Ultimate Magus in Cultivation World

Haiyun's voice trailed off, the roar of the essence-waterfall filling the silence. The mist curled in soft ribbons around them, carrying the faint fragrance of spirit herbs that grew wild along the cliff walls.

Tian Lei sat still, his chest tight. The image of Mu Qinxue—the teasing smile, the sly eyes, the way she never let a serious moment pass without poking fun—clashed violently with the tale of a girl who once carried a dying mother's wish like a torch and burned it into reality.

"…So she hid it all behind laughter," Tian Lei murmured.

Haiyun cracked a faint grin. "Laughter's a shield sharper than any blade, boy. It unsettles enemies, disarms friends, and keeps the world from prying too deeply. Do not mistake jest for weakness. The woman you call Master is like silk hiding iron."

Tian Lei's fists loosened, then clenched again. "…She named our entire sect after her caretaker? Not herself?"

"Exactly." Haiyun tapped the staff lightly against the floorboards. Tonk. "The world thinks she is a selfish brat who founded a sect to spite her father. They are only half right. Pride is her nature, yes—but pride mixed with loyalty runs deeper than any grudge. The Azure Feather Sect is not her monument. It is her offering."

The boy's eyes flickered, confusion wrestling with admiration. "Then… everything she does—the mocking, the scolding, even letting us suffer humiliation—"

"—is her way," Haiyun cut in, a dry chuckle spilling out. "The same woman who teased her father until he thundered with rage, who tricked the grand elders of the Mist Azure Divine Land into chasing their own tails, who laughed at her own failures until they became stepping stones. Do you see the pattern, boy?"

Tian Lei's breath caught, realization beginning to bloom. "…She carries everything with laughter. She laughs because she refuses to bow. Even to grief."

Haiyun gave a rare, approving nod. "Hn. Took you long enough."

The boy's heart throbbed as the truth settled. He bowed his head low, his voice almost trembling. "…Then I was wrong to think lightly of her."

"Of course you were," Haiyun said bluntly, though his tone was not unkind. He shifted the staff to rest against his shoulder, closing his eyes as if the conversation was already drifting away. "But knowing you were wrong—that's the first step toward walking straighter."

The waterfall's roar seemed to grow louder, drowning his thoughts, until Tian Lei finally spoke again, voice soft. "Master Haiyun… do you think she ever laughs for herself?"

For the first time, the old man's smirk faltered. His eyes stayed shut, but his voice was quieter, steadier.

"No. She laughs for everyone else. For herself… she bears it in silence."

The mist swirled thick around the pavilion then, and Tian Lei felt, for the first time, the weight hidden beneath his Sect Master's laughter.

The mist clung to the pavilion rails as Haiyun pushed himself up with his staff.

"Alright, enough talking," he said in his usual rough tone. "This place is tied to your master, but for you, it's your second home now. You'll get used to it. You'll bleed here, but you'll also get stronger."

He waved for Tian Lei to follow. "Come on. I'll show you your room."

Tian Lei stood and walked after him, his steps lighter than before. They crossed crystal bridges over waterfalls, passed glowing lanterns, and walked by servants who all lowered their heads respectfully to Haiyun. Tian Lei noticed some of them sneaking glances at him too, as if sizing him up.

Haiyun ignored it, just kept walking, his staff tapping on the stone: tok, tok, tok.

Finally, they reached a quiet hall built right above a waterfall. The walls were carved with feather patterns that glowed faintly with qi. Haiyun slid the door open with his staff, and cool air rushed inside.

"Your room," he said simply.

Tian Lei stepped in. It was spacious and elegant compared to his old quarters back at Azure Feather Sect. The windows had silk curtains, the floor shone smooth, and in the corner stood a jade basin filled with glowing spirit-water.

Haiyun leaned his staff against the wall and sat down on a cushion with a sigh. "From now on, you'll cultivate here. No need to run around the outer courts. This room is built right over spirit veins. You'll feel them if you sit long enough."

Tian Lei bowed. "Understood."

