Promotion to Inner Sect Disciple

Half a year ago, Bright Flame True Person had already returned to the sect, merely observing everything within it from the shadows.

He had originally been traveling abroad, gathering Third-Order Golden Core Spiritual Objects while seeking an opportunity for a breakthrough.

Then, more than half a year ago, he happened to encounter a diviner from Heaven's Secret Pavilion and asked for a reading to divine his path of cultivation.

To his surprise, he had drawn a Mid-Upper Fortune. It read: "In deep clouds and hidden mist lies a dragon; discerning eyes recognize real gold. No need to roam afar in search—the fated opportunity lies close at hand."

After spending three thousand Spirit Stones to have the fortune interpreted, the other party said that, according to the Divination Result, his opportunity lay in the northwest of Li Province, near the Li Fire Sect.

Bright Flame True Person thus secretly returned to the Li Fire Sect. Yet after searching for half a year, he still could not find where his opportunity lay.

But that was fine. Bright Flame True Person was patient when it came to opportunities. After all, he was still young, and his Lifespan was long.

The ultimate pursuit of cultivators was Long Sight, Long Life.

Qi Refining allowed one to live for a hundred years, while breaking through to Foundation Establishment could extend one's life by another century. If one formed a Golden Core, one could enjoy five hundred years of life—longer than most mortal dynasties.

For that very reason, he did not mind searching around the sect for a few more years, until his opportunity appeared.

However, Bright Flame True Person had not come away entirely empty-handed.

For instance, during his search, he had happened to discover a group of furtive people approaching and attempting to frame disciples of his sect.

Such a trivial matter normally would not have required him to act. Naturally, those below him would handle it.

Yet unexpectedly, it gradually developed into a dispute between the Jiang Family and the Chen Family, and Jiang Shiyou had even intended to use public authority for private ends.

That crossed the line.

Bright Flame True Person therefore stepped forward personally, examined Xiao Chen before everyone, and declared that Xiao Chen was not a Demonic Cultivator.

The truth was immediately revealed. Jiang Shiyou had abused his authority for personal gain, and was stripped of his post as a Law Enforcement Hall Elder. He was further sentenced to ten years of confinement, forbidden from leaving.

Xiao Chen lacked talent but cultivated diligently, breaking the sect's record for the fastest cultivation progress. He was awarded an Evergreen Sword and an Azure Wood Spirit Nurturing Pill as encouragement.

The Chen family members present had gathered to cause trouble and were collectively fined one month's stipend.

The Law Enforcement Hall disciples had aided the wicked in their misdeeds. Considering that they had merely obeyed their Elder's orders, they were punished with one day of facing the wall in reflection.

Bright Flame True Person made quick work of the conflict, then ordered everyone to disperse and return to their respective duties.

He himself departed through the air alone, continuing his search around the sect for the location of his opportunity.

Although the True Person had left, the matter did not end there. Instead, it spread even faster.

News that Xiao Chen had reached Late-Stage Qi Refining in seven months swept through the Li Fire Sect like a Hurricane alongside the news of the True Person's appearance.

Countless disciples, including many Inner Sect senior brothers, were first incredulous, then envious and jealous.

Finally, they sighed over why they did not have such rapid cultivation progress or such good luck.

No one knew where things had gone awry, but the reason behind Xiao Chen's breakthrough was twisted into nothing more than good fortune.

Many disciples felt that if they could obtain so many spiritual objects beneficial to cultivation, they would break through even faster than Xiao Chen.

Only a handful of more talented disciples realized just how extraordinary Xiao Chen was.

For example, Jiang Sixuan, who possessed Dual Spirit Roots, was dumbfounded when she heard the news, nearly fainting on the spot.

If she searched her heart honestly, even with the same resources, she could not have achieved such a rapid Breakthrough Speed.

She recalled how, half a year ago, she, Xiao Chen, and Ye Fei had successively broken through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer at the Law Transmission Hall.

At that time, she had been one step ahead of Xiao Chen.

After confirming at White Jade Teahouse that Xiao Chen had no notable background, she had even once believed that they were not people of the same path.

As time passed, Xiao Chen would only gradually fall behind, eventually fading into the crowd.

Meanwhile, she could rely on her greater talent to travel farther, until one day they lived beneath the same blue sky in two different worlds.

Yet only half a year had passed. Just half a year. She was still at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, having only just touched the threshold of the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

Xiao Chen, however, had already broken through to the 7th level of Qi Refining, leaving her completely behind.

