I gain ten years' worth of cultivation every day, and even geniuses will only see my doorstep!

The news that Qin Yuan had become the number one disciple was like a boulder thrown into a calm pond, stirring up huge waves in the Xuan Yuan Sect.

In Elder Li's quiet room on the Seventh Peak, the sound of a teacup shattering was particularly jarring.

"The first in line of true teachings... in just one month..." Elder Li sat in his chair, his face ashen, as if he had aged ten years overnight. He stared at the shattered porcelain shards on the ground, and the last trace of resentment and bitterness in his eyes finally turned into utter helplessness.

Revenge? What kind of revenge?

A monster who went from the outer sect to the top of the true disciples in just one month, a prodigy who could shatter Chu Wuyue's "Moonlight Overturning the Heavens" with a single punch. Such a person is not someone the Seventh Peak can afford to provoke.

"Pass down the order," Elder Li said in a hoarse voice, "All disciples of the Seventh Peak are forbidden from engaging in any conflict with the Fifth Peak from this day forward. Anyone who violates this order will be expelled from the sect."

The disciple standing beside him trembled and quickly bowed, saying, "Yes!"

The same scene played out on the third peak.

Lu Yun stood pale-faced before the elder, listening to his admonition: "From now on, put away your petty thoughts. Qin Yuan is no longer someone our Third Peak can contend with. Focus on your cultivation and don't cause any more trouble."

"Disciple...understands." Lu Yun lowered his head, his nails digging deep into his palms, but he felt no pain.

Only a profound sense of powerlessness.

A month ago, Qin Yuan was just an outer disciple he could easily manipulate. A month later, he was someone he had to look up to.

If the two peaks were like this, the other peaks were even more silent.

The past disdain and exclusion towards the Fifth Peak have now turned into cautious respect. Many inner and outer disciples have even begun to use connections and back channels to try to transfer into the Fifth Peak—even if it's just to be nominally admitted.

At the Fifth Peak, Elder Xu's smile hadn't faded for the past few days.

In front of the Hall of Affairs within the peak, disciples lined up in long queues to apply for transfer to another peak. Resource quotas tripled, and cultivation supplies piled up like mountains. The Fifth Peak, dormant for a century, regained its glory thanks to the efforts of one man.

"Qin Yuan, oh Qin Yuan," Elder Xu stood atop the peak, gazing towards the True Inheritance Area, his old eyes moist, "you truly are the lucky star of my Fifth Peak..."

On the third day after becoming the number one disciple, Qin Yuan received a summons from the sect leader.

He left Crimson Flame Peak and headed to the Sect Master's Hall.

The main hall is located at the top of the main peak of Xuan Yuan Sect. It is majestic and solemn. There are ninety-nine white jade steps in front of the hall, each of which is engraved with intricate array patterns.

As Qin Yuan ascended the steps, the disciples he encountered along the way bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with awe.

Upon entering the main hall, a vast and unfathomable aura immediately enveloped you.

The main hall was ten zhang high, with patterns of the sun, moon, and stars painted on the dome, and luminous crystals inlaid on the four walls, illuminating the entire hall as bright as day. Five people stood in the hall. Besides Chu Wuyue, whom Qin Yuan was familiar with, there were three other men and one woman—the second to fifth disciples of the true lineage.

The second-ranked disciple, Yun Qingyao, was a woman in a white dress with a beautiful face and an ethereal temperament, surrounded by a faint mist.

Qin Yuan had already met Han Bing, who ranked third, and Tie Zhan, who ranked fourth.

The fifth place was a gloomy young man dressed in a black robe, with a pale face and sharp eyes like an eagle. He was none other than "Ye Guying", who had been defeated by Chu Wuyue and dropped to fifth place.

The five people stood in the hall, their auras sometimes deep and serene, sometimes sharp and intense, sometimes ethereal and elusive, but without exception, they were all at the peak of the Golden Core stage, and some had even touched the threshold of the Nascent Soul stage.

Upon seeing Qin Yuan enter, all of them turned their gazes to him simultaneously.

Chu Wuyue grinned, his white pupils filled with fighting spirit: "Junior Brother Qin, we meet again. Let's have another match after the Hundred Sects Tournament."

Yun Qingyao nodded slightly, as if to say hello.

Han Bing and Tie Zhan exchanged a complex bow with clasped hands.

Ye Guying glanced coldly at Qin Yuan without saying a word.

Just then, footsteps came from behind the palace.

A middle-aged man dressed in a purple-gold Taoist robe walked out slowly. He had a refined appearance, a long beard, and gentle eyes, but his aura was as vast and unfathomable as the starry sky.

Lu Xuanfeng, the sect leader of Xuanyuan Sect.

"Greetings, Sect Master." The six bowed in unison.

Lu Xuanfeng's gaze swept over the six people, lingering on Qin Yuan for a moment longer, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"No need for formalities." He walked to the head seat and sat down. "I have summoned you here today for the Hundred Sects War two months from now."

The Battle of a Hundred Sects.

Upon hearing these four words, the expressions of the group all turned serious.

