36: Mountains and rivers list [seeking for further reading]

Vein Opening Realm…

“This martial arts move is far stronger than Body Forging Peak!”

Han Li let out a breath, his eyes bright.

The power unleashed by that single strike was incredibly terrifying.

It even triggered a fierce tiger apparition, showcasing the true power of a "Divine Ability."

This move was truly a "Divine Ability"!

After opening the first Meridian, the True Qi circulating within his body had increased in both quality and quantity to a new level.

The difference a Breakthrough made was even greater than he had imagined.

"Senior Sister Chen!"

Han Li was about to tidy up when he suddenly saw a figure at the door.

It was Chen Qi.

Taking a step, Han Li's figure, swift as the wind, appeared before Chen Qi.

"Senior Sister, why have you come?" Han Li asked, looking at Chen Qi.

Chen Qi also recovered, but her eyes were still fixed on Han Li.

"This aura..."

"He has already broken through to the Vein Opening Realm!"

Chen Qi's heart skipped a beat. Looking at Han Li, a hint of shock filled her eyes.

"It's not your commotion. I came to check," Chen Qi said.

"...I was just Cultivating. My apologies, Senior Sister, I'll be gentler next time." Han Li scratched his head, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

Chen Qi looked at him, her fair, delicate hand directly grasping his arm.

"So strong..."

"Junior Brother, you've really broken through to the Vein Opening Realm!" Chen Qi's heart pounded, her face filled with surprise.

"Yes, I just had a Breakthrough. This is all thanks to Third Senior Brother's Meridian Opening Pill. Otherwise, it might have taken even longer," Han Li nodded.

"The Meridian Opening Pill is just an aid. You were able to break through to the Vein Opening Realm entirely on your own. Why be so modest?" Chen Qi said.

"Senior Sister, you're also about to break through to Innate, aren't you?" Han Li asked Chen Qi.

Hearing this, Chen Qi shook her head, a hint of disappointment on her face: "It's still too early. I've tried to Breakthrough three times already. The Heaven And Earth Pass is not that easy."

"Senior Sister will definitely succeed." Han Li smiled.

Receiving this comfort, Chen Qi's face also showed a smile, and she proudly raised her swan-like neck: "That's right, I must become Innate."

After speaking, she looked at Han Li again, "Oh, Junior Brother, you've broken through to the Vein Opening Realm. Now you're an Inner Sect Disciple. Let's go, Senior Sister happens to be free today. I'll take you to register."

"Alright, thank you, Senior Sister."

Han Li nodded, not refusing.

Registration was necessary.

Only after his identity changed could he go to Demon Suppression Valley.

Immediately, Han Li followed Chen Qi out of the courtyard and down the mountain... Half an hour later, at a magnificent palace in the Qingyuan Sect, Han Li and Chen Qi appeared.

This was where Disciples registered their identities.

Outer Sect Disciple, Inner Sect Disciple, True Disciple—the treatment for each was vastly different.

Ordinary Outer Sect Disciples not only had to pay a certain amount of silver and merit points annually but also needed to pass a strength assessment. Those who failed would be eliminated and expelled from the Qingyuan Sect.

Of course, there was another method: the Sect would offer these Disciples good treatment. After leaving the Qingyuan Sect, these Disciples could assist at the Qingyuan Sect's various businesses, and their salaries and benefits were quite good.

This was also a very humanized management approach.

Such were the rules.

Survival of the fittest.

If Disciples were not expelled, the accumulated number of Disciples recruited over time would definitely be a terrifying figure.

With so many Disciples, even the Qingyuan Sect would struggle.

The daily expenses would be astronomical.

Therefore, the number of Disciples in the Qingyuan Sect generally maintained a relatively stable growth.

There was an annual elimination system; failure meant leaving.

However, the Qingyuan Sect's businesses were spread throughout Qing Province, and even in other provinces, it had related industries, so its foundation was also very vast.

But if one became an Inner Sect Disciple, there was no need to worry about this problem.

The Vein Opening Realm was already considered a core force.

And True Disciples who entered the Innate Realm were the core strength of the Sect.

Being able to break through to Inner Sect Disciple meant different treatment in all aspects.

There was no need to pay merit points or silver; completing one or two tasks within a year was sufficient.

This target was also very easy for Inner Sect Disciples.

Because it didn't require completing any overly difficult tasks; simple tasks were enough.

And True Disciples enjoyed even more extraordinary treatment.

They would not only receive a private Dao field rewarded by the School but also a monthly Sect stipend.

