"Although my cultivation base is not what it once was, fortunately, a sliver of my soul essence remains. It was through the power of my soul that I was able to neutralize Qin Lie's attack," Qin Xuan murmured to himself.
"The most urgent task now is to heal."
With that, Qin Xuan channeled his secret techniques and began to mend his injuries. The Qin Family was like a maggot on his bones, likely to catch up at any moment, and he had to be back at full strength before they did.
Day turned into night, and night into day. In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed. During this time, Qin Xuan had fought and retreated, wandering through several different locations. His wounds slowly healed, and the number of pursuers from the Qin Family gradually dwindled.
Once he had stabilized his situation, he began to consider his next move.
"I need a place suitable for lying low so that I can improve my strength," Qin Xuan mused.
Right now, he had severed all ties with the Qin Family; it was a battle to the death. However, having been the Pill Emperor in his past life, Qin Xuan was no hothead. He would never strike blindly without the necessary power to back it up. But to increase his strength, he required vast amounts of resources—including various cultivation techniques, martial arts, and rare treasures. Techniques and martial arts were not an issue; he had a substantial collection. But rare treasures were not so easily found, as they were all tightly controlled by the major sects.
"It seems I will have to join a sect..."
Qin Xuan pondered. According to his memories, this area fell under the jurisdiction of the Qingyang Domain, which contained ten major sects. Among them, the three strongest were the Xuanqing Sect, the Shangyuan Sect, and the Qingshan Sect.
"The Qingshan Sect is not too far away. I shall go there and take a look."
Qin Xuan quickly made his decision. After weighing his options, he settled on the Qingshan Sect.
***
The next day.
Nestled amidst a range of rolling green mountains, the Qingshan Sect stood tall. At this moment, the area in front of the sect’s gates was teeming with people, stretching as far as the eye could see. Today was the day the Qingshan Sect admitted new disciples. Many families had traveled thousands of miles, sending their most promising kin in hopes of passing the tests and entering the sect.
Within the dragon-like queue, Qin Xuan waited patiently, dressed in black. Joining the Qingshan Sect was simple in principle: one only needed to pass a test of aptitude. The method for this test was to channel spiritual energy into the Qingxuan Pillar standing before the gates. There were nine star-stones embedded in the pillar; lighting up even one was enough to qualify as a disciple.
However, despite the apparent simplicity, Qin Xuan had been in line for quite a while and had seen very few people succeed. It was clear that joining the Qingshan Sect was no easy feat.
Time flowed by. Finally, it was the turn of the youth standing ahead of Qin Xuan.
"Channel your spiritual energy into the Qingxuan Pillar," said an elder in green robes, his voice indifferent. A faint aura of pressure emanated from the man, and those around him gazed at him with nothing but reverence. He was an elder of one of the nine peaks of the Qingshan Sect—a figure of noble status. To be noticed and taken in by him would mean a limitless future.
The youth in front of Qin Xuan bowed to the elder and placed his hand on the Qingxuan Pillar.
"Follow the rules and begin channeling," the elder said, expressionless and eyes lowered. He repeated these instructions every so often. "One star on the Qingxuan Pillar qualifies you to join the Qingshan Sect as a servant."
The crowd nodded in agreement. Even a servant position was considered a supreme honor if it meant being part of the Qingshan Sect.
"Three stars qualify you as a formal disciple, eligible to learn Qingshan techniques. Five stars earn you the status of an inner disciple. Seven stars mark you as a core disciple of Qingshan, entitled to personal guidance from an elder. Eight stars, and you may be accepted into the lineage of one of the nine peak masters."
Everyone, including Qin Xuan, listened in silence. Just then, the youth in front of Qin Xuan curled his lip, his eyes filled with arrogance. "And what about nine stars?" he asked.
"Hmph... Nine stars?" The elder raised his eyelids, glanced at the youth, and said with disdain, "That is of no concern to the likes of you. Do not trouble yourself with such idle thoughts."
The youth’s expression stiffened. He felt indignant, but dared not speak back. Instead, he channeled his spiritual energy into the Qingxuan Pillar.
"Boom!"
As the youth’s energy flooded into the pillar, it burst into a brilliant glow. Before the eyes of the crowd, five star-stones lit up one after another, emitting a dazzling light.
"What? Five stars?"
"We've been testing for so long, and even three stars are rare. He actually achieved five!"
The surrounding crowd gasped, looking at the youth with heated, envious gazes. One had to understand that a five-star rating meant becoming an inner disciple of the Qingshan Sect—someone even the head of a clan would have to treat with great respect.
"Why is it only five?"
Yet, amidst the chorus of envious praise, the youth frowned. He suddenly exerted force with the palm pressed against the pillar, and a surge of powerful spiritual energy erupted from his palm.
"Boom!"
The Qingxuan Pillar shone once more. Amidst the starlight, two more stones lit up.
"Seven... seven stars!"
This time, even the Qingshan Sect elder could no longer remain calm; his expression shifted slightly. He nodded at the youth, his face softening significantly. "Not bad, not bad... it seems I underestimated you. A genius with seven stars is qualified to become the disciple of a Qingshan Sect elder."
"I am an elder of Jianding Peak in the Qingshan Sect. Would you like to join my lineage?"
The announcement caused an uproar.
"He is actually an elder from Jianding Peak! It is said that Jianding Peak is the wealthiest of the nine peaks of the Qingshan Sect."
"That's right, he’s set for life. He won't have to worry about a lack of cultivation resources ever again."
"Sigh... If only I could join Jianding Peak."
The crowd looked at the youth with eyes full of jealousy, wishing they could be in his shoes.
"I pay my respects to my master," the youth said, not hesitating for a moment as he knelt. Jianding Peak was exactly where he had hoped to go. Even without this elder, he would have found a way to join it later.
Following the elder’s gesture, the youth stepped out and stood by his side. Next, it was Qin Xuan's turn to be tested.
The youth looked at the calm-faced Qin Xuan, a flash of impatience and disgust crossing his eyes. Just moments ago, everyone around him had been looking at him with envy, yet this fellow didn't care at all. That look of indifference, as if his seven-star achievement were nothing extraordinary, deeply annoyed the proud youth.
He curled his lip in a sneer and said in a shrill voice, "Heh... a pathetic worm pretending to be profound. According to the rules, a personal disciple of a Qingshan Sect elder can bring one servant into the sect."
"How about you kneel and kowtow to me, acknowledge me as your master, and I'll bring you into the Qingshan Sect. How does that sound?"
Qin Xuan acted as if he hadn't heard a word, remaining unmoved. He walked straight up to the Qingxuan Pillar and placed his hand upon it.
Seeing this, the youth’s face turned livid. He gritted his teeth and whispered, "Damn it, to ignore me... you'd better pray the Qingxuan Pillar doesn't react. Otherwise, if you do make it into the Qingshan Sect, I will make your life a living hell!"