216: Chapter 215 Inner Sect

The moment the golden light swallowed his vision, Jiang Hanzhou felt his entire body lighten.

That omnipresent pressure of the Weak Water, and the lingering confusion and struggle within the illusion, all vanished at this moment.

In its place was an indescribable tranquility—like the deep sea, where all sounds are hushed.

The light dissipated.

The view before him suddenly opened up.

This was a massive palace hall.

The vaulted ceiling was a hundred zhang high, arc-shaped, and engraved with dense Formation patterns.

Those patterns meandered like dragons, glowing with a faint golden light in the darkness, flowing slowly as if they were living things.

The four walls were built from solid blocks of white jade; the jade was warm and moist, with the massive coral skeletons sealed within faintly visible.

Those coral skeletons were dark red, appearing indistinctly within the white jade like frozen Bloodlines.

The hall was empty, without a single pillar.

Beneath his feet was a black jade floor as smooth as a mirror, polished so perfectly that it clearly reflected his image.

Jiang Hanzhou looked down and saw himself standing on the black jade, surrounded by a faint dark-golden light; that light was reflected in the mirror-like surface, facing him from afar.

About thirty zhang ahead, three figures sat cross-legged.

They were three elderly men.

The one in the center had hair and a beard as white as snow, a thin face, and wore a mysterious black Daoist robe embroidered with golden dragon patterns.

His eyes were slightly closed, and no aura leaked from his body, yet a single glance made one's soul tremble—it was the natural suppression from a higher Realm.

Dragon Elephant Mutual Harmony Realm.

Or perhaps even higher.

To his left was a burly Elder in a crimson robe, with thick eyebrows, tiger-like eyes, and a rugged face.

His hands rested on his knees, and a scarlet-gold light could be seen faintly flowing in his palms, emitting a blazing aura—a sign of having cultivated a fire-attribute Cultivation Technique to the limit.

To his right was a lean Elder in a blue and white Daoist robe, with an ancient sword hanging at his waist.

The sword was not unsheathed, but a thin layer of frost had already condensed on the scabbard, emitting a bone-chilling coldness.

Three Elders, six eyes, all fell upon the two people who had just stepped into the hall.

No, it wasn't just two people.

Slight footsteps came from behind.

Jiang Hanzhou looked back and saw Ao Zhan walking slowly out of the golden light.

Behind him, five more people followed in succession—three men and two women, all young prodigies with steady auras, currently surveying the scene in the hall with eyes flashing with a mix of excitement and awe.

Including Ao Zhan, Jiang Hanzhou, and Teng Yuzhi, there were eight people in total.

These were the eight who had reached the Yuelong Hall first in this Dragon Gate Trial.

The hall doors slowly closed, sealing out the golden light.

The Elder in the mysterious black Daoist robe in the center slowly opened his eyes.

Those eyes were as calm as water and as deep as an abyss. His gaze swept over the eight people, pausing for a moment on each before withdrawing.

“Not bad,” his voice was aged but full of vigor. “Eight people arriving simultaneously; this is the first time in nearly ten years.”

He paused and said slowly:

“I am the Grand Elder of the Dragon Abyss Palace, Great Elder Xuanjizi.”

“These two are Elder Fierce Sun Master of Red Fire Peak and Elder Cold Frost Master of Heavenly Sword Peak.”

“The three of us have been ordered by the Palace Master to preside over the final stage of this Dragon Gate Trial—the True Intent Heart Examination.”

True Intent Heart Examination.

Jiang Hanzhou’s brow twitched slightly.

It wasn't a fight to the death?

As if seeing through his confusion, Great Elder Xuanjizi said indifferently:

“The first three stages of the Dragon Gate Trial are sufficient to filter out the strongest in terms of power. The final stage does not involve a death match, only the testing of True Intent.”

“For a Primal Elephant Realm Cultivator, True Qi can be cultivated and the Physical Body can be tempered, but True Intent alone—it best reveals talent, Heart-Nature, and one's Dao path.”

“Those with pure True Intent have a stable Dao Heart; those with chaotic True Intent have a disordered Heart-Nature. The True Intent Heart Examination is to see which of you eight has the broadest Dao path, the stablest Dao Heart, and who is most worthy of the Sect's full cultivation efforts.”

He raised his right hand and gave a gentle wave.

The black jade floor in the hall suddenly lit up!

Countless fine lines emerged from the floor, meandering and flowing, finally forming eight independent circular Formations beneath the feet of the eight people.

The Formations were three zhang in diameter, with dense runes engraved on the edges and an ancient character for 'Intent' in the center.

“Step inside,” Great Elder Xuanjizi said. “The Formations will naturally probe your True Intent.”

Ao Zhan took the first step, entering his Formation.

The other five followed closely behind, each choosing a Formation to stand in.

Jiang Hanzhou looked at Teng Yuzhi.

Teng Yuzhi nodded slightly and stepped into the Formation on the left.

Jiang Hanzhou took a deep breath and stepped into the Formation beneath his feet.

The moment he entered—

The Formation beneath his feet suddenly jolted!

Every engraved rune lit up at once! Brilliant golden light surged wildly from the Formation, enveloping his entire body!

