Complete one practice method every day

Chapter 103 Top-Tier Foundation

Wang Feng led Chen Yue away from the fragrant Danfeng area and along another fork in the road toward the Affairs Hall located on the mountainside of the main peak.

The scenery on both sides of the mountain road changed again, with the addition of martial arts training grounds and weapon racks, and shouts of practice echoing throughout the area.

On the way, Wang Feng became curious about Chen Yue's background and casually asked, "Junior Brother Chen, judging from your accent, you don't seem to be a local from Tianzhou Prefecture. Where did you come from?"

Chen Yue had already prepared his answer in his mind. With a calm expression, he said, "Reporting to Senior Brother Wang, my companions and I fled from a remote town called Youlin County."

A month or so ago, an evil calamity broke out there, with ghosts running rampant and countless lives lost. We had no choice but to leave our homes and wander from place to place, finally arriving in this Tianzhou Prefecture to seek a living.

"Youlin County?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Feng frowned and pondered for a moment before shaking his head: "I haven't heard of it. But you mentioned an outbreak of evil spirits. Sigh, there have indeed been more and more evil spirit incidents lately. Almost every now and then, I hear about some unrest somewhere. Even in the towns and villages around Tianzhou Prefecture, it happens occasionally."

Fortunately, the prefectural city reacted quickly and was able to mobilize forces to suppress the situation, preventing a major disaster. You were lucky to escape.”

Chen Yue's heart stirred slightly, and he followed up the conversation, saying, "Senior Brother Wang, has this always been the case with evil spirits?"

To be honest, on our way to Tianzhou Prefecture, we encountered the extremely strange Red and White Duo. If we hadn't happened to be with a caravan that had the means to deal with them, we would probably have been in grave danger.

"The Red and White Duo?"

Wang Feng's expression was slightly solemn, obviously having heard of the reputation of such a ferocious creature. He sighed and shook his head, saying, "There weren't so many evil spirits before. I've been a disciple for seven or eight years now. In the first few years, I occasionally heard my senior brothers mention it, but it was mostly old news or small-scale disturbances in remote places."

However, in the last year or two, especially in the last six months, the frequency and ferocity of evil spirits appearing have been increasing. The elders in the sect are also very worried, but no one can say for sure why.

Some say the yin energy in the world seems to be much stronger than before.

As the two were talking, they arrived in front of a bustling hall with the words "Hall of Affairs" written on the plaque above the door.

The hall was quite lively, with people receiving tasks, exchanging supplies, and handling various procedures, all in an orderly manner.

Wang Feng was clearly familiar with the place, and led Chen Yue straight to a counter.

He showed his disciple token and explained that Chen Yue was a newly admitted outer disciple of Danfeng.

After verifying the certificate issued by Danfeng, the disciple on duty took out a thick register and inquired about Chen Yue's name.

Information such as age and place of origin is recorded in detail.

Then, the disciple took two more items from under the counter and handed them to Chen Yue.

It was a palm-sized token with the words "Rock" engraved on the front and "Outer Sect, Dan Peak" in smaller characters on the back. This was his outer sect disciple identity token.

The other item was a thread-bound booklet of moderate thickness, with the words "Rock-Solid Rules" written on the cover.

"Your identity token must be carried at all times and must not be lost or lent out; otherwise, you will be dealt with according to the sect rules. Study the sect rules carefully, memorize them, and do not violate them," the disciple on duty routinely instructed.

Chen Yue accepted the token with both hands, thanked him, and carefully put it away, keeping the rules of the sect in his hands for the time being.

After completing the entry registration, Wang Feng did not take Chen Yue back to Danfeng, but instead led him towards another mountain peak that looked more solemn and secluded.

"Come on, Junior Brother Chen, I'll take you to the Scripture Repository."

As Wang Feng walked, he said, "Every newly initiated disciple, regardless of which peak they belong to, has the opportunity to receive an initiation foundational cultivation technique. Our Rock Sect's foundational cultivation technique is called Rock Technique."

He glanced at Chen Yue, his tone tinged with pride: "Don't underestimate this Rock-Solid Skill. This skill emphasizes working from the outside in, steadily and surely. First, it tempers the body and bones, solidifies the foundation of qi and blood, and then gradually guides the internal energy to temper the five internal organs."

It is a legitimate and superior cultivation technique that can be cultivated all the way to the peak of the Refining Realm. Countless small sects would treasure it as their most prized possession!

Upon hearing this, Chen Yue's eyes lit up slightly.

As expected of a major sect, with profound foundations!

Even the foundational cultivation method that every outer disciple can obtain is so extraordinary, pointing directly to the peak of the Refining Realm!

Wang Feng saw the gleam in Chen Yue's eyes, smiled, and added, "However, don't be too happy yet. This Rock-Solid Technique is divided into five levels. Newly admitted outer disciples can only receive the first three levels' techniques, incantations, and qi circulation diagrams."

Only when you are promoted to an inner disciple will you be eligible to apply for the fourth and fifth levels of cultivation techniques based on your contributions. This is also to encourage disciples to strive for excellence and contribute to the sect.

Chen Yue suddenly understood and nodded: "I see."

Sects cannot easily bestow all their core cultivation techniques, even foundation-building techniques; setting thresholds is only natural.

