Tian Shu Wu Wang Lu

Xingjin jumped onto the stone bench in the courtyard first, occupying the most comfortable spot. He held the pastries made by Su Nianxi in his little paws and ate them with relish, as if he regarded this place as his new home. Every now and then, he would break off a piece and hand it to Ayan, which was both proud and heartwarming.

Lin Ye stood in the center of the courtyard, gazing at the starry sky, his palm slowly circulating star power, his eyes filled with openness and determination.

He possesses the efficiency, reliability, and accountability characteristic of a food delivery worker, which makes him always calm and composed, whether in his spiritual practice or in his interactions with others, and never superficial. He also carries the self-discipline, diligence, and clear goals ingrained in the working class, never wasting a single moment, and steadily moving towards his spiritual goals.

From a lowly outer disciple to a rising inner disciple, from being looked down upon to being admired by all, he proved himself with his strength.

He has the loyal and devoted first disciple, Ayan, and the lively and adorable spirit pet, Xingjin, by his side; in the outer sect, he has the brother Lu Chenyuan who strives alongside him, and the sworn sister Su Nianxi who is studying alchemy and weaponry. Behind him are the elders of his sect who protect him.

His cultivation path has now reached a new level. Although the inner sect's cultivation will become increasingly intense and there are unknown challenges ahead, he is no longer alone.

With master and disciple by his side, and close friends by his side, he will stay true to himself and forge ahead. He will surely walk his own brilliant path in the world of cultivation, living up to all expectations and constraints.

The pure star power swirling in the center of the courtyard was worlds apart from the pitifully thin "leftovers" at the outer gate; its concentration was several times greater!

Taking a deep breath, the warm star energy flowed directly into my dantian, instantly filling it to the brim and making me feel completely refreshed.

Hidden within the courtyard is a spiritual spring, its water crystal clear and sweet. One sip and all the fatigue in your body seems to be instantly healed and replenished. It is truly a top-of-the-line "self-service spiritual water dispenser" in the cultivation world. This courtyard is an excellent sacred place for cultivation.

As soon as Ayan stepped into the courtyard, his eyes widened instantly. Without saying a word, he went straight to the most auspicious spot next to the spiritual spring, sat cross-legged, and looked as if he had struck gold.

Rich star power flowed into his body through every pore, and the Star Technique circulated freely. His cultivation level steadily increased at a visible speed. His dark face was full of blissful enjoyment, just like a simple-minded little pig that had finally stumbled into a granary, completely immersed in the joy of cultivation.

Xingjin, the little spirit pet, was even more unceremonious, treating himself as no outsider at all. He quickly occupied the most comfortable bluestone platform by the spirit spring, curled up into a soft ball of fur, and basked in the sun contentedly.

While slowly absorbing the star power emanating from the spiritual spring, Ayan, who was also concerned about his cultivation, would occasionally throw a wisp of pure star power to him to help him speed up his cultivation. The little girl looked proud and responsible, a perfect personal supervisor and little housekeeper, managing the courtyard and Ayan perfectly, showing the style of being in charge.

Lin Ye under the corridor did not slack off at all. He closed his eyes and concentrated, and the "Tian Shu Wu Wang Lu" was running wildly in his body.

The star in his dantian spun rapidly, like a high-powered vacuum cleaner, drawing in a massive amount of star power. The star power that had been depleted during the inner sect assessment was instantly replenished. His foundation in the Star Pivot Realm was becoming increasingly solid and stable. His aura was subtly fluctuating, and breaking through to the middle level of the Star Pivot Realm was a certainty.

He could clearly sense that his control over the star power was becoming increasingly smooth and proficient, and the range of his divine sense had also greatly expanded. Within several miles around the courtyard, he could capture even the slightest movement of mosquitoes or the swaying of grass and trees, seeing every detail clearly.

In the afternoon, Elder Xuanzhen personally visited the courtyard. Looking at Lin Ye, who was diligently cultivating under the corridor, and A Yan, who was engrossed in cultivation by the spiritual spring, his approving smile never faded.

