"Are you Ye Junlin — the one they've been talking about? The strongest in this place?!" demanded the Silver-winged Being, his expression sharp and hostile.
Boom!
Without a word, Ye Junlin stepped forward, unleashing his full cultivation at the Unity Stage.
It was enough to terrify the Alien Races on the spot.
After all, in the Luotian Secret Realm, the Unity Stage was already the peak of cultivation.
"What are you afraid of? He's just one man!"
One of the Unity Stage cultivators shouted.
"Exactly!"
Over sixty Unity Stage beings stepped out together, their combined pressure instantly oppressive.
"Oh my God…"
Countless onlookers dropped to their knees, trembling with fear.
At the eye of the storm, Ye Junlin twitched the corner of his mouth.
This isn't going to work.
Interestingly, when the Alien Races realized one of their own was also at the peak Unity Stage, they seemed to steady themselves a little, though their wariness lingered.
Dragging this out would only lead to trouble.
And right as Ye Junlin felt a headache coming on — something unexpected happened to Bai Xiaoxi.
Boom!
A vast, ancient, holy aura erupted from the little creature. Its ruby-red eyes turned a dazzling gold, and an archaic mark surfaced on its forehead, radiating terrifying energy fluctuations.
"Xiaoxi, you…?"
Ye Junlin's expression changed.
"What's happening to that rat?" Hong Qianye's face also darkened.
In an instant, before countless wide-eyed witnesses, the White-haired Mouse began to float in mid-air, its body encased in a huge, glowing golden sun.
"This… this is the aura of the Grand Luo Immortal Tree!!"
Some of the Alien Races finally reacted, their eyes filled with awe and reverence.
Because in the Luotian Secret Realm, there was one thing no one dared offend — the Grand Luo Immortal Tree. It was the pillar supporting the entire realm, a presence worshipped like the heavens themselves.
And now — just when they thought the realm was on the verge of collapse and the Grand Luo Immortal Tree's will was lost — they felt that sacred, familiar aura again… through a White-haired Mouse.
Like a child returning to its mother's embrace.
"The Grand Luo Immortal Tree hasn't forsaken us!"
"Immortal Tree, please guide your subjects!"
"Protect us, divine Tree!"
Voices rose and fell.
Hundreds of thousands of Alien Beings fell to their knees, even the powerful Unity Stage cultivators included. All bowed respectfully before Bai Xiaoxi.
Their emotions ran high; many had tears in their eyes.
"Holy crap!"
Xu Yonian gaped, nearly doubting his own eyes.
Ye Junlin's newly accepted disciple… turned out to be such a big deal?!
Even Hong Qianye — typically well-informed and rarely surprised — was rattled by this development. It was clear now that this White-haired Mouse was blessed with tremendous fortune.
He glanced at Ye Junlin's calm face and thought, As expected… nothing about you is simple. This must've been part of your plan all along.
At that moment, Ye Junlin's thoughts were in turmoil.
He'd sensed Bai Xiaoxi's abnormalities before, but this sudden display raised new possibilities in his mind.
Could it be… that the Grand Luo Immortal Fruits nurtured by the Immortal Tree were essentially vessels for its will to return? And after Bai Xiaoxi ate one, it created the Grand Luo Immortal Body — with a fragment of the Tree's consciousness inside?
Was the will of the Immortal Tree awakening right now, attempting to seize Bai Xiaoxi's body?
Ye Junlin's brow furrowed.
He genuinely liked this little creature. If his disciple was replaced by someone else's will, that would be a problem.
"Xiaoxi, are you alright? Answer me!" Ye Junlin transmitted anxiously.
In mid-air, Bai Xiaoxi's gaze was cold and detached. But as Ye Junlin's voice reached his mind, a violent ripple ran through his core spirit.
"Master is calling… Mouse can't fall asleep now!"
Bai Xiaoxi struggled fiercely, his body trembling like a leaf.
Finally, the light in his eyes returned, and clarity settled in once more.
"Master!"
The little mouse landed obediently by Ye Junlin's side, giving a proper salute.
