Preparation

News of Qin Yuan claiming the top spot among the true disciples crashed into the calm waters of the Xuan Yuan Sect like a massive boulder, stirring up towering waves.

On Seventh Peak, the sound of a teacup shattering in Elder Li's quiet chamber was especially piercing.

"First among the true disciples... in one month..." Elder Li sat in his chair with an ashen face, as though he had aged ten years overnight. Staring at the shattered porcelain on the floor, the last trace of resentment and venom in his eyes finally turned into utter helplessness.

Revenge? With what would he take revenge?

A monster who had risen from the Outer Sect to first among the true disciples in only one month, a freak who could shatter Chu Wuyue's Moonlight Overwhelms the Heavens with a single punch. Such a person was no longer someone Seventh Peak could afford to provoke.

"Pass down the order," Elder Li said hoarsely. "From today onward, all disciples of Seventh Peak are forbidden from having any conflict with Fifth Peak. Anyone who disobeys... will be expelled from the sect."

The disciple standing at his side shuddered and hurriedly bowed. "Yes!"

The same scene played out on Third Peak.

Lu Yun stood before the elder with a pale face, listening to his rebuke. "From now on, put away those petty schemes of yours. Qin Yuan is no longer someone Third Peak can contend with. Cultivate properly, and do not stir up trouble again."

"This disciple... understands." Lu Yun lowered his head, his nails digging deeply into his palms, yet he felt no pain.

There was only profound helplessness.

A month ago, Qin Yuan had still been an Outer Sect disciple he could knead and squeeze at will. One month later, he had become someone Lu Yun could only look up to.

If even those two peaks were like this, the other peaks were even more silent than cicadas in winter.

The contempt and exclusion Fifth Peak had suffered in the past had now all turned into cautious respect. Many Inner Sect and Outer Sect disciples even began calling in favors and pulling strings, hoping to transfer to Fifth Peak—even if they could only put their names on its rolls.

On Fifth Peak, the smile had not left Elder Xu's face these past few days.

Before the peak's affairs hall, disciples applying to transfer peaks stood in a long line. Resource allocations had tripled again and again, while cultivation supplies piled up like mountains. Fifth Peak, silent for a hundred years, had regained its former glory through one man's strength.

"Qin Yuan, Qin Yuan..." Elder Xu stood atop the peak, gazing toward the true disciple district, his old eyes moist. "You truly are the lucky star of my Fifth Peak..."

On the third day after becoming first among the true disciples, Qin Yuan received a summons from the Sect Master.

He left Blazing Peak and headed for the Sect Master's grand hall.

The hall stood atop the Xuan Yuan Sect's main peak, majestic and solemn. Before it lay ninety-nine white jade steps, every one carved with intricate formation patterns.

Qin Yuan climbed step by step. The disciples he encountered along the way all bowed in salute, their eyes filled with awe.

The moment he entered the hall, a vast aura as deep as an abyss rushed toward him.

The hall was thirty meters high, its vaulted ceiling painted with sun, moon, and stars. Glowing crystals were embedded in the four walls, illuminating the entire hall as brightly as day. Five people stood within. Besides Chu Wuyue, whom Qin Yuan knew, there were three men and one woman—the true disciples ranked second through fifth.

Yun Qingyao, ranked second, was a woman in white. Her features were delicate and refined, her temperament otherworldly, with faint clouds and mist coiling around her.

Qin Yuan had already met Han Bing, ranked third, and Tie Zhan, ranked fourth.

Ranked fifth was a gloomy young man in black robes. His face was pale, and his gaze was sharp as an eagle's. He was Ye Guying, who had fallen to fifth place after being defeated by Chu Wuyue.

The five stood in the hall, their auras heavy, sharp, or ethereal. Yet without exception, all of them were at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, and had even touched the threshold of the Nascent Soul Realm.

When Qin Yuan entered, all their gazes fell upon him at once.

