Chap 13 - A Glimpse of Upper Realm

Meanwhile, as Xia Wei entered the grand hall, a collective gasp escaped the lips of the elders. Their minds echoed with disbelief.

How could someone who had only just condensed a golden core the previous day suddenly possess the power of a peak-stage Nascent Soul cultivator? The thought reverberated through their consciousness, challenging the boundaries of what they believed to be possible.

No matter how many times they pondered the enigma before them, they couldn't fathom how a person could ascend an entire realm in a single night.

It defied logic and reason, surpassing the capabilities even of Rare Artifacts or consuming an obscene amount of pills.

Unless...? Their eyes fixed upon Xia Wei, who calmly took a seat, and the elders concentrated their qi-infused gazes, scrutinizing every inch of his body.

To their astonishment, there was no trace of demonic essence clinging to Xia Wei. Their aged minds struggled to accept this revelation.

It was inconceivable. While the elders remained captivated by their thoughts, the patriarch, standing beside Xia Wei, became aware of their impudent actions, and a mixture of embarrassment and anger surged within him.

"Ehm!" The patriarch cleared his throat with a resonating cough, commanding the attention of the elders and prompting them to cease their examination. And indeed, they immediately recognized their transgression.

"Please forgive us, young master!" they pleaded, their postures transitioning from half-kneeling to full prostration, their reverence akin to worshipping a god.

"Please forgive these impudent old men, young master," the patriarch interjected, attempting to shield his subordinates.

The loss of these esteemed elders would be a tremendous blow to the sect. Simultaneously, he caught a glimpse of a faint shadow of the Venerable Lord looming behind Xia Wei, his eyes glaring with unspoken warning.

---

Meanwhile, in the Northern Continent, in a realm separate from the one before,

An air of enchantment saturated the landscape, as if magic permeated every nook and cranny. The land pulsed with dense qi, coursing through the earth, the flora, even shimmering in the darkness.

Above, the expanse of the sky stretched, painted in hues of azure, where not one but two suns radiated their celestial light upon the bustling city.

One was rumored to be the creation of Pangu, while the other belonged to a descendant of the Golden Roc, one of the Six Ancient Immortal Families.

Deep within the heart of Pear Sky City, nestled within the Xia Family's central manor, a sprawling backyard unfolded.

A majestic pond occupied its center, embraced by a captivating gazebo. The pond, divided into four parts by the gazebo's presence, mirrored the sky's clarity and brightness, revealing the elegance of its underwater realm.

The gazebo, crafted from white silver-striped wood, housed a small table adorned with a plush carpet at its center. Seated beside the table, a man in his forties savored a cup of green tea, while a woman leaned gracefully against his shoulder.

"How long has Wei'er been absent in the lower realm?" the woman's voice caressed the air, its allure capturing his full attention. Her fiery phoenix eyes, a captivating shade of red, pierced deeply into his heart.

Momentarily captivated by her beauty, the man found himself momentarily entranced. However, a sudden pinch to his waist jolted him back to reality.

"Ahem. I believe it has been around five to ten," he replied with a cough, his hand finding its place on the woman's locks of flaming orange hair.

Yet, within the depths of his gaze, a trace of worry flickered each time he broached the subject. Likewise, the woman leaning against him, her phoenix eyes shimmered with anxiety, and creases appeared on her otherwise flawless forehead.

Silence draped over the scene, but the tranquility didn't perturb them. Their gazes fixated upon the fishes gliding through the crystalline waters of the pond.

Clear and vibrant as the heavens, the pond unveiled its secrets, showcasing the playful dance of the fishes amidst the dark, verdant Pondweed. Eyes closed, they embraced the serene ambiance, cherishing the stillness that enveloped them.

As the couple appeared to rest, a sudden disturbance shattered the tranquility of the scene. The water's surface trembled as a single fish in the pond set off ripples that grew in intensity.

With each passing moment, the ripples multiplied, giving birth to miniature cyclones that encircled the gazebo, their watery tempests converging from all sides.

Awakening from their seemingly serene repose, the couple's eyes betrayed an unfriendly gaze. The man's piercing glare fixed upon the pond, while the woman's icy stare scrutinized the other ponds, her brows furrowed with determination.

Though they remained seated near the small table, their postures straightened, radiating a formidable aura as their bodies brimmed with surging qi.

Abruptly, the cyclones merged, forming a delicate water net that wove its intricate pattern. Simultaneously, the net extended toward the gazebo, evolving into a small cylindrical shape overhead.

From within that ethereal circle, a tiny object descended, gently landing upon the bamboo roof of the gazebo before passing through the wooden structure and settling upon the small table.

The couple turned their attention, their hands coming to rest upon the miniature figure. It resembled a flying fish, yet its fins had been replaced by majestic wings—an embodiment of the Kunpeng.

As the miniature Kunpeng absorbed the qi infused by their touch, its eyes gleamed with an inner radiance, and its mouth slowly parted, as if ready to utter profound secrets.