Mortal: Starting with the Falling Cloud Sect, I proved my Dao through gacha pulls.

At the entrance of the Luoyun Sect, two Foundation Establishment cultivators dressed in sect attire stood solemnly on duty.

Their eyes would occasionally sweep across the surrounding sky as they diligently kept watch, while also chatting idly during the quiet time at the mountain gate.

"Senior Brother Deng, have you heard? It seems that another cultivator from the Ancient Sword Sect is preparing to form his core. It's truly enviable."

At this moment, the more wiry cultivator seemed to have thought of something and said enviously.

Upon hearing this, the burly cultivator next to him nodded slightly, his expression revealing a complex mix of emotions.

"Junior Brother Tu is referring to that Mingxin Sword Body, right? Speaking of which, I personally witnessed his skills during the Sword Trial Tournament back then. His sword aura was exceptionally fierce, truly befitting a natural sword body. I never imagined that in just a few decades, he would have already reached the Core Formation stage."

The cultivator surnamed Tu immediately became interested, his eyes filled with curiosity, and he quickly asked:

"So, Senior Brother, you actually experienced the Sword Trial Tournament back then? I joined the sect too late and just missed that grand event. I only heard that the champion of that Sword Trial Tournament was Senior Brother Su from Fire Cloud Peak, and that the Mingxin Sword Body was also defeated by him. It's a pity that I have never had the chance to see Senior Brother Su's true face since I joined the sect."

Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Deng's previously complicated expression instantly became radiant, and he subconsciously straightened his back, his tone full of pride.

"Of course! Back then, Senior Brother Su simply made a casual move on the sword-testing platform, and it was utterly devastating! That Mingxin Sword Body cultivator couldn't even last ten moves before being defeated!"

At this point, he sighed softly again, his expression returning to calm.

"It's just that Senior Brother Su has always been devoted to arduous cultivation and rarely goes out. I haven't seen him for a long time. I suppose he is currently in seclusion, preparing to break through to the Core Formation Realm."

"However, forming the core is extremely difficult. Even Uncle Song of Baifeng Peak, who has the aptitude of a Heavenly Spiritual Root, has only just successfully formed his core. Although I believe that Senior Brother Su is exceptionally talented, I'm afraid he will need more time to overcome this hurdle."

A glint flashed in Junior Brother Tu's eyes. He was about to ask more about Su Mu's deeds back then when his expression suddenly hardened. His gaze abruptly turned to the distant horizon, where he saw a streak of red light piercing through the sea of ​​clouds and rushing straight toward the Luoyun Sect's mountain gate.

"A Core Formation cultivator has arrived!"

He exclaimed in surprise and quickly composed himself. Just as he was about to step forward to report according to the sect's rules, he saw that the red light had stopped in front of the mountain gate in an instant. The light dissipated, revealing a tall and handsome young cultivator.

"Stop, you idiot... Huh?"

He was taken aback. He saw that the extremely young Core Formation cultivator in front of him was wearing the Luoyun Sect's regular clothes, and was actually one of their sect members.

He recognized all the Core Formation elders in the sect, but he had never seen such a young and unfamiliar Core Formation cultivator before. He was immediately filled with doubt and suspicion, and subconsciously wanted to step forward and question him carefully.

Just then, Senior Brother Deng beside him suddenly widened his eyes and let out an incredulous exclamation.

"Senior Brother Su? No... it's Martial Uncle Su! It really is you! Martial Uncle, you... you've successfully formed your Core? That's wonderful!"

Upon hearing this, the cultivator surnamed Tu froze instantly, his gaze fixed on Su Mu. Only then did he realize that the very person the two had been chatting about moments before had coincidentally appeared at this moment.

Su Mu's gaze slowly swept over the cultivator surnamed Deng. After a moment's thought, he remembered that this person had watched from the sidelines during the Sword Trial Tournament years ago, and they had met a few times. Immediately, the corners of his lips lifted, revealing a hearty smile.

