Ascending from the mortal realm to become an immortal begins with taking charge of a grotto-heaven.

Having already packed his belongings, Zhang Li headed towards the inner gate without any hesitation.

Half an hour later, the black-shadowed boat slowly landed outside the Dao Xuan Palace.

Zhang Li put away the Black Shadow Boat, straightened his robes, and strode into the hall.

The doors of Daoxuan Hall were open, and the furnishings inside were rather simple. Apart from the portrait of the founding patriarch enshrined in the center, there was only a row of service points where disciples were on duty.

He glanced around and indeed spotted a familiar fellow disciple.

This person was Pei Yiming. Zhang Li had taken on several tasks from him when he was on duty at the incense hall, and they had gotten to know each other over time.

Adhering to the principle that it's easier to get things done with acquaintances, Zhang Li stepped forward.

"Senior Brother Pei, it's been a long time."

Pei Yiming, who was engrossed in reviewing documents, looked up upon hearing the voice. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes upon seeing the newcomer's face. He then put down his book, cupped his hands in return, and said, "So it's Junior Brother Zhang Li. It has indeed been a long time. What brings you to Dao Xuan Hall today?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he carefully sensed Zhang Li's aura, and his expression changed slightly as he exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? You've actually broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining?"

"Thanks to Senior Brother, I'm here today to complete the procedures for promotion to Inner Sect." Zhang Li took out his promotion certificate and spoke politely, "I was very grateful for Senior Brother's help when I was in the Outer Sect."

"It's just a matter of taking money to do a job. Junior Brother's current cultivation level is entirely due to his own efforts," Pei Yiming said with a smile, declining the offer. "Junior Brother, please come with me."

Pei Yiming led Zhang Li to the back hall, went in to report, and then gestured for Zhang Li to come in and pay his respects.

"Greetings, Elder Liu." Zhang Li bowed and presented his promotion certificate with both hands as he spoke.

Elder Liu reached out and took the promotion certificate, glanced at it, and couldn't help but be slightly taken aback. "Did you get it through Wu Feng's connections?"

In that case, all the procedures in that province can be skipped, and only the necessary processes need to be followed.

Elder Liu reached out and took out an ancient-looking lamp, which he then said to Zhang Li:

"Becoming an inner disciple means you've entered the sect's genealogy and are officially recorded in the Qingxuan Sect's lineage register. You can then practice the sect's true cultivation techniques, so this soul lamp must be lit."

"This disciple is willing."

Without hesitation, Zhang Li responded immediately.

After lighting the Soul Lamp, although one will be subject to the sect's control in certain aspects, the sect can use the Soul Lamp to determine its own position.

But there's no such thing as a free lunch. It's not that easy to cultivate the sect's true techniques. Without offering some kind of pledge of loyalty, how can you prove that you're of one mind with the sect?

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Li channeled his magic power, forcing a drop of crimson blood from his fingertip onto the soul lamp.

The next moment, an orange-red flame ignited from inside the copper lamp.

Elder Liu nodded slightly, waved his hand to send the soul lamp into a side hall, and said:

"Very good. From this day forward, you will be an inner disciple of my Qingxuan Sect."

After saying that, he took out a roster containing the names of all the inner disciples from his storage bag and entered Zhang Li's biographical information into it.

Elder Liu then took back his outer disciple token, took out a brand new inner disciple token, and a storage bag, and handed them to him.

"The storage bag contains the one-time reward issued by the sect when a disciple is promoted to the inner sect: two hundred spirit stones, a bottle of Qi-cultivating pills, and three sets of inner sect disciple uniforms. Go to the side hall to change into the inner sect disciple robes, and then offer three sticks of incense in front of the ancestral master's statue. That will complete the ceremony."

The Qingxuan Sect took its name from the Daoist title of its founder, Qingxuan Zhenren.

The origins of Qingxuan Zhenren are unknown. He traveled here more than three thousand years ago and accidentally discovered a hidden spiritual vein. Thus, he established his sect here.

Zhang Li obeyed and did as instructed. After changing into the inner disciple's robes, he respectfully offered three sticks of incense to the portrait of the patriarch and performed the disciple's etiquette. No one could find fault with his entire procedure.

As he stood up again, Pei Yiming appeared before him at some point: "Congratulations, Junior Brother Zhang, on becoming an inner disciple. I will take care of all the follow-up matters."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior Brother Pei."

Zhang Li politely bowed, glanced around to make sure no one was looking their way, and then expertly slipped a bag of spirit stones over.

Having spent a long time in the sect, he had already figured out the ins and outs of it. Although the cultivation sect seemed to be a place of quiet cultivation and detachment from worldly affairs, in reality, interpersonal relationships and social obligations were everywhere.

However, these senior brothers and sisters actually did things for us after receiving the spirit stones, so the spirit stones weren't wasted.

Those who can stand guard at the Dao Xuan Hall and the Incense Hall are all cultivators with powerful backgrounds. Zhang Li was also willing to spend spirit stones, and this bag contained quite a lot.

Pei Yiming took the bag, weighed it in his hand for a moment, and immediately understood its value.

This junior brother is getting more and more into the game.

Originally, even if Zhang Li hadn't given it to him, Pei Yiming wouldn't have made things difficult for him. With the aptitude of four spiritual roots, being able to cultivate to the late stage of Qi Refining before the age of thirty-five must mean he had some fortuitous encounters.

Therefore, he didn't mind taking this opportunity to get to know Zhang Li.

However, since there are still spirit stones available for purchase, Pei Yiming must make proper arrangements to avoid being looked down upon.

"Junior brother, you've just arrived at the inner sect, so you're probably not very familiar with the ins and outs of the inner sect yet. Since I have some free time today, I'll explain it to you properly."

"The first thing a new disciple does upon entering the inner sect is to choose a suitable cave dwelling. A well-chosen cave dwelling will be comfortable to live in and will not hinder one's cultivation."

"Secondly, go to the Scripture Pavilion to exchange for a free cultivation technique. Remember to choose it yourself and don't be impatient. If you're really unsure, choose one with many disciples; you can't go wrong with that."

"Newly promoted inner disciples can be exempted from miscellaneous duties for a year..."

Having accepted the spirit stones, Pei Yiming displayed excellent service, explaining the important points about the inner sect to Zhang Li clearly.

After asking a few more questions that interested him, Zhang Li prepared to start choosing a cave dwelling.

"Don't worry, I will definitely arrange a good position for you, junior brother."

Pei Yiming patted his chest and assured him.

As he spoke, he took out a scroll, unfolded it, and laid it on the long table.

"Junior brother, please look. The scroll depicts the terrain of the Spirit Peaks. The lit spots are the cave dwellings that can be chosen from on each peak."

There were probably nearly a thousand of these lit spots, and Zhang Li found it difficult to choose just one.

Fortunately, he had already paid with spirit stones, so someone naturally introduced him to someone.

Zhang Li wasn't a particularly picky person. He simply explained his requirements, and Pei Yiming found him a suitable cave dwelling.

"As per your request, Junior Brother, this cave dwelling is not surrounded by densely populated areas, the terrain is relatively open, and the concentration of spiritual energy is not bad. Junior Brother, please take a look and see if it's suitable."

Following the direction Pei Yiming pointed, Zhang Li saw a cave dwelling built halfway up Lingxiu Peak, which, according to the map, indeed met his requirements.

"Since it was recommended by my senior, it must be pretty good. Let's go with this one."

Zhang Li nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Pei Yiming made a hand seal and pointed at the light spot chosen by Zhang Li. The light spot instantly dimmed, indicating that the cave had been occupied.