Chapter 47: Formation of sect
The aftermath of the first Nascent Soul breakthrough had already thrown the entire cultivation world into chaos—but barely few montha have passed when a second thunder calamity erupted in the same region.
This time, it was even more terrifying.
The sky split apart, and thunder clouds blanketed the entire mortal region. The lightning didn't just flash—it rained down like divine punishment. The calamity was so vast and intense that many thought a top-tier Nascent Soul expert was transcending toward the higher realm.
Sects from all corners of the continent sent out scouts. Cultivators stared into the sky in awe and dread. No one had ever heard of two Nascent Soul tribulations happening in such short succession… in the same place.
"Could it be… the same person?" a wandering cultivator whispered in shock.
It didn't take long for the cultivation world to uncover the truth.
The name Lu Fan quickly spread like wildfire. He was the mysterious cultivator who had ascended, and the destruction of an entire island had marked his arrival. From that moment on, the mortal world was no longer the same.
---
Meanwhile, on the ruined island, Lu Fan stood atop the last surviving mountain.
He looked around at the devastation with calm eyes. Charred earth, shattered cliffs, and a massive spiritual crater surrounded him. But his gaze wasn't one of sorrow—it was one of creation.
He raised his hand.
Using his Nascent Soul cultivation, he drew from the abundant spiritual energy of the newly advanced Level 4 spiritual vein. With complex formations and his deep understanding of spatial constructs, he began to reshape the land.
Massive chunks of rock levitated, forming floating cliffs and plateaus. Spirit trees and herbs were replanted, grown from seeds kept safe. Crystal-clear streams flowed down from the lone mountain's peak, forming a new river system. He didn't just rebuild the island—he improved it.
His faithful Gu beasts were doing their part too.
The red-feathered, eagle-sized chicken tore apart massive spirit beasts that had died in the lake, feasting on their remains. Its golden beak and crimson feathers glowed with Qi, its strength now comparable to Foundation-level beasts.
The ruby silkworm, larger than a barrel, devoured fish and insects, weaving fine strands of red silk between the skeletal remains of trees, reinforcing their structure and feeding off residual Qi.
"Eat well," Lu Fan said, standing on a levitating rock. "You'll be undergoing another refinement soon."
The chicken let out a low, thunderous cluck that shook nearby stones, while the silkworm twitched happily, spitting another thread of shimmering silk.
---
A month passed.
The ruined lake had begun to regain life. Spiritual fog hovered lightly over the water. The Thunderflare Tree at the island's heart stood tall, a radiant beacon.
Then, visitors arrived.
Six figures descended from the sky, each cloaked in distinct sect robes. Their presence exuded power, their auras dense and ancient. These were no ordinary cultivators—Nascent Soul Ancestors from the major sects.
They landed respectfully at the foot of the restored mountain.
Lu Fan emerged from his cave residence, dressed in red robes inscribed with intricate runes that shimmered under the sunlight. His gaze was calm, his presence even stronger than before. The mountain subtly trembled with his every step.
The one who stepped forward first was an elderly man with a long beard tied with golden thread—Ancestor Qian of the Azure Sword Sect.
"Fellow Daoist Lu," Ancestor Qian bowed slightly, and the others followed suit. "Allow us to congratulate you on your ascension."
Lu Fan nodded, his tone neutral. "Thank you. I assume this is not just a courtesy visit."
The woman beside Qian, dressed in phoenix robes embroidered with fire lotuses, smiled faintly. "You assume correctly. I am Ancestor Mei of the Flame Spirit Pavilion. We came with an invitation… and a proposal."
Lu Fan raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
"The righteous sects," Ancestor Qian said gravely, "have been locked in battle with the Calamity Path and their vile arts. But with your appearance, the balance has shifted. We wish to invite you to ally with us, to restore balance and suppress the dark cultivators once and for all."
Lu Fan looked out at the lake, then back at them.
"I've no interest in sect politics," he said. "I seek understanding of the Dao, not titles or wars."
"Of course," Ancestor Mei said quickly, "we're not asking you to join our sects—only that we act together when the time comes. Your name alone would inspire hope… and fear."
A pause.
Lu Fan stepped closer, his aura pressing faintly against them. "If the Calamity Path threatens the peace I've cultivated here, I will destroy them. If your sects do the same, I'll do no less."
The Nascent Soul Ancestors exchanged glances.
"Fair enough," Ancestor Qian said with a small chuckle. "Then may we consider you a neutral force… with righteous leanings?"
Lu Fan gave a faint smile. "You may consider me… a cultivator of cause and consequence."
---
With the conversation concluded, they didn't linger long.
As they departed, Ancestor Mei turned back. "Fellow Daoist Lu, when the time comes, I hope we will fight side by side."
Lu Fan watched them vanish into the clouds, his expression unreadable.
---
Back inside his cave, he returned to his work.
"Let the world shift as it may," he murmured. "I still have many doors to open."
Now that Lu Fan's identity had been revealed to the world and his power was undeniable, he no longer saw any reason to remain hidden.
It was time to take the next step.
He would form a sect—a force of his own.
And so, he gave it a name worthy of the legacy he had built:
Sunfire Sect.
But unlike other sects that relied on politics, resources, and recruitment drives, Lu Fan did something different. He simply sent a message through his fate-linked cultivation pillars. Those attuned to the pillars across the lands received it in their hearts:
> "A sect has been born under the sun and fire. If fate leads you, come."
There were no elaborate invitations. No grand summons. Just the will of heaven carried through the pillars.
But the result was… astonishing.
Within a week, thousands of cultivators arrived at Lu Fan's ruined island, now slowly being reshaped through Nascent Soul might. Among the arrivals were wandering cultivators, young talents, sectless warriors, and even entire branches of old factions looking for new hope.
Among them, the Holy Sunfire Sect also arrived, their three thousand core disciples and elders respectfully bowing before Lu Fan.
The atmosphere was tense with anticipation.
Lu Fan hovered above the mountain peak, his robes gently glowing under the sun. He looked down at the massive crowd and spoke clearly, his voice resonating like a divine command.
> "You've all seen the Pillars. You know what they hold."
"So I will speak plainly: I have placed a Pillar here. All the cultivation arts I've created or practiced are etched into it. You don't need to join this sect to obtain them. You may study them from any Pillar scattered across the lands."
"What I offer here is protection. A place to grow. If you want more than that—if you want breakthroughs, advancements, or power—you must create it yourself. Just as I did."
No hand-holding. No false promises. Just raw truth.
And yet, none left. They had already witnessed what Lu Fan's knowledge and techniques could do. The Thunder Patterns, Holy Sunfire, Totem Arts, and now his legendary breakthrough—they were living proof of something greater.
Thus, the Sunfire Sect was born, not of force, but of inspiration.
Lu Fan then shaped the land.
Using his power, he created six smaller floating islands orbiting the central peak where he resided. These would become the foundation of the sect's structure.
On each of these islands, he installed Level 1 Spirit Veins by embedding vast amounts of spirit stones deep within the earth.
One of the islands, infused with his own Sunfire essence, was elevated to a Level 2 Fire-aligned Spiritual Vein—perfectly suited for the Holy Sunfire Sect cultivators.
Another island was tuned to a Level 2 Yin-aligned vein, ideal for female cultivators, especially those using moonlight, whirlpool, or water-based techniques.
With the spiritual infrastructure complete, cultivation could begin immediately.
Six floating islands.
Three thousand cultivators.
And one Nascent Soul powerhouse at the center.