Tian Ling quickly opened Jin Yu's profile to investigate what had changed in her lineage.

  [Name: Jin Yu]

  [Age: 89 years]

  [Cultivation: First Level of the Spiritual Core Realm]

  [Spiritual Root: Medium Grade]

  [Affinity: She has deep feelings for you.]

  [Lineage: Dao Companion of the Guardian]

  The title "Dao Companion of the Guardian" immediately caught his attention, leaving him astonished. Simply becoming his dao companion had modified her lineage—a fact that defied his expectations and understanding.

  "Will this influence her aptitude and talent?" Tian Ling murmured, furrowing his brows as he delved into his thoughts. Many questions arose, but he knew that only time would bring the answers.

  With a deep sigh, he adjusted his state of mind and returned his focus to his cultivation.

  "I must break through before reaching a hundred years old," he murmured, his eyes gleaming with determination.

  Before diving back into meditation, he cautiously checked who was the strongest cultivator in the sect. Confirming that it was still the sect master, he closed his eyes and concentrated on his practice. His intention was clear: to instantly defeat the Green Demon in the simulation arena as soon as he reached the sixth level of the True Soul Realm.

  While Tian Ling dedicated himself to cultivation, an important meeting was taking place in the main hall of the Serene Mist Sect. The elders and the sect master were gathered, debating seriously.

  "Elder Tian has saved the sect twice, and we have yet to repay him appropriately. We need to think of something," the sect master declared calmly.

  "Master, we could choose a treasure from the sect to gift him," one of the elders suggested.

  "We don't have anything of great value among the remaining treasures. If we did, we would have used them against Bai Jian and the Green Demon," another elder retorted, crossing his arms.

  Each of those present made their suggestions, but none seemed satisfactory in the eyes of the sect master. It was then that Mei Lianhua, with a thoughtful expression, spoke up:

  "Master, what if we chose a talented disciple and presented them to Elder Tian? He hasn't accepted any disciples so far."

  All eyes turned to Mei Lianhua, their expressions filled with anticipation.

  "Excellent idea, Little Mei. With a sect disciple by his side, Tian Ling will have a stronger bond with us and won't abandon us easily," said one of the elders, making his ulterior motives clear.

  "Don't talk nonsense," another elder reprimanded, rolling his eyes.

  The sect master nodded thoughtfully.

  "This could work. I will personally choose a talent," he said, letting a slight regret show in his gaze. "Tsk... After missing out on a talent like Elder Tian, I don't know if my eyes are still capable of recognizing a true genius."

  Three years passed. Tian Ling slowly opened his eyes, feeling invigorated.

  "Incredible... Without worries, I managed to break through much faster. Sixth level of the True Soul Realm. The Perfected Soul Realm is just ahead," he thought, with renewed determination.

  He sensed two familiar presences outside his abode—the sect master and a young man at the second level of the Foundation Establishment Realm conversing with Lian Ziyue. Curious, Tian Ling stood up to greet them.

  "Sect Master, it's rare to see you visiting me. Has something happened recently?" Tian Ling asked politely.

  The sect master looked around, examining every detail of the environment.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  "Indeed, this is my first visit. This Mythic Realm is truly impressive. The spiritual energy here is incredibly dense," he commented with admiration in his eyes. "Where did you obtain this Mythic Realm, Elder Tian?"

  Tian Ling pondered for a moment before answering, "I had a fortunate encounter before joining the sect and obtained it by chance."

  "That also justifies my techniques... It's best not to expose the system," he thought.

  "But why did the Sect Master go to the trouble of coming here?" Tian Ling continued, maintaining his composure.

  "Ah, yes. Since you haven't accepted any disciples yet, we decided to introduce you to this young talent," said the sect master, pushing forward a young man with tanned skin, brown eyes, and long black hair.

  As soon as the young man stood before Tian Ling, the system resonated in his mind, surprising him:

  [Potential Guardian Target Detected.]

  Tian Ling raised his eyebrows, intrigued.

  "Potential? There's no mission linked?" he thought.

  The young man quickly knelt, clasping his fists, and spoke respectfully, "Please, Elder, accept me as your disciple!"

  He had heard rumors about the great master who saved the sect twice, defeating enemies far beyond his own cultivation level. When he learned that he would have the chance to be this elder's disciple, he was naturally excited and determined to be accepted.

