Sect Master Luo Qiang sat in his private quarters, his mind replaying the events of the Disciple Selection Trials. A faint smile played on his lips as he contemplated the unexpected boon the heavens had bestowed on the Azure Sky Sect.

Two Immortal Rank talents, he mused. What are the odds?

Talent was categorized into distinct ranks.

At the pinnacle stood the Immortal Rank, those rare individuals with the potential to ascend beyond mortal limitations and achieve true immortality. Below them were the Heaven Rank talents, capable of reaching the Enlightenment Realm. Earth Rank talents had the potential to reach the Astral Realm, while Mortal Rank talents could aspire to become Nascent Soul cultivators.

And anything below that, Luo Qiang thought with a hint of disdain, is hardly worth the attention of a true cultivator.

However, the Sect Master's amusement faded as he considered the harsh realities of the cultivation world. Potential was just that - potential. The path to immortality was fraught with dangers, both internal and external.

He leaned back in his chair, fingers drumming on the armrest. How many promising disciples have I seen fall over the millenniums? Luo Qiang wondered. Some succumb to qi deviation, pushing themselves too hard in their quest for power. Others fall prey to their own arrogance, challenging opponents far beyond their capabilities. And then there are those who simply lack the will to persevere, giving up when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

His face darkened as his thoughts turned to a more immediate threat. Assassination.

"With news of two Immortal Rank talents spreading, it won't be long before the Dark Moon Sect and other demonic cultivators send their assassins," Luo Qiang muttered to himself. "They'll want to nip this threat in the bud."

He shook his head, a bitter smile twisting his lips. "And it's not just the demonic sects we need to worry about. Even our so-called righteous allies will be eyeing our new disciples with envy and fear."

The Sect Master's thoughts turned to their most bitter rival. The Crimson Phoenix Sect. We'll have to be especially wary of them.

Despite both being considered "righteous" sects, the Azure Sky Sect and the Crimson Phoenix Sect had been locked in a blood feud for heavens knows how long.

Some say the founders were brothers, Luo Qiang mused. Brothers whose rivalry spiraled into this mess we're dealing with millions of years later. Hmph. Family.

Whilst the exact cause of this enmity was lost to time, the consequences were clear.

As soon as one sect produces an immortal, the other's end is all but sealed. We can't allow the Crimson Phoenix to gain such an advantage... and they also know the same.

A soft tap at the door interrupted his brooding. A muffled voice called out, "Master, I have returned."

Luo Qiang straightened in his chair. "Come in," he commanded.

The door swung open, revealing a thin, middle-aged man. His features were sharp and angular, giving him a distinctly rodent-like appearance. Luo Qiang had long ago learned that such men often made the best information gatherers.

What was his name again? Luo Qiang wondered briefly before dismissing the thought. It doesn't matter. Anyone below Core Formation without Heaven Rank talent isn't worth remembering. He likely won't last a millennium anyway.

The Outer Elder bowed low. "Master, I have completed my investigation of the Misty Waterfall Village as instructed by Elder Tao."

"What have you learned?"

"Regarding the disciple Shen Yu," the man began, "his background appears unremarkable. His father is a simple farmer, his mother tends to their home. He has a younger sister who has shown no aptitude for cultivation."

The Outer Elder paused, as if gathering his thoughts. "The villagers speak well of the boy, though they find him... unusual. It seems he has rarely shown emotion since he learned to speak. Always the silent type, they say."

"Go on," Luo Qiang prompted.

"They describe him as intelligent, never causing trouble. A model child, by all accounts, if somewhat distant."

Luo Qiang nodded slowly. The lack of emotion is a bit concerning, but not unheard of. Many great cultivators have... eccentric personalities. And the silent types often harbor great depths.

"And what of Kai Thorn?" the Sect Master asked.

The Outer Elder's expression grew slightly uncertain. "That's where things become... interesting, Master. The boy seems to have appeared in the village out of nowhere. None could tell me of his origins or family."

Luo Qiang's eyes narrowed. "Explain."

"A former disciple of our sect, one Zhang Wei, apparently took the boy under his wing. He taught Kai the basics of cultivation." The Outer Elder hesitated before continuing. "Zhang Wei noticed something... unusual about the boy. A strange mark on his wrist that allows him to condense qi in ways Zhang Wei had never seen before."

"A birthmark?" Luo Qiang asked, his interest piqued.

The Outer Elder shook his head. "Zhang Wei didn't think so. He... he wondered if the boy might be a member of one of the Hidden Clans."

