Chapter 24: Winds and Clouds Stirring

Within the Myriad Demon Mountain Range lies the Morning Light Sect.

The sect was abuzz with activity. According to the mission set by Liao Chen, ordinary disciples, outer sect elders, and protectors who had completed their tasks were eligible for promotion to the inner sect. Although they all belonged to the same sect, the status and treatment of outer sect members paled in comparison to their inner sect counterparts. Consequently, the entire sect had been driven by a fervor to attack the Asura Gate, everyone desperate to secure a place in the inner sect.

However, with more monks than gruel, only a few hundred outer sect disciples could be promoted to the coveted ranks of the inner sect. As Qing Long loudly announced the names of the promoted disciples, they erupted into ecstatic celebration.

Seeing the list finalized, Liao Chen signaled for the inner sect disciples to prepare for their baptism. A spiritual rain, manifested from supreme-grade spirit beast pills, descended from the sky, rapidly nourishing the demon cultivators. Typically, demon cultivators struggle to advance their cultivation quickly, and their insight into spiritual energy is slower than other paths. Yet, after this event, these disciples would undergo a transformative shift. The supreme-grade spirit beast pills were the ultimate medicine for refining demon beasts; once the disciples absorbed the medicinal power, their aptitude would evolve from ordinary to extraordinary. Furthermore, once the full potency was absorbed, they would ascend to the status of immortal beast cultivators, awakening their dormant bloodline powers.

The other disciples watched their promoted peers with unavoidable envy, but since entry into the inner sect required the completion of specific tasks, they could only wait patiently for their own opportunities.

Next were the outer sect protectors of the Imperial Realm. To advance to inner sect protectors, two conditions were required: first, the slaying of an equal-ranked expert, and second, reaching the Great Saint Realm. Ten protectors had completed the first task but had yet to reach the Great Saint Realm; thus, they were granted the status of temporary inner sect protectors. Liao Chen, never one to mistreat his sect members, bestowed upon them a reward of twenty supreme-grade spirit beast pills, one thousand Heaven Spirit Pills, ten Saint Spirit Pills, and one supreme-grade treasure weapon each.

Finally, the outer sect elders of the Saint Realm were addressed. Only three—Yuan Mo, Teng She, and Qian Huan—were promoted to inner sect elders. They, too, were designated as temporary elders, as true inner sect elder status required reaching the Emperor Realm. The three bowed to Liao Chen and accepted their rewards.

"Yuan Mo, Teng She, Qian Huan, your performance has been outstanding. You are each awarded one Divine Beast Pill, one hundred supreme-grade spirit beast pills, one Divine Spirit Pill, and one hundred Saint Origin Pills." With a wave of his hand, Liao Chen sent the pills into their hands.

"Many thanks, Sect Master!" the newly promoted individuals cheered, bowing in gratitude once more.

Liao Chen nodded and declared, "The awards are concluded. I now announce that the Morning Light Sect’s inaugural grand recruitment ceremony will commence in three months. The entire sect shall work in unity to ensure its success. Elders Qing Long and Zhu Que, you are appointed as the primary hosts for this ceremony; coordinate all matters between yourselves."

"Understood, Sect Master!" Qing Long and Zhu Que replied in unison.

Afterward, Liao Chen returned to his quarters. Finding a rare moment of leisure, he decided to brew some Enlightenment Tea to satisfy his craving. This tea was a rare treasure, capable not only of increasing a practitioner's spiritual energy but also of enhancing their insight; however, it required great effort to prepare. First, one had to pluck the tender leaves, as mature leaves lacked the same potency. Next was the roasting process, which required precise control over temperature and time. Finally, the brewing required specific water quality and tea sets—spirit spring water was best, and metal or copper vessels were strictly forbidden.

With his profound cultivation, harvesting the tea was effortless for Liao Chen. Soon, he was sipping a freshly brewed pot. As the tea entered his body, his mind felt exceptionally ethereal, and he slipped into a wondrous state—a state of sudden enlightenment.

Orderly chains of laws manifested around him, and he could see the very movements of the heavenly laws clearly. With a gentle wave, these chains merged into his body. Suddenly, the spiritual energy of the entire world seemed to respond to a summons, surging toward him in a torrential flow.

Liao Chen absorbed the energy at an accelerating rate, yet his sea of energy seemed bottomless. As he absorbed more, his internal space expanded further, reaching a scale that rivaled the entire Qianyuan Continent—a feat impossible even for an Emperor Realm expert. Generally, an Emperor Realm expert’s internal world would not exceed ten thousand miles; a ten-thousand-mile internal world was the hallmark of a powerful expert, and one hundred thousand miles was the mark of a peerless genius.

Liao Chen had not yet even opened his "internal world," as that was the exclusive domain of the Emperor Realm. He possessed only his "sea of energy," yet it had reached an expanse of a million miles. This proved that his power could no longer be described as merely monstrous.

The spiritual energy within the Morning Light Sect was already exceptionally dense, but this sudden, violent disturbance drew everyone's attention. Upon realizing the source was the Sect Master’s quarters, they were instantly at ease, attributing it to his status as a mighty Emperor Realm powerhouse. However, the energy became so chaotic that others could no longer meditate. Qing Long and Zhu Que were forced to suspend the disciples' cultivation sessions, urging everyone to focus on the recruitment preparations instead. No one objected, and the news that the Morning Light Sect would open its doors to the entire Qianyuan Continent in two months spread rapidly.

The news soon reached the Empress of the Great Yong Dynasty, who immediately dispatched scouts. Her motives were twofold: first, to determine if the Morning Light Sect was merely a facade. If their strength proved inferior to the Imperial Court, the annihilation of the Yin family in Wanyuan City required an explanation, as the Yin family had been appointed by the throne. Second, she sought to investigate the sect's ties to the Myriad Demon Mountain Range. If the sect truly possessed an Emperor Realm backer, the Imperial Court would attempt to curry favor; if not, she would drive a wedge between them. To the Empress, a sect with an Emperor Realm expert could not be allowed to exist within her territory, for as the saying goes: "How can one allow others to snore beside one's own bed?"

Other factions also sent representatives. Despite some disdain for how the sect had handled the Asura Gate, the prospect of alliance was too great to ignore. For many, sending their own disciples to join the Morning Light Sect was the most effective way to forge a connection with such a formidable, rising power.