Martial Arts Pavilion

Lingxiao Sect, Internal Affairs Hall.

The Internal Affairs Hall was one of the Lingxiao Sect's important halls. Whether disciples sought promotion or left the sect to carry out missions, all required the Internal Affairs Hall's approval. Thus, it was also a bustling place.

At this moment, Lu Changsheng arrived at the Internal Affairs Hall. Before him stood a black palace. This ancient, unadorned black palace exuded a faint aura of age-old majesty.

Without hesitation, Lu Changsheng stepped into the black palace. His view suddenly opened up, revealing an incomparably spacious hall, where disciples moved back and forth.

Lu Changsheng's arrival drew quite a few gazes, and some disciples quickly recognized him.

"Yo, isn't that Lu Changsheng, the number one waste among the Outer Disciples? Why has he come to the Internal Affairs Hall today?"

"This fellow has supposedly cultivated like clockwork for over a decade, yet his realm is still stuck at the Second Level of Qi Condensation. He truly is a waste through and through!"

"Hehe, I'd say he probably can't keep muddling along anymore, so he's come to the Internal Affairs Hall to report in and prepare to get lost."

Some disciples mocked him.

Lu Changsheng paid no heed whatsoever to their ridicule and walked straight to the Internal Affairs Hall's counter.

Behind the counter sat a white-haired old man dressed in a gray robe.

This old man was Elder Xu, the one in charge of the Internal Affairs Hall's affairs.

"Elder Xu, this disciple has come to claim an Outer Disciple token."

Lu Changsheng said in a deep voice.

"What is your name?"

Elder Xu asked.

"Lu Changsheng."

Lu Changsheng replied.

Upon hearing those three words, Elder Xu immediately frowned. Clearly, he had also heard of the title of number one waste among the Outer Disciples. He said,

"Lu Changsheng, do you know that to be promoted to an Outer Disciple, your strength must at least reach the Core Condensation Realm?"

"This disciple knows."

After speaking, Lu Changsheng immediately released the aura of the Core Condensation Realm.

"Mm, your spiritual power is dense and vigorous. You have indeed entered the Core Condensation Realm!"

Elder Xu said with some surprise.

At this moment, sensing the aura released from Lu Changsheng's body, those disciples who had been wagging their tongues also revealed shocked expressions. This fellow had actually advanced to the Core Condensation Realm?

"How is that possible? When I passed by Labor Peak a few days ago, I even ran into this fellow. At that time, he was clearly still at the Second Level of Qi Condensation. How did he suddenly advance to the Core Condensation Realm?"

A blue-robed disciple was stunned.

"What? You're saying that in just a few days, this waste went directly from the Second Level of Qi Condensation to the Core Condensation Realm? How could that be possible?!"

"This is absolutely impossible! This waste cultivated on Labor Peak for more than a decade without making the slightest progress. How could he suddenly break through to the Core Condensation Realm?"

Some disciples found it utterly inconceivable.

Advancing from the Second Level of Qi Condensation to the Core Condensation Realm in just a few days was practically impossible. Ordinary disciples would need at least half a year to achieve it, so everyone was curious how Lu Changsheng had done it.

"Bring over your token. I'll replace it for you."

Elder Xu said in a deep voice.

Lu Changsheng nodded, then handed over his Miscellaneous Servant Disciple token. Elder Xu accepted it and handed Lu Changsheng a Silver Token.

This Silver Token was the exclusive token of an Outer Disciple!

"From this day onward, you are an Outer Disciple of the Lingxiao Sect. You will no longer need to do the dirty, exhausting work on Labor Peak. Furthermore, your monthly allowance will rise to fifty Mid-grade Spirit Stones."

Elder Xu explained in detail.

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng revealed a pleased expression. He had finally cast off his identity as a Miscellaneous Servant Disciple and would never again have to do those filthy, exhausting chores.

Moreover, his treatment had greatly improved. For instance, his monthly allowance had increased, and he would have more time to cultivate in Dragon Fall Ravine.

"Also, having just advanced to an Outer Disciple, you may enter the Martial Arts Pavilion and select three martial arts."

Elder Xu added.

"What?"

Upon hearing the words Martial Arts Pavilion, Lu Changsheng immediately showed a delighted expression.

The Martial Arts Pavilion was where the Lingxiao Sect stored its martial arts manuals. Back when he was a Miscellaneous Servant Disciple, he had not even been qualified to enter it.

Now, after advancing to an Outer Disciple, he could actually enter the Martial Arts Pavilion and select three martial arts!

"Many thanks, Elder Xu!"

Lu Changsheng said gratefully.

"Mm, go on..."

Elder Xu nodded.

Holding his Outer Disciple token, Lu Changsheng swiftly left the Internal Affairs Hall amid countless stunned gazes.

Before long, he followed a bluestone path into a bamboo forest.

Spiritual mist coiled through the bamboo forest.

Ahead, an ancient and imposing pavilion came into view.

This was the Martial Arts Pavilion!

"Who goes there? To enter the Martial Arts Pavilion, you must present your token."

At the Martial Arts Pavilion's entrance stood two stern, impartial elders.

Without hesitation, Lu Changsheng took out the Silver Token.

"You have just advanced to an Outer Disciple, so you may enter the Martial Arts Pavilion. However, you only have one hour, and you may select only three martial arts."

"Also, you may only choose from the first floor of the Martial Arts Pavilion. Under no circumstances are you to set foot on the second floor."

The two elders spoke sternly.

"This disciple understands!"

Lu Changsheng nodded, then stepped into the Martial Arts Pavilion.

"So this is the Martial Arts Pavilion?"

Upon entering the Martial Arts Pavilion, an antique, elegant hall appeared before him.

The floor of the hall was laid with precious sandalwood, emitting a faint and refined woody fragrance. Before him stood rows upon rows of wooden shelves, each one holding yellowed, ancient manuals.

At this moment, some disciples moved among the shelves, evidently selecting martial arts as well.

Looking at these manuals, Lu Changsheng slowly calmed his emotions. This was his first time entering the Martial Arts Pavilion, so excitement and wonder were unavoidable.

After all, when he had been a Miscellaneous Servant Disciple, he had not possessed even a single decent martial art. Now, he could finally enter the Martial Arts Pavilion and choose martial arts!

"Phew..."

After letting out a breath, Lu Changsheng lightly stepped forward to a row of wooden shelves. Before his eyes lay manual after manual of martial arts.

Out of curiosity, he casually picked up a manual and opened it.

"Fire Cloud Palm"

"Yellow-tier first-grade martial art. When this palm technique is used, the palm becomes covered in blazing flames, its power fierce and domineering."

The martial arts of heaven and earth could generally be divided into the Heaven, Earth, Black, Yellow four tiers.

Furthermore, each tier could be divided into Grades One through Nine. This Fire Cloud Palm was clearly among the lowest-tier martial arts.

Shaking his head, Lu Changsheng quickly put down this martial art and continued selecting others.

"Mountain Breaking Palm"

"Yellow-tier Rank 2 martial art. This palm's power is extraordinarily formidable; the force of a single palm can shatter mountain rocks..."

"Ice Finger"

"Yellow-tier Rank 3 Martial Skill. This martial art is supremely yin and cold. When facing an enemy, one may strike icy energy into the opponent's body, making it impossible to guard against."

"Blazing Flame Sword Art"

"Yellow-tier Rank 3 Martial Skill. This martial art is a sword technique. During cultivation, one must devour flames before its immense power can be unleashed..."

"..."