Hanyuan sat on the lush, spirit infused grass of his new garden, the cool mist from the waterfall dampening his robes. He looked around the white jade walls and the obsidian pagoda, feeling a surreal sense of displacement. Just over a year ago, he had been a boy swinging a spear in a dusty yard in Spirit Springs City, plagued by the shadow of his talent. Then came the small stone hut of the Outer Sect.
Now, he was an Inner Sect Disciple, possessing a sprawling estate all to himself.
His Silver Winged Eagle stood nearby, its metallic feathers catching the sunlight. It even had a dedicated section of the garden to serve as a private nesting ground.
"From now on, you shall be named Lingxiao," Hanyuan said, looking at the creature.
The eagle let out a shrill, happy screech, ruffling its wings as it accepted the name. It felt as though the beast understood the weight of the name,aiming for the clouds.
Hanyuan didn't waste any time. He consumed the Qi Solidifying pills he had received at the registry. For two days, he sat in absolute stillness, guiding the medicinal essence to wrap around his Mortal Core. By the end of the second day, the volatile energy from his rapid breakthrough had finally settled a little bit. However, despite the staggering thickness of the Qi in the Inner Sect, Hanyuan could tell that the road ahead would be steep. The Mortal Core was a realm of refinement; jumping levels would no longer be a matter of months, but likely years of bitter persistence.
He unrolled the informational scroll given to him by Elder Qi. His Sense swept through the text, absorbing the structure.
"Lecture of the Heavens," he read. On the first of every month, an Inner Sect Elder would provide a public lecture at the Ascension Plaza. While not mandatory, it was highly recommended for those stuck at a bottleneck or seeking a deeper understanding of elemental laws.
But the most striking piece of information was the Hidden Dragon Ranking.
The Mystic Sky Sect only had 150 Inner Disciples in total. It was an incredibly small number compared to the three great sects of the Southern Continent. For instance, the Heavenly Frost Sect boasted over 1,500 Inner Disciples.
Few in number, but supreme in quality, Hanyuan realized.
With only 150 disciples, the Sect's massive wealth wasn't being spread thin. The resources allocated to each person here were easily double or triple what an average disciple in the larger sects received. Even as the 150th ranked member,Hanyuan was likely better off than half the Inner Sect of the Heavenly Frost Sect.
His eyes scanned the list of names on the scroll.
Rank 147: Qin Yu.
Hanyuan smiled. His friend had only been here a month and had already clawed his way up three spots.
Rank 133: Kong Xuan.
The monk like youth who won the previous competition, Hanyuan had a deep impression of him.
Rank 130: Mu Rongbing.
Hanyuan's gaze hardened. Beside her name was a brief note of her current cultivation: 3rd Layer of the Mortal Core.
The Thousand Snow Spirit Root is truly terrifying, he thought. While he had just formed his core, she had already progressed three sub realms in a similar timeframe. The gap had widened again, but Hanyuan didn't feel the despair he once would have. He felt a familiar, cold fire ignite in his chest.
Hanyuan whistled, and Lingxiao swooped down from the pagoda roof, its metallic blue grey feathers gleaming in the high altitude sun. Hanyuan mounted the eagle, and with a powerful thrust of its wings, they took to the sky.
Flying through the Inner Sect was a far cry from the crowded paths of the Cloud-Jade Isle. Here, the space between islands was vast, filled only with the rushing wind and the occasional silhouette of other flying beasts. He navigated toward the Sapphire District, following the coordinates etched into his new amethyst jade.
Soon, he spotted Qin Yu's estate. It was tucked onto a verdant shelf of rock, characterized by an expansive, open air library that seemed to house thousands of scrolls. Below, sitting cross legged on the grass with a thick book in his lap, was a familiar figure.
As Lingxiao's shadow passed over him, Qin Yu looked up, squinting against the sun.
"Brother Hanyuan!" Qin Yu shouted, jumping to his feet so quickly his book tumbled into the grass.
Lingxiao landed with practiced grace, and Hanyuan leapt down, his boots thumping softly on the spirit enriched soil. "Haha, Brother Yu! I see you've managed to turn your estate into a literal library. You're living comfortably, I see."
Qin Yu laughed, running over to clasp Hanyuan's forearm in a greeting. "Hanyuan, you finally made it! I've been practically talking to the walls this past month. It's quiet up here,too quiet sometimes."
His eyes brightened as he leaned in closer. "But you know what? The Inner Sect is a paradise. Did you check the cafeteria rules yet? The food is insane! It's all high ranking spirit ingredients, and for Inner Disciples, it's absolutely free! No more counting coppers just to have a decent bowl of noodles."
Hanyuan chuckled, his stomach giving a timely growl. "Free? Then what are we waiting for? I haven't had a proper meal since my breakthrough."
"Let's go then!" Qin Yu let out a sharp whistle.
From a nearby nesting pillar, a magnificent White Crane, spanning nearly ten meters, took flight and landed beside them. It was almost the exact same size as Lingxiao. The two youths mounted their respective beasts and soared back toward the central Ascension Island.
The Inner Sect cafeteria was not a bustling mess hall, but a refined pavilion overlooking a sea of clouds. There were only about ten other disciples present, scattered at long tables of polished sandalwood. Most Inner Disciples preferred to buy high grade rations in bulk and remain in seclusion for weeks at a time, making the dining hall a tranquil place.
"Trust me on this one, Hanyuan," Qin Yu said, gesturing to the menu inscribed on a floating jade board. "Order the Seven Colored Glazed Carp Soup."
They took their seats, and soon, two porcelain bowls were placed before them. The broth shimmered with an iridescent sheen, looking more like liquid jewels than food.
Hanyuan took his first sip.
The initial taste was an explosion of wild, sour herbs and young, crisp bamboo. It was sharp and astringent, a flavor that seemed to bypass his tongue and strike his brain, instantly snapping his mind into a state of hyper focus.
But as the liquid moved to the back of his tongue, the cool beginning vanished. A blistering, peppery heat erupted. It tasted of cinnamon, cloves, and sun scorched earth. It wasn't a painful burn, but a jolt of pure, fiery warmth that traveled straight to his heart.
Finally, as he swallowed, the texture turned creamy and buttery. The lingering notes were of rich, roasted nuts and honeyed root vegetables. This heavy, earthy finish coated his stomach, making his entire body feel grounded, sturdy, and unshakeable.
"This is... incredible," Hanyuan whispered, his eyes lit with wonder.
He finished the bowl, and to his shock, he felt completely full.
"Haha! I told you!" Qin Yu laughed, wiping his mouth. "That carp is a rare Tier 2 Spirit Beast, slow simmered with over a dozen spirit herbs and celestial seasonings. It's basically a liquid cultivation pill that actually tastes good."