Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

He stepped forward and placed his palm against the cold stone tablet.

In an instant, the inside of the stone tablet seemed to be awakened, and luster gradually appeared in the grooves.

A chilling, pale white.

The pale gold residue of the Great Thunder Sound.

The dark blue of the Breath of the Styx.

A hint of gloom lingered, barely concealed by the remains of the evil god's severed limbs.

There was also a very faint bluish-purple tinge from the bloodline of the storm.

The five colors intertwined and flowed very erratically within the stone tablet.

The people inside the room were all taken aback.

The examiner's calm expression finally broke, revealing obvious surprise.

"How do you practice so many breathing techniques?"

He stared at the stone tablet, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

"Could it be that he practiced different levels of methods at different stages? And perhaps he was even corrupted?"

Xilun withdrew his hand, his expression unchanged.

"I didn't pay attention to these things when I was in a small town."

This is the truth.

That's also the best explanation.

The examiner glanced at him and secretly shook his head.

In the eyes of the Sea Demon Temple, this was no longer a matter of talent or lack thereof, but rather that the foundation had been haphazardly laid by different craftsmen.

Even if the building has already been built, the higher it goes, the greater the risk of collapse.

A moment later, the three people's information was organized and handed over.

The information in Xilun states:

Recommended by the Ronte family.

Third-order extraordinary.

The gas concentration is extremely low, and the properties are highly mixed.

The three were left outside to wait.

Xiren sat on the bench and could faintly hear the sound of someone turning over papers in a room in the distance.

There were also a few casual remarks.

"The disciples sent this year are increasingly of mediocre quality."

"These third-tier cultivators, who are halfway through their cultivation, have mixed energy like sewage from a port, making them difficult to absorb."

"We should still focus on training our own disciples."

"The Star Ring Ranking War will begin in two years, and the Sea Demon Temple must maintain its dominant position."

"These mixed-blood cultivators seem useful, but they actually waste resources."

Xilun lowered his eyes, his expression blank.

Mixed-blood monk.

This name is not unfamiliar.

When you're in Saint Laurent, the upper town looks at the lower town with a similar gaze.

Star Ring Island is just more direct.

After a while, the examiner came out.

He first asked the man with black scales to stay, then said a few words to the man in gray leather, and finally his gaze fell on Xilun.

"You can leave now."

Xilun looked up.

The examiner said in a flat tone: "Either you go work as a handyman in the palace's affiliated forces for a few years, and if you perform well, you might get promoted."

"Either leave."

Xilun slowly stood up.

He did not argue, nor did he show any resentment.

"My performance is mediocre and does not meet your standards."

He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the examiner.

"Thank you for your help. I'll be leaving now."

The examiner glanced at him with some surprise.

Those who reach the third level halfway through their cultivation are often somewhat arrogant.

Anger, defensiveness, and loss of composure are the most common reactions when dealt with so easily by the Sea Demon Temple.

There aren't many places as peaceful as Xilun.

But that's all.

The examiner did not try to persuade him to stay; he was merely a third-tier extraordinary cultivator with complex cultivation methods.

Xilun turned and left.

As I stepped out of the deep blue palace, the setting sun was slanting down through the clouds, casting its light on the rough walls of the Sea Demon Temple, as if gilding the entire palace with a cold, hard golden edge.

Xilun glanced back.

Sea Demon Temple.

Unfortunately, we were not meant to be.

-

It's hotter on Star Ring Island in the evening than during the day.

The port lighthouse lit up, windproof oil lamps were hung on both sides of the street, and rough laughter and accordion music came from the tavern entrance. The seafood materials shop was still trying to attract customers during the night market.

Xilun walked along the outer ring road for a while and finally stopped in front of a three-story restaurant.

A wooden sign, blackened by the sea breeze, hangs at the entrance of the restaurant, reading "Tide Whale Restaurant".

Despite its vulgar name, the business is booming.

The lobby on the first floor was full of people.

Sailors, merchants, mercenaries, extraordinary outsiders, and scions of local small families each occupied a table, their voices as noisy as a pot of boiling seawater.

Some people were talking about the spice ship that had just arrived in port, some were cursing a certain hunting team for double-crossing, and others were whispering about underground blood-fighting gambling games in a corner.

This kind of place is perfect for gathering information.

Xilun chose a seat against the wall, hung his cloak on the back of the chair, and casually ordered two hot dishes, a bowl of soup, and a piece of sea buckthorn bread.

The dishes were served quickly.

The pan-fried fish was rich in oil and sprinkled with black pepper and salt; the stewed clam broth had a touch of spicy herbs in it, and the warmth slid down your throat after you took a bite; the bread was hard, but it was filling.

Xilun didn't eat quickly.

He hadn't had a proper meal in an unfamiliar city in a long time.

After Victoria, he ate more to repair his body and to suppress the emptiness and hunger brought on by the remains of the evil god.

But at this moment, the warmth of ordinary food entering his stomach gave him a brief sense of reality.

He is still alive.

From the slums of Saint Laurent to the bloodbath of Victoria, and then to the Star Ring Island in the Sea of ​​Chaos.

