Zack walked towards the city gates of Xairen, his white robes fluttering in the chilly mountain breeze. To any passerby, he looked like just another young cultivator visiting the great city.

Gotta play it cool, act like I belong here, Zack thought, keeping his expression neutral. At least until I cement my position. Then Mia's accusations won't matter.

Fabricating a cover story had been child's play with Hallibur's memories. Zack now knew enough about the Northern Region to pass as a native. He just needed to sell the lie.

"Halt! State your name and purpose," a burly guard barked when Zack reached the gates.

"This one is Alfie,” Zack bowed. “A rogue cultivator seeking to mend his ways and join a righteous sect."

The guard sneered. "A rogue? Hmph, we'll be watching you closely then. Cause any trouble and you'll be dead before you know it."

Zack raised his hands. "I assure you, those days are behind me. I only wish to start again in your magnificent city."

With a disinterested look, the guard waved him through. "See that you do. The King of the Moon God Sect has no patience for troublemakers."

Neither do I, Zack mused.

Stepping into Xairen, he took in the sprawling metropolis of ice and stone. Pagodas stood like frozen sentinels amidst a sea of slate-roofed buildings. Thousands of cultivators filled the streets, haggling with merchants or hurrying to unknown destinations.

Zack extended his senses, trying to locate Mia's aura. There! Near the central pavilion. In a burst of speed, he blinked through the crowds, appearing behind the oblivious girl.

"Hey there Mia! Miss me already?"

"Gah!" Mia spun around, nearly decking Zack. "Alfie! Don't sneak up on me like that!" Then her eyes narrowed. "Wait, where's Master? Why are you here alone?"

Showtime. Zack put on a serious expression.

"About that…I'm afraid I have concerning news. Your master tasked me with passing on an urgent message."

Her eyes widened. "What? What message?"

Zack glanced around as if wary of eavesdroppers. "Not here. Let's find somewhere private to talk."

They ducked into a deserted alley. Zack lowered his voice.

"Your master uncovered a conspiracy within your sect. Traitors in league with the Frozen Lotus Sect, planning to undermine the Sun Palace's position. He's gone to investigate further and root them out."

Mia paled. "Traitors? In our sect? But why not tell me himself?"

Zack shook his head. "He feared the conspirators might have eyes and ears everywhere. By sending an outsider like me, he avoided arousing their suspicion."

He gripped her shoulders, expression intense. "Master Hallibur instructed you to return to the Sun Palace Sect immediately. Speak of this to no one. Act as if everything is normal. He will contact you once he's dealt with the traitors. But for now, you must not let them know he's on to them."

Mia swallowed hard, then straightened with resolve. "I understand. I…I will do as Master instructs."

Zack nodded. "Good. Now go, before anyone becomes suspicious. Your master is counting on you."

Pulling out her flying sword, Mia prepared to take off, but Zack stopped her.

"Whoa there, you might want to reconsider that. Flying is forbidden in the city for anyone below the Origin Realm."

Mia scoffed. "Please, I'm a disciple of the Sun Palace Sect. They wouldn't dare stop me."

With that, she shot into the sky, speeding off toward the southern horizon. However, she didn't get far before a group of city guards on flying swords intercepted her.

"Stop right there and get down immediately or face the consequences!" one of the guards shouted.

Mia's face reddened with indignation. "Do you know who I am? I'm Mia, disciple of Elder Hallibur of the Sun Palace Sect!"

The guard remained unmoved. "I don't care if you were the Sect Master's daughter. The law applies to everyone. Now, get down before we make you."

Grumbling, Mia reluctantly descended back to where Zack stood, shaking his head at her actions.

"Told you so," he said with a smirk.

Mia glared at him. "Oh, shut up. I guess I'll just have to walk out of the city like a commoner." She gave Zack a final nod. "Take care of yourself, Alfie. I'll be back to check on how you’re doing once everything is sorted."

With that, she strode off toward the city gates, her flying sword tucked away.

Zack watched her go, a faint smile on his lips. Spoiled little sect princess. She's in for a rude awakening if she thinks her status means anything outside these walls. But that's not my problem.

Shaking his head, Zack turned and continued into the city proper. That should keep her out of my hair for a while. By the time she gets back, it'll be too late.

He turned and melted back into the crowd. It was time to get down to business.

Zack made his way deeper into the city, keeping his senses alert. Thanks to Hallibur's memories, he now knew Xairen like the back of his hand. Every hidden alleyway, every shady tavern, every secretive information broker—all of it was laid bare in his mind.

So many useful tidbits floating around in that old man's head, Zack mused. Almost makes me feel bad for killing him. Almost.

He chuckled darkly to himself. A passing merchant gave him an alarmed look before scurrying away.

Zack paid the man no mind as he arrived at his destination: The Drunken Immortal Inn.

It can’t be a true xianxia unless there is a Drunken Immortal Inn…they probably have one in every realm.

To the uninitiated, the inn looked like any other seedy watering hole. But those in the know understood it was a hub for all manner of illicit activity.

The inn was built right up against the city's walls. According to Hallibur's memories, a secret tunnel from the cellar led directly outside, bypassing the gates entirely. Useful information if he ever needed a quick escape.

Zack pushed open the door and stepped inside. Shady looking men huddled around rickety tables, muttering to each other. A bored barmaid wiped down some dirty glasses.

