A Month Later
The war with the alliance of evil sects and the betrayal of the ancient clans had finally co to an end.
The Northern Region and the Central Region slowly recovered, guided by the subtle yet undeniable influence of the Thousand Wealth Chamber.
Now, everyone knew their na.
The Thousand Wealth Chamber was no longer just a rchant organization.
It had beco a symbol of salvation, the sole chamber that had stood with the people against the evil cultivators.
Without it, everyone knew the war would never have ended so decisively.
What shocked the continent even more than its influence was the sudden appearance of a revolutionary communication artifact—the Spirit Link.
A week ago, when news of the Spirit Link first spread, many people thought it was nothing more than an exaggerated rumor.
An artifact that allowed two people to communicate across the entire continent as if they were standing side by side?
Such a claim sounded like the ravings of a madman.
Yet curiosity triumphed over doubt.
Those with sufficient wealth cautiously purchased one, intending to expose the lie.
Instead, they confird its terrifying authenticity.
When voices echoed through the artifact, clear and imdiate, disbelief turned into stunned awe.
Doubt beca incredulity.
Even though the Northern and Central Regions were still recovering, many had lost their hos, resources, or fortunes.
Those who could afford the Spirit Link did not hesitate.
Soon, scenes never before witnessed began to unfold across the streets.
In bustling marketplaces and narrow alleyways, pedestrians walked in pairs or small groups, heads tilted slightly as they gossip, and heated debates filled the air as people discussed the latest trending news on Hi-Cloud.
Apart from the Spirit Link, the Thousand Wealth Chamber introduced several other artifacts that shook the two regions to their core.
The Moon Orb, which illuminated entire hos with gentle, steady light.
The No-Heat Stove and No-Heat Oven, which eliminated the need for firewood or constant supervision.
For cultivators, these artifacts were conveniences.
For commoners, they were miracles.
Cooking, which had always been ti-consuming, dangerous, and exhausting, suddenly beca effortless.
Life itself beca easier.
People sang praises of the Thousand Wealth Chamber wherever they went.
Many even planned long journeys to the Western Region, hoping to learn from the sect that could produce such extraordinary artifacts.
While the common people spoke joyfully about innovation and comfort—
At the heart of the Central Region, within the Imperial Capital, an entirely different discussion was taking place.
Inside a grand hall reinforced with ancient formations, Mo Jian sat calmly at a long stone table.
Around him were figures whose nas alone could shake the continent.
Nascent Soul powerhouses.
If news of this eting were to spread, countless people would scoff in disbelief.
Nascent Soul cultivators represented the pinnacle of strength on the continent—existences revered like living legends.
Yet there sat Mo Jian, a boy at the Peak of the Core Refining Realm, sharing the sa table as them.
And none of them questioned it.
On the contrary, the gazes directed at him were filled with fascination, admiration, and no small amount of shock.
They looked at him as if they were staring at a peerless immortal gem.
"Junior Brother," the Huang Clan Ancestor said slowly, her voice tinged with genuine astonishnt, "I truly never expected you to wield such power."
Her eyes lingered on Mo Jian's calm expression, disbelief plain upon her face.
The Vermilion Fist Sect Ancestor let out a hearty chuckle. "Not only you. No one could have expected such a junior to appear on our continent."
At his words, the other powerhouses nodded in agreent.
A cultivator not even twenty years old, capable of creating an artifact that allowed continent-wide communication, was unheard of.
Borderline absurd.
And that was only one of his achievents.
He also controlled what had now beco the largest rchant chamber on the entire continent.
Every one of his accomplishnts sounded like sothing out of a legend.
Yet here he was.
Alive. Calm. Real.
Under their praises, Mo Jian rely smiled faintly and answered their questions with composure. He neither boasted nor deflected, his responses precise and respectful.
Observing him, the First Ancestor of the Qiu Clan felt a deep sense of pride swell in his chest.
'As expected of the son-in-law of my Qiu Clan,' he thought smugly.
Though he knew full well that it was the Qiu Clan riding the wave of Mo Jian's reputation rather than the other way around, he did not care in the slightest.
"Enough praise," he said aloud, waving his hand dismissively. "If this continues, he might beco arrogant."
The pleased smile tugging at the corners of his lips betrayed him completely.
The other ancestors could not help but roll their eyes at his shalessness.
How they wished Mo Jian belonged to their clans.
As they stared at the grinning Qiu Clan Ancestor, several of them sighed inwardly.
With him present, they knew it would be nearly impossible to introduce their own descendants to Mo Jian.
At that mont, the Lotus Sword Sect Ancestor spoke, his tone turning solemn.
"Junior Brother, do you know why we summoned you here?"
Mo Jian shook his head respectfully. "No, Senior."
"You must know the reason the evil cultivators sought to control the continent, correct?"
"Yes," Mo Jian replied with a nod.
This was no secret.
The evil cultivators aid to transform the continent into an extre Yin zone and forcibly connect it to the Netherworld.
By doing so, they hoped to gain access to a complete heaven and comprehend a complete Heavenly Law.
Such comprehension would allow them to step beyond the false realm they currently occupied.
What the continent called Nascent Soul powerhouses were, in truth, nothing more than Half-Step Nascent Soul cultivators.
"Since you understand," the Lotus Sword Sect Ancestor said, "we will not waste ti repeating ourselves."
The Yun Clan Ancestor leaned forward, his expression heavy.
"For decades, we have searched for a way to leave this continent," he said slowly. "Yet every attempt has ended in failure."
"Beyond the Central Region lies an endless sea. Many powerful cultivators tried to cross it. None returned. There was no shore, only death."
"So proposed exploring the Desert of Fallen," he continued grimly. "The result was worse. Those who entered died even faster than those who ventured into the sea."
"For the Western Region," he said, voice lowering, "the Never-Ending Forest stands as an insurmountable threat. Rumors say a Peak Tier-4 Beast resides at its core."
He let out a heavy sigh.
All the powerhouses who had been smiling monts ago now wore solemn expressions.
"We cannot even defeat an Early Tier-4 Beast," the Yun Clan Ancestor said bitterly. "How could we possibly challenge a Peak Tier-4? Thus, the forest was abandoned."
Silence filled the hall.
Mo Jian could feel the weight pressing upon their shoulders, the despair of countless failed attempts and lost lives.
"But we have not given up," the Essence Veil Sect Ancestor said, her voice firm with conviction.
"After this year's summit, we planned to explore the barren lands beyond the Northern Region. Who could have expected those cursed evil cultivators to launch their attack at such a critical mont?"
Her expression darkened briefly before she steadied herself.
"With your Spirit Link," she continued, looking directly at Mo Jian, "we can maintain constant communication during the exploration. We can warn each other of danger, provide support, and avoid repeating past mistakes."
"With this," she said slowly, "our chances of escaping this continent are far greater than ever before."
The powerhouses exchanged aningful glances.
"And that," the Lotus Sword Sect Ancestor concluded, "is why we summoned you."
The hall fell silent once more.
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