The Start of the Selection

Chapter 15: The Beginning of the Selection

Bi Fan took an Inner Breath Pill and began cultivating the Qingyang Longevity Art.

The Inner Breath Pill dissolved upon entering his mouth, transforming into a warm current that swiftly flowed through Bi Fan's meridians.

Bi Fan quickly circulated the Qingyang Longevity Art to refine the medicinal properties.

After absorbing the full potency of one Inner Breath Pill, Bi Fan could clearly feel a significant increase in his Inner Breath.

Following this, Bi Fan practiced the basic footwork of the Ethereal Dance and the Immortal Finger technique. With Inner Breath as his support, cultivating martial arts became much easier.

Late into the night, Bi Fan continued to practice the martial arts within the Blood Demon Technique, tempering his physical strength.

Regardless of the cultivation realm, physical strength is extremely important. The intensity of one's physical strength absolutely determines the amount of spiritual energy and essence one can absorb and contain.

The Blood Demon Technique places the greatest emphasis on physical cultivation, even containing many sinister and toxic methods for devouring the bloodlines of powerful individuals to enhance one's own physical strength.

After finishing his cultivation, Bi Fan took out the Communicate with Gods talisman and began to study it.

Bi Fan's primary reason for purchasing Communicate with Gods was to research talisman knowledge, making it easier to identify and use talismans in the future.

Although Communicate with Gods only recorded knowledge about beginner talismans, it was extremely detailed, even including methods for inscribing talismans.

Bi Fan had no intention of learning talisman inscription for the time being; he focused on the knowledge related to identifying and utilizing talismans.

Time always flies when learning. Outside, the sky had already brightened.

Bi Fan tidied himself up, tucked the still-sleeping Dragon Sable into his embrace, and then headed towards the medicinal garden.

He inspected all the precious spiritual medicines, and only after confirming there were no issues did he feel at ease.

Yu Si Yan had shown him great kindness by recognizing his potential, and Bi Fan wanted to do his best to fulfill the tasks she had entrusted to him.

If any of the precious spiritual medicines were damaged, Bi Fan wouldn't be able to account for it.

Bi Fan spent the entire day in the medicinal garden, tending to it until he was satisfied.

Following this, Bi Fan began a life that was both monotonous and fulfilling, spending his days cultivating and tending to the spiritual medicines.

Another three months passed in the blink of an eye. It was time for the Qingyang Sect's annual selection of Registered Disciples and the Inner Disciple martial arts competition.

After three months of arduous training, Bi Fan's strength had improved considerably.

His physical strength had already approached four Cloud Stones, reaching the peak of the Inner Breath Realm.

Furthermore, Bi Fan had accumulated a significant amount of Inner Breath, barely enough to execute the Immortal Finger technique. Although it could only damage targets within one meter, it already made Bi Fan ecstatic.

This was Bi Fan's trump card, capable of catching opponents off guard when used at a critical moment.

Additionally, Bi Fan had cultivated the basic footwork of the Ethereal Dance to the point of effortless execution. However, due to insufficient realm, he could not yet practice the full Ethereal Dance.

As for the Qingyang Falling Snow Sword Art, Bi Fan had not practiced it yet. He feared that if he were to use it in a moment of urgency, he would be unable to explain himself, as the Qingyang Falling Snow Sword Art was one of the Qingyang Sect's most important secret techniques.

Bi Fan had not stopped cultivating the Blood Demon Technique; his rapid progress was inseparable from it.

Bi Fan had also thoroughly studied Communicate with Gods but had not attempted to inscribe talismans, choosing to dedicate his energy entirely to cultivation.

Strength was the most important thing. Once his strength became formidable, he could then learn talismans, alchemy, and other miscellaneous skills.

One day, Yu Xiao Feng came to see Bi Fan and asked with a smile, "Bi Fan, the selection for Registered Disciples is about to begin. Do you want to participate?"

"I'll give it a try," Bi Fan replied, nodding vigorously. His attitude was extremely resolute; no matter what, this was his chance.

With his current strength, becoming a Registered Disciple directly would not be a problem, but Bi Fan still wanted to participate in the selection.

Participating in the selection and achieving a good ranking would yield rewards of Pills and Magic Tools.