Many people died.

He survived to this day.

Xilun lowered his eyes and slowly tore open the bread.

It was not surprising that the Sea Demon Temple rejected him.

He is now most aware of the extent of his physical turmoil.

The Mysterious Yin Breathing Technique, the Great Thunder Sound Breathing Technique, the Breath of the Styx River, the Storm Bloodline, the Remains of the Evil God, the Black Crow Seal, the Thunder Spirit Embryo, plus the talents gained from hunting alien species.

Any major power that values ​​the purity of its foundation might not be willing to accept him as a core disciple.

But he had no choice but to join the faction.

At the very least, I can't stay alone away from home forever.

Spiritual practice is not just about enduring hardship.

Resources, techniques, Demon Gathering Grounds, intelligence, communication with peers, and identity credentials—each one is important.

He spent six months recuperating at Emerald Lake and has gained a deep understanding of the situation.

Without the potions from the Ronte family and the Magic Gathering Ground, his recovery would not have been so quick.

In places like Star Ring Island, there are even more good things, and they are even harder to obtain on a personal basis.

After taking a few bites, Xilun raised his hand to summon his servant.

The attendant was a tall, thin young man with a copper ring in his left ear. He walked very lightly and was clearly not an ordinary person; he had at least practiced some basic breathing techniques.

"Is there anything else the guest would like?"

Xilun took out a silver coin and placed it on the table.

"I want to ask you something."

The servant glanced at the silver coins, and his smile immediately became much more genuine.

"Please ask."

"What difficulties do extraordinary outsiders face in joining a powerful force?"

The attendant was not surprised.

Every year, countless people like Xilun inquire about entry to Star Ring Island as soon as they arrive.

He lowered his voice skillfully and said, "There are many."

"Let's look at the background first."

"If you come from a prominent local family, have elders to vouch for you, own property, have tax records, and have a clean record, many things will be easier to handle."

"If it's a rogue cultivator from out of town, they'll be scrutinized from the very first hurdle, which will make things difficult."

Xilun nodded.

The attendant continued, "Secondly, it's best to be completely blank yourself."

"blank?"

"It's just that I haven't practiced many internal energy cultivation methods yet, and I'm still young."

The attendant explained, "These powerful forces all have their own fundamental laws. The stronger the law, the more important it is to cultivate a solid foundation from a young age. If someone is over fifteen years old and has practiced other schools' breathing techniques, their body's energy becomes mixed, making it difficult to cultivate their core traditions."

"Especially in places like the Sea Demon Temple, the purity of bloodline and strength is highly valued. If you are already at the second or third tier, you may not be as popular as a thirteen or fourteen-year-old child."

Xilun took a sip of soup.

This is exactly what he just experienced.

Seeing his calm expression, the attendant said again, "The third time, let's examine his character."

"The factions here don't like people who only want to reap benefits, but when it comes to character, frankly speaking, it also depends on the examiner's mood. Some places emphasize rules, some emphasize ruthlessness, and some emphasize loyalty."

"If you give up easily, it is indeed difficult to succeed, but if you are tactless, you are also likely to be resented."

Xilun asked, "What if I don't join a faction and cultivate alone?"

The servant paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

"Guest, that's a big question."

He held up one finger.

"Firstly, resources are scarce."

"Common medicinal herbs, low-level sea beast materials, and incomplete cultivation techniques can all be bought outside. But what things can truly elevate someone from the third to the fourth tier? Aren't they all controlled by powerful factions?"

The second finger.

"Secondly, the method is not good."

"The fragments in the hands of independent cultivators are mostly incomplete; they may be usable at first, but they can be a disaster later on."

Every year, many people practice the wrong methods in the Chaotic Sea, resulting in either their blood and qi exploding or the growth of all sorts of strange things.

The third finger.

Thirdly, they have no connections.

"If something happens to you, no one will speak up for you. If you steal something from someone, that person can call a whole boatload of people. But if you get robbed, you have to bear the consequences yourself."

The fourth one.

"Four times, no one spoke."

The attendant's tone became more serious: "Cultivation always requires communication with others. How others break through their barriers, where the dangers are, which materials cannot be eaten indiscriminately, and which sea areas have recently seen strange creatures—if you try to find all this information by yourself, you'll eventually die."

"At the very least, you need to know a few people, right? Are you going to wake up every morning, practice your skills in front of the wall, and then go to sleep at night?"

The fifth one.

"Five times, there is no place where demons gather."

"It can be repaired in an ordinary house, but the concentration of demonic energy is not enough. After the third level, it is too slow to rely on the body to endure it."

You'll always need a place with a high concentration of magic, even if it's just an outer cave dwelling, it's better than renting a place.

As Xilun listened, he understood more and more clearly.

You must join one of the factions.

At least obtain an identity that allows access to resources and high-level information.

Which factions are easiest to join?

The attendant thought for a moment.

"Among the five major powers, the Holy Light Monastery is probably the most approachable."

Xilun looked up.

"monastery?"

"right."