Chu Wuyue grinned, his white pupils brimming with fighting spirit. "Junior Brother Qin, we meet again. Once the Hundred Sects Competition is over, let's have another match."

Yun Qingyao nodded slightly in greeting.

Han Bing and Tie Zhan wore complicated expressions as they cupped their hands in salute.

Ye Guying merely cast Qin Yuan a cold glance and said nothing.

Just then, footsteps sounded from behind the hall.

A middle-aged man in a purple-gold Daoist robe walked out slowly. His features were elegant, and three wisps of long beard hung from his chin. His eyes were warm, but the aura around him was like a boundless starry sky, unfathomable.

The Sect Master of the Xuan Yuan Sect—Lu Xuanfeng.

"Greetings, Sect Master." The six of them bowed together.

Lu Xuanfeng's gaze swept across the six, lingering for an extra moment on Qin Yuan. A trace of approval flashed through his eyes.

"No need for formalities." He walked to the main seat and sat down. "I summoned you here today because of the Hundred Sects Battle two months from now."

The Hundred Sects Battle.

At those four words, everyone's expressions turned solemn.

"As its name suggests, the Hundred Sects Battle is a grand gathering jointly attended by over a hundred sects in Qing Province," Lu Xuanfeng said slowly. "But do you know the truth behind this gathering?"

The six looked at one another.

Chu Wuyue spoke first. "Sect Master, I once heard my master mention that the Hundred Sects Battle... seems to be connected to the 'Upper Sects'?"

"Correct." Lu Xuanfeng nodded. "Our Xuan Yuan Sect, as well as the hundred-odd sects of Qing Province, are in fact merely affiliates of the Five Upper Sects."

Affiliate sects?

Qin Yuan's heart stirred.

The Xuan Yuan Sect had a Sect Master in the Nascent Soul Realm, dozens of Golden Core elders, and was already a top force in Qing Province. A sect like this was actually only an affiliate?

"Do you find that unbelievable?" Lu Xuanfeng saw their confusion and gave a bitter smile. "When I first learned of it, I was just as shocked as all of you. But this is reality—this world we inhabit is far greater than you imagine."

He paused before continuing. "Each of the Five Upper Sects has mighty experts of the Void Refinement Realm overseeing it, Nascent Soul cultivators gathered like clouds, and Golden Core cultivators falling like rain. In their eyes, affiliate sects like ours are merely tools for screening and training disciples."

"The Hundred Sects Battle is, in truth, a trial through which the Upper Sects select talent. Those who perform exceptionally will be accepted as disciples by an Upper Sect. From then on, they will leap from carp to dragon gate and set foot upon the true great Dao of cultivation."

When his words fell, the hall became silent.

Light flickered in Chu Wuyue's white pupils, the clouds and mist around Yun Qingyao surged, and Han Bing, Tie Zhan, and Ye Guying all began breathing more heavily.

Qin Yuan also felt his heart thump hard.

Mighty experts of the Void Refinement Realm, Nascent Soul cultivators gathered like clouds, Golden Core cultivators falling like rain...

That was the true world of cultivation!

"Sect Master," Qin Yuan said, "how far can disciples of the Upper Sects reach?"

Lu Xuanfeng looked at him, a complicated expression flashing through his eyes. "I once met a true disciple of an Upper Sect. He formed his Nascent Soul at thirty, reached Spirit Transformation at one hundred. Now, at only three hundred years old, he is already an elder of that Upper Sect, his cultivation unfathomable."

Forming the Nascent Soul at thirty, reaching Spirit Transformation at one hundred!

Everyone sucked in a cold breath.

In the Xuan Yuan Sect, forming the Nascent Soul by a hundred was already considered genius-level talent. Spirit Transformation at three hundred? It was simply unimaginable!

"Therefore," Lu Xuanfeng said solemnly, "the Hundred Sects Battle is the greatest opportunity of your lives. If you can enter an Upper Sect, your future will be limitless."

