The Unseen Strength

Elder Jietang's shock was palpable when he heard Grandfather Yue's words. Yueling—a Void cultivator? The news hit harder than he had anticipated. He recalled Yueling's mother, who would have ascended to that realm if she hadn't been struck down by their enemies, unaware of the power she carried.

Now, Grandfather Yue was revealing Yueling's potential, the very thing the Yue family had kept hidden for generations. Elder Jietang felt the weight of it, understanding that her awakening wasn't just personal—it had ramifications for the world. With a new sense of determination, he resolved to protect her secret at all costs.

Not just for Yueling's safety, but for the balance of the entire world. If she rose to her full power, everything could change. He couldn't risk others finding out too soon. He would inform the elders, yes, but only enough to prepare them for what was coming.

As the tranquil night embraced the world, Yueling found herself within the confines of her spiritual consciousness. Beneath her, the vast ocean stretched endlessly, its surface dotted with ripples that shimmered like scattered stars. In the center of this vast expanse, a single tree stood, its branches adorned with vibrant blossoms that sent petals drifting into the gentle breeze. Here, she practiced the Art of Yue Refinement. Using the delicate flowers, she sculpted a complex and intricate world upon the water's surface, her energy weaving through the water, guiding it into powerful formations. She also formed a Stage Three Array — strong enough to trap cultivators in realms far above her own. Though it consumed a lot of power, when paired with the Art of Yue Refinement, even higher realms wouldn't escape. Just as she finished practicing, preparing to exit her consciousness, a twang!

Something smacked her square in the face.

She gasped, dodging instinctively, only to realize a book had been thrown at her.

"Hmph," a voice echoed from the void. "You're not even qualified to fight me yet. What are you dodging for?"

The book floated before her eyes, glowing faintly.

"This is Ling Yin Jue—The Hidden Spirit Technique. It trains your spiritual Qi to be completely invisible. No one will be able to detect your power."

The voice continued, "And this ring I just crafted will seal your body's natural fragrance. You won't be easily traced. You're not leaving this time around so casually."

Within her consciousness, Yue Ling sat cross-legged above the water, the world around her an endless sea. She began cultivating Ling Yin Jue.

The lake shimmered beneath her, turning into an array of luminous lines.

The sky above her mindscape grew darker, riddled with ancient runes.

Petals floated upward, swirling into her body like whispers of lost winds.

A single ripple expanded, forming a transparent dome of silence around her.

In that moment, her body became like smoke—present, but intangible.

For five hundred years, she cultivated within this state. Yet in the outside world, only three incense sticks had burned.

When she awoke from the trance, her first reaction was panic — she couldn't feel her own spiritual Qi. She tried releasing it again and again… Nothing. But then, she concentrated, and noticed something peculiar. From an outsider's eyes, she either looked like someone who had no cultivation at all — or someone too powerful to fathom.

"Hmph," the ancestor's voice chuckled.

"Did you think I handed you a mere concealment technique? Foolish girl. That book is a Heaven-grade sealing scripture."

Yue Ling chuckled softly, her body finally relaxed. That night, she slept — deeply — for the first time in centuries.

Even in her dreams, she mumbled, "I missed sleeping…" while fighting in her sleep, her arms and legs sprawled out in all directions.

The next day, Elder Jietang decided to call a meeting with the other elders to explain an important development: another visitor would be joining in the competition for the upcoming fighting tournament. There would be two types of combat—the martial arts fighting and the refining of medicine.

"What do you mean by someone is joining us?" asked one elder, his voice sharp. "Does this mean our upcoming young cultivators aren't powerful enough?"

The second elder immediately retorted, "Or have you underestimated us so much that you and Old Hu had to go out and hire someone to help us? No way, we are not agreeing to that."

The room was soon filled with chaos, voices shouting over one another. Elder Jietang's expression remained unyielding as she raised her hand, her energy flaring. With a single surge of power, she quieted the room.

"Would you all hear me out?" she commanded, her voice clear and firm.

The noise instantly died down, and the atmosphere became thick with anticipation. 

" The Yue family 

The room was filled with a collective gasp. One elder spoke up, his tone incredulous, "What? The Yue family? The last time I checked, the Yue sons aren't anywhere near our universe. The only person related to us is the Empress—of course, her daughter is here, but who exactly is helping us this time?"

Elder Jietang's eyes gleamed with a subtle smile. he drew her long beard into a neat, calculated smirk. "You'll find out on training day. It will be a surprise for all of you. I just wanted to inform you to be prepared. In two days' time, we will begin. The winners—the ones who will be going to the tournament—will be trained and drilled before the tournament begins."

"Who is the master you hired to drill them for their training?" an elder asked, his curiosity piqued.

"You'll know by the time the training starts," Elder Jietang replied, her voice unwavering. "But for now, be prepared."

With that, Elder Jietang left the room, leaving the elders in a state of confusion and uncertainty. The room was still, as if no one quite knew how to process the new information.

Meanwhile, in Old Man Hu's cave, Yueling had felt the heavy stares of everyone since morning. It was as if they were looking at her like she had grown two heads. 

"How—how—how did you…?" Butler San stammered, his voice filled with disbelief.

Yueling cut him off before he could finish. "I dreamt about a practice last night. I practiced the fragrance and my spiritual qi. No one can sense it—not even an enemy." She replied nonchalntly. 

The room fell silent. The others exchanged startled glances, their expressions a mixture of awe and confusion. Was this a dream, or was someone else involved in her sudden development?