The spirit ship cleaved through the sea of clouds like a white jade immortal city spanning the nine heavens.
The moment Qin Yu, Yang Zheng, and Zhao Xinyu stepped aboard, the sight before them left them utterly awestruck.
The spirit ship was unimaginably vast, thousands of zhang long and as broad as a moving continent. Its hull was cast from ten-thousand-year frost jade, its surface flowing with pale golden cloud-patterned runes, as though an invisible resonance of the Dao coursed within. Hundreds of white jade floating bridges hung around the ship, wreathed in spiritual mist. Now and then, azure-feathered immortal cranes danced through the air, their clear cries sounding like music from heaven.
At the bow stood a heavenly palace hall a hundred zhang tall. Its golden gates were imposing, and nine white jade bells hung from its eaves. They swayed with the wind, each tinkling note like a Buddhist chant cleansing the soul.
Twelve enormous White Cloud Banners hung along the ship's sides, snapping in the wind. Each bore the White Cloud Sect's emblem-a cloud of good fortune enveloping the sun, moon, and stars-which radiated a vast, eternal sense of pressure. Whenever the banners shook, the Spiritual Qi throughout the sky seemed to tremble with them.
The deck resembled a white jade plaza. Hundreds of White Cloud Sect disciples stood in formation, all wearing snow-white sect robes with spirit swords at their waists, their expressions solemn. Even the weakest among them had reached the early stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Spiritual Qi flowed around them as they stood like mountains.
Looking at the disciples' orderly, solemn ranks, Yang Zheng swallowed and whispered to Qin Yu, "Brother Yu... this-this is what a true top-tier sect looks like... I feel as though I even have to watch what I say."
Tension and anticipation mingled in Zhao Xinyu's eyes. Her fingers curled slightly as she murmured, "The grandeur of the White Cloud Sect... is even more astounding than the rumors."
Qin Yu drew a deep breath, his gaze firm. Compared with the gates of Cloud-Leveling Hall, this place seemed like another world-a realm truly belonging to cultivators at the pinnacle. He understood that only by establishing himself here could he truly step onto the central stage of the Great Yan Continent.
In the distance, an elder overseeing sect affairs approached, his long beard drifting, his bearing as vast as the sea. His voice was calm, yet carried an irresistible authority:
"From this day onward, you are outer disciples of our White Cloud Sect. This spirit ship is the sect's symbol before the world. Once aboard, you represent White Cloud's might. Remember-you must never disgrace the name of White Cloud."
As his words fell, the disciples standing in formation bowed together. Their white robes fluttered, their voices thundered:
"We shall heed your teachings!"
At that moment, Qin Yu's, Yang Zheng's, and Zhao Xinyu's hearts all pounded fiercely. They knew that everything about their lives would be utterly different from now on.
The White Cloud Sect's spirit ship had a deck as broad as a continent, divided into separate areas: the forward hall housed elders and stewards, the middle section contained the various training grounds and Spiritual Qi formation platforms, and the rear held a cultivation area set aside for new disciples.
Led by the elder overseeing sect affairs, Qin Yu, Yang Zheng, and Zhao Xinyu followed a white jade floating bridge into the outer disciples' quarters at the rear of the ship.
The sight here astonished them once again:
The entire area was divided into orderly rows of spirit pavilions, each carved from white jade, with a disciple's nameplate hanging outside. Beyond each door lay a private, compact cultivation chamber. Formation patterns encircled the pavilions, and Spiritual Qi gushed like springwater from formation nodes in the ground. Misty, sweet, and pure, it eased their meridians with a single breath and naturally increased the Spiritual Qi within their dantians.
"The Spiritual Qi here... is a full ten times denser than in Cloud-Leveling Hall's spirit stone formation!" Yang Zheng's eyes widened, his voice trembling with excitement.
Zhao Xinyu gently stroked the pavilion's carved patterns, a crystalline gleam reflected in her eyes. She murmured, "So this is the foundation of the foremost sect... no wonder cultivators everywhere consider joining the White Cloud Sect an honor."
Qin Yu quietly sensed the world around him. He felt as though even his flesh greedily absorbed Spiritual Qi. The spiritual resonance, so dense it was almost liquid, stirred an unprecedented shock deep within him. Slowly clenching his fists, he thought, Three years of cultivation in an environment like this could equal ten at Cloud-Leveling Hall. I must not waste the slightest bit.
