C21 Enter the Inner Sect

As Hua Hsing was about to depart, a voice abruptly reached his ears, prompting a knowing smile to spread across his face.

"Senior Brother Re, there's a cave over here. Let's check it out," a disciple suggested in a hushed tone.

"Hua Hsing might be hiding inside this cave," added another.

"Alright, proceed with caution. We'll take a look inside," came the steady voice of Re Yunzheng.

Inside the cave, Hua Hsing listened to their exchange, his expression turning icy.

Noise erupted at the cave's mouth, and soon after, Re Yunzheng and his two companions stepped into the darkness.

They were there to confirm Hua Hsing's presence, and upon entering, they were immediately confronted by a silhouette.

Their hearts sank as they recognized Hua Hsing.

"I didn't expect to find you here, Hua Hsing," Re Yunzheng said, his voice laced with a cold edge.

"Your end is near, Hua Hsing."

"Really? Many have sought my life, yet here I stand," Hua Hsing replied, his voice calm and tinged with amusement.

"I've come to the Black Wind Mountain Range specifically to kill you. You won't escape these mountains," Re Yunzheng declared confidently, his tone frosty.

"You also wish to kill me?" Hua Hsing countered.

No sooner had the words left his lips than the two figures beside Re Yunzheng launched into a ferocious assault.

"You will pay for your actions, Hua Hsing," Re Yunzheng intoned, unleashing the Five-element Sword Arts in a focused attack.

"Golden Light Sword Arts."

Hua Hsing, now at the Qi Refining Stage Level Four and master of the sixth form of the Golden Light Sword Arts, was formidable.

A streak of sword light cut through the cave, a potent force filling the space, followed by a scream of agony.

Re Yunzheng, taken aback, turned to see one of his disciples slain by Hua Hsing's blade.

"You're done for, Hua Hsing."

Enraged, Re Yunzheng produced a pill and swallowed it whole. In an instant, an overwhelming aura burst forth from his being.

Hua Hsing was momentarily puzzled, but before he could ponder further, another disciple launched an attack.

"Die."

With a seemingly effortless swing of his sword, Hua Hsing dispatched the disciple in an instant.

With just two strokes, two disciples at the third level of the Qi Refining Stage lay defeated. It was a testament to Hua Hsing's formidable strength.

"Re Yunzheng, I told you I'd be the one to end your life."

Hua Hsing's gaze was icy as he confronted Re Yunzheng, whose aura had now matched his own.

"Hua Hsing, your life ends here!" Re Yunzheng bellowed, overcome with rage.

In that moment, Re Yunzheng's long sword danced, unleashing the Five Elements Fusion—a fierce sword light thrusting straight at Hua Hsing.

"He's definitely ingested some strength-boosting elixir," Hua Hsing muttered, feeling the overwhelming force of the Five Elements Fusion.

On the Ancient Sword Continent, elixirs were innumerable, including those that could temporarily enhance one's power. Despite their potency, such elixirs came with significant drawbacks.

Although Hua Hsing was uncertain which elixir Re Yunzheng had consumed, he was acutely aware that Re Yunzheng's prowess now rivaled that of a Qi Refining Stage Level Four practitioner.

But Re Yunzheng was mistaken; Hua Hsing was no longer the novice who had first set foot in the Black Wind Mountain Range.

Having reached the Qi Refining Stage Level Four, Hua Hsing's strength was on par with disciples of the same level, and he harbored no fear of Re Yunzheng.

"Five Elements Fusion!"

Re Yunzheng executed his most powerful sword technique. The sky lit up as five beams of sword light merged, creating an imposing column of energy.

With precision, Re Yunzheng directed the formidable sword light straight at Hua Hsing.

"Golden Light Sword Arts, Sixth Form."

Without hesitation, Hua Hsing unleashed the sixth form of the Golden Light Sword Arts. A streak of golden brilliance cut through the air.

The golden light clashed violently with the imposing sword light, erupting into a thunderous roar.

Re Yunzheng expected Hua Hsing's sword light to be scattered swiftly, but what unfolded next altered his expression entirely.

In the heavens, the once overwhelming sword light was gradually fading away.

"How can this be?"

Re Yunzheng cried out in disbelief, finally realizing he had sorely underestimated Hua Hsing.

The grand sword light vanished from the sky shortly thereafter.

As it faded, Re Yunzheng was hurled through the air.

He screamed in agony, his spirit refusing to concede defeat.

But Hua Hsing had no intention of granting him any respite.

"Re Yunzheng, did you ever imagine that you might meet your end at my hands?" Hua Hsing approached him with deliberate steps, his voice icy.

"Hua Hsing, we're from the same sect. Please, don't kill me."

Fear crept into Re Yunzheng's voice as he pleaded for mercy, a stark contrast to his usual poise as a top disciple of the Outer Sect.

"If our roles were reversed, would you spare me?" Hua Hsing countered.

