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[Ding! Congratulations, host — disciple recruitment mission complete. Reward: Supreme Divine Ability — Five Extremes Reincarnation Destruction Technique!]
[Five Extremes Reincarnation Destruction Technique]: Obliterates all existence within a wide area. Terrifyingly destructive.
"Another trump card? Not bad."
Ye Junlin nodded with satisfaction. After all, one could never have too many techniques at their disposal.
The system wasn't done yet.
[Ding! Detected disciple's unique talent. The system awards a copy of the Grand Luo Dao Scripture!]
[Ding! All rewards distributed. Host and disciple are advised to get along. And… kindly refrain from abusing small animals.]
Ye Junlin rolled his eyes. "System, what nonsense are you spouting? With my upright character, how could I possibly do such a thing?"
System: "…"
"Master, are you… talking to the mouse?" Bai Xiaoxi blinked in confusion.
Ye Junlin coughed lightly. "Ahem, I'm going to pass a martial art technique to you. You must treasure it, cultivate diligently, and assist your master… I mean, be a good disciple."
With a light tap of his finger, a beam of radiant energy shot into Bai Xiaoxi's consciousness.
Boom!
Bai Xiaoxi's eyes widened in shock, as though struck by divine lightning.
The Grand Luo Dao Scripture contained boundless mysteries. It was profound, illuminating, and seemed to wash away his ignorance. In that instant, Bai Xiaoxi felt as if his entire existence had changed.
He finally understood — this was a great fortune beyond imagining.
"Thank you, Master, for bestowing this precious technique upon your humble disciple!" Bai Xiaoxi bowed deeply, this time with true sincerity.
"The meat's done. Eat."
Ye Junlin smiled and ladled a bowl of soup for the little mouse.
"Delicious!"
Bai Xiaoxi eagerly caught it, sniffed the aroma, and immediately began slurping it down.
"So good…"
Warmth spread through his entire body. A relaxed, contented expression appeared on his face.
Having spent his life alone in the forest, surviving amid countless dangers, such a peaceful, simple moment was something he'd never known.
"Master's so kind to this mouse… Being your disciple is a blessing. I'll definitely repay you someday!" Bai Xiaoxi silently promised himself.
Suddenly —
The entire Luotian Secret Realm trembled violently.
High above, the azure sky began to crack, splitting apart like shattered glass.
"What the hell?"
Ye Junlin's expression changed.
[Ding! Alert: The Grand Luo Immortal Tree has reached the end of its lifespan. The secret realm's structure is collapsing. Host is advised to evacuate immediately.]
"Master… this mouse feels so sad…"
Bai Xiaoxi was crying too, though strangely, he wasn't afraid — just overwhelmed with sorrow. Tears welled in his red eyes, rolling down his furry cheeks.
Ye Junlin frowned, noting Bai Xiaoxi's unusual state, but there was no time to waste.
"Let's go!"
Whoosh! Ye Junlin tore open the void with the Great Void Technique and raced for the exit.
Behind them, the scenery distorted and blurred. Mountains crumbled, ancient trees toppled, and the earth cracked apart. The once timeless Luotian Secret Realm was unraveling in an instant.
Beasts wailed in terror.
"Retreat! Everyone run!!"
Cultivators fled in droves, chaos consuming the land.
"This was supposed to be a minor expedition… Who knew it'd end like this!" The Cangjian Peak Master's face was grim.
Xu Yonian's voice was low and steady. "Priority is to ensure the Xuantian Sect disciples make it out safely. Minimize losses!"
"What about Ye Shizhi?"
The Tianxiang Peak Master asked anxiously.
Even as the words left his lips, a flash of light heralded Ye Junlin's arrival.
"The situation's dire. We evacuate now!" Ye Junlin ordered.
"Ye Shizhi!"
The elders' eyes lit up.
"Whoa… what a huge rat," muttered the Cangjian Peak Master.
Everyone's gaze fell upon the white-haired mouse clinging to Ye Junlin. Its eyes were red-rimmed, its dazed expression pitiful.
"This is my new disciple," Ye Junlin announced.
"Disciple?!"
They all stared, dumbfounded.
Had Ye Shizhi lost his mind? His last disciple was a peerless genius from a prestigious lineage. And now… a clueless mouse?
