As Yun observed the three during their sparring sessions in the courtyard, he began to take mental notes of their movements and how their elemental styles interacted. Rena's strikes were fast and fluid, like gusts that danced between chaos and grace. Tair's blows, however, were grounded—each step shook the earth beneath him with raw, physical intent. Albi, standing at the back, played the role of balance, his healing light mending minor injuries before they could slow his teammates. Yun quickly realized their potential synergy: wind and earth for offense, light and water for defense and support. Together, they could strike like a storm and endure like the mountain itself.
That evening, under the pale light of the moon, Yun gathered them atop one of Eagle Mountain's high terraces. "From this day," he said, his tone calm but commanding, "you three are no longer just disciples of the Eagle Mountain Clan. You are the wings and talons of the Order of Sel. We will act as one body, one purpose. You'll grow faster under my watch than the clan could ever promise alone." His words lit a quiet fire in each of them. Rena bowed first, smiling with determined eyes; Tair placed a fist over his heart in a warrior's salute; Albi simply nodded, the corners of his mouth lifting faintly. Under that moonlight, the Order of Sel was no longer an idea—it was a promise of unity, growth, and something far greater yet to come.
Yun called the three of them to a quiet training field just outside The Nest. The sun was beginning to dip behind the mountains, painting the sky in soft gold. Rena, Albi, and Tair stood before him, curious but calm. Yun crossed his arms, his tone steady yet inviting. "I was doing some reading," he began, "and found something that could make us a stronger team." That immediately caught their attention. "I'm sure you've heard of the Golden Jacket Royal Bees," he continued. "They're known for their perfect coordination and quick uninterrupted communication. That's because of something called a hive mind—a link between their minds that lets them think and act together without speaking."
He paused to let the idea settle before going on. "There's a way to create a version of that between humans, though it's very rare. It needs a deep link between light and dark energy—something most cultivators can't do. But I can." The three stared at him, stunned. "If we link ourselves, we'll always be connected," Yun said. "No matter where we are, we can sense danger, call for help, or share what we see. No one could intercept us. It's completely secure."
The group fell quiet for a moment. Albi was the first to speak. "That sounds… risky. But useful." Rena frowned but nodded slowly. "If it makes us stronger, I'm in." Tair cracked a grin. "You don't even have to ask twice." Yun smiled faintly. "Then it's settled. Sit down, relax your breathing, and open your mind. Once I start the link, it'll feel strange at first—but after that, you'll understand each other in ways you never thought possible."
Yun closed his eyes and reached inward, letting the world fade away until all that remained was the steady rhythm of energy moving through him. He could feel the pull of Light—warm, radiant, and alive—and the calm depth of Darkness—steady, quiet, and endless. Most cultivators said those forces could never exist together, that they would tear each other apart if forced to meet. Yet within him, they danced in harmony, bending and weaving at his command. Beneath him, a golden pattern began to glow—the Golden Hive Array. Through his mind's eye, he saw each of his teammates as shimmering silhouettes connected by faint strands of light.
Drawing deeper, Yun used the power of Darkness to cut away the world's normal bindings—distance, silence, and separation—and with Light, he built new paths where thoughts could travel freely. It was then he realized something extraordinary: the world's "rules" could be changed if he simply understood them well enough. He could rewrite cultivation itself. Focusing on that revelation, he shaped the channels between them, commanding the perfect coordination of the Golden Jacket Royal Bees. Slowly, those threads grew stronger, brighter—alive. Three hours later, a soft pulse ran through the array, linking all four hearts and minds as one. The Sel Hive Mind was born.
As the group steadied their minds, a strange calmness washed over them. Thoughts drifted freely between Yun and his three subordinates—memories, sensations, and emotions passed without resistance. A moment later, each of them saw the same vision: a shared field of gold and shadow where their figures stood facing one another. They realized, with dawning wonder, that they were meeting not in body, but within their minds. The Hive Connection had birthed a mental domain—an astral space crafted from their linked consciousness. Through this, they could speak, see, and even feel each other's presence as if the world itself had folded inward to make room for them.
But then, the unexpected happened. A tremor of energy rippled through the connection, and the golden light around them flared. The three subordinates gasped as a powerful force began pulling at their cores. Spiritual energy flooded their meridians, twisting and fusing their cultivations into something unified. Their bodies trembled in harmony as power surged higher—past the bottlenecks they had long feared—until each of them stood at the half-step Core Formation stage, the same as Yun. The connection deepened beyond thought or feeling—it was life itself being shared.
When the light dimmed, the truth struck them all at once. They had not only bonded their spirits, but also their cultivation. Every breath Yun took resonated within them. Every flicker of power he summoned rippled through their souls. Even more shocking, Yun found that he could draw on their elemental strengths as his own, commanding their energies with ease. Yet, unlike him, his subordinates could not tap into his power freely—without consent or without effort. It was a connection that defied logic, sacred and dangerous all at once. The Golden Hive had become one.
Yun stood silently, feeling the hum of their joined power echo in his veins. What they had created went far beyond what any sect or empire could have imagined. This connection—this living network of shared strength, senses, and thought—could change everything. In battle, they would move as one, anticipating each other's actions before they were even taken. On missions, no secret could be lost, no plan misunderstood, for every mind within the Hive would carry the same intent. Even distance would mean nothing; their consciousnesses could reach across mountains and rivers as easily as a breath. The potential was staggering. Yun realized then that the Golden Hive was not simply a technique—it was evolution.
Albi spoke first. "Master, we shouldn't make this public just yet. There will be plenty of people who wouldn't want others to have this kind of power. Until we're strong enough, it's best to keep this to ourselves."
Yun nodded. He had already thought the same. His mission to reach the Ascendant Stage was more important now than ever. If he could bend the rules of cultivation at his current level, what would he be capable of when he grew stronger? Just how far could he go? The thought both excited and unsettled him. Turning back to his team, he said, "For now, keep training. Learn your new strength. Get used to the connection." As they went their separate ways to practice, Yun stood still for a moment, quietly reflecting on the power they had created—and the unknown path it had opened.