Free Web NovelChapter 23: Chapter 23: Inner Sect
Seven days later, the highly anticipated Profound Celestial Sect’s Outer Sect Grand Competition had come to an end.
Gu Yun had fought with all his might but, in the end, only managed to rank sixteenth. Situ Qingtian ranked seventh.
Meanwhile, Xiao Chen, the one with the protagonist template, had a final burst of power, breaking through mid-battle to rank nineteenth.
With his Ninth Layer Late Stage cultivation, he had forcefully carved a spot for himself in the top twenty, a group composed entirely of geniuses at the Ninth Layer Peak.
Li Xingyue ranked ninety-seventh.
As for people like Shangguan Jian who didn’t make it to the semifinals, they had to fight in the revival matches to earn a ticket into the Inner Sect.
What pleased Gu Yun was the distribution of the Sect’s rewards: two hundred Spirit Stones and a bottle of Spirit Enhancing Pills.
He also received the chance to choose one Profound Tier Low Grade Cultivation and Martial Technique from the Hidden Martial Arts Pavilion.
The finals of the Outer Sect Grand Competition ultimately became a stage for the top ten disciples.
This was especially true for Shi Ritian, who defeated every opponent, radiating a brilliant momentum of invincibility.
He was majestic and dazzling!
’This is actually quite dangerous,’ Gu Yun thought.
’If I were in charge of an enemy Sect, a monstrous talent like Shi Ritian...’
’...would definitely be on my Sect’s kill list. I couldn’t possibly let him fully mature.’
’There’s a simple reason for it: the tree that stands tallest in the forest will be the first to be toppled by the wind.’
But everyone’s path is different.
Perhaps this was the path others were meant to walk: to carry a brilliant momentum, defeat all heavenly talents, walk the path of invincibility, and ultimately ascend to the pinnacle of power.
In truth, it wasn’t a matter of right or wrong, just a difference in philosophy.
’What you might think is perfect, I might not necessarily agree.’
...
「A few days later.」
DONG! DONG! DONG!
In the early morning, the sun slowly rose from the east, its light illuminating the entire world.
Wave after wave of melodious bell chimes echoed, lingering between heaven and earth.
Across the vast, verdant sea of mountains and forests, several streaks of light carrying dozens of disciples in Profound Celestial Sect Outer Sect robes streaked across the high heavens,
heading toward the Inner Sect region.
Gu Yun stood aboard a flying shuttle, speeding through the air.
It was early morning.
From the flying shuttle,
Gu Yun watched as the sun rose from the sea of clouds in the east, painting the sky with a magnificent dawn glow.
It shone with boundless radiance, as brilliant as golden light.
Even with Gu Yun’s disposition, gazing at this boundless scene, he couldn’t help but feel his heart surge with emotion!
The other disciples felt the same. Seeing that they were about to enter the Inner Sect of the Profound Celestial Sect—a top-tier Sect in the Eastern Profound Domain—
their eyes shimmered with anticipation for the future!
’We all have a bright future ahead of us!’
’Even so, it wasn’t easy,’ Gu Yun thought. ’Five and a half years... I’m finally entering the Inner Sect!’
In the last Outer Sect Grand Competition three years ago,
he had been nothing more than a minor figure at the Spiritual Martial Realm Sixth Layer, having only been in the Sect for two and a half years.
His destination on this trip was the Celestial Thunder Dao Peak.
After the Outer Sect Grand Competition ended, Gu Yun and the other disciples who had qualified for the Inner Sect went through the selection process for the eight great Inner Sect Dao Peaks. They could either choose a Dao Peak themselves or be personally invited by a Peak Master or Vice Peak Master from the high platform.
Gu Yun, for his part, had been invited by Sikong Zheng, the Peak Master of the Celestial Thunder Dao Peak. He was a stern, middle-aged man with a cold expression, short white hair, and an imposing aura, clad in a dark gold battle robe.
Gu Yun had wanted to choose the peak of Thunder Techniques himself. Since the interest was mutual, he naturally became a disciple of the Celestial Thunder Dao Peak.
As for Xiao Chen of the protagonist template, he joined the Flame Fire Dao Peak.
Gu Yun’s good friend, Li Xingyue, entered the Spirit Sword Dao Peak.
"Finally, I’m entering the Inner Sect!"
Aboard the flying shuttle, Gu Yun gazed at the rapidly retreating verdant forest below and couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.
’Heaven Rewards Diligence truly lives up to its name,’ he mused. ’Without this golden finger, with my merely above-average talent...’
’...how could I have reached the Spiritual Martial Ninth Layer Peak in just three to five years? The vast majority of ordinary Cultivators never surpass this level in their entire lives.’