Before anyone could question it further, Xu Yonian spoke gravely, "Let's move!"
The cultivators of Arid Province and the native inhabitants scrambled toward the collapsing secret realm's exit.
The skies thundered overhead, heralding doomsday.
Outside the realm, the survivors regrouped, their faces pale and spirits shaken.
"Damn… what a disaster," Red Qianye muttered bitterly, floating overhead in crimson robes.
Thankfully, he'd managed to snatch a few rare treasures before the collapse — enough, hopefully, to advance to the Unity Stage. It was a small consolation.
Nearby, Ouyang Feng was practically glowing with smug satisfaction. He'd stumbled upon a hidden opportunity amid the chaos, and his confidence soared.
"The heavens favor me! I'm destined for greatness!" he laughed, stroking his beard.
Then, recalling that fiery red figure and its overwhelming killing intent, a strange sense of fascination stirred within him.
Suppressing his excitement, Ouyang Feng drew a comb crafted from ancient spiritwood and carefully tidied his hair.
Feigning composure, he approached, cupping his hands respectfully. "Esteemed senior, I am Ouyang of Banshan Sect—"
"Scram."
Red Qianye's cold voice cut him off.
Still, for once, his temper was mild. On any other day, flattery from someone like Ouyang would've earned a slap.
"…Right." Ouyang Feng chuckled awkwardly and slunk away.
Swish, swish, swish—
More figures appeared as survivors exited the crumbling secret realm.
"It's Ye Tianjun!"
"Ye Tianjun's back!"
Excited cries rang out.
Red Qianye instantly stepped forward, cupping his hands. "Master!"
Ye Junlin nodded, casually tossing Bai Xiaoxi over. "This is my disciple. Take good care of each other."
"…What?"
Red Qianye stared at the mouse in disbelief.
His instinctive revulsion was immediate. But, given the circumstances, he gritted his teeth. "Yes, Master."
"Where is this place?" Bai Xiaoxi blinked around, unfamiliar with the outside world. A pang of grief struck as he looked back at the fading realm.
"The mouse's home… is gone…"
Boom!
At that moment, a terrifying storm of spiritual power erupted as strange, powerful beings surged forth from the collapsing secret realm.
Their overwhelming auras sent ripples through the surrounding skies. The cultivators of Arid Province turned pale.
"According to legend… is this the outside world?" a horned creature murmured.
"Why is the spiritual energy so thin?" hissed a snake-like figure.
"Never mind. Since we're here, we'll adapt."
One powerful figure surveyed the land coldly. "I propose we seize control and carve up the territories."
"Hmm? Are these two-legged creatures the so-called Human Race? Pathetic."
"Heh… Let's enslave them."
The native beings of Luotian Secret Realm had awakened an ancient instinct upon stepping into this new world.
Their hungry, predatory eyes fell upon the cultivators — and bloodlust followed.
"This is bad… They're about to attack!"
Ouyang Feng felt his scalp tingle.
He knew all too well the power gathered here.
The Luotian Secret Realm, long isolated, had cultivated countless powerful alien beings with ancient bloodlines. In terms of raw numbers, over a thousand had reached the Transformation Stage, more than sixty at the Unity Stage, and innumerable Nascent Souls and Golden Cores.
If united, they could rival one of the Eastern Domain's top ten sects.
"Don't panic! We still have Ye Tianjun!"
A voice rang out.
Swish, swish, swish!
Countless desperate eyes turned toward the silver-haired youth.
After all, he alone had reached the Unity Stage — and they'd all witnessed his might before.
"Is he really up to it…?" Red Qianye felt a flicker of doubt but then caught sight of Ye Junlin's calm expression, hands clasped behind his back, as if the situation was fully under control.
…At least outwardly.
Internally, Ye Junlin was in turmoil.
Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap!
Why now?!
I barely have a tenth of my spiritual power left… and you guys pick this moment to start trouble?!
[Ding! New mission triggered: Persuade the 100,000 native beings of Luotian Secret Realm to join Xuantian Sect. Reward: Desired Divine Ability]
Ye Junlin nearly spat blood.
System, are you out of your damn mind?!
"Ye Tianjun? Who is this Ye Tianjun?!" A silver-winged being roared.
"It's him!"
Countless fingers pointed at Ye Junlin in unison.
Ye Junlin: "…"
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