At dawn, Shi Yun's calm voice rang in everyone's ears. "Everyone, pay attention. We'll be setting out for the sect today. Gather at the entrance plaza at noon. Those who are late will be left behind."
Zeng Fan, who had been cultivating, slowly opened his eyes. "Just like Wang An said—we're leaving today?" He rose and stretched, then began examining his cultivation. "I'm already at Body Tempering Skin Grand Perfection. As long as I have enough Spiritual Energy, I can speed up my cultivation. It's just that I've already used up all my Spirit Stones. The spiritual energy in this city is only barely enough for cultivation. I still have to go to the sect and see whether I can find a way to accelerate my progress. If I cultivate here for several months, I might not even be able to break through."
I really do need to go to a better environment. Light flashed in his hand, and the black Metal Fragment he had obtained at the auction appeared in his palm. These past few days, he had spent some time studying it every day, but he had still found nothing. "Hopefully, something will change in this fragment after I reach the sect." Zeng Fan shook his head and walked outside. Golden sunlight spilled across the empty courtyard, giving off a strangely peaceful feeling.
Zeng Fan gazed at the sunlight in the courtyard. He had just begun to let his thoughts drift when a voice interrupted him.
"What are you standing here for?" Yuan Jin strode in, a smile on his face.
"You arrived just after I came out. I hadn't even decided what to do yet." Zeng Fan smiled at Yuan Jin.
"Then I came at just the right time. We're leaving at noon. I'll give you a rough introduction to the Five Mountains Sect." Yuan Jin grinned.
The Five Mountains Sect? I really should hear about it. Zeng Fan nodded. "Come inside and tell me."
Yuan Jin stepped into the room and dropped heavily onto a stool. After taking a drink of water, he slowly began, "You already know that the Five Mountains Sect is the Profound Spirit Dynasty's superior sect. But do you know how many dynasties or lineages treat the Five Mountains Sect as their superior sect? I can tell you this much: there should be more than a hundred. Every one of those lineages or dynasties has, or once had, cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm. That's the bare minimum. Within the Five Mountains Sect, cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm are generally Inner Disciples."
"Foundation Establishment cultivators are only Inner Disciples?" Zeng Fan was stunned. That means Murong Yunhai of the Profound Spirit Dynasty is merely a disciple in that sect.
"Of course. The entire sect has several hundred thousand disciples. If a disciple breaks through to Foundation Establishment, those with good talent will generally choose to remain in the sect and pursue even greater heights. Those with no hope of breaking through Foundation Establishment will instead establish forces outside the sect and guard one region for it. If their descendants possess outstanding talent, they will enter the sect again, forming a cycle. The ancestor of my Yuan Family was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He joined the Five Mountains Sect a hundred years ago, then, after losing hope of breaking through, came out and established my Yuan Family. It has been passed down to this day." Yuan Jin blinked.
"Then how many ranks are the sect's disciples divided into?" Zeng Fan asked curiously.
"They're divided into Labor Disciples, Outer Disciples, Inner Disciples, and Core Disciples. Anything above that is my goal." A fierce longing appeared in Yuan Jin's eyes.
"Above the Core Disciples are the Heavenly Prodigies. Above the Heavenly Prodigies are... the Dao Transmitters." Yuan Jin swallowed.
"Heavenly Prodigies... Dao Transmitters?" Zeng Fan murmured.
"Those whose aptitude and cultivation are stronger than those of Core Disciples and who win everyone's recognition are called Heavenly Prodigies. As for Dao Transmitters, I don't know what conditions are required. I've only heard that every one of them is the sect's most precious disciple. You have to eat one bite at a time, so don't think too far ahead." Yuan Jin smiled at Zeng Fan.
Zeng Fan had just been about to ask Yuan Jin a few more questions when a voice had already reached the room. "All disciples, gather at the plaza! Prepare to depart!"
Only then did the two realize that noon was approaching. "Let's go first. It wouldn't be good to be late. I'll tell you more after we reach the sect." Yuan Jin rose.
Zeng Fan nodded. These matters were not urgent. Once they entered the sect, the two of them would have plenty of time to learn about everything slowly. For now, they should head to the plaza.
When the two arrived at the plaza, nearly everyone had already gathered. A young girl stood gracefully before the crowd, dressed in a snow-white gown that fluttered gently in the breeze. Intricate patterns embroidered along the hem added a touch of liveliness to the elegant white. It was none other than Murong Xue. At this moment, she wore an obedient expression. In front of her, Murong Yunhai and Shi Yun were saying something to each other. When she saw the two arrive, Murong Xue quietly waved her little fist at Yuan Jin.
"Violent woman." Yuan Jin shuddered at the sight, as though the scenes of being brutally beaten a few days ago had resurfaced in his mind.
