The first light of dawn broke through, but the mist had yet to lift.
When Su Yu and the other three arrived at the Outer Sect Main Hall, their feet damp with morning dew, dozens of young martial artists had already gathered in the square before the hall.
These talented youths from various Lineages stood in groups of two or three. Some nervously rubbed the hems of their clothes, others stood with their hands behind their backs, trying to look mature, while most could hardly contain their excitement as they looked around.
"Su Yu!" A clear voice rang out.
Dressed in white, Chu Feng smiled as he cupped his hands toward them.
Behind him, Lin Tian wore a cold expression and deliberately avoided Su Yu's gaze.
Su Yu was about to return the greeting when a commotion suddenly broke out at the hall's entrance.
Five figures clad in dark elder robes filed out, led by an old man with hair and beard as white as snow.
Every step he took seemed measured with exact precision. The Mysterious Iron Token hanging at his waist struck against his robes with a dull clunk as he walked.
It was none other than Mo Yuan, the Outer Sect's Great Elder.
"Silence!"
Mo Yuan's voice was not loud, yet it burst beside everyone's ears like muffled thunder.
The square fell silent in an instant. Even the most restless Su Yan unconsciously straightened his back.
The old man's gaze swept over them like an eagle's.
He knew the arrogance in these youths' eyes all too well.
After all, they were all geniuses chosen from a thousand. Back in their hometowns, who among them hadn't been the center of attention?
A barely perceptible sneer touched Mo Yuan's lips.
The Yunlan Sect had no shortage of geniuses.
Those Outer Sect Disciples who had joined a year or two earlier might still be stuck at the Peak Qi Refining Level 9, but their combat experience far surpassed that of these greenhorns.
It wouldn't be long before reality taught them that there was always someone stronger.
Suddenly, his gaze stopped on one figure.
He was a particularly composed young man in blue.
There was none of a newcomer's unease, nor any of the usual haughtiness of a scion from a prominent Lineage.
He simply stood there quietly, yet seemed separated from the restless atmosphere around him by an invisible barrier.
So this is the kid Lu Yue was talking about? Mo Yuan narrowed his eyes.
Yesterday, Lu Yue had made a point of mentioning that a newcomer named Su Yu stood out from the rest.
Now that he saw him, the boy did seem rather unusual.
Mo Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his voice booming across the square.
He glanced over everyone present, then slowly began:
"Starting today, you are Outer Sect Disciples of the Yunlan Sect. Now that you have entered the sect, you must remember three ironclad rules—"
He raised one finger, his tone solemn:
"First, private duels are strictly forbidden! If you have a grudge, you may settle it on the Fighting Stage. Those who break this rule will be severely punished!"
He raised a second finger, his voice growing heavier:
"Second, the sect's cultivation methods and martial skills must never be shared with outsiders! Even fellow disciples may not teach them privately. Anyone who breaks this rule will have their cultivation crippled and be expelled from the sect!"
His third finger came down like a mountain bearing upon them:
"Third, if an Outer Sect Disciple fails to break through to the Spirit Condensation Realm within three years..."
He paused, his gaze sharp as a sword. "You may either apply for a position as an Outer Sect Deacon—but you must pass the examination—or leave the sect on your own!"
At those words, the disciples below reacted in different ways.
Some clenched their fists; sweat beaded on others' foreheads. Clearly, the harsh conditions had shaken them.
Seeing this, Mo Yuan gave a cold snort and continued:
"Don't think a Deacon's position is an escape route! If, after becoming an Outer Sect Deacon, you still fail to break through to the Spirit Condensation Realm within two years, you'll have to leave the Yunlan Sect all the same!"
His tone softened slightly. "Of course, if you're fortunate enough to break through to the Essence Transformation Realm someday, you may apply for promotion to Outer Sect Elder... But whether you can manage that will depend on your own fortune."
His tone changed. With a sweep of his sleeve, his voice suddenly rose:
"But if you break through to the Spirit Condensation Realm within three years—"
"You'll be allowed to take the Inner Sect examination! Those who pass will become Inner Sect Disciples of the Yunlan Sect! As for what awaits you in the Inner Sect... You'll find out when you reach that step.":
Mo Yuan raised a hand and pressed it down, quieting the commotion below before continuing:
"The sect does not support idlers! The Pill Refining Pavilion, Artifact Crafting Pavilion, Spirit Plant Garden, and Spirit Beast Garden all issue tasks regularly. Complete them, and you'll earn Contribution Points."
"Contribution Points can be exchanged for cultivation methods, martial skills, spirit artifacts, pills, spirit herbs... and even high-level cultivation insights!"
That last part stirred the crowd, just as he'd expected.
Satisfied by the longing in the new disciples' eyes, Mo Yuan turned to Lu Yue and said, "Elder Lu, take them to the Scripture Repository."
In front of the Scripture Repository, Lu Yue held a register and spoke in a clear voice:
"The following disciples may choose two martial skills: Su Yu, Lin Tian, Chu Feng, Su Yun, Zhao Wuji..."
The disciples whose names were called all straightened their backs in unison.
Su Yu guessed, "These are probably the top four from each city's Grand Tournament."
"Each of you may choose one skill now, and the second within six months," Lu Yue added meaningfully.
"Of course, if you're confident in your comprehension, you may choose both today."
As he spoke, Lu Yue's gaze swept slowly across the new disciples' faces before resting on Su Yu for a moment.
In the month since he had last seen him, the sword intent around the young man had grown even more concentrated. Even though he was deliberately holding it back, he could not conceal that keen edge, bright and sharp as an unsheathed blade.
The Scripture Repository's heavy sandalwood doors slowly swung open before them, and a rich scent of ink mingled with the musty breath of age washed over them.
Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves came into view, their neatly arranged volumes gleaming with an antique luster in the morning light.
"Remember," Lu Yue said solemnly, standing at the threshold.
"You have only a quarter of an hour to choose, and you may only enter the first floor. If you venture to the second floor or above, you will be dealt with according to the sect's rules!"
Su Yu stepped inside, and his pupils contracted slightly.
The first floor stretched a hundred zhang in every direction. Dozens of blackwood bookshelves stood in rows, each packed with hundreds of books.
By his rough estimate, there were at least a thousand martial skill manuals here!
"This..." Su Yu's breathing quickened.
In the Su Family, there were only a handful of Human-grade High-tier Martial Skills, all kept under lock and key in the Lineage's secret chamber.
Yet here, they were displayed like ordinary books!
"My heavens!" Su Yan dashed to the nearest bookshelf, his fingers trembling as they brushed over the spines.
Clear Wind Sword Art, Army Breaking Saber Technique, Wind-Chasing Steps... These are all Human-grade High-tier?!
Su Mei had lost her usual composure too. She hurried over, her voice trembling. "This Snowfall Sword Style... Wasn't it said to have been lost a hundred years ago? It's actually here..."
Even Su Yun, usually so stern, looked taken aback. He murmured, "As expected of the Yunlan Sect..."
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