As Lin Yuan took a half-step out of the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm, the nine vice sect masters below him were taken aback.
It wasn't unheard of for someone to surpass the limits of the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm.
Even outside of the Heavenly Master Mansion, a few other powers could achieve a small or grand half-step beyond.
But such occurrences were extremely rare.
And now their sect master had reached such a level?
"Hmph, if I could completely absorb the inheritance of the Primordial Demon Sect, it wouldn't just be a half-step," the Sect Master of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect thought, glancing at his subordinates and recalling his near-death experiences within the Inheritance Ground of the Primordial Demon Sect, which granted him immense fortune.
It was a place one could enter only once, and even attempting to return was impossible; the exact location couldn't even be determined.
With the passage of time, the decisive battle between the Ten Thousand Demons Sect and the righteous forces like the Heavenly Master Mansion drew near.
Half a year later...
At the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain, the Ten Thousand Demons Sect gathered thousands of demon followers.
The Heavenly Master Mansion, unwilling to be outdone, also amassed its Heavenly Phenomenon experts, standing against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
"Hahaha! Qing Zhen, did you think I retreated last time because I feared you?" the Sect Master of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect laughed wildly, his terrifying demonic aura sweeping in all directions.
Across from him, Qing Zhen remained calm, seemingly unaffected.
"Remnants of the Primordial Demon Sect, wasn’t being hunted by generations of Heavenly Masters enough?" Qing Zhen said calmly.
"And what of it? Your Heavenly Master Mansion hasn't produced a Heavenly Master in 500 years. This world belongs to my Primordial Demon Sect," the Sect Master declared, no longer hiding his intentions, his aura growing heavier.
Qing Zhen sighed inwardly.
If Lin Yuan hadn't gone astray, their Heavenly Master Mansion could have produced another Heavenly Master.
Even a Heavenly Master would need time to mature; it took at least fifty years for a master to fully emerge, and even then, they were often in their sixties or seventies.
"Today, I’ll show you my true power," the Sect Master challenged, raising his right hand and bringing it down slowly.
A terrifying aura pressed down from all directions.
Qing Zhen didn't hesitate, drawing his sword.
With a buzz, a sharp sword aura exploded forth, cutting through the surrounding demonic energy and striking towards the Sect Master.
"A Heavenly Master's Sword?" the Sect Master commented.
"Not bad. With your power, using the remnants of a Heavenly Master’s power, you might match me."
As the current head of the Heavenly Master Mansion, Qing Zhen had been trained intensively from a young age, entered the Sword Tomb, and selected by a Heavenly Master's Sword.
These weapons, while not as potent as the True Martial Sword, carried some of a Heavenly Master’s power due to years of nurturing.
"However, even a Heavenly Master's Sword is merely an external tool. How long can you wield its power?" the Sect Master sneered.
"Even if every one of your Heavenly Phenomenon experts wielded a Heavenly Master's Sword, they could only suppress me until their strength was exhausted."
The truth was, the Heavenly Phenomenon experts of the Heavenly Master Mansion couldn’t all join forces to besiege the Sect Master, as their numbers were insufficient to handle the demonic experts.
"Die," the Sect Master took a step forward, his demonic energy raging.
"Not good," Qing Zhen’s expression changed.
At the mountain peak, contrasting the tense atmosphere below, the sun rose with a warm glow.
Lin Yuan remained seated on a boulder, unconcerned.
"Brother Shanfeng," Qingping called as he rushed over.
"The sect leader wants you to leave through the secret path now," Qingping said quickly.
Qing Zhen had little confidence in the battle against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
To ensure the Heavenly Master legacy continued, Lin Yuan, recognized by the True Martial Sword, had to leave.
If anything extreme happened, the legacy wouldn't end as long as the True Martial Sword wasn't captured by the demon sect.
"Brother Shanfeng?" Qingping called again, seeing no response.
Yet Lin Yuan remained unmoved, eyes slightly closed, as if lost in thought.
"Brother Shanfeng?" Qingping hesitated, about to nudge him awake, when Lin Yuan suddenly opened his eyes.
Your comprehension is heaven-defying.
After days and nights of enlightenment, you have realized the fusion of moon essence and sun essence, transcending the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm.
Lin Yuan’s eyes were clear.
"So that's how it is."
He rose, stepping down from the boulder.
In his vision, all things in heaven and earth appeared in black and white, yin and yang intertwining.
"Brother Shanfeng, you?" Qingping was stunned.
Something seemed different about his brother.
"Wait a moment," Lin Yuan smiled slightly, reaching into the void, and a sword appeared in his hand.
He gently caressed it, saying, "You should go on ahead."
The sword shot skyward, heading for the mountain's foot.
At the foothills, Qing Zhen and the Sect Master were locked in battle.
Suddenly, the Sect Master sensed something amiss.
His expression changed dramatically as he retreated swiftly.
An ancient sword descended from the heavens, embedding itself where he once stood.
Though only three feet long, the sword emanated a vast aura as if the mighty Dragon Tiger Mountain itself had descended.
The scabbard bore the characters “True Martial.”
“The True Martial Sword?” the Sect Master’s face grew serious as he glanced towards the mountain peak from whence it came.
Meanwhile...
At the peak, Lin Yuan exhaled deeply, taking a step forward.
This step spanned hundreds of feet, taking him effortlessly off the mountain.
Clouds gathered at his feet as he descended toward the foothills.
Qingping watched in a daze, recalling what this meant, tears welling up in his eyes. “Uncle Changqing, wake up and see, Brother Shanfeng has become a Heavenly Master with a single step.”