"It's my junior apprentice Deng! It's been many years. I hope you've been well."

The cultivator surnamed Deng snapped out of his daze, scratched the back of his head, and his face lit up with delight. He quickly bowed and said:

"I didn't expect that you would still remember me, Uncle. I just wonder when you broke through to the Core Formation Realm? We all thought you had been in seclusion and cultivating diligently within the sect."

Su Mu shook his head, chuckled softly, and spoke with a touch of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both adversity and reflection) after experiencing many trials.

"I did not go into seclusion within the sect. Over the years, I have been training and venturing out into the world. By chance, I gained some good fortune and recently succeeded in forming my core. Therefore, I am returning to the sect immediately."

The cultivator surnamed Deng looked enlightened and quickly bowed again, his tone full of sincerity.

"I see! Congratulations, Martial Uncle, on successfully breaking through to the Core Formation stage! If the elders and sect leaders of the various peaks were to hear this news, they would surely be overjoyed!"

Su Mu nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the still-stunned cultivator surnamed Tu. His eyes paused almost imperceptibly for a moment before returning to their gentle expression, and he spoke calmly:

"Alright, my two junior disciples, please continue your duties. I have important matters to attend to, so I won't linger any longer."

After speaking, he took out a Luoyun Sect token. The token trembled slightly, and the mountain-protecting formation immediately cracked open.

Su Mu moved swiftly, passing through the formation and heading towards the sect's interior.

Only two disciples remained standing in front of the mountain gate, watching his receding figure, their expressions varying as they stood still.

Meanwhile, Su Mu felt a strange sensation after actually entering the sect.

"The fluctuations of demonic energy... I wonder which faction sent this spy."

Just as his gaze swept over another cultivator, the Nine Heavens Jade Bottle within his body suddenly trembled, sensing an extremely subtle fluctuation of demonic energy.

The demonic energy was extremely well concealed; if it weren't for the extreme sensitivity of the Yang energy, it would have been difficult to detect the clues.

Su Mu shook his head inwardly. He hadn't expected to encounter an undercover agent so soon after returning to Luoyun Sect. It was truly a unique feature of the sect.

"Never mind, I'll inform the masters later and let them decide for themselves!"

He composed himself, and with a burst of light beneath his feet, flew straight toward Fire Cloud Peak.

Along the way, the disciples of the Falling Cloud Sect who were traveling through the clouds all sensed the pressure of the Core Formation stage spiritual energy passing through the air. They all stopped and looked up, casting surprised glances at the direction of the escape light.

After seeing Su Mu's face clearly, many disciples recognized him immediately. They were shocked and rushed forward to congratulate him.

It was half a day later when Su Mu left Fire Cloud Peak.

When he broke through to the Core Formation stage, only Duan Gu and Song Yu knew about it, besides the two Supreme Elders.

His sudden appearance with the cultivation level of Core Formation naturally alarmed many elders from various peaks. Everyone gathered around, asking questions and expressing their amazement. They were all amazed that he had successfully formed his Core at such a young age, and that he had gone through a lot of trouble to escape.

After leaving Fire Cloud Peak, Su Mu used his escape light to go straight to the outside of White Phoenix Peak. He then sent out a teleportation jade talisman and waited quietly in place.

A moment later, a figure in white slowly emerged from the clouds within the peak. His clothes were as white as snow, and his demeanor was elegant and refined. It was none other than Song Yu.

When she saw Su Mu waiting beside her, her clear eyes softened almost imperceptibly, and a faint smile appeared on her lips, which quickly disappeared before she returned to normal.

"Senior Sister, long time no see! Congratulations on successfully forming your Core!"

Su Mu looked up, cupped his hands in a salute, and a genuine smile appeared on his face.

Song Yu frowned slightly, her bright eyes scanning him up and down, her cheeks puffing out slightly as she spoke with a half-smile.

"Junior brother is quite the ladies' man outside."

Following the updates has never been so enjoyable.