“Standard protocol,” Sun Yi reminded the monitoring team as he prepared to leave. “My data stays encrypted. No leaks.”

“Understood, Sect Leader,” Zhang Shuang and his team chorused, bowing low. “Strict confidentiality.”

Sun Yi nodded and exited the Battle Tower.

The moment he stepped into the plaza, the paparazzi effect kicked in. Disciples stopped their sparring and chatting, turning to bow in unison.

“Greetings, Sect Leader!”

Sun Yi offered a practiced, benevolent smile and a wave before launching himself into the sky, riding a streak of light toward the Law Enforcement Hall.

While high approval ratings were good for stability, the constant surveillance was a nightmare for his personal projects. He had cleared the Qi Refining tower, but it was just a warm-up. He needed to stress-test his limits in the Foundation Establishment tower.

However, if the CEO walked into the advanced tower, it would trigger a market panic. People would ask questions. He needed a burner account.

He needed Elder Jin Jue.

Sun Yi landed at the entrance of the Law Enforcement Hall. The guards snapped to attention, eyes wide with excitement.

“Greetings, Sect Leader!”

“Is the Head Elder in?” Sun Yi asked.

“Elder Jin Jue is in his meditation chamber,” one disciple replied eagerly. “Let me escort you.”

Sun Yi followed the disciple through the austere corridors. The Law Enforcement Hall was quieter these days. With the new incentive structures in place, crime rates had plummeted. Everyone was too busy grinding for points to break the rules.

They arrived at the Elder’s private chambers. Before the disciple could announce him, the heavy doors swung open.

Elder Jin Jue stood there, smiling. The perpetual scowl of the old “Head of Discipline” was gone, replaced by the calm demeanor of a satisfied stakeholder.

“Sect Leader,” Jin Jue greeted him. “To what do I owe the pleasure? You could have just sent a transmission.”

“I was in the neighborhood,” Sun Yi said casually. He turned to the young guide. “Thank you for the escort. You can return to your post.”

The disciple bowed deeply, glowing with pride at the acknowledgment, and retreated.

“You treat the disciples with great benevolence,” Jin Jue observed, ushering Sun Yi inside. “No wonder your prestige shakes the mountains.”

Sun Yi shrugged. “Brand loyalty is a two-way street. If they buy into the vision, I’m the Sect Leader. If they don’t, I’m just a guy in a fancy robe. I treat them well, they work hard for me. It’s basic ROI.”

“Fair point. Please, have a seat.”

Jin Jue gestured to a low table and began brewing tea. Sun Yi watched curiously as the Elder poured a pale, steaming liquid. It wasn’t the high-end Calming Tea or Bodhi Tea usually reserved for executive meetings.

“This is Cloud Mist Tea,” Jin Jue explained, noting Sun Yi’s glance. “It’s only Tier 1, so it doesn’t offer cultivation buffs. But the flavor profile is exceptional. Don’t think I’m being stingy with the hospitality.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Sun Yi laughed, taking a sip.

The flavor hit him instantly—clean, crisp, and refreshing. It was a palate cleanser for the soul.

“Excellent,” Sun Yi praised with genuine surprise. “Better than the expensive stuff.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Jin Jue smiled. “Now, what’s the real agenda?”

Sun Yi set the cup down. “I need a favor. I want to run simulations in the Battle Tower, but I need anonymity. I can’t have the user base tracking my every move.”

Jin Jue looked at him for a moment. As a Golden Core powerhouse and the administrator of the tower, this was a simple request.

He extended his hand. A flash of light coalesced into a thin, translucent membrane.

“I have just the tool,” Jin Jue said. “This is the Phantom Mask. It’s an old artifact I used back in my wandering days. It reconfigures your facial features and masks your energy signature. Unless a Golden Core cultivator scans you directly with Divine Sense, you’ll be invisible.”

“I’ll also adjust the tower’s surveillance array,” Jin Jue added. “Your sessions will be unrecorded.”

Sun Yi took the mask. It felt like cool silk. He pushed a pulse of True Qi into it, refining the artifact instantly. He placed it over his face.

It melded with his skin seamlessly. With a thought, his features shifted, transforming him into a generic, unremarkable disciple.

“Perfect,” Sun Yi said, his voice slightly altered by the mask. “This is exactly what I needed. Thank you, Elder.”

“It’s a small trinket,” Jin Jue waved it off. “Compared to the fortune you’ve brought to this sect? It’s nothing.”

“How are the quarterly metrics?” Sun Yi asked, shifting back to business.

“Prosperous,” Jin Jue said, leaning back. “Disciples are breaking through daily. We’re growing faster now than in the Golden Age. You’ve given us a future, Sun Yi. I shudder to think what would have happened if one of us old fossils had taken the helm. We would have driven this sect into the dust.”

“I’m just managing resources,” Sun Yi demurred. “My aptitude is trash, you know that.”

“Aptitude is merely the vessel,” Jin Jue said firmly. “Leadership is the soul. With you guiding the sect’s destiny, we are reassured.”

Sun Yi smiled at the vote of confidence.

“Since I’m here,” Sun Yi said, “I have some technical debt I need to clear up. Can I consult you on some cultivation theory?”

“Ask away,” Jin Jue replied. “I will hold nothing back.”

They spent the next two hours in a deep-dive session. Sun Yi asked about bottlenecks and energy flow dynamics that had stumped him during his self-study. Jin Jue’s Golden Core insights were invaluable, clearing up confusion that no manual could explain.

Finally, Sun Yi stood up.

“Thank you for the guidance, Elder.”

He left the Law Enforcement Hall and returned to his private quarters in the Scripture Library. He changed into standard disciple robes, applied the Phantom Mask, and checked his reflection.

The CEO was gone. In his place stood a nameless, faceless grinder.

“Time for the real stress test,” Sun Yi murmured.

He slipped out the back exit, heading straight for the Battle Tower.