Chapter 11: "Vermillion Flame Sect."

As Ye Xiaotian and Qin Lian emerged from the dense jungle, a breathtaking sight greeted them.

A vast plain stretched endlessly before them, bathed in the golden light of the sun. The grass shimmered like an emerald sea, swaying gently in the breeze. Wildflowers bloomed in vibrant clusters, painting the landscape with splashes of color blues, purples, yellows, and reds. Butterflies fluttered gracefully from flower to flower, their delicate wings catching the light, while birds soared high above, singing sweet songs that filled the air.

In the distance, harmless spirit beasts grazed peacefully. Deer-like creatures with shimmering antlers nibbled on the grass, while fluffy spirit rabbits hopped around, their long ears twitching at every sound.

Ye Xiaotian paused, taking in the beauty of the scene. His gaze softened as he breathed in the fresh, fragrant air.

This place feels untouched by conflict… Pure and serene.

Qin Lian glanced at him and smiled, noticing his peaceful expression. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

Ye Xiaotian nodded. "It's rare to see a place like this."

They continued flying, gliding above the endless plain. Time seemed to slow as they passed through the picturesque landscape, their energy platforms hovering silently in the air.

After several hours of flight, a large city came into view on the horizon.

Tall, towering walls surrounded the city, built from red stone that gleamed in the sunlight. The walls were reinforced with massive steel gates, and guards in crimson armor patrolled the battlements, their weapons glinting in the light.

Inside the walls, the city buzzed with life. The streets were filled with people merchants shouting to advertise their goods, children playing in the alleys, and cultivators walking with purpose, their robes marking them as members of various sects and clans.

The scent of spices, roasted meat, and medicinal herbs filled the air, mingling with the lively chatter of the bustling crowd.

"This is Vermillion City," Qin Lian explained as they flew closer. "It's under the control of the Vermillion Flame Sect. Since we are the largest producers of spirit pills on the continent, we need places and people to manage our trade."

Ye Xiaotian listened intently.

Qin Lian continued, "This city is where our pills are auctioned and distributed across the continent. Merchants from all regions come here to purchase our products and resell them in their own territories."

Ye Xiaotian nodded in understanding. A trade hub… They've built a powerful network through commerce and cultivation.

As they flew over the city, Ye Xiaotian noticed large auction houses, bustling markets, and grand mansions that belonged to wealthy merchants and influential clans. The streets were wide and paved with stone, and spirit beasts pulling carts moved through the crowds with surprising discipline.

At the center of Vermillion City stood a large open ground, where a massive circular platform was built. The platform was intricately carved with ancient runes that glowed faintly with spiritual energy. The runes formed a complex pattern, radiating out from the center like the petals of a flower.

People were stepping onto the platform in small groups, disappearing in flashes of light as the teleportation array activated. The platform buzzed with power, sending people to various locations across the continent.

"This is the Teleportation Array," Qin Lian said. "It was built and maintained by our sect. If you want to use it, you need to pay one thousand middle-grade spirit stones."

Ye Xiaotian nodded. I've seen teleportation arrays before on the Xuanlong Continent. But back then, as a disciple of the Celestial Phoenix Sect, I never had to pay for travel.

"Let's go," Qin Lian said, descending toward the platform.

They landed softly on the stone surface. A sect elder, dressed in crimson robes, stood by the array, overseeing its operation. His aura radiated the strength of a Core Formation Realm expert.

When the elder saw Qin Lian, he immediately bowed deeply. "Greetings, Sect Master."

Qin Lian nodded in acknowledgment. Her tone was calm but commanding. "Activate the array."

The elder bowed again. "Yes, Sect Master."

He turned and began chanting an incantation, his hands moving in precise gestures. The runes on the platform glowed brighter, and the air hummed with spiritual energy.

Ye Xiaotian stepped onto the array beside Qin Lian. As the elder finished his chant, a brilliant light enveloped them.

When the light faded, Ye Xiaotian found himself standing on another array platform. But the scenery around him had completely changed.

His eyes widened in awe.

They stood on a mountain platform, surrounded by endless clouds. The peaks of two towering mountains rose above the clouds, their summits adorned with grand pavilions and majestic halls. The sunlight shimmered off the golden rooftops, casting a radiant glow across the floating landscape.

Below them, the world was hidden by a sea of clouds. It was as if the entire sect was suspended in the sky, untouched by the world below.

"This…" Ye Xiaotian murmured, unable to take his eyes off the breathtaking sight. "It's floating in the clouds." He had seen many powerful sects on the Xuanlong Continent, but he didn't see any sect floating in the sky.

Qin Lian watched him, satisfied with his reaction. Her lips curved into a proud smile.

"Yes. This is the Vermillion Flame Sect. It's a floating sanctuary, hidden from the mortal world. To reach it, you need the teleportation array."

Ye Xiaotian nodded, still taking in the view.

Qin Lian continued, her voice softening as she shared the sect's origin story. "The first sect master discovered this place by chance. It's said that he found an injured Vermillion Bird a legendary ancient spirit beast. He saved her life and nursed her back to health."

Ye Xiaotian listened closely.

"When the Vermillion Bird recovered, she transformed into a beautiful woman. The sect master fell in love with her and proposed. She accepted his love out of gratitude, and they lived here together for a time."

