Sect Leader's Rise to the top!

Kai sat in the pool of vitality while contemplating his next move. He lifted the arm that had previously been shriveled up and marveled at how much better it looked. 

'It's almost back to normal. This pool combined with my [Mortal Grade-5] body has taken my regeneration to a whole new level!'. Kai thought to himself while eating another superior [Beginner Healing Pill]. The pills were not as effective as when he first took them, but Kai could feel his body healing from the inside out when combined with the pool's restorative power. Kai re-submerged his entire body into the liquid and focused on using the surrounding Qi to heal.

Kai had also tried to turn a small, cup-sized portion of the pool into a manual, however,, that piece did not have enough Qi to get anything higher than [F-Rank]. Kai figured that if he wanted a [E-Rank] manual, he would have to use half of the pool. And as for [D-Rank], Kai would likely have to use all of it. Absorbing the pool could turn the Twin Lions Sect hostile, so Kai decided to just give up on the idea. It was not worth antagonizing an entire sect over.

A few hours later, Kai heard a knock on the door. "Mr. Kai, the council of Elders will see you now...", said a voice from the other side.

Kai looked at his arm which had now fully healed. The only reason he had stayed in it this long was that he felt his body being enhanced just by soaking in this concoction. Kai acknowledged the messenger then stepped out of the pool. The liquid did not stick to him so when he stepped out of the pool, he was miraculously dry and smelled of sweet medicinal herbs.

Kai changed into a pair of his custom white cultivators clothes then walked out of the room. As he did, the attendant who was waiting outside almost fell in complete shock. The heavily injured person he had seen a few hours ago and the person standing before him now seemed to be two completely different people. This attendant had been working at the medicinal hall for many decades yet he had never seen anyone heal this fast from such a severe-looking injury. 

Kai looked at the man who had been awkwardly quiet for a while and cleared his throat. The attendant quickly bowed his head and put on a professional look again.

"This way please..."

The attendant led Kai towards a massive building located at the center of the courtyard. Kai walked into the immense hallway and noticed a row of ten exquisite-looking chairs on an elevated platform. Of the ten chairs, only five had people on them, and of those five, Kai only recognized two. One was Elder Chen and the other was the Array Master who was also Wu Xianhai's grandmother.

Kai glanced at the other three who he did not recognize but could instantly tell that they were also at the Foundation Establishment stage.

'These must be the Elders...', Kai thought to himself while his eyes drifted to the back where there was an even larger platform that had a throne-like chair overlooking the entire hall. Behind the throne was a massive sculpture of a two-headed lion roaring in opposite direction. The sculpture looked so real that Kai was convinced that it was a real beast trapped in stone.

"Welcome young one. Let me formally introduce myself. I am Wu Minglai, Array Master of the Twin Lions Sect. I see you are doing much better now.", The old woman spoke with a sweet smile. She had hoped to postpone this meeting until Kai was fully healed since she believed that his injuries would take a few days to heal, yet to her surprise, here he was fully healed within just a few hours. 

"Thank you for your hospitality...". Kai said while cupping his fist respectfully.

Elder Chen laughed while waving his hand. "We should be the ones thanking you. Not only did you bring back our Sword Princess, but you also helped rid us of that annoying pest that was destroying our pocket dimension". As he spoke, the five elders nodded their heads.

"He is also a rare youth who managed to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage at such a young age. This is truly a noteworthy achievement that is too rare within our region...". Said an old man that Kai did not recognize.

"Indeed, our young friend here is a rare talent. If only my foolish disciples had just half of his talent...". This time it was a young-looking female elder that Kai did not recognize.

"You Elders flatter me, I was merely lucky to escape with my life. Breaking through was also but a fluke.", Kai said calmly.

"Hmm, he is quite modest too, very good!. How about you join our Twin Lions Sect as an Elder?", Elder Chen stood up and spoke with his arms wide open.

Kai was dumbstruck. Was this man offering to make him an Elder just like that. 

