The vacuum was silent, cold and dark, yet energy tides surged through it like a hurricane sweeping across the sky.
Rumble!
Andrew Han strode forward as if walking atop a cosmic river, radiant and resolute as he departed.
"Jade Lake Sect..."
"A sect-structured power..."
His indifferent eyes gazed into the distance, cyan battle armor swirling with radiant light as he crossed ten million meters in a single stride.
On this life-planet, nearly half its inhabitants clearly saw Andrew Han soaring away. That dazzling gold-red trail seemed to pierce the entire starry sky, its vast and mighty presence eclipsing the autumn sunlight, leading toward unknown cosmic depths.
The majesty of the Primeval cannot be ordinary.
If not for the limits of perspective, the entire planet would have witnessed it.
Under a cloudless sky, the grandeur of the gold-red river was even more striking, spanning the heavens, thundering across the firmament. The lofty, mysterious spectacle left countless people astonished.
"Wh-what is that?"
"My eyes sting—it's too dazzling!"
"Look, there's a great river in the sky—it's brighter than the sun!"
Mortals gazed up at the stars, bowing in reverence. As for the cultivators, they were already dumbstruck, deeply aware that this was the terrifying majesty of a Rift Lord.
...
On a breathtaking, perilous cliff, four or five female Starlight cultivators basked in the sunlight, when suddenly the brilliant white sky changed color—only gold-red light remained, cascading between heaven and earth.
Their clean skin reflected flecks of gold-red, lending the scene a dreamlike, surreal beauty.
They exchanged glances, pupils mirroring the river of light, and all looked up in bewilderment.
"Has a Rift Lord arrived?"
"Throughout the entire cultivator world, the traces of Rift Lords are elusive. Today, we actually have the chance to witness a Rift Lord's power."
Their skin glowed with gold-red hues, standing beneath the river of light.
Vast...
Miraculous...
Dazzling and mesmerizing... One woman teased her companion with a strange tone: "Weren't you always dreaming of being a Rift Lord's personal concubine? Go catch up with this Lord."
Catch up with him? Get with him? ...
Who knows where this Lord is headed, or when he even arrived. What a pity...
The women laughed and joked, though their expressions held a hint of regret.
Those listed on the Honor Roll as Grand Venerables are certainly invincible. But Grand Venerables rarely appear in the world—Rift Lords are considered the strongest, standing atop the cultivator world.
...
The cold vacuum beyond the life-planet.
The three Stellar Palace great cultivators exchanged glances, forcing out a strained smile. "I recall that the Celestial Mechanism Order's list of Rift Lords doesn't seem to include this one... Besides, this Lord looks cold and domineering—he probably won't get angry, right?"
"How could that be? It won't come to that, it won't come to that."
"But this is Jade Lake Sect, a vast power with a Grand Venerable in residence, and several Rift Lords! There was once a Rift Lord who attacked Jade Lake Sect and was killed on the spot."
The three grew increasingly anxious, whispering in low, uneasy voices.
Truth be told, this matter was tied to them—after all, they had personally revealed the girl's whereabouts and Jade Lake Sect's location...
Thinking of this...
All three shivered in unison.
If Jade Lake Sect investigates afterward, who could bear the responsibility? Their ruthless ways are well known; no one dares defy Jade Lake Sect, not even Rift Lords. In the end, it's simply not enough.
Even when facing a Rift Lord, Jade Lake Sect is supposed to show sufficient respect.
But...
That is Jade Lake Sect—a transcendent power with a Grand Venerable in residence, not to be judged by ordinary standards!
Sigh.
"Let's hope there won't be a violent clash," the three could only pray silently, wishing Jade Lake Sect would resolve the matter peacefully. "We should head back and keep quiet for now—let's wait for Celestial Mechanism Order's star-sky messages to cover the cultivator world."
If anything major happens, there will be star-sky messages.
Celestial Mechanism Order oversees everything, knows all things—this has long been recognized by the cultivator world.
Lunyis Star System, Jade Lake Sect.
Across the cultivator world, the name Jade Lake Sect is nearly deafening, possessing the transcendent qualification to stand above the vast majority of cultivators.
Jade Lake Sect is built as a sect-structured power, not only with a Grand Venerable in residence, but also several Rift Lords and countless Stellar Palace great cultivators. All personal disciples are Starlight cultivators... Even without considering the rest, a single Grand Venerable can dominate the region and establish a hegemonic foundation.
Grand Venerable!
A presence that suppresses all!
With every gesture and strategic decision, Jade Lake Sect can profoundly influence the cultivator world.
Ordinary life-planets dare not defy them; all bow to Jade Lake Sect, which looms over the starry sky like an emperor gazing down from above.
Recently, Jade Lake Sect is hosting its grand personal-disciple tournament. Streams of cultivators come and go, the crowds never-ending—all are cultivators.
Such a grand event naturally draws countless attention.
Jade Lake Sect's personal disciples, Starlight cultivators—each is extraordinary.
Many nearby life-planets, including smaller sects and academies, have all come to Jade Lake Sect to offer congratulations and celebrate, adding to the lively, bustling atmosphere.
It's no exaggeration to say so.
On this day, Jade Lake Sect gathers a million cultivators, its glory enveloping the surrounding region.
Over a hundred personal disciples are eager and ready, facing off against each other.
Countless cultivators sat around the stands, watching with envy.
Meanwhile, at Jade Lake Sect's entrance, a towering gate wreathed in rainbows stood magnificently.
The rainbow gate displayed the majesty of a hegemonic power. Strangely, it was left unguarded, yet cultivators from surrounding regions entered and exited in perfect order—no one dared break the rules set by Jade Lake Sect.
"Ten Stellar Palace great cultivators are presiding—who would dare act out at a time like this?"
"That's for sure. And this personal-disciple tournament will be fiercely competitive. Fairy Hanhua and Fairy Langyue—who would have thought the two strongest disciples are both women? The tournament is about to begin. Let's see who will claim the top spot."
Quick, let's get inside.
It's packed—we'll have to stand. The stands are already full.
People streamed in endlessly; drums and music created a grand atmosphere. Many were shocked and amazed.
Brilliant and dazzling, treasures of every kind stirred the hearts of all... But one square pillar held no rare treasures; instead, a transparent light-shield rose, inside which stood several beautiful women and handsome men.
It was as if three thousand beauties stood there, outshining all others.
There were petite cuties, refined beauties, seductive charmers—every kind of beauty imaginable, drawing countless admiring glances as cultivators whispered among themselves.
Toni.
Andrew Han's gaze pierced the light-shield, looking at the little girl. He smiled gently and asked, "Do you want to become a cultivator?"
Inside the light-shield, Toni timidly lowered her head. Suddenly she heard a clear, gentle voice and instinctively nodded, then raised her confused eyes...
As you wish.
In the next instant, the light-shield shattered and cyan radiance surged between heaven and earth!