The elder turned, his gaze steady. "From this day onward, the three of you will provisionally join the ranks of outer disciples. Each of you will receive a spirit pavilion. Every month, you may collect thirty high-grade spirit stones, two bottles of Body Tempering Pills, and two bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills. These are the basic provisions for White Cloud Sect disciples."
With that, he swept his sleeve and left, leaving the three rooted to the spot.
Yang Zheng blinked, then suddenly threw himself against Qin Yu's shoulder and lowered his voice. "Brother Yu, did you hear that? Thirty high-grade spirit stones! And pills! These provisions... who knows how many times better they are than what we had at Cloud-Leveling Hall!"
Zhao Xinyu could not help chuckling, but her gaze was utterly resolute. "It seems we'll have to work even harder. If we only indulge in the sect's resources, we'll soon be eliminated."
Qin Yu nodded, his gaze like lightning, and slowly spoke:
"This is only the beginning. The White Cloud Sect... is the true grand stage."
The spirit ship sailed through the clouds, rosy light enveloping the three. Their figures were thus inscribed among the ranks of White Cloud Sect disciples.
The spirit ship traveled high in the nine heavens, swift as streaming light. But the White Cloud Sect lay at the heart of the Great Yan Continent's Central State, a long journey away. Even a cross-region spirit ship like this would need several days to arrive.
As night first fell, a pale silver barrier enveloped the ship, shutting out storms and thunder. Streams of light like a falling river of stars crossed its path, as though it were sailing through the Milky Way-a sight of breathtaking grandeur.
Qin Yu and his companions stood on deck, all awestruck by the scene. Distant stars sometimes seemed close enough to touch, then drew tens of thousands of li away, revealing the boundless vastness of heaven and earth.
"Is this... what the world toward Central State looks like?" Yang Zheng could not help asking, his voice filled with youthful fervor and anticipation.
Zhao Xinyu nodded, a deep radiance appearing in her eyes. "Yes. This journey alone has made me realize that Cloud-Leveling Hall was only a starting point after all. The world ahead is even broader than we imagined."
Qin Yu remained silent, his gaze resting on the ship's barrier. Formation patterns continually flickered across its surface. Each radiated an incomparably ancient presence and contained the power of laws that even he could not fully see through.
The White Cloud Sect can build a spirit ship like this... their foundations are unfathomable, Qin Yu marveled inwardly, while an even fiercer fighting spirit kindled within him.
Soon, the elder assigned temporary cultivation cabins to all the new White Cloud Sect disciples. Each cabin was built from special spirit wood and inlaid with spirit-gathering jade. Rich Spiritual Qi filled the interiors like clouds and mist, almost intoxicating the mind.
The moment Yang Zheng entered, he flung himself onto the cultivation couch, drew a deep breath, and laughed excitedly. "Haha! Just cultivating along the way, I feel as though I could break through half a stage! This is faster than ten days of bitter cultivation at Cloud-Leveling Hall!"
Zhao Xinyu sat cross-legged, her gaze clear. "Since we haven't reached the White Cloud Sect yet, let's use these few days of Spiritual Qi aboard the ship to prepare as thoroughly as possible."
Qin Yu slowly closed his eyes, silently reciting the essentials of his cultivation arts. The Spiritual Qi within him circulated faster with the fluctuations of the ship's internal formation, like a thundering river racing through his meridians.
A firm thought rose in his heart:
Once I truly step into the White Cloud Sect, I'll make everyone remember that I, Qin Yu, am no ordinary person.
The spirit ship passed through the night sky, vast starlight intertwining with spiritual radiance as though lighting a beacon for their road ahead.
The spirit ship sped through the night like a divine beast spanning heaven and earth, weaving between rivers of stars and seas of clouds. Qin Yu, Yang Zheng, and Zhao Xinyu each entered their cultivation cabins.
Within the cultivation cabin, spiritual light flowed, and formation patterns floated all around like stars, releasing wisps of pale blue-white spiritual mist. Qin Yu sat quietly cross-legged, holding the spirit stones he had won in Cloud-Leveling Hall's tournament in both hands, his mind wholly immersed within his body.
His meridians were now like a ceaselessly surging river. Spiritual Qi roared through them, every impact carrying a thunderous crash. As his presence rose and fell, a faint gray-white radiance appeared over his body, strange and mysterious, like a reflected river of stars.
I must fully stabilize my major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm before reaching the White Cloud Sect!
With a thought, Qin Yu activated the Mystic Origin Body Tempering Art and the Spirit Spear Heaven-Guiding Art together. The Spiritual Qi in his meridians continually intertwined with the power of his spirit core, forming an immense vortex that surged madly into his dantian.