"Good." Haiyun waved him off, already closing his eyes like he was ready to nap. "Bathe, breathe, train. This place is meant to toughen you up, not pamper you. Don't expect me to remind you what to do all the time."

"Yes, Elder."

Tian Lei set down his small travel bag and looked around. When the door closed, the roar of the waterfall became a steady hum in the background.

He walked to the window and leaned out. Far below, the waterfall plunged into mist, glowing faintly like scattered stars.

"Well, let's just cultivate until I find something to do," he mumbled as he went back and sat on the mat.

He sat cross-legged, drew a deep breath, and closed his eyes. The qi here was thick, pouring into his body like warm threads. His mind grew still, his body light.

He didn't know how much time passed, but his meditation was interrupted when suddenly someone knocked on the door.

He stood, opened it, and found a beautiful lady waiting there.

"Are you Tian Lei?" she asked, looking him over.

Tian Lei nodded. "Yes. And who are you?"

She smiled politely. "Hello, my name is Li Jinling. My master would like to meet you."

"Your master?"

"The Sect Master of the Divine Land—my master, Mu Jian," she said with a smile.

Tian Lei nodded again, following her as she led him out. As they walked, she thought to herself, Hm. He doesn't look like much, but he is pretty powerful despite his weak cultivation. And he's young too… barely twenty. That means he's a good talent.

Li Jinling, meanwhile, was secretly glancing at him, sizing him up.

Tian Lei sensed it, but he didn't say anything. His face was calm as they walked deeper into the sect.

The closer they moved toward the core area, the more brilliant the sect seemed to become.

"It's splendid, isn't it?" she asked suddenly.

Tian Lei nodded lightly.

"I had the same reaction when I first came here," she admitted with a smile. "Even after years, I still can't get used to it."

As she spoke, cherry blossoms of a soft, misty pink drifted down from the trees. Many petals swirled and scattered across their path, some landing gently on their shoulders before the wind carried them away.

Tian Lei lifted a hand, brushing one of the petals from his sleeve. His eyes lingered on the blossoms above, a faint look of wonder in his eyes.

"They're beautiful," he said softly.

The path curved, leading them past ancient pavilions and jade bridges spanning streams of crystal water. Ahead, a towering hall rose like a mountain of stone and gold, its roof gilded and glinting in the sunlight. The air around it carried a quiet majesty, as though the sect itself was alive and watching.

Li Jinling stopped and turned to him, her expression turning a little more formal. "We've arrived. Beyond those doors is my master."

Tian Lei's gaze lingered on the grand hall, his eyes filled with calm interest. He adjusted his robe slightly, then nodded.

"So that is the heart of Divine Land Sect," he said. "Let's see it, then."

Tian Lei stepped through the doors.

The great hall opened before him like a world of its own—pillars of jade and gold stretching high, their carvings shimmering with faint light. At the far end, upon a raised dais, sat a middle-aged man in flowing white and gold robes. His presence was calm yet commanding, as if the hall itself breathed with him.

Arrayed to his sides were many elders, each radiating strength in their own way. Among them, Tian Lei noticed Haiyun leaning lazily against his staff, his sharp eyes half-lidded as if watching a play unfold.

As Tian Lei entered, the weight of countless gazes fell upon him. It pressed like invisible waves, testing, measuring. For a heartbeat, the sheer pressure tried to push him down—yet he steadied himself, spine straight, and walked forward step by step.

When he reached the center of the hall, he stopped and bowed deeply, voice clear and respectful.

"Disciple Tian Lei greets the Sect Master."

A ripple of silence passed through the elders. Then, the man on the dais—Mu Jian, Sect Master of Divine Land Sect—let out a soft laugh that carried through the chamber like rolling thunder.

"Ahahaha… so this is the boy my mischievous daughter have taken as disciple." His eyes narrowed with interest, and for a moment a flicker of approval glinted there. "A steady bow, firm tone, and he withstands the weight of the hall without faltering. Not bad at all."

Tian Lei remained bowed, not daring to lift his head until he was acknowledged further.

Off to the side, Haiyun smirked faintly, stroking his beard as if enjoying the sight.