On the vast expanse of the sea, a patch of clouds hung halfway up the sky, covering about an acre. Bathed in moonlight, the edges of the cloud shimmered with layers of iridescent colors. Aside from this cloud, the rest of the sea was a clear blue beneath a cloudless sky, with pure light above and below, stretching endlessly in all directions. All around was tranquil and still, with only the sound of waves surging, merging into a chorus of noise. Amidst that rosy cloud, three young men and women stood together. None of them looked older than seventeen or eighteen. The young man was handsome and bright, while the young women were as radiant as pearls and precious jade.

The leading young man gazed at the waves below and said, “Ethan Harris, is it here?”

“It can’t be wrong. Master expended his energy to divine that it’s here, within a hundred miles at most,” replied the one called Ethan Harris. “Although the timing isn’t perfectly precise, the margin of error is no more than a day. Senior Brother, all we need to do is wait.”

“Senior Brother, I used the Wisdom Heart Ring to look, but I can’t see anything at all.” A faint golden light appeared on the young woman’s hand as if she were probing, then she asked.

“Grace Harris, this is the residence of an ancient ascended immortal, so of course there are immortal restrictions. Although your Wisdom Heart Ring is an excellent tool for investigation, it’s normal for it to be ineffective here.” Senior Brother seemed to dote on her, smiling as he said, “Even Master had no sense of it until the sign of enlightenment appeared a day ago. Only then did he sense that an immortal abode was about to open here. Time was short, so he sent us here in haste.”

“Since there’s a sign of enlightenment, other cultivators will sense it too, right?” Grace Harris asked worriedly. “Will they try to seize this immortal abode from us?”

“There will definitely be others, but this is an immortal abode. The Buddhist sects have no affinity with it and won’t come to compete. The demonic sects’ energies will be repelled by the immortal abode, making it extremely difficult for them to claim it. As for our Sword-Hiding Palace, we are the orthodox sect of the Dao, leaders of all the schools. I doubt anyone in the Daoist world will compete with us, and how could those loose cultivators and minor sects be our match?” Senior Brother said confidently. “Though the workings of fate are mysterious and even Master doesn’t know the origin of this immortal abode, he vaguely sensed its great importance, which is why he sent us. Master said, if anyone tries to compete with us and won’t heed our warning, we may use our treasures to strike them down. We must not let this immortal abode fall into others’ hands.”

“Senior Brother is right. Our Sword-Hiding Palace leads the immortal path, and each of us has cultivated diligently over many lifetimes, blessed with celestial fortune. Who but us could obtain this place?” Ethan Harris echoed.

Eric Bennett glanced over. On the crystal mirror in the great hall, their figures and even their voices appeared in perfect detail.

Hearing this, Eric Bennett let out a snort of laughter.

Ms. Bennett also sighed softly and said, “Sword-Hiding Palace is indeed the orthodox Daoist sect, and in the past two hundred years, its disciples have grown numerous and its power immense. That’s undeniable. But to call themselves the leaders of the immortal path is truly an exaggeration!”

“It’s just that some sects don’t wish to get into conflict with them lightly,” Eric Bennett said leisurely.

“Exactly. The world is vast, and extraordinary people each have their own origins, inheritances, and achievements. How can it all be lumped together?” Ms. Bennett shook his head. “These three are the direct disciples of Sword-Hiding Palace, aren’t they? That Senior Brother visited me once fifty years ago—his name is William Thompson. His foundation and Daoist roots are solid, and he practices orthodox Daoist arts, with deep fortune as well. But now, he seems a bit too confident, which isn’t good for cultivation.”

“Yes, whenever a treasure is unearthed, it’s always theirs. Anyone who competes with them is labeled heretical and struck down without mercy,” Eric Bennett said slowly. “So arrogant!”

“Eric Bennett, are you quite displeased?”

“Mm, yes, I really dislike that ‘the world is mine’ arrogance!” Eric Bennett said frankly.

“Haha, but aren’t you sometimes the same, my friend?” Ms. Bennett replied just as directly. “They’re the younger generation, after all, and share the same origins as us. They’re just young and spirited, but not truly evil. If you encounter them, just give them a light lesson, so as not to really damage the harmony between our two sects.”

“Well said. To argue with them would really be like bullying children!” Eric Bennett laughed heartily. “But your words—‘aren’t you sometimes the same?’—truly hit home!”

“Like repels like; that’s the law of nature.” Ms. Bennett pointed out the root of Eric Bennett’s displeasure without reservation. “It’s just that they like to cloak themselves in righteousness, while you are simply more forthright.”

“Am I really such an arrogant and domineering person?” Eric Bennett looked up. The two exchanged glances and both burst out laughing.

“But, my friend, when dealing with fellow cultivators in the future, it’s better to be a bit gentler. Too much rigidity breaks easily!” After laughing, Ms. Bennett still offered his advice.

“That depends on what they do,” Eric Bennett’s smile faded as he said seriously. “If he tries to kill me, I’ll kill him. If he humiliates me, I’ll humiliate him. Nothing more—an eye for an eye.”

“Heaven favors benevolence.”

“Not so. That’s the talk of worldly pedants. Heaven is not benevolent; it treats all things as straw dogs.”

“My friend, when the green emerges from the forest, the wind will surely break it!”

“Ms. Bennett, don’t try to persuade me. I don’t know what you’ve foreseen, but this is my principle—words cannot change it, so please spare me the lecture!” Eric Bennett saw he was about to launch into a long speech and quickly cut him off.