Re Yunzheng fell silent, stunned.

As Hua Hsing neared, Re Yunzheng's hand clenched into a fist, and he launched a desperate punch, aiming for a surprise attack.

His attempt was futile.

A flash of sword light, and the Light Spirit Sword had pierced Re Yunzheng's chest.

With a wretched scream, Re Yunzheng collapsed to the ground.

"He got what he deserved."

Hua Hsing sheathed the Light Spirit Sword, his tone devoid of warmth.

Re Yunzheng had repeatedly sought to kill him, and Hua Hsing had harbored a killing intent for some time. Presented with the opportunity, he seized it without hesitation.

After slaying Re Yunzheng, Hua Hsing searched the body and discovered a low-grade Space Ring.

He pocketed the ring and departed from the cave.

Hua Hsing then inspected the entire area for any other items but found nothing of note and finally left the premises.

A full day had passed by the time Hua Hsing returned to the Azure Edge Sword Sect.

En route, he stopped in Breeze City to trade some corpses, amassing a total of 100,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones—a fortune for any Outer Sect disciple.

Upon his return to the Azure Edge Sword Sect, Hua Hsing discovered that both of his friends were in deep meditation. He then retreated to the solitude of his own room.

"I've yet to examine Re Yunzheng's Space Ring," he mused to himself.

Seated with legs crossed, Hua Hsing produced the Space Ring, murmuring softly as he did so.

He proceeded to inspect the contents of the ring. The storage capacity of the Low Grade Space Ring was quite limited, but upon a cursory glance, Hua Hsing noticed that besides the Five-element Sword Arts, there was nothing more than a tattered piece of cloth.

"Hmm? Could this be a Treasure Map?"

The rag, marked with chaotic scribbles, caught the glint in Hua Hsing's eye.

Taking a closer look, Hua Hsing realized that the rag detailed a tomb located in the Azure Cloud County.

"This tomb lies within the mountains a hundred miles beyond Liang Yun City," Hua Hsing noted.

After a thorough examination, he was convinced that the rag was indeed a Treasure Map and carefully stored it away.

The following day at the Azure Edge Sword Sect, Hua Hsing sought out the elder responsible for the Inner Sect Examination.

"What brings you here?" the elder inquired, his voice deep and resonant across the deserted plaza.

"Elder, I have attained the fourth level of the Qi Refining Stage and wish to join the Inner Sect," Hua Hsing declared.

The elder, visibly taken aback, composed himself and instructed, "Strike that distant stone tablet with all your might."

With a nod, Hua Hsing eyed the stone tablet in the square, his fists clenched tight as the strength of four oxen surged through his arms.

Following four thunderous bellows, Hua Hsing's fist collided with the stone tablet.

The earth quaked beneath the force of his blow, yet the tablet stood unscathed.

Hua Hsing, puzzled, scrutinized the stone tablet and noticed a faint strand of cosmic spiritual energy emerging from it.

As he pondered this development, the elder's booming laughter filled his ears.

"Well done! You have indeed reached the fourth level of the Qi Refining Stage. From this day forward, you are an Inner Sect disciple."

"Here is your Inner Sect disciple token. Proceed to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall within the Inner Sect to collect your belongings," the elder said, his smile resonant with pride.

Hua Hsing accepted the token and made his way into the Inner Sect.

As Hua Hsing's figure vanished from view, a flicker of astonishment crossed the elder's gaze.

"It has been ages since a disciple has caused the stone tablet to quiver," the elder said, visibly astounded.

Unbeknownst to Hua Hsing, he had left quite an impression.

Once inside the Inner Sect, Hua Hsing intended to seek out the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, but instead, he encountered a familiar face.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Zhang, your prowess has improved yet again," a group of disciples approached Hua Hsing with jovial banter.

"Indeed, Senior Brother Zhang is sure to break into the Inner Sect's top fifty this time around."

"Senior Brother Zhang, please remember us when you rise through the ranks," many disciples lauded Zhang Bofeng.

It was then that Zhang Bofeng's eyes landed on Hua Hsing.

Zhang Bofeng made his way over to Hua Hsing, and the other disciples quickly followed.

Blocking Hua Hsing's path, Zhang Bofeng scoffed, "How dare an Outer Sect disciple enter the Inner Sect so freely?"

Hua Hsing responded to Zhang Bofeng's challenge with a sneer of his own, producing the Inner Sect disciple's token.

"What? You're actually in possession of an Inner Sect disciple's token?" Zhang Bofeng blurted out in disbelief.

But in just a short moment, Zhang Bofeng composed himself.

"Being in the Inner Sect suits you better. Here, you're just a newcomer. I do enjoy lending a helping hand. I'll make it my personal mission to show you the ropes," Zhang Bofeng said with a dark, icy tone.

"Sorry, I don't have the time for that."

With no desire to engage further with Zhang Bofeng, Hua Hsing promptly turned and walked away.