Lin Ye immediately stood up and bowed respectfully. Ayan also hurriedly jumped up from the ground and kowtowed respectfully to Elder Xuanzhen, his voice deep and sincere: "Disciple Ayan greets Grandmaster!"

Elder Xuanzhen gently helped him up, carefully examining Ayan before stroking his beard and laughing loudly, "With solid and profound foundation and a calm and resilient temperament, you are a promising candidate for cultivation. Lin Ye, you have made an excellent choice in taking on this disciple."

As soon as he finished speaking, he handed out two storage rings, one to Lin Ye and the other to A Yan: "Now that you have entered the inner sect and are disciples of my Qingxuan Immortal Mansion, consider these things as a greeting gift from the sect."

Lin Ye probed the storage ring with his divine sense and was immediately shocked. Inside, high-grade spirit stones and rare spirit herbs were piled up like mountains, along with several superior star techniques and a piece of defensive star armor of excellent quality. It was full of precious cultivation resources and exuded an air of wealth.

Ayan's storage ring was equally impressive, containing ample spirit stones, foundation-strengthening pills, and most importantly, a set of Xuan Iron gauntlets perfectly suited to his fist techniques. The quality of these gauntlets was two whole levels higher than the Star Iron gauntlets that Lin Ye had previously purchased for him!

Holding the heavy storage ring, Ayan was so excited that his hands trembled slightly. He knelt down again and kowtowed solemnly to express his gratitude, his voice choked with emotion: "This disciple thanks Master for his generous reward!" Such a generous gift was an opportunity he never dared to dream of when he was in the servants' quarters, but now he actually had it in his hands.

"No need for formalities. Just focus on your cultivation and don't let your master's teachings or the sect's expectations down." Elder Xuanzhen spoke gently, then turned to Lin Ye, his expression gradually becoming serious. "By the way, the sect's Starfall Secret Realm will open in three days. Inner disciples can all sign up to enter and train. The secret realm contains Star Spirit Grass, Star Core Ore, and even opportunities left behind by ancient cultivators. You've just entered the inner sect, so take this opportunity to train and solidify your cultivation."

Upon hearing these words, Ayan's joyful smile instantly froze. His fingers, gripping the black iron gauntlet, tightened abruptly, his knuckles turning slightly white. A flush rose to his dark face, his head drooped slowly, and his shoulders slumped involuntarily. His joy was instantly extinguished.

He had just been looking forward to entering the secret realm with his master and training side by side, but he suddenly remembered the most realistic rule in the cultivation world—the entrance to the Starfall Secret Realm was restricted by the cultivation level of the seventh level of the Star-Attracting Realm! But he was only at the first level of the Star-Attracting Realm, and he couldn't even touch the edge of the secret realm's light gate. The huge gap filled him with disappointment and resentment.

"Master..." Ayan's voice was muffled, filled with undisguised dejection, "This disciple's cultivation is too shallow; I simply cannot enter the secret realm..."

Just as Lin Ye was about to speak gently to comfort him, he saw A Yan suddenly raise his head. His previously dim and disappointed eyes suddenly ignited with a burning fighting spirit. His stubbornness and unwillingness to admit defeat burst forth instantly, dazzling and firm.

"Master! I won't stay in the inner sect waiting for your return!" His voice wasn't loud, but every word was firm and resolute. "This disciple is going to participate in the outer sect disciple assessment. I will rely on my own abilities to first establish myself in the outer sect, and then gradually cultivate and improve, relying on my own strength to pass the inner sect exam!"

"I don't want to live under Master's protection forever, and I don't want to always lag behind you in every trial, becoming someone who holds you back!" He clenched the black iron gauntlets tightly in his palms, his fingertips repeatedly rubbing the patterns on the gauntlets, his eyes shining with an astonishing intensity, full of determination. "I will rely on myself to cultivate day and night, to pass the outer sect assessment on my own! Trials, when the inner sect secret realm opens next time, I will definitely reach the cultivation threshold, stand proudly by your side, and no longer hide behind you for your protection!"

