Inner Sect

"With a Spirit Fire by my side, even if Lin Ziyou is at Qi Refining Level 9, I have nothing to fear."

This time, Ye Lin was completely carried away. The Spirit Fire had greatly boosted his combat strength. Now, he dared to say that he was invincible among Qi Refining Level 7 cultivators.

He could kill those at Qi Refining Level 8, and he had nothing to fear from those at Qi Refining Level 9.

"It's time to go back and cultivate in seclusion. This time, I'm shutting myself away for good."

With that, Ye Lin darted away in a few blurring steps. Once he reached his quarters, he locked the doors and windows and began his seclusion.

The Azure Cloud Sect took the privacy of its disciples very seriously. Once a disciple locked their door to enter seclusion, no other disciple was allowed to force it open. Anyone who dared would be severely punished, even an Inner Sect disciple.

Of course, this rule didn't apply to Chore Disciples. It was only natural for Outer Sect disciples to shut themselves away and cultivate. What the hell would a Chore Disciple be cultivating in seclusion for?

Ye Lin's seclusion lasted two months. Countless things happened during that time.

Five Outer Sect disciples at Qi Refining Level 8 emerged from seclusion and challenged Inner Sect disciples. In the end, all five succeeded and were promoted to the Inner Sect.

That day, Ye Lin opened his eyes as he sat on his bed and gazed ahead.

After two months in seclusion, he had absorbed all the Mid-grade Spirit Stones. He had now stepped into Qi Refining Level 8.

"Two months have passed. I've reached Qi Refining Level 8, and I've cultivated the Seven Kill Fist to the fifth layer. With the Spirit Fire's help, Lin Ziyou shouldn't amount to much."

Ye Lin patted the dust off his clothes and muttered to himself.

Name: Ye Lin

Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 8

Fate Rank: Black (Calamitous)

Fate Traits: [Cursed with Bad Luck] [Divine Comprehension]

Destiny: Zhang Xiao died. Wang Yun, the only person who knew the truth, realized that he was no match for you and swallowed the matter, never mentioning it again for fear you would kill him. Three months later, while treasure hunting in the secret realm, you watched other people's opportunities and discovered where the Mysterious Grade High Tier spirit herb Duobao was located. You went into the secret realm to search for it, but after finding it, you were spotted by the Inner Sect disciple Lin Ziyou, who demanded that you hand over Duobao. You refused to yield, even at the cost of your life, and fought him. In the end, you badly wounded Lin Ziyou. At the critical moment, Lin Ziyou called on a friend for help. You were no match for them and fled, gravely wounded.

Recent Opportunity: None

[Cursed with Bad Luck]: Your luck is poor. For example, you're bound to trip while walking, and your spouse is bound to cheat on you after you get married.

[Divine Comprehension]: Your comprehension is extraordinary, allowing you to master all kinds of cultivation techniques at incredible speed. Where others need three months to learn the same technique, you need only a few days.

Just as Ye Lin was gazing at the panel with confidence, his expression suddenly stiffened. But he quickly recovered. So he calls for help when he can't win? Interesting.

"My top priority now is to become an Inner Sect disciple. But the panel says Lin Ziyou is no longer a match for me. In that case, I might as well challenge him directly."

Having made up his mind, Ye Lin stood, opened the door, and walked out. His understanding of the Inner Sect was only superficial. He couldn't help it; Inner Sect disciples were rarely seen, and he could hardly ever run into them.

Zhang Xiao had spent a full eight years preparing to challenge an Inner Sect disciple, learning the Inner Sect inside and out. Ye Lin, however, didn't have that kind of time.

After he stepped outside, the Chore Disciples walking around stared at him in surprise.

"Holy crap, who's that? Isn't that the Outer Sect disciple Ye Lin? He's been missing for two months. I thought he was dead."

"Shut your mouth! You think he can't hear you from this close?"

Hearing the Chore Disciples chattering, Ye Lin smiled faintly, then headed toward the Outer Sect.

Whether in status, standing, or strength, Chore Disciples were beneath his notice now. There was no need to squabble with ants.

When Ye Lin entered the Outer Sect Mission Pavilion, he spotted a familiar figure: Huang Xiong.

