Chapter 101: I Got Stronger, and I Also Went Bald

Chapter 101: Chapter 101: I Got Stronger, and I Also Went Bald

Chen Yue looked at Shen Dujiang and said in a deep voice, "Time waits for no one. Tomorrow, you all handle renting a courtyard. I’ll personally visit the mountain gates of the Flame Palace and the Panshi Sect to see if I can secure an opportunity for an assessment."

Chen Yue didn’t want to waste time waiting. The sooner he joined a power, gaining protection, resources, and more profound teachings, the faster his own strength would increase.

This principle was the same one that led him to unhesitatingly use Source Points to upgrade his Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield. Increasing his strength was the only true way to handle any crisis.

Seeing that Chen Yue had made his decision, Shen Dujiang and the other two nodded in agreement.

Shen Dujiang thought for a moment, then took the initiative. "Chen, I’ll accompany you tomorrow. You can focus on any potential assessment, and leave the miscellaneous tasks like making inquiries and handling arrangements to me. It’s better for two people to go; we can watch each other’s backs."

Chen Yue glanced at Shen Dujiang and nodded, not objecting.

Shen Dujiang was a veteran of the Jianghu; he was indeed more adept at handling such practical matters.

With the plan decided, the group discussed a few more details for the following day before retiring to their respective rooms to rest.

As the night deepened, Chen Yue did not go to sleep. Instead, he quietly slipped out of the inn.

He wasn’t headed for the brothels, gambling dens, or lavish restaurants. Instead, he sought out a few teahouses and taverns where people from all walks of life gathered. Ordering the cheapest pot of tea, he chose an inconspicuous corner and sat quietly, tuning into the idle chatter of the surrounding diners and drunkards.

Chen Yue paid special attention to any discussion of the Flame Palace and the Panshi Sect. Sure enough, in Celestial State Prefecture, the names of these two great powers were renowned, serving as popular topics for idle chatter among the common folk.

"I heard the Flame Palace got into another fight with the Liuyun Sword Sect last month. They were battling it out something fierce outside the city, all over some kind of ore."

"Those disciples from the Panshi Sect are tough as nails. Last time, the Black Tiger Gang from the south side of the city foolishly tried to stir up trouble at one of the Panshi Sect’s businesses. More than ten of their best men surrounded a single Outer Sect disciple and beat on him for ages, but in the end, the disciple just knocked them all unconscious, one slap apiece."

"Want to join the Panshi Sect? Go haul stones at the quarry outside the city for three months, then we’ll talk!"

"The Flame Palace is strict about recruiting, too, but I hear they’ll relax the requirements for people with special physiques or Innate Divine Power, letting them take the Inner Sect assessment directly."

These fragmented pieces of news flowed into his ears, largely confirming what Shen Dujiang had told him.

The reputations of the two sects were indeed respectable. While they engaged in conflicts, those were mostly external. Internally, they were said to be fairly united and didn’t engage in bullying the weak.

The Flame Palace valued Talent, especially favoring those with special physiques. The Panshi Sect, in contrast, placed more emphasis on foundation, perseverance, and solid physical aptitude.

Chen Yue also overheard an interesting detail mentioned by a few burly men, who looked like caravan guards, as they were drinking and boasting:

"The Panshi Sect’s techniques are incredible, but I heard from a relative in the sect that a lot of their disciples are practically bald! He said if you don’t train right, all the growth goes into your skin and bones instead of your hair!"

The group chuckled, and even Chen Yue’s mouth twitched slightly at the remark.

After sitting for another half an hour without hearing any more valuable information, Chen Yue left money for the tea and departed from the tavern as quietly as he had arrived, heading back to the inn.

The next morning, as the sky began to brighten, the four of them split up to act.

Hu Shaoyu took Lin Quan—who was both fascinated by and apprehensive about Celestial State Prefecture—to find the broker they had arranged to meet the day before. Their goal was to rent a suitable courtyard in the city as a temporary place to stay.