The light entered his body; there was no pain, only an indescribable sensation of being peered into.

It was as if an invisible hand had reached into his Dantian, his Meridians, and the depths of his Sea of Consciousness, carefully sensing every flicker of True Intent within him.

That prying made him instinctively want to resist.

But he didn't.

He simply took a deep breath, letting himself relax completely, allowing that power to investigate.

Deep within his Dantian, the three-colored flame flickered slightly, as if sensing the prying power.

Deep within his Sea of Consciousness, the Heart Blade vibrated gently, the dark-gold dragon patterns on the blade flowing slowly, yet showing no intent to resist.

Those True Intents—Tidal True Intent, Pure Yang True Intent, Golden Sharpness True Intent, and the newly formed embryonic Heavenly Fire True Intent—now emerged one after another as if summoned.

Tidal True Intent was continuous like water, flowing slowly through his Meridians.

Pure Yang True Intent was blazing like fire, circling and burning around his Dantian.

Golden Sharpness True Intent was sharp like a blade, condensing into countless tiny golden lights that merged into his blood and Qi.

Heavenly Fire True Intent—which used Dragon Blood Power to simulate Qi Fire and was a Fusion of Essence Fire and Divine Fire into an embryonic Samadhi True Fire—now transformed into a three-colored flame, floating quietly deep in his Dantian, emitting an aura distinctly different from the other three True Intents.

Four True Intents appeared simultaneously.

Inside the hall, the gazes of the three Elders fell upon Jiang Hanzhou at the same time.

Fierce Sun Master’s brow furrowed slightly, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

Cold Frost Master remained expressionless, but a touch of solemnity appeared in his cold eyes.

Great Elder Xuanjizi remained as calm as water, but a sharp glint flickered briefly in his slightly closed eyes.

Time passed slowly.

One breath.

Three breaths.

Five breaths.

After seven breaths, the golden light in the Formation slowly faded.

Jiang Hanzhou opened his eyes and looked at the three Elders.

Great Elder Xuanjizi looked at him, remained silent for three breaths, and then slowly spoke:

“Tidal True Intent, twenty percent.”

“Pure Yang True Intent, twenty percent.”

“Golden Sharpness True Intent, twenty percent.”

He paused, his gaze becoming deep:

“And a fourth True Intent—Heavenly Fire True Intent. Though it is embryonic and has yet to take full form, its Foundation is solid and its potential is profound, far exceeding the ordinary.”

“Four True Intents coexisting in one body without conflict, and instead showing signs of subtle Fusion.”

His voice was calm, but the slight fluctuation in his tone could not be hidden from anyone present.

The Grand Elder was moved.

Ao Zhan’s gaze fell upon Jiang Hanzhou.

In those cold eyes, complex lights now flickered—there was surprise, solemnity, and an indescribable... Battle Intent.

Four True Intents.

He had cultivated for seven years just to condense his Ice Soul True Intent to thirty percent.

Yet this kid, who had been in the Sect for less than half a year, actually possessed four True Intents.

Even if they were all only twenty percent, and the fourth was still embryonic—

Four of them.

What did this mean?

It meant this person’s talent far surpassed that of ordinary people.

It meant this person’s Dao path was wider than anyone else's.

It meant that within the Inner Sect, this person would become his greatest rival.

The corners of Ao Zhan’s mouth slowly curled into a smile.

The smile was cold, yet it carried an indescribable sense of anticipation.

Interesting.

Truly interesting.

Great Elder Xuanjizi withdrew his gaze and turned to the other seven people.

“Ao Zhan,” he said indifferently.

The Formation Ao Zhan had entered had finished its probe. The golden light dissipated, revealing his cold, stern face.

“Ice Soul True Intent, thirty percent.”

Great Elder Xuanjizi’s voice remained calm:

“Pure, condensed, and stable. Seven years as if it were a single day, specializing in one path with no distractions. Such stability of the Dao Heart is rare among your peers.”

Ao Zhan nodded slightly without speaking.

Great Elder Xuanjizi turned to Teng Yuzhi:

“Teng family girl.”

In Teng Yuzhi’s Formation, the light slowly faded. Her face was slightly pale and her breathing was somewhat rapid, but her cool eyes remained as calm as water.

“Li Fire True Intent, twenty percent; Wind and Thunder True Intent, twenty percent.”

“Two True Intents cultivated together, advancing without interfering with each other. A resilient Heart-Nature and a firm will; you are worth nurturing.”

Teng Yuzhi gave a respectful salute: “Thank you, Grand Elder.”

Great Elder Xuanjizi nodded slightly and turned his gaze to the remaining five people.

Those five were all top prodigies from various Peaks. Some specialized in the Dao of the sword with pure True Intent; some practiced two paths, achieving mastery through integration; some had only one True Intent, but it had already reached the thirty percent Peak, only a step away from a Breakthrough.

Great Elder Xuanjizi commented on each one, being impartial, fair, and strict.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the True Intent Heart Examination for all eight was complete.

Great Elder Xuanjizi stood up.

The moment that seemingly aged body stood, it was like a great mountain rising from the earth; an invisible pressure instantly enveloped the entire palace hall.

