Perched regally upon the loftiest pinnacle of the venerable Ananta mountain range, the Lotus Pavilion remained enigmatic, veiled in a delicate embrace of mist. Here, the gentle, melodious strains of cascading waterfalls wove an enchanting ambiance, endowing the panoramic vista with an aura of profound mystique.

While Tian Mo was deeply immersed in recollecting fragmented memories, a gentle knock echoed through his door. An emotionless voice of a woman came from the other side, "Young master, may I enter?" Without hesitation, he granted permission with a simple "Enter."

With the unhurried grace of a gazelle, a young woman made her way inside, bearing a sizable basin in her delicate hands. She appeared to be in the nascent bloom of her twenties, her visage adorned with long, silken, black tresses cascading down to an oval countenance. Her lips, the hue of crimson cherries, harmonized with an apricot nose and jade-smooth skin. Wrapped in resplendent white silk robes adorned with a dance of black and crimson patterns, her hourglass figure exuded an undeniable allure. However, it was her eyes, or the lack thereof, that seized one's attention. They seemed bereft of the spark of life, akin to vacant vessels awaiting command.

Tian Mo had acquired her from a slave auction in the black market of Red Dawn City. While slavery was banned for mortals in the city, he knew the rules didn't apply to him. When he gazed into her vacant eyes, he saw nothing but a submissive, broken doll. As the young master of the Divine Lotus Sect, he harbored numerous enemies, ever vigilant against potential betrayal. Those who sought his favor did so only because of his title, and he was well aware that they would turn on him at the first sign of weakness.

Staring into those lifeless eyes provided him an odd sense of security, as if her lack of ambition rendered her incapable of treachery. As for her past and the suffering she endured, he felt no concern or compassion – a sentiment I shared.

"Young master, I have brought your refreshments",she stated with a flat tone. Tian Mo gestured toward a small table, saying, "Place them there." While he reached for a rosewood twig to brush his teeth, she proceeded to the bathroom in the room's corner, pouring a bucket of warm water into the bathtub. Tian Mo brushed his teeth and then indulged in a hot bath, rejuvenating not just his body but his weary spirit after the transmigration. Stepping out of the bathtub, he wrapped himself in a robe. Soon, Yinghua approached him, skillfully assisting in donning his robes, her gentle hands expertly adjusting his collar to accentuate his noble bearing.

Adjusting his robes, she approached the small table with a graceful demeanor. Her hands moved with elegance as she performed the tea ceremony, delicately pouring the hot tea into a cup. With a flat tone, she said, "Young master, please enjoy." The fragrance of the tea wafted through the air, refreshing his mind as he inhaled deeply. He accepted the cup from her hands and took a sip, feeling a soothing calmness wash over his soul.

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After a momentary pause, he exhaleed and gestured, "You can leave now."

"Of course, young master. Is there anything else you need before I go?"

"No, that will be all. Allow me to collect my thoughts."

"Very well, young master. I shall take my leave."

Tian Mo's hand reached for the array disk resting on the study room's table. A year had passed since he'd inscribed this formation, a testament to his mastery over runes and formations. Its purpose was to discern a person's cultivation realm from their breath, but it only functioned for mortal step cultivators. As the array analyzed his breath, it revealed:

"Cultivation Realm: 9th Step of Mortal

Realm: Meridian Formation

Stage: Peak"

In spite of his limited innate talent in cultivation, he had successfully ascended to the peak of the 9th step of mortal . This remarkable feat was largely owed to his father, the esteemed sect master of the Divine Lotus Sect, who had generously showered him with invaluable resources, to the extent that mortal sects could have been rendered bankrupt numerous times over. Despite staunch opposition from the sect's elders, his father's indomitable might and supreme authority swiftly quashed their dissenting voices. However, the status quo couldn't persist indefinitely, as his peers steadily approached the same level of cultivation. If he failed to defeat them in the forthcoming sect tournament, he might lose the title of young master, along with its accompanying privileges.

In the Divine Lotus Sect, disciples are classified into five distinct categories: Outer Sect, Inner Sect, Core, True, and Legacy Disciples. The sect itself is organized into three circles: Outer Circle, Inner Circle, and Core Circle.

Outer and Inner Sect disciples serve as the foundation of the sect, with their cultivation realms spanning from the 1st to the 2nd step and the 3rd to the 4th step of mortal , respectively.

Core Disciples, on the other hand, are the stalwarts of the sect. Their cultivation reaches the advanced levels of the 5th to the 7th step of mortal. Furthermore, True Disciples share the same cultivation realm as the Core Disciples but have the distinct privilege of learning the sect's core cultivation techniques and martial arts. Their path of cultivation is paved through individualized tutelage under the wise guidance of the core elders, who not only impart their wisdom but also generously share their invaluable cultivation resources with these chosen disciples.

Last but not least, Legacy Disciples are distinguished by their lineage, hailing from the families of the supreme elders. They have their unique cultivation techniques and martial arts passed down through generations within their families. These individuals form the very backbone of the sect.

As a young master of the sect, the true competition only arises from the Legacy Disciples; the rest are mere cannon fodder. He has a mere two years to achieve a breakthrough to the first step of cultivator, or else they'll unite against him in the upcoming tournament, and given their equivalent cultivation realms ,his chances appear bleak. He assumed a cross-legged position on a futon, consuming a Qi Burst Pill. Sensing the Qi swirling within his stomach, he tried to coax the strands of Qi into his clogged meridians, but it remained unresponsive. A prior, ill-fated attempt to forcibly move the Qi had resulted in a calamitous backlash, destroying the soul of the original Tian Mo, allowing his own soul to transmigrate. After some persistent but futile efforts, he reluctantly conceded.