True Yin Body! The Best Cauldron!

Jiang Ye was in no rush to continue his journey, choosing instead to linger at a tea stall in the east market of the prefecture city.

Within the time it took to finish a cup of coarse tea, he had gathered a rough understanding of the Azure Sky Sect.

The Azure Sky Sect was located within Azure Sky Mountain, to the east of the prefecture city.

With its towering gates and a territory spanning a hundred miles, the sect was home to a multitude of disciples and stood as the undisputed martial arts sanctuary of the eighteen counties of Cloud Ridge Prefecture.

The sect was divided into an outer sect and an inner sect.

The requirements for accepting disciples into the outer sect were extremely stringent—only those under sixteen years of age with above-average aptitude were eligible to enter.

Even so, a ceaseless stream of young boys and girls arrived every day to try their luck, packing the square in front of the mountain gate until it was impenetrable.

Entering the outer sect was merely the starting point.

In the annual selection, only those who progressed the fastest could be promoted to the inner sect and become true "Azure Sky Disciples."

Within the inner sect, there were six distinct peaks.

These were Golden Star Peak, Azure Wood Peak, Mystic Water Peak, Heavenly Sun Peak, and Thick Earth Peak.

The central one was Juding Peak, the residence of the sect leader and the core of the entire organization.

Each peak had its own unique focus in cultivation.

Wen Yueyao was a direct disciple hailing from Heavenly Sun Peak.

"What a terrifying foundation."

Jiang Ye set down his teacup, a flash of complex awe crossing his aged eyes.

These few fragments of information were enough for him to glimpse the tip of the iceberg of that behemoth.

"Very well, it is a good chance to broaden my horizons!"

He stopped delaying, paid for his tea, and set off toward the east.

The scale of Cloud Ridge Prefecture far exceeded his imagination.

After passing through seven or eight long streets and walking over ten miles, the houses on either side continued to stretch on, and the crowds remained as dense as ever.

After another half-hour of walking, the streets ahead gradually widened and the pedestrians thinned out, replaced by groups of young disciples dressed in uniform attire with weapons hanging at their waists.

Some walked in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing, while others hurried along alone with solemn expressions.

Without exception, they were all heading in the same direction.

Jiang Ye followed the flow of people, his pupils constricting slightly.

In the distance, a towering mountain gate came into view.

The gate stood over ten zhang high, supported by two white marble pillars as thick as a man could embrace.

The pillars were carved with intricate cloud patterns and cranes, so lifelike they seemed ready to take flight into the clouds at any moment.

On the lintel, three gilded characters shimmered brilliantly under the sun—

"Azure Sky Sect"

The calligraphy was elegant and transcendent, yet it exuded a majesty that looked down upon the world.

Every stroke seemed to contain a mysterious rhythm; staring at them for too long left one feeling faintly dizzy and mesmerized.

Behind the gate lay a wide flight of bluestone steps, winding upward toward the mountainside.

On both sides of the steps, ancient trees towered into the sky, their interlocking branches filtering the afternoon sun into a mosaic of light and shadow.

Jiang Ye took a deep breath and followed the crowd up the steps.

After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

It was a massive square, several hundred zhang in circumference.

The ground was paved with grey stone slabs, as smooth as a mirror.

Surrounding the square were continuous pavilions and halls with flying eaves and painted beams, exuding an atmosphere of antiquity and solemnity.

In the center of the square, a long line snaked like a serpent, consisting of several hundred people.

Most of them were young boys and girls, the oldest being no more than twenty.

They wore various clothes, ranging from the coarse rags of commoners to the fine silks of wealthy young masters and misses.

For now, they all stood in line obediently, stretching their necks to peer toward the front of the queue.

After a brief inquiry, Jiang Ye learned that these people were all here to seek entry into the sect.

At the front of the line sat two blackwood tables.

Behind them sat two young disciples in Azure Sky Sect attire, taking turns checking the bones of those in line. One hand pressed against the applicant's crown while the other gripped their wrist, and after a moment, they would announce the quality of their aptitude.

Those with above-average aptitude would weep with joy and be led aside for registration, while those with average or poor aptitude would hang their heads and depart in dejection.

"So many people want to join the sect every day... no wonder the sect is so prosperous."

Jiang Ye sighed inwardly, touched the warm black iron token in his robes, and without rushing forward, quietly took his place at the end of the line.

As he stood there, the surrounding gazes converged upon him in unison.

A man over seventy, with hair like hoarfrost, mingling among a crowd of teenagers—the scene was indeed somewhat bizarre.

The youths glanced at one another, their faces etched with strange expressions, yet no one dared to speak up or ask.

After all, they were at the gates of the Azure Sky Sect; no one dared to act out of turn.

At this moment.

"Why is some old fossil coming here to join the fun!"

A crisp, melodious, yet distinctly sharp female voice rang out.

A flash of hidden coldness flickered in the eyes of Jiang Ye.

Along this journey, there had been those who greeted him, and they had basically all addressed him as "Old Uncle."

This was the first person to call him an "old fossil" right to his face!

Jiang Ye followed the sound and looked over.

Five or six paces ahead in the queue stood a boy and a girl.

The young girl was dressed in a form-fitting, ink-black long dress.

The hem reached her ankles, and the waist was cinched so tightly that it perfectly outlined her ample bosom and slender, willow-like waist.

The neckline was slightly open, revealing a stretch of fair skin and delicate collarbones, with a hint of what lay beneath visible just below.

