Han Renyi opened his eyes to find himself standing near the Ancestor's Tree in the Three-Leaf Clover Sect grounds. The familiar weight of someone else occupying his consciousness told him immediately that Master Ling was still in control of his body. The sensation no longer frightened him as it once had, instead, it felt almost comforting, like the presence of a trusted mentor.

"Ah, you're awake," Ke Yin said mentally, the words resonating directly into Han Renyi's consciousness. "Perfect timing. I was about to wake you anyway."

"Master Ling," Han Renyi replied through their mental connection. "The feeding of the trees was successful?"

He felt his own lips curve into a smile that wasn't his own. "Very successful. And as thanks for letting me borrow your body again, I've arranged something that should benefit you greatly."

"What do you mean?" Han Renyi asked, curiosity piqued.

Through his own eyes, he watched as his hand gestured toward the distant mountains to the west and then toward Pearl Heart Lake to the east. "I had a little chat with the Sect Masters of the two other great sects, the Mountain Dweller Sect and the Deep Sea Sect. They were quite impressed by our visit to their sacred trees, and they'll be trying to contact you soon. I suspect they'll be interested in forming alliances."

Han Renyi's surprise was so great that he momentarily forgot he had no control over his body. He tried to gasp and found he couldn't. "Alliances? With me? But I'm just a—"

"A Tier 3 Legacy Disciple of the Three-Leaf Clover Sect with a mysterious and powerful master," Ke Yin completed the thought. "That makes you quite valuable in their eyes. Especially given the... changes that are coming."

"Changes?" Han Renyi echoed, unsettled by the tone in his master's voice.

Ke Yin nodded, using Han Renyi's head to do so. "The world is changing, Han Renyi. You should continue focusing on your cultivation, but also unite the Starhaven Realm under your leadership."

If Han Renyi had been in control of his body, he would have stumbled backward in shock. "Unite the realm? You mean... conquer it? Like the ancient emperor-rouqin in the legends?"

He felt his own face form a thoughtful expression as Ke Yin considered his response. "Not necessarily through conquest, though strength will certainly be required. But yes, the realm would benefit from unified leadership in the times ahead."

A thousand questions raced through Han Renyi's mind, chief among them: "What great changes? What's coming that would require such unity?"

But Ke Yin didn't respond to the direct question. Instead, Han Renyi felt his body walk to a small stone bench beneath the Ancestor's Tree. His hand reached out to touch the ancient bark, and a soft blue glow emanated from the point of contact.

"It was nice returning here," Ke Yin said finally. "And it was nice to see you again, Han Renyi.”

Han Renyi sensed that his master was preparing to leave and felt a sudden pang of regret. Their meetings were so brief, so full of mysteries and unanswered questions. "Will I see you again?" he asked, unable to keep the emotion from his voice.

"I suspect you will," Ke Yin replied, and Han Renyi could almost sense a smile behind the words. "Our paths seem to be connected in ways that even I don't fully understand. But for now, I must return to my own realm and body."

"Thank you," Han Renyi said earnestly. "For everything you've done for me and my family. For the cultivation technique, for removing Zhou Shentong, for speaking with the other sects... I can never repay you."

"Live well," Ke Yin replied simply. "Grow stronger. Unite the realm. That's repayment enough."

With those words, Han Renyi felt a strange sensation, like a weight lifting from his mind. There was a momentary disorientation, and then suddenly he was in control of his body again. He gasped, drawing in a deep breath as his consciousness fully settled back into its rightful place.

Before him, hovering in the air like a mirage, was the translucent form of his master. Master Ling appeared as he had when they first met, a young man with an otherworldly grace and eyes that seemed to contain endless depths of knowledge. His form was spectral, glowing with a soft luminescence against the night sky.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Goodbye, Han Renyi," Ke Yin said, his voice seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. "Remember what I've taught you."

Han Renyi dropped to one knee, bowing deeply. "Farewell, Master. I will make you proud."

Master Ling smiled, a genuine expression that transformed his usually serious face. Then his spiritual form began to rise, floating upward toward the star-filled sky. Han Renyi watched in awe as his master's soul ascended, moving faster and faster until it resembled a shooting star racing back to the heavens.

The sight was breathtakingly beautiful, a strand of pure light cutting through the darkness, illuminating the night with its radiance. Han Renyi glanced around, wondering if the disciples or guards patrolling the sect grounds could see the majestic spectacle, but no one seemed to notice. They continued their rounds, oblivious to the miracle unfolding above their heads.

As Ke Yin's soul disappeared into the endless expanse of stars, Han Renyi remained kneeling, his heart filled with a complex mixture of gratitude, determination, and a strange sense of loss. This being from another realm had irrevocably changed his life, setting him on a path he could never have imagined just one year ago.