A faint trace of relief appeared in Ye Junlin's eyes as he gently stroked its head.
"Good, you're alright."
"What… the Grand Luo Immortal Tree took that human as its master?!"
The gathered Alien Races were dumbfounded, their worldview crumbling before them.
Noticing the shift, Ye Junlin swiftly came up with a plan. He quietly transmitted to Bai Xiaoxi:
"Xiaoxi, follow my lead…"
After a while, Bai Xiaoxi cleared his throat and addressed the Alien Races in a solemn voice:
"The collapse of this secret realm is inevitable, but do not panic. You are all my subjects — I will never abandon you."
The Alien Races instantly brightened, as though they'd found an anchor amid chaos.
Right then, Ye Junlin casually added, "Heaven shows mercy. In that case… let your subjects join my Xuantian Sect and receive my protection."
Bai Xiaoxi bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Master!"
"You…?" The Silver-winged Being was stunned, unable to process the turn of events.
"Are you doubting me?"
With his hands behind his back, Bai Xiaoxi looked down coolly at the Silver-winged Being.
The once-arrogant figure immediately felt a chill run through him, bowing his head in fear.
"I dare not."
The other Alien Races fell silent too.
Having lived under the rule of the Luotian Secret Realm for so long, their submission to the Grand Luo Immortal Tree was instinctual. And now, seeing the Tree itself bowing to Ye Junlin — how could they possibly resist?
At that moment, Ye Junlin and Bai Xiaoxi had effectively gained command of this formidable group, quietly dissolving the crisis before it could explode.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the mission. Reward: Sun Dial!]
[Sun Dial]: Opens a training space where one hundred years inside equals a single day in the outside world.
The system notification echoed in his mind.
Ye Junlin's eyes gleamed.
I did it!
This time, it was entirely thanks to his new disciple — a treasure in disguise at a critical moment.
As for the Sun Dial reward, Ye Junlin wasn't overly excited. The ability to train for a hundred years while a day passed outside sounded good, but to him — someone who thrived on real-world opportunities — it seemed unnecessary.
Ever since crossing into this world, he'd preferred to enjoy life.
With the system's help, he could leisurely cultivate through lucky encounters. Why lock himself in a Sun Dial chamber?
But just because he didn't need it didn't mean others wouldn't.
He considered it: his followers could benefit greatly from it. Since his level would always stay ahead, giving them a means to catch up would only strengthen his faction.
"I can't believe it! These powerful beings… are joining Xuantian Sect?!"
Sect Master Xu Yonian's hands trembled, tears of joy filling his eyes.
This included over a thousand Transformation Stage cultivators and more than sixty Unity Stage experts — and countless Golden Core cultivators.
Such a massive force was about to become part of Xuantian Sect?
"Sect Master! From now on, we'll rank among the Eastern Domain's top ten sects!"
One of the Peak Masters shouted, barely able to contain his excitement.
The disciples of Xuantian Sect were overjoyed. This marked the start of a new era for their sect.
"Is this really happening?!"
Ouyang Feng was dumbstruck, stunned by the unprecedented growth of Xuantian Sect's power.
"This is insane! I knew Ye Junlin would resolve the crisis!"
The cultivators from the Arid Province were overwhelmed with awe.
Even the Alien Race powerhouses had to bow to Ye Junlin's disciple — it was unthinkable.
"Master! Mouse did it! They all listened to Mouse!" Bai Xiaoxi excitedly transmitted.
"Well done. I'm very pleased."
Then Ye Junlin asked, a hint of concern in his voice, "By the way — will the will of the Grand Luo Immortal Tree still affect you?"
Bai Xiaoxi replied, "No. After I woke up, I haven't sensed it again."
"Is that so?"
Ye Junlin nodded slightly.
It seemed this inheritance wasn't a bad thing after all — at least it gave them leverage over the Alien Races.
Afterward, the crowd gradually dispersed, processing the day's unbelievable events.
Meanwhile, Xuantian Sect was bustling, working to accommodate their new members.
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