Divine Flower Sect

The members of the Divine Flower Sect strolled into the restaurant with an air of calm confidence, their unhurried pace a testament to their composed demeanor. They seemed utterly unbothered by the commotion they had caused, their serene expressions a stark contrast to the whispers and awestruck glances that followed them.

Meanwhile, the three brothers were still reeling from the revelation. They racked their brains, trying to recall any information about a sect named Divine Flower Sect, but their memories came up blank. The term "Nascent Soul Realm" was equally unfamiliar, leaving them feeling bewildered and perplexed.

As Dao Apprentices, they had mastered the art of summoning their Dao Avatars and harnessing the power of their Dao Souls to launch devastating Soul Attacks. Yet, despite their impressive abilities, they had never heard of this so-called Nascent Soul Realm.

The disconnect between their knowledge and the conversation they had overheard left them feeling disoriented. What was the meaning of this Nascent Soul Realm? And what was the significance of the Divine Flower Sect? The more they thought about it, the more questions they had, and the more their confusion deepened.

First Disciple Guan stood up, his movements fluid and deliberate. "Let's go and greet them," he said to his brothers, his eyes fixed on the Divine Flower Sect's group.

Second Disciple Jiang followed closely behind Guan, his expression neutral. Eighth Disciple Jian, on the other hand, remained seated, too engrossed in his meal to bother with social niceties.

As they approached the Divine Flower Sect's table, Guan cleared his throat to announce their presence. "Greetings to all the respective young lords and young ladies," he said, his voice smooth and courteous.

The Divine Flower Sect's members turned to face them, their expressions ranging from curiosity to mild interest. A chorus of greetings echoed back, as the group acknowledged the trio's presence.

First Disciple Guan flashed a gentle smile, attempting to emulate the charming demeanor of their sect master, Wudi Egun. Although his smile didn't quite reach the same level of warmth and sincerity as Wudi Egun's, it was still endearing and disarming.

"If you all don't mind my intrusion, then may I have the honor of sharing the same table as you honorable ones?" Guan asked, his eyes sparkling with courtesy.

A young lady with an ethereal beauty and imperial charm smiled graciously, her soft voice captivating the hearts of everyone present. "Why not, please be seated," she said, her gesture inviting the trio to join them.

The warm glow of lanterns illuminated the cozy restaurant, casting a golden light on the patrons. The aroma of exotic spices and steaming dishes wafted through the air, enticing the senses. Amidst this tranquil atmosphere, First Disciple Guan stood up, his movements fluid and deliberate.

With a courteous bow, he introduced himself, "We two brothers are from the Ancient Trampling Heaven Sect, and may I ask, esteemed lords and ladies, from where do you all hail?" His voice was smooth and melodious, like a gentle breeze on a summer day.

As a wise and experienced individual who had followed the previous Sect Master, First Disciple Guan possessed a wealth of knowledge and wisdom, making him the wisest amongst the trio at present. His eyes sparkled with a hint of warmth, and his smile was genuine, putting those around him at ease.

However, his introduction was a fabrication, concealing his true identity and affiliations. A subtle flicker of his eyelids was the only betrayal of his deception.

The Divine Flower Sect's disciples exchanged skeptical glances, their faces reflecting their confusion. "Ancient Trampling Heaven Sect?" one of them repeated, their voice laced with incredulity. "What do you mean by Trampling Heaven?"

Their eyes widened, and their brows furrowed, as they pondered the implications of such a name. Aren't you afraid of Heaven's wrath? The unspoken question hung in the air, like a challenge waiting to be answered.

Young Lady Qi, with her ethereal beauty and captivating voice, intervened to steer the conversation back on track. "I am Qi Yue, a disciple of the Divine Flower Sect, and these are my juniors," she introduced herself, her voice melodious and refined.

Her eyes sparkled like diamonds in the lantern light, and her smile was as radiant as a sunrise. The atmosphere around her seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly energy, as if she were a celestial being descended upon the mortal realm.

