1040 Xuan Hao is... A Soul Ascension Realm Expert!?

"By the way, where is master? Isn't he supposed to be back as well…?"

As the four of them finished catching up with each other, Bai Ning could not help asking this as he realized that their master was nowhere to be seen. Under normal circumstances, their master should have noticed them gathering and should have shown up at this point in time, but looking around, he was nowhere to be seen.

"I'm in secluded cultivation for the foreseeable future. Other than coming out every now and then to teach all of you, I will be spending most of my time focused on cultivating. If you really have something important to inform me about, you can go to my room at the core of the palace." Having partly followed along in their conversation since his return, Xuan Hao decided to answer Bai Ning's question, while also taking the opportunity to inform them that he would be in secluded cultivation for the foreseeable future.

"Secluded cultivation?! Master, are you about to breakthrough to a higher realm?!" Hearing what Xuan Hao said, the first person to react was Chu Yang, as he excitedly asked this. Understanding very well that this was the most likely reason why his master would suddenly decide to enter secluded cultivation.

Although he had no idea just how strong his master was at the moment, the general consensus among the disciples of the sect was that he should at least have reached the Peak of the Domain Lord Realm. Meaning that it was very likely that his master was about to try and break through to the Soul Ascension Realm!

It had to be known, that the Soul Ascension Realm was the highest cultivation realm that Chu Yang had heard about so far… And even in the entire Sky Empire, the number of Soul Ascension Realm Experts he had heard about could be counted on one hand.

If his master really managed to break through to the Soul Ascension Realm, the Star Shattering Sect would automatically become one of the strongest powers in the entire Sky Empire and the sect would also hold some sway outside the borders of the Sky Empire.

Just thinking about this was more than enough to make Chu Yang feel excited.

"Breakthrough?! How strong will master be after he breaks through?" Hearing what her senior brother and also seeing the excited expression plastered all over his face, Mui could not help tilting her head slightly as she asked this with a questioning look on her face.

"No idea, but I think it should be the Soul Ascension Realm…" Shaking his head as he wasn't too clear about just how strong their master was, Chu Yang just said this before turning his attention back towards the palace. Hoping that their master would give them an answer.

…

Well… I guess I never really told anyone in the sect about his cultivation realm, it's a given that they would grow curious about my strength at some point in time.

At the same time back inside the palace, Xuan Hao could not help opening his eyes after seeing his disciples stare intently at the palace.

"But… I can't tell them that I'm in the Dao Domain Lord Realm, as it might create problems considering that the realm is pretty much extinct in the current day and age. Maybe I should just tell them that I'm in the Soul Ascension Realm. Considering my current strength, it wouldn't be that wrong…" Muttering this to himself as he looked over his four disciples with his divine sense.

"Indeed, I am in secluded cultivation to try and break through. However, I'm already in the Soul Ascension Realm and its just a minor realm."

In the end, he decided to tell them that he was in the Soul Ascension Realm. Not only to satiate their curiosity, but also to have them spread this information out to the rest of the sect, that would then spread it to the world outside. Ensuring that the Sky Empire wouldn't dare to mindlessly try and deal with them after they began expanding into the core of their empire, but also as a way to help Elder Song with his quest for conquering the surrounding kingdoms and bring them under the Star Shattering Sect.

Although these kingdoms had still barely managed to hold on over the last few months, they would undoubtedly give up after learning that the Star Shattering Sect had someone in the Soul Ascension Realm. Even if they had no idea what the Soul Ascension Realm was, they would inevitably find out that it was the realm above the Domain Lord Realm.

At the same time, this might also result in the people supporting these kingdoms facing off against the Star Shattering Sect to show up. Although… Xuan Hao already had an idea as to who these mysterious people were…

"Woooow~ Master is amazing, to think you are in the Soul Ascension Realm! Not only that, but you are still getting even stronger! Hehe~ Master is the most powerful!"

Smiling a bit to himself as he saw the cute reaction from Mui, who looked both overjoyed and amazed at the same time, Xuan Hao shook his head before he closed both of his eyes and resumed his cultivation. Focusing his attention back on trying to comprehend the Small Success Realm of the Dao of Space.

…

"To think master is actually in the Soul Ascension Realm. No wonder that powerful demon beast willingly follows does what he says…" Muttering this to himself with a hint of amazement on his face after his mater personally confirmed that he had already reached the Soul Ascension Realm, Chu Yang could not help remembering the winged lion demon beast that had been protecting the sect even when his master was not around.

"Indeed, if master wasn't strong enough, I doubt a powerful demon beast like the winged lion would willing listen to him and watch over the sect even when he is gone." Nodding her head in agreement, Qing Yi also had a surprised expression on her face as she said this.

Although she had suspected that their master had already reached the Soul Ascension Realm, it was different from him actually being in the Soul Ascension Realm. After all, the Soul Ascension Realm was far beyond the Domain lord Realm that she had believed to be the most powerful realm just a few months earlier.

"Hehe~ Master is sooo powerful! Even the big kitty has to submit!" Not at all showing them the same level of seriousness as her two seniors, Mui just continued to happily smile as she said this. Feeling happy that her master was strong. Not really caring too much about anything else.

"Soul Ascension Realm…" Bai Ning on the other hand just silently looked in the direction of the palace with a somewhat bewildered expression on his face. Never having imagined that he would actually end up as a disciple of such a strong cultivator.

In the end, all four of them had different reactions to finding out about their master being in the Soul Ascension Realm. Resulting in them spending the next few hours chatting together about what they knew about the Soul Ascension Realm, as the realm itself was rather unknown to them considering that there was no Soul Ascension Realm Experts in the border region of the Sky Empire. Outside of their master.

…

Following Chu Yang, Qing Yi, Bai Ning, and Mui learning about their master being in the Soul Ascension Realm, it did not take more than a day before it spread through the entire Star Shattering Sect. Resulting in every single disciple and elder learning about Xuan Hao being in the Soul Ascension Realm.

"Xuan Hao is actually in the Soul Ascension Realm!? Hmph! To think that brat hid it so well… Did he perhaps leave the sect when ascending the tribulation?"

Also learning about Xuan Hao being in the Soul Ascension Realm, Feng Chen cursed loudly at how well he had managed to hide it from him and the rest of the elders. However, the smile on his face gave away the fact that he was filled with joy after learning about this matter.

Not only would the Star Shattering Sect have a Soul Ascension Realm Expert from now on, but they would no longer have to be so careful when expanding in the direction of the Sky Empire's core territory in the future.

"Hehe, no need to be mad at him, with this we should be able to get those kingdoms to surrender in a few days." Sitting on a chair not too far away from Feng Chen, Elder Song was similarly smiling as he said this while at the same time picking up his communication talisman to inform someone to begin spreading this news to the still resisting major kingdoms.

Given that Xuan Hao had revealed his cultivation base to his disciples, Elder Song understood that he wanted him to spread this information out to help the Star Shattering Sect have a smoother time expanding, while at the same time serving as intimidation for anyone with plans of attacking the Star Shattering Sect…