In the Plum Tree sect, there were three people who could not be offended - Sect Master Huang Di, Sect Elder Zhao Fei, and Senior Disciple Tian Lu. Now there was one more, Ju Daiyu. Ju Daiyu had been the second disciple of Zhao Fei for almost 5 years. Today, she reached the Nascent Soul realm. A feat completely unheard of in the entire Empire. At just 18 years old, she was the youngest ever to reach this realm - in the Empire. The elders of the Plum Tree sect were congratulating her and whispering amongst each other about the strength of the other disciples of Elder Fei.

Ju Daiyu, an 18 year old Nascent Soul. Legendary. Mi Rang, a 15 year old Core Formation. Incredible. And the mysterious senior brother who they haven’t seen since 5 years ago when Tian Lu made an elder kneel in front of him with the entire sect watching. This elder left mysteriously and was never seen again. As the commotion died down, Mi Rang went up to his senior sister. Mi Rang was a tall 15 year old. He had medium black hair that came to eyes and a bulkier build. He had darker skin and brown eyes. He exuded confidence and perhaps arrogance. Ju Daiyu was in a purple robe. She had long black hair and jade skin. After achieving Nascent Soul, she had a glow about her.

“Senior Brother and master must still be cultivating, Senior Sister. Congratulations on your incredible achievement.” He said as he bowed with his hands clasped.

Ju Daiyu opened her eyes. Breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm was surprisingly easy. It seemed she never faced any bottlenecks in her cultivation ever since she got to the Plum Tree Sect. She knew it was because her Senior Brother had carefully and meticulously guided her cultivation; although, her master said to never tell him or anyone of this information. She had only met this Senior Brother twice, once when she accepted Master Fei’s discipleship and again when Mi Rang joined as well. He was clouded in secrecy and never really went outside his cultivation cave.

“It is enough that you are here. Junior brother.” She said with a smile. Her smile enraptured all the young disciples of the Plum Tree Sect who had watched to see their senior sister attempt a breakthrough that none of them have ever heard of - as they were all from the Empire.

“Truly an incredible moment for our sect, and for you as well. It came at an opportune time.” Huang Di relayed to all those present. Ju Daiyu looked up to see the sect master and the four Great Elders fly on their weapons. His voice was soft and yet everyone was able to hear it. She couldn’t see the depths of his cultivation but Ju Daiyu knew the sect master was powerful. Not more powerful than her master, nonetheless powerful in the Empire.

“I have a gift for the young Nascent Soul cultivator and a message to all sect disciples. Ju Daiyu, Mi Rang, Gong Chang, Mei Ahn, and Tian Lu have been chosen to go to the Empire’s secret realm. I believe none of you can protest our choices for most of them but Mei Ahn has been chosen for her ability to understand formations. In this secret realm, a formations expert is a must and to make sure we can ascertain the safety of our talented disciples, Elder Wei will be joining Elder Fang. The other three were chosen based on the previous tournament rankings. And Disciple Lu. I hope I do not need to say any more.”