From the distant horizon, a vast shadow swept across the clouds.
A giant golden-black eagle soared toward the lakeshore gathering.
Its enormous wings cut through the wind with absolute dominance. Each beat stirred violent currents that rolled across the mist-covered lake like invisible tides. Sunlight scattered along streaks of dark gold hidden within its feathers, giving the spirit beast a majestic yet terrifying presence.
Standing upon its broad back were two figures.
At the front stood a young man dressed in simple robes. He remained perfectly still despite the turbulent winds at such height, as though the raging sky itself could not disturb his composure.
Behind him stood a graceful young woman. Her long hair streamed wildly in the wind, yet her gaze remained steady as she observed the countless cultivators gathered below.
They were Lestes and Feng Luo Chen.
As the eagle descended closer, an oppressive aura spread across the lakeshore.
The calm surface of the lake trembled.
Formation banners fluttered violently. Loose gravel rolled across the ground. Several weaker disciples instinctively stepped back, their breathing growing heavy beneath the pressure.
This was no ordinary spirit beast.
It was a Tier-2 Giant Golden Eagle, a notorious aerial predator whose strength rivalled that of Foundation Realm cultivators. Creatures of such lineage were natural rulers of the skies, feared for their ruthless hunting instincts and untamable pride.
Most cultivators would avoid provoking such a beast.
Yet now, it flew in controlled obedience.
A wave of curiosity and unease spread through the gathered factions.
To command such a creature was not merely a matter of strength.
It hinted at destiny.
Nowhere was the reaction stronger than within the formation of Spirit Beast Mountain.
Their disciples stared intently at the eagle, their eyes filled with undisguised envy.
They could sense it clearly.
The beast carried the bloodline of the ancient Golden Eagle, a lineage famed for producing sovereign predators of the heavens. With proper nurturing, its future achievements could surpass imagination.
For beast cultivators, such a companion was more than a mount.
It was a partner capable of shaping battles… and determining fate.
Low murmurs spread among them.
After all, spirit beasts of such pedigree could not be obtained through effort alone. They were treasures that could only be encountered by chance.
Even powerful sects spent decades searching for such bloodlines without success.
To subdue one was difficult.
To earn its loyalty… was rarer still.
This realisation deepened both admiration and unease among the onlookers.
The eagle finally descended.
Wind exploded outward as its talons struck the earth. Dust spiralled into the air, mist scattered across the lake's surface, and several disciples staggered slightly under the impact.
Before the crowd could recover, the two figures leapt down lightly.
Their movements were effortless.
Lestes stepped forward without turning back. A sharp whistle escaped his lips.
The eagle responded instantly.
With a thunderous beat of wings, it shot skyward once more, its fierce cry echoing across the forest before its massive silhouette vanished into the endless expanse of the Fallen Demon Forest.
A strange silence followed.
All eyes were fixed upon the newcomers.
Lestes calmly surveyed the surroundings.
Beside him, Feng Luo Chen quietly observed as well.
Such overwhelming pressure…
This gathering truly brings together the finest young elites of the surrounding regions, she thought.
Excitement flickered faintly within her heart.
Though Lestes expression remained composed, his perception spread quietly outward. Spiritual awareness brushed against the gathered cultivators, allowing him to sense the distinct auras of each faction.
Among them, the sharp, resolute sword intent of the Thousand Sword Sect stood out immediately.
Without hesitation, he walked toward their formation.
Nearby cultivators instinctively stepped aside.
Some watched with curiosity. Others with guarded expressions.
Feng Luo Chen followed silently behind him.
Reaching the front of the formation, Lestes stopped.
He took out a token given by Elder Ling Xing Yue and presented it respectfully.
"Disciple Lestes greets Elder."
Feng Luo Chen also bowed.
Elder Jian accepted the token and examined it briefly before nodding.
His gaze lingered on the two.
At first glance, their auras appeared unremarkable.
Lestes' qi was perfectly condensed, flowing inward without the slightest leakage. He gave the vague impression of an ordinary mortal.
Feng Luo Chen was the same.
Only experienced cultivators could sense the truth.
Their cultivation was not weak.
It was simply concealed with frightening precision.
With over a century of experience, Elder Jian noticed the subtle details — steady breathing, balanced spiritual circulation, hidden pressure beneath calm exteriors.
A trace of surprise flickered through his mind.
Several elders from the major sects quietly came to the same conclusion.While observing Lestes and Feng Luo Chen, they began to reassess the significance of these two newcomers.
These two were far from ordinary.
A faint smile surfaced.
"Song Meng."
The Foundation Realm disciple stepped forward immediately.
"Yes, Elder."
"Guide them."
Song Meng turned to the newcomers.
"Junior Brother. Junior Sister. There."
He gestured toward the rear formation.
But just as he turned, Lestes spoke again.
"Elder… regarding the seats requested by Elder Ling Xing Yue."
Curious gazes gathered once more.