First Disciple Guan's face lit up with a warm smile as he greeted them in respect. "Greetings to you all," he said, his voice filled with courtesy. "I am Guan Yonghai, and this is my second brother, Jiang Hao." He turned around and pointed at Jian Tiansheng. "He is my eighth brother, Jiang Tiansheng."

As he spoke, his eyes seemed to gleam with a hint of mischief, as if he were savoring a private joke. His smile was infectious, putting those around him at ease.

"Currently, we are on a mission to recruit disciples on the order of our Sect Master," he announced, his tone confident and authoritative. He turned around, his movements fluid and deliberate, and smiled gently, trying to copy Wudi Egun's body language and how he normally speaks.

Cao Man, a young man with a smirk on his face, snorted in derision. "Recruiting disciples? A sect no one has heard of before? Why would anyone want to join you?" His voice was laced with mockery, and his eyes sparkled with amusement.

First Disciple Guan's expression remained serene, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to face Cao Man. "And this young lord's identity?" he asked politely, his tone courteous but with a hint of underlying steel.

Cao Man stood up, his movements fluid and confident. "I am Cao Man, the young master of the Ancient Cao Family from the Northern Territory," he declared, his voice proud and arrogant. His presence seemed to command attention, and his aura was like a dragon's, powerful and majestic.

First Disciple Guan's expression remained neutral, but inwardly, he sneered at Cao Man's limited cultivation. This young man, despite his arrogant demeanor, was only a Second-rate Trainee, a far cry from the likes of First Disciple Guan and his brothers. He thought to himself, 'This young man is ignorant of his own limitations. He is no match for even a First-rate Trainee, let alone an Early-Dao Apprentice."

However, First Disciple Guan's expression changed when he turned to Young Lady Qi. He smiled respectfully, his eyes gleaming with genuine interest. "Young Lady Qi, we are new here and unfamiliar with the outside world. If you don't mind, might we tag along with you and learn a thing or two about this realm?" His request was sincere, for he truly knew little about the mortal zone and its ways.

In the world of cultivators, the mortal zone was often seen as a barren land, incapable of producing a Dao Apprentice. Yet, here he stood, surrounded by individuals who possessed spiritual energy and cultivation. The experience was both fascinating and humbling, and First Disciple Guan was eager to learn more.

Young Lady Qi's face lit up with a warm smile as she nodded graciously. "Why not? If Brother Guan wants to, then you may come with us. Anyway, we are heading towards the Ancient Long Family. If you don't think it's a hassle, why not tag along with us to the Ancient Long Family?" Her voice was melodious and inviting, putting everyone at ease.

First Disciple Guan's eyes sparkled with gratitude as he bowed slightly. "It would be our fortune to tag along with you," he agreed, not rejecting the offer. He had two reasons for tagging along with this group. Firstly, he wanted to learn more about the mortal zone from them, and secondly, he hoped to find new disciples to recruit.

Soon enough, they left the hotel and traveled in a luxurious carriage, adorned with intricate carvings and plush cushions. The carriage glided smoothly over the winding roads, carrying them towards the Ancient Long Family's territory.

As they journeyed, the scenery outside changed from lush green forests to bustling streets. They finally arrived at the Ancient Long Family's territory, which was also the largest market in the entire city. The air was thick with the smells of exotic spices, fresh produce, and roasting meats.

The group found themselves immersed in a sea of people, all hurrying to and fro. The streets were lined with stalls selling everything from rare artifacts to everyday household items. First Disciple Guan's eyes widened as he took in the sights and sounds of the bustling market. He had never seen anything like it before.

The trio's eyes widened in astonishment as they took in the sights and sounds of the bustling city. They had never expected to see such a grand metropolis in a mortal zone. In their understanding, mortal zones were supposed to be desolate lands devoid of spiritual energy, where mortals lived out their mundane lives.

But this city defied their expectations. The sheer scale of the city, the towering buildings, and the vibrant markets all seemed to contradict the notion that this was a mortal zone.

