The Azure Wood Boat passed through the light barrier of Maoshan's mountain-protecting grand array and landed steadily in the plaza atop Stone Bamboo Shoot Mountain's main peak.
The return of disciples sent out on a mission—especially one led by Martial Uncle Xuan Ji and involving clashes with the Black Fiend Sect and the Netherworld organization—immediately drew considerable attention.
Martial Uncle Xuan Ji wore a stern expression as he instructed Chen Feng, Zhao Gan, and the others to return and rest before reporting in. He himself brought Mo Yuan straight to Three Purities Hall.
Inside Three Purities Hall, Sect Master Martial Grand-Uncle Shi Jian had already received word and was waiting with Uncle Nine (Lin Jiu), Martial Grand-Uncle Qian He, and several other core higher-ups. The atmosphere in the hall was solemn and grave.
"Senior Brother Sect Master, fellow brothers." Martial Uncle Xuan Ji stepped forward and gave a concise yet focused report on the journey to Burial Demon Valley—especially the discovery of the Yin Fiend Spring, their encounter with a Netherworld Foundation Establishment cultivator and an assassin, Mo Yuan's fierce battle and counterkill, and the eventual destruction of the spring's node.
His account was objective, yet he spoke highly of Mo Yuan's performance in battle, particularly his breakthrough footwork in the heat of combat and his counterkill from the brink of death. He neither favored nor diminished Mo Yuan simply because he was Uncle Nine's disciple.
The people in the hall wore varying expressions after hearing the report. Martial Grand-Uncle Qian He looked amazed, while Martial Uncle Four Eyes clicked his tongue in wonder.
Uncle Nine's expression remained calm, but the slight upward curve of his lips revealed the pride and gratification in his heart.
Sect Master Shi Jian sat at the head of the hall, lightly tapping the rosewood armrest with his fingers as his unfathomable gaze settled on Mo Yuan.
"Mo Yuan." Shi Jian slowly spoke, his voice echoing through the hall.
"This disciple is here." Mo Yuan stepped forward and bowed.
"You made your name in the Three Sects Tournament, proving that Maoshan has worthy successors. On this trip to Burial Demon Valley, you remained fearless in danger, bravely slew powerful enemies, and destroyed an important stronghold of an evil sect, eliminating hidden threats. Your merits are undeniable."
Shi Jian's tone was steady, yet carried unquestionable weight. "According to sect regulations, in recognition of your accumulated merits, you are granted candidacy for the True Inheritor Sequence. Your Sect Contribution Points will increase by another five thousand! You may enter the Thunder Accumulation Pool to cultivate for three days and stabilize your foundation!"
At those words, even Qian He, Four Eyes, and the others were visibly moved.
"True Inheritor Sequence candidate"!
This meant that Mo Yuan had formally entered Maoshan's innermost list of disciples for cultivation. The resources allocated to him and the attention from his elders would far surpass those given to ordinary inner sect disciples. It was the necessary path to the sect's upper ranks! Five thousand Sect Contribution Points was also an enormous sum.
Moreover, the Thunder Accumulation Pool was a naturally formed lightning spiritual realm on Stone Bamboo Shoot Mountain. It contained pure, gentle lightning liquid, greatly beneficial for cultivating lightning arts and tempering the body. Ordinary disciples had no chance of entering it.
This reward could not have been more generous! It was both recognition of his achievements and proof of the sect's utmost confidence in his potential.
"Many thanks to Sect Master Martial Grand-Uncle for this generous reward! This disciple will surely cultivate diligently and live up to the sect's high expectations!" Mo Yuan suppressed his excitement and solemnly expressed his gratitude. He knew this was both an honor and a heavy responsibility.
"Mm."
Shi Jian gave a slight nod. His gaze swept across the crowd, and his tone turned grave. "As for the Netherworld organization and the Black Fiend Sect... their collusion runs deep, and their ambitions are far from small. With the Yin Fiend Spring destroyed, they will never let this rest. Pass down the order: all peaks are to heighten their vigilance. Disciples leaving the sect must travel in groups, and any suspicious traces must be reported immediately. Junior Brother Xuan Ji, you will take charge of this matter and continue pursuing the clues."
"This disciple obeys the Sect Master's decree!" Martial Uncle Xuan Ji answered solemnly.
After the discussion ended, everyone dispersed. Uncle Nine returned to Listening Thunder Abode with Mo Yuan.
"True Inheritor Sequence candidate... Thunder Accumulation Pool..."
Uncle Nine looked at his disciple, filled with emotion. "Yuan'er, you've truly gained a foothold in the sect now. Senior Brother Sect Master's decision is both a reward and a way of placing you beneath the spotlight. From now on, you must be even more careful in every word and action."