Elder Jian drew a slow breath.
"The request came at the last moment," he said calmly.
"After discussion with the sect's higher authorities… only one seat could be vacated."
Several disciples stiffened.
Lestes had already counted the number of disciples upon arrival.
He had expected this.
There was no disappointment in his expression.
He nodded slightly.
"Elder… this disciple has a request."
"Speak."
"Could you facilitate a transaction for another seat? This disciple is willing to pay any price."
A stir spread through the camp.
Even Song Meng looked surprised.
"Do you understand how priceless an entry seat is?" Elder Jian asked.
"This disciple understands very well," Lestes replied steadily.
"But everything in this world has a price."
Murmurs spread.
"And Elder," he continued,
"Life is far more valuable than a seat in a secret realm."
Elder Jian's gaze sharpened.
The Mysterious Poison Realm was indeed deadly.
Many entered with ambition… and never returned.
Lestes then calmly surveyed the lakeshore.
After a moment, he pointed discreetly toward several cultivators.
"They."
Elder Jian followed his gaze.
They were rogue cultivators, weak backgrounds, uncertain futures.
If offered sufficient compensation, they might exchange their seats.
Still, the price would be enormous.
Elder Jian looked back at Lestes with genuine surprise.
This young man was not merely calm.
He was strategic.
Within moments of arrival, he had assessed the political structure, the strength distribution, and the psychology of the weakest participants.
Clearly… he had not spoken impulsively.
After considering for a moment, Lestes added calmly,"Still, if this seat could be acquired from a disciple of our sect, it would be even more ideal. It is always wiser for wealth and opportunity to circulate within the sect instead of benefiting outsiders."
A strange silence fell over the formation of the Thousand Sword Sect.
Although none of the disciples spoke openly, their expressions subtly changed.
Some frowned.
Some lowered their gazes in thought.
Others glanced at one another, their eyes flickering with uncertainty.
The proposal to exchange a secret-realm seat was like a stone thrown into still water — the ripples spread instantly through their hearts.
For cultivators standing at the peak of the ninth stage of Qi Condensation, such an opportunity was priceless. It represented not only the chance to obtain Foundation Pill ingredients but also the possibility of reshaping one's entire future.
To give it up willingly… was no simple matter.
Yet Lestes' words had also struck a chord.
The dangers of the Mysterious Poison Realm were well known. Every century, talented disciples entered with high hopes — and some never returned.
A few disciples unconsciously tightened their grips on their sword hilts.
They were not afraid of danger.
But fear of wasted potential lingered quietly in their minds.
If they died inside the realm, everything they had cultivated would vanish like smoke.
At the same time, another emotion began to surface.
Curiosity.
Temptation.
If the compensation offered was truly extraordinary… could it outweigh the uncertain rewards hidden within the secret realm?
Some disciples stole cautious glances toward Lestes.
Resentment toward the newcomer still existed.
Elder Jian's expression grew thoughtful.
The logic behind Lestes' words was difficult to refute. Though some disciples might resent the decision, safeguarding the future strength of the sect took precedence. A single exceptional cultivator could harvest resources from the secret realm that would surpass the contributions of several ordinary participants.
Slowly, the elder's gaze sharpened, as if weighing unseen possibilities.
Elder Jian silently assessed Feng Luo Chen.
Her cultivation fluctuations were subtle, yet refined to an uncommon degree. It was clear to him that her foundation was solid and her control exceptional.
Compared to several outer disciples present, her potential within the secret realm was far greater.
This realisation only strengthened his belief that accommodating Elder Ling Xing Yue's request had not been a mistake.
Her name was Li Xiaoqi.
She stood slightly apart from the others, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles had turned pale. Compared to the rest, her aura was noticeably weaker. Even she knew it — if seats were to be re-evaluated, she would be the first to be considered.
A faint tremor passed through her fingers.
For the past three months, she had given everything she had to earn this opportunity. Sleepless nights, relentless cultivation, countless sparring sessions that left her body bruised and exhausted — all of it had been for this single chance.
Because she could not afford to fail.
Her elder sister was preparing to attempt a breakthrough — not merely into the Foundation Realm, but toward the far more dangerous step into the Core Formation Realm.
Such a breakthrough was fraught with peril.
Even a slight disturbance of the mind could lead to deviation, crippling injury… or death.
Li Xiaoqi had hoped to enter the Mysterious Poison Realm to search for one specific treasure.
The Ghost Face Flower.
A rare yin-attributed poisonous plant that grew only in places where dense yin qi gathered. Though deadly in nature, it was also an essential ingredient in refining the Mind-Clearing Pill — a medicinal pill widely used by cultivators to calm turbulent thoughts and suppress heart demons during breakthroughs.
If she could obtain it, her sister's chances of surviving the Core Formation tribulation would increase significantly.
That hope had sustained her through months of hardship.
Now, however, as the possibility of losing her seat loomed before her, a deep sense of helplessness began to creep into her heart.