  Tian Ling looked at him intently for a few moments, not responding immediately. Then, he called up the young man's status in his mind, and a golden screen—though with a dimmer glow—appeared before him:

  [Name: Lin Feng]

  [Age: 22 years]

  [Cultivation: Second Level of the Foundation Establishment Realm]

  [Spiritual Root: High Grade]

  [Affinity: He has heard of your victories against Bai Jian and the Green Demon. Because of your achievements, he wishes to become your disciple and admires you deeply.]

  [Lineage: Half-Dragon. A mixed-blood son of a human cultivator and a woman from the dragon race. Due to conflicts between his parents, he was left in the mortal world for his own protection.]

  "Holy... Half-Dragon?" Tian Ling mentally exclaimed, astonished by the young man's lineage. "This potential is incredible. If I accept him, I might even gain the protection of the dragon race... That would be useful for cultivating in peace in the future."

  After pondering for a moment, Tian Ling looked directly at the young man before him and said meaningfully, "Very well. I will accept you as my disciple. However, you are not permitted to leave my Mythic Realm without my guidance. Also, the Sect Master must provide you with cultivation techniques. From my side, I will teach you only sword, movement, and defense techniques."

  The sect master readily agreed, asking only that Lin Feng contribute to the sect when he could.

  "Now, please come to my palace. We can talk more about the current state of the sect," Tian Ling invited, indicating the way to the sect master.

  During the conversation, the master informed him that the sect had strengthened significantly in recent years. The Serene Mist Sect was now respected throughout the Nine Stars Region, and no one dared to provoke them lightly.

  "The only recent problem is..." The sect master hesitated for a moment.

  "Please, tell me. What is the problem?" Tian Ling asked, narrowing his eyes.

  "The Crimson Fire Sect seems to have taken us as a target... and we don't know the reason," the master admitted helplessly.

  "Kun Yong is from the Crimson Fire Sect... Could they be targeting us because I killed Bai Jian?" Tian Ling thought silently.

  "How powerful is this sect?" he questioned, intrigued.

  "Extremely. I heard that their strongest cultivator is at the third level of the Void Body Realm, but he is not the sect master."

  "And why haven't they attacked us yet?"

  "If they attack, I will prioritize my life and escape beforehand," he contemplated.

  "They would take at least thirty years to get here. The Nebulous Region is thousands of kilometers from the Serene Mist Sect."

  "If the attack is inevitable, why don't we flee?" Tian Ling calmly suggested.

  "Flee? What kind of cultivators would we be if we did that? Are you afraid of death?" the master questioned, frowning slightly.

  Tian Ling maintained a serene expression, but his response was firm, "Sect Master, why would I cultivate if I weren't afraid of death?" he replied seriously, looking directly into the master's eyes.

  The sect master was left speechless, unable to refute Tian Ling's simple and direct argument.

  After a brief moment of silence, Tian Ling sighed, but his voice remained steady, "Anyway, if they do attack us, I will do my best to defend the sect. However, if I realize that I cannot defeat them, I will not hesitate to flee." His expression was resolute, but there was a touch of disappointment in his words.

  The sect master slowly nodded, as if accepting the reality that Tian Ling had presented.

  "Very well... The truth is that the sect hasn't done as much for you as it should have. We are already immensely grateful for your past help," the master admitted sincerely.

  Tian Ling simply nodded in acknowledgment. Deep down, he knew that everyone would need to find their own way to survive in the vast world of cultivation.

  With the meeting coming to an end, Tian Ling bid farewell to the master and looked at Lin Feng, who remained silent, awaiting instructions.

  "From now on, you will train with me. Do not expect any leniency," Tian Ling said, his voice calm but full of authority.

  Lin Feng bowed deeply, determination evident in his gaze.

  "Yes, Master! I will not disappoint you!" the young man responded, his voice filled with conviction.

  Tian Ling observed the young man for another moment and thought to himself, "With a disciple like this and the protection of the dragon race, perhaps I can truly reach new levels of peace and power."

  But deep in his mind, a sense of unease still lingered. The threat of the Crimson Fire Sect loomed like a shadow over his thoughts. He knew that although he could plan to flee, battles on the path of cultivation were inevitable—and perhaps sooner than he would like.