As spiritual power roared, cracklike streaks of light gradually appeared across his body. Each flashed with lightning-like silver brilliance, resembling brushstrokes of the laws of heaven and earth. Suddenly, gray light erupted, as though igniting the entire cultivation cabin in an instant. Even space trembled with it.
Meanwhile, in Yang Zheng's cultivation cabin, he swung his longsword. His sword intent was as heavy as a mountain, slowly layering itself upon his Spiritual Qi. Spiritual breath gathered within him in a mighty roar, as though a mountain were breaking out of the earth.
Gritting his teeth, he shouted, "Heng Mountain Sword Art-Mountain Crushing the Summit!"
His sword fell. Spiritual light churned within the cabin, forming a massive mountain silhouette that crashed downward. His Spiritual Qi smoothly broke through, and his cultivation advanced steadily from Spirit Awakening Realm greater accomplishment to initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm!
In another cabin, Zhao Xinyu opened her spirit book. Pale purple pages of spiritual light circled her, each reflecting different runes and seals, as though annotating the spiritual breath of heaven and earth for her.
Her gaze was cool and resolute. With a sweep of her slender hand, the turning pages transformed into spiritual light and poured into her sea of consciousness. Though her cultivation remained at the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, the harmony between her Spiritual Sense and Qi channels had improved greatly.
Inside the spirit ship, three different spiritual lights shone from separate cabins, reflecting one another as though illuminating a corner of the river of stars.
At last, Qin Yu exhaled a long breath of turbid air and abruptly opened his eyes. In that instant, Spiritual Qi surged fiercely within him. The pressure of his major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm spread like a mountain, shaking the cabin's formation patterns into a trembling hum.
"Major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm, finally stabilized!" Qin Yu murmured, an unprecedented sharpness flashing through his eyes.
He slowly raised his head and looked at the endless starry sky beyond the ship. A surge of lofty spirit suddenly rose within him:
"White Cloud Sect, I, Qin Yu, have arrived."
The spirit ship traveled through the vast sea of stars, its hull like an ancient continent floating high in the heavens, spiritual light surging and rosy clouds rolling around it. White Cloud Sect disciples cultivated on deck or chatted in groups, the atmosphere lively and tinged with pride.
When Qin Yu, Yang Zheng, and Zhao Xinyu emerged from their cultivation cabins, they immediately drew many eyes.
"They're the disciples from Cloud-Leveling Hall? I heard they actually beat Pure Fragrance Garden and the other sects in the martial tournament and took first place," an outer disciple of the White Cloud Sect whispered, his gaze carrying some curiosity.
"Hmph. They're just from a minor sect and happened to get lucky. Now that they're in our White Cloud Sect, won't they still have to obediently fall in at the back and become bottom-rung disciples?" another scoffed, his tone disdainful.
"Don't underestimate them." A tall disciple standing nearby looked grave. "I heard an elder say that the youth named Qin Yu swept through opponents of the same realm with a single strike of sword light. Do you know how young he is? Given a few years, he might well catch up with disciples like us who have spent so long honing ourselves in the sect."
Discussion rose and fell-some sneered, some praised, and others harbored doubts. Qin Yu paid them no mind. With his hands clasped behind his back, he calmly watched the river of stars on the distant horizon.
Yang Zheng, however, could not hold back a mutter. "Brother Yu, these people are looking at us strangely. Some are scornful, but others look as though they're eyeing prey..."
Qin Yu smiled slightly. "That's normal. They're White Cloud Sect disciples, from a great and prestigious sect, so naturally they look down on us. But the path of cultivation depends on strength, not background."
Zhao Xinyu nodded, her clear gaze sweeping over the disciples discussing them. She said coldly, "No matter how loudly some of them laugh now, if they face me, Zhao Xinyu, in the arena, I'll make sure they can't laugh anymore."
Just then, a White Cloud Sect steward approached. He wore blue-and-gold robes, his presence restrained yet unfathomable. Clearly, his cultivation far surpassed the Qi Condensation Realm.
His gaze settled on the three. He nodded slightly and slowly said:
"For the three of you to enter our White Cloud Sect from a minor sect is already an immense opportunity. But after opportunity comes a harsher trial. The White Cloud Sect never supports useless people. Since you have set foot on this road, prepare for hardships a hundred, a thousand times greater than before."
As his words fell, the disciples who had been sneering quieted somewhat, looking at the three with either awe or envy.
