Within the clouds was actually a massive boulder, gently rising and falling, suspended in midair, surprisingly stable.
Recalling Xiao Yun’s teachings, Xiao Xinran rubbed her nose, gave a sweet smile, and without further hesitation, followed the traces of spiritual energy, stepping onto the clouds and soaring upward.
“This is the Cloud Sea Boardwalk. The Divine Splendor Cloud Estate truly lives up to its name.”
Ji Shiyu followed close behind, leaping onto a Floating Stone, feeling her way deeper into the Sea of Clouds.
After a long climb, examinees from all corners of the Nine Provinces arrived one after another at the end of the mountain path. Some timid children shrank back, unable to take a single step as they watched others stroll atop the Sea of Clouds, their trembling legs refusing to move.
*This entrance exam had begun as soon as they set foot on the Mountain of Dao Practice; only here did they reach the first checkpoint. Both temperament and innate talent were under scrutiny, with many Outer Sect Instructors and Inner Disciples observing from the shadows, quietly selecting those with potential.*
The depths of the clouds were unfathomable, and a floating stone bridge disappeared into the mist, its end nowhere in sight.
A fierce wind howled, swaying Xiao Xinran’s body as if she might be blown away at any moment. She could only grit her teeth, imagining Yun Liu waiting for her on the other side—first come, first served.
*I can lose to anyone, but I absolutely can’t lose to Huangmao!*
Ji Shiyu, on the other hand, moved with ease, strolling across the Floating Stones as if taking a leisurely walk, even glancing around as though sightseeing.
“Waaah!”
Behind them, a sturdy, impatient boy suddenly jumped, but the strong wind knocked him off balance. Failing to land properly, he plunged straight down, terrifying those nearby.
Suddenly, a streak of light flashed by—a white-robed youth emerged from the clouds, riding his sword. Using Spirit Control, he caught the reckless, tiger-headed boy and gently tossed him onto another cloud.
“Xiao Yun!”
Xiao Xinran’s eyes lit up as she waved vigorously. The wind nearly knocked her over, and she hurried to steady herself.
As a guide, Yun Liu, being an Inner Disciple, was responsible for the safety of those climbing the mountain. Fortunately, he still had some energy left in reserve.
The young man ignored the commotion, waving his five fingers as a faint Sword Qi parted the thick clouds, revealing the majestic Sword Peaks above. The Mountain Gate was already within sight.
Xiao Xinran landed steadily, patting her chest as she looked at the long stone steps ahead.
“Ugh, if I’d known falling wouldn’t be a big deal and I could get carried by Xiao Yun, I wouldn’t have tried so hard!”
That mischievous boy reached the finish line in a daze, hopping with excitement and repeatedly thanking his Senior Brother.
Yun Liu merely waved his hand, standing sideways as his Spirit Sword carried him gracefully through the air, his handsome figure passing leisurely through the Mountain Gate.
*The elegance of the Cloud Sea sword cultivators was unmatched. The Inner Sect Senior Brother’s dashing demeanor drew admiration from the newcomers, filling them with awe.*
But Ji Shiyu stomped her foot halfway across.
“Was it him? Hmph! He already knew how to ride a sword, but that day he pretended to be weak and left me behind. He did it on purpose, just to see me make a fool of myself!”
Aotian exclaimed in surprise, “What the—? A human who can use Spirit Control and soar through the air at the Qi Refining stage? Is that even possible?!”
Ji Shiyu scratched her head.
