C71 Inner Sect
The crowd was in disbelief at the scene unfolding before them.
Such a rate of cultivation was beyond their wildest dreams.
Yet, it was happening right before their eyes.
It felt like they were trapped in a surreal dream.
Among them, many were at the Qi Transformation Stage, and some even at the Condensation Spin Stage. They could feel Lin Xuan's presence, confirming he had truly reached the Qi Transformation Stage.
It meant Lin Xuan had astonishingly broken through from the fourth layer of the Qi Gathering Stage to level 1 of the Qi Transformation Stage in just four days.
The shock rippled through the crowd, their awe at Lin Xuan's talent growing.
Lin Xuan had already stunned them with his performance in the Outer Sect Competition.
But they had still underestimated him.
Lin Xuan's talent far surpassed the rumors.
He was likely among the elite of the sect.
The thought was overwhelming; they were plunged into a profound shock.
Deacon Sun, snapping out of his astonishment, managed a smile despite his eyes still wide with amazement:
"Just a moment, please. I'll go and call the Second Elder immediately."
Lin Xuan's prodigious talent was not something to be delayed.
With that, Deacon Sun hurried into the depths of the Outer Hall.
Before long, Deacon Sun returned, not with the Second Elder, but with the Head Elder.
The crowd was taken aback to see the Head Elder approaching swiftly.
They hadn't expected the Head Elder to appear.
The Head Elder, overseeing all affairs of the Outer Sect, held the highest position there.
He was the steward of the Outer Hall.
Typically, he was preoccupied with his own duties and seldom made an appearance.
The Second Elder would usually handle such affairs, like the promotion of Outer Sect disciples to the Inner Sect.
But this time, the Head Elder himself had stepped forward, a testament to the high regard he held for Lin Xuan.
The Head Elder's eyes landed on Lin Xuan, and he too sensed Lin Xuan's aura, feeling a jolt of surprise.
"So soon to join the Inner Sect," he said with a light chuckle.
Lin Xuan's pace of advancement astounded him.
As the Head Elder of the Outer Sect, he was privy to the progress of nearly all disciples transitioning to the Inner Sect.
Lin Xuan had taken just over a month from his initial steps to the threshold of the Inner Sect. No one else had ever achieved this feat.
Even Liu Qianyu, the current chief successor disciple, along with the other core disciples, couldn't manage this feat.
It seems Lin Xuan's talent might be even higher than I anticipated, the Head Elder mused to himself.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xuan bowed respectfully and said, "I have advanced to the Qi Transformation Stage and wish to join the Inner Sect. Please grant me permission!"
"Very well," the Head Elder replied with a slight nod and a gentle smile. "With your abilities, remaining in the Outer Sect would indeed be a disservice to your potential. Follow me."
With that, the Head Elder escorted Lin Xuan through the Outer Hall, all eyes upon them, and into the Inner Sect's initiation process. The procedures were straightforward: Lin Xuan's identity card was exchanged for that of an Inner Sect disciple, along with the appropriate attire and official registry.
The Head Elder then provided Lin Xuan with the first month's resources for his new status. Within mere minutes, everything was settled.
Summoning an Inner Sect disciple on duty in the Outer Hall, the Head Elder instructed, "Zhou Yu, escort Lin Xuan to the Inner Sect. Along the way, brief him on the essentials of the Inner Sect, and once he's settled, return here."
"Yes, Elder Chen," Zhou Yu responded with a bow.
Turning to Lin Xuan, he gestured respectfully, "Junior Brother Lin, shall we?"
"Let's," Lin Xuan replied.
As Lin Xuan assessed Zhou Yu's attribute panel, he couldn't help but reflect inwardly. Aside from Chen Yuze, Zhou Yu's innate gifts were on par with those of Zhou Lei and Guan Yuanshuang. Yet here he was, merely another Inner Sect disciple. It was clear that the Inner Sect was leagues above the Outer Sect.
They then stepped through a grand doorway, leaving the Outer Hall behind and entering a vast new expanse. The architecture was more opulent, the spiritual qi richer—a testament to the Inner Sect's grandeur and its position at the heart of the sect, in stark contrast to the peripheral Outer Sect.
Watching Lin Xuan's retreating figure, the Head Elder sighed. "Lin Xuan, the sect does not bestow special privileges for talent alone."
"You're on your own when it comes to competition. As for how far you can go, that's up to you."
He eagerly anticipated the day Lin Xuan would make his mark.
As they traveled, Lin Xuan marveled at the surroundings, which seemed straight out of a fairy tale from his past life.
Zhou Yu was fulfilling the task assigned by the Head Elder, acquainting Lin Xuan with the intricacies of the Inner Sect.
The Inner Sect was distinct from the Outer Sect, with a more refined structure.
It boasted a variety of halls, such as the Pill Refining Hall, Craft Refining Hall, Formation Hall, and Mission Hall, among others.
In contrast, the Outer Sect was limited to the Outer Hall, Clan Mission Hall, and Golden Origin Hall.
Only those Outer Sect disciples who had advanced to the Qi Transformation Stage were eligible to join the Inner Sect.
Each Inner Sect disciple had once been among the elite of the Outer Sect.
As a result, the Inner Sect was comprised of just over five hundred disciples, significantly fewer than the Outer Sect.
The disparity among Inner Sect disciples was substantial.
They were categorized as ordinary Inner Sect disciples, Inner Sect elites, and elite disciples.
Ordinary Inner Sect disciples typically had average talent and lower cultivation levels, situated at the Qi Transformation Stage or were newcomers to the Inner Sect.
Inner Sect elites were recognized for their notable talent. They were all under twenty-four years old and had reached the Condensation Spin Stage in their cultivation.
Elite disciples faced even stricter criteria. Each one had reached the peak of the Condensation Spin Stage, possessed exceptional talent, and had the potential to become chief successor disciples.
Elite disciples were considered the cream of the crop within the Inner Sect, both in terms of strength and talent.
Out of the five hundred plus Inner Sect disciples, a mere thirty-six were elite disciples.
This was a testament to their formidable capabilities!
As a new entrant to the Inner Sect, Lin Xuan was classified as an ordinary Inner Sect disciple.
Consequently, he received the most basic treatment.
Lin Xuan listened intently, gaining a clearer picture of the Inner Sect's dynamics.
After about ten minutes, Zhou Yu led Lin Xuan to a modest house.
This was the residence for ordinary Inner Sect disciples.
Simple as it appeared, it featured both a bedroom and a living room.
This was a significant step up from the Outer Sect.
Once Zhou Yu had finished briefing Lin Xuan on the situation, he even assisted in selecting a cozy little house for him before preparing to depart.
Before he left, Zhou Yu imparted some earnest advice.
"Junior Brother Lin, the Inner Sect is a different world compared to the Outer Sect.
Here, you'll find a wealth of resources and numerous benefits, but be warned—the competition is far more fierce.
Behaviors that might seem intolerable are permitted within the Inner Sect.
You must brace yourself.
That's all the guidance I can offer.
I wish you a fulfilling life in the Inner Sect!"
With that, he gave Lin Xuan a reassuring pat on the shoulder and took his leave.
Lin Xuan was left somewhat bewildered.
Nevertheless, he had faith in his abilities and chose to set aside Zhou Yu's cautionary words.
He got to work tidying up his new home.
In just half an hour, he had everything in order.
But there was no time to rest just yet.