Chapter 213 Cultivation Path A (Part 7) Path A's combat power is maxed out...
After the first round of exciting competition, the atmosphere below the competition stage became extremely lively.
"What impressive skills! Our Jade Balance Sect has produced a promising talent this time! May I ask what this senior brother's name is?"
"You don't know? He's Song Ce, that genius with a single wood elemental root! He just came to our sect a few days ago, and I never expected him to make such progress in just a few months!"
"I just secretly observed his aura, and it seems he has broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage?"
"Really? He looks like he's only fifteen or sixteen years old."
"We need not underestimate ourselves. There are all sorts of wonders on this continent of Kyushu. People like him are always a minority."
"Yes, yes, Senior Brother is right!"
Below the arena, the crowd whispered amongst themselves, while on the stage, group after group of disciples took turns competing and being assessed. Unbeknownst to them, Song Ce heard a familiar name: "Group sixteen, Mu Qingdai versus Wang Lingjun."
Today, Mu Qingdai was dressed in a flowing disciple's robe and held an exquisite folding fan. Her opponent, Wang Lingjun, was a young man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, wielding a slender sword.
Mu Qingdai is currently at the seventh level of Qi Refining, making her an exceptionally outstanding figure among the outer disciples. She unfolded her folding fan and smiled gently, "Junior Brother Wang, please—"
Wang Lingjun nodded slightly, said nothing more, and directly unleashed three fire talismans at Mu Qingdai. The scorching flames snaked away like fire snakes.
Mu Qingdai made no move. Just as the fire snake was about to pounce on her, she flicked out a blue bead, which struck the snake's head precisely. With a soft "hiss," the fire snake exploded into sparks in mid-air.
"A trivial skill."
Mu Qingdai snorted coldly, formed a hand seal, and unfolded a folding fan. In the next instant, petals condensed from spiritual energy shot out from the folding fan like a rainstorm, heading straight for Wang Lingjun's acupoints.
Seeing this, Wang Lingjun hurriedly retreated, but was still grazed on her shoulder, wrist, and knee by three petals. The places touched by the petals immediately went numb.
The two fought back and forth for nearly a hundred rounds until Wang Lingjun's spiritual power was exhausted and she was hit in the chest by a spiritual petal, causing her to stagger back a few steps.
"Impressive skills! I admit defeat..."
Before Wang Lingjun could finish speaking, Mu Qingdai smiled gently and did not stop in time. Instead, she quickly reversed her body and secretly used a spiritual energy arrow to shoot at his dantian meridian.
Upon seeing this, Elder Nan Yuanyi quickly intervened and blocked the attack for Wang Lingjun.
"Everyone! The competition on stage should be stopped once it's over! Do not harm the spiritual roots or lives of others!"
Some disciples with low spiritual power couldn't see the intricacies of the situation, but the inner disciples and elders who came to watch the battle naturally saw it clearly. Elder Nan Yuanyi frowned slightly and waved his hand, ordering someone to carry Wang Lingjun away for treatment.
"This junior sister is too ruthless. She clearly won..."
"Exactly! That junior brother was in such a close call! If he had been seriously injured, it would have been difficult for him to recover in the future!"
"We're all from the same sect, why is it like this?"
Song Ce stood below the stage, quietly watching Mu Qingdai, who appeared innocent and harmless, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
The competitions continued one after another, and the sun gradually began to set. With the conclusion of the last group's competition, a total of twenty-one disciples successfully advanced.
Elder Nan Yuanyi stepped onto the competition platform, looking pleased, and said, "Congratulations to everyone for passing the inner sect assessment. Three days from now, at dawn, please come to the Hall of Affairs to collect your new identity jade tokens."
"Yes! Elder!"
Song Ce walked back with the other disciples. When they reached the courtyard, Mu Qingdai quickly walked up to him and smiled, "Senior Brother Song, congratulations. From today onwards, we are all inner disciples."
Seeing that Song Ce did not speak, Mu Qingdai was taken aback and softly called out, "Senior Brother Song?"
