Space folded inward without resistance as both figures disappeared from the main hall, reappearing within a sealed cultivation chamber where dense spiritual qi circulated in steady, visible currents.
Before Yan Feng could stabilize himself, an unseen force pressed against his shoulders and guided him downward, placing him firmly onto the central stone platform with controlled precision.
Lin Xiao Tian stepped forward without sound, his presence settling behind him as thin strands of spiritual qi extended outward, weaving directly into Yan Feng's meridians with deliberate control.
The moment contact was established, resistance surfaced immediately as fractured pathways revealed themselves, some forcibly sealed while others remained partially collapsed, forming an unstable network barely maintaining circulation.
His focus deepened as the probe advanced further, mapping each pathway while discarding surface-level damage from priority, since something beneath it carried far greater significance.
A dense fluctuation gathered around the eye region, hidden beneath layers of suppression that clearly did not originate from natural limitations, forcing his attention to narrow as his authority sharpened perception further.
What appeared were not physical restraints, but chains formed from laws themselves, tightly coiling around something that resisted exposure under ordinary observation.
So this is where the real value lies, not in the damaged meridians that can be repaired at any time.
Fragments of understanding aligned smoothly within his mind, confirming that these were unawakened heavenly eyes sealed long before their potential could manifest naturally.
For a brief moment, his qi pressed forward slightly, testing the boundary out of instinct before the chains responded with silent resistance that carried clear consequences if forced further.
He withdrew immediately, allowing the probing threads to disperse as if they had never existed, choosing not to interfere with something that required natural awakening to reach its true height.
Forcing progress here would only lower the ceiling, and that is not something worth trading for short-term gain.
A faint tremor passed through Yan Feng's body as the pressure vanished, sweat forming along his temples while his breathing turned uneven under the strain left behind.
Lin Xiao Tian stepped forward, his gaze settling on him steadily as his voice broke the silence with measured weight that left no room for doubt.
"Your eyes are not blind, they are restricted by something far beyond your current level of understanding."
Yan Feng's posture tightened as those words settled, his expression shifting despite the blindfold covering his gaze.
"That restriction will eventually break on its own, and when that moment arrives, what awakens will not resemble anything considered ordinary within this world."
His attention shifted slightly downward, moving toward the more immediate issue without unnecessary delay.
"Your meridians were not destroyed in the usual sense, they were reshaped under continuous pressure and adapted in a flawed manner that maintained function while limiting growth."
Yan Feng lowered his head deeply, tension leaving his body as clarity replaced uncertainty within moments.
"If it can be restored, then I will entrust everything to Sect Master without hesitation."
Lin Xiao Tian gave a slight nod before turning away, his movement alone signaling the end of the exchange as the focus shifted toward resolution rather than discussion.
The system interface unfolded within his vision as his attention moved through it with purpose, filtering out inefficient solutions while narrowing directly toward effective results.
Low-grade options passed quickly, followed by incomplete methods that offered only temporary stability, all dismissed without pause as his selection refined further.
The Ninefold Meridian Tempering Elixir surfaced clearly, its function aligning perfectly with the current requirement while its cost stood high enough to discourage careless use.
Five thousand points for a single pill would normally require consideration, yet the decision formed instantly as the purchase completed without delay.
Resources exist to be used where they matter, not preserved for the sake of comfort.
The pill materialized as his fingers flicked forward, sending it directly toward Yan Feng, who caught it instinctively despite his weakened condition.
"Consume it immediately and guide the energy according to your natural circulation."
The moment the pill dissolved, a violent surge erupted within Yan Feng's body, expanding outward as pressure built faster than his current state could withstand.
Lin Xiao Tian stepped forward at the same time, placing his palm against Yan Feng's back as his qi entered once more, guiding the chaotic surge into structured pathways before instability could escalate further.
The violent expansion refined under control, transforming into a steady flow as each cycle forced impurities outward, pushing dark residue through the pores alongside stagnant blood accumulated over time.
The chamber filled with a faint metallic scent as the process continued, each rotation strengthening the meridians while stabilizing the internal structure completely.
Time passed as the energy settled layer by layer, leaving behind a foundation that had been reconstructed with far greater efficiency than before.
Yan Feng's breathing stabilized fully as his meridians reinforced themselves, no longer fractured but strengthened, allowing his cultivation to rise naturally to the ninth layer of Qi Refining without fluctuation.
Lin Xiao Tian observed briefly before withdrawing his hand, turning toward the exit as his steps carried him out of the chamber while the results spoke for themselves without requiring commentary.
Outside, he came to a controlled halt along the corridor, his hands resting behind his back as his thoughts aligned without distraction or unnecessary comparison lingering for long.
Ninth layer immediately after restoration, while my own position remains unchanged for now no i need to cultivate fast.
A sect master can't afford to be surpassed by the disciples
The system interface opened again as his focus shifted toward allocation, selecting resources that would ensure steady progress across all disciples without waste or imbalance.
Each item was chosen with clear intent, ranging from stabilization support to breakthrough assistance, ensuring that every stage from Body Refining to Qi Transformation could be sustained properly.
With a subtle shift of his sleeve, the purchased items dispersed across the sect, appearing directly within each disciple's quarters as the authority within the territory handled distribution seamlessly.
The final selection remained within his focus, the tenfold cultivation card standing out not for its cost, but for its direct impact on his current limitation.
If my own progress lags behind, everything built here loses its foundation regardless of external growth after all a sect master is the sect's core.
The purchase completed without delay with a simple shameless excuse.
Stepping into his cultivation chamber, his movement slowed slightly as the density of spiritual qi pressed against his senses, the energy within the space gathering in visible currents that converged toward the central platform.
Each breath carried weight as the surrounding qi flowed steadily, filling his body with a density that far exceeded anything he had previously cultivated within.
This is how cultivation should function when the foundation is not crippled by lack of resources.
"System, explain the source of this density within the chamber."
"All cultivation chambers are embedded with top-tier Qi Gathering Arrays layered upon an ultra-large formation connected directly to the Supreme Spirit Vein."
He stepped forward and took his position without delay, activating both his cultivation technique and enhancement card simultaneously as the surrounding energy reacted immediately.
The qi collapsed inward, condensing into a rotating vortex centered around his body as streams of compressed energy forced their way into his meridians in rapid succession.
His body trembled under the pressure, yet the flow remained stable as each cycle refined itself further, pushing his cultivation forward at a pace that far exceeded ordinary limits.
At this rate, even external sect geniuses would struggle to match this level of efficiency.
The rhythm stabilized before a sharp interruption appeared within his mind.
"New Task Issued."
The vortex faltered briefly before stabilizing again as his attention shifted toward the newly presented requirements, each one escalating beyond what his current strength could handle outside the sect.
Foundation Establishment targets, Qi Transformation threats, and even Core Formation entities appeared within the objectives, forming a clear gap between requirement and current capability.
Outside this territory, my strength remains limited to Qi Refining, which makes direct confrontation inefficient at this stage.
A slow breath left his body as his thoughts settled into a stable conclusion without unnecessary urgency.
Rushing into this without preparation would only waste the advantage already established here.
His eyes closed once more as the vortex resumed full rotation, allowing cultivation to continue while the task remained present without dictating immediate action.
Three months provides enough time to close the gap properly if every resource is used with precision.