Promotion successful

Sect Master's face darkened: “Sect Master Mo, that statement is wrong. With the contract in hand, it is compliant!”

“Compliant?” Sect Master Mo sneered, “Then I must ask Elder Bai Night, why did the steward of the Black Wind Mine die mysteriously? And who broke the Blood Soul Array?” He suddenly raised his voice, “I believe the Qinglan Sect is outright seizing the mineral vein and even killed an elder of my Heavenly Extreme Sect!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere on the square instantly grew tense. The Qinglan Sect disciples glared angrily at the Heavenly Extreme Sect members, gripping the long swords in their hands.

Li Xuanzhou’s gaze fell upon White Night: “Elder Bai, is what Sect Master Mo said true?”

White Night stepped forward and said calmly, “Mo Jingfeng colluded with the Blood Shadow Sect to refine Blood Puppets at the Black Wind Mine, harming the miners.

I killed him to enforce justice on behalf of Heaven. As for the steward’s death, that was Mo Jingfeng’s doing, intended to frame my Sect.” He took out the transaction records found in the stone chamber, “These are the evidence.”

Li Xuanzhou took the Jade Slip, and his expression grew darker the more he read. When he saw the truth about the Qinglan Sect Grand Elder’s death three hundred years ago, he suddenly looked at Sect Master Mo, his eyes icy: “Sect Master Mo, do you admit to these matters?”

Sect Master Mo’s face instantly turned pale, and he stammered, unable to speak.

“It seems to be true.” Li Xuanzhou put away the Jade Slip, “The Heavenly Extreme Sect colluded with Rogue Cultivators to harm fellow cultivators. This matter will certainly be reported to the Immortal Alliance by this Venerable One for severe punishment!” He turned to Sect Master, “The Qinglan Sect handled the Black Wind Mine incident appropriately and bears no responsibility.”

Sect Master sighed in relief and cupped his hands toward Li Xuanzhou: “Thank you, Envoy, for your wisdom!”

Li Xuanzhou looked around at everyone: “After assessment by this Venerable One, the Qinglan Sect’s Mountain Protection Array meets standards, high-level cultivators are sufficient, and the mineral vein source is compliant—starting today, the Qinglan Sect is officially promoted to a Fifth-Rank Sect!”

“That’s wonderful!” The disciples on the square erupted in earth-shattering cheers, throwing their long swords into the air. The azure sword light intertwined in the sunlight, forming a sea of light.

Sect Master and the elders exchanged smiles, tears of excitement glistening in their eyes. Three hundred years of waiting finally culminated in this realization today.

White Night stood among the crowd, watching the celebratory scene, a faint smile appearing on his lips. The system prompt sounded in his mind:

[Hidden Quest 'Assist Qinglan Sect's Promotion' completed]

[Quest Evaluation: Perfect]

[Reward: Void Refining Realm Insight x1, High-Grade Spirit Stone Mineral Vein Coordinates x1]

He looked at the mineral vein coordinates in his hand, which marked a location within the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains of the Southern Continent, seemingly hiding an undiscovered High-Grade Spirit Stone Mineral Vein.

“It seems I have a new destination,” White Night murmured inwardly.

Li Xuanzhou took out a golden token and handed it to Sect Master: “This is the Identity Token for a Fifth-Rank Sect. With this token, you can attend the Immortal Alliance Elder Council and receive greater resource allocations.”

Sect Master received the token with both hands, his voice trembling with excitement: “Thank you, Envoy Li!”

Li Xuanzhou offered a few more words of encouragement and prepared to take his leave. Just then, Sect Master Mo suddenly shouted, “Envoy Li, please wait!”

“Oh? Sect Master Mo, is there something else?” Li Xuanzhou’s eyes showed a hint of impatience.

Sect Master Mo took a deep breath and looked at White Night: “Elder Bai, to possess such cultivation at such a young age is truly admirable.

I have a disciple under my command who wishes to spar with Elder Bai. I wonder if Elder Bai would be willing to offer guidance?”

Behind him stepped out a young man dressed in white, handsome in appearance, with arrogant eyes, and radiating the aura of the Middle Stage Deity Transformation—this was Sect Master Mo’s Personal Disciple, Mo Chenyue. Although he failed in his attempt to break through to the Void Refining Realm, his foundation remained, and his strength should not be underestimated.

Sect Master Mo’s action was clearly an attempt to save face before leaving. If Mo Chenyue could defeat White Night, it would mitigate the Heavenly Extreme Sect’s decline.

Everyone’s eyes fell on White Night, wondering if he would accept the challenge.

White Night looked at Mo Chenyue and said calmly, “We can spar, but we stop before injury.”

“Good!” Mo Chenyue stepped forward and pulled out a silver longsword, “Elder Bai, please grant me guidance!”

The two came to the center of the square and stood facing each other.

Mo Chenyue made the first move, his longsword transforming into a silver dragon, carrying fierce sword energy straight toward White Night’s heart.

This sword strike was as fast as lightning, containing the essence of the Heavenly Extreme Sect’s famous sword technique, the “Extreme Shadow Sword.”

White Night was unhurried. With a gentle flick of his iron sword, he precisely deflected the opponent’s sword momentum.

“Clang!”

The two swords clashed, emitting a crisp sound. Mo Chenyue felt a gentle yet irresistible force transmit through his sword; his wrist went slightly numb, and his longsword nearly slipped from his grasp.

He was shocked internally, not expecting White Night’s strength to be so formidable.

“Again!” Mo Chenyue roared, and his sword moves became even fiercer. The silver dragon-like sword energy continuously circled in the air, attempting to surround White Night.

White Night’s figure constantly shuttled through the sword energy, like willow catkins in the wind, seemingly weak, yet always managing to evade attacks in the nick of time.

