as if he were holding just an ordinary toy.

He finally spoke after a long while.

A clear, calm voice slowly rang out: "The sect plans to establish a third-tier important site here—the Luo Tian Important Site."

"To educate the remnants of the fallen, to guard the islands, and to pacify this region—this task of guarding this area will be entrusted to you, Pei Yue."

Pei Yue was startled, caught off guard.

But he quickly realized that although there was no official order from the sect leader, Qingyuan Zhenjun's words meant the matter was settled.

However, the guardian of a third-tier sacred ground is generally a person who is at least a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, while he is only at the peak of Foundation Establishment, and his strength and realm are far from sufficient.

Moreover, this newly formed archipelago is far from the sect's homeland, and recently, many outside cultivators have come to spy on it, including some Core Formation experts.

If it weren't for the Beichen Palace suppressing them here, the mortals on these dozens of islands in the secret realm would probably have faced another calamity.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why True Lord Qingyuan established an important base here.

Qingyuan Zhenjun seemed to see through his concerns and said calmly:

"The establishment of this important site will take several years. You can use these years to break through to the Core Formation stage and forge a high-grade Golden Core."

"The journey is long and supplies are inconvenient. I will set up an ultra-long-distance teleportation array here to stabilize the territory, build up the important base, and cultivate a high-grade golden core. This will be your true disciple mission. Once the mission is completed, you will be directly promoted to a true disciple of the sect."

Before he finished speaking, True Monarch Qingyuan raised his hand and tossed the Luohuang Cauldron, which drew an arc in the air and landed in Pei Yue's hand.

"With the fourth-tier Luo Huang Cauldron in hand, can you suppress this archipelago?"

Pei Yue instinctively caught the cauldron with both hands. The cauldron was slightly cool, and the powerful force of a fourth-tier magic weapon was quietly buried within it.

When entering the secret realm, fourth-tier magic treasures were not part of his plan.

It's not that he doesn't want it, it's that he knows he's not important enough right now.

Unexpectedly, a fourth-tier magic weapon has now been handed to him.

He suppressed his shock, bowed deeply, and solemnly accepted the order.

Before the two withdrew, True Monarch Qingyuan casually raised a finger, and a pale blue spiritual light silently entered Luo Wen's body.

Luo Wen's body trembled violently, and his withered and decaying body was instantly rejuvenated.

The wrinkles on his face slowly smoothed out, and the damaged lifespan, the depleted foundation, and the severe damage left by the bitter battle in the secret realm all melted away.

His life essence was also reshaped, and his cultivation was several times stronger than at his peak.

Luo Wen was stunned as he felt the surging vitality and power within his body. Tears almost fell, his lips trembled, and he was filled with gratitude that he could not express.

Pei Yue took in the whole scene, and his respect for him grew even deeper.

He sheltered millions of mortals from the catastrophe, secretly enlightened Yan Feng and gave him a path to reform, promoted himself beyond the norm and entrusted him with important responsibilities, and took action to rebuild Luo Wen's foundation and repay the losses incurred in protecting mortals...

These were not things that a Nascent Soul cultivator should be doing, but True Monarch Qingyuan acted as he pleased, revealing his great vision.

No wonder that all the Nascent Soul elders in the sect greeted True Monarch Qingyuan with the respect due to disciples.

Qingyuan Zhenjun seemed to see through his thoughts and waved his hand lightly: "When you have my level of cultivation, you can do it too, or even do it better."

Pei Yue didn't reply, and led Luo Wen out.

Next up is Lin Zhao.