Mortal: Starting with the Seven Mysterious Sects, I proved my Dao through sacrifice.

The Ascension Ceremony was held as scheduled, and Murong Fan gladly went to see what was going on. While listening to the gossip of the rogue cultivators, he sifted through the useful information. Just as he turned to look elsewhere, he suddenly noticed Han Li standing at the edge of the crowd, looking somewhat flustered. Han Li was wearing a faded blue cloth robe, and the familiar storage bag was faintly visible at his waist, clearly indicating that he too had come following the news of the Tai Nan Small Gathering.

"Junior Brother Han," Murong Fan called out.

Han Li turned around abruptly and saw Murong Fan. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he quickly walked over: "Senior Brother Murong! You've come too?"

Murong Fan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Han Li. Several months had passed, and Han Li's aura had become much more solid, clearly indicating that his Changchun Gong had improved again. However, the caution and aloofness between his brows were even greater than before.

"You've reached the seventh level of Qi Refining?" Murong Fan asked.

"I broke through by sheer luck." Han Li lowered his voice. "Senior Brother Murong's cultivation is becoming increasingly unfathomable, far beyond my reach."

Murong Fan looked at Han Li and asked, "Junior Brother Han, are you familiar with the rules of this Ascension Token?" Murong Fan got straight to the point.

Han Li's expression hardened: "I know a little bit. One must pass the basic test set by the sect to obtain the qualification to enter." "However..." he paused, "I heard that although the test is not too difficult, the number of places is limited and the competition is fierce."

"Not bad!" Murong Fan took out a black iron token from his pocket, weighed it in his palm, and said, "I happen to have an Ascension Token in my hand."

Han Li's pupils contracted sharply, and his breath caught in his throat. He had already inquired about the value of the Ascension Token on his way here; this small iron token was enough to make countless rogue cultivators risk their lives to snatch it.

"Senior brother, what's going on...?"

"I'll give it to you!" Murong Fan said calmly, as if he were talking about an ordinary object. "I have other ways to get things done and don't need this."

Han Li stood frozen in place, speechless for a long time. He stared at the Ascension Token, his Adam's apple bobbing a few times before he finally said in a hoarse voice, "Why, Senior Brother..." Then he subconsciously took a step back, thinking to himself, "Could there be some conspiracy here?" He kept putting it off, unwilling to accept it.

"Since our parting at the Seven Mysteries Sect, I've said I'd meet you again someday." Murong Fan placed the Ascension Token into Han Li's hand, noticing a slight tremor as his fingertips touched Han Li's palm. "While your talent isn't top-tier, your character is the most resilient I've ever met. This Ascension Token is more valuable in your hands than in mine."

Han Li gripped the still-warm iron plaque tightly, his knuckles turning white. He recalled Murong Fan's parting words, "Let's explore the path of cultivation together," which he had initially thought were just polite words, but he hadn't expected the other party to actually remember them.

Han Li couldn't figure out Murong Fan's intention in giving him the Ascension Token, but looking at the tempting token, he couldn't find the courage to refuse.

"Senior brother, you have shown me great kindness, Han Li..." He bowed as he was about to pay his respects, but Murong Fan raised his hand to stop him.

"There's no need for that." Murong Fan's gaze passed over Han Li and landed on the tables in the center of the hall where spirit-testing stones were placed. "You should prepare yourself well. After you enter the sect, remember to keep a low profile and do not easily reveal the items in your storage bag."

"Furthermore, your current cultivation foundation is still shallow, and you are only at the seventh level of the Everlasting Spring Skill. It is not the best time to start. Remember that it is best to cultivate the Everlasting Spring Skill to the ninth level or above and use this token to join the Yellow Maple Valley. This will give you a better chance of winning and make you safer!" Murong Fan added earnestly.

"Junior brother understands."

Murong Fan nodded, turned to leave, but then stopped: "By the way, how is Li Feiyu?"

"Senior Brother Li..." A rare smile appeared on Han Li's lips. "The sect leader has accepted him as a disciple and arranged his marriage. He will soon be marrying Zhang Xiu'er. He asked me to tell Senior Brother Murong that he will never forget the kindness he has shown him."

