The morning sun bathed the **Strongest Maiden Sect** in a golden glow, illuminating the lush peaks and majestic buildings that lined the secret realm. Lin Feng stood tall on the **sect grounds**, his black robes flowing gently in the wind as his gaze swept over the small group of disciples gathered before him. By his side stood **Yun Xi**, her cold demeanor unbroken, though there was a slight anticipation in her eyes.
Lin Feng’s voice rang out with authority. “Today, Yun Xi and I will be leaving for **Silver Frost City** to attend the **sect selection event**. In our absence, I want all of you to cultivate diligently and practice the techniques you’ve been given.” He paused, his eyes briefly meeting those of **Xia Yun** and her senior sisters, who were among the gathered disciples. “Do not waste the opportunities provided by the resources of this sect.”
The disciples, eager to prove themselves in their new environment, nodded in unison, determination clear in their eyes.
Lin Feng then turned to the **Heaven Devouring Phoenix**, who stood gracefully beside him, her fiery red hair and aura of divine flames exuding power. “Phoenix, I’m leaving the sect in your care. Ensure that the disciples remain safe and continue their training.”
The Phoenix, her fiery eyes gleaming with confidence, gave a nod. “Rest assured, Master. No harm will come to the sect while you are away.”
With that, Lin Feng and Yun Xi took to the skies, their figures soaring through the air as they left the secret realm behind. The disciples watched in awe as their sect master and elder vanished into the distance, their minds already focused on the task of cultivation.
---
The journey to **Silver Frost City** was swift, as both Lin Feng and Yun Xi flew at incredible speeds, the wind whistling past them as they crossed mountains and rivers with ease. In less than an hour, the sprawling city came into view, a bustling hub of activity nestled within a vast valley. The **city walls**, made of gleaming stone, stretched high, protecting the countless homes, markets, and arenas within.
Silver Frost City was a place of trade, culture, and cultivation, renowned for its grand selection events that drew participants from all across the mortal world. As Lin Feng and Yun Xi descended from the sky, the city streets came into clearer focus. Thousands of people moved about, going about their daily lives—merchants selling their goods in the bustling marketplace, children running through the streets, and cultivators from all over preparing for the event that would soon take place.
The city was alive with energy. Towering pagodas lined the streets, their vibrant colors shining brightly under the morning sun. Rivers of **spiritual energy** flowed through the city like streams of light, channeling power to the many cultivators and sects that resided there. The air itself was thick with **Qi**, the vibrant life force that fueled the cultivators' strength.
“Silver Frost City hasn’t changed much,” Yun Xi remarked quietly as they flew toward the large arena where the event was to be held. Her cold eyes scanned the familiar streets, but there was a hint of nostalgia in her voice. She had attended this event many times in the past as the sect master of the **Crystal Moon Sect**, and returning here brought back memories—both bitter and sweet.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Lin Feng, flying beside her, glanced down at the sprawling city beneath them. “It’s more active than I thought. Looks like we’ll have plenty of competition for recruiting disciples.”
Yun Xi nodded. “The selection event always attracts the best talent from the surrounding regions. Many sects, including the high-level ones, come to recruit.”
As they approached the massive arena where the event would be held, Lin Feng and Yun Xi touched down on the ground, their arrival drawing the attention of many onlookers. The arena was a grand structure, with rows upon rows of seats circling a wide platform in the center. Hundreds of cultivators and participants had already gathered, their excitement and eagerness palpable in the air.
Yun Xi led Lin Feng toward the section reserved for sects. As they walked, heads turned, and whispers spread through the crowd. Yun Xi, the cold beauty and former sect master of the Crystal Moon Sect, had arrived—something many thought impossible after the destruction of her sect.
They reached the area marked with the banner of the **Crystal Moon Sect**, a section that had been reserved despite the sect’s downfall. Lin Feng and Yun Xi took their seats, and immediately, the murmurings among the other sect members began.
---
In the reserved seats for the high-level sects, representatives from various powerful sects gathered, each dressed in their sect’s robes and insignia. The **Golden Serpent Sect**, the **Frost Lotus Sect**, and the **Iron Mountain Sect** were just a few of the prestigious groups present. Their elders and representatives glanced at Yun Xi with surprise and curiosity.
"Yun Xi…? She’s still alive?" murmured an elder from the **Frost Lotus Sect**, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"It’s impossible," whispered another elder from the **Golden Serpent Sect**. "When we went to investigate the aftermath of the battle at the Crystal Moon Sect, all we found was a crater—a massive, 100-kilometer-wide crater. There was no sign of survivors, and the entire sect was reduced to rubble."
"I heard the same," added an elder from the **Iron Mountain Sect**. "Not only was the Crystal Moon Sect wiped out, but the entire **Ironclad Wolf Sect** vanished. Their sect master, Wu Jian, and all their high-level members are dead. Their life jades shattered, and the remaining members are scattered."
The representatives of the various sects exchanged uneasy glances. The destruction of both the Crystal Moon Sect and the Ironclad Wolf Sect had been the talk of the cultivation world for weeks. Many had speculated about the cause of the massive crater, and most believed that Yun Xi had used some powerful **heavenly-grade artifact** to annihilate the Ironclad Wolf Sect in a desperate last stand.
"It must have been a powerful artifact," one of the sect leaders whispered. "How else could such a massive crater be formed? And how could Yun Xi have survived? The Ironclad Wolf Sect was known for their brutality… I’m surprised she’s still standing."
"But look at her," said another elder. "She’s not just alive—she’s completely unscathed. And she’s not alone."
Their eyes shifted to Lin Feng, who sat beside Yun Xi, his demeanor calm yet commanding. He was clearly someone to be reckoned with, though none of them had seen him before.
"Who is he?" one elder asked. "I’ve never seen him at these events before."
"Whoever he is," another added, "he’s strong. His aura alone is terrifying."
---
As the murmurs among the sects continued, the **Mayor of Silver Frost City**, a tall man with gray hair and a dignified presence, approached the platform where Lin Feng and Yun Xi sat. His face lit up with recognition as he saw Yun Xi.
"Sect Master Yun," the mayor greeted her with a deep bow. "It’s an honor to see you again. I’ve heard rumors about the battle at the Crystal Moon Sect… I’m glad to see you’ve survived."
Yun Xi nodded slightly. "Thank you, Mayor. The Crystal Moon Sect is no more, but I’m still here. We’ve… found a new path."
The mayor’s face tightened with understanding. "I heard about the demise of the Ironclad Wolf Sect as well. The sect master and their core members… gone. It was a tragedy, but perhaps it was divine justice for their actions."
Lin Feng, sensing the mayor’s curiosity, remained silent, letting Yun Xi handle the conversation. The mayor was clearly intrigued but respectful enough not to pry too deeply into the mysterious circumstances.
With a final nod, the mayor turned and made his way to the stage in the center of the arena. The crowd quieted as he stepped onto the platform, his voice booming across the large gathering.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the **Silver Frost City Sect Selection Event**!" the mayor declared, his voice filled with energy. "Today, the most promising young cultivators from across the region will have the opportunity to test their abilities and earn a place in some of the finest sects in the land!"
The participants, young cultivators eager to prove themselves, shifted with excitement. Some glanced nervously at the powerful sects seated around the arena, while others wore determined expressions, ready to give their all.
The mayor continued, "Let the trials begin!"
With that, the selection event officially began, and Lin Feng watched intently, knowing that the **Strongest Maiden Sect** was about to gain more powerful disciples.