Qin Yu's heart jolted, but he merely cupped his hands in salute and answered firmly, "This disciple will remember."
The steward gave him a long look, then turned away. His fluttering sleeves stirred a skyful of spiritual light.
Yang Zheng whispered, "Brother Yu, that steward seems to think pretty highly of you."
Qin Yu shook his head with a smile and looked ahead again, toward the gradually emerging outline of a continent. That was the presence of Central State. The central region where the White Cloud Sect stood was already close at hand.
A silent fighting spirit quietly rose from the depths of his heart.
The spirit ship sped onward, crossing a skyful of stars and rolling seas of clouds. Ahead, a different world gradually came into view.
It was a sacred domain that seemed apart from the mortal realm, suspended high in the heavens. Mountains and rivers stretched together for ten thousand li, yet not an inch of its land connected to the earth below. Peaks towered, their summits shrouded in white clouds. Each resembled a sword thrust straight into the sky, its presence keen, its sharpness shaking the soul.
Among those mountains, nine celestial rivers fell from high above, becoming waterfalls ten thousand zhang tall. Their spiritual light poured down like the Milky Way, their thunderous roar like a song of the Heavenly Dao. The falls plunged into spirit pools suspended in midair, scattering countless points of light. Every droplet contained pure Spiritual Qi, becoming spiritual mist that spread between heaven and earth. Rosy light shone, and five-colored divine radiance intertwined without dispersing.
Farther away stood a suspended complex of palaces. Tier upon tier glittered in gold and jade, while white jade stairways wound upward like long dragons, leading straight to the central main hall that reached into the heavens. That hall was incomparably majestic, towering into the clouds. Four colossal heaven-bearing pillars propped up the nine skies, their surfaces inscribed with ancient runes that flashed with silver lightning and golden flames, as though bearing the authority of the Heavenly Dao.
Around the entire White Cloud Sect spread a magnificent sect-protecting formation. Like a curtain across the sky, its translucent spiritual light covered ten thousand li. Formation patterns flowed like a river of stars, each flicker bringing indescribable pressure, as though a single movement of the formation could grind the whole world to dust.
As the spirit ship approached, that pressure struck them head-on, making Qin Yu's and Yang Zheng's hearts tighten. Even Zhao Xinyu could not help holding her breath.
"This... is the White Cloud Sect?" Yang Zheng swallowed, his voice hoarse, his eyes fixed on the sacred domain before him.
Zhao Xinyu gripped her sleeves, irrepressible shock and awe flickering in her eyes. "No wonder it's called the foremost sect of the Great Yan Continent. Foundations like these, grandeur like this... Cloud-Leveling Hall simply cannot compare..."
Gazing at that vast, magnificent scene, Qin Yu was likewise shaken beyond measure.
The White Cloud Sect resembled an immortal kingdom above heaven and earth, truly seated at the heart of the Great Yan Continent, looking down upon the myriad regions and eight wildernesses.
At last, the spirit ship slowly passed through the radiance of the sect-protecting formation and entered White Cloud Sect territory. In that instant, everyone felt the concentration of Spiritual Qi surge abruptly, almost a hundred times denser than outside. With each breath, Spiritual Qi poured into their meridians, bringing unprecedented ease and fullness.
Yang Zheng's eyes shone as he cried excitedly, "Brother Yu, I feel like I'm about to break through! This... this is truly a sacred land for cultivation!"
Qin Yu's mind was shaken too, but he did not grow excited. Instead, he silently swore:
Now that I've entered the White Cloud Sect, I will never let myself disappear among the masses of disciples!
He would make this most glorious sect remember his name and have this sacred land witness his rise!
The instant the spirit ship passed through the White Cloud Sect's protective formation, it seemed to enter another world. Vast Spiritual Qi became clouds and mist rolling above the sect, casting boundless light, its divine brilliance like the sun. Heaven and earth themselves seemed to tremble.
As the spirit ship carrying Qin Yu and his companions slowly descended, dozens of enormous spirit ships appeared simultaneously in the skies on every side. Each was as magnificent as a mountain, its hull carved with dragon patterns, spiritual light piercing the heavens as it thundered across the sky. Their decks were crowded with outstanding young talents from every region of the Great Yan Continent.
One spirit ship from the Northern Wasteland was cast entirely from black iron, its hull resembling a giant beast. Hundreds of disciples stood on its deck, each draped in beast hides, their eyes sharp, their blood Qi soaring skyward, like a pack of savage ancient beasts ready to devour heaven and earth at any moment.