"What are you doing here? Picking up a mission?"

Huang Xiong stared at Ye Lin in surprise. He hadn't seen him since their last encounter and had thought the man was dead.

"I want to challenge Lin Ziyou of the Inner Sect and become an Inner Sect disciple."

Ye Lin paid no heed to Huang Xiong's taunts and stated his purpose.

Huang Xiong was stunned. Challenge Lin Ziyou of the Inner Sect? Had he gone deaf?

"Are you sure?"

Looking at Ye Lin's resolute gaze, Huang Xiong couldn't help wavering. Over the past two months, five Qi Refining Level 8 cultivators had suddenly appeared in what had once been a perfectly quiet Outer Sect.

That had shocked him. Now, looking at Ye Lin, he wasn't sure what to think.

"I'm sure."

"Fine. If you're asking to die, I can't stop you. I'll go report it now. Just wait here."

After saying that, Huang Xiong gave Ye Lin a long look, then headed to the Inner Sect to report the challenge.

Whether Ye Lin was serious or not didn't matter to him. He only had to pass along the message. Whatever happened after that had nothing to do with him.

As a clever man, he knew exactly what he should and shouldn't do.

As soon as Huang Xiong left, a transparent panel appeared before Ye Lin.

Name: Huang Xiong

Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 6

Fate Rank: White (Has Some Potential)

Fate Traits: [Exceptionally Intelligent]

Destiny: Five years later, he challenged an Inner Sect disciple and failed, and was brutally killed by that disciple.

Recent Opportunity: After suddenly realizing that the Outer Sect was full of hidden talents, he vowed to work hard. If he couldn't enter the Inner Sect Secret Realm this time, he would try again in ten years. Three days later, after making all the necessary preparations, he went alone to train in the mountains. At Purple Deep Spring, he discovered a Sword Talisman. When activated at full power, it could unleash a single strike at Foundation Establishment Early Stage. From then on, he kept it as a trump card.

[Exceptionally Intelligent]: Your intelligence has been beyond that of ordinary people since childhood. When a crisis is about to befall you, you can always remain calm and find a way to deal with it, turning danger into safety.

"A Sword Talisman? That's a good find."

Ye Lin's eyes lit up as he looked at Huang Xiong's panel. Something capable of unleashing a single strike at Foundation Establishment Early Stage would be a tremendous help to him right now.

It would also be a great help in the Inner Sect Secret Realm five days from now.

That was right: the Inner Sect Secret Realm would officially open in five days. That was why Ye Lin had decided to challenge someone for entry as soon as he emerged from seclusion.

"Your opportunity is a good one, but now it's mine."

A little over an hour later, Huang Xiong returned to the Mission Pavilion.

"I've reported it. You can head to the Outer Sect Plaza and wait. He'll surely arrive within half an hour."

After Huang Xiong spoke, Ye Lin thanked him and headed to the Outer Sect Plaza.

Whenever an Outer Sect disciple challenged an Inner Sect disciple, the Inner Sect disciple couldn't refuse or make excuses to avoid the fight unless they were at a critical point in their cultivation.

Otherwise, the Azure Cloud Sect would strip that Inner Sect disciple of their position.

"If you dare challenge an Inner Sect disciple, you're probably no fool. Let's see what you've got."

Watching Ye Lin's back, Huang Xiong followed him. He had looked into Ye Lin a little. The man wasn't simple—far from it.

From Zhang Liang, Zhao Hu, and Nan Xing at the beginning to Zhang Xiao later on, everyone who had offended Ye Lin had mysteriously disappeared in the end.

That couldn't help but make Huang Xiong wary of him.

When Ye Lin arrived at the Outer Sect Plaza, it was already packed with Outer Sect disciples who had come to watch the fight.

After two months of challenges, the Outer Sect disciples had grown numb to them. In just two months, they had witnessed five earth-shattering battles.

"Another one today. What's going on these days?"

"I heard the challenger this time is Ye Lin. This is unbelievable."

"Who's Ye Lin?"

"You don't even know Ye Lin? He climbed all the way from Chore Disciple to Outer Sect disciple. He's a role model for all of us."