Meanwhile, Chen Yue and Shen Dujiang had a simple breakfast, confirmed the directions, and headed out of the city toward the Western Suburbs, where the Panshi Sect was located.

The Western Suburbs of Celestial State Prefecture were mountainous, and the Panshi Sect was situated amidst a range called Iron Rock Ridge. Built into the mountains, it was easy to defend and difficult to attack.

After walking for about an hour, the main road underfoot gradually gave way to a gravelly mountain path. The forests on either side grew denser, and the air filled with the crisp, earthy scent of the wilderness.

Rounding a mountain pass, the view suddenly opened up before them.

A few miles ahead, a rolling range of sparsely vegetated, grayish-brown mountains stretched across the horizon, its main peak exceptionally steep and majestic.

At the foot of the mountain, a magnificent gate soared thirty feet into the air. It was constructed from massive, gray-white stone blocks. In the center, three large words—"Panshi Stands Eternal"—were chiseled in a powerful script, exuding an imposing, indestructible aura.

Just inside the gate, a single, burly disciple stood solemnly on the steps, his gaze sweeping over the mountain path.

Chen Yue and Shen Dujiang exchanged a look, straightened their clothes, and strode steadily forward.

Before they could even approach the gate, the Panshi Sect disciple—a man who looked to be in his early twenties—stepped forward and raised a hand to stop them. His eyes scanned them both, lingering for a moment on the long saber at Chen Yue’s waist.

"This is the main gate of the Panshi Sect, a restricted area. Entry is by invitation only. If you two are here to visit someone, please present a token or state their name for us to announce. If you are merely passing through, please find another route."

Shen Dujiang quickly stepped forward, putting on a broad smile and cupping his fists.

"Greetings, young master. We are not here to visit friends, nor are we just passing through. In truth, my young companion here has long admired the great name of the Panshi Sect. He has come in sincere hope of joining your esteemed sect, but we are unsure of the proper procedure."

The disciple’s brow furrowed at his words, as if he’d just been presented with a major hassle. He waved his hand dismissively.

"Joining the sect? Don’t you know that the Panshi Sect’s recruitment period is over? The next recruitment ceremony isn’t for another half a year! The sect isn’t accepting new disciples right now. You two should leave, don’t linger here."

With that, he turned to return to his post.

Seeing this, Shen Dujiang hurried forward a couple of steps to get closer to the disciple. With his right hand concealed by his sleeve, he pinched a silver tael between his fingers. His smile never faltering, he said in a low voice:

"Perhaps you could point us in the right direction, young master. My companion here has truly outstanding Talent, but he just arrived in Celestial State Prefecture and isn’t familiar with the sect’s rules..."

However, before Shen Dujiang could finish his sentence or pass over the silver, the disciple’s expression turned grim. His right hand shot out like an iron pincer, clamping down on the wrist Shen Dujiang was extending.

The force was so immense that a sharp pain shot through Shen Dujiang’s wrist, and his bones emitted a faint CRACK.

"You dare to bribe me?"

The disciple’s voice rose sharply, filled with unconcealed rage and contempt. "What do you take the Panshi Sect for? A den of vice and corruption? Get out!"

With his wrist trapped, Shen Dujiang broke into a cold sweat from the pain, his heart reeling in shock.

He never imagined that a common gatekeeping disciple of the Panshi Sect would be so upright—so principled he was practically inflexible.

Shen Dujiang quickly forced a smile, enduring the pain as he explained:

"Calm your anger, young master! It was my mistake; I was being reckless. I had absolutely no intention of disrespecting your esteemed sect! It’s just that on my way to Celestial State Prefecture, I heard that if your sect encounters someone of truly exceptional talent, a special exception can be made for an assessment, even outside the official recruitment period."

"My companion truly is gifted, which is why we took the liberty of coming here to try our luck. I hope you won’t hold it against us."

Chen Yue had already stepped forward and cupped his fists toward the still-fuming disciple.