“The Dragon Gate Trial ends here.”

His voice was low, yet it clearly reached everyone’s ears:

“The eight of you reached the Yuelong Hall first, and your True Intent Heart Examinations were all flawless.”

“Now, in the name of the Grand Elder of the Dragon Abyss Palace, I announce—”

“You are all officially promoted to Inner Sect Disciples.”

As his words fell, an irrepressible joy appeared on the faces of the other seven.

Ao Zhan remained expressionless, but a flicker of emotion passed through his cold eyes.

Teng Yuzhi took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, a rare smile appearing on her cool face.

Jiang Hanzhou stood where he was, an indescribable emotion welling up in his heart.

Inner Sect Disciple.

In less than half a year since joining the Sect, he had finally reached this step.

Great Elder Xuanjizi raised his right hand and gave a gentle wave.

Eight streaks of golden light shot out from his palm, landing in the hands of the eight people.

The light dissipated, turning into eight palm-sized jade tokens.

The tokens were pale gold throughout and felt warm to the touch; one could faintly sense the surging Spiritual Qi contained within. The front of the token was engraved with the words 'Inner Sect', and the back was engraved with their respective names.

“Inner Sect Disciple Command,” Great Elder Xuanjizi said. “With this command, you may enter the middle levels of the Scripture Pavilion, exchange contribution points, participate in the Inner Sect Great Competition, and compete for the position of True Inheritance.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the eight of them:

“You shall each return to your respective Peaks as chosen before entry. Ao Zhan goes to Heavenly Sword Peak, under Cold Frost Master. Teng Yuzhi goes to Black Tortoise Peak, under Master Qingxuan...”

He pointed out their assignments one by one, finally landing on Jiang Hanzhou:

“Jiang Hanzhou, goes to Red Fire Peak, under Master Xue Mu.”

Jiang Hanzhou nodded slightly and gave a respectful salute.

Great Elder Xuanjizi looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then said slowly:

“Additionally, every Inner Sect Disciple is granted one hundred contribution points, which can be used at the Scripture Pavilion to exchange for needed Cultivation Techniques.”

“Immortal Caves have also been prepared in the Inner Sect area of each Peak. With your Disciple command, there will naturally be someone to guide you.”

The eight said in unison: “Thank you, Grand Elder.”

Great Elder Xuanjizi waved his hand, signaling that they could leave.

But just then—

He suddenly spoke, his voice low:

“There is one more thing.”

The eight stopped in their tracks and turned to look at him.

Great Elder Xuanjizi’s gaze passed over them, landing on the dark seabed outside the hall doors. An indescribable light flashed in those deep eyes.

“The ancient flood dragon remains have shown abnormal activity recently.”

His voice was very soft, yet it was like a giant boulder dropped into a calm lake, stirring up ripples in the hearts of the eight people.

Jiang Hanzhou’s pupils constricted slightly.

The ancient flood dragon remains.

The thing Blood Shark Island coveted.

The thing the black-robed man was plotting for.

Great Elder Xuanjizi continued:

“This matter involves a thousand-year-old secret of the Dragon Abyss Palace; I shouldn't have mentioned it to you. But—”

He paused, his gaze landing on the eight of them as he said word by word:

“Since you have entered the Inner Sect, you are now the pillars of the Sect. If the ancient flood dragon remains truly show abnormal activity, Inner Sect Disciples must be on standby at all times.”

“Specific details will be communicated when the time comes.”

He waved his hand:

“Go now.”

The eight gave a respectful salute and turned toward the hall doors.

The hall doors slowly opened, revealing the dark seabed outside.

The golden light surged again, swallowing their figures.

Jiang Hanzhou walked at the back, and as he stepped out of the hall doors, he looked back once.

Inside the hall, Great Elder Xuanjizi still stood where he was, hands behind his back, looking up at the meandering Formation patterns on the ceiling.

Complex lights flickered in those deep eyes.

Jiang Hanzhou withdrew his gaze and stepped into the golden light.

Red Fire Peak, Inner Sect area.

This was an independent Peak located behind the main Peak of Red Fire Peak, isolated from the outside by an invisible Formation barrier.

The Peak was not high, about three hundred zhang, and it was covered with crimson maple forests that glowed like fire in the sunlight. Halfway up the mountain, the entrances to several Immortal Caves could be seen indistinctly, hidden among the maples.

Jiang Hanzhou walked up the stone steps, all the way to the mountainside, and stopped before an Immortal Cave.

On the lintel of the cave, three words were engraved—'Hanzhou Residence'.

He pushed open the door.

The cave was not large, about three zhang across, but it had everything. A cultivation room, a living room, and a storage room were all present. The four walls were engraved with spirit-gathering Formations, and faint Spiritual Qi could be seen escaping from the Formation cores, filling the entire cave.

He walked to the window and pushed it open.

Outside the window was a rolling sea of clouds. In the distance, the main Peak of the Dragon Abyss Palace stood majestically, its pavilions and towers appearing and disappearing. Further out was the vast Eastern Sea, where the water and sky merged into one color.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

Inside his body, those four True Intents flowed slowly, becoming a bit more solid than before.