Leon's heart pounded like a war drum in his chest.
He knew running was impossible.
These four youths were all in the True Profound Realm and above . If he turned and fled, they could catch him before he even took ten steps. So, Leon took a deep, steadying breath, sheathed his chipped short sword, and slowly stepped out from behind the giant moss-covered tree trunk.
He jumped down lightly and landed on the ancient black stone road.
The four disciples turned to look at him. Up close, their white and silver robes looked even more impressive, the embroidered soaring swords seeming to glow with faint light.
The loud boy with messy brown hair — Kael — blinked in shock and pointed straight at Leon.
"Whoa!" Kael shouted. "A Middle Level Nascent Profound Realm kid? How the hell did you get this deep into the Sunken Expanse? Are you a ghost or something?!"
"Kael, show some manners," the tall leader said calmly. He gently pushed Kael's pointing finger down. The leader had sharp dark hair and eyes that looked like still, deep water. He gave Leon a polite smile. "Please forgive my martial brother. We are just very surprised to see someone at your level in this dangerous place."
The leader placed his hands together and bowed slightly. "My name is Vane. These are my martial brothers, Kael and Elon." He gestured to the loud one and then to the quiet, serious-looking boy beside him.
Then Vane pointed to the beautiful girl on his other side. She had sharp, clear eyes and held her sword like it was an extension of her own arm. "And this is our martial sister, Sira."
Sira gave a small nod. Her gaze lingered on Leon's torn and bloodstained clothes, especially the dried blood covering the left side of his head and neck. The sheer amount of blood on his tattered clothes told her he had been through something terrible. Her eyes showed a mix of pity and deep curiosity.
"We are disciples of the Heavenly Tribulation Sword Sect," Vane continued, his voice proud but not arrogant.
When Leon heard that name, his eyes widened slightly.
The Heavenly Tribulation Sword Sect!
He had read about them in old books. They were one of the Three Great Sects of the Righteous Path, standing at the peak of the entire cultivation world. Their influence stretched across countless empires and territories. Their prestige was so high that even the four great empires treated them with respect and caution. To become a disciple of the Heavenly Tribulation Sword Sect was considered a blessing of a lifetime. It meant endless resources, powerful techniques, and protection that no ordinary force could touch. Only the most talented and righteous youths were chosen, and once accepted, their futures were set. They would walk a path that could lead them to become legends.
What are the odds , looks like luck is on my side today , Leon thought .
Leon took a step forward, lowered his shoulders, and gave them a deep, respectful bow.
"My name is Leon," he said softly, his voice sounding tired and worn. "Just Leon. It is an honor to meet disciples of the Heavenly Tribulation Sword Sect."
Kael crossed his arms. "Just Leon? Come on, spill it! How did a Nascent Profound Realm guy like you get past all the monsters in the Outer and Mid regions? Did your master dump you here or something?"
Leon shook his head. A bitter, pained smile appeared on his face as he looked down at his dirty boots. "I don't have a master. And I didn't mean to come this deep at all. Just two days ago, I was only at the Elementary Profound Realm."
All four disciples looked shocked. Even the quiet Elon raised his eyebrows.
Leon took a shaky breath and began to tell his story.
He spoke quietly, his voice heavy with sadness. He told them how he was born as a prince of the Chromewell Empire, but his profound veins were crippled since birth. He explained how his family saw him as useless trash and abandoned him, stripping him of his title and throwing him away to rule the poorest, most barren land in the empire — the Fittora Barony.
The four disciples listened in silence. Their faces grew serious.
Leon continued with a heavy sigh. He told them about the cruel Dark Horses bandits who demanded 300 low-grade spirit stones every three months, and how his people were starving and suffering because of it.
"I came to the Outer Region of the Mistveil Marsh to find rare herbs," Leon said. "I needed to sell them to save my people. But I was unlucky."
He described the terrifying fight with the Abyssal Blight-Scale Serpent. He told them how the beast's crushing aura had nearly killed him, and how he had still risked everything to steal the Mystillin Maple Herbs.
Sira gasped softly and covered her mouth when he spoke about the giant serpent.
"To escape," Leon finished, his voice barely a whisper, "I jumped into the strange Mirrorwater portal at the bottom of the lake. I fell through darkness, and when I woke up… I was here in the Sunken Expanse. I ate one of the herbs. It healed my missing ear and pushed me into the Nascent Profound Realm."
When Leon finished speaking, the jungle clearing fell completely silent.
Kael's mouth hung open. "You… you fought a True Profound Realm serpent when you were only Elementary? And you actually stole its treasure right under its nose?!" Suddenly Kael burst into loud laughter and slapped his own leg. "Hahaha! That's insane! You've got guts of steel, Leon!"
Elon nodded slowly, looking at Leon with newfound respect. "To face a monster two major realms above you and survive… that takes real courage and quick thinking."
Sira stepped forward. Her sharp eyes were filled with warm sympathy. "You did all that just to save your poor barony? You risked your life for people who have nothing?" She smiled gently. "That is very noble, Leon. Most cultivators only care about getting stronger for themselves. You have a good heart."
Vane, the leader, looked at Leon deeply. He was truly impressed by the young man's willpower and unyielding spirit. To endure being abandoned by his own family and still fight so hard for his people… these were exactly the heroic qualities the Heavenly Tribulation Sword Sect valued.
Yet, deep inside, a faint trace of doubt stirred in Vane's mind.
Every word about his past rings true… but the way he tells it feels almost too perfect, like it was shaped to reach our hearts.
Vane kept these thoughts hidden. He simply placed a friendly hand on Leon's shoulder and smiled.
"Leon, your story is truly remarkable. But the Sunken Expanse is a region of death. Even we have to be extremely careful here. If you try to walk out alone at Nascent Profound Realm, you will definitely die."
Leon nodded sadly. "I know. But I have to try. My people are waiting for me."
"You will not have to try alone," Vane said with a bright, sincere smile. "Our sect teaches us to help the righteous and protect the brave. We are exploring these ruins for experience and ancient treasures. We would like you to travel with us."
Sira smiled warmly and nodded. "Yes! Come with us. We will protect you until we find a safe way out of the wetlands."
Kael threw his arm around Leon's neck in a friendly hug. "Yeah, man! With us around, no ugly lizard-dragons will even get close to you!"
Leon took a step back and bowed deeply to all four of them.
"Thank you," he said, his voice full of real gratitude. "I will gladly accept your offer. I promise to not be a burden."
As he looked at their honest, smiling faces, a sharp sting of guilt twisted in Leon's chest.
He had not lied about his past. Everything he said was the absolute truth. But the way he had told it — the tired voice, the sad smiles, the way he looked down at his boots — had been completely intentional. He knew they were Righteous Path disciples, he had purposely highlighted the most tragic parts of his life to awaken their heroic instincts. He had used his own painful story as a tool to gain their protection.
Deep down, Leon felt like trash for manipulating these good, honest youths. But as he looked around at the deadly ancient jungle, he ruthlessly pushed the guilt down.
Survival comes before pride or honor.
Vane laughed happily, breaking Leon's dark thoughts. "A person who can steal from an Abyssal Blight-Scale Serpent is never a burden. Come, Leon. Let us see what other secrets this dead city is hiding."
With his plan to join them becoming a complete success, Leon walked safely in their formation as the group of five young cultivators moved deeper into the wild, overgrown ruins of the ancient ruins of the empire.