As the light of the great teleportation array gradually faded.
Chen Changqing and the others finally stepped into the territory of Mount Shu's Inner Sect.
The moment they entered the Inner Sect, waves of dense spiritual energy surged toward them like a tide.
Everyone felt the pores all over their bodies open, while the spiritual power within them began circulating on its own—several times faster than it had in the Outer Sect.
At this sight, many disciples could not help but marvel:
"This spiritual energy... it's terrifyingly dense!"
"Why do I feel that ten years of bitter cultivation in the Outer Sect wouldn't compare to one month of meditation in the Inner Sect?"
"With spiritual energy this dense, even a pig could probably reach Foundation Establishment, right?"
"The gap between the Outer Sect and the Inner Sect is far too great."
"No wonder so many Outer Sect disciples would crack their heads open just to enter the Inner Sect."
"..."
Liu Ruyan sensed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within the Inner Sect, and a faint flush spread across her face.
"What dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth!"
"If I cultivate here, I should be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm very soon, right?"
Filled with anticipation, Liu Ruyan glanced at Chen Changqing, her eyes brimming with gratitude.
After all, her entry into the Inner Sect this time had been entirely thanks to Chen Changqing.
Earlier, in the Void Realm, if Chen Changqing had not acted and defeated Cui Hao and the others from the Second Courtyard, seizing their points—
With her Half-Step Foundation Establishment strength, she simply could not have entered the top twenty of the Points Leaderboard.
After sensing the surroundings slightly, Qingyang was likewise filled with longing.
His cultivation had already reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
"Core Formation is within reach!"
Qingyang secretly grew excited, determination shining in his eyes.
Hearing the disciples' exclamations.
Elder Zhao, who had brought them here, smiled faintly.
Every year, he guided quite a few Outer Sect disciples into the Inner Sect.
He was already accustomed to such reactions.
Compared to the others' astonishment, Chen Changqing appeared far more composed.
His gaze swept ahead, where seven towering peaks rose from amid swirling clouds and mist in the distance.
Like sky-supporting sharp swords, they pierced straight into the heavens.
Each mountain peak seemed to emit an entirely different aura.
Some blazed like fire, some were as heavy as mountains, and some were as sharp as swords...
"Those must be the Seven Main Peaks of the Inner Sect?"
"The spiritual energy of heaven and earth within the Seven Main Peaks must be far denser still!"
Chen Changqing muttered to himself.
He understood clearly that he had merely entered the Inner Sect of the Mount Shu Sect.
Above the Inner Sect still stood the Seven Main Peaks.
Just as everyone was marveling, Elder Zhao spoke:
"Stop looking around and follow me!"
Hearing Elder Zhao's shout, Chen Changqing and the others withdrew their gazes. Then, led by Elder Zhao, they arrived at an ancient, unadorned great hall.
This was the registration site for Outer Sect disciples entering the Inner Sect.
At this moment, an old man in gray robes sat behind a desk within the hall.
"Brother Zhao, you've brought another batch of newcomers into the Inner Sect."
The old man smiled at Elder Zhao as he spoke. His gaze was like lightning as it swept directly over Chen Changqing and the others.
When his gaze reached Chen Changqing and Liu Ruyan, it lingered slightly longer.
After all, Chen Changqing was only at Foundation Establishment Early Stage, while Liu Ruyan was merely at Half-Step Foundation Establishment.
In the past, disciples with such cultivation levels rarely entered the Inner Sect.
Hearing this, Elder Zhao smiled faintly.
"Elder Qian, I've brought them to you."
"I'll leave the rest to you."
After saying that, Elder Zhao did not linger and simply rose to leave.
Elder Qian narrowed his eyes slightly and said:
"Disciples from the Outer Sect."
"The Inner Sect is not as lax as the Outer Sect."
"If you want to obtain more resources in the Inner Sect, you must strive for them yourselves."
"In the Inner Sect, everything is decided by strength."
"Cultivation techniques, medicinal pills, cave abodes, fortuitous opportunities... all must be fought for by yourselves!"
As his voice fell, Elder Qian flicked his sleeve.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
Immediately, Jade Slips flew into Chen Changqing and the others' hands.
"The Jade Slips contain detailed records of the Inner Sect's rules and matters requiring attention."
"You must familiarize yourselves with them. Do not make mistakes and end up being driven out of the Inner Sect."
"Also, these are your Identity Tokens for entering the Inner Sect."
With that, Elder Qian waved a hand at Chen Changqing and the others, and token after token fell into their hands.
"Next, I will arrange your cultivation grounds within the Inner Sect."
"Inner Sect disciples will guide you there shortly."
"Those whose names are called may leave first with the Inner Sect disciples."
"Chen Changqing, Azure Firmament Valley!"
Upon hearing Elder Qian call his name, Chen Changqing stepped forward.
At the same time, an Inner Sect disciple stepped out from behind Elder Qian and smiled at Chen Changqing.
"Junior Brother Chen, please follow me!"
Chen Changqing nodded and glanced at Qingyang and Liu Ruyan before following the Inner Sect disciple out of the great hall.
Watching Chen Changqing's receding figure, a strange light flashed through Liu Ruyan's eyes, carrying a trace of reluctance.
Before long, Chen Changqing followed that Inner Sect disciple to a valley shrouded in clouds and mist—Azure Firmament Valley.
"Junior Brother Chen, this is Azure Firmament Valley."
"It will also be your cultivation site from now on."
"There are vacant rooms in the valley. You may choose one yourself."
The Inner Sect disciple introduced the place as he led Chen Changqing into Azure Firmament Valley.
At this time, several dozen Inner Sect disciples were present in Azure Firmament Valley.
"Hm?"
Seeing Chen Changqing arrive, everyone turned to look.
"This year's newcomer has arrived."
"Azure Firmament Valley only received one Outer Sect disciple?"
"This kid is only at Foundation Establishment Early Stage, yet he joined the Inner Sect. I wonder what is special about him?"
"I wonder which of the Seven Outer Courtyards he came from?"
"I heard that the first place winner of this Outer Sect Disciple Competition was also at Foundation Establishment Early Stage. Could it be this kid?"
"To win first place in the Outer Sect Grand Competition at Foundation Establishment Early Stage, he is probably no simple person!"
"Looks like I'll have to find some time to pay him a visit."
"..."
The Inner Sect disciples in Azure Firmament Valley discussed among themselves, their gazes toward Chen Changqing carrying curiosity.
Chen Changqing remained calm and ignored their discussion.
Not long afterward, accompanied by the Inner Sect disciple, he selected a cultivation residence within the valley.
After Chen Changqing chose his residence, the Inner Sect disciple took out a brand-new set of Inner Sect disciple robes, as well as three ancient books.
"Junior Brother Chen."
"These are the robes of our Inner Sect disciples."
"Also, these three books are the mandatory techniques for Inner Sect disciples."
"They are the Shu Mountain Sword Technique, Shu Mountain Mental Method, and Shu Mountain Movement Technique."
"When sword, heart, and body become one, only then is one a true inheritor of Mount Shu."
Chen Changqing accepted them from the Inner Sect disciple and bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
The Inner Sect disciple smiled faintly and did not stay any longer before turning to leave.
After he departed, Chen Changqing hurriedly opened the first page of the Shu Mountain Sword Technique.
"A sword is the blade of the heart. Wherever the heart points, the sword shall surely cut."
"..."
Before you continue