The next morning, Ni Tian awoke and stepped outside, finding Yun Seraphis(his master) waiting for him.
"Sorry, Master, I made you wait," Ni Tian said respectfully.
Yun gave a small smile. "It's fine. I just arrived. Are you ready?"
"Yes, Master."
Without wasting time, they began an intense cultivation session. For two days straight, Yun guided Ni Tian, helping him refine his foundation in the Immortal Earth Realm (1st level). During this time, she imparted one of her most powerful techniques—Gravitational Command.
"This technique allows you to control objects, manipulate gravity, and suppress cultivators weaker than you," Yun explained. "However, its effectiveness depends on your realm."
At Yun's current realm, she could create a gravitational field covering 300 meters, suppressing anyone below her level. She could also manipulate objects weighing up to 200 kilograms. Ni Tian, still in the early Immortal stage, could only control small objects under 50 kilograms within a 20-meter range. His gravitational field could suppress only those significantly weaker than him.
However, Yun then added something cryptic:
"You can evolve this technique beyond its limits, even without relying on cultivation breakthroughs."
Ni Tian's eyes lit up. "How do I do that, Master?"
Yun shrugged. "I don't know. That's something you must discover yourself."
Ni Tian was left in deep thought but pushed aside his questions, focusing on mastering the technique.
After mastering Gravitational Command, Yun turned to him with a soft expression.
"This is the last thing I can personally teach you. From now on, your cultivation path is your own,but I will still help you."
Ni Tian bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master."
With his training complete, Ni Tian decided to explore the sect and interact with his fellow disciples. However, he was shocked by what he found.
The Yun Sect had only a handful of disciples—21 inner disciples and 36 outer disciples. The outer disciples were barely cultivators, most ranging from Foundation Establishment to Soul Formation Realm, while the inner disciples consisted mostly of Void Refinement Realm cultivators, with only two in Great Ascension Realm.
Among the sect elders, the power was just as imbalanced:
Two Heavenly Realm elders (Immortal)
Three Earth Realm elders (Immortal)
One elder at the peak of Great Ascension (Mortal)
Ni Tian frowned. "Master is the strongest here. Why is the sect so… weak?"
While walking to ask Yun about this, he noticed someone had just left her chamber before he arrived. He sensed the presence but ignored it, entering the room.
"Master, why is our sect in such a state?" Ni Tian asked.
Yun sighed, her gaze distant. "This sect is considered the lowest in the Aerium Continent. Useless cultivators from powerful families are often discarded here. Even the Great Elders of the Emperor's Court agreed to this decision, leaving even the emperor himself with no choice."
Anger burned in Ni Tian's chest. "Master, I will change this."
Yun chuckled softly. "Is that so?"
Before Ni Tian could respond, Yun continued, "In one month, the Eternal Heaven Divine Palace will host a grand tournament. Only the direct disciples of every sect leader in the Aerium Continent may participate."
Ni Tian's eyes widened. "A tournament?"
"Yes. Eighteen sects will compete."
"Eighteen? That many?!" Ni Tian exclaimed.
"You still have a choice. You don't have to participate," Yun reminded him.
Ni Tian clenched his fists, determination solidifying in his gaze. "No. I will enter."
A rare look of approval crossed Yun's face. "In that case, you'll need a proper weapon."
She presented him with a Elemental Sword—a weapon that could merge with his innate abilities. The strength of the fusion would depend on his power.
Ni Tian accepted it gratefully, but then made another request. "Master, can I also have six daggers?"
Yun looked slightly embarrassed. "We don't have anything special, only ordinary daggers."
"That's fine," Ni Tian said. He didn't need legendary weapons—his Gravitational Command could turn even simple daggers into deadly tools.
With his new weapons, Ni Tian retreated to his training field. He fused his abilities into the Elemental Sword, testing its power while simultaneously trying to control the six daggers with Gravitational Command. However, manipulating multiple objects at once proved incredibly difficult.
For three straight weeks, he did not rest, only stopping briefly to eat. His training was relentless.
Yun Seraphis watched from afar, impressed by his resolve. Seeing his dedication, she decided to bestow upon him a priceless treasure—the Sovereign Star Flower, something she had guarded for centuries.
Before handing it over, she warned, "This flower will strengthen your innate ability and techniques. If you're lucky, you may even break through in cultivation. But… luck isn't always on your side."
Ni Tian accepted it and immediately began refining it. Though he did not break through to the next cultivation realm, the results were still astonishing:
His innate ability, Shuiming Huti (Water Domain) evolved from Mortal Tier → Immortal Tier. Now, not only could he control water freely, but he could also teleport within a 100-meter radius using water as a medium.
His Gravitational Command technique advanced to Level 2—extending his gravitational field to 50 meters and allowing him to manipulate objects up to 75 kg.
With only four days left before the tournament, Ni Tian trained relentlessly for three more days, perfecting his swordsmanship, gravity control, and water teleportation.
On the final day, he did something unusual—he rested.
He knew that the tournament would be the first real step toward reshaping the Yun Sect's reputation and, more importantly… his revenge and rise to power.
End of chapter 9...