"What is it?"
Mu Qingdai was silent for a moment, then bit her lower lip and said, "Senior Brother Song, why are you so cold to Qingdai? Did Qingdai do something wrong to upset you?"
Upon hearing this, Song Ce merely glanced at her indifferently and remained silent.
Mu Qingdai's smile froze for a moment. "Senior Brother Song, I couldn't control my spiritual power on the competition stage just now, which is why I made a mistake. Besides, Junior Brother Wang wasn't really injured, was he? I was just worried that Junior Brother Wang might have a hidden trick up his sleeve, so I thought I'd be on the safe side."
"in case?"
"Yes! Senior Brother Song, you know how fierce the competition is for inner sect spots among outer sect disciples. A slight misstep can lead to being ambushed! I... I was just trying to protect myself! Just trying to protect myself..."
Song Ce remained calm, lifted his foot and continued walking forward, passing Mu Qingdai directly.
Mu Qingdai gazed at his tall, straight back, her fingers gripping the folding fan turning slightly white. It seemed this man was beyond her control.
After becoming an inner disciple of the Jade Balance Sect, Song Ce's life was indeed very busy for a while. The cultivation resources for inner disciples were much more abundant than those for outer disciples, but in return, inner disciples had to go to the Hall of Affairs every month to receive sect missions. Completing the missions would earn them the monthly amount of pills and spirit stones.
Although Song Ce became an inner disciple six months earlier than the original owner of this body, the Third Elder, Cong Yun Zhenren, still greatly admired him. The day after receiving his inner disciple jade token, Cong Yun Zhenren came to him and said he wanted to take him as his disciple.
Song Ce did not hesitate and naturally accepted this responsible master.
After Song Ce produced more than thirty Rejuvenation Pills in one batch, Cong Yun Zhenren was overjoyed and generously provided him with all the resources she possessed to nurture him. In just three months, the auxiliary pills refined by Song Ce became extremely sought after.
When spring arrived the following year, the Jade Balance Sect leader announced to the public that five disciples would be selected from among the newly recruited inner disciples to participate in the upcoming Cloud Wind Ridge Secret Realm.
These secret realms, which appear only once every ten years, have already had most of their opportunities explored. But for a small sect like the Jade Balance Sect, it's still well worth a visit.
Of course, the new disciples who went to the secret realm were all carefully selected, and Song Ce, as the eldest disciple of the Third Elder Cong Yun Zhenren, naturally took a spot.
Meanwhile, inside the Xizi Palace.
The sect leader of Yuheng Sect sat in the main seat and asked the second elder, Wudao Zhenren, who was sitting below him, "Wudao, who are the disciples who are going to the Yunfeng Ridge Secret Realm on this trip?"
Wu Dao stood up, cupped his hands in a salute, and said loudly, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, this trip to Yunfeng Ridge includes my junior disciple Mu Qingdai, the Third Elder's eldest disciple Song Ce, the Fifth Elder's second disciple Xiao Ruochun, as well as Junfeng disciple Lan Hongying and Siwenfeng disciple Tang Suyi."
The sect leader nodded. "Five people is just right."
At this moment, Elder Yi'an Zhenren, who was sitting opposite Wudao, chuckled and slowly spoke up: "I remember, Zhiyin, that girl, achieved Foundation Establishment a few days ago, right?"
The sect leader smiled and said, "Yes, I just successfully established my foundation half a month ago."
“That’s it.” Master Yi’an slightly curled her fingers and gently tapped the table. “In my opinion, it would be better to let Zhiyin go with us to broaden our horizons. One more person won’t hurt. We can go together and expand our knowledge, what do you think?”
"this……"
The sect leader's brows relaxed, and his fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest. "The secret realm expedition has always been governed by strict rules. Once the quota is set, adding people at the last minute... will inevitably cause controversy."
Upon hearing this, Master Yi'an stroked his beard, a smile playing on his lips. "Not to mention that Zhiyin is my personal disciple, she is also your only bloodline, Sect Leader. Zhiyin has just established her foundation, and her cultivation is not yet stable. That is why I suggested that she should go and gain some experience."
