Now that Jalen had accomplished his goal, he was about to leave with Calen when two figures approached Jalen and Calen. Lane, elder of the Sound Wave Clan, walked with measured steps, his aura calm but dignified. Beside him was Jin, whose eyes carried fear and at the same time respect.
Lane bowed deeply, his voice steady. "Hello again, young friend," he said, greeting Jalen with warmth that belied the devastation surrounding them. Jin followed suit, bowing as one would to an elder, his respect genuine.
Jalen inclined his head, returning the gesture. Calen, standing at his master's side, mirrored the courtesy, bowing to both Lane and Jin, who acknowledged him.
Lane's smile was faint but sincere. "If you are not in a hurry, old friend, how about you pay a visit to my Sound Wave Clan?" His words carried not only invitation but intent—a declaration to all who watched that the Sound Wave Clan claimed kinship with this transcendent youth.
Jalen nodded. "I accept."
The watching sects stirred uneasily. Whispers rippled through the gathered cultivators. When did the Sound Wave Clan forge such a connection with such a strong expert? Some elders considered approaching Jalen themselves, hoping to secure favor, but hesitation rooted them in place. Fear outweighed ambition. They had seen the Iron Cloud Clan annihilated in a single strike; none dared risk provoking the same fate.
Within the Sound Wave Clan group, excitement bloomed. Disciples and elders alike marveled that Elder Lane had such a bond with a powerhouse whose strength eclipsed even the half‑step Transcendents. If they play their cards right with such an expert as a friend, their clan's prestige could rise. They can already see it.
____
It did not take long for Jalen, Calen, Lane, and Jin to reach the Sound Wave Clan's territory. The sect's halls were carved into cliffs that resonated with eternal echoes, their formations tuned to the harmony of sound qi to repel enemies and uninvited guests. Yet Lane's title granted them passage, the barriers parting without resistance.
Rather than announcing their arrival, Lane led them through a side passage, the hum of sound crystals cloaking their presence. The patriarch and elders were already aware but chose silence, content to let Lane's connection draw Jalen into their fold.
At last, Lane brought them to his private quarters—a serene chamber where sound crystals pulsed faintly, resonating with his qi. Calen departed with Jin, leaving the two seniors to speak in private.
Jalen studied Lane, sensing the depth of his cultivation. "You've reached the peak of the Sky Limit Realm," he said, his tone congratulatory.
Lane inclined his head. "Yes. It is thanks to the light art technique you shared with me long ago. Without it, I would have stagnated forever. But compared to you, it is nothing." His eyes narrowed, voice hushed. "You have surpassed even me. Tell me… are you—"
"Yes," Jalen interrupted, the single word carrying the weight of revelation.
Lane's breath caught. Shock rippled across his features. "If so, why are you still here? It is known that once one achieves that realm, those from the Upper Realm descend to claim them."
Jalen's gaze was calm, detached. "Let's just say I am veiled from their eyes."
Lane frowned, puzzled, but did not press further. Some mysteries were not meant to be unraveled.
"I presume the destruction of the Iron Cloud Sect was because of what they did to your son," Lane said quietly.
Jalen nodded.
"I'm surprised you even left the majority of the sect alive. Those who are crippled can recover, and those spared may grow stronger. Aren't you afraid they'll rise again?"
"They could try," Jalen replied, his voice cold as steel. "But next time, I won't be merciful."
"Do you have any clue about my son's whereabouts?"
Lane's expression grew grave. "The last I heard, he and Elijah were in Ayon. They were attacked by the Shadow Dragon race. Elijah was severely injured—that was over two hundred years ago."
"And Jael?" Jalen's voice carried both urgency and restraint.
"The boy survived, but he was critically wounded as well. They escaped one tragedy only to fall into another. According to my sources, Elijah fled into the Land of No Return with him. That place… even half‑step Transcendents perish if they are not careful."
Jalen's eyes hardened, his resolve absolute. "Then I must go. Even if I perish, I will find my son."
For now, he was confident Jael still lived. His spirit sense remained in contact, and the bond through the Origin Shard—though faint across distance—still endured. Yet Jalen knew there were ways to mask or sever such threads. If Jael were slain by someone who understood how to bypass spirit tethering, Jalen might only realize it long after, with no trace of who had done the deed. That uncertainty gnawed at him, sharpening his urgency.
Lane raised a hand as Jalen turned to leave. "I know the safety of your son is your highest priority, and I wish for nothing but the boy's well‑being. But at least spend the rest of the day here before you depart. Allow me to show you off to my clan—it will raise my prestige." His tone was shameless, but his smile was genuine.
Jalen's lips curved into a wry smile. "Very well."
That evening, Lane officially introduced Jalen to the respectable members of the Sound Wave Clan. The great hall was filled with elders, patriarchs, and disciples, all gathered to witness the guest whose name already echoed across the cultivation world.
They treated Jalen as a VIP, bowing deeply and speaking with reverence. Jalen accepted their hospitality with grace but revealed little of himself. His answers were polite, his demeanor calm, but he kept his mysteries veiled.
____
Later, Jalen left the elders and sought out Calen and Jin. He found them sparring beneath a spirit tree, its leaves shimmering with sound qi. A large crowd of disciples had gathered, eager to witness the clash between one of their senior experts and the young prodigy—disciple of the legend who had destroyed the Iron Cloud Clan.
Jin, at the peak of Spirit Fusion, pressed Calen hard. Calen, still only at the early stage, struggled under the weight of his opponent's power but refused to yield. Sweat streaked his brow, his strikes earnest though overpowered, each blow carrying the stubborn will to endure.
Jalen watched silently from a distance, pride flickering in his gaze. Calen's determination was unyielding, his spirit forged in hardship. Though Jin held the upper hand, Calen's persistence spoke volumes.
Finally, Jalen stepped forward, exciting all who laid eyes on him. "Enough." His voice carried authority that silenced the air itself. Calen bowed, breathing heavily. Jin smiled faintly, acknowledging the boy's effort.
Jalen placed a hand on Calen's shoulder. "You did well. Strength is not measured only in victory, but in persistence."
Calen's eyes shone with gratitude. "Thank you, Master."
The disciples were split—some longed to approach Jalen, others held back in fear of disrespect. In the end, they could only admire from afar, grateful to glimpse the legend in person, even for a moment.
With a final nod, Jalen turned and departed with Calen at his side, leaving the crowd hushed in reverence.
____
The next morning, Jalen prepared to depart from Lane's private quarters. Lane and Jin were already waiting, their expressions solemn beneath the hum of sound crystals.
"The Land of No Return is perilous," Lane said quietly. "Even legends have vanished within. Be cautious."
Jalen inclined his head. "Thank you."
Jin bowed deeply. "May God guide you."
With a final nod to the two elders, Jalen and Calen rose into the sky. Then, with a flash of reversion, Jalen warped them beyond the Sound Wave Clan's territory—slipping past the sect's formidable formation that barred all outsiders from entering or leaving without permission.
Lane stood rooted, astonishment flickering across his features. Even their strongest defenses bent before Jalen's will.