Another spirit ship, from Eastern Waves, was crystalline and translucent, as though carved from spirit jade. Spiritual mist curled around it, and melodious music drifted through the air. Its disciples all wore flowing white robes, their bearing ethereal and extraordinary, like descendants of immortals stepping out of legend.
The Southern Region's spirit ship burned with roaring flames. Its hull seemed forged from fire copper, every tremor bursting with firelight. The disciples all looked defiant, scarlet flames burning over their bodies. Even their breaths carried waves of heat, as though they would ignite the very air.
The Western Territory's spirit ship was the coldest of all, its black-and-gold hull gleaming beneath a shroud of icy chill. The disciples on deck wore black armor and stern expressions, cold light shining in their eyes. Like a band of deathly silent war gods, they radiated an oppressive presence.
Another spirit ship from beyond Central State blazed with boundless golden radiance, its banners snapping in the wind. Every disciple standing aboard possessed a startling presence. Clearly, they came from great sects and powerful clans, their status exceedingly illustrious.
High in the sky, dozens of spirit ships gathered at the White Cloud Sect, like a magnificent assembly of countless nations paying court. Spiritual Qi roared between heaven and earth. Deep dragon cries and phoenix calls drifted from within the formations, as though playing a prelude for these new White Cloud Sect disciples.
Qin Yu, Yang Zheng, and Zhao Xinyu stood on deck, gazing at the spirit ships gathering across the sky, their hearts all shaken.
"Brother Yu..." Yang Zheng's throat was dry, and he swallowed with difficulty. "These... are all new disciples like us?"
Zhao Xinyu nodded slightly, her gaze filled with solemnity and irrepressible awe. "The White Cloud Sect is the foremost sect of the Great Yan Continent. This recruitment isn't just for us-talents from across the entire continent are gathering here... every one of them is a hidden dragon!"
Qin Yu narrowed his eyes, a trace of blazing fighting spirit passing through his heart.
The stronger the opponent, the more worthwhile the fight!
At this moment, he felt the true spirit of the Great Yan Continent's chosen talents rushing toward him.
The spirit ships slowly descended and landed in the White Cloud Sect's welcoming plaza. It was incomparably magnificent, a full ten thousand li wide, paved with heaven-fallen divine stone. Ancient runes flickered across the stones, inscribed with the White Cloud Sect's tens of thousands of years of glory. Hundreds of thousands of disciples already waited in formation, their voices thundering through the heavens:
"Welcome, new disciples, to the sect!"
Their voices echoed through the nine skies, shaking even the sea of clouds.
Qin Yu's heart jolted. Only now did he truly understand why the White Cloud Sect could become the foremost sect of the Great Yan Continent.
The bells of the White Cloud Sect's welcoming ceremony suddenly rang through the nine heavens, their sound like divine thunder, their roar making hearts and souls tremble. The entire sect stretched boundlessly, its spirit peaks extending for hundreds of thousands of li. Countless white jade palaces reflected the heavenly light, seas of clouds churned, spirit cranes danced, and spirit springs cascaded like the Milky Way. Its magnificent grandeur made every new disciple's heart surge.
At the very center of the welcoming plaza stood the White Cloud Heavenly Stele. Ten thousand zhang tall, it was crystalline as jade, yet radiated ancient, weighty pressure. Countless Dao patterns were inscribed upon its surface, each resonating with the Heavenly Dao, sometimes flashing with lightning, sometimes flowing with spiritual mist. It was one of the White Cloud Sect's foundations, used to test new disciples' souls and Dao hearts.
When the spirit ships stopped, thousands of new disciples descended in orderly ranks, filling the plaza with a sea of people in an instant. Chosen talents from Phoenix Ridge Hall, the Qingyun Sect, the Heavenly Thorn Sect, the Luoyuan Sect, and other sects gathered together, their presences mingling, their gazes burning.
An incomparably powerful voice suddenly rang out:
"The White Cloud Sect's welcoming ceremony begins!"
As the voice fell, the sky burst into radiance. Shafts of divine light descended, enveloping the entire plaza. Dozens of White Cloud Sect elders appeared together, all mighty figures at the late stage of the Yuan Transformation Realm or even the Soul Foundation Realm. Their pressure made every new disciple in the plaza breathe faster, awe rising in their hearts.