Upon hearing this, Master Wudao frowned slightly and said cautiously, "Elder, although Cloud Wind Ridge is not considered particularly dangerous, there are many variables within the secret realm, I'm afraid..."
Before he could finish speaking, Master Yi'an interrupted, "The matter is settled then. Zhiyin is quiet and reserved, usually only focused on her cultivation, and has never experienced the storms of the outside world. Second Elder, do not worry. Before she departs, I will leave Zhiyin a jade pendant. If she encounters danger on this journey, I, as her master, will go to her rescue. There will be no trouble. Besides, with another person traveling with her, they can look after each other."
Since Master Yi'an had already spoken to this extent, Master Wudao naturally couldn't refuse him, so he could only reply, "Then... everything will be as the Grand Elder says."
Five days later, at dawn, six disciples gathered outside the gates of the Jade Balance Sect, heading towards the Cloud Wind Ridge Secret Realm.
Yunfeng Ridge is a three-day journey from Yuheng Sect. The sect leader waved his hand and ordered the six people to travel there by the sect's flying boat.
Before their departure, the sect leader gently instructed the group: "You are all at the Foundation Establishment stage, with the highest being only at the late Foundation Establishment stage. The Cloud Wind Ridge Secret Realm is extremely dangerous for you, so you must be careful. Remember, if things become unmanageable within the secret realm, immediately crush the jade pendant and escape. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Sect Leader!" the crowd responded in unison.
"Okay, go ahead."
Soon, the flying boat hovered in mid-air, weaving through the layered mountains. Song Ce stood leaning against the railing, the spring breeze carrying the fragrance of grass and trees, making him quite comfortable.
"Senior Brother Song is in high spirits, even enjoying the scenery here." Mu Qingdai walked gracefully to Song Ce's side and said softly.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ruochun lightly waved his folding fan and looked at the two of them with great interest. He said in a clear voice, "Junior Sister Qingdai, you are mistaken. Although this flying boat is two days slower than the teleportation array, it allows us to enjoy the scenery along the way, which is a rare pleasure."
"On this trip to Yunfeng Ridge, we'll also be able to broaden our horizons with Senior Brother Ruochun." Lan Hongying covered her mouth and smiled, giving Xiao Ruochun a charming look.
Tang Suyi remained noncommittal, then turned to look at Chu Zhiyin, who was silent not far away, and smiled, "Senior Sister Chu, the scenery here is very beautiful. Why don't you come and enjoy the view with us?"
Chu Zhiyin slowly closed her eyes and said calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, Junior Brother Tang, but it's not necessary."
Tang Suyi frowned almost imperceptibly, but still smiled and said, "In that case, I won't disturb Senior Sister's cultivation any longer."
"Hehe, Junior Brother Tang, don't be annoyed. After all, Senior Sister Chu is the Grand Elder's personal disciple and the Sect Leader's beloved daughter. Naturally, she's different from us ordinary disciples." Lan Hongying smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
Mu Qingdai was standing next to Xiao Ruochun when she heard this. She subconsciously looked at Song Ce, who was standing not far away with a distant expression, and covered her mouth with a smile, saying, "I don't know why, but I feel that Senior Sister Chu's personality is quite compatible with Senior Brother Song's."
"Compatible?" Tang Suyi's expression turned cold, and he snorted, "Senior Sister Chu's personality is just like that, what does it have to do with others?"
Mu Qingdai's face stiffened after being choked by Tang Suyi. Xiao Ruochun, who was standing to the side, coughed twice and quickly tried to smooth things over: "Junior Brother Tang, Junior Sister Qingdai was just saying it casually. There are many variables in our journey to the secret realm. All of you junior brothers and sisters must be on your guard and work together."
"Hmph! You're so chivalrous!"
Lan Hongying curled her lip, glanced at the group of people with different expressions, and then glared fiercely at Mu Qingdai.
That scheming bitch!
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Author's note: [Keep it up!][Keep it up!]
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