Chapter 171 – Entrance Ceremony

  Jun De, Bai Xuelian, and Zhao Wuxian walked side by side toward the Outer Sect Plaza while the morning sun spilled over the sprawling stone steps that led down the mountain. The fresh banners of the Tranquil Mountain Sect fluttered in the air, while the newly scrubbed tiles of the plaza sparkled in the sunlight.

  A row of six Outer Sect Disciples who had recently reached the 7th Level of Qi Condensation stood at the base of the stairs, while the Elder who oversaw the ceremony watched on with cool detachment.

  For Jun De and Zhao Wuxian, this was their first Entrance Ceremony since joining the Inner Sect, and yet they were obligated to attend.

  The delay in the Inner Sect Ranking Competition meant that the two lowest-ranked Inner Sect Disciples were still Jun De and Zhao Wuxian, despite Jun De’s new stabilized Foundation Establishment cultivation and Zhao Wuxian having already reached the 10th Level of Qi condensation.

  It was absurd to compare everyone else in the Outer Sect to their extreme levels of talent, but the rules clearly stated that the lowest-ranked had to attend the ceremony. They just had to deal with stares that came with their new status.

  Zhao Wuxian folded his hands behind his head with a relaxed grin. The man was still bare-chested, his skin tanned and muscles on full display. He had lathered himself with a particularly thick coating of rare elixirs today, and his aura had an abundance of vitality.

  “Look at them staring at me. It’s difficult to be a role model for an entire generation, but thankfully, I am more than up to the challenge.” Zhao Wuxian said as he puffed out his chest while a cluster of Outer Sect Disciples whispered and pointed in their direction.

  Bai Xuelian snorted softly, but Zhao Wuxian kept going. He smoothed a hand over his perfectly arranged black hair and flashed his white teeth at the crowd.

  “It’s only natural to be jealous of me, Senior Sister Bai. Do not worry, I don’t take offence.” Zhao Wuxian paused, then reluctantly flicked a glance at Jun De.

  “Although I suppose you might be attracting a bit of attention as well, Brother Jun. Slightly.” Zhao Wuxian coughed into his hand as though the words pained him to admit. He had even changed his way of addressing Jun De, dropping the ‘junior,’ while still refusing to call him ‘Senior’ as was proper.

  “Reaching Foundation Establishment before me, even if you cheated somehow, is mildly impressive.”

  Behind him, Bai Xuelian flashed Jun De a bright and warm smile while hiding it from Zhao Wuxian’s eyes.

  “Thank you, Brother Zhao.” Jun De said.

  He walked calmly, his blue robes fluttering around him with every step. His Qi was harshly restrained, but anyone with even a trace of spiritual sense could feel the solid weight of his newly formed foundation.

  Unlike Zhao Wuxian, Jun De didn’t flaunt anything; his presence alone naturally drew attention.

  Bai Xuelian walked beside him in silence, her long platinum blond hair swaying like drifting snow. She had no reason to be here, yet she followed Jun De closely in order to spend some extra time with him.

  For once, she wasn’t the Icy Bai Xuelian of the Inner Sect; instead, she was just a woman accompanying someone she wished to be near.

  “It’s strange. It’s only been a year, but the Entrance Ceremony feels smaller than I remember.” Jun De said lightly as his eyes swept over the crowd, looking for familiar faces.

  He spotted them immediately.

  Lin Yue and Mei Lian were standing at the front of the crowd with a small space around them. The moment they saw him, both women lit up like lanterns in the night. Lin Yue waved to him excitedly, nearly hitting a nearby Disciple, while Mei Lian gave a more restrained wave.

  Their faces were full of pride and genuine happiness at seeing him, and Jun De couldn’t help but smile warmly back at them.

  But then his eyes shifted to the line of waiting entrants, the Inner Sect, and he froze.

  Standing amongst the group of candidates waiting to be evaluated was Ren Qiu. The arrogant young man whom he had met on his first day in the Tranquil Mountain Sect had transformed into a quiet and confident cultivator. His posture was straight, his eyes sharp, and the aura around him was unmistakably that of the 7th Level of Qi Condensation.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Ren Qiu noticed Jun De’s stare, and after a moment, nodded toward him in quiet acknowledgment.

  He wasn’t the only one among the Outer Sect Disciples who noticed Jun De’s arrival and the changes in his cultivation.

  “Is that really Senior Brother Jun? He’s already in Foundation Establishment!”

  “And Senior Sister Bai as well! Why is she here?”

  “Zhao Wuxian’s cultivation is in the 10th Level! Didn’t he just join the Inner Sect?”

  The three ignored the chatter and took their place beside the Inner Sect Elder. Next to them were two other Inner Sect Disciples whom Jun De didn’t know, but had seen at the previous entrance ceremony.

  Unlike Jun De, they hadn’t progressed much and were still in the 8th Level of Qi Condensation.