"This disciple understands."
Mo Yuan nodded. "A tree that rises above the forest will be battered by the wind. This disciple will watch his words and actions, and face everything with cultivation."
"It reassures me that you can think this way."
Uncle Nine said approvingly, "The opportunity at the Thunder Accumulation Pool is rare. You have just gone through a great battle and need to consolidate your gains. Enter to cultivate in three days and strive to advance your cultivation another step."
"Yes, Master."
Only after returning to his quiet room did Mo Yuan finally relax completely.
Thinking back on the dangers of Burial Demon Valley still left lingering fear in his heart, but even more so, he felt a sense of solidity forged through tempering.
He first took stock of his gains from this trip.
The five thousand Sect Contribution Points awarded by the sect, added to what remained from before and what he had earned from missions, already amounted to an astonishing fortune.
His status as a True Inheritor Sequence candidate was an even greater intangible asset.
Next, he took out the jade slip recording the Yi Wood Eternal Life Art (Incomplete) and the secret manual of the Turtle Breath False Death Art, then began studying them.
Though the Yi Wood Eternal Life Art was incomplete, the principles of vitality and nourishment it contained perfectly complemented the fierce, domineering nature of the Divine Dragon Body Refining Art, greatly enhancing his body's recovery ability.
The Turtle Breath False Death Art was a practical life-preserving technique that might catch an enemy off guard at a critical moment.
"System, sign in." Mo Yuan naturally would not miss such an important change in status.
[Ding! Sign-in successful! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining: High-Grade Spirit Stone x10, Enlightenment Tea (one tael) x1, Array Dao Primer (Essential Edition) x1, remnant aura of the Primordial World: one wisp of pure Chaos Qi (weak)!] [Enlightenment Tea]: After drinking, it can slightly increase comprehension and assist in comprehending cultivation techniques and realms. The effect lasts for one hour. [Array Dao Primer (Essential Edition)]: A text that systematically explains the fundamental principles of arrays and common array structures, allowing one to quickly gain an introduction to Array Dao. [One wisp of pure Chaos Qi (weak)]: Contains the primordial essence from before heaven and earth were divided. It can slightly improve spiritual power quality and strengthen one's inclusiveness and adaptability toward all techniques.
"Chaos Qi!"
Mo Yuan's gaze sharpened. Though this item was weak, its level was exceedingly high. It had a similar wondrous effect to the Innate Dao Rhyme, and its long-term value was immeasurable!
He immediately guided this wisp of energy into his Dantian, where it coexisted with the Innate Spiritual Energy, Dragon Essence, and the rest, subtly nourishing his Dao foundation.
The Enlightenment Tea and Array Dao Primer had also arrived at just the right time. He was preparing to settle and reflect, and the Enlightenment Tea could help him better digest the gains from the battle in Burial Demon Valley and the mysteries of the Swift Lightning Step.
As for array knowledge, it was crucial for dealing with the trap arrays that the Netherworld organization and Black Fiend Sect might set up.
He brewed a pot of Enlightenment Tea. Its elegant fragrance filled the quiet room, and after taking a small sip, he felt his mind become clear and his thoughts exceptionally sharp.
As he reflected on the details of the battle in Burial Demon Valley and refined the Swift Lightning Step, he began reading through the Array Dao Primer.
Time quietly slipped away amid devoted cultivation and contemplation.
However, Mo Yuan did not know that while he cultivated peacefully within the sect and prepared to enter the Thunder Accumulation Pool, the ripples he had stirred in the outside world were quietly spreading.
The destruction of the Yin Fiend Spring in Burial Demon Valley, and the death of a half-step Foundation Establishment Netherworld assassin at the hands of a Maoshan Qi Refining disciple... such news spread swiftly through certain circles as though it had grown wings.
"Mo Yuan of Maoshan... him again!"
"This boy cannot be allowed to live! He is growing too quickly and has become a grave threat!"
"Investigate! Find out every detail about him! Seek out his weakness!"
"The Thunder Accumulation Pool? Hmph, let him be proud for a few more days..."
In the shadows, the plots and killing intent aimed at him had not faded after a single failure. Instead, as he became increasingly dazzling, they grew more urgent and vicious.
An invisible net was quietly being woven, waiting only for the right moment to descend upon him.
The wind filled the tower before the mountain rain arrived. Beneath Maoshan's temporary calm, ever more turbulent undercurrents surged.
At the center of the vortex, Mo Yuan could only increase his strength faster if he wished to cleave through the waves and stand unshaken amid this chaos.
Three days later, the opening of the Thunder Accumulation Pool would be a crucial opportunity for him to improve before facing the next round of challenges.
Before you continue