Lu Chengfeng practiced swordsmanship unnoticed for ten years, but once he drew his sword, the world knew him. With the news spreading from the Sword Discussion Platform, almost every disciple of the sect knew of his existence.
At only twenty years old, with swordsmanship cultivation at the Tenth Layer, he slew Xue Dulong, a master who had honed his skills for decades, with a single sword stroke. Their battle on stage was fierce, and it was over in fewer than ten moves when he beheaded the opponent with one strike.
Such a young prodigy is already comparable to the monstrous talents of the Inner Peak True Inheritance, drawing everyone's attention.
"Lu Chengfeng truly hid himself well; we had never heard of him before, and now he is famous, echoing throughout the entire sect."
"A monster like this will inevitably enter the Inner Peak and become a True Disciple; as long as he doesn't die, he will become another powerful presence suppressing our foundation in the Yuncang Sword Sect."
"Hurry and get in touch with this person to see if he is engaged; this is definitely a hidden prodigy who will one day soar to the heavens."
The Outer Peak is a mix of dragons and snakes, with countless people harboring different thoughts. Upon hearing the news, they all dispatched people to Bixiao Peak.
While the outside was in turmoil, Lu Chengfeng had already returned to the mountain with the disciples of Bixiao Peak.
However, there was already someone waiting for him on the mountain. Upon seeing Lu Chengfeng, an Inner Peak Steward, whom he once briefly met during the assessment, smiled and called out from afar, "Does Junior Brother Lu still remember me?"
Lu Chengfeng quickly took a few steps forward, cupped his fists, and saluted, "Lu Chengfeng greets the Steward."
"Why call me Steward, just call me Senior Brother." He said this while stopping Lu Chengfeng's actions, "I am here to bring you good news, Junior Brother."
"You have passed all the sect assessments, and your background has been thoroughly investigated. The sect has deemed your background clean and your talent exceptional; you may enter the Inner Peak."
Lu Chengfeng was overjoyed to hear this. Although he had long predicted this moment would come, he couldn't help but feel a little excited when the good news finally arrived.
The Yuncang Sword Sect has over a hundred Outer Peaks, but the true inheritance of the sect resides entirely within the Inner Five Peaks. Only the True Disciples of these Inner Five Peaks can be considered the direct lineage of the Yuncang Sword Sect.
"Thank you, Senior Brother, for informing me, and for making the trip. Please come in quickly, and I'll have my wife make some tea." Lu Chengfeng said, feeling a bit embarrassed, "It's my fault. I still don't know Senior Brother's name. May I ask for your full name?"
"My surname is Zhou, with a single name Tong, and I am also an Inner Peak True Inheritance, but only serving in the Transmission Hall." Zhou Tong said, shaking his head, "I came here specially today, besides informing you of this good news, for another matter."
"The sect leaders received a detailed report of your performance during the assessment, and two elders believe that your cultivation aligns with their legacy, so they want to take you as a disciple."
"This is a tremendous good fortune. Most Inner Peak True Inheritances don't have a master. If sect elders enter the martial world, each of them is a martial path authority capable of stirring up great waves. Such beings do not take on disciples lightly."
"Junior Brother, you just passed the exam, and already two elders are competing to take you as a disciple. Such an opportunity is truly enviable!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Chengfeng's eyes lit up. Zhou Tong was right; Inner Peak elders differ greatly from those of the Outer Peak; they are truly the Heaven-Supporting White Jade Pillars, the Sea-Supporting Purple Gold Beams.
Each Inner Peak Elder is a peerless expert, cultivating top-tier martial arts and even secret skills, nurturing their martial path willpower. Some elders can even manipulate flying swords and kill from a hundred steps away.
These elders are as elusive as dragons and have never been seen by Lu Chengfeng even after all his years in the sect.
He was also quite excited himself. Due to Zhao Changzhen, he was embroiled in dangerous and unpredictable entanglements, involving even the treasure trove and divine skills left by Black Shark Loose Man, a powerful figure in the martial world of centuries past.
Although Lu Chengfeng's martial arts progress was fast, the thought of Zhao Changzhen being killed with just three to five sword strikes that night sent chills down his spine.
The individual in the shadows was ruthless and acted without scruple, daring to kill an Outer Peak Elder in the sect, which showed how arrogant and confident they were.
Lu Chengfeng couldn't guarantee he could withstand a few moves from such a person, let alone he was already married and had to be responsible for his lovely wife at home.
The heavy responsibilities pressed upon him made him feel somewhat suffocated.
Suddenly hearing the great news of an elder taking him as a disciple, significantly relieved the pressure on his shoulders.
If he could become a disciple of an Inner Peak Elder, he would have a backing within the sect, and anyone wanting to act against him would have to reconsider.
Anyone who dared to kill the direct disciple of an Inner Peak Elder was surely doomed, no matter who they were, and would be pursued relentlessly even to the ends of the earth.
The Yuncang Sword Sect had once experienced an inner-peak elder's disciple being assassinated by enemy factions infiltrating the sect. Ultimately, everyone involved in the matter was killed without exception.
It is said that to avenge the disciple, the elder personally ventured into the martial world, destroying seventeen strongholds of the traitor's faction, with countless deaths by their hand.
In the end, with one strike from their sword, they obliterated the Iron Mountain Sect, making them a legend.
With the protection of a sect elder, Lu Chengfeng could practice within the sect without fear, no longer worrying about those chaotic matters.
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Lu Chengfeng couldn't help but smile with delight.
"Hahaha, let's go. The two elders are already waiting to see you." Zhou Tong, seeing him like this, recalled the scene when he himself first became a disciple and smiled, "Among the two elders, one is my own master. Let's see if we have the fate to be under the same master and become fellow disciples."
At this moment, Lu Chengfeng waved towards Su Wanqing and Li Mo, saying, "You all go back first. I'll return to the mountain as soon as I'm done here."
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
Su Wanqing and the others had heard the entire conversation between Lu Chengfeng and Zhou Tong, and their expressions were filled with shock and envy, and inevitably a hint of fear.
Once he enters the Inner Peak, he will be in a different world from them, not to mention being taken under the wing of a sect elder, which foretells a bright future and that the gap between them will only continue to grow.
Watching the departing silhouettes of Lu Chengfeng and Zhou Tong from afar, Su Wanqing's light yellow dress fluttered in the wind, a strand of hair falling down.
"I never expected my senior brother to be such a prodigy; does Bixiao Peak truly..."
Recalling her family's instructions and mission, her eyes became complicated.