As the light of the grand teleportation array gradually faded.
Chen Changqing and the others finally stepped onto the grounds of the Shushan Inner Sect.
The moment they entered the Inner Sect, waves of dense spiritual energy surged toward them like a tide.
Everyone felt the pores across their bodies open as the spiritual power within them began circulating on its own, several times faster than it had in the Outer Sect.
At this sight, many disciples could not help but exclaim:
"This spiritual energy... it's terrifyingly dense!"
"Why do I feel that ten years of bitter cultivation in the Outer Sect wouldn't compare to sitting quietly here for a single month?"
"With spiritual energy this dense, even a pig could probably achieve Foundation Establishment, right?"
"The gap between the Outer Sect and the Inner Sect is far too great."
"No wonder so many Outer Disciples are willing to smash their heads against the wall just to enter the Inner Sect."
"..."
Liu Ruyan sensed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within the Inner Sect, and a faint flush spread across her face.
"What dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth!"
"If I cultivate here, I should be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm very soon, right?"
Filled with anticipation, Liu Ruyan stole a glance at Chen Changqing, her eyes brimming with gratitude.
After all, she had only been able to enter the Inner Sect this time because of Chen Changqing.
Back in the Void Realm, if Chen Changqing had not stepped in to defeat Cui Hao and the others from the Second Courtyard and seize their points,
with her Half-step Foundation Establishment strength, she could never have entered the top twenty of the Scoreboard.
After sensing the surroundings for a moment, Qing Yang was likewise filled with longing.
His cultivation had already reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
"Core Formation is within reach!"
Qing Yang secretly stirred with excitement, his gaze firm with determination.
Hearing the disciples' exclamations,
Elder Zhao, who had brought them here, smiled faintly.
Every year, he escorted quite a few Outer Disciples into the Inner Sect.
He had long since grown accustomed to such reactions.
Compared to the shock of the other disciples, Chen Changqing appeared much more composed.
His gaze swept outward, and through the swirling clouds in the distance, he saw seven towering peaks rising from the earth.
Like heaven-propping sharp swords, they pierced straight into the skies.
Each mountain peak seemed to emit an entirely different aura.
Some blazed like fire, some stood heavy as mountains, some were as sharp as swords...
"So those are the Seven Great Peaks of the Inner Sect?"
"The spiritual energy of heaven and earth within the Seven Great Peaks must be far denser still!"
Chen Changqing muttered inwardly.
He knew full well that he had merely entered the Mount Shu Sect's Inner Sect.
Beyond the Inner Sect lay the Seven Great Peaks.
Just as everyone was marveling, Elder Zhao spoke:
"Stop looking around and follow me!"
Upon hearing Elder Zhao's shout, Chen Changqing and the others withdrew their gazes. Then, under Elder Zhao's lead, they arrived at an Ancient Hall.
This was the registration point for Outer Disciples entering the Inner Sect.
At that moment, an elderly man in gray robes sat behind a desk within the hall.
"Brother Zhao, you've brought another batch of newcomers into the Inner Sect."
The old man looked at Elder Zhao with a smile as he spoke. His gaze flashed like lightning as it swept over Chen Changqing and the others.
When he looked at Chen Changqing and Liu Ruyan, his gaze lingered slightly longer.
After all, Chen Changqing was only at Foundation Establishment Early Stage, while Liu Ruyan was merely at Half-step Foundation Establishment.
In the past, it was rare for disciples with such cultivation to enter the Inner Sect.
Hearing the old man's words, Elder Zhao smiled faintly.
"Elder Qian, I've brought them to you."
"I'll leave the rest to you."
After saying this, Elder Zhao did not linger and simply rose to leave.
Elder Qian narrowed his eyes slightly and said:
"Disciples from the Outer Sect."
"The Inner Sect is not as lax as the Outer Sect."
"If you want to obtain more resources in the Inner Sect, you must strive for them yourselves."
"In the Inner Sect, everything is decided by strength."
"Techniques, pills, cave dwellings, fortuitous opportunities... all of them must be fought for with your own efforts!"
As his words fell, Elder Qian flicked his sleeve.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
Immediately, Jade Slips flew into Chen Changqing and the others' hands.
"The Jade Slips contain detailed records of the Inner Sect's rules and matters requiring attention."
"You must familiarize yourselves with them. Do not make a mistake and end up being driven out of the Inner Sect."
"Also, these are your Identity Tokens for entering the Inner Sect."
With that, Elder Qian waved his hand toward Chen Changqing and the others, and one token after another landed in their hands.
"Next, I will assign your cultivation grounds within the Inner Sect."
"Shortly, Inner Disciples will take you there."
"Once your name is called, you may leave first with the Inner Disciple."
"Chen Changqing, Qingxiao Valley!"
Hearing Elder Qian call his name, Chen Changqing stepped forward.
At the same time, an Inner Disciple stepped out from behind Elder Qian and smiled at Chen Changqing.
"Junior Brother Chen, please follow me!"
Chen Changqing nodded, glanced at Qing Yang and Liu Ruyan, then followed the Inner Disciple out of the hall.
As she watched Chen Changqing's departing figure, a strange light flickered in Liu Ruyan's eyes, carrying a trace of reluctance.
Before long, Chen Changqing followed the Inner Disciple to a valley shrouded in mist—Qingxiao Valley.
"Junior Brother Chen, this is Qingxiao Valley."
"It will also be your cultivation ground from now on."
"There are vacant rooms in the valley. You may choose one yourself."
The Inner Disciple introduced the place as he led Chen Changqing into Qingxiao Valley.
At that moment, several dozen Inner Disciples were within Qingxiao Valley.
"Hm?"
Seeing Chen Changqing arrive, they all turned to look.
"This year's newcomer has arrived."
"Only one Outer Disciple was assigned to Qingxiao Valley?"
"This kid is only at Foundation Establishment Early Stage, yet he actually joined the Inner Sect. I wonder what makes him special?"
"I wonder which of the Seven Outer Courtyards he came from?"
"I heard that the first place winner in this Outer Disciple Grand Competition was at Foundation Establishment Early Stage. Could this kid be him?"
"To take first place in the Outer Sect Competition at Foundation Establishment Early Stage, he must not be simple!"
"It seems I'll have to find some time to pay him a visit."
"..."
The Inner Disciples of Qingxiao Valley discussed him, their gazes toward Chen Changqing carrying a hint of curiosity.
Chen Changqing remained calm and paid no heed to their discussion.
Not long after, accompanied by the Inner Disciple, he selected a cultivation ground within the valley.
After Chen Changqing had chosen his residence, the Inner Disciple took out a brand-new set of Inner Disciple robes, along with three ancient books.
"Junior Brother Chen."
"These are the robes of our Inner Disciples."
"Additionally, these three books are mandatory techniques for sect disciples."
"They are the Shushan Sword Technique, Shushan Heart Method, and Shushan Body Technique."
"Only when sword, heart, and body become one can one inherit Shushan's true teachings."
Chen Changqing accepted them from the Inner Disciple, then bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
The Inner Disciple smiled faintly. He did not linger any longer before turning and leaving.
After he left, Chen Changqing hurriedly opened the first page of the Shushan Sword Technique.
"The sword is the blade of the heart. Wherever the heart points, the sword shall surely strike."
"..."
Before you continue