"The Hundred Sects War, as the name suggests, is a grand event involving hundreds of sects from Qingzhou," Lu Xuanfeng said slowly. "But do you know the truth behind this grand event?"

The six people looked at each other in bewilderment.

Chu Wuyue spoke up: "Sect Master, I once heard my master mention that the Hundred Sects War... seems to be related to the 'Upper Sect'?"

"That's right." Lu Xuanfeng nodded. "Our Xuanyuan Sect, and even the hundreds of sects in Qingzhou, are actually just subordinate to the five great sects."

Affiliated sect?

Qin Yuan's heart stirred.

With a Nascent Soul stage sect leader and dozens of Golden Core elders, the Xuan Yuan Sect is already a top-tier power in Qingzhou. How could such a sect be merely an annex?

"You find it unbelievable?" Lu Xuanfeng saw the confusion in everyone's eyes and said with a wry smile, "When I first found out, I was just as shocked as you are. But this is reality—the world we live in is much bigger than you can imagine."

He paused, then continued, "Each of the five great sects has a Void Refinement stage expert in charge, with Nascent Soul cultivators as numerous as clouds and Golden Core cultivators as plentiful as rain. In their eyes, we affiliated sects are nothing more than tools for selecting and training disciples for them."

"The Great Battle of a Hundred Sects is actually a trial for the upper sects to select talents. Those who perform exceptionally well will be accepted as disciples by the upper sects, thus leaping over the dragon gate and embarking on the true path of cultivation."

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

Chu Wuyue's white pupils flashed, Yun Qingyao's body was surrounded by swirling clouds and mist, and Han Bing, Tie Zhan, and Ye Guying all breathed more rapidly.

Qin Yuan also felt his heart skip a beat.

With powerful cultivators at the Void Refinement stage in charge, and Nascent Soul cultivators as numerous as clouds, and Golden Core cultivators as plentiful as rain...

That's the real world of cultivation!

"Sect Master," Qin Yuan began, "what level can the disciples of the Upper Sect reach?"

Lu Xuanfeng looked at him, a complex look flashing in his eyes: "I once met a true disciple of an upper sect who reached the Nascent Soul stage at thirty and the Deity stage at one hundred. Now, at only three hundred years old, he is already an elder of an upper sect, and his cultivation is unfathomable."

At thirty, one achieves the Nascent Soul stage; at one hundred, one transforms into a Deity!

Everyone gasped.

In the Xuan Yuan Sect, reaching the Nascent Soul stage at a hundred years old is already considered genius. To reach the Deity stage at three hundred? Simply unimaginable!

"Therefore," Lu Xuanfeng said solemnly, "the Great War of the Hundred Sects is the greatest opportunity of your lives. If you can enter a superior sect, your future will be limitless."

He looked at the six people: "According to convention, each affiliated sect has five slots. Only five of you six can participate."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Guying coldly said, "I challenge the fifth place."

Tie Zhan's face darkened: "Junior Brother Ye, you..."

"That's the rule," Ye Guying interrupted him. "Either fight or give way."

Lu Xuanfeng waved his hand: "No need. Ye Guying, although you were defeated by Chu Wuyue, your strength is still above Tie Zhan's. The fifth spot is yours."

Tie Zhan's face paled, and he finally lowered his head: "Yes."

Ye Guying's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Alright," Lu Xuanfeng stood up, "Go back and prepare. We'll depart for the Hundred Sects Battlefield two months from now."

The six men bowed and took their leave.

As Chu Wuyue walked out of the main hall, she suddenly said to Qin Yuan, "Junior Brother Qin, see you at the sect."

Qin Yuan nodded: "I'd like to see you at the sect leader's."

Upon returning to Crimson Flame Peak, Qin Yuan discovered that Lin Qing'er had already emerged from seclusion.

She stood on the mountaintop platform, dressed in a pale yellow dress, her aura much more solid than before—she had clearly broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Brother Qin Yuan!" Lin Qing'er's eyes lit up when she saw Qin Yuan, and she ran over. "I've reached the Foundation Establishment stage!"

"Congratulations." Qin Yuan smiled.

Lin Qing'er looked at him with eyes full of admiration: "Brother Qin Yuan is truly amazing, the number one disciple! Now the whole sect is talking about your deeds."

As they were talking, Zhou Ming and Zhao Tiezhu arrived, and the group gathered together in a relaxed atmosphere.

However, this relief did not last long.

A vast aura descended upon Crimson Flame Peak without warning.

Qin Yuan's pupils contracted, and he suddenly looked up.

Two figures appeared in the sky. One was Sect Master Lu Xuanfeng, and the other was a gaunt old man in a gray robe. He looked unremarkable, but his eyes were as deep as the starry sky, as if they could see through everything.

After the two landed, Lu Xuanfeng respectfully said to the old man, "Senior, this is Crimson Flame Peak where Qin Yuan is located."

The old man nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Lin Qing'er, whereupon his eyes suddenly lit up.

"An innate wood spirit body?" he muttered to himself, then smiled. "I didn't expect to encounter such a physique in this remote place."

Lin Qing'er felt uncomfortable under Qin Yuan's gaze and instinctively hid behind him.

Qin Yuan stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Junior Qin Yuan greets Senior."

