Invitation from the Seven Peaks Alliance

A week had passed since Zhao Feng's disappearance caused a commotion through the sect.

The Punishment Hall's investigation had stirred temporary fuss, but with no clues, the interest had gradually faded.

Elder Mo had not pressed further, and with no new apparent findings, the sect's daily routine resumed.

However, beneath the surface, things began to change and move.

And the stone in the river that caused this unintentionally, Lu Chen continued training.

...

In the training grounds, Lu Chen stood alone.

His breathing was steady. His movements, precise.

For the past week, he had been refining his techniques both in raw strength and efficiency.

His speed and execution of the Shadow Step had improved drastically. No longer was he just "vanishing" from sight, he was weaving between the smallest openings.

Thanks to The Void Serpent Manual, his control over Qi had deepened.

And this one week training also helped him get at 7th Layer Qi Condensation, and his combat power had grown sharper.

The old body owner had only a mediocre talent, but perhaps because of the fusion of souls, he became much more talented and his understanding rose by several levels.

Of course, the use of the simulation system cannot be ignored.

During this entire period, he has been using the simulator to choose the best training wheel to focus on, and at the same time testing whether the exhaustion that his body, soul and mind felt when using the simulator really gave him the opportunity to recover even stronger.

Lu Chen tests confirm that it does, the simulator works like a blacksmith, refining your body and soul with each use.

It's like the simulator is motivating you to get stronger in a hurry.

He was more than satisfied with this situation.

The sect was watching.

And soon, the Inner Sect Trials would begin.

But before he could dwell further… A sudden commotion broke the peace.

The training grounds, usually filled with the low chatter of disciples and the sound of techniques being practiced, fell silent.

A powerful presence approached.

Lu Chen looked up just in time to see a group of Inner Sect disciples striding through the training grounds gates.

And their cultivation levels were on full display. All of them were at the foundation establishment realm, one of them clearly had the most powerful aura, most likely it was a late establishment foundation,

The moment they entered, murmurs exploded among the Outer Sect disciples.

"Inner Sect disciples? Here?!"

"Wait, that's Jiang Xuan! he's a member of the Seven Peaks Alliance, hear that you have reached the 9th Layer Foundation Establishment!"

"What's a Seven Peaks Alliance member doing in the Outer Sect?"

"Did they notice my talent and come to recruit me?"

"keep dreaming!"

Some Outer Sect disciples instinctively took a step back, lowering their heads.

Even though the difference between Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment was only a single realm, the gap in power was enormous.

Even the weakest of these Inner Sect disciples could defeat several Outer Sect disciples at once.

The mere pressure of their presence weighed on the training grounds like an invisible force.

And then, Jiang Xuan turned his gaze forward. He walked directly toward Lu Chen.

The crowd parted instinctively, all eyes were on one person.

Lu Chen.

For a brief moment, Lu Chen felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

"One of the paths from the simulation… Is this it?"

Jiang Xuan stopped just a few steps away, his expression calm and unreadable.

And then, with a friendly smile, he spoke…

"Lu Chen, you've caught the interest of the Seven Peaks Alliance."

The crowd held its breath.

Lu Chen frowned slightly.

Jiang Xuan stood before Lu Chen, his hands folded behind his back, radiating calm confidence. Although friendly, it didn't seem like he was extending an invitation, but issuing a decree.

Behind him, the other alliance members remained impassive filled with an unmistakable sense of superiority.

One of them, a young man dressed in navy robes, glanced around at the Outer Sect disciples, his lips slightly curved.

"So this is where the weaklings train?"

Another, a sharp eyed woman, crossed her arms and scoffed.

"It reeks of mediocrity here."

None of them spoke these thoughts aloud.

They didn't need to.

Their expressions screamed one thing… 'You should feel honored we are even standing here.'

Jiang Xuan's eyes remained fixed on Lu Chen.

The Outer Sect disciples held their breath.

Some eyes flashed with jealousy.

Some with admiration.

Some with pure, unfiltered hatred.

"Why him?"

"A no name nobody? What makes him worthy?"

But Jiang Xuan ignored them all.

Instead, he stepped closer, his tone warm yet unwavering.

"We'd like to extend an invitation to you, Lu Chen."

A pause.

"Joining the Seven Peaks Alliance is not a matter of 'consideration.' It is a step into a greater future."

Jiang Xuan lifted his hand slightly, gesturing to the disciples behind him.

"Our alliance represents the elite of the Azure Sky Sect. Those who walk this path do not struggle in obscurity. We are the ones who control the sect's future."

His lips slightly curved, waiting for Lu Chen's reaction.

"You understand what that means?" 

Lu Chen remained silent, but his mind ran fast.

"This doesn't make sense." he thought

He was a nobody.

He had no fame before he transmigrated, and has kept a low profile since returning to the sect.

And yet, the Seven Peaks Alliance had sent someone to invite him?

"This is definitely a scheme." Lu Chen could feel it.

Jiang Xuan guessed that Lu Chen's silence was due to the shock of the incredible opportunity.

He continued, voice calm but firm.

"Joining us means that you will have access to exclusive cultivation resources, and even personal training from Inner Elders. Furthermore, the main objective of our alliance is to develop future leaders of the sect, a direct path into sect leadership."

The surrounding disciples held their breath.

This was a moment of fate.

Lu Chen could see it in their eyes.

Some envied him.

Some wanted him to deny.

But none of them understood.

"This isn't a gift. This is a trap."

If he accepted, he would be bound to the Seven Peaks Alliance, a small fish in the aquarium with several giants fighting for interest.

If he had no future prospects, this could even be an opportunity, even if it was dangerous.

But having the simulation system, why would it need to get involved in this dirty water?

Lu Chen exhaled slowly.

He had no intention of becoming a pawn.

"I appreciate the offer," he said. "But I prefer to cultivate on my own. I do not intend to be part of any group or alliance, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the offer."

Lu Chen thought that they might try to threaten him a little, but he was thinking too much.

Jiang Xuan just looked at him deeply and then turned and left, none of the other members took another look at Lu Chen.

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