The journey to the Azuremist Sect was a revelation for Emperor Defiance. The cultivators accompanying the deacon moved with an effortless grace that spoke of mastery over their spirit energy, their robes barely rustling as they traversed the rugged terrain. Defiance, still relying on his physical strength and the occasional Haste Talisman to keep pace, felt the chasm between himself and true cultivators. He observed everything, silently noting their techniques, their expressions, the way they interacted with their surroundings – a vital skill he'd honed in his isolated cultivation.
The Azuremist Sect was a sprawling complex carved into the side of a massive mountain range, its peaks shrouded in a perpetual mist that shimmered with spiritual energy. Compared to Blackwood Village, the spiritual density here was intoxicating, almost overwhelming. Rows of elegant pavilions, training grounds buzzing with the murmur of chanting disciples, and the distant clang of forging hammers filled the air. It was a stark reminder of the vast resources available to even a minor sect.
Upon arrival, Defiance was led to the Outer Sect, a bustling area teeming with young cultivators. Most were still at the Spirit Refining Stage, like him, but many were already in the Foundation Establishment Stage, their auras noticeably stronger. He quickly understood the pecking order: Outer Disciples were the lowest rung, responsible for menial tasks, contributing to the sect, and proving their worth.
His "test" was less a trial of skill and more a formality. He was subjected to a basic spiritual root assessment, a simple examination that confirmed his "barely there" spiritual root, much to the disdain of the administering elder. Yet, the deacon's word carried some weight, and Defiance was grudgingly accepted. He was assigned a cramped cave dwelling on the outskirts of the Outer Sect, a standard issue Spirit Refining Scripture, and a meager allowance of Low-grade Spirit Stones – enough to barely sustain his cultivation, let alone truly advance.
"Your talent is… lacking," the elder had stated flatly. "You'll need to work ten times harder than anyone else. Don't expect special treatment."
Defiance simply nodded, his face impassive. This was fine. Better than fine. He was inside the sect. He had a proper, albeit basic, cultivation manual. Most importantly, the spiritual energy here was a hundredfold richer than in Blackwood Village.
He quickly fell into a routine: during the day, he diligently completed his assigned tasks – sweeping courtyards, tending to minor spirit herb gardens, fetching water from distant springs. He performed them quietly, efficiently, attracting little attention. By night, however, his true work began.
In the secrecy of his cave dwelling, illuminated by a faint luminescence from his Spirit-Gathering Jade, Defiance would set aside the sect's standard Spirit Refining Scripture. He found it inefficient, clumsy compared to the Thousand Refinements Scripture he'd painstakingly cultivated. He continued with his own method, carefully refining the spiritual energy the jade absorbed from the dense air of the sect.
His progress accelerated. The sheer abundance of spiritual energy, even after being filtered by the jade, allowed him to push forward at a rate that would have been impossible in his village. He could feel his meridians expanding, slowly but surely, growing capable of holding more and more spirit energy.
He also poured himself into Talisman-making. The sect offered basic lessons, but Defiance, having already grasped the fundamentals from his own efforts, quickly surpassed his peers. He discovered that the deeper understanding of Spirit Runes he had cultivated from his fragmented manual allowed him to craft Low-grade Talismans with slightly higher efficiency and quality than other Outer Disciples. This was a crucial advantage. He could secretly sell a few extra Talismans to less skilled disciples for a small profit, slowly accumulating more Low-grade Spirit Stones and valuable Talisman Materials.
One evening, while practicing a particularly intricate Spirit Rune, a faint tremor passed through his Spirit-Gathering Jade. It wasn't the usual gentle hum; this was a distinct vibration, accompanied by a subtle warmth. He focused, channeling a wisp of his purified spirit energy into the jade.
Suddenly, a faint, ancient voice, barely a whisper, echoed in his mind. It was formless, without gender or emotion, yet impossibly old.
"...the First Fragment... awaken... the Grand Dao of Primordial Chaos..."
The voice faded as quickly as it came, leaving Defiance trembling, his mind reeling. The Spirit-Gathering Jade wasn't just a simple treasure. It was more. Much more. Was it a piece of the Primordial Godly Decree itself? Or a tool to find it? He immediately suppressed the thought, pushing it deep into his mind. This was a secret of unparalleled importance, one that could lead to instant death if discovered by the wrong person.
He calmed himself, his habitual caution kicking in. This whisper, this glimpse into the jade's true nature, only reinforced his need for hidden strength. He had to be stronger, faster, and more ruthless than ever. The stakes had just risen beyond mere survival.
His diligence, though unseen in its true depth, began to garner some mild attention. Elder Li, a gruff but fair instructor in Talisman-making, noticed Defiance's quiet dedication and surprisingly quick grasp of complex runes. "This one… has some talent, despite his poor roots," Elder Li mused to himself, observing Defiance's steady hand as he drew a Wind Blast Talisman. "A pity he's so weak."
Defiance didn't care for praise. He cared for results. After half a Great Era (another 50,000 years in mortal terms, but only a few years for a cultivator in the sect), by the time most disciples with decent spiritual roots were barely breaking through to the Second Layer of Spirit Refining, Defiance had quietly, methodically, reached the peak of the Third Layer. He was on the verge of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, a critical milestone that would solidify his spiritual base and drastically increase his lifespan.
He knew the breakthrough would be perilous. It required a significant amount of concentrated spirit energy and a stable environment. The Outer Sect cave was hardly ideal. He needed something more. He needed to acquire a Foundation Establishment Elixir, a Low-grade Spirit Elixir that could aid in the breakthrough, but such a precious item was typically only awarded to disciples with exceptional talent or significant contributions.
The upcoming Outer Sect Competition loomed large. It was a chance for disciples to prove their worth, earn resources, and potentially even gain the attention of an Inner Sect elder. For Defiance, it was an opportunity. Not to shine, but to quietly secure what he needed. His eyes, once dulled by resignation, now held a faint, burning light. He would get that elixir, no matter what it took. He would defy his given fate.