C6 Sunset Ridge

At Cloud-Veiled Peak, a narrow cobblestone path meandered through withering grass and trees.

Inside a cave halfway up the mountain, a figure moved like a specter in the night, leaving cracks along the stone walls with every pass.

"It's not fast enough, too slow. Could it be an issue with my level of cultivation?" Chu Haoyun mused, his gaze fixed on the myriad of sword marks scarring the stone as he mentally rehearsed an evolving attack sequence.

Chu Haoyun had been at this retreat for half a month, absorbing a wealth of unexplored theories from the venerable Lan Canghai. He had forgone the privilege of using the Celestial Key, instead opting to advance to the Returning to Origin stage and earn his place as an Inner Sect disciple—a choice that greatly pleased Lan Canghai.

During his extensive search within Coral Hall, Chu Haoyun discovered that most of the Order of the Celestial Veil's skills emphasized strength, with few catering to speed. Now possessing ample strength, he sought a martial skill that could harness his power with swift precision.

"Flash—its essence sharp as a blade, capable of splitting into two. Mastered, it allows one's shadow to attack as a separate entity, striking twice in tandem." He was captivated by an aberrant copy of a martial skill that prized the burst of power and speed at its zenith—a formidable technique indeed. Its only flaw was the incomplete description in the latter portion, which explained its placement on the first floor of Coral Hall, accessible even to Outer Sect disciples.

"Hey, I'm coming in," a crisp voice called from outside the cave.

A look of resignation crossed Chu Haoyun's face as he turned and exited the cave, only to be greeted by a girl in a blue dress. Her eyes sparkled, her smile revealing charming dimples.

Lan Shiqi had been a source of comfort to him since the fall of Tharannora, the first to offer warmth amidst the ruins of the Chu family. Despite her playful teasing and the occasional roughhousing that left him battered, she was a welcome presence.

"I'm quite busy," Chu Haoyun said with a sigh.

"You have the nerve to say that? You're always buried in your training. The last time I visited, you nearly took my head off with your sword," Lan Shiqi retorted, her face a mix of mock anger and amusement as she brandished her tiny fists.

Chu Haoyun touched his nose and let out a wry smile. "It was an accident last time. I was in the zone, and who could have expected you to barge in?"

"Let's drop it, there's no point in rehashing that," Lan Shiqi said with a dismissive wave of her hand, exuding a generous demeanor. "Grandfather asked me to remind you that you've been here quite a while. You ought to explore more of the Order of the Celestial Veil. It'll benefit your upcoming promotion to the Inner Sect."

"Alright, I understand." Chu Haoyun turned and quickly left, not daring to linger a moment longer. He knew all too well that this girl had more on her mind than just idle chitchat. After a near miss that led to a severe beating during their last encounter, Lan Shiqi had developed an unfortunate habit.

That is, whenever they found themselves alone, she would take the opportunity to 'test his progress' by giving him a thorough thrashing before they parted ways.

"Why are you running?" Lan Shiqi's playful laughter followed him. Chu Haoyun shivered and vanished in an instant from Cloud-Veiled Peak.

Before long, Chu Haoyun arrived at a valley shaped like a crescent moon. As he watched the newborn sun peek through the gap, he stretched his arms wide and mused, "Sunset Ridge truly is a place like no other."

He realized that in the past fortnight, he hadn't ventured beyond Cloud-Veiled Peak and Coral Hall. Rumor had it that Sunset Ridge was a crucial site for the Outer Sect disciples' advancement, where killing was permitted. If one could defeat ten others and claim their badges, they could join the Inner Sect for cultivation, even without achieving the Returning to Origin stage.

Beyond Sunset Ridge lay a vast expanse of ancient tomb forests, teeming with perilous Fellbeasts—a proving ground for the disciples of the Order of the Celestial Veil. Clearly, the Order had chosen this location for their headquarters with careful consideration.

As Chu Haoyun walked along the cobblestone path of Sunset Ridge, he couldn't help but reflect. The stones were stained with the blood of countless aspirants. To become an Inner Sect disciple, the cost in lives each year was staggering. It was no surprise that the Silent Cloud Sect recruited new Outer Sect disciples every three years.

"That wild kid has shown up. Go tell Senior Brother Ning Chen right away." A short distance away, two guys were holding a portrait and gesturing towards Chu Haoyun.

"What are you blabbering about? Watch me take care of him. This trash doesn't deserve Senior Brother Ning Chen's attention." With that, he stepped in front of Chu Haoyun, blocking his way.