"Unite the realm," he whispered to himself, testing the weight of the words. "Become a leader of rouqin." The very idea would have seemed laughable before, when he was just the son of a declining merchant family, struggling to maintain even the lowest level of cultivation.

Now, though... now, anything seemed possible.

"Senior Brother Han!"

The voice startled Han Renyi from his reverie. He rose to his feet, turning to find a junior disciple hurrying toward him, looking nervous and excited.

"What is it?" Han Renyi asked.

The young disciple bowed hastily. "The Seventh Ancestor requests your immediate presence at the Hall of Elders, Senior Brother. He says it's a matter of great importance!"

Han Renyi raised an eyebrow but nodded. "I'll go at once."

As he followed the junior disciple through the moonlit grounds of the Three-Leaf Clover Sect, Han Renyi couldn't help but wonder what the Seventh Ancestor could want with him at this hour.

Their last interaction had been a year ago and was... well, "tense" would be putting it mildly. The Ancestor had tried to kill him in revenge for Zhou Shentong's death, only to be thoroughly humiliated by Ke Yin.

The Hall of Elders was ablaze with light when Han Renyi arrived. To his surprise, not only was the Seventh Ancestor present, but also Sect Master Li Jie and several other high-ranking members of the sect.

"Ah, here he is!" the Seventh Ancestor, Zhou Tao, boomed cheerfully. "The man of the hour!"

Han Renyi blinked in confusion. The last time he had seen that magnificent beard, it had been trailing in the dirt as the Ancestor performed kowtows before his master. Now, the elderly cultivator was beaming at him like a proud grandfather, arms spread wide in welcome.

"Legacy Disciple Han," Sect Master Li Jie said formally, rising from his seat. "We have gathered to inform you of an important decision regarding the future of our sect."

Han Renyi approached cautiously, bowing with appropriate respect. "I am honored by your attention, Sect Master, Honored Ancestor."

The Seventh Ancestor strode forward, placing a heavy hand on Han Renyi's shoulder. "Young Han! How your fortunes have changed since you joined our humble sect!" His voice was boisterous and his eyes were twinkling. "From a mere outer disciple to Legacy Disciple in record time, and now..." He paused dramatically.

Sect Master Li Jie stepped forward, his face solemn but not unkind. "Han Renyi, the council of elders has unanimously decided to elevate you to the position of Sect Master of the Three-Leaf Clover Sect."

A shocked silence fell over the room. Han Renyi stared at Li Jie, certain he had misheard. "Sect... Master?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Indeed!" the Seventh Ancestor confirmed, his beard quivering with excitement. "I have personally recommended you for the position, and no one dared—I mean, everyone enthusiastically agreed."

Li Jie's expression was more measured, but he nodded in confirmation. "This is an unprecedented decision, but these are unprecedented times. Your connection to your powerful master, your remarkable cultivation progress, and your wisdom make you uniquely qualified to lead our sect into the future."

"But," Han Renyi stammered, "I've only been a member of the sect for a year. Surely there are others more deserving—"

"Nonsense!" the Seventh Ancestor interrupted, waving away the objection. "Your master has shown great interest in our sect, particularly in our sacred Ancestor's Tree. What better way to honor that connection than by elevating his disciple to our highest position?"

Han Renyi looked between the two senior cultivators, trying to make sense of what was happening. Li Jie looked resigned but accepting, while the Seventh Ancestor was practically bubbling with enthusiasm. Neither expression seemed entirely genuine.

"The ceremony will be held in three days," Li Jie continued, "giving us time to prepare and to inform the other major sects. I hope you will use this time to consider your first actions as Sect Master."

"I..." Han Renyi began, then stopped, gathering his thoughts. "I am deeply honored by your trust. I will strive to lead the sect with wisdom and strength."

The Seventh Ancestor clapped his hands together. "Excellent! I knew you would accept graciously. Now, let us discuss the details of the ceremony. It must be suitably magnificent to mark this historic occasion!"

As the elders began excitedly planning the ceremony, Han Renyi stood in silent wonder, his mind racing. Just what had his master done during his visit to earn Han Renyi such an extraordinary promotion? One moment he had been a Legacy Disciple, still learning the basics of sect politics, and now he was to become Sect Master?

He glanced toward the window, where the stars continued their eternal dance across the night sky. Somewhere out there, beyond this realm, his master was returning to his own world, perhaps unaware of the profound impact of his actions.

"Unite the realm," Han Renyi thought, the words taking on new significance with each passing moment. As Sect Master of one of the three great sects, such a goal suddenly seemed within reach.