The journey back to the Stone Mountain Sect was uneventful, the familiar path traversed in the usual thirty minutes.
For long-lived cultivators, such a brief span was insignificant, barely worth a passing thought.
The towering peaks of the sect soon ca into view, their ancient stone halls standing as a testant to centuries of cultivation and power.
As Riley and his group arrived, a wave of murmurs swept through the disciples gathered in the sect's courtyard.
All eyes turned toward him, but more than that, toward the breathtaking won accompanying him.
"Wow! Elder Riley sure has been busy in such a short ti."
"I know, right? Where did all these won co from?"
"And not just any won—every single one of them is a peerless beauty!"
Disciples whispered among themselves, eyes filled with admiration, envy, and curiosity.
Riley had always been a figure of intrigue, but now, his reputation had soared to another level.
Among the won walking gracefully beside him were Katherine, Veronica, Eve, Leia, Fay, Ruby, Gentle Dream, and White Snow.
Each possessed an allure that set them apart—so exuded an ethereal, fairy-like grace, while others carried a mature, enchanting charm.
Their presence alone was enough to turn heads, and with all eight of them together, it was as if an imperial procession had arrived.
"It's not just their beauty," one disciple murmured in awe.
"Look at their bearing. They're not ordinary won."
"Of course not," another replied.
"You think Elder Riley would surround himself with just anyone? Each of them must be incredibly talented in cultivation as well!"
"Still, it's crazy to think he gathered such a harem so quickly."
Riley, however, remained indifferent to the attention.
He had long grown accustod to the stares and whispers that followed him wherever he went.
Right now, he had more pressing matters to attend to—the Sect Master had summoned him.
Without a word, he strode forward, leaving the gossiping disciples behind.
The lovely won followed closely, their presence like celestial figures trailing behind a king.
Whether this mont would mark the beginning of yet another legend within the Stone Mountain Sect, only ti would tell.
***
In the Sect Master's Chamber
The grand hall was dimly lit, the scent of aged incense lingering in the air.
Towering pillars carved with ancient runes lined the chamber, each one a testant to the sect's long history.
At the center of the room sat the Sect Master, Gideon, an aged yet imposing figure.
His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, bore into Riley with an intensity that could crush weaker cultivators.
"Are the rumors true, young master Riley?" Gideon asked, his voice barely containing his excitent.
"Have you truly broken through to the Void Tribulation Realm?"
The weight of his words hung heavy in the chamber.
For the Stone Mountain Sect, a re third-tier sect, such news was beyond astonishing.
Their strongest cultivator had only reached the Nascent Soul Realm, which placed them far below second-tier sects that boasted Spirit Severing Realm ancestors.
First-tier sects, on the other hand, were dominated by Void Tribulation Realm monsters, powerhouses whose existence stretched across millennia.
These legendary sects were often referred to as immortal sects, for their foundations were unshakable, standing strong for at least ten thousand years.
Among the Seven Swords Alliance, only three sects had reached this pinnacle—Heavenly Sword Sect, Hidden Sword Valley, and Azure Dragon Palace.
These sects stood at the summit of power, their nas alone capable of striking fear into the hearts of countless cultivators.
And now, if Riley's breakthrough was true, then the Stone Mountain Sect, a re third-tier force, had gained a disciple capable of standing alongside those giants.
"I am, Uncle Gideon," Riley confird, his voice calm and steady, as if stating sothing utterly mundane.
The chamber fell into utter silence.
Then, a deep, resounding laugh erupted from Gideon. His booming voice echoed through the chamber, shaking the very walls.
"Hahaha! The heavens have finally blessed my Stone Mountain Sect! The grandson of my master truly follows in his footsteps!"
Tears welled in the old man's eyes as his laughter turned into a mixture of relief and sheer joy.
The burden of preserving the sect, of carrying forward its legacy, had weighed on him for centuries.
The Stone Mountain Sect had stood for over three thousand years, but its future had always been uncertain.
Without a supre powerhouse, they were always at risk of being swallowed by stronger forces, reduced to nothing more than history's footnotes.
But today, that fear had been shattered.
With Riley stepping into the Void Tribulation Realm, their sect was no longer bound by its third-tier limitations.
No longer would they cower before second-tier sects. No longer would they be dismissed as re stepping stones for stronger cultivators.
Today marked the dawn of a new era.
Gideon took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he clenched his fists.
He gazed at Riley, his expression filled with a mixture of pride, respect, and an almost paternal warmth.
"Young master Riley," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "you have no idea what this ans for us. For thousands of years, we have struggled, fought, and endured. But now… now, with you here, the Stone Mountain Sect shall thrive like never before. Perhaps, in ti, everyone will call us an immortal sect also."
Riley simply nodded, unfazed by the grand declarations.
Power was rely a ans to an end for him. But for the sect, for its people, this mont was monuntal.
Gideon exhaled slowly, regaining his composure. His eyes burned with renewed determination.
"Young master Riley, from this day forth, you are no longer just a disciple of the Stone Mountain Sect. You are its guardian, its future. Tell —what are your plans?"
Riley's lips curled into a faint smile.
"I plan to explore the world and embark on an exciting adventure, Uncle Gideon," Riley said with a hint of eagerness.
"But honestly, I have no idea where to start. Perhaps I should begin with the reason you summoned ?"
Gideon waved a dismissive hand, chuckling.
"Oh, that? It's nothing more than the petty squabbles of two mortal empires. Hardly worth your attention." He leaned back in his chair, his expression relaxed.
"I was going to assign the mission to another elder. A man of your stature has no need to waste his ti on such trivial matters."
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