The air was thin and crackling with qi as the cranes of the Tianlong Sect descended toward the vast, empty plane that stretched endlessly below them. The moment the cranes stopped, the powerful pressure of qi that had surrounded them was released, and the disciples atop the cranes gasped in relief. Despite the incredible speed of their journey, the protection of their Sect Leader had kept them safe from the harsh elements and the deadly ghost beasts that roamed the Wandering Plane.

In the distance, a massive pillar of energy shot high into the sky, its aura so powerful that it distorted the surrounding air, casting long shadows across the desolate landscape. The energy seemed to pulse with ancient might, as if it were alive, beckoning those strong enough to approach. For the disciples of the Tianlong Sect, this was the destination—the ancient tomb that had drawn the attention of sects far and wide.

The Tianlong Sect Leader, now a master at the Divine Sense Building stage of Soul Sensing, stood at the front, his long black and purple robes rippling in the wind. His gaze was fixed on the pillar of energy. With a single gesture, he commanded the disciples to follow closely.

"Stay near," his voice echoed with authority. "Do not stray, or the ghost beasts will sense your presence. This is no place for weakness."

The disciples, eager but cautious, nodded and kept their cranes tightly packed together as they followed their Sect Leader through the air. The tension was palpable—everyone knew that this ancient tomb was a treasure trove of forgotten power, but it was also a place of danger, where only the strong would survive.

As they neared the pillar, another presence appeared. Across the skies, hovering just above the entrance to the tomb, was the leader of the Emerald Radiance Sect. Dressed in resplendent green robes that shimmered with an ethereal glow, he stood with his hands behind his back, his piercing gaze scanning the horizon. A sly smile crept across his face as he spotted the approaching Tianlong Sect.

"Old Monster Yu," the Emerald Radiance Sect leader called out, his voice laced with amusement. "Were you planning on entering this ancient tomb without extending an invitation to my Emerald Radiance Sect?"

Yu Tianlong, the Sect Leader of the Tianlong Sect, narrowed his eyes at his rival. "Old monster Fan Xian," he said calmly, his voice steady but with an unmistakable edge. "I would have invited you, but I feared your fragile disciples might not survive such an endeavor."

Fan Xian's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "Is that so? Or is it that you simply didn't want anyone to share in the spoils?" His smile widened. "Ah, but now I see… you've broken through to the Divine Sense Building stage, haven't you?"

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Yu Tianlong didn't respond, but the subtle tightening of his jaw was enough of an answer. He exuded a quiet menace, his breakthrough in cultivation making him a force to be reckoned with.

As the two sect leaders squared off, the air around them grew tense, and soon, the arrival of more sects added to the charged atmosphere. From the north came the Cloud Heaven Sect, their disciples riding atop elegant, feathered beasts that shimmered like silver in the sunlight. From the south, the Scarlet Flame Sect arrived, their robes fiery red, contrasting sharply with the grim landscape. And from the west, the Thousand Peaks Sect, known for their brutal warriors, descended with a force that sent tremors through the air.

One by one, the leaders of these powerful sects joined Yu Tianlong and Fan Xian in the air. As they exchanged pleasantries, veiled with thinly-disguised threats, their disciples gathered below, casting wary glances at one another. Each sect had brought their best, and the tension between rival sects was palpable. Though the true battle had not yet begun, the sense of competition was already in full force.

Yu Tianlong turned his attention to the ancient tomb, his eyes narrowing. "Enough of this chatter," he declared. "The tomb is opening. Let us do what we came here to do."

At his words, the Sect Leaders gathered their power, their auras expanding like hurricanes, sending shockwaves through the air. With a coordinated effort, they unleashed a terrifying amount of qi, directing it toward the massive crack in the earth from which the pillar of energy emerged. The very sky trembled, and the ground below quaked as the combined might of the sects bore down on the ancient seal that had protected the tomb for millennia.

The energy around the crack fluctuated wildly, but slowly, surely, the tomb began to respond. The seal, once unbreakable, started to give way under the pressure. The crack widened, and the ground groaned as ancient power seeped from the tomb, a power so old and so potent that even the seasoned Sect Leaders were careful not to overextend themselves.

The disciples watched in awe as the leaders of their sects bent the world itself to their will. This was the power of true cultivators—those who had ascended far beyond the mortal realm.

With one final surge of power, the tomb opened, and a massive gateway, shimmering with an eerie light, appeared in the center of the plane. Beyond the gateway, the disciples could see only darkness, but they knew that inside lay treasures, knowledge, and dangers beyond their comprehension.

Fan Xian of the Emerald Radiance Sect chuckled, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "The gate is open," he said, his voice reverberating through the air. "Let us see whose disciples are worthy of the treasures within."

Yu Tianlong nodded, his face impassive. "May the strongest survive."

The disciples, who had been waiting with bated breath, now felt the weight of their task. This was their moment—to prove themselves, to earn their place among the strongest cultivators in the land. The core disciples of the Tianlong Sect stood tall, their gazes fixed on the entrance. For them, this was not just an opportunity; it was a test of their very worth.

The core disciples of the other sects were equally eager, each one prepared to risk life and limb to uncover the secrets of the tomb. As the leaders of the sects signaled their approval, the disciples leapt from their cranes and beasts, descending toward the dark entrance below.

The wind howled as the first of the disciples entered the tomb, their figures disappearing into the shadows. The leaders remained in the air, watching closely. This was only the beginning.

For the disciples of the Tianlong Sect, the stakes had never been higher. They knew that their performance in this ancient tomb would determine not just their future in the sect, but their place in the greater world of cultivation.

And so, with determined hearts and fierce resolve, they stepped into the unknown.