Luo Qiang's eyes widened fractionally. The Hidden Clans were a subject of much speculation and fear in the cultivation world. Five families, each led by an immortal cultivator, shrouded in secrecy and wielding techniques beyond the comprehension of most.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The Song, the Li, the Chen, the Wang, and the Zhao, Luo Qiang recited mentally. Each clan a power unto itself, their true strength unknown.

Of course, sharing a family name with one of these clans doesn't necessarily mean a connection. There are countless Songs, Lis, Chens, Wangs, and Zhaos throughout the realm with no ties to their secretive namesakes.

This fact often led to confusion and false alarms in the cultivation world. Many times throughout the years, ambitious young cultivators have claimed to be from the Hidden Clans, only to be exposed as a fraud and killed.

The converse was also true, genuine members of these clans often hid behind the commonality of their surnames, blending in with the masses.

It's a clever tactic. The very ubiquity of their names serves as both camouflage and smokescreen. But if the boy truly was from one of the Hidden Clans... Luo Qiang suppressed a shudder. Offending such a group could see the Azure Sky Sect reduced to rubble before the night was through.

Luo Qiang shook his head, forcing himself to consider the situation logically. "It's unlikely," he muttered.

"Sect Master?" the Outer Elder questioned.

"It's unlikely that one of the Hidden Clans would send a member to a medium-sized sect like ours, even for training," Luo Qiang explained. "They know we possess the Eye of Veiled Truth. It would have detected any duplicity in the boy's heart during the trials."

The Outer Elder nodded, visibly relieved. "Of course, Sect Master. You're right."

Luo Qiang continued his train of thought aloud. "Moreover, I doubt they'd give a clan member an immortal treasure just to infiltrate a sect of our size. It doesn't make sense."

He saw confusion flicker across the Outer Elder's face and sighed internally. Sometimes he forgot how limited the knowledge of lower-ranked cultivators could be.

"You see," Luo Qiang explained, slipping into a lecturing tone, "sects are generally categorized by the cultivation level of their leaders. Large sects are those led by true immortals. Medium-sized sects, like ours, are led by cultivators who've reached the Enlightenment Realm. Small sects have Astral Formation masters at their head."

The Outer Elder nodded eagerly, drinking in the knowledge.

Luo Qiang's lip curled slightly. "As for sects led by mere Nascent Soul cultivators... well, they're hardly worth mentioning."

The mark and the boy’s ability to condense qi... that's precisely why I chose him as my disciple, Luo Qiang reflected. During the trials, his demonstration was unlike anything I've seen in millenniums of cultivation. Such an unusual and powerful technique simply couldn't be overlooked.

A plan began to form in the Sect Master's mind. "I need to inspect this mark myself," he said aloud. "The ability to condense qi in such a manner... it's not something even I can do."

For a brief moment, a hungry look flashed in Luo Qiang's eyes. The Outer Elder caught a glimpse of it and visibly flinched.

Luo Qiang quickly schooled his features back into a calm mask. "Go. Summon my new disciples."

The Outer Elder bowed hastily. "At once, Sect Master!" He turned and practically ran from the room, clearly eager to be away from the sudden intensity radiating from Luo Qiang.

As the door closed behind the retreating elder, Luo Qiang allowed himself a small smile. Two Immortal Rank talents, he mused. Each with their own mysteries. This could be exactly what I need to finally break through to the next realm.

His fingers absently traced the patterns on his chair's armrest. I must tread carefully. If the boy truly is from a Hidden Clan, I can't afford to act rashly. But if he's not...

Luo Qiang's smile widened, taking on a predatory edge. Well, there are many ways to nurture young talent. And many secrets an old master might... borrow... from his disciples.

He rose from his seat and moved to stand by the window, looking out at the majestic peaks of the Azure Sky Sect. Clouds drifted lazily between the mountain spires, giving the impression that the sect really did float in the heavens.

How long has it been, Luo Qiang wondered, since I reached the peak of the Enlightenment Realm? Millenniums of meditation, of seeking that final epiphany that would propel me to true immortality... and nothing.

He clenched his fist, feeling the immense power surging through his body. To most cultivators, his strength would seem godlike. But Luo Qiang knew the truth. He was still bound by mortality, still subject to the ravages of time - albeit on a much-extended scale.

"Perhaps," he murmured to himself, "these new disciples hold the key. If I can unravel the secrets of that mark, understand how it allows for one to use a skill reserved only for immortals..."

Luo Qiang's thoughts were interrupted by another knock at the door. This time, a young voice called out, "Sect Master? The Outer Elder said you wished to see us."

A smile spread across Luo Qiang's face. "Enter," he called out as he closed his eyes, composing himself. It wouldn't do to reveal his eagerness to the boys. A Sect Master must always project an aura of calm wisdom.

Calm wisdom, and absolute authority.