Qin Lian's expression darkened slightly. "But the Vermillion Bird eventually left. She said that her clan would never accept her relationship with a human. Ancient spirit clans, like the Vermillion Birds, value their bloodline purity above all else. They kill those who marry outside their clan."

Ye Xiaotian's heart tightened as he listened.

"She left to protect her child and her lover," Qin Lian continued. "In her memory, the first sect master built this sect the Vermillion Flame Sect."

Ye Xiaotian nodded slowly. I know how ancient clans value their bloodlines… Too well.

His mind drifted to his own past to the mother he never knew. He knew she had come from an ancient clan, but she had abandoned him after his birth. His father was killed, and he was raised by his grandfather.

I was just a bastard child to them… someone who didn't deserve to live.

Ye Xiaotian's eyes became moist as he recalled his grandfather's kindness the only family he had ever known. But he had left them behind when he joined the Celestial Phoenix Sect, and he didn't know how they were now.

"Ye Xiaotian?" Qin Lian's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

He blinked, realizing he had been lost in his memories. Qin Lian was watching him with concern.

"Are you okay?" she asked gently. "You looked… sad."

Ye Xiaotian forced a small smile. "I'm fine. Just… remembering someone."

Qin Lian's heart ached as she saw the sadness in his eyes. She didn't know why, but seeing him like that made her chest tighten.

"Let's go," Qin Lian said softly, trying to distract him. "Follow me."

She took off into the air, flying toward the the mountain. Ye Xiaotian followed silently, his thoughts still lingering on the past.

After some time they landed near the first mountain.

There was a mountain path leading to the Vermillion Flame Sect's Grand Palace, it wound gently upward, lined with ancient stone steps. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of pine and wildflowers that bloomed along the edges of the path. Despite the serene beauty, the atmosphere felt heavy, as if the very air was infused with spiritual energy.

As Ye Xiaotian followed Qin Lian, his gaze drifted toward the towering pavilions perched on the mountainside. Each building seemed to radiate power, their golden rooftops gleaming under the sunlight. He noticed disciples and elders moving about, their robes fluttering in the breeze.

Some wore yellow robes, marking them as elders. Others, dressed in crimson robes with golden trim, were core disciples. The higher they climbed, the stronger the spiritual energy became, and the more powerful the cultivators they passed.

Ye Xiaotian's sharp senses picked up on the subtle differences in their auras.

The closer we get to the palace, the stronger they are, he thought. The sect follows a strict hierarchy the more powerful you are, the closer you live to the core of the sect.

Qin Lian glanced at him, sensing his thoughts. She gave a small nod. "You're right. The closer an elder or disciple resides to the sect hall, the stronger they are. Only the most powerful elders live near the palace."

Ye Xiaotian nodded, appreciating the clarity of the system. A merit-based structure. It's fair, but it also puts pressure on everyone to keep advancing.

After a while, the winding path leveled out, leading to the Grand Palace Gates. The gates were enormous, carved from spirit-enhanced stone that shimmered faintly with protective runes. The intricate carvings depicted the Vermillion Bird in all its glory, wings spread wide as flames danced around it.

Two guards stood at the gates, their auras exuding the strength of Extreme Core Formation Realm experts. They wore crimson armor, their spears gleaming with spiritual energy.

As Ye Xiaotian and Qin Lian approached, the guards straightened, their expressions stern.

"Greetings, Sect Master," they said in unison, bowing respectfully to Qin Lian.

Qin Lian nodded, her expression calm and composed. She radiated the quiet authority of someone who had earned her position through hard work and perseverance.

Ye Xiaotian followed behind her, but as he stepped toward the gate, the two guards moved to block his path. Their spears crossed in front of him, barring his way.

"Stop," one of the guards said, his voice filled with disdain. His gaze swept over Ye Xiaotian, noting his Foundation Realm aura. "Who allowed you to enter? This place is reserved for elders and core disciples."

Ye Xiaotian remained calm, his expression unreadable. This is typical in sects. There will always be those who judge based on cultivation level.

The second guard sneered. "How dare a mere Foundation Realm cultivator follow the Sect Master here?"

Before Ye Xiaotian could respond, a wave of soul pressure washed over the guards.

"You two!" Qin Lian's voice was cold and filled with authority. "How dare you block my guest? Do you want to lose your positions?"

The guards' faces turned pale. They shuddered under the weight of her Soul Awakening Realm pressure, their bodies trembling.

"S-Sect Master… We didn't know…" one guard stammered, bowing deeply.

Qin Lian's gaze was icy. "Know now. If you ever disrespect him again, you'll answer to me."

"Yes, Sect Master!" the guards chorused, stepping aside to let Ye Xiaotian pass.

As Ye Xiaotian walked through the gates, he glanced at Qin Lian. Her expression was still stern, but when she caught his gaze, it softened slightly.

"You didn't have to do that," Ye Xiaotian said quietly.

Qin Lian shrugged. "They needed to learn their place."

Ye Xiaotian nodded, appreciating her support. But deep down, he knew that this kind of treatment would continue unless he proved himself.

It's the same everywhere. People respect strength. If I want to avoid these situations, I'll need to show them what I'm capable of.

End of Chapter 11