As they pondered this enigma, the carriage came to a stop before a majestic mansion situated at the heart of the city. The mansion's grandeur rivaled that of a royal palace, with intricate carvings, sweeping arches, and gleaming tiles that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight.

Despite the mansion's imposing appearance, the trio didn't sense any powerful auras emanating from within. However, they did detect a mysterious aura radiating from the palace, like an undercurrent of subtle energy that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly power.

Young Lady Qi's smile illuminated her face as she introduced the powerhouse of the Ancient Long Family. "The ancestor of the Ancient Long Family is said to be a Heavenly Saint, and as for the Family Patriarch, he is said to be a Void Realm lord. Don't you think such power is already terrifying?" 

Her voice was laced with a mix of reverence and awe.

The trio exchanged bewildered glances. What is this Heavenly Saint and Void Realm? They had never heard of such terms before, and their ignorance left them feeling perplexed. Nevertheless, they nodded politely, pretending to understand the significance of these titles.

First Disciple Guan's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked, "I wonder how much you know about the cultivation world and their levels?" His tone was innocent, but his intention was to glean information from Young Lady Qi.

Young Lady Qi's smile was like a sunrise, illuminating her face with warmth and radiance. "What do you mean by 'how much'? Young Lord Guan is surely funny," she teased, her voice melodious and playful.

As she began to explain, her expression turned serious, and her voice took on a tone of reverence. "When a practitioner cultivates, they need to first enter the Foundation Realm. Followed by the Qi Condensation Realm, Spiritual Body Realm, Golden Elixir Realm, Nascent Soul Realm, Divine Transformation Realm, Primordial Spirit Realm, Cosmic Realm, Void Realm, Tribulation Realm, Sacred Realm, and finally, the Heavenly Saint Realm."

The trio listened intently, their eyes locked onto Young Lady Qi's face as they absorbed every word. They were like parched travelers drinking from an oasis, thirsty for knowledge and insight.

Young Lady Qi's voice trembled slightly as she continued, "Although there is the True Immortal Realm above the Heavenly Saint Realm, it has already been several eras since the last True Immortal was seen." Her eyes seemed to glaze over, lost in thought, as if she were gazing into a distant horizon.

A hint of wistfulness crept into her voice, "To witness the birth of a True Immortal is something not anyone can get. And I, too, want to witness the birth of a True Immortal, but I know it's impossible." Her words were laced with a deep longing, a yearning for something that seemed forever out of reach.

The trio's brows furrowed in unison, their faces reflecting their skepticism. They had no concept of what a True Immortal entailed, but the nomenclature itself reeked of arrogance. Immortals, in their understanding, were already lofty beings, far beyond their own grasp.

How could this young lady, Qi Yue, speak of True Immortals emerging in this insignificant land with such nonchalance? The notion seemed preposterous, a laughable tale.

This land, after all, struggled to produce even a single Dao Apprentice, and yet she claimed that the mortal zone had given birth to True Immortals in the past?

The trio's minds reeled with incredulity, but they maintained their composure, careful not to offend their host. They chose to keep their doubts hidden, their faces neutral, as they continued to listen to Young Lady Qi's words.

Just as they were engrossed in their conversation, a youthful voice rang out, welcoming them with an air of warmth and hospitality. "I didn't expect that Young Lady Qi herself would graciously visit my Ancient Long Family."

As they turned to locate the source of the voice, their eyes fell upon a majestic young man with a tall and powerful stature, approaching them with confident strides. His smile was serene and unblemished, untainted by the mundane concerns of the mortal realm.

Clad in a pristine white robe, he exuded an aura of divine elegance, reminiscent of the god-kings of heaven. His presence was mesmerizing, commanding attention without seeming to demand it.

Young Lady Qi's face lit up with a warm smile as she gazed at the young man, her eyes sparkling with delight .

In contrast, the trio maintained a composed demeanor, their faces neutral, as they observed the newcomer with interest.