22: Chapter 22 Joining the Inner Sect

Yun Ming didn't linger for long and returned directly to his residence.

He thought to himself that if this kid named Ye Chen could truly turn misfortune into a blessing, then even if he couldn't "cling to his thighs" in the future, he would definitely have a powerful ally.

With four months remaining until his six-month agreement with Xiao Hao, Yun Ming planned to devote all his remaining time to Cultivate.

In the blink of an eye, spring passed and autumn came; Da Qian was already draped in a coat of silver.

Even Luoxia Mountain was covered in a thin layer of snowflakes.

Yun Ming sat cross-legged, surrounded by surging Spiritual Qi. Compared to half a year ago, his progress was rapid. His aura was now as deep as an abyss, and his cultivation had reached Qi Refining Level 8!

During this period, it took him one month to Breakthrough to Qi Refining Level 6, another month to reach Qi Refining Level 7, and two months for Qi Refining Level 8.

It wasn't that Yun Ming lacked talent or slacked in his cultivation; rather, the Spiritual Qi at his current residence was simply too thin. He needed to join Alchemy Peak quickly and become an Inner Sect Disciple.

One of the benefits of becoming an Inner Sect Disciple was the ability to choose a location among the Six Main Peaks to build an Immortal Cave. Each of the Six Main Peaks was a place where Spiritual Qi gathered, allowing one to achieve twice the result with half the effort in cultivation.

Today was the day he had agreed upon with Xiao Hao, and Yun Ming prepared to head to the Alchemy Room to find him.

On the way to the Alchemy Room, Yun Ming noticed many people hurrying about, their eyes darting around suspiciously; they clearly had ill intentions.

Yun Ming prayed silently that he wouldn't get caught up in any trouble.

He walked to the Alchemy Room with trepidation, but unexpectedly, nothing happened. The Alchemy Room was as bustling as ever, without the slightest change.

Li Ping was still acting as a Protector for the Alchemists in the hall, stepping in to help whenever someone's Pill Furnace was about to explode.

During this past half-year, Li Ping had been there every time Yun Ming visited the Alchemy Room. He heard it was for the sake of a foundation establishment pill.

The Sect's foundation establishment pills were limited, and only the Elders of Alchemy Peak could refine them. There were only a fixed number available each year; if you missed out, you had to wait another year.

Li Ping had already missed out for two years. If he missed again, he would pass the optimal age for Foundation Establishment. Not only would the success rate drop significantly, but it would also have a major impact on his future cultivation.

Yun Ming thought for a moment; he wasn't far from Qi Refining Perfection himself, so he also needed to start considering the matter of the foundation establishment pill.

At that moment, Li Ping saw Yun Ming standing at the door and took the initiative to greet him, "Junior Brother Yun, here to perform Alchemy?"

Yun Ming affirmed and walked over to Li Ping, saying, "Not just for Alchemy, I also wanted to see Senior Brother Xiao Hao."

Li Ping seemed to remember something and said with realization, "Oh, it's already been half a year. Junior Brother has also broken through to Qi Refining Level 5. Congratulations, congratulations."

Yun Ming feigned regret and said, "It's shameful. I thought I could break through to Qi Refining Level 5 in less than half a year, but who knew I'd be stuck until the very last day to succeed."

Li Ping waved his hand. "No need for modesty, Junior Brother. So many Outer Sect Disciples are stuck at Qi Refining Level 3; even many Inner Sect Disciples can't keep up with your speed."

Li Ping truly felt that Yun Ming had some skill. He had secretly checked Yun Ming's disciple jade slip: born into a Mortal Family, with a Five Elements Mixed Spiritual Root, yet he had actually broken through to Qi Refining Level 5 in less than two years after joining the Sect. Not long ago, he had even refined a spring return pill, a first-grade High Grade Medicinal Pill, officially becoming a first-grade High Grade Alchemist. This proved that Yun Ming was indeed exceptionally gifted, living up to Xiao Hao's high regard.

"Senior Brother Xiao Hao has been coming to refine pills lately; he should be here in a while," Li Ping said.