His iron sword rarely attacked proactively, but every time it did, it precisely struck the opponent’s weak point, causing Mo Chenyue’s offense to fail repeatedly.

“Do you only know how to dodge?” Mo Chenyue gradually lost patience. He violently channeled his spiritual energy to the extreme, and his longsword burst out with dazzling silver light, “Extreme Shadow: Break!”

This strike condensed all his strength. The sword energy tore through the air, emitting a piercing shriek, and slashed down toward White Night’s head.

The disciples on the square cried out in alarm; even Li Xuanzhou slightly furrowed his brow.

A sharp light flashed in White Night’s eyes, and he finally stopped dodging. He channeled the Wind Law to the extreme, and a faint azure vortex wrapped around his iron sword: “Wind Rift: Pierce!”

The sword light flashed, and the iron sword appeared as if from thin air, instantly materializing before Mo Chenyue. The tip stopped right at his throat, less than an inch away.

Mo Chenyue’s movements froze in place, his eyes filled with unbelievable terror. He had lost, utterly and completely.

White Night withdrew his iron sword and said calmly, “Thank you for the guidance.”

Silence fell over the square, immediately followed by thunderous applause. The Qinglan Sect disciples cheered excitedly, their eyes filled with admiration for White Night.

Sect Master Mo’s face was extremely unsightly. He flicked his sleeve and left: “Let’s go!”

Li Xuanzhou looked at White Night, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: “Elder Bai, to possess such cultivation and state of mind at such a young age, your future is limitless.” He cupped his hands toward Sect Master, “This Venerable One takes his leave.”

A purple escape light rose and quickly vanished into the horizon.

Sect Master walked up to White Night and patted his shoulder: “Good job, kid, well done!”

Qiu Xuan and the other elders also stepped forward to offer congratulations. The area in front of the Hall of Gathering Sages was filled with cheerful laughter.

White Night looked in the direction Sect Master Mo had departed, a trace of solemnity flashing in his eyes. He knew that this defeat of the Heavenly Extreme Sect would only make them more frantic.

The Qinglan Sect’s promotion to Fifth-Rank was just the beginning; the road ahead would likely be even more difficult.

But he was not afraid. He looked at the mineral vein coordinates in his hand, then gazed toward the distant sea of clouds, a determined light shining in his eyes.

No matter how many challenges lay ahead, he would overcome them one by one.

Because his goal was never just the Qinglan Sect, but the wider world... The Qinglan Sect’s Fifth-Rank promotion celebration lasted for three days.

Singing and dancing filled the Main Peak square day and night. Disciples drank wine and discussed the Dao, and even the Outer Sect Disciples guarding the mountain gate received a pot of Spirit Wine.

Only Wind Listening Peak remained quiet. White Night stood on the Stargazing Platform at the peak, looking toward the Eastern Continent, faint Space Law flowing from his fingertips.

“What are you thinking about?” Qiu Xuan’s voice broke the silence. He held a jar of “Drunken Clear Wind,” the mouth of the jar emitting a rich aroma of wine. “The celebration is in full swing, yet you’re hiding here to relax.”

White Night turned sideways to let him enter: “I’m thinking about the critical point of the Void Refining Realm.”

Qiu Xuan poured two bowls of wine and pushed one toward him: “Thinking about the Void Refining Realm while only in the Middle Stage Deity Transformation? You’re more anxious than anyone.” He took a sip of wine, his eyes showing satisfaction, “However, with your talent, perhaps you won’t need a century to reach that threshold.”

White Night looked at the swirling liquid in the bowl: “I plan to leave the Qinglan Sect.”

Qiu Xuan’s movements paused, and he then sighed: “I knew this day would come. The Qinglan Sect is too small; ultimately, it cannot keep a phoenix like you.”

“It’s not the Qinglan Sect’s issue.” White Night shook his head. “Only the Central Continent has the resources needed to attempt the Void Refining Realm, and more clues regarding the Nine Heavens Realm.” He took out the half-map of the Nine Heavens Realm from the System Space, “Most of the Ruins marked here are in the Central Continent hinterland.”

Qiu Xuan looked at the star map on the map and remained silent for a long time: “The Central Continent is not like the Eastern Continent. Sects are numerous there, experts are like clouds, Void Refining Realm cultivators are everywhere, and there are even old monsters of the Void Returning Realm presiding over things. You must be careful on your journey.”

“I understand.”

“What do you need?” Qiu Xuan asked. “Although the Qinglan Sect is not comparable to the great sects of the Central Continent, we can still gather some basic resources.”

White Night thought for a moment: “A Communication Talisman, and... the Sect Master’s Personal Letter.” With Sect Master’s Personal Letter, he could at least gain some basic respect in the Central Continent.

Qiu Xuan laughed: “That’s easy. I’ll go ask the Sect Master to write it immediately.” As he stood up, he reminded him, “If you encounter setbacks in the Central Continent, don’t forget that the Qinglan Sect will always be your backing.”

Three days later, at the Hall of Gathering Sages.

Sect Master pushed a Hot-Stamped Golden Personal Letter and an azure Communication Talisman toward White Night: “The letter is stamped with the Qinglan Sect Master’s Seal, which should earn you some consideration from the ‘Flowing Cloud Pavilion’ in the Central Continent. The Communication Talisman can contact me directly. Don’t try to be a hero if you run into trouble.”

“Thank you, Sect Master.”

Lie Yangzi and others also came to see him off. The Storage Bags they presented were filled with spirit stones, pills, and Protective Magical Artifacts.

Su Mei stood at the end and handed over a small Jade Box: “Inside is a ‘Wind Concealment Talisman,’ which can conceal your aura. Perhaps you’ll find a use for it in the Central Continent.”

...