Chapter 5055

Tianci was the pride of Tianyuan Pavilion—able to battle opponents above his level. If something were to happen to him, how could Elder Tong explain it upon returning?

At that moment, Tianci was in a void space with the mysterious old man.

“Your strength is far too weak. Right now, you’re just a low-tier scattered immortal. I’ll directly elevate you to the Earthly Immortal Realm. Go earn your place in the Fourth Heaven.”

The mysterious old man spoke calmly.

Upon hearing this, Tianci was overwhelmed with emotion, nearly bursting into tears. He dropped to his knees and nearly kissed the old man’s feet.

“Thank you, senior! Thank you so much…”

Tianci kept kowtowing.

The mysterious old man placed his palm gently on Tianci’s head, and a soft glow enveloped him.

Tianci’s body trembled violently, as if he were being torn apart from within.

He clenched his teeth and endured it, finally collapsing to the ground drenched in sweat.

“Your talent is decent, but your physical body is too weak. You couldn’t withstand a direct promotion to the fifth tier of the scattered immortal realm,” the old man said, shaking his head.

Tianci felt slightly disappointed, but being promoted to the fifth level of the scattered immortal realm was still an incredible breakthrough. He could now fight opponents at the seventh level or higher.

“Thank you, senior…”

Tianci knelt and kowtowed once more.

The old man waved his hand, and—

In the blink of an eye, both their figures reappeared in front of the others, causing everyone’s eyes to widen in disbelief.

“Fifth level of the Sanxian Realm?!”

“You jumped two levels in such a short time?!”

Elder Tong was so excited he trembled. He rushed forward to examine Tianci’s condition.

Tianci stood proudly, feeling the powerful energy surging through him. He looked at Kai smugly and said, “Hmph, still daring to act arrogant in front of me now?”

Kai simply frowned, ignored Tianci’s provocation, and continued observing him quietly.

Something felt off…

Tianci’s cultivation had indeed advanced, but a strange aura of decay surrounded him—as if part of his life force had been drained.

“Senior, I also wish to increase my strength!” the white-robed woman said eagerly, dropping to her knees. Her eyes burned with desire.

“Alright, alright…” the mysterious old man nodded with a smile. He waved his hand again and vanished with the white-robed woman.

Moments later, she returned—and her cultivation had also soared!

“Hahaha! I’ve broken through!” she shouted joyfully. Yet her laughter carried a raspy edge, as though she’d aged slightly.

Soon after, Elder Tong and the three black-robed elders also stepped forward, seeking guidance from the mysterious old man.

The old man welcomed them all, raising their cultivation levels one by one.

Before long, everyone was celebrating their sudden surge in power—everyone except Kai, who grew more uneasy the longer he observed.

Though their cultivation had risen, the vitality in their bodies was visibly diminishing.

At this rate, despite gaining power, their lifespans would likely be shortened, and future cultivation might stagnate altogether.

“Kai, let’s go too!” Mo Qingyun tugged on his sleeve, her eyes full of hope.

“No.” Kai grabbed her hand and whispered, “There’s something wrong with that old man.”

“Huh?” Mo Qingyun froze. “But their cultivation clearly increased…”

“It did, but at the cost of their life force,” Kai said grimly. “Didn’t you notice? Their vitality is visibly fading.”

Mo Qingyun shook her head. She couldn’t sense vitality—only that their strength had grown.

“Then… what should we do?” she asked nervously.

Kai narrowed his eyes, then suddenly smiled. “Since he wants to play, I’ll play along.”

With that, he stepped forward confidently, bowed respectfully, and addressed the mysterious old man: “Senior, I believe I possess great talent—versatile, hardworking, and gifted. I humbly ask you to pass on the mantle of the Gantian Sect to me.”

“If I can inherit the Gantian Sect and improve my cultivation, I’ll burn incense and offer prayers for you daily.”