"Oh, so you recognize it," Ye Junlin said casually.
Hong Qianye's heart churned like a stormy sea. Despite his past status and experience, the Flame Source Pill was no ordinary item.
To cultivators who practiced fire-based techniques, this pill was akin to a divine treasure—it provided an immense boost in power.
Its rarity was so profound that even immortals might battle to obtain it.
After escaping death through a forbidden technique, Hong Qianye's foundation had been severely damaged, hindering his cultivation path. Now, this Flame Source Pill felt like a miracle in a frozen wasteland.
"All this… for me?" he murmured in disbelief. No one had ever treated him like this before.
His life had been riddled with schemers and manipulators.
Yet Ye Junlin not only granted him powerful techniques but also gifted him a rare pill—each more valuable than the last. The kindness left him overwhelmed.
"Wait… how did a mere Transformation Stage cultivator come by these treasures?"
"Even in my prime, I couldn't have gotten them!"
It was baffling.
Even elite forces in the Central Region would fight to the death for pills and methods like these. Yet someone from the humble Arid Province handed them over without hesitation.
"Could it be… this man has access to an even greater fortune?"
Hong Qianye's thoughts raced, his heart pounding.
The Three Thousand Flame Sutra and the Flame Source Pill were both far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators. The only explanation was that Ye Junlin had found them in some ancient ruin—but even so, Hong Qianye couldn't begin to guess their true worth.
His breathing quickened.
It felt like he had hit the jackpot.
"Xiao Hong, are you dissatisfied with my gift?" Ye Junlin asked with a teasing smile, noticing the flicker of awe in the other man's expression. What was the Fire Cult Leader imagining now?
Snapping back to his senses, Hong Qianye composed himself, cupped his hands respectfully, and said, "Master, not at all! Meeting you and becoming your disciple is the greatest honor of my life."
At this point, he might as well seize the opportunity—to dig into this man's secrets and elevate his own strength along the way.
"Here. Take the pill. I'll protect you while you refine it."
"Thank you, Master."
Without hesitation, Hong Qianye swallowed the Flame Source Pill and sat cross-legged to cultivate.
Almost instantly—
Blue smoke rose from the crown of his head. His pale skin turned fiery red, as if his body had been forged in molten steel. His features flushed crimson, as if flames were igniting from within.
A dramatic transformation had begun.
Boom!
Hong Qianye's aura surged violently.
Early Foundation Establishment... Mid-stage... Late-stage... Peak... Perfection!
Then—he shattered through to Golden Core.
But it didn't stop there. His cultivation rose like a flood breaking through a dam, ascending all the way to early Nascent Soul!
His fire-type spiritual root had been completely restored, and his damaged foundation was now solid and unshakable. From here on, his cultivation path would be smooth and unstoppable.
In just half an hour, he had gone from Foundation Establishment to Nascent Soul—a pace that would be deemed impossible even in the Central Region.
But to Ye Junlin, it was entirely expected. This man had once been a True Immortal. With the right methods and resources, his rise was inevitable.
Feeling the immense changes in his body, Hong Qianye couldn't contain himself. He threw his head back and let out a mighty roar.
It was a roar full of ambition and defiance, shaking the entire Bamboo Grove and sending flocks of birds scattering into the sky.
Just wait…
Once I return to the Central Region, I will reclaim everything that was taken from me.
Catching the strange expression on Ye Junlin's face, Hong Qianye quickly reined himself in. Clearing his throat, he bowed and said respectfully, "Master, please forgive my outburst."
"It's fine," Ye Junlin said with a wave. "Come with me to the sect. I'll introduce you to your uncles and aunties."
"Understood."
---
Xuantian Sect.
The atmosphere was cheerful and lively.
Everyone was smiling.
After all, they had just achieved a massive victory—one that filled the entire sect with pride.
"If not for Peak Master Ye, we would've been finished!"
"Exactly! He's the savior of Xuantian Sect!"
"Ai, I regret not joining Mysterious Peak back then. I could've been his disciple!"
"If only I could enter Mysterious Peak and see that handsome Peak Master every day..."
"Peak Master Ye is the strongest person in the sect now. Who knows what kind of monstrous standards he has for disciples!"
The sect buzzed with chatter. All eyes were now fixed on Mysterious Peak with newfound admiration.
Not long ago, many had avoided the mountain, thinking Ye Junlin was crippled and would drag them down.
Now, he had killed a Nascent Soul cultivator with ease and stunned the entire sect.
They realized just how badly they had underestimated him.
"Look! Peak Master Ye is back!"
A disciple's excited shout turned all heads.
Ye Junlin descended gracefully from the sky. His silver hair danced in the wind, his flowing robes gave off an ethereal aura, and his handsome features made him seem like a deity.
"Huh? Who's that girl behind him?"
A disciple pointed in confusion.
Hong Qianye wore a fiery red robe, long black hair falling to his waist, sharp features, a flame-shaped mark between his brows—and a chilling, distant aura that made people hesitant to approach.
"So beautiful…"
Several male disciples whispered, hearts pounding.
Love at first sight?
"Who's this seductive woman? And why is she so close to Peak Master Ye?!" The female disciples fumed with jealousy.
"Xiao Hong, this is my sect—Xuantian Sect. From now on, you'll be the chief disciple of Mysterious Peak."
Ye Junlin sighed.
Finally, someone to clear out the weeds on his mountain.
"It's an honor to serve by Master's side," Hong Qianye replied respectfully, though a flicker of disdain crossed his eyes.
This so-called sect was laughably weak. Compared to the Central Region, it was a backwater.
Even a random disciple from his former Fire Cult could wipe the floor with this entire place.
Still… I need time to stabilize my foundation. I'll stay for now, he thought.
Without Ye Junlin, he wouldn't have given this sect a second glance.
But to uncover this man's secrets, he would need to be patient—play the long game, lay low, and blend in.
"Ye Shizi, where are you—"
Xu Yonian, who had just exited the Great Hall, froze mid-sentence when he saw Hong Qianye. He turned to Ye Junlin, visibly puzzled.
"I picked up a disciple along the way. Xiao Hong, greet the Sect Leader," Ye Junlin said calmly.
Sensing the weak cultivation of the middle-aged man before him, Hong Qianye felt a twinge of disdain—but still cupped his hands respectfully. "Disciple Hong Qianye greets the Sect Leader."
"Disciple?" Xu Yonian blinked.
Just earlier, the elders had been discussing holding a grand disciple recruitment for Ye Junlin—yet here he was, already having chosen one on the road?
And what a striking disciple at that.
"Wow, what a beauty," the Tianxiang Peak Master cooed as she sauntered over, smiling flirtatiously.
Hong Qianye shot her a glare as cold as frost and barked, "I'm a man."
Boom!
A suffocating pressure erupted from him.
The Tianxiang Peak Master trembled, her face going pale. "N-Nascent...?"
"He's already at the Nascent Soul stage!" Xu Yonian and the others were stunned.
"You brute! Is this how you treat your master's niece?!" Ye Junlin scolded. "Apologize, now."
Realizing he had gone too far, Hong Qianye quickly withdrew his aura and bowed slightly. "Aunt, I apologize for my outburst."
"It's… fine…" the Tianxiang Peak Master stammered, flushed with embarrassment and no longer daring to approach.
"Ye Shizi, where on earth did you find this disciple? He's already a Nascent Soul cultivator!" Xu Yonian asked in shock.
"Ah, just lucky," Ye Junlin replied casually with a wave of his hand.
Everyone exchanged looks of disbelief.
Since when could you just "pick up" a Nascent Soul cultivator off the street?
---
Should I keep naming the chapters? I'm not good at it.