"Senior Brother Wang, how can one advance from an outer disciple to an inner disciple?" Chen Yue asked casually, as this was one of his most pressing concerns.

"The conditions are clear."

Wang Feng was clearly familiar with this process. "The primary condition is that one's cultivation level must reach the Marrow Refining Realm. Below the Marrow Refining Realm, no matter how high one's talent, one can only be an outer disciple."

However, simply reaching a certain cultivation level isn't enough. You also need to pass the test set up in the Rocky Alley within the sect to prove that you possess combat abilities comparable to those of a disciple within the Marrow Refining Realm before you can officially advance.

"Rock Lane?" Chen Yue's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Yes, that's a special alleyway with traps and puppets set up to test you. There are also senior disciples from the inner sect on duty to intercept and test you at key points."

Wang Feng explained with a smile, "Only by relying on true skill and fighting your way through can one truly possess the strength of an inner disciple. This is also to prevent some disciples from only knowing how to bury themselves in hard training but being utterly useless in actual combat."

Chen Yue nodded. Cultivation is the foundation, but actual combat is the essence. Only by combining the two can one become a true martial artist.

The layout of this Rock Alley is quite in line with the style of the Rock Sect, a sect that emphasizes foundation and practical combat.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the mountainside of another peak, where a magnificent three-story palace with flying eaves and bracket sets came into view.

Above the main gate hangs a plaque with three powerful characters: Zanggong Pavilion.

The pavilion is surrounded by trees, creating a tranquil environment with a sense of solemnity and scholarly atmosphere, quite different from the medicinal fragrance of Danfeng and the hustle and bustle of the Affairs Hall.

Disciples stood guard at the gate, their auras deep and their gazes sharp.

"We've arrived." Wang Feng stopped and pointed to the Scripture Pavilion ahead.

Chen Yue gazed at the Scripture Repository, a ripple of emotion stirring within him. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Senior Brother Wang, besides the acquisition of cultivation techniques and the requirements for cultivation level, what are the main differences between outer and inner disciples?"

After a moment's thought, Wang Feng replied, "The difference is significant. In addition to their own cultivation, outer disciples are required to patrol the mountains, stand guard, assist with miscellaneous tasks, and even go out to carry out some simple missions every month."

Moreover, most of the cultivation techniques and martial arts skills collected in the Scripture Pavilion that outer disciples can exchange for with their contribution points are relatively basic or common; many core and profound inheritances are inaccessible to them.

"What about the inner disciples?" Chen Yue asked.

"Once you become an inner disciple, the sect will first distribute some basic cultivation resources, such as pills and contribution points, every month, which can be considered as the sect's support."

Secondly, the number of sect missions that need to be completed will decrease. More importantly, most of the cultivation techniques and martial arts skills in the Scripture Repository, including some powerful secret arts, can be exchanged for with sufficient contributions, and you may even gain access to certain special training grounds.

Chen Yue listened attentively; this was actually a very typical talent echelon system of a sect.

Outer disciples are like reserves and grassroots laborers. They need to prove their value and accumulate contributions by completing sect tasks, while also striving for advancement through their own cultivation.

Inner disciples, on the other hand, are considered core talents initially recognized by the sect. They begin to enjoy preferential treatment in resources, assume more important responsibilities, and have broader prospects for development.

"I understand, thank you for clearing up my doubts, Senior Brother Wang." Chen Yue cupped his hands in thanks.

Wang Feng looked at Chen Yue with a smile and patted him on the shoulder: "Junior Brother Chen, you are now an outer disciple of Dan Peak, which is much better than the outer disciples of other peaks. Your sect task is to refine pills. The sect will calculate your contribution points based on the quantity and quality of the pills you submit."

As long as you can consistently provide qualified pills, you can basically focus solely on cultivating and researching alchemy. The specific conversion rates and requirements will be explained to you in detail by your senior brother when you return to Pill Peak.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yue thought it was good news.

With his alchemy skills, completing alchemy tasks in exchange for contributions and a stable cultivation environment would not be difficult for him.

His identity as a disciple of Danfeng is more suitable for his current needs.

"Let's go in and collect your Rock-Solid Skill."

Wang Feng gave a greeting and led Chen Yue into the imposing and solemn Hall of Martial Arts.

As soon as you step into the palace, a smell of old paper and sandalwood hits you.

The interior space is more spacious than it appears from the outside, with rows of heavy wooden shelves neatly arranged, displaying a large number of books and scrolls categorized by type.

There were many disciples inside, but it was unusually quiet, with only the very faint sounds of turning pages and footsteps.

Chen Yue glanced at the scene and felt a slight chill run down his spine.

The vast majority of those I saw were experts in the Bone Forging Realm, their auras calm and their steps steady. Those below the Bone Forging Realm, such as those specializing in Skin Refining...

There are very few disciples at the Flesh Refining Realm.

What caught Chen Yue's attention even more was that he occasionally saw a few martial artists in the crowd whose auras were noticeably more obscure and profound.

Even near the stairs leading to the second floor, he caught a glimpse of an old man sitting upright on a futon, his aura as deep as the sea, far surpassing the Marrow Refining Realm.

This is the foundation of a sect; experts rarely seen in ordinary towns are not uncommon here.

Wang Feng seemed used to this, and whispered to Chen Yue not to make a sound or touch anything, before leading him straight to a long table by the window on the first floor.