Devor never imagined Yulin would make it to the rank of Inner Disciple. She’d never hinted at her ambitions, much less shared any details about her progress.

  "Wait, Senior Sister got promoted? How's that possible?" Devor's voice was thick with disbelief, his eyes wide in shock.

  Yulin's brow furrowed, a spark of irritation flickering in her eyes.

  "Don’t underestimate me, Devor," she snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. Her usual calm demeanor cracked, replaced by a simmering frustration. "Do you think I’m just another run-of-the-mill cultivator with nothing special to offer?"

  Devor rubbed the back of his neck, awkward and unsure. It wasn’t that he looked down on her—he just hadn’t been paying much attention to anyone outside his own little world of Spiritual Plants. Other people’s affairs always seemed distant, like they barely touched his life.

  Yulin let out a long sigh, her shoulders easing slightly, though her eyes still held a trace of annoyance. "Come on, let’s head back to the sect. The annual competition is about to start. Are you joining this year?"

  Devor frowned, uncertainty clouding his features.

  The annual competition was a huge event, a test of strength for all the disciples. The rewards were tempting—top three finishers earned direct promotion to Inner Disciple status.

  But the competition was brutal, designed to push everyone to their breaking point. Devor had trained with Spiritual Beasts in the Beastbound Hollow, sure, but he knew his experience was nothing compared to the other disciples who had sharpened their skills in countless battles.

  Devor’s hesitation was written all over his face. Confidence had never been his strong suit, and he doubted he could even crack the top ten, let alone the top three.

  "You’re not thinking of entering, are you?" Yulin’s voice was soft but carried a note of disappointment. She shook her head slightly, as if she already knew his answer. "That’s okay. It’s not like you have to participate. We can just watch the matches together."

  "Sure," Devor replied, his smile bright but clearly lacking any real conviction.

  "Oh, that reminds me," Yulin said suddenly, snapping her fingers. A sword appeared from her Spatial Ring, the light blue scabbard catching the sunlight with a subtle gleam.

  "This is for you," she said, handing the weapon to Devor, a faint smile playing on her lips.

  "For me?" Devor took the sword carefully, feeling its weight. It was noticeably heavier than the blades he was used to.

  "It’s from Mystic Armament," Yulin explained, her tone growing serious. "It’s incredibly durable and perfect for training. This will serve you a lot better than those flimsy swords you’ve been using."

  Devor unsheathed the blade slightly, his eyes lighting up as he admired its sharp, polished edge.

  "Incredible," he murmured, genuine admiration in his voice. "Thank you, Senior Sister Yulin."

  Yulin’s smile softened even more. "You’re still so formal. Do you really need to keep calling me 'Senior'?"

  Devor chuckled awkwardly. "Alright, I’ll drop the 'Senior.'"

  "Much better," Yulin said with an approving nod.

  She gestured toward her flying sword, signaling Devor to step on. He hesitated, a flicker of unease surfacing as memories of his previous, less-than-pleasant experiences with Yulin’s flying sword came rushing back.

  "Don’t tell me you’re still scared of riding this thing?" Yulin asked, her tone a mix of disbelief and teasing.

  "Uh... maybe," Devor admitted, a sheepish grin spreading across his face as a faint blush crept up his cheeks.

  Yulin chuckled softly. "Good," she replied, her voice light with amusement.

  Before Devor could react, Yulin tapped the sword lightly with her foot. In an instant, it shot skyward, slicing through the air with exhilarating speed!

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  The wind whipped against Devor’s face, forcing his eyes to squint and blurring his vision. He struggled to keep his balance as the sword weaved through thick clouds with effortless grace, darting through the sky like a needle threading fabric.

  Devor’s heart pounded, fear surging through him like a wild river. But as the flight went on, he clenched his jaw, forcing himself to focus. Gradually, he suppressed his anxiety, adjusting to the height and speed. Bit by bit, he felt a flicker of pride in his progress.

  "Huh. I’m impressed," Yulin said, her tone playful, though a flash of disappointment flickered in her eyes.

  Her flying sword moved faster than it had on any of their previous trips. She had expected Devor to panic, maybe even cling to her in terror. But this time, he stayed calm, his fear not giving her the reaction she’d been hoping for.

  For Devor, the flight wasn’t about impressing Yulin—it was about conquering his own fears. Standing near the edge of the sword, his hands clenched tightly behind his back, he fixed his gaze on the horizon.

  The view was breathtaking, and for the first time, he allowed himself to feel the exhilaration of flying.

