Chapter 22: Into the Inner Sect (2)

Just outside the Crimson Flame Sect, in a clearing that still bore the scars of many recent battles, Ji Yue moved gracefully across the ground. Her silver hair swayed lightly as she carefully repaired the damaged array formation engraved into the earth.

Nearby, Ji Yan leaned against one of the few trees that remained intact, idly turning a talisman between her fingers.

"Do we really need to get the Crimson Fire now?" Ji Yan asked. "We can come back later, raze this entire sect to the ground, and take it then. It doesn’t have to be now."

"No. It has to be now."

Ji Yue did not even look up as she continued repairing the formation.

"Besides, this is a perfect chance for you to fight to your heart’s content. What are you dissatisfied with?"

"I have no problem with fighting." Ji Yan caught the talisman between two fingers. "I just don’t want to go through all this trouble for that brat."

"You’re still complaining about this?"

Ji Yue finally glanced at her sister and sighed.

"What more are you dissatisfied with? He already passed your test."

"And what did that test prove?" Ji Yan’s expression turned sour. "His cultivation speed. Nothing else."

"Don’t be childish. You were the one who chose the test. If you weren’t going to accept the result, you should have asked for something else from the beginning."

Hearing the words she least wanted to hear, Ji Yan tightened her grip on the talisman and continued grumbling.

"How was I supposed to know he would break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm so easily with those low qualifications of his?"

"You should know better than anyone that Spiritual Root is not everything." Ji Yue’s tone remained firm. "You can only blame yourself for looking at things too narrowly."

"Anyway, stop playing with that talisman. I worked hard to obtain it. Now go and drag an elder or two from the Crimson Flame Sect over here."

Ji Yan clicked her tongue but pushed herself away from the tree.

"Fine, fine. I’m going."

-------

Back in the forge, the place where Gu Yuan had spent more time than anywhere else besides his house during his five years in the outer sect, a strange sense of melancholy settled over him as he waited for Deacon Zhao.

It felt as though only yesterday he had first come here with the simple intention of training his Artifact Forging skills. Yet nearly five years had passed.

Since arriving at the Black Desolation Sect, time had gone by quickly.

Thinking back on it, quite a few things had happened. He had met the twins, encountered spies, become a Forging Master, and broken through into the Foundation Establishment Realm...

Many things had happened, and one page of his life was probably about to be folded shut here.

But that was fine. Another page would soon begin.

With those thoughts in mind, Gu Yuan continued waiting. Before long, the sound of footsteps came from outside.

Deacon Zhao had finally returned.

"You’re lucky. Things progressed more smoothly than expected. Someone else had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm some time ago, so the procedures that would have taken quite a while because of the ongoing war, were completed in one go."

Deacon Zhao took out a wooden token and handed it to him.

"This is a one-time pass token for the teleportation array. I’ll take you to the inner sect immediately." He paused before asking, "Are you ready? Or do you want to go back to your house and take care of a few things first?"

Gu Yuan blinked and remained silent for a brief moment before shaking his head.

"No. Let’s go immediately. I’ve already finished everything there."

...

Following Deacon Zhao, Gu Yuan arrived at the edge of the outer sect, where an ancient-looking altar stood in a secluded area.

A circular platform occupied the center of the altar, its surface covered in intricate array inscriptions. Around its edge were several small grooves, each holding Spirit Stones that supplied the formation with energy.

Several disciples stood guard around the site. After checking their identities and the pass token, they were allowed to step onto the platform.

In the quiet moments that followed while the array was being activated, anticipation continued to rise in Gu Yuan’s chest. A brilliant light suddenly burst forth, forcing him to close his eyes. At the same time, a heavy pressure briefly pressed down on his body.

He had no doubt that if a mortal had attempted to use this teleportation array, even with a pass, they would not have been able to endure it.

A few seconds later, the pressure vanished completely, and Gu Yuan opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw was the mountains.

Five enormous peaks rose into the clouds, their upper reaches disappearing into the mist. Between them stretched a vast valley, and nestled within it was a large city alive with activity.

Cultivators flew through the air on swords and various magical instruments, while countless figures moved through the streets below. Despite the war raging outside, the place appeared remarkably prosperous and thriving.

"That’s the inner sect of the Black Desolation Sect. Congratulations again on reaching it."

Deacon Zhao’s proud voice at his side brought Gu Yuan’s attention back to the present.

Three disciples were waiting nearby. A man and a woman stood together, both looking at him with the faint curiosity one might show toward a country bumpkin visiting the city for the first time.

The third was a young man with his chin slightly raised, carrying himself with the air of a proud son of heaven. Yet despite his lofty appearance, his eyes kept wandering around the surroundings, betraying his curiosity.

Gu Yuan was only seventeen years old, and he had thought he probably wouldn’t see anyone younger than himself in the inner sect.

Yet the young man in front of him looked barely fifteen.

From his spiritual sense, Gu Yuan could sense that he was already in the Foundation Establishment Realm. So, he was slightly surprised.

