The towering gates of the Azure Sky Sect loomed before Lin Xuan as he approached, his robes still carrying the faint scent of the Misty Abyss. The journey back had been long, but his mind was sharper than ever, his understanding of cultivation deepened beyond what any ordinary disciple could fathom.

As he crossed the threshold, disciples turned to look at him. Murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire.

"He's back… Lin Xuan actually survived the Misty Abyss!"

"Not just survived—look at his presence. He's changed."

Some of the Outer Sect disciples regarded him with awe, while others, particularly those from the Inner Sect, eyed him with suspicion. Strength was respected in the sect, but rapid progress was often seen as a threat.

Lin Xuan paid them no mind and strode toward the Inner Sect disciple quarters. Before he could reach the entrance, a figure blocked his path.

"Lin Xuan, you've finally returned." The voice belonged to Zhao Wuji, a peak-stage Foundation Establishment disciple, and one of the Inner Sect's rising stars. He had a sharp, fox-like face and an arrogant smirk.

Lin Xuan met his gaze calmly. "Something you need?"

Zhao Wuji's smirk widened. "You've been gone for weeks. While you were playing around in the Misty Abyss, things have changed. The power structure of the Inner Sect isn't the same anymore. You should be careful not to step on the wrong toes."

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Lin Xuan chuckled softly. "Is that a warning?"

"A friendly reminder," Zhao Wuji said, leaning in. "The factions are shifting. If you don't align yourself with the right people, you might find yourself crushed before you even establish a foothold."

Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly. He could tell that Zhao Wuji wasn’t just speaking for himself—someone else was behind this.

"I'll keep that in mind," Lin Xuan said, stepping past him without hesitation.

Zhao Wuji’s smile twitched, but he didn’t stop him. He simply watched as Lin Xuan disappeared into the Inner Sect quarters, his expression unreadable.

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Inside his newly assigned residence, Lin Xuan finally had a moment to breathe. The room was spacious compared to the Outer Sect quarters, with its own cultivation chamber and a small courtyard. A step forward, but still far from his goal.

Sitting cross-legged, he retrieved the Heavenly Script from his robes. As he opened it, golden characters shimmered in the dim light, revealing new insights. His body had undergone immense transformation in the Misty Abyss, but the true depth of his growth remained to be tested.

His next step was clear—he needed to solidify his foundation within the Inner Sect. And that meant proving his strength.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. When he opened it, a young woman stood there, her violet eyes calm yet piercing.

"You’re Lin Xuan?" she asked.

Lin Xuan studied her. She was clad in the robes of a Core Elder’s direct disciple, her aura refined and powerful.

"I am," he answered.

She extended a jade token. "Elder Mo requests your presence tomorrow at dawn. Don’t be late."

With that, she turned and left, leaving Lin Xuan staring at the token in his hand.

Elder Mo… One of the strongest figures in the Inner Sect.

What did he want with him?