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Nightfall descended.

Chu Country, Yunyue Sect.

Scattered across the outer hills of the sect's perimeter were sporadic houses.

This was the residence for the "Outer Disciples" of the Yunyue Sect.

Within, dim light flickered from a shabby dwelling.

"This crystal stone's material is truly unprecedented…"

A youth of about fourteen or fifteen, clad in a green robe, held a peculiar crystal stone in his hands, a low sigh escaping his lips.

The youth's face was somewhat youthful but clean and pleasant to look at, with bright and clear eyes.

At this moment, he was excitedly staring at the crystal stone in his hand.

The crystal stone was as clear as crystal, oddly shaped, roughly the size of a baby's palm, with a surface that gleamed a deep grayish-silver.

At first glance, it resembled an exquisite crystal heart.

Under the lamplight,

In the depths of this mysterious crystal stone, sometimes gold and silver intertwined, and at other times, colors varied with ripples of blood… it seemed to portray every color in the world!

"So amazing; no wonder it's the extraordinary stone that accompanied the 'mysterious meteorite' descent…"

Chen Yu was unable to contain his excitement.

The boy named Chen Yu was not yet fifteen years old, the lowest rank among the Outer Disciples of the Yunyue Sect.

An hour ago,

A meteor had fallen on the periphery of the Yunyue Sect, instantly causing dust to rise, making the earth tremble.

For a time, the sect was shaken from top to bottom.

Because, in the deep pit where the meteor landed, appeared the rare "mysterious meteorite"!

The mysterious meteorite was an extremely valuable material for artifact refining; many legendary Divine Weapons were made using mysterious meteorites.

Ordinary mundane weapons, if a fragment of a meteorite were to be fused, might turn into a treasured artifact.

Chen Yu's luck was truly remarkable!

At the time of the event, he happened to be near the area where the mysterious meteorite fell.

Even though he was a mile away, the dust storm created by the meteor's descent hit him, injuring his arm slightly.

After the event,

The sect's law enforcers arrived to seal off the area immediately.

Consequently, some disciples nearby, who picked up meteorite fragments, were required to turn them over to the sect.

Chen Yu, who was farther away, picked up two thumb-sized meteorite fragments and went unnoticed.

Not only that,

Chen Yu also found a crystal stone that emitted residual heat and was stuck to the mysterious meteorite.

That was the crystal stone he now held in his hand!

"Meteorites fall and shatter, yet this crystal stone remains intact?"

Chen Yu's eyes gleamed.

He had a gut feeling that the value of this crystal stone was beyond imagination and could even change his lowly fate within the sect…

However, thinking about his situation in the sect, the boy's expression slightly darkened.

Chen Yu had joined the Yunyue Sect nearly three years ago.

When he first joined, he was just twelve, entering the "Body Refining Stage" with the family's support.

The Body Refining Stage, as the name suggests, is about tempering the body, strengthening the constitution to lay the foundation for true martial arts cultivation.

The Yunyue Sect's entry requirements were not high, being under fifteen years old and entering the Body Refining Stage was sufficient.

After nearly three years of effort, Chen Yu progressed from the Early Body Refining Stage to the Late Stage Body Refining.

According to his father, such aptitude was considered decent within the family or mortal realms.

However,

Upon entering the sect, Chen Yu realized his mediocrity and insignificance.

"Just two months left, if I fail to ascend to the higher 'Meridian Passage Stage,' I will be expelled from the sect!"

Chen Yu's eyes dimmed.

In the Yunyue Sect, new Outer Disciples were subject to an "evaluation period."

The outer sect regulation stated: After three years or upon reaching sixteen, if one remains in the Body Refining Stage without a breakthrough, they will be expelled from the sect!

After all, the Body Refining Stage is merely the foundational level of martial arts; it doesn't differ much from ordinary humans.

Only by advancing to the Meridian Passage Stage would one be considered stepping into the threshold.

Chen Yu was unfortunately only two months away from the evaluation deadline.

Just as Chen Yu was lost in thought,

Bang! Bang!

A knocking came from outside the house, with shadows vaguely visible.

"Outer Disciple 'Chen Yu,' open the door immediately and subject yourself to the Law Enforcement Team's inspection!"

A cold male voice called out.

Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat. It was unexpectedly the sect's law enforcers.

Could it be that his "scavenging" on the outskirts of the meteorite area was discovered?

It shouldn't be!

Chen Yu was certain he saw no one else when he picked up the meteorite fragments and mysterious crystal.

He hurriedly tucked the "mysterious crystal stone" into his bosom for safekeeping.

Creak!

The door opened revealing a young man in a black robe, followed by a boy in green.

The black-robed young man wore a law enforcement robe, his imposing presence clearly indicating his special status as a law enforcer. Just one glance from him gave Chen Yu a knife-like cutting sensation, causing his skin to prickle with cold.

The other boy in green, about fifteen or sixteen, could be considered handsome, but his demeanor had a hint of malice, slightly marring his appearance.

He was dressed similarly to Chen Yu, both wearing the standard garb of Outer Disciples.

"Wang Lingyun, it's you…"

Chen Yu recognized this boy in green, his face changing.

Wang Lingyun was his nemesis in the sect!