Those who performed exceptionally well might even be taken notice of by an elder of the sect and become Inner Disciples directly.

Inner Disciples received much better treatment than Registered Disciples, with access to more cultivation resources. Coupled with guidance from renowned masters, their progress would naturally be much more rapid.

Yu Xiao Feng looked at Bi Fan and affirmed, "With your strength, becoming a Registered Disciple is absolutely no problem. Work hard."

With that, Yu Xiao Feng turned and left, her steps graceful as she walked.

Watching Yu Xiao Feng's slender figure, Bi Fan was momentarily captivated.

Bi Fan harbored no impure thoughts; it was purely the admiration of a beautiful woman.

Every year, during the period of the Registered Disciple selection and the Inner Disciple martial arts competition, Qingyang Mountain becomes particularly lively. Disciples who were out on training missions return, and many elders emerge from seclusion.

Of course, the most talked-about individuals are the Inner Disciples. Those who have not yet become Registered Disciples are mostly unknown.

Inner Disciples are already a vital force within a sect. Their strength represents the strength and potential of a sect's younger generation.

The most famous Inner Disciple of the Qingyang Sect is undoubtedly Jing Feng. He ranks third on the Nine Nether Hidden Dragon Ranking and is the foremost Inner Disciple of the Qingyang Sect.

Inner Disciples generally fall into four realms: the sixth level, Valiance Realm, the seventh level, Spiritual Wisdom Realm, the eighth level, Great Strength Realm, and the ninth level, Metamorphosis Realm, of the Mortal Embryo Realm. Jing Feng had already become a powerhouse in the Metamorphosis Realm a year ago.

Jing Feng is an exceptionally talented prodigy of the Qingyang Sect. At only fifteen years old, he has already cultivated to the Metamorphosis Realm.

More importantly, Jing Feng not only possesses high cultivation but also extensive combat experience.

Among the younger generation of the Qingyang Sect, besides Yu Si Yan, Jing Feng is the most prominent.

However, Jing Feng is most often discussed by women, who generally praise his dashing demeanor and handsome appearance.

As the Inner Disciple martial arts competition draws near, discussions about Jing Feng intensify.

Even the women of Jade Maiden Peak were often heard whispering amongst themselves, all about Jing Feng.

Bi Fan overheard some of it and learned of Jing Feng's strength from these conversations. Bi Fan admired Jing Feng even more.

At the same time, Bi Fan set Jing Feng as a goal to surpass. Pressure brought motivation, and he cultivated even more diligently.

Three days later, the Registered Disciple selection was held as scheduled.

The Registered Disciple selection took place in Ming Feng Valley. The grounds there were large enough to accommodate many spectators.

Yu Xiao Feng was quite concerned about Bi Fan participating in the Registered Disciple selection and personally accompanied him to Ming Feng Valley.

Most of the other female disciples from Jade Maiden Peak also went. Their primary purpose wasn't to cheer for Bi Fan, but rather to catch a glimpse of Jing Feng's splendor.

After the Registered Disciple selection concluded, there would be the Inner Disciple martial competition, where Jing Feng was highly likely to appear.

Many female disciples from Qingyang Sect were drawn by the news, which showed the astonishing charm of Jing Feng.

When Bi Fan and Yu Xiao Feng arrived at Ming Feng Valley, it was already crowded with people, bustling and lively.

Qingyang Sect was a top-tier force in Jiu You City, with tens of thousands of members and disciples. It was not surprising to see such a spectacle.

In reality, this was nothing. The truly lively event would be the Inner Disciple martial competition, which would attract over ten thousand spectators and be even more explosive.

This was the first time Bi Fan had seen so many people and witnessed such a lively scene. He was a little shocked, his mouth slightly agape.

Yu Xiao Feng smiled and said, "Bi Fan, don't be so nervous. Relax... relax..."

"I'm not nervous..." Bi Fan murmured. In truth, he knew himself best; his clenched fists were already slick with sweat.

To help Bi Fan relax a bit, Yu Xiao Feng even massaged his shoulders.

"Mmm..." Bi Fan was so comfortable he almost moaned aloud. He stopped talking and fully enjoyed the service from the beautiful woman.