The early morning sun cast a golden hue over Clear Sky Peak. Dew clung to jade leaves, and spirit birds cried softly from the mist-laced treetops.
Three days had passed since the conclusion of the Sword Trial.
In that short time, a name had begun to echo like thunder across the Sky-Reaching Sword Sect: Li Qingyun.
And beside his, another name soared—Xia Shuying.
Today, they stood side by side at the foot of the Elder Pavilion, summoned by the same man who once brought them to the outer sect.
Elder Fang's face was composed as always, but his gaze lingered a moment longer on the two youths. There was pride there—quiet and genuine.
"You came," he said simply, nodding once. "Follow me."
The stone steps spiraled upward like a coiled dragon, flanked by gnarled pines and drifting plum blossoms. Wind stirred the leaves, sending loose petals spiraling around their feet.
As they climbed, Xia Shuying glanced sideways at Li Qingyun. "They're still whispering your name," she said lightly.
Li Qingyun replied without looking at her. "Then they should speak it louder. I've yet to start."
She gave a faint smile. "Confident."
"I'm just being honest."
Ahead, Elder Fang let out a soft chuckle. "You two are already acting like core disciples."
At the summit, they stepped into a small incense-veiled hall. The air inside was calm, still—and charged with faint sword intent etched into the very floorboards.
Elder Fang turned to face them fully, folding his hands behind his back.
"The sect has many layers," he began. "And now that you've earned your place, you must understand its structure."
He spoke steadily, but his words carried weight.
"First are the servantdisciples. They are beginners—those still in the early stages of Qi Refinement. Once they reach the fourth layer, they may attempt to become outerdisciples."
"Then there are outerdisciples, generally between the mid to high stages of Qi Refinement. That's where most cultivators remain.
His eyes briefly met Li Qingyun's.
"You who were placed here initially, despite your strength, of course, were already qualified for the inner sect when you joined. But since you joined as newcomers, you began in the outer sect as protocol demands."
Li Qingyun inclined his head. "Protocol matters little. Growth is the goal."
Elder Fang smiled faintly. "Spoken like someone born for the sword path."
He continued, "Innerdisciples are Foundation Establishment cultivators, from the 1st to the 6th layer. Those who reach the 7th layer or beyond may qualify to become coredisciples. After one reach peak of foundation establishment realm, they will begin to form their GoldenCore but it is easier said than done."
"Even some among the Core Disciples have already begun forming their GoldenCore. Between foundation establishment Realm and Golden Core Realm lies a transition period that is what we call CoreFormationRealm. The Core disciples who had reached this Realm and are in deep seclusion, preparing for their breakthrough."
He continued, "After core disciples come the personal disciples—chosen directly by inner elders, peak lords, or grand elders themselves. They receive direct guidance, inheritance, and protection."
A pause followed. Then, Elder Fang exhaled.
He looked at them with a rare trace of emotion—equal parts admiration and disbelief.
"I assumed that after a year or two, you both would become inner disciples. But who would've thought… you would skip a rank and be directly named core disciples."
Xia Shuying bowed her head, quiet but resolute. "The sword does not wait for permission."
Li Qingyun's gaze was steady. "The path is there to be walked. We only did what we had to."
Elder Fang gave a rare, deep laugh. "Heh… truly monstrous."
He turned, gesturing for them to follow. "Come. Let us register your new identities."
They walked through a mist-shrouded garden, where ancient statues stood silent beneath flowing waterfalls. Sword aura hung in the air—dense, refined.
As they passed a pavilion of blue-tiled roofs, Elder Fang continued speaking.
"You'll now reside on Core Clear Sky Peak. The sect is divided in all things—there's an outer Clear Sky Peak, an inner one, and now you will live where only the highest disciples reside."
He paused. "Xia Shuying—your awakening of the Sword Bone Physique has already stirred the elders. Many will come to court you as a personal disciple. Especially those who have walked the path of the sword."
Shuying's voice was calm, but her eyes sparked. "Let them come. If their sword is sharp enough, I'll consider it."
Li Qingyun glanced sideways at her. "You'll be swarmed."
She smirked. "So will you."
Elder Fang's gaze turned to Li Qingyun. He said nothing, but his expression softened.
—The Primal Chaos Vessel Physique.
He knew Li Qingyun had not yet revealed his true depths. But now, standing this close, Elder Fang could sense it: a terrifying stillness, like an ancient sea… waiting.
As they reached the Hall of Names, ancient characters shimmered across the walls. The sect's spiritual seal etched their identities into jade tokens—each carved with the character 真 for "Core."
The tokens pulsed faintly with resonance, binding to their cultivation and essence.
Elder Fang handed the tokens to them personally.
"With this, you are recognized by the sect."
He stepped back.
"But this is only the beginning."
As they walked on, Elder Fang continued, voice lower now. "The top ten participants of the Sword Trial have been elevated to inner disciples—including Zhang Lei and Lu Yifan. Though…Lu Yifan,… is still healing. His injuries from the fight were severe. He's still bedridden. Zhang Lei nearly crushed his spine. He will register for inner discipleship once he can walk again."
Xia Shuying glanced at Li Qingyun.
Li Qingyun said nothing, but his fingers gently closed around his token.
The defeat had been public. Utter.
""You both," Elder Fang added, "are now senior siblings to all inner disciples. Inner disciples must refer to Core disciples as 'Senior Brother' or 'Senior Sister.' Status here is not about age, but power—and recognition."
The Core Clear Sky Peak came into view—an elegant formation of terraces built into the cliffs, veiled in spiritual mist. It was silent, vast, and solemn.
Unlike the outer sect, there was no noise here. No bustle. Only presence.
Refined. Powerful. And dangerous.
"These are your new quarters," Elder Fang said, pointing to two adjacent residences near a gentle waterfall. "There is a natural spring nearby. Spirit trees line the cliff. The environment here is ideal for cultivation."
Xia Shuying gazed out over the valley, where sword-shaped clouds drifted in slow spirals.
Li Qingyun's eyes lifted to the highest point of the peak—where an ancient sword monument stood untouched by time.
"I'll train here," he murmured. "Until the peak itself remembers my name."
Elder Fang gave a small smile. "Train well. From this point forward… you are no longer ordinary cultivators. You are contenders for the highest path."
He turned to leave, but stopped briefly.
"And one last thing," he said.
"If an elder offers you to become their personal disciple… consider it carefully. The path to the heavens may require a guide."
With that, he departed, vanishing into the mist like a passing breeze.
---
Inside his new courtyard, Li Qingyun sat cross-legged beside the spirit pond.
The jade scroll detailing ancient techniques now rested beside him. His rewards from the trial—elixirs, spirit stones, his contribution points, his access to inner sect techniques vault—were carefully stored. He had already exchanged the glowing token with engraving of "Core" that had been given as reward with the current token. As that glowing token was just a ticket for Core disciples.
After everything, he relaxed.
But he did not meditate.
He listened.
To the silence.
To the breathing of the mountain.
To the hum of the sword intent buried beneath his feet.