Supreme Master: Cultivation Starts After Recruiting SSS-Grade Talent-Chapter 43 - Red Lotus Sect

- Everspring City -

Located in the western region of the vast Taishan territory, Everspring City stood as a shining jewel, far grander and more bustling than the distant Empyrean Cloud City.

Towering walls encircled the city like an iron fortress, and the streets thrummed with endless life: merchants hawking spirit herbs, cultivators trading treasures, and ordinary folk walking through it all in search of livelihood.

And in this city, three great powers watched from their lofty perches: the Red Lotus Sect, the Cloud Drift Sect, and the Mystic Frost Sect.

For years, the three sects had maintained a delicate balance, none daring to dominate too heavily.

But now, the clouds were shifting.

Ever since the Sect Master of the Mystic Frost Sect broke through to the Spirit Transformation Stage, an achievement that shook the very heavens, a subtle dread had settled over Everspring. The balance of power had been shattered, and all factions, great and small, felt the tremors of change.

Making their intentions clear, the Mystic Frost Sect had sent notices throughout the city, inviting every minor and major power to attend an upcoming Grand Assembly.

Although worded politely, the message carried an unmistakable threat and unspoken command to kneel, or be swept aside.

Among those most affected were the many clans and small sects affiliated with the Red Lotus Sect.

...

It was on such a tense afternoon that a shabby carriage clattered its way up the Red Lotus Sect’s gate.

The carriage creaked with every bump. It was a poor sight in this land of soaring spirit beasts and flying swords.

The Red Lotus Sect disciples guarding the gate stiffened at the noise, frowning at the unimpressive sight.

"Stop right there!" barked a young gatekeeper, stepping forward and brandishing his spear. "This is the Red Lotus Sect! State your business!"

From within the carriage, a soft, confused female voice floated out, "Master, are you sure this is the right place? It’s a sect."

A lazy male voice replied without a hint of concern, "Of course. Right place."

The girl hesitated, then muttered, "Are you... Planning to steal a disciple from here?"

"Steal? Who says I’m stealing?" the man answered shamelessly. "I’m recruiting. Now get moving."

With a resigned sigh, a beautiful young woman dressed in a crimson robe stepped gracefully from the carriage. She bowed slightly toward the gatekeepers, her voice clear and pleasant.

"We are from the Taishan Sect," she announced. "We have come today to discuss an important matter with the Red Lotus Sect."

"Taishan Sect?" The young disciple raised a brow in confusion. His eyes lit up at Lan Yue’s beauty, but upon catching sight of the battered carriage behind her, his expression twisted into one of disdain.

Any sect worthy to greet the Red Lotus Sect would not travel by such shabby means. At the very least, even the weakest sects employed Foundation Establishment realm beasts to pull their carriages! To come in such a fashion, it was an embarrassment.

"Scram, scram," the disciple waved his hand impatiently. "Our Sect has no business with your Taishan Sect."

Lan Yue’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she asked. "Can you represent the Red Lotus Sect with such words?"

"I can’t but-"

Before the gatekeeper could even finish speaking, a sharp flash of sword light shot out from the shabby carriage without warning.

Boom!

The Red Lotus Sect’s proud name plaque, once standing tall for centuries, was split cleanly down the middle and collapsed.

Seeing this, the Red Lotus Sect disciples standing guard were frozen in shock, mouths hanging open.

A moment later, a figure dressed in flowing black robes, her face hidden behind a black veil, soared out of the carriage like a descending immortal.

Hovering midair, Chen Yinyin’s eyes swept over the stunned disciples. Her voice, crisp and commanding, rang out. "Since you can’t speak for the Red Lotus Sect, why don’t you go and fetch someone who can?"

Compared to Lan Yue’s earlier gentle and polite tone, Chen Yinyin’s words were sharp as a blade, carrying an undeniable pressure. The disciples standing below could hardly breathe under it.

This had the nerve to destroy their sect’s name plaque?

For years, not a single soul had dared to provoke the Red Lotus Sect at their very doorstep. Yet today, a single young woman had shattered that long-standing pride like paper.

"You little brat, you dare destroy our sect’s name plaque?! Just wait, I’ll-" One of the disciples, his face flushed red with anger, stepped forward to shout.

Before he could finish, another older disciple smacked him hard on the back of the head.

"Idiot!" the older disciple said urgently. "Can’t you see she’s flying? FLYING! Do you even know what that means?"

The younger disciple blinked, still dazed.

The older one gritted his teeth. "Only a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core can fly! She’s at the Golden Core stage! You, a Foundation Establishment nobody, want to pick a fight with her?! Are you trying to die today?!"

The younger disciple’s anger vanished instantly, replaced by a cold sweat dripping down his back. His legs nearly gave out. He almost got himself, and the entire gate squad, killed!

But even as he trembled, a bitter thought crept into his mind.

Why was a Golden Core expert traveling around in a rundown carriage? Was she trying to mess with their heads on purpose?

Gathering his courage, the gatekeeper bowed deeply and stammered, "Beautiful Immortal Fairy, please wait a moment! I’ll immediately invite an elder to greet you!"

Just as he turned to run up the mountain steps, a powerful ripple of spiritual energy swept through the air.

"You don’t need to trouble yourself."

A Green-robed elder descended gracefully from the inner sect, his feet barely touching the ground as he landed before the gate.

Seeing him, all the disciples immediately knelt and saluted, shouting in unison, "We greet the Great Elder!"

The man, Su Zi, a Great Elder of the Red Lotus Sect, ignored the trembling disciples. His sharp eyes were locked on Chen Yinyin, studying her closely.

Su Zi’s face was calm on the surface, but deep down, his heart was anything but. A Golden Core cultivator, young and mysterious, and brazen enough to destroy their sect’s name plaque?

In these turbulent times, even he did not dare act rashly.

Cupping his fist politely, Su Zi spoke in a measured tone,

"This humble one is Su Zi, Great Elder of the Red Lotus Sect. May I ask for your esteemed name, and the reason for your arrival?"

Chen Yinyin, still floating leisurely in the air, waved her hand. "I’m just here to chop down a mountain gate. You can treat it as a friendly reminder that a distinguished guest is about to arrive. As for why we’re here, don’t ask me. Ask my senior sister."

Su Zi’s face twitched uncontrollably at her words.

He had lived over two hundred years and had seen his share of arrogant geniuses, but never one this brazen.

Still, he forced himself to maintain his calm. In these chaotic days, offending the wrong person could spell disaster for the entire sect.

Suppressing his anger, Su Zi asked again,

"May I ask... who is your senior sister?"

Without a word, Chen Yinyin pointed toward the carriage below.

Only then did Su Zi turn his gaze toward the red-robed woman standing quietly beside the carriage, a figure he had carelessly ignored until now.

The moment their eyes met, a jolt ran through him. His pupils shrank to the size of a needle’s tip.

This woman’s cultivation was at the very peak of the Golden Core Realm!

Worse still, her presence was deep and unfathomable, like a boundless ocean. Even with his own cultivation, Su Zi felt a pressure weighing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe.

Who was she?!

How could such a monstrous expert appear out of nowhere, without a single ripple of warning?

Suppressing the unease in his heart, Su Zi forced a polite smile onto his face. He clasped his fists respectfully and bowed slightly, his tone cautious. "May I know this lady’s name? And what brings you to the Red Lotus Sect?"

"My name is Lan Yue. I’ve come today to the Red Lotus Sect... to discuss a few matters."