Tian Ling closed his eyes and focused on his cultivation. Lian Ziyue was immersed in deep meditation, surrounded by the spiritual energy flowing around her, so he didn’t want to disturb her. The silence was deep but comfortable. Knowing that time would pass without worries, he allowed himself to be absorbed by the complexities of the Qi surrounding him, feeling every particle move in sync with his control.

While he cultivated in peace, a few hundred kilometers from the Silent Mist Sect, the battlefield was chaotic.

"Attack the demons! Don’t let them break through our defenses!" Jiang Zenhai’s voice cut through the air like thunder, his imposing presence boosting the morale of the disciples around him.

The disciples responded in unison, their voices echoing across the fields as they charged forward with determination. They were fiercely defending the borders of the Silent Mist Sect, holding the line with all their might.

Zhao Xun, standing next to Jiang Zenhai, watched the battle with a grave expression, but he couldn’t shake the doubt gnawing at him.

"Brother, the appearance of these demons is becoming more frequent. What is going on?" Zhao Xun asked, his tone betraying the concern he tried to hide.

Jiang Zenhai frowned, his gaze fixed on the demons ahead, as if the answers lay hidden in the shadows of the creatures.

"I don’t know either," he replied, his voice filled with frustration. "The master didn’t give us details, only ordered us to protect our territory at all costs."

Despite the confident words, doubt lingered in the air. Something was happening, and everyone knew it. The demons' attacks were relentless, but their true origin remained a mystery.

While the battle raged on at the borders, the elders of the Silent Mist Sect were gathered in the main hall, their expressions reflecting the weight of the news they had received.

"Those damned demons are reaching our borders more frequently!" one of the elders shouted, his voice reverberating through the hall’s walls.

"Why is it always us who attract this kind of trouble?" another elder lamented, clearly exasperated. He seemed on the verge of losing his composure, which was unusual for someone of his position.

Mei Lianhua, one of the most respected elders, maintained her composure and directed her firm gaze toward the sect master, who had remained silent until then.

"Sect Master, should we retaliate? We can’t just keep defending forever." Her voice was calm, but the weight of her words wasn’t lost on anyone.

All eyes turned to the Silent Mist Sect master. His expression was grave, but he didn’t rush to respond. After a few moments of thoughtful silence, he finally spoke.

"We cannot attack… not yet. The Green Demon is at the third level of the Perfected Soul Realm, and he’s engaged in a battle with another equally powerful demon," the sect master explained, his voice calm but filled with tension. "If they join forces, the entire Nine Stars region will plunge into chaos. For now, we cannot afford to provoke a larger war than the one already brewing."

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The hall fell into an uneasy silence, but the sect master continued, as if trying to alleviate the burden his own words brought.

"Do not worry," he said with a note of hope in his voice. "I’ve already sent a message to our grand master. He replied, saying he will return within fifty years at the latest."

The eyes of the elders gleamed with anticipation. The return of the grand master, a legend among them, was something they had long awaited.

"He will return? That’s excellent! Our sect will finally have the peace we’ve been seeking!" one of the elders exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.

The news spread quickly through the hall, and the mood began to lift. The grand master of the Silent Mist Sect, a revered figure, had trained many of the elders present, and his return symbolized renewed hope for all.

However, Tian Ling knew nothing of this. He continued cultivating in peace within his mythical realm, immersed in his own journey. Five years passed as if in the blink of an eye, and he didn’t even notice the passage of time. When he finally opened his eyes, his internal world had changed once again.

In front of him, seated in meditation, Lian Ziyue was watching him attentively. She had completed her cultivation over a year ago and had been waiting patiently for Tian Ling to emerge from his deep cultivation state.

"It seems you've made some progress." Tian Ling’s voice was calm and measured as he observed her serene features.

Lian Ziyue nodded, a gentle smile curving her lips.

"Yes, I’m about to break through to the Spiritual Core. I was waiting for you… Now, I think I should go to the Mythical Realm of Tribulations," she responded, her eyes shining with a mixture of excitement and respect.

Tian Ling shook his head slowly, his expression growing serious.

"There’s no need to go there. Within my Mythical Realm, you can head north. There, you can break through your Spiritual Core tribulation without disrupting the balance of my realm," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Lian Ziyue nodded once again, visibly relieved. She stood up gracefully and took her leave, heading to the location where she would face her tribulation. There was a lightness in her steps, as if the weight of uncertainty she had carried had finally lifted.

As she walked away, Tian Ling reflected on his own progress.

"Third level of the True Soul Realm…" he murmured to himself. "I’ve been able to break through a minor realm every five years. That seems fast enough." He sighed, satisfied with his advancement, but his mind soon drifted to the concerns surrounding his sect.

Tian Ling opened the system’s monitoring function, curious to see what had happened over the last five years while he had been immersed in his cultivation.

[Your friend Jiang Zenhai was attacked by demons x67.]

[Your friend Zhao Xun was attacked by demons x98.]

[Your enemy Kum Yong had an epiphany in the Dao of Massacre, his cultivation improved.]

[Your dao companion Jin Yu received guidance from her master Mei Lianhua, her cultivation improved.]

Seeing the notifications, Tian Ling frowned slightly. It was troubling that so many of his sect friends had been repeatedly attacked by demons. He clicked on Jiang Zenhai and Zhao Xun’s names, reviewing the battles they had gone through. Fortunately, neither had been seriously injured, but the frequency of the attacks was alarming.

"These demons didn’t used to be so bold," Tian Ling thought as he analyzed each detail of the fights. Concern began to form in his mind. Something was clearly out of the ordinary.

Upon seeing the notification about Kum Yong, a chill ran down his spine. "An epiphany in the Dao of Massacre… How fitting for a demonic cultivator. The Dao of Massacre suits him perfectly," Tian Ling thought with displeasure. Kum Yong was a formidable enemy, and knowing that he had advanced in his cultivation was unsettling news.

"As soon as Lian Ziyue breaks through, I’ll go to the sect master to find out what’s happening with these sudden demon attacks," Tian Ling decided firmly, his resolve hardening within him.

He knew something big was brewing, something that could change the balance of the cultivation world, and he couldn’t stand idly by while his friends faced these threats alone. But before taking any action, he needed to ensure Lian Ziyue’s safety.

Tian Ling stood up slowly, feeling the weight of the responsibilities accumulating on his shoulders. The path ahead was full of challenges, but he was ready.