When news of the incident reached Yuhua Sect, chaos erupted.
"How is this possible? Even Elder Yan and the others were defeated!"
"Damn it! They killed our elders, and the Saint Son was nearly lost! They've shown utter contempt for Yuhua Sect!"
"Declare war! Announce it openly! We'll drown that barbaric land in blood and raze the sect responsible to the ground!"
Angry roars filled the air, and terrifying auras shot into the heavens, stirring the clouds like a storm.
The unshakable Undying Immortal Sect, the sacred land revered by countless cultivators of the Eastern Domain, now rumbled with earth-shaking energy.
The cultivators across Qingzhou fell silent, their faces pale as they cast uneasy glances toward the horizon.
At the same time…
The news swept through the Eastern Domain like wildfire, sending shockwaves through every prefecture.
There had been too many visiting cultivators at the scene — and once they returned home, word spread like the plague.
"Breaking news from the Eastern Domain cultivation world!"
"Only two lower-grade spirit crystals per copy!"
"Quick, give me one!"
"Me too!"
In every tavern and teahouse, cultivators pored over the latest daily report, their eyes wide in disbelief.
"This… this can't be real…"
The headlines were enough to send a jolt down anyone's spine.
"Shocking! Yuhua Sect's Saint Son defeated by a mysterious figure in red!"
"Nine Unity Stage experts killed — the mastermind, a master from Xuantian Sect's Mysterious Peak!"
"Revealed: Xuantian Sect, an ancient immortal sect hidden within the Arid Province!"
"Yuhua Sect declares war on Xuantian Sect!"
It was clear this event had stirred the entire Eastern Domain, quickly becoming the most talked-about topic in cultivation circles.
The Arid Province, once considered a desolate wasteland, suddenly surged to fame thanks to Xuantian Sect.
And as for Ye Junlin, the master of Mysterious Peak, his name became the subject of endless discussion.
The feeling was akin to a pond full of shrimp suddenly birthing a True Dragon.
It was astonishing beyond belief.
"Good heavens, the world's turned upside down! I'll never call the people of Arid Province bumpkins again — they've even dared to kill Yuhua Sect's elites!"
"Xuantian Sect might have some skills, but if they cross Yuhua Sect, they're finished."
"Exactly. That's a supreme cultivation force — an immortal holy land where True Immortals once walked. Their foundations are terrifyingly deep."
Throughout the Eastern Domain's fourteen prefectures, no one believed Xuantian Sect had a chance. Everyone assumed Ye Junlin's fate was sealed.
---
Buddha Province. Hanging Temple.
A circle of core monks sat cross-legged, hands clasped in solemn prayer.
Their auras were ethereal, transcending the mundane, radiating the essence of enlightenment and detachment.
"Amitabha. Since Yuhua Sect has declared war, our Hanging Temple shall also uphold justice and rid the world of evil. Xuantian Sect must pay for their crimes in blood."
"Our Buddha shows mercy, yet justice must be served."
Soon after, Hanging Temple publicly condemned Xuantian Sect as a den of evil, branding Ye Junlin the White-Haired Demon and rallying those seeking merit to rise and destroy him.
As the foremost Zen sect in Buddha Province, their influence was immense. Countless monks and Buddhist cultivators took up arms, preparing to slay demons and chase the Dao.
The entire Eastern Domain was now thick with killing intent.
A massive war, one not seen in a hundred thousand years, loomed on the horizon.
---
Arid Province.
Since the collapse of the Luotian Secret Realm, dense spiritual energy burst forth, saturating the once-barren land.
As the saying goes, "When a whale dies, the entire sea feeds."
The previously desolate prefecture was now teeming with vitality.
Countless cultivators made breakthroughs, their strength rapidly increasing.
Before, the thin spiritual energy had stifled cultivation, with few achieving Golden Core, and even fewer reaching Nascent Soul. But this was changing fast.
---
Xuantian Sect.
Since welcoming over a hundred thousand alien cultivators, the sect's power surged overnight — like a starving man suddenly feasting.
Yet when word from the outside world arrived, the sect's leadership was gripped by despair.
They'd basically painted a target on their own backs.
"In a few days, Yuhua Sect will come knocking — and those bald old monks from Hanging Temple have the audacity to brand us as evil? Outrageous!"
"And where's the Sect Master? And the other Peak Masters? Haven't seen them for days!"
"They say they're in secluded cultivation."
"Sigh… even with Peak Master Ye's strength, he's still pushing himself. It's all for Xuantian Sect's survival."
"Our sect is truly blessed to have Peak Master Ye."
Many disciples sighed with emotion.
---
Mysterious Peak.
A young man in black lounged lazily on a recliner. Silver-white hair fell to his waist, while a pair of sunglasses shaded his eyes, creating a strange blend of ancient elegance and modern swagger.
At that moment, he lay with his eyes closed, basking in the sun.
Nearby, on a makeshift workbench, a meter-tall white-furred mouse busied itself. After a moment, it raised a cup, grinning with satisfaction.
"Master, it's ready! The undefeated supreme bubble tea you asked for!" Bai Xiaoxi called out excitedly.
Ye Junlin's brow lifted. "Quick — get me a straw!"
"Right away!"
Bai Xiaoxi hurried over, inserted the straw, and offered the cup.
Ye Junlin took a long sip, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Perfect! That's the taste!"
After completing his daily sign-ins recently, he'd unlocked a bubble tea-making encyclopedia — containing no fewer than ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine recipes.
In his previous life, this would've been an invaluable trade secret.
He could've easily built a global brand that would have made even Snow King offer him a cigarette and beg for mentorship.
Thrilled, he immediately had his second disciple Bai Xiaoxi test it out.
Bai Xiaoxi followed the ancient recipes carefully, and at last, succeeded in making a flawless cup.
This supreme undefeated bubble tea was among the trickiest recipes in the book.
Slurp~
Ye Junlin took another long drink, nodding in approval. "Well done, Xiaoxi! I'll allow you to brew fifty more — and you can pick one to enjoy for yourself."
"Really? Thank you, Master!" Bai Xiaoxi beamed and scampered off to make more.
Tsk.
Watching this, Hong Qianye silently scoffed.
This dumb mouse… one of these days, it'll probably sell itself for peanuts and be happy about it.
"Hey, Xiao Hong, look at how energetic Xiaoxi is! You can't even keep up with a mouse!"
Ye Junlin called lazily, "Where's my spicy grilled squid skewers? How much longer?"
Hong Qianye's expression twitched, but he forced a smile.
"Coming right up, Master!"
A moment later, he appeared carrying a plate of spicy squid skewers and respectfully half-knelt beside Ye Junlin.
"Please enjoy, Master."
"Mm."
Ye Junlin grabbed a skewer and munched noisily.
Watching his carefree manner, Hong Qianye gritted his teeth inwardly but kept a placid face.
"Is the cooking to your liking, Master? Should I adjust the spice level?"
Ye Junlin waved a hand. "Leave it as it is."
"Yes, Master."
After hesitating a moment, Hong Qianye cautiously spoke.
"Master… might I request permission to train in the sundial chamber? I truly wish to improve."
It was his fifth request.
Ever since learning about the chamber's miraculous abilities — and that the Sect Master and other Peak Masters were cultivating inside — he'd been desperate to gain access.
But every request had been turned down.
Frustration gnawed at him.
If strength permitted, he would've forced his way in long ago. For now, though, he had to endure in silence.
Ye Junlin took another sip of bubble tea and snorted. "Tsk — look at you, impatient again!"
---