"Senior Brother, my name is Chen Yue. My companion and I have only recently arrived in Celestial State Prefecture and are unfamiliar with many of the rules. My companion was just being hasty and acted improperly; he certainly meant no offense. I hope Senior Brother can be magnanimous and overlook his transgression."

Hearing Chen Yue’s words, and recalling Shen Dujiang’s mention of a special assessment, the disciple’s anger subsided slightly. Still, he let out a cold snort. With a sudden jerk of the hand gripping Shen Dujiang’s wrist, he tried to fling him away as a light punishment.

Shen Dujiang felt an irresistible force send him flying backward, and he was just about to take an embarrassing fall.

Just then, Chen Yue appeared behind him. He gently propped up Shen Dujiang’s back with his right hand while his left, moving with deceptive slowness, landed on his shoulder. A soft Power flowed through, neutralizing and dissipating the disciple’s fierce throw.

Shen Dujiang felt his backward momentum halt instantly. He stumbled for a moment before Chen Yue steadied him, and the two of them stood firm, completely unharmed.

The disciple who had thrown him saw this, and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

Though he hadn’t used his full strength, that throw should have been enough to make an ordinary Martial Artist take a nasty spill.

This young man’s Body Technique was shockingly fast, and his method of neutralizing and redirecting power was subtle and masterful. He made a difficult task look effortless—something far beyond the capabilities of an ordinary Bone Forging realm practitioner.

He sized Chen Yue up again, the disdain and impatience in his gaze fading away, replaced by scrutiny and a spark of interest.

"So you do have some real skill. That Body Technique and your ability to neutralize force are impressive. No wonder you’re so confident about passing the assessment."

He paused, his tone softening slightly, but his words were still a rejection.

"But you’ve really come at a bad time. We’ve had far more new disciples join this year than usual, and all the peaks are getting crowded. The Elders have already passed down word that we are temporarily not accepting any more new disciples. You should come back in half a year."

Chen Yue’s heart sank at these words, but he didn’t give up.

’If the path of martial talent is blocked for now,’ he thought, ’I’ll just have to try a different one.’

He took another step forward, calmly meeting the disciple’s scrutinizing gaze, and spoke slowly.

"Senior Brother, aside from the Martial Dao, I am also versed in the Alchemy Dao and can refine certain elixirs. I was wondering if your sect is perhaps recruiting Alchemy Masters?"

"An Alchemy Master?"

The disciple was visibly stunned. He looked Chen Yue up and down, scrutinizing him closely.

’This young man just demonstrated the skills of a powerful Martial Artist, yet he also knows alchemy?’

"What kind of elixirs can you refine? It’s not just the most basic Blood Circulation Pills and Hemostatic Powder, is it? That hardly counts as a real skill."

Chen Yue’s expression remained unchanged as he stated calmly, "I can refine the Solid Essence Pill, as well as the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill."

"Solid Essence Pill? And the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill?"

The disciple’s astonishment deepened. He was at the Bone Forging realm of Cultivation, and when funds were tight, he would occasionally buy a Solid Essence Pill to aid his training.

As for the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, he was of course familiar with it. While its effects on actual Bone Marrow Cleansing were almost negligible, its ability to boost one’s Cultivation was a cut above that of the Solid Essence Pill, making it significantly more expensive.

He had assumed that Chen Yue could, at best, refine Entry Level elixirs like the Blood Circulation Pill. He never expected him to name two elixirs that were quite valuable even to Martial Artists at the Bone Forging realm.

The disciple stared intently at Chen Yue, his voice low and serious. "Do not lie. If you can truly refine a Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill of decent quality on your own, then as a Pill Master, you might genuinely have a chance to be accepted by Dan Peak."

Chen Yue met his gaze, his tone firm. "I would not dare make such a claim lightly. If Senior Brother does not believe me, or if the sect requires proof, I am prepared to begin the refining process at any time to demonstrate my ability."

Seeing Chen Yue speak with such conviction, the disciple was about eighty percent convinced.

No one would dare joke about such a thing in front of the Panshi Sect’s main gate. The consequences were far more than a mere Bone Forging realm Martial Artist could bear.