Still, he didn’t dwell on it. He first cupped his hands toward Deacon Zhao.

"Thank you for bringing me here, Deacon Zhao."

He then turned toward the three disciples.

"Greetings, Senior Brother and Senior Sister. Greetings, fellow disciple."

"Greetings, greetings." The only woman among the three, Qin Lan, responded casually. Her gaze moved between Gu Yuan and Ye Chen the young man who had arrived to inner sect alongside him, and she couldn’t help but chuckle.

"It seems the two disciples entering the inner sect this time are both little geniuses."

"Hmph." Ye Chen snorted, raising his chin even higher.

Gu Yuan, however, simply shook his head. "I’m not really a genius. I was just fortunate enough to break into the Foundation Establishment realm."

He had no interest in competing with a fifteen-year-old over who was more talented.

"I’ll take my leave then. You can ask these two fellow cultivators to guide you around the inner sect."

Deacon Zhao turned toward the three disciples and cupped his hands respectfully. Then, after exchanging a few more words, he finally turned around and returned to the teleportation array.

Qin Lan looked at the two newcomers.

"Do either of you want to try entering under the tutelage of an elder? Or are you aiming for the Core Disciple position?"

Generally speaking, those who aimed to become core disciples preferred to wait until they reached that status before seeking the guidance of stronger elders. Doing so increased their chances of being accepted and receiving better treatment.

Ye Chen shook his head. "I don’t intend to become an elder’s disciple for now."

Gu Yuan, however, gave a different answer. "If possible, I think becoming an elder’s disciple would be better."

"Then, do you already have an elder in mind?" Qin Lan asked, ignoring the scornful look Ye Chen shot in Gu Yuan’s direction.

Gu Yuan hesitated. What he really wanted was someone reasonable, peace-loving, and preferably low-profile. But asking for such a person in the Black Desolation Sect was practically asking for something that didn’t exist.

"Well... someone who is protective of their disciples and treats them well?"

Qin Lan raised an eyebrow.

"Junior Brother, have you offended someone?"

"No?"

"Well, regardless, there is Elder Luo Yunjin. Her cultivation is unfathomable, and she is quite protective of her disciples. The only problem is that she has only ever accepted one disciple, unlike the other elders who take in many. Do you still want to try your luck?"

Luo Yunjin... Where had he heard that name before? Gu Yuan pondered for a moment but ultimately nodded.

"Yes. Sorry for the trouble, Senior Sister. Please help me ask."

"Then..." Qin Lan’s gaze shifted between Gu Yuan and Ye Chen before she quickly made her decision.

"Gu Yuan can come with me. Senior Brother Fang, please take Ye Chen."

"Sure." The man named Fang Yu nodded.

Soon, Gu Yuan found himself standing on the same flying sword as Qin Lan, one hand lightly holding her waist as they flew deeper into the inner sect.

Behind them, Ye Chen stood on Fang Yu’s flying artifact, gradually disappearing into the distance as the two groups headed in different directions.

"Hold on tight," Qin Lan said with a light, teasing wink. "If you fall from this height, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator won’t survive."

Gu Yuan naturally tightened his grip around her soft waist. As they continued flying, however, his mind was elsewhere.

Why were all the women he met like this? He thought helplessly.

Well... except for the twins. Even when Ji Yue had hugged him, he had never felt the same provocative intent from her that he sensed from women like Qin Lan.

Gu Yuan was a healthy man. It wasn’t that he disliked physical intimacy, but to him, an emotional connection came before a physical one. Without that foundation, this kind of teasing only made him uncomfortable.

His impression of Qin Lan quietly dropped a notch.

Soon, they descended in front of a spacious and elegant hall.

Gu Yuan’s eyes immediately swept across the surroundings.

The residence was elegant without being excessively extravagant. White stone paths wound through a quiet courtyard, surrounded by carefully maintained spiritual plants. A small pond lay a short distance away, its clear surface reflecting the surrounding greenery and the faint spiritual mist lingering in the air.

Compared to the noisy outer sect, the place felt almost detached from the rest of the world.

This was where one of the Black Desolation Sect’s elders lived?

Gu Yuan couldn’t help but admire it.

Qin Lan stood still, seemingly communicating with someone using a sound transmission technique. After a short while, she turned back toward him.

"You’re lucky. Elder Luo Yunjin has already returned from the Crimson Flame Sect and is currently in her residence. She has agreed to meet you."

She smiled. "You really might be lucky enough to become her disciple."

"Oh..."

The enthusiasm in Gu Yuan’s voice noticeably faded.

He had just remembered where he had heard the name Luo Yunjin.

She the elder who had led the first group to the Crimson Flame Sect.

That didn’t exactly sound like the peaceful, low-profile elder he had been hoping for.

If anything, being willing to personally participate in a dangerous war sounded like the exact opposite.

Am I really in the right place?

Keeping those thoughts to himself, Gu Yuan followed Qin Lan down from the flying sword and toward the hall, preparing to meet Elder Luo Yunjin.