He took a quick look at the portrait, then at Chu Haoyun's attire marking him as an Outer Sect disciple, and sneered, "Back to being an Outer Sect disciple so soon, wild kid? I knew it. Just a nobody—how could the sect elders ever notice you? Hand over the Celestial Key and save yourself the trouble."

"Do I know you?" Chu Haoyun's brow furrowed slightly.

"I'm Chen Seng, ranked twenty-seventh among the Outer Sect. Hand over the Celestial Key if you know what's good for you," Chen Seng said with contempt.

"Isn't that Chen Seng and Chen Hu? Who's gotten on their bad side now? Don't they know that to mess with one is to mess with Luo Feng and his whole crew?"

"That kid's a stranger; must be new here. I heard Chen Seng has reached the peak of the eighth level in Body Forging. We're in for a real spectacle now."

"Didn't Ning Chen send someone to look for a wild kid on Sunset Ridge a while back? Could this be him?"

Nearby, the crowd buzzed with speculation. Though Sunset Ridge tolerated killing, few dared to act without absolute certainty.

"Ning Chen?" A chill flashed in Chu Haoyun's eyes as he addressed Chen Seng, "Out of my way!"

"Kid, you're asking for it." Chen Seng's expression darkened as he stepped forward. "I was going to spare your life, but now I'll take both your life and the Celestial Key."

Chen Seng's fists glimmered with a metallic sheen as he lunged forward.

"He's using Iron Armor Fist. That kid's finished."

Chu Haoyun shifted gracefully, sidestepping the punch. His right hand suddenly unleashed triple the power, striking Chen Seng squarely in the chest. Having mastered the Flash skill, Chu Haoyun's speed had increased manifold, and his mastery had reached the peak of the seventh level in Body Forging.

The explosive force was fierce, like a hurricane sweeping through. The sound of Chen Seng's bones shattering and tendons snapping was unrelenting. He was propelled like a shooting star, flung over ten meters away. A mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips before he fell silent.

"Anyone who seeks to kill me will meet the same fate," Chu Haoyun declared, his eyes icy as he glanced at the stunned Chen Hu. The harshness of life in Tharannora Village had hardened his heart. Chen Hu shivered and scrambled away towards Sunset Ridge.

Nearby, the crowd that had gathered to watch was shell-shocked. Before long, gossipmongers had unveiled Chu Haoyun's identity. He was a nobody who possessed nothing but the Celestial Key. Suddenly, the Celestial Key became the focal point of everyone's attention, a known shortcut to gaining entry into the Inner Sect.

With a cold snort, Chu Haoyun dismissed the covetous stares surrounding him. The realization dawned on many that if Chen Seng had been felled by a single punch from him, who among them could possibly wrest the Celestial Key from his grasp? Perhaps only those ranked in the top ten could stand a chance.

Without paying any heed to their looks, Chu Haoyun made his way toward the Forbidden Woods.

The outskirts of the Forbidden Woods served as a training ground for Outer Sect disciples, but deeper within, one could encounter formidable Demon Beasts that had reached the Returning to Origin Stage. Hunting these beasts and claiming their Demon Cores allowed disciples to exchange them for medicinal pills at the Coral Hall, thus rapidly enhancing their abilities.

However, Sunset Ridge had become a haven for those looking for shortcuts. Some would ambush and rob returning disciples, laden with their spoils. Consequently, the bluestone path linking Sunset Ridge to the Forbidden Woods had earned the ominous nickname 'The Unreturning Road.'

As Chu Haoyun approached the Forbidden Woods, a man as imposing as a mountain approached him. This fellow was easily twice Chu Haoyun's size. He laughed heartily, "Little brother, you're looking to enter the Forbidden Woods, aren't you? Why not join us? We'll share the Demon Cores equally. With Junfeng's protection, we're sure to reap a great harvest."

"I'm not interested," Chu Haoyun replied curtly, his brow furrowed as he cast a glance at the smiling young man nearby.

"Rest assured, Brother Qin will look out for you. You know, returning from the Forbidden Woods alone, Sunset Ridge is no walk in the park," the man said with a familiarity as though he were an old friend.

"What do you mean?" Chu Haoyun, who had never been to this place, was naturally clueless about the customs of Sunset Ridge. The muscular Qin Bing paused, wondering, 'Could he really be new here?' Nonetheless, he went on to explain the local rules, knowing that there's safety in numbers to avoid getting robbed.

"Alright! You have my word," Chu Haoyun responded after getting the rundown. He also realized that he wasn't well-acquainted with the Forbidden Woods, so sticking with them seemed like the wise choice.