Void Cultivation-Chapter 209- How crazy is that?

By the time the long arc of his descent slammed into the ground, an explosive wave of dust erupted outward, sweeping across the area like a violent storm. The force of the heavy landing caused the earth to tremble violently, cracks spiderwebbing through the stone as a deep crater formed at the point of impact.

Yet, despite the violent shockwave, the towering mountain beneath them, so tall that its peak could not even be seen by ordinary eyes, remained unmoved, standing firm and unshaken as though mocking the force that had struck it.

Slowly, the dust settled.

As Grey’s vision cleared, a figure emerged from the crater. The man who had landed stood tall, his posture straight and domineering. He was a middle-aged man with sharp features and a naturally prideful expression etched into his face. Draped in gray robes that fluttered slightly in the lingering wind, he gazed at Grey with a cold, arrogant stare, as though looking down at someone beneath him.

Powerful fluctuations radiated from his body.

Grey’s eyes narrowed as he sensed it clearly, two fully manifested balls of Spirit Fire burned within the man’s dantian. The spirit flames glowed with an intense, piercing brilliance, illuminating his face faintly and giving him an almost divine presence.

When the man noticed Grey’s solemn expression, he frowned inwardly.

Externally, however, he let out a cold snort. Without another word, he stepped forward, his aura surging as the power of two balls of Spirit Fire erupted outward. In a single instant, he charged toward Grey, his fist cutting through the air like a falling meteor.

Although Grey’s expression remained solemn, he did not retreat.

Instead, his eyes sharpened into a cold glint as he calmly raised his hand, positioning his palm to block the incoming punch.

Just before their palms collided...

The middle-aged man’s face suddenly twisted.

His body jerked backward as he forcefully retreated several steps, his eyes widening slightly in disbelief.

Grey’s palm remained suspended in mid-air.

He had not even moved an inch.

His expression had not changed once throughout the entire exchange, as if nothing of consequence had occurred. When the middle-aged man saw this, another deep frown creased his face.

’Spirit Fire?’ he thought.

Yet, he could not be certain. Grey’s aura was too restrained. Too clean. He could not tell whether Grey had truly opened twenty-five nodes and formed his first ball of Spirit Fire, or if he was hiding something deeper.

When Grey noticed the frown on the man’s face, he immediately understood.

This was a test.

If he had backed down just now, it would have proven that he did not possess Spirit Fire. Worse, it would have exposed his temperament, fearful, hesitant, uncertain. That single reaction would have revealed far too much. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Although Grey was not entirely sure of the deeper implications, he could already guess that his future treatment within the sect would change drastically depending on this moment.

And his guess was correct.

This method was precisely how the Sky Mist Sect confirmed whether a cultivator had truly advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

If a cultivator retreated in fear, they would immediately be branded as weak-willed, someone afraid of risk and danger. Such people missed opportunities, were easily manipulated, and ultimately became tools for others. Cultivators like that... rarely lived long. Their cultivation paths were slow, stagnant, and pitiful.

At the same time, if the other party showed fear, it could also mean that they were not a true Foundation Establishment cultivator at all, but someone disguising themselves through external means.

Grey had done neither.

He had not retreated, nor had he hesitated. Instead, he had raised his palm to stop the punch head-on.

That was why the middle-aged man had felt danger.

And that danger confused him.

Those with Spirit Fire could not be harmed by those without it. Every cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm knew this. That was precisely why the Special Brilliance Form was prioritized above all else, it ensured absolute dominance within the realm.

Yet, just now... something felt wrong.

After fully realizing that this encounter had been a test, Grey slowly lowered his palm. His expression turned complicated, his eyes cold and indifferent, as if he no longer cared about the outcome.

When the middle-aged man saw Grey’s apathetic gaze, he could not help but sigh softly.

"You truly are... from the Third Sequence," he said quietly.

"My name is Derek Rung. I am from the Fifth Sequence," he continued. "When you stepped onto the mountain and announced your presence, my elder issued a command for me to fetch you."

As he spoke, Derek turned and began walking away, casually gesturing for Grey to follow.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Grey followed behind him.

"What is your name, fellow cultivator?" Derek asked.

"Grey Reynolds," Grey replied cautiously.

Even though Derek spoke without hostility, Grey remained vigilant. After all, this man had just attempted to attack him. The oppressive pressure he emitted reminded Grey strongly of the young man in black robes, the same one he and the Captain had fought before.

Derek did not seem bothered by Grey’s guarded nature.

"After advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm," Derek said, "the way the Sky Mist Sect treats you changes completely. Before, you were merely a Qi Accumulation cultivator, fighting countless battles just to survive. And even then, many such battles occurred every day."

He sighed.

"The sect chose not to interfere. Those struggles served as a crucible, a way to temper the young cultivators."

"But now?" Derek continued, slowing his steps. "Now that you’ve reached Foundation Establishment, everything changes. That’s because you’ve become a vessel of power for the sect."

He stopped walking and cleared his throat.

"I’m sure you’ve noticed that the Sky Mist Sect doesn’t behave like an ordinary sect. In fact, it resembles a massive city filled with ambition." His voice lowered slightly. "What Sky Mist truly desires... is benefit."

He coughed again, his eyes darting around cautiously, as if checking whether anyone was nearby.

"That’s why the rules here always bend toward monetary matters."

Suddenly, Derek grinned.

"Look, Grey," he said excitedly. "Should I tell you something? It’s a pretty big secret."

Grey blinked, momentarily stunned.

Seeing Grey’s reaction, Derek’s grin widened into something almost foolish.

"Well, never mind, I’ll tell you anyway," he laughed. "Sky Mist City wants to create a system where only benefits matter. Loyalty isn’t required."

He shook his head, amused.

"For a sect this large to have such ambitions is insane. But cultivation resources in this chaotic world are scarce, extremely scarce. Buying them with spirit stones is even worse."

"So instead," Derek continued, laughing openly now, "Sky Mist keeps its members loyal by feeding them benefits. Everyone gets something."

"How crazy is that?"

He burst into laughter and patted Grey on the shoulder as though they were comrades who shared the same understanding.

Grey couldn’t help but think that this middle-aged man before him was crazy.