Her face was pretty, yet her brows and eyes carried a seductive charm ill-suited to her age; the corners of her eyes were slightly upturned, and her lips were a deep, vivid red. She looked at him with a half-smile, her eyes filled with undisguised disdain and mockery.

Beside her stood a boy of similar age.

The boy wore a moon-white brocade robe, the fabric smooth as water, shimmering with a soft luster under the sunlight. The cuffs and collar were embroidered with exquisite silver cloud patterns, clearly of great value.

His skin was so fair it was almost translucent, and his features were refined, yet his brow carried the arrogance and imperiousness of one who had been spoiled.

At this moment, he was holding the girl's slender waist, tilting his head slightly, and eyeing Jiang Ye with utter contempt.

"Brother Hua, look, that old fossil still dares to glare at me!"

The girl in the black dress clutched the boy's arm, her tone sticky and sweet.

As she spoke, she slanted her seductive eyes toward Jiang Ye.

The boy immediately looked at Jiang Ye with a face full of disdain and said coldly, "Old fossil, try glaring one more time!"

Jiang Ye watched him, his expression unchanged.

"Old fossil, you..."

Seeing that Jiang Ye was not in the least intimidated by his threat, the boy's face flushed red, and he was just about to erupt in a rage.

Not far away, a disciple of the Azure Sky Sect responsible for maintaining order in the square seemed to have heard the commotion and turned slightly.

The boy had no choice but to suppress his anger, gritting his teeth as he whispered to the girl behind him:

"Qinghuan, don't be impatient. Once I am admitted into the Azure Sky Sect, I will deal with that old fossil. Just endure it for now."

The girl pursed her red lips and nodded, looking somewhat unwilling, her voice still sugary: "Mm, I will listen to Brother Hua."

Immediately, the two shared a tacit understanding and glared fiercely at Jiang Ye once more before turning around, choosing to ignore him.

Jiang Ye watched their figures with an indifferent gaze, his expression remaining largely unchanged.

About half an hour later, it was finally the turn of the boy and girl to undergo the bone-testing.

The girl in the black dress, known as Qinghuan, stepped forward gracefully, her slender waist swaying in a captivating arc that caused many of the boys behind her to stare blankly.

She stood before the ebony table and extended her fair wrist, a confident smile playing on her lips; she was clearly quite certain of her own aptitude.

The Azure Sky Sect disciple in charge of the bone-testing raised a hand to press against the crown of her head, then pinched her wrist bone. At first, his expression was normal.

But a moment later, his fingers suddenly froze!

Swish!

He sprang up from his chair, not even bothering to steady the seat as it toppled to the ground.

His face, which had been calm just a moment ago, was now filled with shock. His eyes were wide open, his pupils seemingly ready to pop out of their sockets.

He stared fixedly at the girl, his gaze so scorching it was frightening, as if he wanted to swallow her whole, and he let out a gasp:

"You—you are actually of the True Yin Constitution!!!"

This exclamation was like a thunderclap, instantly plunging the entire square into dead silence.

The disciple next to him, who had been about to test the boy, turned abruptly, shoved the boy aside, and rushed forward to re-examine the girl's bones and pulse.

His movements were hurried yet cautious, as if he were touching a rare, priceless treasure.

A moment later, he raised his head, his eyes also bursting with a startlingly bright light, his voice trembling as he said:

"It... it really is the legendary True Yin Constitution!!!"

The entire square erupted into chaos.

"Wha... what is the True Yin Constitution?"

"Never heard of it..."

"Could this woman be some kind of genius?"

"Those two Azure Sky Sect disciples are so worked up, it must be something extraordinary!"

The buzzing of chattering voices filled the air as hundreds of gazes landed in unison upon the girl in the ink-colored dress.

The girl was somewhat dazed by this sudden attention, her red lips slightly parted, momentarily unsure of how to react.

Just then, a youth dressed in a gray brocade robe stepped out from the crowd.

He had a refined face and an elegant temperament, exuding a faint scholarly air.

He cupped his hands toward the two Azure Sky Sect disciples and spoke in a neither humble nor arrogant tone:

"Senior brothers, this younger brother once read about the 'True Yin Physique' in an ancient text."

"It is said that for a woman possessing such a constitution, her maiden True Yin is extremely pure. If absorbed by a man below the Dan-Forming Realm, it not only aids in breaking through to the next realm but also cleanses the body and tempers the bones. Am I correct?"

The two Azure Sky Sect disciples looked at him with some surprise and nodded slightly, their tone carrying a hint of approval:

"Unexpectedly, you have such knowledge at such a young age. That is indeed the case."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire crowd erupted in an uproar.

"Getting her maiden True Yin is enough to break through?!"

"My god, is that for real? To think such a constitution actually exists!!!"

"Doesn't that make her the perfect cauldron!!!"

Countless gazes focused on the girl once more, but this time, they were no longer filled with mere curiosity and envy; they were brimming with madness, undisguised heat, and greed.

The eyes of the young men turned red, their breathing grew heavy, as if they were not staring at a living person, but at a celestial herb that could allow them to ascend to the heavens in a single step.

As these gazes swept over her, the girl trembled, and a look of panic finally appeared on her pretty face.

She instinctively leaned toward the youth beside her and grabbed his sleeve.

"Hahahahahaha!!!"

The youth beside her, however, looked at her with burning eyes and couldn't help but laugh wildly:

"Qinghuan!!! My dear Qinghuan!!!"

"You truly are the woman who brings me good fortune!!!"

"I love you to death!!!"

In the crowd, Jiang Ye watched the excitedly laughing youth with a look of pity.

You fool.

Your Qinghuan is about to have a new lover.