C6 Advance to the Outer Sect

Time flies, and before you know it, Feng Yi has already spent five years at the Profound Heaven Sect.

Throughout these years, Feng Yi's cultivation remained steadfast at the Third Layer of the Qi Condensation Stage.

It wasn't that he couldn't advance; he simply chose not to.

Under the tutelage of the Nine-spirit Taoist over the past two years, Feng Yi's progress was remarkably swift.

The Nine-spirit Turning Spell, a spiritual grade technique, laid a solid foundation for him.

Nevertheless, all the Spiritual Force he absorbed during this time was transferred to the Nine-spirit Taoist.

This arrangement allowed the Nine-spirit Taoist to manifest frequently and provide Feng Yi with guidance.

Particularly in the last two years, the Nine-spirit Taoist imparted to Feng Yi the Wind Lightning Palm—a formidable palm technique.

When executed, it roared like thunder and howled like the wind, capable of bewildering an opponent's senses.

A single strike could shatter boulders several feet thick.

As another five-year cycle concluded, the Profound Heaven Sect was once again recruiting disciples, and just as before, some were assigned to the menial tasks of the sect.

Precisely two newcomers were selected, ready to take over the roles of Feng Yi and Hong Jinbao.

"Fatty Hong, time to move on!"

A man clad in a grey robe, exuding a calm presence, with a broad back, a sturdy build, jet-black hair, and a determined face framed by sword-like eyebrows and piercing eyes, called out.

This was Feng Yi, who had grown much more composed and mature over the years, forming a close bond with Hong Jinbao, whom he affectionately nicknamed Fatty Hong.

"Man, I've really grown fond of this place over the past five years."

Fatty Hong showed a hint of reluctance as he spoke to Feng Yi.

"If you're so attached, then why not stay?" Feng Yi quipped, his voice trailing off as he lightly sprang towards the gate of the Profound Heaven Sect.

"Hey, wait up, you jerk!" Fatty Hong blurted out, hurrying after Feng Yi. Together, they reached the sect's entrance.

After a brief exchange with the Outer Sect Disciples guarding the gate, they made their way toward the Outer Sect.

After covering several thousand feet, Feng Yi and Fatty Hong reached the area overseeing the Outer Sect Disciples in just a handful of breaths.

"Disciple Feng Yi and Hong Jinbao, greeting Senior Brother!"

Upon entering the room, Feng Yi and Fatty Hong promptly announced their arrival.

Inside, a disciple clad in a green robe was deep in cultivation.

"What brings you here?"

"We've both reached the Third Layer of the Qi Condensation Stage and have come to be promoted to Outer Sect Disciples."

Hearing about their advancement, the disciple opened his eyes and appraised Feng Yi and Hong Jinbao.

With a wave of his hand, he tossed two bags before them.

"These contain the Profound Heaven Sect's rules and the identity tokens for Outer Sect Disciples. Take these tokens to Senior Brother Feng Hua; he will sort out your accommodations and training."

"Storage Bag!"

Hong Jinbao flashed a wide grin, snatched up a bag, and exclaimed with delight.

For years, Fatty Hong had watched his senior brothers effortlessly store numerous items in their Storage Bags, which had filled him with envy.

Feng Yi, not one to be shy, picked up his Storage Bag and began to inspect it closely.

Seeing their reactions, the man burst into laughter. "Hahaha, you can't open this Storage Bag just yet. It requires a specific technique, which I'll now teach you."

He demonstrated a Magic Spell with his hands while Feng Yi and Fatty Hong watched intently, not wanting to miss a single detail.

"Hahaha, you actually fell for it! To open the Storage Bag, simply channel your spiritual energy into it. Hahaha."

The man continued to laugh heartily, clearly amused by their embarrassed expressions.

Exchanging a glance, Feng Yi and Fatty Hong's faces turned red, and they hastily left the place.

Once they found a secluded spot, they opened their Storage Bags. Inside, besides the identity tablets, was a set of grey uniforms with the character 'Xuan' embroidered on the chest, the emblem of the Profound Heaven Sect.

After donning their grey training attire, Feng Yi and Hong Jinbao headed directly to the location mentioned by their informant, where they encountered Senior Brother Feng Hua. Clad in a similar outfit, Feng Hua's handsome features and prominent nose were engrossed in a book, showing no concern for the newcomers' presence.

"New disciple Feng Yi and Hong Jinbao pay respects to Senior Brother Feng. We humbly request that you assign us a place for cultivation," Feng Yi said.

