The clouds shifted like white dogs chasing each other, and time slipped by like a shuttle through the warp yarns of a loom. Though cultivators rarely paid attention to the change of seasons, even the most untrained eye could see the transition from spring to summer. 0

It had been more than half a year since Luo Chen took up temporary residence in the Dao Scion Palace atop Qingyun Peak. Although he had once planned to tour the famed fifty peaks of Green Pill Valley, he had scarcely taken a step beyond the palace grounds. Tao Wan had been extremely busy!0

Since becoming the Dao Scion, her days were no longer consumed by cultivation. Instead, her duties had multiplied—recruiting disciples, expanding her network of influence, and building a foundation of prestige. On top of that, she frequently accompanied Sect Leader Qing Yunzi to learn the intricacies of sect governance.0

Green Pill Valley had invested a fortune in her advancement, supplying resources in abundance to ensure her eventual ascension to the Golden Core Realm. How could such support come with no strings attached? Once she succeeded, she would take over as sect leader, laboring for the sect for the next century until a new Dao Scion rose in her place. Only then would she retreat to one of the other four peaks and assume the mantle of elder, permitted at last to pursue personal cultivation in peace.0

To outsiders, this might sound burdensome. But for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it was an opportunity beyond imagination. If given the chance to repeat the Dao Scion competition, Tao Wan would not hesitate to go all in once more.1

As for Luo Chen, he...0