He looked at the six of them. "By convention, each affiliate sect has five slots. Of the six of you, only five can participate."

The moment he finished speaking, Ye Guying said coldly, "I challenge the fifth-ranked disciple."

Tie Zhan's face darkened. "Junior Brother Ye, you..."

"Those are the rules." Ye Guying cut him off. "Either fight, or yield."

Lu Xuanfeng waved his hand. "There is no need. Ye Guying, although you lost to Chu Wuyue, your strength still surpasses Tie Zhan's. The fifth slot goes to you."

Tie Zhan's face turned white. In the end, he lowered his head. "Yes."

A cold smile curved Ye Guying's lips.

"Enough." Lu Xuanfeng rose to his feet. "Go back and prepare. In two months, we will depart for the Hundred Sects Battlefield."

The six bowed and took their leave.

As they walked out of the hall, Chu Wuyue suddenly said to Qin Yuan, "Junior Brother Qin, see you in the Upper Sects."

Qin Yuan nodded. "See you in the Upper Sects."

Upon returning to Blazing Peak, Qin Yuan discovered that Lin Qing'er had emerged from seclusion.

She stood on the mountaintop platform in a light yellow dress. Her aura was far more solid than before—she had clearly broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"Brother Qin Yuan!" Lin Qing'er's eyes lit up upon seeing him. She jogged over. "I reached Foundation Establishment!"

"Congratulations." Qin Yuan smiled.

Lin Qing'er looked at him, her eyes full of admiration. "Brother Qin Yuan is the truly amazing one—first among the true disciples! The entire sect is talking about your deeds now."

As they spoke, Zhou Ming and Zhao Tiezhu also came over. The group gathered together in a relaxed atmosphere.

Yet that ease did not last long.

A vast aura descended upon Blazing Peak without warning.

Qin Yuan's pupils contracted as he abruptly raised his head.

Two figures appeared in the sky. One was Sect Master Lu Xuanfeng. The other was a gaunt old man in a gray cloth robe. He looked entirely unremarkable, yet his eyes were deep as the starry sky, as if they could see through everything.

The two landed. Lu Xuanfeng respectfully said to the old man, "Senior, this is Blazing Peak, where Qin Yuan resides."

The old man nodded. His gaze swept over everyone before finally settling on Lin Qing'er. His eyes suddenly lit up.

"An Innate Wood Spirit Body?" he murmured. Then he smiled. "I never expected to encounter such a physique in this remote place."

Lin Qing'er felt uncomfortable under his gaze and instinctively moved behind Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Junior Qin Yuan greets Senior."

Only then did the old man shift his gaze to him. After examining him for a moment, he nodded. "Your foundation is solid, and your combat strength is impressive. What a pity... your talent is ordinary."

Your talent is ordinary.

Those four words made Lu Xuanfeng's expression change slightly.

Qin Yuan, however, remained calm. "Senior has sharp eyes."

The old man no longer looked at him. Instead, he turned to Lin Qing'er and asked gently, "Little girl, what is your name?"

Lin Qing'er said nervously, "Junior is Lin Qing'er."

"Lin Qing'er..." The old man repeated her name, his smile widening. "Would you be willing to follow me to the Qingmu Sect? It is one of the Five Upper Sects, specializing in wood-element cultivation arts. It is the most suitable place for your Innate Wood Spirit Body."

An Upper Sect?

Lin Qing'er froze.

Lu Xuanfeng was also stunned, then overjoyed. If Lin Qing'er caught the eye of an Upper Sect envoy, the Xuan Yuan Sect would benefit as well!

"Senior," Lu Xuanfeng hurriedly said, "although Qing'er is talented, her cultivation is still shallow. I fear that..."

"It is no matter." The old man waved his hand. "Innate Wood Spirit Bodies are rarely seen even once in a hundred years. Her cultivation can be raised slowly. In the Qingmu Sect, she can receive the best guidance. Her future achievements will be limitless."