Both hailed from Xiangyang City in Chu Country, where their families held rivalries.

At this moment, a look of schadenfreude was evident in Wang Lingyun's eyes.

"Wang Lingyun, is this the Chen Yu you reported? Are you sure he left the meteorite crater area carrying fragments?"

The black-robed law enforcer spoke indifferently.

His gaze shifted to the boy in green beside him, "Wang Lingyun."

Bullshit!

Chen Yu couldn't help but curse inwardly. Wang Lingyun had actually ratted him out to the sect.

But he distinctly remembered that when he "scavenged," Wang Lingyun wasn't present.

Though, after he left the sealed area, he did encounter Wang Lingyun.

"Law Enforcement Lord!"

Wang Lingyun replied respectfully, "I personally witnessed that kid leave the meteorite area, exhibiting strange behavior. I suspect that he most likely carried meteorite fragments."

Upon saying this, he internally smirked.

Indeed!

He had met Chen Yu, but wasn't entirely certain whether Chen Yu had acquired fragments.

He was merely suspicious.

However, even with doubt, he could not allow Chen Yu any chance to rise!

How valuable was mysterious meteorite?

If Chen Yu secretly obtained a piece or two, exchanged for precious materials or spiritual medicines, he might ascend to the Meridian Passage Stage.

Should he achieve the Meridian Passage Stage, he would establish himself in the Yunyue Sect — a scenario Wang Lingyun absolutely did not want to see!

"As long as Chen Yu is expelled from the sect, the gap between him and me will widen. My Wang Family will continue to suppress his Chen Family, dominating Xiangyang City! Moreover, Mu Xueqing will lose interest in him and turn her affection towards me…"

Wang Lingyun schemed inwardly, a hint of satisfaction showing.

"Chen Yu."

The black-robed law enforcer spoke, "Did you carry out any meteorite fragments? If so, handing them over voluntarily can spare you punishment."

Both the enforcer and Wang Lingyun fixed their eyes on Chen Yu.

"It's true."

Chen Yu's thoughts raced, quickly coming up with a plan.

He admitted it?

A trace of surprise crossed the face of the black-robed law enforcer.

"There really were…"

Wang Lingyun couldn't help but feel envious.

Initially, he just had suspicions; he didn't expect Chen Yu had truly acquired fragments.

If he put himself in Chen Yu's position, he wouldn't hand over the fragments either.

After all, handing them over might earn a few sect contribution points, but it couldn't compare to the true value of the meteorites!

"Good thing I had foresight, not giving him any chance."

Wang Lingyun felt a bit relieved.

Soon, Chen Yu handed the two fragments he had obtained over to the law enforcer.

"Hm, although you carried out the fragments, cooperating and handing them over spares you any punishment."

The black-robed law enforcer nodded.

They then searched Chen Yu's room for a while and found no other fragments.

"Law Enforcement Lord, he hasn't been searched personally yet?"

Wang Lingyun squinted his eyes, a hint of sharpness evident, unwilling to leave any possibility unchecked.

Chen Yu felt a chill run over his heart, cursing Wang Lingyun's ancestors, eighteen generations over.

Although Chen Yu handed over the fragments, the more valuable, more mysterious "mysterious crystal stone" was still hidden on his person and hadn't been handed over.

Thankfully, Chen Yu had anticipated this.

He had prepared his explanation: adamantly claiming that the mysterious crystal stone was a "family heirloom."

After all, the sect's investigation was focused on meteorites; no one knew of the existence of the mysterious crystal stone.

"The fragments have been handed over; the Law Enforcement Lord can search my person."

Chen Yu waved his hand, appearing at ease.

The black-robed law enforcer nodded slightly, believing him seven to eight parts.

However, he wouldn't lower his status to search an Outer Disciple personally and hence let Wang Lingyun do the job.

"Rest assured, Law Enforcement Lord!"

Wang Lingyun showed eagerness, appearing very proactive.

He wouldn't allow Chen Yu any opportunity!

Swish!

With a swift movement, Wang Lingyun was beside Chen Yu, beginning the search.

"Such speed!"

Chen Yu felt an invisible force enveloping him, his body slightly swaying, nearly losing balance.

Wang Lingyun's palms carried an intangible "aura," making Chen Yu's blood stagnant, his breathing labored.

That "aura," unseen by the naked eye, possessed great strength, easily slicing through bricks.

"Internal Breathing?"

Chen Yu's heart sank. "Wang Lingyun indeed broke through to the 'Meridian Passage Stage,' and it wasn't even a recent advancement…"

The so-called Meridian Passage Stage involved opening all body meridians and cultivating the intangible force of "internal breathing."

Internal breathing, when cultivated to its peak, could harm enemies from a distance, crush gold and smash iron, and kill with a flick, truly wielding great force beyond the mundane world.

Where Chen Yu stood at the "Body Refining Stage," it was about enhancing the physique, improving the body holistically, yet without possessing "internal breathing."

"Hmph… as long as I'm here, you won't have any chance!"

Wang Lingyun started the search.

In this process, he missed no detail, not excluding Chen Yu's ears, mouth, hair, or underarms.

(Dominion ends, a new journey begins: A new book is like a seed, a sapling, in need of recommendations, collections, and all sorts of support. Fast food thanks you.)

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