Xu Mo wanted to break through to the Foundation Building Realm, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't find the right temperament for it. His emotions were in turmoil—unbalanced and unrefined. All because of Mei Xueyin's behavior.

He hadn't expected that someone he'd known for less than a year could affect him so deeply. But it had happened, and the inner stillness he relied on had been disrupted.

So he chose to part ways with the group and travel alone through the secret realm. Wei Rong had wanted to follow, concerned for him, but was stopped by Mei Xueyin. Whether she did it for her own sake or his, Xu Mo couldn't be bothered to think too deeply about it.

Travelling alone helped him sort through the knot of emotions. Silence, solitude, and stillness—those were his tools. And in that silence, he'd made an important discovery. He found a way to utilize the system without letting it dominate him. The fear of losing all his cultivation if he displeased it had always loomed over him. But now, although the method was arduous, it was necessary. It granted him autonomy.

His current plan was simple: invest in the protagonists or antagonists of this world—without bias. Once he received a double return from the system, he would sell the materials at auctions and earn his share of spirit stones. Unlike a rogue cultivator, he was a True Successor. Even if he used an alternate identity—which he hadn't decided yet—auction houses wouldn't dare make trouble for him. That wealth could then be used to buy what he truly needed for his cultivation journey.

More than that, he had a different aspiration—one that had nothing to do with power or revenge.

He wanted to open an orphanage. To do charity work. For the countless disciples who died in secret realms or during missions, he wanted to support their families. Perhaps until the day he himself died.

To some, it might seem naïve. Unnecessarily kind. But to Xu Mo, it was about having a goal that was truly his own. He didn't want to chase after the same aspirations as the so-called protagonists or villains. He didn't need to follow their path. His was different. More grounded. Quiet.

Of course, it was all still in the realm of thought.

But the more he contemplated it, the more it made sense. It felt right. So far, there were no major obstacles in his way.

And if he could invest in ten people, the system would unlock the next tier—access to the store, allowing him to help even more.

His current investment targets were: Jin Meiyu, Xue Lingxi, and Rui Shi—the old man protecting his granddaughter.

As for Mei Xueyin?

No. He wouldn't invest in her.

Once, perhaps. Before their fight. Before the misunderstandings. He might have. But now?

Let her feel the consequences of standing against him.

Hehehe…

Xu Mo was resting in a cave, the stone walls jagged and cold. His wounds had mostly healed, and his Qi was replenished. But his mind was not at ease.

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His thoughts kept drifting—to his future Core Formation. When the time came, he wouldn't have just one core. He would have two. Would they merge? Or would they coexist?

He didn't know. And that uncertainty kept him awake through the long night.

Days passed.

Now, only a day remained before the secret realm would close.

Xu Mo began packing up his meager belongings. After all, he'd been living in a cave for the past week.

The token he received from the sect—a key to entering the secret realm—also had a secondary function. It could guide him toward the nearest exit portal.

With his current strength and speed, he estimated that it would take him a day and a half to reach it.

His plan was to be the first one out. Or at least, he wanted to exit before Long Chen. He didn't want to see him. Not now. Not ever, if he could help it.

Still, a hint of envy lingered in Xu Mo's chest.

Long Chen was only a year older, yet he had already reached the Golden Core Realm. He could truly claim to be walking the path of longevity.

Xu Mo sighed.

"May your heart and mind mature along with your strength," he silently wished for Long Chen, before heading north, guided by the token's glowing pull.

Meanwhile, outside the secret realm, the atmosphere was tense. The entire area had been cordoned off.

Rumors had spread like wildfire—there had been a major disturbance inside the realm. The Sect Master himself hinted that a new Golden Core Realm disciple might have emerged.

The Verdant Sky Sect was ecstatic.

They pushed other sects aside, caring little for diplomacy or appearances. Whether the disciple belonged to their sect or not didn't matter. If they could recruit them, that was enough.

They didn't care who they offended. Not even when multiple top-ranking sects banded together. The outer halls of the Verdant Sky Sect alone were strong enough to repel them.

Qin Jian, the Vice Peak Master, was overseeing matters. A Soul Formation Realm cultivator, he effortlessly handled the crowd of furious elders from rival sects.

"You dare do this and still call yourselves a righteous sect?! Nonsense!" one elder roared.

"Don't think having a few Void Shattering Realm ancestors means you can push us around!" another added. "We'll gather our own sect's ancestors and crush your Verdant Sky Hall's tyranny!"

Qin Jian raised an eyebrow and then, grinning mischievously, began to imitate a dog barking.

"Bark... Bark... Bark…"

The crowd fell silent, stunned by his audacity.

"One... Two... Three..." Qin Jian looked around, mockingly counting. "So, we've got what? Around sixty-five sects gathered here? Let's assume each has at least one Void Shattering Realm ancestor. They're all old and approaching the end of their lifespan."

He smiled again, wide and arrogant.

"And on our side? Our Sect Master and our Ancestor have already reached beyond the Void Shattering Realm. You do know what lies beyond that realm, right?"

He didn't wait for a reply.

"Our sect never relied on elders. Loyalty is a luxury. From the beginning, we've been taught one truth—only the strong are worth following."

The elders went quiet. Cold sweat rolled down their backs. Many of them were here for the first time. They had thought the tales of Verdant Sky Hall were exaggerations.

They weren't.

The reality was worse than the rumors.

"You're still the same, Qin Jian. Arrogant. Hypocritical." A calm but cold voice rang out from the side.

It was Long Bai.

He had remained quiet, watching everything unfold. But he couldn't hold his tongue any longer.

He knew Qin Jian well. Once, he had been his senior brother. When Verdant Sky Hall had extended an olive branch, Qin Jian hadn't even hesitated. He left without a second thought.

At a time when their sect needed him most.

He was supposed to be the successor, handpicked by Sect Master Bai Xu. His sudden departure nearly shattered their standing. If the Sect Master hadn't awakened their ancestor—if that ancestor hadn't used his might to drive away enemies—they might not have survived.

Qin Jian had always been self-serving.

Always off on missions to avoid responsibilities. Never willing to shoulder the weight of leadership. The Sect Master had believed that, in time, Qin Jian would mature. That the burden of responsibility would shape him.

But before that chance came, the Sword Peak's master from Verdant Sky Hall discovered that Qin Jian possessed a rare sword body.

And just like that—he was gone.

Long Bai clenched his fists.

Nothing... not even a rare constitution, justified betraying the sect that raised you.

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