The upkeep of this group of True Disciples was also a very frightening figure.

However, for those who cultivated to the Innate-Grade, such treatment was completely normal.

Innate Realm experts could be called magnates in any part of the Wu Dynasty's Nine Provinces.

Moreover, Disciples who broke through to the Innate Realm were ambitious and not merely for the small stipend from the Sect.

There were many ways and means to accumulate wealth.

The level was different.

The stronger one was, the easier it was to earn money.

The wealth of top-tier magnates was beyond the imagination of ordinary people... Entering the palace, under Chen Qi's guidance, Han Li quickly passed the inspection, changed his identity token, and received the Inner Sect Disciple's uniform.

He also received several handbooks.

One of them was a section of the Qing Yuan Skill for Cultivating beyond the Innate Realm.

The other handbooks included a Records of the Nine Provinces, which was more detailed than the one he received when first entering the Qingyuan Sect.

It also had professional illustrations, allowing him to understand the Wu Dynasty's Nine Provinces better.

Besides these, there was also a Medicinal Pill handbook, which recorded hundreds, even thousands, of Medicinal Pills, with descriptions of their effects and uses.

In addition to the Medicinal Pill handbook, there was also a "Records of Demons," which mostly recorded information about demons.

Finally, there was a "Records of Spirit Medicine," which recorded various Heaven And Earth Treasures, as well as their various effects and so on.

They were diverse and dazzling.

Stepping out of the registration hall, Han Li temporarily put all the handbooks away, intending to read them slowly when he returned.

"Junior Brother, congratulations on breaking through to the Vein Opening Realm and becoming an Inner Sect Disciple."

Looking at Han Li, Chen Qi said with a smile.

"The Vein Opening Realm is just a foundational martial Dao realm; it's nothing." Han Li smiled.

"You have grand ambitions." Chen Qi smiled, then added: "Junior Brother, now that you've broken through to Inner Sect Disciple, you can try the Mountain and River Rankings next year. If you make it onto the Mountain and River Rankings, you'll get very good treatment."

"Mountain and River Rankings?"

Han Li was slightly startled, looking at Chen Qi, and asked: "Senior Sister, what is the Mountain and River Rankings?"

"The Mountain and River Rankings is a ranking for Inner Sect Disciples, and also a ranking for the thirty-six Peaks. There are a total of one hundred Disciples. Only by becoming an Inner Sect Disciple are you eligible to challenge the ranking. Tomorrow is the annual Mountain and River Tournament. At that time, Inner Sect Disciples from all thirty-six Peaks will participate. Those who make it onto the Mountain and River Rankings will receive different rewards from the Sect based on their ranking."

"Mountain and River Rankings... Mountain and River Tournament..."

Han Li murmured, and hearing Chen Qi's explanation, he somewhat understood.

The number of Inner Sect Disciples was quite large, several thousands, but only a mere one hundred could make it onto the list.

To stand out from thousands of Inner Sect Disciples, one can imagine the difficulty involved.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it abnormal.

"This is also to hone the combat abilities of the Sect's Disciples. Every Inner Sect Disciple must participate in the Mountain and River Tournament, unless there are extremely special circumstances. This is also the most lively time of the Qingyuan Sect within a year," Chen Qi slowly said.

Han Li nodded.

Mountain and River Tournament!

This sounded quite good.

A grand event for thousands of people; those who stood out and made it onto the list were undoubtedly favored by heaven.

They were genuinely fought for, and their cultivation and combat abilities were extremely important.

"Senior Sister, you should also be on the Mountain and River Rankings, right?" Han Li asked curiously.

Chen Qi smiled, proudly raising her swan-like neck: "Of course, I am naturally on the list, Senior Sister."

"What's your rank, Senior Sister?" Han Li blinked.

"Naturally, I'm in the top ten. Although our Yuhua Peak has few people, every single one of us is an elite," Chen Qi said proudly.

"Top ten..."

"Senior Sister is amazing!" Han Li gave a thumbs up.

Although he wasn't clear about Chen Qi's specific combat power, her ability to challenge the Innate Realm left no doubt about her strength.

"Junior Brother, you must also work hard. Don't fall too far behind," Chen Qi patted his shoulder and said with a smile.

"I'll try my best." Han Li nodded.

Within his heart, he also felt some pressure.

Everyone on Yuhua Peak, from top to bottom, could almost be said to be Innate magnates.

Even after breaking through to the Vein Opening Realm, he was still at the bottom.

It was impossible not to feel pressure.