Tian Lei waved them off with the same casual indifference he used when dismissing flies.

"Enough. Go cultivate. If any of you don't improve by at least one small realm before the grand competition… don't embarrass yourselves by calling me your Sect master."

The ten disciples stiffened, cupped their fists, and scattered like startled birds—excited, terrified, and motivated in equal measure.

Once they were gone, the hall fell into a rare silence.

Tian Lei yawned.

"…Finally."

He stepped down from the platform and walked toward the cultivation chamber behind the hall—the one reinforced with thirty-six ancient formations, twenty spirit-gathering arrays, and three divine inscriptions. A place few in the sect even knew about.

The moment he sat down and crossed his legs, the entire chamber lit up.

WHOOM—!

Qi surged from every direction, spiraling around him like a vortex hungry for its master. The Mystic Essence Refining Art activated on its own, pulling in spiritual essence so fiercely the walls trembled.

Tian Lei exhaled, letting the technique run.

Days passed.

Then a week.

Then two.

Before long, an entire month slipped by in silence.

Outside, the sect was buzzing with activity—the massive arena being repaired and expanded, invitation tokens being delivered to surrounding powers, disciples training day and night, elders reinforcing formations for the grand competition.

The whole Fantasy Life Sect felt like a slumbering beast awakening after years of quiet.

But Tian Lei remained seated in deep meditation.

Until—

Crack.

A faint sound echoed from deep within his body.

His skin glowed faintly. His blood pulsed like a storming river. Every muscle fiber tightened and relaxed in perfect unison. His bones thrummed with a strength far beyond before.

A thin layer of impurities evaporated from his skin like black mist dissolving into the air.

Tian Lei slowly opened his eyes.

Two sharp beams of light shot out, piercing the chamber for an instant before fading.

"…Finally."

His voice carried calm satisfaction.

"My body cultivation… has reached the peak of the Spirit Rank."

He clenched his fist lightly.

Power surged—dense, refined, terrifying in its purity.

"One more step… and I'll step into the Heaven Rank."

But even he knew better than to rush the final push.

The Mystic Essence Refining Art was merciless—forcing a breakthrough would only shatter the flawless foundation he is hoping to achieve.

He rose to his feet, stretching as a cascade of crackling sounds flowed through his bones.

"Alright… enough training."

A faint grin curved his lips.

"The Grand Competition should be soon."

His eyes sharpened with amusement and anticipation.

"I wonder who dares to try becoming my direct disciple?"

With a casual wave of his sleeve, the chamber's lights dimmed and the formations fell silent.

Tian Lei stepped out—

ready to witness the chaos his boredom had unleashed across the entire Fantasy Life Sect.

As Tian Lei walked out of the hidden chamber, the first thing he noticed was the noise.

The entire Fantasy Life Sect was loud.

Very loud.

Disciples were running everywhere, shouting about breakthroughs, schedules, rivals, and preparations. Elders were flying back and forth above the mountain peaks, arguing about logistics. Outside the main arena, workers were reinforcing the platforms while formations flickered nonstop.

Tian Lei raised an eyebrow.

"…It really did turn into chaos."

A passing outer disciple saw him and froze.

"S-S-Sect Master?!"

Tian Lei gave him a casual glance.

"Why are you screaming?"

The disciple slapped both hands over his mouth, bowed, and sprinted away so fast he nearly fell down the stairs.

Tian Lei blinked.

"…I didn't even do anything."

He kept walking.

As he stepped onto the main path leading toward the competition grounds, disciples parted without a word. Some bowed, some saluted, and some just stared with wide eyes as he passed.

It took less than a minute before Su Mingyue appeared, landing before him with a respectful bow.

"Master, you've finished cultivating."

"Obviously."

Su Mingyue stood straighter.

"Everyone has been pushing themselves hard this month. Many True Disciples made breakthroughs. Even the inner sect has improved a lot."

Tian Lei nodded slightly.

"Good. They should, if they want the chance to become my direct disciples."

Su Mingyue hesitated before saying,

"Master… the other sects have already replied to our invitations. They will arrive tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, huh?" Tian Lei stretched lazily. "I just finished recovering. Good timing."

As they walked toward the peak where the Grand Competition would be held, the five Elders in charge of preparation flew down to greet him.

"Sect Master! Everything is ready!"

"The arena has been expanded!"

"The formation defenses have been strengthened!"

"The guest pavilions are completed!"

"The reward treasures have been arranged!"

"And the disciples are already lining up for the qualification rounds!"

Tian Lei looked at them, expression unreadable.

"…Why are you reporting everything so fast? I'm not going anywhere."

The elders froze, then coughed awkwardly.

"S-Sorry, Sect Master."

Tian Lei waved them off.

"Alright. Show me the arena."

They led him up to the highest platform.

The site was massive—ten times larger than before. Multiple floating platforms surrounded it, glowing softly with formation lights. Hundreds of disciples were already gathered around, whispering nervously and watching the stage.

Tian Lei stood there with his arms crossed, looking over everything.

"…Not bad."

He nodded once, satisfied.

Then he turned around.

"Send a message to all disciples."

The elders immediately straightened.

"Yes, Sect Master?"

Tian Lei grinned slightly.

"Tell them this—"

He paused, stretching his neck.

"—If they plan to compete… they better be ready to go all out."

The elders blinked.

"That's all?"

"That's all." Tian Lei shrugged. "If someone dies from laziness, that's not my problem."

The elders nodded seriously and rushed off to relay his words.

Su Mingyue sighed quietly beside him.

"Master… your way of motivating people is very direct."

"It works," Tian Lei replied simply.

The next morning arrived in a blaze of energy.

The skies above the Fantasy Life Sect shimmered with spiritual light as protective formations unfolded like lotus petals. Disciples lined the mountain paths in neat rows, robes immaculate, faces nervous and excited.

Then—

BOOM!

A loud explosion echoed from the horizon.

Tian Lei tilted his head.

"First ones are here."

Su Mingyue nodded beside him, expression poised.

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