The attendant nodded and said, "The Holy Light Monastery emphasizes education for all, and although there are distinctions based on social status, it is much more relaxed than the Sea Demon Temple."

Many sons of fishermen, butchers, and dockworkers had become disciples.

"They don't just look at age, but also at ability, character, and whether one can work for the monastery."

"Of course, getting into the core is also difficult."

Xilun asked, "What are they building?"

The attendant said, "There are quite a few branches."

"The most popular branch is the Holy Light Academy. After disciples practice breathing techniques, they can heal illnesses and purify pollution, and they hold a very high status. Fleets, families, and hunting parties all want to invite them to accompany them."

"There is also a disciplinary division, which is specifically responsible for going out to clear out, capture, escort, and fight."

"The discipline division doesn't focus on potential for development, but rather on ability. If you have the ability and can get things done, they are willing to accept you."

"In addition, there are several smaller wards for medicine, prayer, nursing, and penance."

Xilun seemed to be deep in thought.

Holy light.

Healing.

Purification.

His spiritual gift is life itself.

Although it's unclear whether it's related to the Holy Light Monastery, it's certainly a better place to try than the Sea Demon Temple, which only focuses on purity.

Even if the Holy Light Division is unsuitable, the Punishment Division might accept a Tier 3 combatant.

He asked a few more questions.

The attendant explained in great detail.

The Monastery of Holy Light is located at the foot of the mountains on the east side of Star Ring Island, near a freshwater lake and a cool, clear spring.

The dean's name is Adler, and he is said to be a high-ranking extraordinary being who has mastered the Holy Light spell.

Legend has it that with a single gesture, he can bring flesh back to life from bones and revive the dead from the ground.

Of course, rumors are always exaggerated.

The more exaggerated the statement, the more it reflects the status of the individual.

Siren gave the servant another silver coin.

The servant's eyes narrowed with laughter.

"If you wish to go, tomorrow morning would be the best time. The monastery receives those who wish to enter every day. No token is required, but whether you can pass depends on your ability."

Xilun nodded.

Thank you.

After the servants left, Xiren continued eating.

The lobby was still noisy.

At the next table, someone was slamming their fist on the table and cursing a certain pirate crew. Someone else said that a noble's son had lost an arm in the gambling arena last night. Others were talking in hushed tones about the Star Ring Ranking Battle, their voices filled with excitement and fear.

Upon hearing the words "Star Ring Ranking Battle," Xilun paused slightly.

The inner disciples of the Sea Demon Temple also mentioned this matter.

This seems to be no small matter.

It may be related to the five major powers, resource allocation, or even the ranking of the younger generation.

However, now is not the time to delve into this further.

What he needs most is to establish himself.

After the meal, instead of immediately returning to his property on Grey Gull Street, Xilun took a walk around the street.

While access to Star Ring Island is restricted at night, some areas are clearly unwelcoming to outsiders.

As he passed an underground gambling den, two burly men at the entrance stared at him for a long time; as he walked through an alley with a red lantern, a woman leaned against a door, smiling and waving; and outside a certain pharmacy, he saw several hooded men exchanging glass bottles in deep voices.

The order here is loose, but it is not disorderly.

Every street has its own rules.

Behind every glittering facade lies a hidden knife.

Xilun eventually arrived at number seventeen Grey Gull Street.

The house was cleaner than he had imagined.

The two-story building has gray and white walls and a roof covered with dark tiles. The backyard is very small, but it has a water storage well and a wooden door leading to the basement.

The door lock was easily opened with the key left by Pavel.

The furniture inside was covered with a thin layer of dust, indicating that the house had been uninhabited for a long time.

Xilun inspected the doors and windows one by one, and then entered the underground storage room.

The basement was small, with dry walls and old wooden shelves and several empty boxes in the corner, making it suitable for storing materials and also as a place for short-term training.

He didn't clean immediately, but instead chose a room on the second floor with a view of the street and set up a few simple guard posts.

Then he sat down cross-legged.

A chilling, yin energy slowly circulated.

Grayish-white cracks appeared faintly under the skin inside the body, only to be suppressed by the cold.

The nascent form of the Thunder Spirit lay deep within the flesh and blood, like a tiny seed of lightning, occasionally flashing a bluish-white light.

Xilun closed his eyes, reflecting on what he had seen that day.

To truly move upward, one must find a path to integrate the body, suppress pollution, and tap into the bloodline of the storm.

The next morning, as dawn broke.

The foot of the mountain on the east side of Xinghuan Island was shrouded in a thin layer of white mist.

Xilun changed into clean clothes.

The Holy Light Monastery didn't need a token, so he decided to try again.

There weren't many people on the street.

The closer you are to the east, the fresher the air.

The noisy, fishy smell gradually faded, replaced by the scents of grass, spring water, and damp earth in the early morning.

The Holy Light Monastery is situated on a gentle slope at the foot of the mountain.

The buildings are not as oppressive as the Sea Demon Temple; instead, they appear spacious and bright.

White stone corridors, light gold roofs, and blue window frames are scattered among lakes, lawns, and groves.

A cool, clear spring flows past the courtyard, its clear sound like a soft prayer.