"All right, all right. We're both from the same dynasty, and we may have to look out for each other in the future. Stop saying things like that all day, or she'll hear you and beat you up again." Zeng Fan felt a headache coming on when he heard Yuan Jin.
"I know, I know. I'm only saying it." Yuan Jin muttered. However, he did not say anything more.
When everyone had arrived, Shi Yun, who had been speaking with Murong Yunhai, nodded at him. Murong Yunhai understood that they were ready to depart. He reached out and patted Murong Xue's shoulder, then quietly gave her a few reminders. Afterward, he swept his gaze over the crowd and soared into the air.
Shi Yun watched Murong Yunhai leave, then turned to face the crowd. With a flash of light, the Spirit Boat that had appeared before once again materialized before everyone.
"All disciples, board the boat. Prepare to depart." Shi Yun addressed the crowd below. Zeng Fan exchanged a glance with Yuan Jin, then boarded the Spirit Boat.
After confirming that everyone had arrived, Shi Yun said, "Everyone, sit tight." He formed a hand seal, and the entire Spirit Boat rose from the ground and flew toward the city outskirts. Zeng Fan's body tensed slightly. This Spirit Boat was traveling much faster than it had during the selection when they left the city. The scenery on both sides streaked past his eyes. In the blink of an eye, the Spirit Boat was already several hundred meters above the ground, and a magnificent world slowly unfolded before Zeng Fan.
As they grew farther and farther from the Imperial City of the Profound Spirit Dynasty, the signs of human habitation on the ground became increasingly sparse. In their place came a sea of intense green. Beyond the borders of the Profound Spirit Dynasty, countless ancient trees towered into the heavens. The gaps between the trees looked small from afar, but anyone who entered their midst would understand their immense scale. The distant forest was filled with the continuous roars of beasts. Just hearing them caused fear to rise from the depths of one's heart, making people instinctively want to flee from the owners of those roars. Groups of strange demonic beasts flew through the sky. Perhaps sensing Shi Yun's Foundation Establishment cultivation, they did not approach. A primordial aura swept toward them.
Was this the world beyond the dynasty? Zeng Fan was shaken. "Only Foundation Establishment cultivators barely qualify to travel through this Primordial Wilderness. At a realm like ours, entering it would be certain death." At some point, Murong Xue had walked up beside Zeng Fan. Gazing at the scenery, she sighed.
"Heh heh, the even more powerful ones are hiding deep in the forest. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators have to run for their lives if they encounter them." Yuan Jin also came over and added a remark.
Murong Xue saw Yuan Jin wave his arm and said, "You still dare come over? Aren't you afraid this lady will beat you up again?"
Yuan Jin hurriedly waved his hands. "All right, all right, I admit I'm afraid of you, little tyrant. I surrender, okay? Once we enter the sect, we'll still have to look out for each other. Let bygones be bygones, how about it?" Yuan Jin wore a thoroughly ingratiating smile.
You certainly didn't sound like this when you were talking to me. You change your face faster than flipping a book. Zeng Fan shot Yuan Jin a sidelong glance. Yesterday, Yuan Jin had still been saying that he would settle the score once his cultivation improved, but now that he had encountered the person in question, he had instantly put on another face.
Yuan Jin seemed not to notice Zeng Fan's contemptuous gaze and continued chatting and laughing with Murong Xue. It had to be said that his gift for conversation was truly impressive. Before long, the girl was laughing merrily at his teasing.
The young men sitting nearby also cast envious glances over. After all, what young man did not harbor romantic yearnings? Murong Xue's cultivation, aptitude, and appearance were all outstanding. If given the chance, which young man would not want to show himself off a little? However, Murong Xue only showed goodwill toward the top three from their selection. She had no desire to speak with the others. After all, the girl was proud as well. In this cultivation world, strength was supreme. If one showed neither potential nor strength, who would favor them? The story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl could never happen here.
Seeing Yuan Jin and Murong Xue chatting happily, Zeng Fan closed his eyes and began trying to cultivate on the Spirit Boat. He worked hard to absorb spiritual energy, striving to enter the Body Tempering Muscle realm as soon as possible. Gradually, Zeng Fan's mind sank into cultivation, as though the disturbances of the outside world could no longer affect him.
Shi Yun glanced back at him in surprise. "This child's state of mind is extraordinary. He's almost like I was back then. To be able to enter meditation and cultivate under these circumstances... perhaps he'll achieve something in the future." Zeng Fan, who was cultivating, had no idea that this action had left an impression on Shi Yun, a Foundation Establishment cultivator. At this moment, his mind was completely immersed in cultivation.
"We're almost there. Get ready." A gentle voice reached Zeng Fan's ears and pulled him out of his cultivation state. However, the gentleness of the voice did not disturb his condition.
Zeng Fan slowly opened his eyes. His face was blank for a moment, then shock began to appear in his eyes. So this was the Five Mountains Sect...
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