At dawn, the sun gradually rose, shrouding Xuan Sect Mountain in mist. Purple qi drifted from the east, seemingly a good omen. Not far away, a rooster crowed loudly, announcing the arrival of morning.
Xuan Sect – Ye Fan and Xuan Zhenxi's Cave-Residence
"Acceleration talisman, stone-wood shield, small wooden sword…"
Ye Fan was checking the items he intended to bring, looking visibly nervous.
"Ye Fan, are you ready yet?" A handsome youth in an orange robe called from outside the courtyard. It was Xuan Zhenxi.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!"
"Whoa! Are you moving out or what?!"
Ye Fan was laden with equipment from head to toe: a large iron pot on his back, stone-wood shields dangling from both arms, and two small wooden swords at his waist. There were so many items he probably couldn't count them with just his hands. In contrast, Xuan Zhenxi only carried a single greatsword, making the difference striking.
"This is just being cautious—better safe than sorry!" Ye Fan scratched his head and laughed.
"Let's go, or we'll be late."
A short while later, they arrived at the Xuan Sect square. The sun blazed overhead; it was already the hour of Chen.
The square was where major announcements were made, and the spectator seats around it were already filled with disciples, buzzing like a tide.
"Xuan Zhenxi, Ye Fan, registration complete. You two may take your seats in the observation section."
"Thank you, Uncle Yi."
The two bowed to the elder at registration, then found a spot to sit.
"Oh, isn't this Master Changxi's son and his adopted son? Haven't seen you in a while. Still the same level, no improvement… and haha… this equipment—are you planning to become a chef?"
A young man with a horse-like face in a light-blue robe sitting nearby sneered.
His words immediately caused an uproar and laughter among the other Xuan Sect disciples.
"Hey, that's Chu Tianyu, descendant of the Chu family. His father is the only alchemist in our sect, and with full Qi Condensation, he's now Second Elder of the Xuan Sect!"
"Yeah, I heard his father is close to Third-Rank! That must be why this kid dares mock the elder's son in front of so many people…"
Ye Fan remained indifferent. He had been mocked many times over the past two years and was used to it. But he was no pushover. He had already memorized these malicious faces and planned to deal with them once his strength improved.
Though, he knew the opportunity for retribution might be limited.
"My little brother, you don't get to talk yet! Instead of boasting here, wait until we're in the Demon Beast Forest, then try my Blazing Slash!"
Xuan Zhenxi couldn't let this slide, his eyes glinting coldly as he glared at the blue-robed youth.
"Wow, Master Senior and Tianyu really have fireworks in the air!"
"Yeah, looks like we're in for a show!"
Ye Fan could only shake his head, saying nothing.
"Second Elder Chu's son hasn't changed… smooth talker as always…"
Xuan Zhenxi, standing by the elders' seats, noticed the commotion and spoke to a middle-aged man beside him.
"Just kids playing around… and there's some truth in it."
The middle-aged man, sitting in the elders' seats in a deep-blue robe, had black hair contrasting sharply with the wrinkles on his face. Despite the age lines, his eyes revealed cunning and shrewdness. This was Chu Tianyang.
Though both appeared calm, the tension between them was palpable.
"Ahem… Changxi, prepare yourselves. The Xuan Spirit Sect Selection is about to begin."
Xuan Sect's leader, Xuan Xiao, coughed lightly, redirecting the conversation.
"Yes."
Xuan Changxi didn't want to waste time on pointless words and began flipping through the Xuan Spirit Sect's dossier.
"Xuan Qi… looks like this selection won't be easy. Hopefully, Ye Fan can make it through…"
He closed the dossier, muttering quietly.
"Dong dong long dong dong, dong dong long dong dong!"
"The Xuan Spirit Sect envoys have arrived!"
"Greetings, Xuan Envoys…"
Moments later, the sounds of drums and gongs rang out. Two Xuan Sect guards shouted as a massive spirit vessel descended from the sky above the sect, awe-inspiring and majestic.
A middle-aged man in a yellow robe, with the Xuan Spirit Sect insignia at his waist, stepped down from the vessel, walking on air.
Four more envoys on the vessel drew flying swords seemingly from thin air, their presence equally formidable, sharp enough to slice mountains in an instant.
"Greetings, Xuan Spirit Sect envoys…"
Immediately, all disciples, including the elders, bowed deeply to the figures in the sky.
The envoys merely glanced at them, yet the pressure they emanated was overwhelming.
"Are these the Xuan Spirit Sect envoys? Incredible aura… at least Foundation Establishment Realm, I'd say…"
Ye Fan whispered to himself, observing the overwhelming presence of the envoys.
The lead envoy emanated mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation. Though middle-aged, such strength at this age was shocking for the small Xuan Sect—especially considering even their sect leader, Xuan Xiao, had only recently reached early Foundation Establishment.
"No need for formalities, please rise."
Though stern, the envoy's gaze softened as memories of his days in Xuan Sect surfaced, bringing a faint smile.
"This envoy, Xuan Qi, my father said he was once a disciple here. He rose through past selections and is now a newly appointed inner-protecting disciple of Xuan Spirit Sect—a remarkable student in recent years."
Xuan Zhenxi explained this to Ye Fan, whose eyes showed admiration.
The middle-aged envoy turned slightly, nodding respectfully to Xuan Xiao before speaking:
"I'm sure all of you know what today is—the once-every-five-years sect selection. Xuan Sect is protected by Xuan Spirit Sect, and every five years, five disciples under twenty years old will be chosen to enter our sect. This year's selection location is the Yellow-Rank Demon Beast Forest. The first to reach the end will receive greater rewards."
"The Demon Beast Forest?! Hasn't it always been within the sect? Why change it now?"
"What if we encounter Second-Rank beasts?! We can't beat them!" The announcement sent chills through many disciples.
"In the Demon Beast Forest, the danger isn't just the beasts, but the human heart…" Xuan Zhenxi said calmly, arms crossed, showing little worry.
"Come forth! Show your courage and skill! I, Xuan Qi, officially announce the start of this year's sect selection!"
Xuan Yang boarded the spirit vessel. Once all disciples were aboard, Xuan Qi tossed several spirit stones into the vessel as fuel. The ship surged forward toward the Demon Beast Forest.
"Spirit stones truly are the most important currency on Tianyu Continent. They enhance cultivation, trade, and now fuel the spirit vessel…"
Ye Fan patted his empty pockets, sighing. Without spirit stones, survival in this ruthless cultivation world was nearly impossible.
The view from the vessel was breathtaking: wild cranes, spirit birds, and other creatures soared freely, passing through clouds and refreshing winds, a rare serenity.
Within half an hour, they reached their destination—the Demon Beast Forest.
"This competition will be tricky. Xuan Wu Fei and Xuan Yu Bing both have fourth-level Qi Condensation, especially the Chu family brothers. Although I won't admit it, Chu Tianyu has reached fifth level in just three to four years. With his alchemist father's help, his progress is fast, but he's still behind me."
Xuan Zhenxi lifted his head, seemingly waiting for Ye Fan's praise.
"Yes, yes… who could surpass our Master Senior with a Supreme Spiritual Root?"
Ye Fan shook his head, helpless.
Indeed, Xuan Zhenxi's talent was extraordinary. In just two or three years, he had reached Qi Condensation Level Six—a prodigy even in the wider Xiqiong Prefecture.
"If my brother hadn't stayed in Xuan Sect, his progress might have been even faster," Ye Fan thought.
(To be continued…)