One white-bearded elder slowly stepped forward. Vast spiritual clouds encircled him, as though he were an incarnation of heaven and earth. He spoke:
"Everyone, from this day onward, you are disciples of the White Cloud Sect. But our sect takes the Heavenly Dao as its foundation. All who enter must first leave a soul imprint before the White Cloud Heavenly Stele to demonstrate their loyalty and foundation. Whether you gain the stele's recognition will determine your future cultivation path and the resources you receive."
As his words fell, hundreds of formation patterns blazed to life around the plaza, enveloping the entire grounds like an inverted river of stars.
The new disciples waited with bated breath, all eyes fixed on the White Cloud Heavenly Stele towering ten thousand zhang high. The stele began to tremble, its radiance flickering. An incomparably vast presence descended like the Heavenly Dao entering the mortal world, making everyone's heart and soul shake.
The elder swept his sleeve and declared:
"Come forward in turn and touch the heavenly stele. Let the Heavenly Dao bear witness to your souls and aptitudes!"
At once, the plaza erupted in discussion.
"It's finally starting!"
"I heard there was a monstrous genius last year who summoned a phenomenon of heavenly music across ten thousand li just by touching the stele!"
"Hmph, we're no weaklings! Today, I'll leave my name on this stele and make everyone know my talent!"
Qin Yu, Yang Zheng, and Zhao Xinyu stood among the crowd, their gazes blazing as intense anticipation kindled in all three hearts. The White Cloud Heavenly Stele-this would be their first true test after entering the White Cloud Sect!
The White Cloud Heavenly Stele's test lasted more than half a day. Thousands of disciples stepped forward one by one, some producing dim light, others flickering spiritual brilliance, drawing constant exclamations from the crowd. Qin Yu and his companions, however, paid little attention. What they awaited was not this momentary brilliance, but the moment they formally became White Cloud Sect disciples.
When the final disciple completed the test, a White Cloud Sect elder waved his hand, and a mighty bell rang out once more, shaking the nine heavens. Several White Cloud Sect stewards approached the center of the plaza, carrying neatly arranged jade boxes that radiated an incomparably solemn presence.
"From this day onward, you are all outer disciples of our White Cloud Sect!" The white-bearded elder's voice boomed like the Heavenly Dao. "These are outer disciple tokens, the basis of your identity and standing. Those who hold them may enter the outer sect to cultivate, receive cultivation resources, and enjoy the protection of our sect's laws. Cherish them!"
As the jade boxes opened one after another, thousands of outer disciple tokens floated up and became streaks of rainbow light, flying into the new disciples' hands. Qin Yu's token was white jade in color, inlaid with golden patterns. The words "White Cloud" were carved on the front, while the back bore his unique soul imprint. The moment it entered his hand, it linked closely with his presence.
Immediately afterward, a White Cloud Sect steward announced loudly, "You will be assigned to different palace residences according to your cultivation and performance before the heavenly stele. Spirit springs flow within these palaces, and spirit veins reach into the heavens. Every seven days, you may receive cultivation pills provided by the sect. Cultivate diligently, and do not squander your time!"
As his words fell, the depths of the White Cloud Sect's mountain gates opened with a roar, pouring out countless rays of spiritual light. Amid encircling mountains, tiered palaces emerged from the clouds and mist. The Spiritual Qi was so dense it almost condensed into haze, illuminating the entire sky in splendor.
Qin Yu, Yang Zheng, and Zhao Xinyu were assigned to the outer sect palaces on Heavenly Splendor Peak. The peak towered into the sky, its steps paved with white stone. Palaces dotted its slopes like stars, spirit veins led straight into the mountain's heart, and spirit springs bubbled forth. Every wisp of breath filling the air was a hundred times richer than at Cloud-Leveling Hall.
Even more astonishingly, looking up from Heavenly Splendor Peak, they could clearly see the White Cloud Sect's highest core area. The palaces there glittered in gold and jade, and the sea of clouds flowed like a waterfall. Occasionally, they could glimpse enormous spirit ships suspended among the clouds, flying birds and spirit beasts crossing the sky, and hear the faint tolling of Heavenly Dao bells, as though proclaiming that place the true sacred land of cultivators.
"This... is a true sacred sect," Yang Zheng could not help murmuring in wonder, his eyes filled with shock.
Zhao Xinyu gripped her token, longing and resolve in her gaze. "One day, we too will step into that upper realm and stand at the pinnacle of the nine heavens."
Qin Yu gazed at that sacred, glorious world, his blood likewise surging with fervor. Secretly tightening his grip on his token, he said softly, "White Cloud Sect... I, Qin Yu, will carve out a place of my own here."