The old man then turned his gaze to him, examined him for a moment, and nodded: "Solid foundation, considerable combat strength. It's a pity... his talent is mediocre."

Average talent.

These four words caused Lu Xuanfeng's expression to change slightly.

Qin Yuan remained calm: "Senior has keen insight."

The old man stopped looking at him and turned to Lin Qing'er, asking gently, "Little girl, what's your name?"

Lin Qing'er said nervously, "Junior Lin Qing'er."

"Lin Qing'er..." the old man repeated, his smile widening, "Would you like to come with me to the 'Azure Wood Sect'? It's one of the five great sects, specializing in wood-based cultivation techniques, which are most suitable for your innate wood spirit body."

Upper Sect?

Lin Qing'er was stunned.

Lu Xuanfeng was also stunned, then overjoyed—if Lin Qing'er could be chosen by the envoy of the upper sect, Xuan Yuan Sect could also benefit from it!

"Senior," Lu Xuanfeng hurriedly said, "Qing'er has good talent, but her cultivation is still shallow, I'm afraid..."

"It's alright." The old man waved his hand. "An innate wood spirit body is a once-in-a-century occurrence, and her cultivation can be improved slowly. In the Green Wood Sect, she can receive the best training, and her future achievements are limitless."

He looked at Lin Qing'er, his eyes sincere: "Little girl, are you willing?"

Lin Qing'er was at a loss and subconsciously looked at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Qing'er, if there's a better place, don't hesitate."

"But..." Lin Qing'er's eyes reddened, "I...I want to be with Brother Qin Yuan..."

"I will come to find you." Qin Yuan looked at her, his voice calm yet firm. "See you at the sect."

Lin Qing'er's tears finally fell, and she nodded vigorously: "Yes! See you at the Upper Sect!"

She turned to the old man, wiped away her tears, and solemnly said, "Senior, I am willing to go. But... could you please take good care of the Xuan Yuan Sect?"

The old man smiled and said, "It's easy. Now that you've joined my Green Wood Sect, your hometown sect will naturally take care of you."

Lu Xuanfeng was so excited his beard was trembling: "Thank you so much, senior!!"

The old man said no more, and with a flick of his sleeve, a beam of azure light enveloped Lin Qing'er. The two transformed into streaks of light, soaring into the sky and disappearing into the clouds.

Silence returned to Crimson Flame Peak.

Zhou De and Zhao Tiezhu stared blankly at the sky, still in shock.

Qin Yuan stood there, gazing in the direction where Lin Qing'er had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time.

Lu Xuanfeng patted his shoulder and sighed, "This is her opportunity, and also your motivation. Two months from now, at the Hundred Sects War, I'll be waiting for you at the Upper Sect."

After saying that, he left.

On the mountaintop platform, only Qin Yuan remained.

The wind blew by, lifting the corner of his clothes.

He clenched his fist, a determined glint in his eyes.

Upper Sect, Green Wood Sect, Lin Qing'er...

Three days later, the sect leader summoned him again.

This time there are only five people – Qin Yuan, Chu Wuyue, Yun Qingyao, Han Bing, and Ye Guying.

"The opponents in the Hundred Sects War are mostly Nascent Soul stage cultivators," Lu Xuanfeng said bluntly. "Our Xuan Yuan Sect is relatively weak, ranking at the bottom among the Hundred Sects. To give you a better chance of winning, I've decided to send you to a place for training."

"Where?" Chu Wuyue asked.

"Ancient battlefield." Lu Xuanfeng slowly uttered four words.

The expressions on the faces of all five people changed.

The ancient battlefield is a remnant of the ancient war between immortals and demons. It is said to contain the bones and inheritances of countless powerful beings, but it is also full of dangers—residual killing formations, wandering demonic souls, and strange curses... Golden Core cultivators who enter it face a nine-out-of-ten chance of death.

"Sect Master," Han Bing said in a deep voice, "the ancient battlefield is too dangerous, we..."

"That's precisely why we must go," Lu Xuanfeng interrupted him. "The Hundred Sects War is far more dangerous than the Ancient Battlefield. It gathers all the geniuses of Qingzhou, and the ferocity of the battles far exceeds your imagination. If you can't even get through the Ancient Battlefield, the Hundred Sects War is just suicide."

He looked at the five men: "Do you dare to go?"

silence.

A moment later, Chu Wuyue's white pupils flashed with fighting spirit: "What is there to be afraid of!"

Yun Qingyao said softly, "This disciple is willing to go."

Ye Guying coldly said, "Go."

Han Bing and Tie Zhan exchanged a glance, and finally gritted their teeth: "Disciple...is willing to go."

Qin Yuan was the last to speak: "Go."

Lu Xuanfeng nodded in satisfaction: "Good! Three days later, I will take you to the edge of the battlefield. Remember, on the battlefield, life and death are left to fate. Two months later, I will be waiting for you there."

"If you manage to get out alive..."

He paused, then said, word by word:

"The Nascent Soul stage is just around the corner."

Flames ignited simultaneously in the eyes of the five people.

Ancient battlefields, the great war of a hundred sects, the path to becoming a supreme sect...