’They can never cross that chasm-like peak to break through to the True Martial Realm. But for me, as long as I work hard, reaching it is just a matter of spending a little more time.’
’The road may be long, but travel will bring one to the destination; the task may be difficult, but action will see it done.’
’How else could I have ranked in the top tier at sixteenth place in the Outer Sect Grand Competition, among the hundred thousand disciples and countless geniuses of the Profound Celestial Sect?’
Stepping into the Inner Sect was the true beginning of becoming extraordinary and unworldly.
Only by entering the Inner Sect could one receive the full-fledged training of the Profound Celestial Sect.
The Profound Celestial Sect has one hundred thousand Outer Sect disciples but only three thousand Inner Sect disciples. This alone showed that the Inner Sect disciples were the true elite of the Sect.
Countless small families in the Eastern Profound Domain hoped for one of their own talented clan members to enter the Profound Celestial Sect’s Inner Sect.
Whether in terms of benefits or legacy techniques, the Inner Sect disciples received was on a completely different level from what the Outer Sect could compare to.
The other disciples on the flying shuttle were also buzzing with excitement, engaged in heated discussions.
"I heard that the Profound Celestial Sect occupies the only super-large Spirit Vein in the entire Eastern Profound Domain, which spans hundreds of thousands of miles."
"The Spirit Vein of Profound Celestial Mountain spreads out beneath the earth and mountains. From its main trunk, it extends densely for thousands of miles in every direction."
"Any place where the Spirit Vein’s energy overflows is the territory of our Profound Celestial Sect!"
Soon,
the group saw it—an absolutely enormous mountain ahead that seemed to pierce the clouds. All around it, multicolored curtains of light rose high into the sky.
It was a Heaven-Reaching peak, wreathed in what looked like spiritual mist and immortal qi!
After that, the group formally entered the Inner Sect.
Gu Yun and the others followed the incredibly imposing Sikong Zheng toward the Celestial Thunder Dao Peak.
Ahead of the vast sea of mountains and forests stood a tall mountain. Blue light swirled within the clouds and mist surrounding it, and arcs of lightning flashed around its body.
From a distance, one could see an astonishing light flickering within.
This was the Celestial Thunder Dao Peak!
After leading Gu Yun and the others to the Celestial Thunder Dao Peak, Sikong Zheng’s figure flickered and transformed into a bolt of thunder, disappearing in an instant.
The one who came to greet their group was a handsome young Cultivator dressed in a purple Profound Robe.
This handsome young Cultivator in the purple Profound Robe faced the crowd and said, "Junior Brothers and Sisters, my name is Chu Ran."
"You can also call me Senior Brother Chu."
"Next, I will give you an introduction to our Celestial Thunder Dao Peak."
...
「Three days later.」
Inside his Spiritual Energy Cave Mansion, which was filled with rich Spiritual Qi, Gu Yun sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion,
recalling the rules of the Inner Sect.
’Sect disciples are forbidden from killing one another, from carelessly revealing Sect secrets to outsiders, from casually sharing the Sect’s techniques, and so on.’
’Violators will be severely punished by the Law Enforcement Hall—punishments include having their cultivation crippled, being expelled from the Sect, and more.’
’These rules are all pretty standard, actually.’
Gu Yun considered the most important rules to be the following:
One: Promotion and demotion of Inner Sect Disciples.
’Those who cannot advance to the True Martial Realm within twenty years will be completely abandoned. They’ll be removed from the Inner Sect and serve as Stewards in the Outer Sect, or be sent to guard some of the Sect’s Spiritual Ore mines, manage some of its businesses, or things of that nature.’
’Unless you can advance to the True Martial Realm later on...’
’...you will likely never be able to return to the Inner Sect for the rest of your life. This point is extremely important.’
’The Profound Celestial Sect’s Inner Sect does not nurture useless people!’
Two: After entering the Inner Sect, new disciples can focus on their cultivation within their Dao Peak for the first five years.
’Unless absolutely necessary, the Sect will not assign any mandatory missions. After five years, everyone must complete a certain number of missions annually,’
’for example, missions like clearing out Demon Beasts from the Demon Beast Mountain Range, or investigating and eliminating Demon Fiends.’
’Generally speaking, the rewards for these Sect missions are quite valuable, enough to motivate Inner Sect disciples to actively participate.’
’Moreover, if you want to acquire more cultivation resources during these five years, the Sect will not stop you from going out to accept missions.’
Three: The benefits for Inner Sect Disciples.
’Every Inner Sect Disciple is entitled to their own independent Spiritual Energy Cave Mansion.’