'Is the Twin Lions Sect this easy to enter?'. Kai thought to himself while remembering all the people that died in the pocket dimension just for a chance to be considered as outer disciples.

Kai looked over at the other four elders who seemed to agree.

"Thank you for the offer, but I must refuse as I already have a Master that I am indebted to...". Kai was just blowing smoke but hoped that this would be enough to dissuade them from trying to poach him.

"I see. Well, your Master is indeed lucky to have such a skilled student. I hope I can meet him one day...". Elder Chen said with some regret.

"...She is currently on an important expedition and could be delayed.", Kai said seriously.

"She?...of course...she". Elder Chen's ears turned red while the female elder chuckled to herself at his expense. meanwhile, Kai chastised himself for throwing such an unnecessary curveball.

'Well, it's his fault for assuming that my imaginary Master was a man...', Kai thought as Wu Minglai cleared her throat.

"In that case, how about joining us as an honorary-Elder until your master returns?. I assure you that we will provide the best resources to help in your cultivation..."

"What would an honorary Elder have to do?...", Kai asked quietly while gauging the atmosphere in the room.

Elder Chen cleared his throat, indicating that he would take this one. "Unlike us fully-fledged Sect Elders, honorary Elders are not bound to the sect by any rites or agreements. You are essentially free to do as you please, however, you will still be required to contribute to the sect by offering lessons to the younger generation and also through other means..."

Kai felt tempted by the enticing offer, especially when Kai considered all of the benefits he could get in Huang City just by being associated with the Twin Lions Sect. However, Kai also understood what the Elder was implying. 

Kai would likely have to help them in their fight against the Roaring Sands Sect. As interesting as their proposal was, Kai wasn't interested in fighting someone else's war.

Just as Kai was about to refuse, a deep and resounding voice came from the hall's entrance.

"Interesting...". 

The voice prompted all of the elders to stand up from their seats respectfully. Kai turned around and saw a middle-aged man quietly floating at the hall's entrance. 

'Is he flying?' Kai thought to himself with his mouth wide open as the man slowly floated over their heads and landed on the highest platform.

"Greetings Sect Leader!", the elders all announced loudly in unison. The man nodded his head and took a seat on the throne, prompting the elders to do the same.

While this was happening, Kai felt somewhat suffocated by the man's presence. The amount of Qi he was exuding was so thick that Kai could feel it on his skin which was unsettling.

"Core-Formation Stage...". Kai whispered to himself while watching the man cautiously. Kai instinctively knew that this man was on a completely different level than Jie who was also in the Core-Formation Stage. Kai had a feeling that Jie had somehow been restricted by the Pocket dimension, which stopped it from using its full power. This was what had emboldened Kai to consider fighting it. Yet this man clearly had no such restrictions, evidenced by his overflowing Qi that was there for all to witness in all its glory.

"Young cultivator. As thanks to you for saving my granddaughter, I will personally bestow you with a gift."

As he spoke, the room became heavy and Kai felt that he could not breathe. 'This is insane, just how powerful is the Core-Formation stage?', Kai thought to himself. Just as he was feeling like he was making progress, this absolute monster had to show up and remind him of just how puny he still was.

When Kai did not speak, the Sect Leader waved his hand and a massive map appeared on the ground in front of Kai. The map was finely made and looked extremely detailed.

Kai looked at it curiously while Wu Minglai stepped forward to explain.

"These are the borders of the Twin Lions Sect's Territory, including Huang City and a few dozen Trading posts and Villages scattered around. To our immediate south is the Southern Desert which is ruled by the Roaring Sands Sect, while the East leads to the coast of endless seas..."

When Kai looked at the area, he was shocked to discover just how small of an area the Twin Lions Sect actually controlled. However, what shocked Kai the most was the sheer size of the entire continent. It was one thing to hear about it, but seeing a visual representation was completely different.

"You can select any one of the villages located on the Northern border.". The Sect Leader spoke in an authoritative voice, prompting Wu Minglai to point at a specific area of the map. 

"Village?...".. Kai said incredulously. Was he seriously going to thank him with a village?