Murong Fan's lips curled slightly. Fourteen years in the Seven Mysteries Sect had ultimately left behind some things worth cherishing.

"Go then." He glanced at Han Li one last time. "The path to immortality is long; we'll meet again."

Before he finished speaking, his figure transformed into a streak of azure light and soared into the sky, leaving Han Li standing alone in the darkening twilight, clutching the Ascension Token that had changed his destiny, speechless for a long time.

Murong Fan did not stray far from the Tai Nan Valley, but landed on a desolate mountaintop dozens of miles away. The night wind howled, blowing his robes, and he took out the jade pendant engraved with flame patterns, examining it under the moonlight.

"Murong..." he murmured the surname on the back of his head, his divine sense probing in again, only to be blocked by the same restriction.

The mystery of his origins was set aside for the time being. He put away the jade pendant and turned his gaze to the distant, rolling mountain range. The news he had heard at the Tai Nan Small Gathering had made his understanding of the cultivation world clearer—beyond the sects, there was a much wider world.

"The Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom..." he murmured to himself, "Yellow Maple Valley, Hidden Moon Sect, Spirit Beast Mountain..."

These names swirled in his mind, eventually settling on one direction. Although Huangfeng Valley ranked in the middle among the seven sects of Yue Kingdom, it had an advantage that other sects could not match—within its territory, there was an ancient ruin called "Bloody Forbidden Land," which opened once every few decades, where opportunities and dangers coexisted.

More importantly, according to the discussions among the cultivators at the Tai Nan Small Gathering, Huang Feng Valley's discipline of its disciples is relatively lenient, making it especially suitable for someone like him who harbors secrets.

"Then let's go to Yellow Maple Valley," Murong Fan decided.

However, he didn't intend to use the Ascension Token. Giving that token to Han Li was both to repay a favor and to create suspense. He had witnessed Han Li's forbearance and fortuitous encounters, and perhaps there would be unexpected gains in the future.

As for himself...

Murong Fan looked down at his palm, where a miniature altar appeared. The spirit stones and pills he obtained from sacrificing to the Golden Light Master, combined with the wealth accumulated by the Wild Wolf Gang over the years, were enough to support his cultivation to the Great Perfection of the Thirteenth Level of Qi Refining. But the altar's uses were far more than that.

"Proving the Dao through sacrifice..." He recalled the boy struggling to survive in the Seven Mysteries Sect's menial quarters, the scenes of his sacrifices, and the path of cultivation he was walking. "This name, it's not a bad choice after all."

Three days later, outside the gate of Huangfeng Valley.

Murong Fan changed into a slightly worn blue robe, suppressed his cultivation level to the tenth level of Qi Refining, and mingled among a group of rogue cultivators who had come to seek apprenticeship. Unlike those seeking the Dao using Ascension Tokens, he came by "self-recommendation"—applying directly to become an outer disciple based on his cultivation level and aptitude.

This path has a higher barrier to entry, but also offers greater freedom. Even those who hold the Ascension Token must undergo layers of assessments after entering the sect, while self-recommended individuals like him can directly obtain the status of an outer disciple simply by passing the on-the-spot test.

"Next, Murong Fan."

"The disciple in charge called out loudly. Murong Fan straightened his robes and calmly stepped into the testing array. The spirit-testing stone shone brightly, indicating his top-tier aptitude for a Heavenly Spiritual Root, thus allowing him to pass the test smoothly."

"Qi Refining Stage 10, Heavenly Spiritual Root..." Elder Zhang, who was in charge of the test, stroked his beard and pondered, "His origin is unknown, but his spiritual root aptitude is quite good. However, we need to observe him first. How about this, temporarily enter the outer sect, grant him a cave dwelling, and provide him with basic cultivation supplies, including ten initial-stage spirit stones and three bottles of Qi Gathering Pills per month."

