224: One more level! Kill us or be killed

"The struggles between stewards, those are according to the rules. While strength is extremely important, as long as one can guard against it well, one can still avoid it!"

"Remember one thing: join a good team, otherwise, you won't have any say in anything!"

"If a Disciple moving from Outer Sect to Inner Sect still has a choice, then a steward, as part of the Qingyun Grotto-Heaven's authority in the Sect, even at the lowest level, will still be noticed."

"Powerless!"

"Four Junior Brothers, you will understand soon. It's not about blindly using brute force to solve everything!"

Fat Senior Brother glanced at Tang Ao with deep meaning.

He wore a gentle smile, but this smile now carried a hint of faint disapproval.

"Strength!"

"No matter how strong one's strength is, can it be stronger than the Domain Lord? Outside the Grotto-Heaven, strength matters; inside the Grotto-Heaven, rules matter."

"Without rules, there can be no order!"

At this point,

Even Fat Senior Brother, who had been squinting with a smile, couldn't help but look solemn, his pupils showing a lingering fear.

It seemed that although he was a reception Disciple, some people around him also held the status of steward.

Their fates were not so good.

"What needed to be said has been said. Now, I hope all Junior Brothers live well within the Sect; that is stronger than anything!"

After delivering this final piece of advice, Fat Senior Brother continued to lead the way. For the rest of the journey, he spoke no idle words, only Sect rules.

It was as if he was too lazy to utter even a single word of the kind of advice he had given earlier.

He was extremely sparing with his words!

Through their conversation, Yang Yucheng also learned the name of the Fat Senior Brother in front of him: Prosperous Wealth.

His name was apt and very auspicious.

It matched his outwardly displayed appearance perfectly, but Yang Yucheng would not consider him a kind gentleman. The occasional fierce glint in his eyes, inadvertently revealed, was enough to show that he was also a ruthless person.

One cannot judge a book by its cover!

He had once heard a theory: women, elders, and children who can survive in harsh environments are the most terrifying!

Similarly,

At present, one more point should be added: the more honest one appears, the more capable one often is; the more approachable one seems, the more ruthless their heart is!

...Entering the Qingyun Grotto-Heaven, the group continued forward.

There were not just one, but nearly a hundred bridge paths similar to the one they were currently on, forming a net-like structure.

They led directly to several high platforms at the very front.

Each high platform was where their respective forces received Disciples and recruited new blood!

They arrived at an oval-shaped high platform, filled with the Spiritual Qi of bluestone.

On the high platform, there were also many buildings, making one feel comfortable. However, with Prosperous Wealth's words just now, everyone felt a great sense of oppression coming over them.

It was as if this Sect Grotto-Heaven was not as friendly as they had imagined, but rather full of killing intent and danger everywhere!

The bluestone high platform, to be precise, should have been an even wider plaza.

Around the plaza, there were faint array patterns carved, but what was most striking were the several figures in front of them, whose numbers were surprisingly similar to theirs!

"Senior Brother Wang, what is the meaning of this?" Yang Yucheng asked with a frown.

Without Prosperous Wealth even needing to speak, the several figures opposite them, all dressed as Outer Sect Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, and even Utility Disciples,

had solemn expressions and taut bodies.

Each of them gripped a long sword, their eyes filled with hatred, looking directly at Yang Yucheng's group!

"This is your final test to enter the Qingyun Grotto-Heaven: kill us, or be killed by us."

"It's not that simple to stay in the Sect, newcomers!"

As soon as these words were spoken,

a commotion arose within the group behind Yang Yucheng, but it was not one of panic, but rather of excitement and thrill.

To have reached this point,

whether they were from a Family or summoned from the Five Great Domains by the Lower Three Sects, which one had not experienced hardship? Which one had not gone through several trials?

Killing people was not a difficult task for them!

"Interesting! Before thoroughly joining the Heavenly Soul Sect, we first kill people from the Sect. Does this truly conform to the rules?"

"It should conform, otherwise Senior Brother Wang next to us would try his best to stop it! Moreover, there are Senior Brother Yang, Senior Brother Liu, and the others; their four backgrounds are extraordinary."

"Then let's make our move! I'm also very curious, just how useless are these people who have been expelled by the Sect and the Qingyun Grotto-Heaven? We will not end up like them."

Most of those who spoke were people from the Five Great Domains of the Lower Three Sects Heaven and Earth.

They had endured many difficulties along the way.

Their cultivation, Realm, and strength were naturally much greater than those from the Ascension Immortal City Families.

Family members, even if they had received guidance from elders since childhood, still had a considerable gap compared to true tempering and experience.

At the same age, they were completely two different lives.

In this world,

no matter what the rules, there is always an emphasis on fairness and justice, at least on the surface, so at this moment,

opposite Yang Yucheng's group!

This group of people, who were about to be expelled from the Sect, still had to comply.

Soldier against soldier, general against general, king against king.

In other words, steward against steward, Inner Sect against Inner Sect, Outer Sect against Outer Sect, and Utility Disciple against Utility Disciple.

It was hard to imagine that even Utility Disciples were unwilling to leave.

This showed how important the Sect Grotto-Heaven was in the Upper Three Sects Heaven and Earth; even the lowest-level people were absolutely unwilling to leave and miss this opportunity that could change their lives!

A simple comparison would be entering the system.

Even if you were just a clerk, even if all sorts of troublesome things were piled on you every day, making you seem like a donkey that only knew how to work with its head down, at least you could see the progress bar of hope constantly being filled.

As long as it was filled, becoming an Outer Sect Disciple, becoming a leader above a clerk, one's life would naturally embark on another brand new track!

And this was precisely why most Utility Disciples were unwilling to leave.

Becoming an Outer Sect Disciple!

Leaving the Sect would no longer be considered being expelled, but rather being sent out. Although one would still not be a steward within the Sect, one would still be qualified to become a steward sent out by the Sect.

Specifically to various forces under the Sect, one level, or even two or three levels, below it, becoming an honored guest!

Outer Sect Disciples had at least reached the Middle Three Realms, which was why they could go out and handle affairs without losing the Sect's Face!

Similarly, this was also a consideration of the higher-ups.

Hope was right in front, visible and tangible. Although it was a bit difficult, it depended on whether you worked hard enough.

It was truly terrifying!

...Yang Yucheng scanned the group of people opposite him.