*Right, even a peerless genius like me hasn’t learned how to fly with Spirit Control yet. How did he manage it?*
*Is he recovered?*
*Judging by that guy’s pale, feeble look, clearly not.*
*To use Spirit Control and soar through the air, one must achieve perfect synchronization with their spiritual tool, with Divine Soul fully connected—acting as one’s will commands.*
*Normally, cultivators only achieve this in the mid to late Foundation Establishment stage, when their Jade Palace nourishes the Sea of Consciousness and their Divine Soul undergoes a significant breakthrough.*
*Originally, Yun Liu truly couldn’t do it. But now, things are different.*
*The basic moves from those games come as if instinctive in the Misty Realm, and experiencing it firsthand is a completely new thrill. He’s still exploring, trying out all sorts of possibilities little by little.*
“So this is the benefit of a powerful Divine Soul? In my opinion, even looking so feeble, if he really fought, he might not lose to you. I’m getting more and more curious about what happened before we arrived that day—who beat him up like that?”
“Hmph, who cares! Let’s go register first. I’ll remember this grudge and settle it with him later!”
Ji Shiyu crossed the boardwalk, climbed the steps, and caught up to Xiao Xinran’s pace.
Beyond the Cloud Sea Boardwalk, Sighing Peak of the Outer Sect wasn’t far. After passing through the Mountain Gate, a dense Purple Bamboo Forest came into view.
That troublemaking boy who took a shortcut rushed ahead and eagerly arrived at the registration gate.
“Name and place of residence?”
“Hello, Senior Brother! I’m Zhu Dachang, from Yangping!”
“Hmm.”
The Outer Sect disciple in charge glanced at him, lazily jotting down the name in the register.
Recently, the Shenhua Sect had suffered a shortage of new disciples. Enrollment numbers kept dropping, forcing the Sect Master to lower recruitment standards, which had only slightly improved the situation. Basically, anyone who could make it this far was not turned away.
*In this era of cultivation for all, the major sects were fiercely competitive. Even just within East Pole Province, several new sects had risen, accepting all comers.*
*Such an atmosphere made the pursuit of immortality and the Dao a daily routine—everyone practiced Gathering Qi and transforming spirit energy. If you shouted “Fellow Daoist, please wait!” on the street, everyone would turn their heads.*
*Shenhua Sect was no longer the sole dominant immortal academy; in fact, many Blessed Lands were gradually overshadowing the old powerhouses. With the sect’s recent poor performance at several Heavenly Concord Alliance summits, its future seemed uncertain, and the quality of new disciples varied greatly.*
When Xiao Xinran’s turn came, the Outer Sect disciple paused upon hearing her name, took out a Jade Token and handed it over with a smile. “Miss Xiao, right? The Grand Elder has been waiting for you. Senior Brother Yun just informed us—you don’t need to take the test, just go straight to the Illusion Pavilion for your exam.”
The Xiao Family Little Princess was already a rising star before even joining, her extraordinary talent drawing much anticipation.
“Thank you, Senior Brother!”
Xiao Xinran flashed a sweet smile and shot a demonstrative glance at Huangmao.
*Xiao Yun may not say it, but he really does care about me!*
Ji Shiyu paused, wanting to follow, but the unyielding Outer Sect disciple stretched out a big hand, blocking her at the door.
“Name and place of residence?”
“Why?! She can go in, but I can’t?”
“Do you have a letter of introduction?”
“N-no…”
“Then line up and take the Spiritual Root test like everyone else!”
“I @#￥%…”
Sighing Peak was hidden within the bamboo forest. Only after passing through the Mountain Gate did one discover the wonders within.
The Shenhua Sect was an immortal academy, its pavilions and halls rising in every direction. Spiritual formation arrays never seen before were everywhere, and the convergence of earth veins sent clouds rising to the sky—spiritual energy was incredibly abundant.
The main peak of the sect was down-to-earth and lively. The scent of restaurants and taverns drifted across the Sea of Clouds, and from the high terrace, one could see a commercial street looping in a ring at both ends.
All kinds of vendors hawked their wares, with complete infrastructure—its marketplace even surpassing that of the prefectural capital, like a self-sufficient utopia managed entirely by disciples.
*Shenhua didn’t seem as austere and simple as imagined, and the mountain’s cultivators weren’t all recluses living rough, cut off from the world.*
*This was Xiao Yun’s sect, and also the academy where she would continue her cultivation in the future!*