Murong Fan bowed respectfully, his expression humble, but his heart remained largely unmoved. He had already inquired about the rules of Yellow Maple Valley during the Tai Nan Small Gathering. Outer disciples were merely the lowest level of the sect. To obtain more resources, they either needed to be favored by an elder and accepted as a personal disciple, or they needed to exchange contributions, or…

He subtly swept his gaze across the crowd, his eyes lingering briefly on a few disciples with imposing auras. Within a sect, there is also strife, and there is strength and weakness; this is not fundamentally different from the jungle law he was familiar with.

"Junior Brother Murong, please follow me." An outer disciple led him into the mountain gate. "Your cave is at the foot of Green Bamboo Peak. The spiritual energy is decent, but the location is a bit remote."

"It's alright," Murong Fan said with a smile. "A secluded spot is just what makes it peaceful."

The disciple glanced at him again upon hearing this, seemingly surprised by his composure. Most rogue cultivators entering a sect for the first time are filled with excitement, haggling over the location of their cave dwellings and the amount of their monthly stipends; it's rare to see someone as calm as Murong Fan.

After passing through layers of clouds and mist, the true face of Yellow Maple Valley finally appeared before their eyes. Seven main peaks were arranged like the Big Dipper, with spiritual energy swirling into mist, and cranes soaring among the clouds, truly possessing the aura of immortals. But Murong Fan's gaze fell on the distant canyon shrouded in a blood-red restriction.

Bloodstained Forbidden Land.

That was his real target.

The cave dwelling was simply furnished, containing only a bed, a futon, and a stone table. Murong Fan, however, paid no heed. He waved his hand, setting up a few simple protective barriers, then sat cross-legged and began to regulate his spiritual energy. The concentration of spiritual energy in Huangfeng Valley far surpassed that of the Seven Mysteries Sect. Even though this cave dwelling at the foot of Qingzhu Peak was merely a common residence for outer sect disciples, its spiritual energy was several times richer than that of the outside world.

He didn't rush into cultivation, but instead slowly spread his divine sense to explore the surrounding environment of the cave. The caves at the foot of Green Bamboo Peak stretched out, housing hundreds of outer sect disciples, each only a few dozen feet apart, making privacy difficult to guarantee. Fortunately, his divine sense was far stronger than others of his level, and with the nourishment of the altar, he was able to vaguely penetrate the simple restrictions of his neighboring caves and sense the general movements of those disciples.

"The cave on the left is at the eighth level of Qi Refining, but the aura is weak and unstable, so it must be made of elixirs."

"The cave on the right is for someone at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Their aura is steady, and their cultivation technique is quite methodical. They are a solid practitioner."

Murong Fan withdrew his divine sense, already having made up his mind. Among these outer disciples, there was a mixed bag; some were eager for quick success, while others were steady and methodical. He would need to carefully discern their true nature in future interactions.

……

Murong Fan began organizing the items in his cave. He thought about how the resources he had acquired through legitimate means—such as sect missions, trade with fellow disciples, and exploration of secret realms—could all be used as offerings. The cultivation and insights returned by the altar would be his greatest reliance in this cruel world of cultivation.

Outside the window, the night in Yellow Maple Valley was as deep as ink. Murong Fan opened his eyes, a flame seemingly flickering within them.

"The Seven Mysteries Sect is the starting point, and the Yellow Maple Valley is the stepping stone..." He looked towards the direction of that blood-red forbidden land, "and on this path of cultivation, I have only just taken my first step."

P.S.: Thank you for your support. When I wrote this chapter, I was prepared for criticism—someone would definitely question, "Why are you so nice to Han Li? Why are you always 'licking' his boots? Are you not using your cheat ability properly?" But after carefully studying the original work, you'll find that Han Li's style is extremely cautious, pragmatic, rational, and clear about right and wrong, with a firm Dao heart. Whether it's deliberately flattering or deliberately belittling Han Li, I personally feel it's inappropriate, after all, he's the protagonist the readers have a preconceived notion of. The protagonist of this story, Murong Fan, will inevitably interact with Han Li from the original work again in the future. If he truly encounters a crisis, why would Han Li lend a helping hand? Perhaps only a act of kindness in times of need will be remembered for a lifetime. Only when you truly encounter difficulties will others help you.