  Yet, something felt off in Yulin's heart. The sight of Devor’s once pale, terrified face no longer amused her the way it used to.

  "I’m still scared," Devor admitted, his voice steady. His eyes remained fixed ahead, his expression resolute. "But I’ve learned to face that fear and adapt bit by bit."

  His year in Beastbound Hollow had forced him to confront his fears directly, shaping a newfound inner strength he hadn’t expected.

  "That’s true," Yulin murmured, her tone flat, though a flicker of disappointment lingered in her eyes. "You survived a year in Beastbound Hollow. That place doesn’t just test your body—it tests your heart and mind, pushing you to master your emotions."

  Devor frowned thoughtfully, her words resonating deeply. "Yeah, I’ve felt that. I think I’m better at controlling myself now."

  Yulin’s expression grew serious. "Beastbound Hollow is more dangerous than you realize, Devor. It’s been a prison for Spiritual Beasts for years, and the place is soaked in negative energy. It can break even the strongest will."

  Devor nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of her words.

  "Apart from being a breeding ground for Spiritual Beasts," Yulin continued, "Beastbound Hollow also serves as a training ground for cultivators—meant to refine both their hearts and minds. But it’s only for those who can endure its trials."

  Devor frowned, clearly confused. "I thought it was just a punishment."

  Yulin chuckled softly, amusement dancing in her eyes. "To an unprepared disciple, it feels like punishment. But for those who can adapt and push through, it’s an incredible opportunity to grow."

  Devor listened closely, starting to realize that Beastbound Hollow was much more than the prison he’d originally thought.

  "Devor, did you know?" Yulin’s voice softened, a note of hesitation creeping in. "Even for me, staying there for more than a month would push me to my limits."

  Devor snapped his head toward her, his tone full of disbelief. "No way! I felt the negative effects within the first month, but I managed to handle it through meditation. And I’m still in the Qi Refining Realm! You’re way stronger than I am."

  Yulin tilted her head slightly, her expression complicated. "I’ve recently reached the Core Formation Realm, first stage," she said, her voice carrying a quiet pride.

  Devor blinked, stunned. His mouth parted in surprise. This should’ve been a moment of triumph for Yulin, yet there was something almost vulnerable in her tone that made her achievement feel bittersweet.

  "This isn’t about cultivation realms," Yulin said gently, her gaze softening. "It’s about inner strength—your heart and mind. I’m not sure what the sect leaders were thinking when they sent you there, but they specifically told me not to tell you anything when I visited."

  Devor frowned, confused. "Why would they keep that from me?"

  Yulin let out a heavy sigh, the weight of her words hanging in the air. "They thought that if you didn’t know how well—or badly—you were doing, you’d focus entirely on adapting. Without comparisons, you’d grow naturally."

  Her eyes locked onto his, her voice steady. "And you did. Exactly as they expected."

  Devor was left speechless, his mind racing. All this time, he hadn’t compared himself to anyone else or sought outside validation. His sole focus had been on surviving the negative energy of Beastbound Hollow, training, and nurturing his spiritual garden.

  "The sect’s been watching you," Yulin said softly, her tone carrying a depth that made her words impossible to ignore. "I don’t know when or why they started paying attention to you, but whatever happens, even if you’re punished, there’s a reason behind it."

  Devor looked down, his thoughts heavy. He didn’t harbor any deep resentment toward the sect, but there were still small grievances lingering in his heart. Yulin’s explanation made him realize that every challenge he had faced was likely part of a greater plan, carefully designed by the sect’s leaders.

  "They believe in you," Yulin said with a faint smile. "That’s why they sent you to Beastbound Hollow. They’re shaping you into someone extraordinary." Her smile turned teasing. "But tell me, when you become great, will you forget about me?"

  Devor met her gaze, his expression serious. "You left me alone for three months without a word. When I become great, I’ll do the same to you."

  Yulin laughed, her voice ringing out like music in the clear sky. Devor’s playful remark only strengthened the bond between them, deepening the sibling-like familiarity they shared. Her laughter lifted the weight in her heart, leaving her feeling lighter.

  As they continued their journey, the flying sword glided smoothly beneath them. Devor and Yulin gazed ahead at the endless horizon.

  In the distance, the towering structures of the Azure Sky Sect slowly came into view. The sight of disciples bustling around, preparing for the grand competition, brought the sect to life, filled with energy and anticipation.

  Devor’s eyes showed a blend of curiosity and resolve. He knew this wasn’t just the start of another chapter—it was the beginning of a much greater journey.