"Alright, then I'll wait for a bit." Yun Ming thought that since he was waiting anyway, he might as well ask Li Ping if anything had happened in the Sect recently.

"Senior Brother, has anything happened in the Sect recently? I saw many people acting suspiciously on my way here."

"Oh, that. Some demonic cultivators have snuck in recently," Li Ping said flatly, as if speaking of something trivial.

"What? Demonic cultivators snuck in? That's serious," Yun Ming said in surprise.

Li Ping smiled slightly. Seeing Yun Ming's inexperienced reaction, he explained, "Don't worry, Junior Brother. You haven't been here long, but this happens often—about once every ten years or so."

"Uh, does once every ten years count as 'often'? Even so, these are demonic cultivators; isn't it very dangerous?"

"Demonic cultivators who can sneak into the Sunset Glow Sect won't be very strong; otherwise, they'd be too conspicuous. Demonic cultivators at the Qi Refining Stage are all handled by the Law Enforcement Hall. There's nothing to worry about."

"Then what about those suspicious Disciples I saw?"

"Hahaha, Junior Brother, there are always people with secrets... as long as you have nothing to do with demonic cultivators, the Sect basically won't care."

"Oh... I see."

Then the two chatted idly until Xiao Hao walked into the Alchemy Room.

Xiao Hao also saw them immediately. "Junior Brother Li Ping, Junior Brother Yun."

The two respectfully returned the greeting. Before Yun Ming could speak, Xiao Hao said first, "Junior Brother Yun, I heard you refined a batch of spring return pills a few days ago and have officially been promoted to a first-grade High Grade Alchemist."

Yun Ming remained modest. "It was just luck, just luck."

"Hahaha, that 'luck' of yours would drive many Alchemy Peak Disciples crazy. I see your Realm has also broken through to Qi Refining Level 5, meeting my requirement. You're ready to join the Inner Sect, right?" Xiao Hao patted Yun Ming's shoulder, his eyes full of appreciation.

Yun Ming nodded vigorously. "I'm ready!"

"Good." Xiao Hao pulled a jade token from his waist and handed it to Yun Ming. "Take my jade token and go directly to the Deacon Hall to process your entry as an Inner Sect Disciple. I've already spoken with them."

Yun Ming took the jade token. "Thank you, Senior Brother. Then I'll... head off now."

"Go on, you still need to choose an Immortal Cave." As soon as Xiao Hao finished speaking, Yun Ming vanished in a flash.

Once Yun Ming left, Xiao Hao's expression immediately turned cold. He stared intently at Li Ping and said flatly, "Li Ping, have you also cultivated that Demonic Technique?"

Li Ping stiffened, but quickly recovered, laughing as he said, "Senior Brother, what kind of joke is that? What Demonic Technique? I've never heard of it."

Xiao Hao couldn't see any flaws in Li Ping's reaction and could only let out a long sigh. "Junior Brother Li, you must not go astray. Your talent isn't bad; even if there isn't a foundation establishment pill for you this year, breaking through next year wouldn't be so bad."

At the mention of the foundation establishment pill, a flash of ruthlessness and determination crossed Li Ping's eyes, but he hid it well. On the surface, he remained calm. "Junior Brother naturally knows what's important. What difference does it make whether I establish my foundation this year or next?"

"As long as you understand. We joined the Sect together back then, and you were the first friend I made. I'll say it again: don't do anything foolish," Xiao Hao said earnestly.

"Why are you being so long-winded, Senior Brother? Is the hunt for the Sect traitor not going well?"

Seeing that Li Ping seemed fine, Xiao Hao dropped his guard and said casually, "Yeah, I didn't expect that Demonic Technique to be so powerful. To think that in less than half a year, he actually established his foundation and could go toe-to-toe with that madman Lu Ming. Neither I nor the core disciple of Spirit Talisman Peak have broken through to Foundation Establishment yet, so I came back to prepare more Medicinal Pills and spirit talismans..."

Listening to Xiao Hao describe how powerful the Demonic Technique was, a layer of fanaticism gradually clouded Li Ping's eyes.