  The Elder stepped forward, the presence of his Core Formation Cultivation enough to quiet the gathered Outer Sect Disciples. While his aura was restrained, the weight of it pressed gently against everyone, reminding them of where they stood and how far they still had to go in their cultivation journeys.

  When he spoke, his voice carried across the entire plaza.

  “Today marks a turning point in your cultivation journey. The Inner Sect of the Tranquil Mountain is not merely a place to cultivate, but a crucible where your advancement is forged through strength, talent and unwavering effort.”

  The six Outer Sect Disciples who would be entering today straightened their backs while their eyes shone with excitement. Still, for all their efforts, Jun De could detect a slight, nervous trembling in their number.

  Only Ren Qiu seemed completely unaffected.

  “In the Inner Sect, Rankings are not a formality. They determine the resources you may access, the missions you may accept, and the standing you hold amongst your peers. Spirit stones, pills, manuals, tutors, and even becoming the personal Disciple of an Elder, all flow toward those who earn a rank.”

  The Elder continued while folding his hands behind his back.

  “When you step into the Inner Sect, you enter Rankless. This is not a mark of shame; it is simply where every Disciple begins. Rank is not given, it is taken.”

  The Elder gestured to the small group of Inner Sect Disciples standing in front of him. Jun De, Zhao Wuxian, Bai Xuelian, and the two other Disciples in the 8th Level.

  “Should any amongst you wish to advance immediately, you may challenge an Inner Sect senior present today. If you win, their ranking will become yours. But if you lose, you will still enter the Inner Sect, but you will do so unranked.”

  “However, you will have learned a valuable lesson.”

  Silence followed his statement, while the Outer Sect waited to see who would be brave enough to issue a challenge.

  Then, Ren Qiu walked forward.

  “I would like to challenge for a rank.” Ren Qiu said, his voice steady and clear. He raised his hand and pointed directly at the Inner Sect Disciple standing at the far end of their group, the weakest amongst them, who was at the early stage of the 8th Level of Qi Condensation.

  The young man, Wu Jianming, stepped out from their line with an expression halfway between disbelief and amusement.

  “A 7th Level brat wants my rank? Very well, I’ll give you a single exchange.”

  “Thank you, Senior Brother.” Ren Qiu said simply while clasping his hands and bowing. The moment the Elder gave the signal to begin, Ren Qiu moved. His Qi flared like a furnace, with blazing heat shimmering around him as though the air itself were melting.

  Wu Jianming countered with confidence, striking with a technique meant to overwhelm and end the fight immediately.

  What occurred next was a blinding exchange of blows that were too fast for the Outer Sect Disciples watching to observe, but it ended with Ren Qiu driving his palm forward and slamming into Qu Jianming’s chest.

  The Inner Sect Disciple flew backwards, rolling across the ground and coughing violently as he skidded to a stop.

  Gasps erupted from the crowd, and even Jun De was taken aback by the strength Ren Qiu displayed. It wasn’t easy to overcome the gap between levels, even in the Qi Condensation Stage.

  The Elder seemed impressed as well, as he once again stepped forward to address Ren Qiu.

  “Congratulations, you have earned your rank. Take your place with the other Inner Sect Disciples.” The Elder gestured to their line as Wu Jianming stood and bowed.

  “My apologies, Elder, but I wish to continue the challenge.”

  The air grew still as Ren Qiu’s words settled over the plaza. Even the Elder froze mid-movement, his hand slightly raised as if to call for the next entrant. His eyebrow arched upward in surprise at the comment.

  The Outer Sect Disciples whispered sharply, while even Jun De shot a confused look at Bai Xuelian, who shook her head slightly.

  Ren Qiu turned toward Jun De and clasped his hands respectfully.

  “Senior Brother Jun De. I wish to challenge you.” Ren Qiu said, and his words caused Jun De to stare at him blankly for a moment.

  “Me?” Jun De asked with genuine confusion. He frowned as he stepped out of the line toward Ren Qiu.

  “Why would you challenge me, Ren Qiu?” Jun De asked.

  Ren Qiu met his eyes without wavering.

  “Because we have never sparred together, Senior Brother, and I wish to see your true strength.”

  A murmur rolled through the crowd, filled with disbelief and excitement. The topic of Jun De’s talent, strength and knowledge of cultivation had been discussed by the Outer Sect since he had first joined the Sect.

  The feat of him taking an attack from Bai Xuelian during his own entrance ceremony was legendary, and now they were about to witness how much he had grown during his time in the Inner Sect. For these Disciples, they rarely got to see the true power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, let alone one as famous as Jun De.

  Jun D was quiet for a moment as he studied his friend. Ren Qiu appeared determined and filled with an unyielding fire that wouldn’t be deterred.

  Finally, Jun De’s lips curved into a wide, warm smile.

  “Alright, if that’s what you want. I accept.”