He looked at Lin Qing'er, his gaze sincere. "Little girl, are you willing?"

At a complete loss, Lin Qing'er instinctively looked toward Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Qing'er, if there is a better place, do not hesitate."

"But..." Lin Qing'er's eyes reddened. "I... I want to stay with Brother Qin Yuan..."

"I will come find you." Qin Yuan looked at her, his voice calm yet resolute. "See you in the Upper Sects."

Tears finally fell from Lin Qing'er's eyes. She nodded forcefully. "Mm! See you in the Upper Sects!"

She turned to the old man, wiped away her tears, and solemnly said, "Senior, I am willing to go. But... could I ask Senior to take good care of the Xuan Yuan Sect?"

The old man smiled. "Of course. Since you are entering my Qingmu Sect, your home sect will naturally receive protection."

Lu Xuanfeng was so excited that even his beard trembled. "Many thanks, Senior!!"

The old man said no more. With a sweep of his sleeve, green light enveloped Lin Qing'er. The two turned into streaks of light, soaring into the sky and vanishing beyond the clouds.

Silence returned to Blazing Peak.

Zhou De and Zhao Tiezhu stared blankly at the sky, still unable to recover from their shock.

Qin Yuan stood where he was, gazing in the direction Lin Qing'er had vanished, speechless for a long while.

Lu Xuanfeng patted his shoulder and sighed. "This is her opportunity, and it is also your motivation. Two months from now, at the Hundred Sects Battle, I will wait for you in the Upper Sects."

After saying that, he left as well.

Only Qin Yuan remained on the mountaintop platform.

The wind swept past, lifting the corner of his robe.

He clenched his fist, determination flashing through his eyes.

The Upper Sects, the Qingmu Sect, Lin Qing'er...

Three days later, the Sect Master summoned them again.

This time, there were only five people—Qin Yuan, Chu Wuyue, Yun Qingyao, Han Bing, and Ye Guying.

"The opponents in the Hundred Sects Battle are basically all in the Nascent Soul Realm," Lu Xuanfeng said without preamble. "Our Xuan Yuan Sect is comparatively weak, ranked near the bottom among the hundred sects. To give you more chances of victory, I have decided to send you somewhere for training."

"What place?" Chu Wuyue asked.

"The Ancient Battlefield." Lu Xuanfeng slowly uttered the four words.

All five of their expressions changed.

The Ancient Battlefield was a relic of the immortal-demon war in ancient times. It was said to contain the bones and inheritances of countless powerful cultivators, but it was also filled with dangers—remaining killing formations, wandering demon souls, strange curses... Golden Core cultivators who entered faced nine deaths for every chance at life.

"Sect Master," Han Bing said gravely, "the Ancient Battlefield is far too dangerous. We..."

"That is precisely why you must go." Lu Xuanfeng interrupted him. "The Hundred Sects Battle is even more dangerous than the Ancient Battlefield. It gathers every genius in Qing Province. The slaughter there will be far more brutal than you can imagine. If you cannot even make it through the Ancient Battlefield, entering the Hundred Sects Battle would only be courting death."

He looked at the five of them. "Do you dare go?"

Silence.

After a moment, fighting spirit surged in Chu Wuyue's white pupils. "Why would I not dare!"

Yun Qingyao said softly, "This disciple is willing to go."

Ye Guying said coldly, "I'll go."

Han Bing and Tie Zhan exchanged glances before gritting their teeth. "This disciple... is willing to go."

Qin Yuan was the last to speak. "I'll go."

Lu Xuanfeng nodded in satisfaction. "Good! Three days from now, I will take you to the edge of the battlefield. Remember, once inside the battlefield, life and death are in Heaven's hands. Two months from now, I will wait for you there."

"If you can emerge alive..."

He paused, speaking one word at a time:

"The Nascent Soul Realm will be within reach."

Flames ignited in all five pairs of eyes.

The Ancient Battlefield, the Hundred Sects Battle, the road to the Upper Sects...