Feng Hua raised an eyebrow, his eyes betraying annoyance as his expression turned icy. "Did you not see I am reading?"

"We apologize, Senior Brother Feng," they stammered.

With a snort, Feng Hua dismissed them, "You lack gratitude. Take these and go—your cave dwellings await." He tossed two jade tokens their way, which Feng Yi and Hong Jinbao caught before making their retreat. Along the way, they sought guidance from another senior brother and soon settled into their new abode.

Despite their grievances with Senior Brother Feng, they dared not voice their discontent openly. In the Profound Heaven Sect, where cultivators were aplenty, any indiscretion could lead to dire consequences.

Days later, a senior brother relayed a message from the sect elders, inviting the duo to attend a sermon if they were inclined. Eagerly, Feng Yi and Hong Jinbao made their way to the venue, where they joined a throng of tens of thousands on the plaza.

Atop the elevated platform, an elder in a black robe exuded an aura of benevolence and wisdom. With a horsetail whisk in hand, he floated towards the stage, the very image of a celestial sage.

"The Sect Master himself!" someone exclaimed.

"To think the Sect Master would grace us with his teachings—we are truly blessed," murmured another.

This venerable figure was none other than Xuan Tianzi, the Sect Master of the Profound Heaven Sect. Ascending the stage, he draped the whisk over his shoulder. His voice, though not loud, reached every ear in the massive assembly.

"The Profound Heaven Sect draws from the essence of the cosmos, pursuing the ultimate Dao and the pinnacle of immortality. Renowned throughout the Proud Coming Country, we now open our doors wide to welcome new disciples in the quest for eternal life."

Immortality!

The crowd was captivated as Xuan Tianzi swept the horsetail whisk from one shoulder to another, conjuring a breeze of immortal wind.

"What is the Dao?"

Xuan Tianzi's sudden outburst of these three words reverberated painfully in everyone's ears as his gaze swept over the assembly.

"The Dao begets one, one begets two, two beget three, and three beget all things. We, as cultivators, are essentially practitioners of the Dao. When the Dao Rule is complete, immortality naturally follows."

"Sect Master, has your Dao Rule been perfected?"

Someone in the crowd called out with urgency.

"Perfection of the Dao Rule is not something to claim lightly. I haven't even grazed the threshold of the Dao, let alone speak of its perfection."

A wry smile tinged with helplessness crossed Xuan Tianzi's face, yet his spirit rallied once more.

"My hope is that you will all grasp the Dao Rule, attain its perfection, and achieve the state of everlasting life."

With that, Xuan Tianzi fell silent and swept his gaze over the crowd.

"Whether you grasp the essence of my words today or not, each will find their own path. That is all for today's discourse on the Dao."

With his final word, Xuan Tianzi stamped his foot and soared into the sky.

The crowd dispersed, each returning to their own abodes to continue their cultivation.

"Senior Nine-spirit, have you grasped the essence of the Dao?"

Back in his cave abode, Feng Yi inquired of the Nine-spirit Taoist within the pagoda.

"I have set foot upon the threshold and ascended to the Transformation Realm, yet I am one step shy of Perfection. Otherwise, I would not be in my current state."

The Nine-spirit Taoist spoke with a hint of dejection, but his eyes flashed with resolve, "Someday, I will exact vengeance upon my foe."

"Senior, I will lend you my strength when that day comes."

Feng Yi's gaze was resolute, his expression one of unwavering determination.

"Hahaha, young one, you are merely at the Qi Condensation Stage and yet you speak of revenge. Do you even comprehend the magnitude of my enemy's power?"

The Nine-spirit Taoist laughed heartily, his face alight with pride and satisfaction.

"One day, I will master the Dao Rule to perfection and ascend to the ranks of the immortals, crushing my predecessors' enemies beneath my feet."

Feng Yi declared his lofty ambition, sending a shiver through the Nine-spirit Taoist's heart.

"Feng Yi, do you believe that immortals truly exist in this world?"

Nine-spirit Taoist's gaze seemed to pierce through the void, resting on some distant, unseen point as he posed the question to Feng Yi.

"Absolutely, immortals can ascend to the heavens in a single step, plunge into the depths of the sea in another, pluck stars from the sky with one hand, and split the earth with a punch. Immortals are all-powerful."

Feng Yi was brimming with enthusiasm, his face awash with longing.

"Hahaha, such boundless power! I hope that one day, you too will join the ranks of the immortals."

Nine-spirit Taoist roared with laughter, but his mirth quickly gave way to a look of bewilderment.

"Do immortals, in fact, exist?"