As soon as he entered the Nameless Pagoda, Land Ren took out his Fire Spirit Sword and began to practice. Although he could essentially buy his cultivation time with money, Land Ren did not want to waste a single second. Taking a deep breath, Land Ren began the monotonous and tedious practice. Channeling energy, taking steps, and wielding the sword, Land Ren energetically performed the first and second styles of the Heavenly Constellation Sword Technique. He then proceeded to cultivate the third style, Thunderous Movement. This move, once mastered, would rival even a human-tier top-grade sword technique. After seven years of hard work, Land Ren finally mastered the Thunderous Movement, the third style of the Heavenly Constellation Sword Technique. This strike was as fast as thunder and three times more powerful than the second style. Land Ren was confident that he could defeat Chu Feiyang by utilizing the Thunderous Movement if faced with his Ghost Sword Technique. However, instead of immediately moving on to the fourth style, Land Ren took time to thoroughly familiarize himself with this new technique. Three months flew by, and within the vast expanse of space, the figure of a man directed his sword toward a giant boulder across from him. A thunderous light emanated from the sword, illuminating the surroundings with its radiant brilliance. The seemingly indestructible boulder cracked and fractured all over. Land Ren exhaled, and the boulder shattered into fragments. "I have finally mastered it completely!" With his spiritual energy now depleted, Land Ren felt his strength waning, but he paid no mind, contentedly gazing at the shattered stones on the ground, a satisfied smile on his face.
This sword strike was powerful enough to rival the upper-grade sword techniques cultivated to perfection by those at the Human rank. Without taking any breaks, Land Ren continued to cultivate the fourth style of the Heavenly Constellation Sword Technique, Stormy Gale. According to Yun Qingyao, the Heavenly Constellation Sword Technique was created through observing celestial phenomena and currently consisted of only four styles. If one could create a fifth style, it would possess the power equivalent to a lower-grade Yellow-rank martial art. Land Ren acknowledged his lack of talent and insight, relying solely on hard work and hoping that his master would create the fifth style and teach it to him. He believed that he was incapable of cultivating such advanced sword techniques on his own. The fourth style of the Heavenly Constellation Sword Technique, Stormy Gale, lived up to its name. When unleashed, the sword's momentum was as fierce as a storm, with a ferocious and irresistible attack. Land Ren was confident that once he mastered this move, he could easily defeat a warrior with seven open spirit channels with a single strike. Even against someone with eight open spirit channels, if they were careless, he could still emerge victorious. This sword strike was equivalent to a perfect upper-grade Human rank sword technique! How many warriors with open spirit channels could cultivate a Human rank upper-grade sword technique to perfection?
In the blink of an eye!
Ten years passed in a flash.
In the ethereal and void space, a young man dressed in training attire, holding the Fire Spirit Sword, continuously wielded it, with sword light sweeping like a storm, striking towards a huge rock.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
After the sword light passed, the ten-foot long and wide giant rock was directly shot full of holes.
Hu!
Land Ren breathed out lightly, saying, "Seventeen years of hard work, and I have actually cultivated two more sword techniques. If I were to encounter Chu Feiyang again, I could defeat him with ease!"
"However, he is just a novice disciple, not worth mentioning. In the future, I will encounter even more powerful geniuses!"
Land Ren believed that with the help of the Nameless Pagoda and years of hard work, he could also become a genius. However, Xuanhuang Continent was not lacking in geniuses. Even his master was only considered a top talent in Jiangyun Country. Although he had cultivated the sword technique taught by his master, it was far from enough. His close combat martial skills and body techniques were insufficient. Even if he fully cultivated a Human rank lower-grade martial art, its power would not compare to a Human rank upper-grade martial art.
"I must challenge the Tuoshe Cave Mansion. Emperor Tuoshe was able to become an emperor with a second-class bloodline. There must be some secrets hidden!"
Land Ren contemplated secretly.
If he could not improve his bloodline, he feared that he would not be able to break through to the Spirit River realm. Even if he did break through to that realm, how could he compete using only Human rank lower-grade martial arts against others?
During the recent sparring and exchange conference, he realized the gap in martial arts.
The next morning, Land Ren headed to the Martial Hall.
Elder Zhu Tie saw Land Ren approaching and led him to a side hall of the martial hall.
"Choose five sets of outer disciple robes based on your body size," Elder Zhu Tie said, opening a cabinet in front of Land Ren.
Land Ren looked inside and saw a stack of azure-colored training robes.
He changed into one set of the azure robe, held four sets of robes in his hands, and registered as an outer disciple in front of Elder Zhu Tie.
Elder Zhu Tie took out a token, engraved Land Ren's name on it, and tossed it to him, saying, "This is the outer disciple identity token. Prick your finger and mark it to represent your identity as an outer disciple of the Qingyun Sect."
The outer disciple identity token contained a formation inside. If a disciple died, the formation would automatically break, destroying the token.
Therefore, only the holder of the disciple token could represent their identity, and ordinary people could not impersonate it.
"From today onwards, you are an outer disciple of the Qingyun Sect," Elder Zhu Tie announced.
"I finally became an outer disciple!" Land Ren felt excited.
There was a significant difference between outer disciples and entry-level disciples. Entry-level disciples were similar to temporary workers and could be expelled at any time. On the other hand, outer disciples were like regular employees, even if their cultivation did not progress, they would not be evicted from the sect.
Additionally, the status of an outer disciple was prestigious, and they would be respected outside.
"Land Ren, let's go. I'll take you to the outer sect," Elder Zhu Tie said, leading Land Ren to the outer sect area.
In the outer sect area, there was only one mountain peak, the Tianzi Mountain. Tianzi Mountain stretched for several miles, with dozens of large and small peaks.
Now, Elder Zhu Tie led Land Ren up to the top of Tianzi Mountain along the iron chain bridge. Along the way, there were pavilions and grand buildings, making the entry-level area look rudimentary in comparison. Walking in the outer sect area, Land Ren even felt like he was in paradise.
During the journey, Land Ren saw fellow senior brothers and sisters with strong auras practicing martial arts. Most of them were practicing high-quality martial arts of the upper rank, and some even had martial arts of the lower rank of the yellow tier.
Soon, under the guidance of Elder Zhu Tie, Land Ren arrived at the halfway point of Tianzi Mountain. Here, there were also several courtyards built.
"The air here is quite unique. Breathing it in, I feel refreshed and clear-minded," Land Ren exclaimed in awe.
Elder Zhu Tie smiled and explained, "This isn't just any air. This is the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. When outer disciples reach the Spirit River Realm, they can avoid eating regular food and directly absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to maintain their energy."
"I see," Land Ren nodded.
Following Elder Zhu Tie, Land Ren arrived at a cultivation courtyard. The outer disciple's cultivation courtyard was at least twice the size of the entry-level disciples, and each outer disciple had their own individual cultivation courtyard, a treatment that entry-level disciples could not compare to.
"Here is your cultivation courtyard. Although you have become an outer disciple, you do not possess the strength of an outer disciple yet. First, improve your strength and strive to reach the Spirit River Realm!" Elder Zhu Tie said.
Elder Zhu Tie gave a reminder and then directly left. However, with a mediocre bloodline, it seemed unlikely that one could ever cultivate to the Spirit River Realm.
Shortly after Zhu Tie Elder left, Yun Qingyao entered and smiled, saying, "Disciple, congratulations on becoming an outer disciple. You don't need to worry about being expelled from the sect anymore. With me here, no one in the outer sect dares to bully you."
"Thank you, Master!" Land Ren bowed and then asked, "Does Master agree to my visit to the Tuo She Cave Mansion?"