CHAPTER 26: NEW SECT

That display of humility? Flawless. Elder Haiyun’s suspicion softened—but didn’t vanish.

’Let’s confirm if he’s connected to that elusive senior,’ Haiyun muttered as his fingers formed seals. With practiced ease, he carved a Void Gate midair, its edges pulsing with eerie violet-black ripples.

"Well then, young lad," he said, tone light like a merchant offering tea. "Let’s talk somewhere a little more... secure."

Tian Lei’s eyes flickered—not with fear, but curiosity. This old man... also knew the Great Void Art? He stepped forward, brushing his fingertips against the spatial tear.

"Elder," he asked, voice calm, "why do you know the Great Void Art?"

It wasn’t an accusation—just a clean, cutting question.

That art was supposed to come from the Upper Heavens. Sister Yue had told him so herself. It shouldn’t be here. Not in a random sect elder’s grasp.

Elder Haiyun froze for just a second.

’I knew it,’ he thought, keeping his expression pleasant.

His eyes softened with a practiced warmth.

’If I stay close to him, I might find the remaining fragments. I only have three. If he has more...’

Aloud, he chuckled.

"Ah, sharp eyes, boy. I once found a ruin with carvings of the Void Dao. I grasped what I could, but much was lost. You seem... familiar with it?"

Tian Lei tilted his head slightly, unreadable.

’He’s probing me,’ he thought. ’Just like those back at the sect. Smile up front, fangs underneath. Another snake.’

The old man coughed lightly.

"Ahem. No need to be so wary," he said, hands up as if calming a spooked animal. "I mean no harm. Perhaps fate brought you to my Azure Feather Sect."

Tian Lei offered a thin smile.

"Of course, Elder. I’m grateful for your hospitality."

He paused, then added calmly, "But I can’t come with you."

Tian Lei turned slightly, never taking his eyes off the old man. His body was relaxed—but only on the surface. Internally, his soul power surged quietly. Even if this elder was much stronger, Tian Lei was confident he could at least stun him for a second—just long enough to escape. With his current cultivation in the Spirit Qi Condensation Realm, he could make a Void Jump of over 30 kilometers one at a time and contnously without strain.

’I’m ready to run the moment this goes south,’ he thought.

"Wait—?" Elder Haiyun blinked, caught off guard.

He raised his hands slowly in a non-threatening gesture. "I get it. You’re wary of me. Maybe it’s your past, maybe just good instincts."

Then, with a thoughtful expression, he offered, "How about this—I’ll take an oath. Will that earn your trust?"

"Will you?" Tian Lei asked.

’Damn. He really doesn’t trust anyone,’ Haiyun mused. ’But if I swear something binding, he might bite. I just need to stay close enough to learn the rest of that Void Art.’

"of course I will" he said with no other choice.

Tian Lei looked at him for a long moment before nodding.

"Alright. But you’ll take an Oath of Soul Binding."

He raised a finger, outlining each condition like etching seals in the air.

"First—you’ll let me join your Azure Feather Sect."

"Second—you’ll act as my personal backer. If anyone tries to harm me without just cause, you’ll protect me—no delays."

"Third—if anyone from my past comes seeking my life, you’ll stand beside me, not behind me."

He paused, eyes cold. "You’ll never probe into my soul or my secrets. No tracking, no spying, no forced loyalty techniques."

Elder Haiyun’s eye twitched.

’He’s serious. And he knows too much.’

Still, he smiled warmly. "These conditions are fair. Very well, I, Haiyun of Azure Feather Sect, swear upon my Soul Flame..."

The air shifted. Tian Lei watched silently as the oath began.

’Let’s see what kind of snake you really are.’

Despite having been betrayed by a sect in the past, Tian Lei knew the cold truth of the cultivation world: growing strong without a faction’s umbrella was a death sentence. The life of a rogue cultivator was harsh, unstable, and often tragically short.

Anyone affiliated with a sect could kill a rogue cultivator on the spot—and no one would question it. If anything, they’d assume the rogue had some treasure worth killing for.

’That’s how this world works. No name, no sect, no protection—you’re just meat with Qi,’ he thought grimly.

But that didn’t mean he’d throw himself into just any sect. His original plan was to infiltrate one slowly, gather information, and evaluate the power structure.

Now, he’d gotten lucky—a perfect scapegoat had presented himself.

Elder Haiyun, willingly offering to take a Soul Oath.

’That’s no small thing,’ Tian Lei mused. ’The Heavens will scorch your soul if you break one. No sane cultivator makes such an oath lightly...’

The very fact that this old man was so quick to accept said a lot.

’What’s driving him to this? What does he want from me so badly that he’s willing to gamble his soul?’

He didn’t believe the elder was just being kind. Cultivation elders were like old foxes—every smile hid a snare.

Still, Tian Lei wasn’t worried. The terms he gave were airtight, and the oath itself was now binding. If Haiyun even thought about betrayal, the backlash would strike instantly.

’Well... if he’s stupid enough to try something later, I’ll be happy to watch his soul burn.’

He kept his expression neutral, hands behind his back as the violet-black light of the Void Gate shimmered beside them.

Elder Haiyun finished his vow, and the heavens above the soul realm rippled faintly—just enough to signify divine acknowledgment. The oath was sealed.

"Welcome to the Azure Feather Sect...um what is your name?," Elder Haiyun said, wearing the smile of a kindly grandfather.

" Tian Lei" he replied as he nodded and welcomed him again.

Tian Lei offered a faint nod, his expression unreadable. Then, without missing a beat, he asked:

"Now that you’ve taken a Soul Oath... mind telling me what drove you to risk your life for a stranger?"

Elder Haiyun’s eyes flickered, but the old man didn’t dodge the question. He folded his hands behind his back and exhaled lightly.

"Well, now that the oath binds us, there’s little point in secrets. I want the remaining fragments of the Great Void Art," he said, voice calm but earnest. "I only have the first three, but the path ends abruptly. I need the rest."