With Alice's Victory, the Battle Had Finally Concluded.
This fight had firmly established Roy, Veil, and Alice as the undisputed peak of the outer sect.
No one dared to challenge them anymore!
The crowd of disciples below the stage was filled with shock and awe—some with envy, some with frustration, and others with deep admiration as they gazed at the three.
Veil stretched his limbs, a smug grin on his face. "Looks like we've secured our spot in the inner sect."
Alice dusted off her sleeves, a serene smile forming. "Finally, we don't have to stay in this place anymore."
Roy, however, merely smiled faintly, his gaze filled with contemplation.
"Joining the inner sect… is only the beginning for us."
——At the center of the stage, the elder stepped forward, his voice booming as he announced the final rankings!
1st Place: Roy!
2nd Place: Veil!
3rd Place: Alice!
4th Place: Li Chen!
5th Place: Lu Qi!
When Lu Qi's name was called, his expression turned complicated. His fists clenched tightly, emotions of resentment and anger churning within him—
But in the end, he lowered his head.
He had lost.
Yet, he still qualified for the inner sect—his only consolation.
After all, he didn't dare challenge the Top 3 and had only secured his spot by challenging the 5th place contender in an unimpressive victory.
"Now, the rewards shall be distributed!"
With a wave of the elder's hand, five exquisite jade bottles floated in midair, drifting toward the five winners.
"These contain mid-tier Grade Five elixirs—three bottles per person."
"Additionally, upon entering the inner sect, you may visit the Scripture Hall and select a mid-tier Heaven-grade technique or skill."
"However—"
The elder's voice suddenly sharpened, his piercing gaze sweeping across the five of them.
His tone turned solemn:
"Entering the inner sect does not mean you can rest easy."
"On the contrary—competition there is even fiercer. It is a place where true geniuses gather."
"If you stagnate, you will be left far behind—or worse, eliminated."
He paused briefly before speaking in a deep, meaningful tone—
"I hope you will climb even higher—to witness the true wonders of this world."
Hearing this, Roy and the others grew serious, nodding in acknowledgment.
Their goal was never merely to become inner sect disciples—
They aimed to become true powerhouses!
Back at Their Courtyard—
Returning to their residence, Veil was the first to uncork a bottle of the Grade Five elixir, downing it in one gulp.
A surge of spiritual energy erupted from within him, causing his aura to fluctuate wildly. He laughed heartily, "Hahaha! Now, this is the quality of a true elixir!"
Alice, on the other hand, carefully stored her elixirs, rolling her eyes. "You shouldn't just gulp these down like that. They need to be absorbed gradually."
Roy picked up a jade bottle, shaking it lightly as he felt the dense spiritual energy radiating from within. A faint smile curved his lips.
"This is merely our first step."
"The inner sect—that's our true stage."
A Few Days Later—
With everything prepared, Roy and his companions set off for the inner sect.
Stepping into the Inner Sect—A New Chapter Begins!
The inner sect was nothing like the outer sect.
Here, the spiritual energy was several times denser, and the architecture was grander and more majestic. More importantly—
The disciples here were far stronger!
Even the weakest among them were above Level 30!
The moment Roy and the others crossed the threshold of the inner sect gates—
Countless gazes immediately locked onto them.
Some were filled with curiosity.
Some carried a judging scrutiny.
And some… had a subtle trace of disdain.
Veil clicked his tongue. "Tch, looks like they're not too friendly toward newcomers."
Alice chuckled. "That's normal. Resources here are limited—who would want to let newcomers take them so easily?"
Roy took in the scene, his gaze turning sharper—
Then, he smiled.
"No matter what—"
"We're going to carve out our place here."
He narrowed his eyes slightly, his smirk carrying a sharp edge.
"After all…"
"We're not here to be mere background characters."
——First stop: The Scripture Hall!
Roy and his companions had locked onto their first target in the inner sect!
In their hands, their Inner Sect identity tokens glowed faintly, symbolizing their official step into a higher realm of cultivation.
As they walked, the elder not only explained the rules of the Inner Sect but also introduced a new concept—battle legions.
"Battle legions?"
Roy raised an eyebrow. The term was unfamiliar to him.
The elder smiled subtly, his gaze carrying a deeper meaning.
"Battle legions are one of the most important cores of combat in this world. Unlike ordinary sects or academies, they are true forces capable of altering the course of war."
"However—"
The elder's tone paused, his expression turning serious.