They truly were not people of the same path, and now they really had become people of two different worlds. But in truth, the one who had fallen behind was Jiang Sixuan.

Xiao Chen was about to become an Inner Sect Disciple, had already been accepted early as Elder Chen's disciple, and had even received a magic artifact from a Golden Core True Person. His future was boundless.

At last, Jiang Sixuan felt a trace of regret. She had clearly been among the first people to come into contact with Xiao Chen.

If she had not quietly distanced herself from Xiao Chen after that banquet, if she had not deliberately kept her distance when they traveled together during the Outer Sect Trial—

Or even if, after the trial results were announced, she had taken the initiative to approach Xiao Chen and build their relationship, investing in him early like the Su Family or Chen Family had—

Then Xiao Chen should already have become her friend, and they would have forged a deep bond.

But with the difficulties caused by her fifth uncle Jiang Shiyou, even if she wanted to get close to him now, it was probably already too late.

The joys and sorrows of people did not connect.

Su Wanqing, who also possessed Dual Spirit Roots, was instead overjoyed.

She had previously given the Bone Tempering Spring bestowed by her family to Xiao Chen for free, and because of Su Yuanpeng, had also given away Azure Wood Spiritual Liquid for nothing.

But now it seemed that these were all favors owed to her, proof of her foresight.

Most importantly, Xiao Chen had an agreement with her concerning the position of Chief Disciple.

The better he performed now, the more beneficial it would be for Su Wanqing.

This time, I really struck it rich. But I need to cultivate diligently from now on too.

Su Wanqing beamed for a while, then secretly made up her mind. At least I have better Spirit Roots. I can't let Xiao Chen leave me behind.

Eh!

She suddenly thought of something. With Xiao Chen's cultivation advancing so quickly, could it be that by the time of the Chief Disciple selection, he would already have reached Foundation Establishment?

Impossible. How could that possibly be so outrageous?

Su Wanqing immediately rejected this startling notion.

For Qi Refining Cultivators, breaking through to Foundation Establishment was a Major Bottleneck. Especially for cultivators lacking talent, calling it an impassable chasm would not be an exaggeration.

Thousands upon thousands of Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivators at great perfection were blocked here for years, decades, or even their entire lives, unable to break through.

No matter how formidable Xiao Chen's techniques were, restricted by his Low-grade Spirit Root, he would ultimately have to endure countless hardships for even a sliver of hope.

Oh dear, what am I even thinking about? That's still so far away.

Su Wanqing shook her little head and encouraged herself. Starting today, I'll cultivate an extra half hour every day. Chase Xiao Chen—go, go, go!

Similar things happened to Ye Fei, Song Zhongming, Liu Benxin, and the others.

While shocked by Xiao Chen's new record and marveling at his astonishing cultivation speed,

they immediately became deeply dissatisfied with their own cultivation progress and secretly resolved to catch up with Xiao Chen.

As for Xiao Chen, whom they had made their target, he had already smoothly completed the procedures required to advance to Inner Sect Disciple.

He received the three most important items for an Inner Sect Disciple: a Storage Bag, a defensive Magic Robe, and an Identity Token, as well as a large chest of miscellaneous items.

After a brief discussion with Elder Chen, he chose to avoid matching Spirit Root Attributes and bypass Jiang Shiwei, another Jiang Family Elder who governed Sandalwood Peak.

Instead, he joined Azure Water Peak, where Elder Qi of the Neutral Faction resided.

Elder Qi had not yet returned. His senior sister, Shen Siyue, welcomed his arrival and arranged for him a small courtyard near the mountaintop.

"Junior Brother Xiao, rest here for a while first. Check whether there's anything you're lacking, and just tell me."

"Once Master returns, I'll come take you to formally pay her respects."

Xiao Chen cupped his hands in thanks and watched her leave from the courtyard gate. Only then did he return indoors and begin sorting through the many items he had just received.

His main focus was becoming familiar with the large chest of miscellaneous items, especially the Inner Sect Handbook and the "Qi Refining Combat Guide."

The former introduced the duties and benefits of Inner Sect Disciples, while the latter contained precious insights from generations of sect predecessors on how to use spells efficiently.

The latter in particular seemed quite ordinary, since every Inner Sect Disciple received a copy.

But without exaggeration, to Rogue Cultivators outside the sect, its value was no less than that of a Mysterious-grade technique.

As Xiao Chen looked through the clear and accessible examples one after another, he became completely absorbed.