The process of becoming an outer disciple was not simple.
Even getting the chance to enter the sect had been difficult. Because of that, Wang Li remained cautious.
As he rested on the cold stone bed in his small room, a thought crossed his mind.
Yesterday, after the match… he had heard a voice.
It had asked if he wanted to become a disciple.
At the time, he dismissed it.
The trial had just begun. It didn't make sense for anyone to choose him so quickly. In a place like this, nothing came without reason.
So he treated it as nothing more than a passing illusion.
"Sigh… this young master can't even get a proper bed," he muttered, shifting slightly.
The stone surface was cold and hard.
Unnoticed by him, a figure hovered quietly above his residence, observing him in silence.
---
By morning, Wang Li stepped outside.
The surroundings were calm. Trees swayed lightly, and the air carried a faint freshness.
A single leaf drifted down from a branch nearby.
He watched it fall.
Then—
#(You watched the general flow of nature and gained insights!)#
Wang Li's gaze sharpened slightly.
He already knew what this was.
The system.
It occasionally pushed him into a state of insight. Once a day. Completely random.
Most of the time, he used it to improve his Mountain and Seas Art by fusing other techniques into it.
But now, he had nothing left to fuse.
Even so, the moment the message appeared, his thoughts became clearer.
Without thinking, he began practicing the Mountain and Seas Art.
His body gradually warmed. A faint red tint spread across his skin.
Then—
Boom.
Boom.
His heartbeat grew louder, steady and heavy.
A subtle vibration followed.
Om—
(Due to insights into the nature, your Mountain and Seas Art has entered perfection)
Wang Li didn't focus on the message.
His attention was on the changes happening within his body.
The air around him shifted.
An invisible force spread outward, clearing the space within a wide area—far larger than before.
It felt similar to his previous breakthroughs, but stronger.
Back then, the effect had only covered a few meters.
Now, it extended much further.
After repeatedly refining his technique, his foundation had clearly improved.
He slowly came to a stop.
"My Mountain and Seas Art… has reached perfection again," he said quietly, as he felt the scene before him shift.
It wasn't the first time he had experienced this sensation.
What appeared before hin was a vague outline of a mountain and sea.
Though vague, he already understood that at perfection, it was all about visualization.
Once his visualization reached a high point, the mountain and seas could become lifelike, but he felt it was far from enough.
A small smile appeared, but it quickly faded.
"There's still a problem."
He looked ahead, thoughtful.
"I don't know if the sect has enough Yellow-grade techniques for me to push this further before breaking through."
This was his biggest concern.
It was also his only advantage.
---
Before he could think more about it—
A sudden change occurred.
A golden beam shot into the sky, piercing through the clouds.
It was visible from everywhere within the sect.
Wang Li looked up.
Even from a distance, he could feel a faint pressure from it.
"What kind of power is that…?" he wondered.
For a brief moment, a trace of interest appeared in his eyes.
But he quickly calmed himself.
He understood the difference in levels.
Only those who reached the warrior stage could enter the inner sect.
Outer disciples had less than ten years to achieve that.
Otherwise, they would be sent away.
Becoming a peak disciple, however, was another path.
Those selected by the nine peaks received better resources, guidance, and techniques.
Without that support, progressing further would be much harder.
---
At that moment, a voice spread across the sect.
"All outer disciples interested in joining the nine peaks should gather at the Exchange Square within half an hour."
"Those who miss it may try again next time."
The announcement caused a stir.
Many disciples reacted immediately.
Wang Li stood still for a moment.
"All outer disciples…" he repeated.
Then he understood.
This wasn't just for the newcomers.
They were competing with everyone.
And the number of outer disciples…
Was far greater than he had first thought.
"Good," he said quietly.
"At least I've reached perfection again."
Even if he couldn't stand at the top, protecting himself wouldn't be a problem.
After all, none of them had reached the warrior stage yet.
Still, this was an important opportunity.
Based on what he knew, things would start changing after this.
"I can't remain without support."
His gaze became firm.
"This chance… I have to take it."
---
He stepped forward and disappeared from his spot.
His figure blurred as he moved quickly toward the source of the golden beam.
He wasn't the only one.
From all directions, outer disciples rushed toward the same destination.
By the time Wang Li arrived at the Exchange Square, it was already crowded.
Thousands of people had gathered.
And more were still coming.
He immediately noticed the difference.
These outer disciples were far stronger than the ones from the entrance trial.
The atmosphere alone made that clear.
"Interesting…" he thought.
"I wonder if they have access to Earth-grade techniques."
From what he knew, reaching the warrior stage usually required such techniques.
But they were difficult to practice.
Many people relied on external help to succeed.
And not everyone had access to those resources.
That explained why so many had gathered here.
Everyone wanted the same opportunity.
---
Wang Li observed quietly.
He had already understood one thing.
The competition here would not be simple.
Even so, he didn't hesitate.
"I've already come this far," he thought.
"There's no reason to hold back now."
---
Around him, small groups began to form.
Experienced disciples gathered together, clearly familiar with this kind of trial.
Wang Li noticed them, but had no intention of joining.
"That doesn't suit me," he thought.
He preferred to rely on himself.
---
Time passed.
Soon, the entire square was filled.
The scale of this event was far greater than the entrance selection.
Then, the voice spoke again.
"Time is up."
"All participants will remain here."
"This is a life-and-death trial. Whatever happens inside… stays inside."
The atmosphere grew heavier.
But some people remained confident.
"Heh! I won't miss it this time," a loud voice said.
Many turned to look.
A tall man carrying a large axe stood among the crowd.
"Crazy Tong…"
Some recognized him immediately.
"A veteran outer disciple."
"He's one of the strongest here."
"Then why hasn't he been selected yet?" someone asked.
"He's tried four times already."
That surprised quite a few people.
Wang Li glanced at him briefly.
Then looked away.
"One strike," he judged silently.
Not worth his attention.
---
His focus returned to the golden beam in the distance.
It stood like a pillar, reaching into the sky.
"Where does it lead?" he asked quietly.
No one answered.
But soon—
He would find out.