"Only Five-Star Academies have the qualification to compete for a place in this grand arena, earning recognition from the Empire and other major powers."
Alice Blinked.
"So, this Four-Star Academy we're in… is just a place that nurtures talents?"
The elder nodded lightly, a hint of melancholy in his eyes.
"That's right. To outsiders, a Four-Star Academy may seem like a towering force, but its true purpose is merely to supply talent to the Empire."
Veil stroked his chin, muttering under his breath:
"So even the disciples of a Four-Star Academy are just 'seedlings' in the eyes of the true powerhouses?"
The elder did not answer directly. Instead, he cast a meaningful glance forward.
"Do you think you're already strong?"
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"Roy, you've awakened Sword Intent and are not far from the Intermediate stage. With your talent in the Lightning Element, you may even grasp its deeper Intent. At your age, such achievements already make you a genius."
"Alice, your Spiritual Intent is extraordinary. Very few can wield such power, and if you grow further, you'll become a terrifying force on the battlefield."
"Veil, your unyielding will has shaped you. You've awakened Giant Intent, and combined with the Giant Blood flowing in your veins, your potential is limitless."
Hearing such praise, Veil grinned, Alice huffed lightly, while Roy remained as calm as ever.
But what the elder said next shook them to their core.
"However—"
The elder shook his head, his gaze carrying a trace of melancholy.
"You must not become arrogant."
"You may think a Four-Star Academy is already powerful, but in the grand scheme of things, it is merely a stepping stone—a place where the Empire harvests and cultivates its talents."
"And as for someone like me…"
The elder let out a bitter chuckle.
"Even as an Inner Sect elder, my cultivation is stuck at Level 240. My life's limit has already been set."
A Moment of Silence.
Roy and the others frowned slightly.
They had always known that the elder was strong.
Yet now, hearing his words, it seemed that even he was merely an ordinary existence in the vast world of cultivation.
The elder continued.
"Talent is measured by the age at which one awakens their Intent."
"Roy and Alice, you both awakened your Intents at 17. Veil, you awakened yours at 18. That alone marks your extraordinary potential."
"You have all stepped into Level 30. Whether it takes a few years or more, you will eventually reach Level 40 or even 50."
He sighed.
"In the world of cultivation, talent determines everything."
His voice carried a tinge of regret.
"I once dreamed of forming my own battle legion, leading like-minded comrades to conquer the world. But in the end, my limits and talent…"
He gazed into the distance, his eyes filled with a mix of reminiscence and regret.
"And so, I became an academy elder, guiding new disciples, nurturing talents for the Empire."
He chuckled softly—his laughter tinged with both resignation and acceptance.
"Perhaps… this is also a form of contribution."
A heavy silence followed.
For the first time, Roy and the others realized the true weight of their path.
Even an Inner Sect elder—someone they had once revered—was merely another pawn in the greater scheme of things.
"Intent Has Five Stages."
The elder's voice cut through the silence.
"Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Perfected, and Peak."
Then, his expression turned solemn.
"Once Intent reaches its peak, it transforms into something far greater—a Domain."
"But for now, take things step by step. With your potential, you will surely reach such heights in the future."
Roy and the others were left in shock.
Alice Spoke Softly.
"If that's the case… then the strength of the Empire must be beyond what we imagined."
The elder shook his head lightly, his tone grim.
"The Empire is strong… but so are our enemies."
"The Demonic Race."
At this name, the expressions of Roy, Veil, and Alice all turned serious.
"You will come to understand in time." The elder let out a deep sigh.
"The threat of the Demonic Race has never disappeared."
"For humans, beastkin, elves, and all other races to stand against them, we must continuously cultivate greater warriors."
He looked at them, his eyes carrying a glimmer of hope.
"You… are part of that future."
His words echoed in their hearts.
"So, cultivate well."
"The world ahead will not be peaceful. And you—the prodigies—are the pillars of the future."
Roy Took a Deep Breath.
Something within him shifted.
He had thought that entering the Inner Sect would be the beginning of a new world.
But now, he realized—this was merely a single step in a far greater game.
Veil clenched his fists.
"Damn, that got my blood boiling!"
Alice chuckled, but in her eyes, there was a newfound seriousness.
Roy nodded slightly, his gaze unwavering.
"We will not waste this opportunity."
The elder smiled in satisfaction.
——Ahead, the Scripture Hall Came Into View.
A crucial moment awaited them.
Their next choice would determine their battle styles, their future paths, and ultimately—
Their place in this vast world.
"Beyond lies a far greater horizon."