Only a few customers bothered to glance up at Zack's entrance. He wasn't worried. They likely dismissed him as just another young rogue cultivator. His simple robes and lack of flashy artifacts helped him blend right in.

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Zack made his way to the bar and ordered a cup of wine. The barmaid slid it over wordlessly before turning back to her cleaning.

As Zack sipped the sour alcohol, he expanded his spiritual sense, picking up snatches of hushed conversation.

"...damned Moon God Sect, squeezing us for every last spirit stone..."

"...new batch of Everblood Flower just came in, expensive as hell..."

"...Sect Master Helios must be shitting himself, what with the tribute deadline coming up..."

Zack filed away each tidbit for later. He never knew what seemingly random piece of information might prove valuable.

After finishing his drink, he climbed the creaky stairs to the second floor and rented out a room from the apathetic innkeeper. Fortunately, spirit stones were a universal currency.

Once inside, Zack pulled out two talismans from his storage ring and placed them strategically around the room.

First, he placed the Shroud of Spiritual Obscurity to the door. This jet-black talisman would create an impenetrable barrier against spiritual sense below the Ascendant Realm, effectively hiding Zack's presence from prying eyes. As he activated it with a flick of his spiritual energy, the talisman emitted a faint, pulsing red light.

The Main Body really came through with this one, Zack mused, admiring the talisman's handiwork. With this, I can scheme in peace without worrying about nosy cultivators poking around in my business.

Next, he placed the Aegis of Profound Protection in the centre of the room. This gold talisman would generate a powerful defensive field capable of withstanding a single attack from a Nascent Soul cultivator. As Zack activated it, a shimmering dome of energy sprang into existence, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow.

And if someone does try to get the drop on me, this little beauty will buy me enough time to mount a counterattack or escape, Zack thought with a smirk. The Main Body sure knows how to pick 'em.

With his preparations complete, Zack sat down on the cultivation pillow.

Okay, so I've successfully infiltrated Xairen. That annoying girl is out of the way. Time to figure out my next move.

Zack's eyes narrowed in thought as he recalled why he was sent to this realm in the first place. Many disciples from the outside mistakenly believed the greatest treasures of the Sealed Realm were its secret techniques, rare resources, and ancient artifacts.

But those were mere trinkets compared to the true ultimate prize: The Realm's Blessing.

It was a little-known secret, passed down only to the Legacy Disciples.

The blessing manifested for those who performed grand acts that benefited the Sealed Realm as a whole. Not piddly little good deeds, but true large-scale development that advanced the realm closer to generating a true Heavenly Will.

Because of course this backwater dimension can't manage a real Heavenly Will, Zack scoffed mentally. It's just a half-assed imitation that needs outsiders to do its job for it.

Still, therein lay the opportunity. By receiving the Realm's Blessing, one could receive unique abilities and use the Realm’s Qi to breakthrough.

And I intend to claim that blessing for myself, Zack declared silently. I just need to figure out what this pseudo-Will wants...

He began brainstorming possibilities.

Maybe he could help reform the sects, bringing about a new era of cooperation and unity? Nah, too idealistic. These factions were too set in their ways.

Perhaps he could lead a crusade against the rogue cultivators, wiping them out to usher in an age of peace? Tempting, but ultimately it would just be putting a band-aid on the underlying issues.

No, no, I'm thinking about this all wrong, Zack realized. I need to look for signs of where the Will is already nudging things, then give it a push in that direction.

Closing his eyes, Zack delved into Hallibur's memories once more, looking for patterns and clues.

The Noble Sects constantly warring for dominance, resulting in a tense uneasy stalemate...

Rogue cultivators rising up in response to this imbalance, disrupting the tribute system...

And the King of Xairen, ruling with an iron fist, oppressing all beneath his heel...

Slowly, an idea began to take shape in Zack's mind. A grin spread across his face.

Of course! It's so obvious! The Will wants a total upheaval of the status quo. And I'm just the man to make that happen.

But he couldn't be too hasty. He would need to insert himself into the current power structure first, gaining influence while assessing the lay of the land.

And to do that, he needed to join a sect.

Joining one of the top tier sects was out of the question. With his current cultivation, he'd just end up as some low-ranking inner disciple or guest elder at best.

No, what he needed was a sect on the decline, one he could "help" in exchange for slowly taking control behind the scenes. Becoming a shadow sect master would grant him a power base to work all sorts of schemes.

A wry smile appeared on Zack’s face, remembering how his main body had strong-armed the Black Heart Sect into submission. Guess we're just a couple of sect-stealing bastards, aren't we? Must run in the, err, blood? Soul? Whatever.

Now, time to find a suitable target, Zack sifted through Hallibur's knowledge until the perfect target jumped out at him: The Fiery Mist Sect.

Once a powerful faction, the Fiery Mist Sect had fallen on hard times. Their former Sect Leader recently fell in battle, and his replacement was still solidifying his position. They were struggling to meet their tribute demands to the Moon God Sect and their numbers had dwindled to an all-time low.

They were teetering on the brink, desperate for any lifeline. A vulnerability Zack fully intended to exploit.

Time to pay my new friends a visit.

Whistling a tune, Zack strolled out of the Drunken Immortal, just another unassuming young cultivator out to make his mark on the world.