Three days later, when dawn had barely broken and a faint fish-belly white tinged the horizon, Shen Hao and Zhang Shan had already changed into clean Outer Sect Disciple uniforms and stood early at the boundary between the outer and inner sects.
Both wore expressions of anticipation and unease, their gazes fixed on the mountain gate ahead, wreathed in mist and clouds. Two enormous stone steles stood on either side of the gate, engraved with the four bold characters "Ziyang Inner Sect." The strokes were vigorous and powerful, exuding an air of majesty. Beside the gate stood two disciples in Blue Daoist Robes. Their auras were steady and their eyes sharp; they were clearly guards of the inner sect.
"Let's go. Don't be late." Shen Hao patted Zhang Shan on the shoulder and took the lead toward the gate. Zhang Shan hurried after him, his steps feeling almost weightless.
The instant they passed through the gate, the two sensed a completely different atmosphere. The spiritual energy in the outer sect had been sparse, with only the faint scent of grass and trees in the air. The spiritual energy in the inner sect, however, was more than three times denser. It washed over them like warm water, soaking into their limbs and bones and making them unable to resist drawing a deep breath. The air also carried a faint fragrance of vegetation and the rich, mellow scent of spiritual energy, refreshing their hearts and clearing their minds.
Ancient trees towered along both sides of the path, their trunks so thick that several people would need to link arms to encircle them. Their luxuriant branches and leaves blotted out the sky and sun. Unknown spirit fruits hung from the branches, some bright red and others gleaming gold, giving off enticing fragrances that drew bees and butterflies to flutter about them. From time to time, spirit birds flew through the woods, their clear cries adding even more of an immortal realm's charm to the scene.
In the distance, magnificent pavilions and jade-like towers rose from the ground, with soaring eaves, carved beams, and painted rafters. Half-hidden amid the swirling clouds and mist, they seemed like the Immortal Palace of legend. Occasionally, streaks of spiritual light flashed past from distant peaks—Inner Sect Disciples flying on their swords. Zhang Shan stared wide-eyed, so stunned that he forgot to keep walking.
"What dense spiritual energy!" Zhang Shan exclaimed, his face filled with shock. He drew a deep breath, savoring the comfort of spiritual energy flooding into his limbs and bones, then said excitedly, "It's far denser than in the outer sect! Cultivating here would at least double our speed!"
Shen Hao nodded, deeply moved as well. He could clearly feel the Sea of Qi within him trembling faintly under the nourishment of this dense spiritual energy. Even the circulation of his spiritual energy was several degrees faster than usual. The Companion Jade Pendant seemed to have sensed the abundant spiritual energy too, giving off a faint azure glow and slowly drawing the surrounding energy toward him.
The two walked and looked around, stopping now and then to take in the sights. Most inner sect disciples wore Blue Daoist Robes and moved calmly through the forest. Some cultivated, while others sparred. Every one of them carried a confidence far surpassing that of Outer Sect Disciples.
After asking for directions and circling several peaks, they finally arrived at the Transmission Hall. It was a grand palace built entirely from white jade, its roof covered in glazed tiles that glittered brilliantly under the morning sun. Two Inner Sect Deacons in Blue Daoist Robes stood before its entrance. Jade plaques engraved with the words "Transmission Hall" hung from their waists. Their auras were steady, their cultivation at least at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. When their eyes swept over Shen Hao and Zhang Shan, there was a trace of scrutiny in their gazes.
"Newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples from the outer sect, Shen Hao and Zhang Shan, reporting in." Shen Hao and Zhang Shan stepped forward and bowed, their voices neither servile nor overbearing.
The two Inner Sect Deacons nodded. One of them, whose expression was kindly, handed each of them a neatly folded set of blue Inner Sect Disciple robes, a jade plaque engraved with the words "Inner Sect," and a palm-sized Storage Pouch. The Storage Pouch bore the emblem of the Ziyang Sect and gave off a faint spiritual glow.
"Inside the Storage Pouch are fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones, three Body Tempering Pills, and a copy of the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art," the kindly deacon said slowly. "Your residences are on Qingyun Peak in the inner sect. Take your jade plaques and make your way there yourselves. There is a map of Qingyun Peak on the plaques. Follow it, and you will find your residences."
"This disciple obeys!" Shen Hao and Zhang Shan accepted the items and bowed again, their hearts brimming with delight. Fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones, three Body Tempering Pills, and an inner sect Qi Cultivation Art—such things were beyond even their wildest dreams in the outer sect.
After thanking the deacons, the two turned and left the Transmission Hall. Once they reached a secluded corner, they impatiently opened their Storage Pouches. Inside, fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones lay neatly arranged, giving off faint spiritual light. Three Body Tempering Pills rested in a jade vial, emitting an enticing medicinal fragrance. There was also a yellowed ancient manual: the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art.
"This is incredible! So many Spirit Stones! And Body Tempering Pills too!" Zhang Shan's hands trembled with excitement. He had grown up in a poor household; when had he ever seen so many cultivation resources?
Shen Hao was delighted as well. Fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones would be enough to support his cultivation for quite some time. The Body Tempering Pills were even more valuable. They could temper the physical body and increase its strength, bringing great benefits to cultivation.
"Senior Brother Shen, our residences are both on Qingyun Peak. We can look after each other from now on," Zhang Shan said excitedly, his eyes full of anticipation.
Shen Hao smiled. "Indeed. We can cultivate together and spar together from now on. Let's strive to break through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer as soon as possible."
Following the map on their jade plaques, the two headed toward Qingyun Peak. Qingyun Peak was one of the residences for Inner Sect Disciples. It was not especially tall, but its spiritual energy was abundant. Verdant pine trees covered the mountain, and the waves of pine wind were pleasing to the ear. Around the mountainside, rows of exquisite wooden houses were scattered in orderly fashion. Each one was surrounded by spiritual energy, making them more than ten times better than Room C in the outer sect.
According to the map, Shen Hao's residence was Room C-3 on Qingyun Peak. Zhang Shan's was Room C-4, right next door to Shen Hao's.
Shen Hao pushed open the door, and a dense wave of spiritual energy rushed toward him. The room was elegantly furnished. A smooth, lustrous Jade Bed stood in the center. Beside it was a stone table, upon which sat a small pill furnace. A bookshelf stood in the corner, holding several basic cultivation manuals. Beyond the window were lush green pine trees, creating a pleasant view.
"This is so much better than the outer sect residences," Shen Hao could not help remarking.
He placed the Storage Pouch on the stone table, took out the Ziyang Inner Sect Basic Qi Cultivation Art, and began reading it carefully. This Qi Cultivation Art was several times more profound than the outer sect's Qi Cultivation Art. The Breathing Technique recorded within was more exquisite, and after cultivating it, the speed at which one absorbed spiritual energy could increase by at least twofold.
"What an excellent cultivation art!" Shen Hao was overjoyed. With this Qi Cultivation Art, the dense spiritual energy of the inner sect, and the Companion Jade Pendant's devouring ability, his cultivation speed would surely rise to another level.
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