The morning after their return, the Feilun Sect was unusually quiet.
No horns. No alarms. No feasting. Just the distant hum of formation walls adjusting to the returning Root Division team.
Tian Shen stood alone before the ancient pavilion nestled beside the Feilun Tree's roots, where the Sect Master often held his audiences.
He looked more traveler than hero—dust-streaked, robes patched with scars, eyes red-rimmed from a long night of definitely not sorting treasure.
The sliding screen parted.
"Enter."
Came the calm, sonorous voice within.
Tian Shen stepped into the pavilion.
The Sect Master stood with his back to him, gazing at a miniature spiritual map of the continent carved into a massive stone basin.
The jade pillar, once prominent near the Central-Eastern border, was now gone.
Without turning, the Sect Master asked.
"What did you find?"
Tian Shen bowed.