Xingjin immediately jumped down from the bluestone platform and ran to Ayan's feet, rubbing his fluffy little head against his trouser leg. The little golden mark on his forehead shone brightly, and his little paws gently tugged at his clothes, clearly cheering him on.

Looking at the stubborn and sincere spirit of the young man before him, Lin Ye felt both gratified and deeply moved. He had intended to comfort him, but he hadn't expected that this usually honest and simple apprentice would possess such a dignified, self-reliant, and tenacious spirit.

This is the true spirit of a cultivator—not relying on others, not giving up, and daring to forge their own path of cultivation even from humble beginnings!

"Good!" Lin Ye nodded heavily, patted Ayan's shoulder firmly with a steady and powerful pat, full of approval. "Master fully supports you! When you go to the outer sect, you must guard your true self, focus on honing your foundation, fight with integrity, and never let your master down!"

"I ventured into the secret realm seeking opportunities, while you fought valiantly in the outer sect. Seven days later, master and disciple will surely reunite here!"

Elder Xuanzhen watched this scene from the side, stroking his beard and laughing heartily, his eyes full of admiration: "Good! What a spirit! Disciples of my Qingxuan Immortal Mansion should have this kind of self-improvement and striving spirit! Lin Ye, take him to the outer sect assessment office to report and help him complete the formalities."

"Disciple obeys!" Lin Ye replied loudly.

Over the next three days, a starkly contrasting two-way preparation unfolded within the Star Pulse Academy.

Lin Ye continued his secluded cultivation, using the abundant star power unique to the inner sect to break through the barriers and successfully advance to the middle level of the Star Pivot Realm. His sect's techniques and star arts became increasingly refined and proficient, and the star power around him was as condensed as steel, making full preparations for the upcoming secret realm trial.

Ayan resolutely abandoned the comfortable cultivation environment of the inner sect and went to the outer sect alone, embarking on a path of arduous cultivation with all his might.

During the day, he immerses himself in the outer sect training grounds, engaging in real sparring and honing his skills with a group of outer sect disciples. Every punch he throws is powerful and swift, and his Star Technique becomes increasingly proficient and seamless.

Even when he was beaten black and blue by the disciples he was sparring with, he never cried out in pain. He would dust himself off and get up to fight again. His honest yet ruthless spirit made all the outer disciples look at him with new respect.

The three-day deadline passed in the blink of an eye.

At dawn, a dazzling star-shaped light gate slowly condensed and took shape on the inner sect square, where a group of inner sect disciples were ready to go, full of high spirits; at the same time, in front of the outer sect disciples' assessment, the square was crowded with disciples who were eager to try their skills, and Ayan was the most eye-catching one among them.

He was dressed in the neat inner disciple robes, yet he stood resolutely in the outer disciple assessment team. His dark face showed no sign of hesitation, only solemnity and determination.

He didn't let Lin Ye see him off. He just glanced at the direction of the inner sect secret realm from afar, then gripped the black iron gauntlets in his hand and resolutely plunged into the outer sect assessment team.

Lin Ye stood before the portal to the secret realm, gazing towards the outer plaza. On his shoulder, Xing Jin tilted its round little head, looking around curiously, its little paws tightly gripping his clothes.

"Let's go, little guy, our trial has officially begun." Lin Ye said softly, then raised his hand, and with Star Ember on his shoulder, stepped into the dazzling starlight gate.

As light and shadow shifted and starlight surrounded him, Lin Ye opened his eyes again and found himself in the Starfall Secret Realm. Ancient trees towered all around him, and the air was filled with the misty starlight. Opportunities were hidden everywhere, and the unknown was everywhere.

The master and disciple, one internal and one external, one ventured into the perilous secret realm, and the other went to the outer sect for assessment. Although they were separated by distance and embarked on different journeys, they shared the same passion, perseverance, and expectations. On their respective paths of cultivation, they gave their all and moved forward toward the light.

This two-way growth, separated by distance, will finally culminate in a perfect reunion seven days later.