Jiang Chen walked in silence, his steps steady as he followed Elder Mo through the grand pathways of the Azure Moon Sect. The towering jade pillars and celestial bridges connecting the sect's various peaks stood in stark contrast to the worn-down outer disciple courtyards he had lived in for a decade.
Now, for the first time, he was stepping beyond those boundaries—summoned by the inner sect elders.
The weight of countless gazes followed him. Inner disciples, clad in fine robes embroidered with golden sect sigils, paused in their training as they saw Elder Mo leading a mere Qi Refining disciple toward the main hall. Some whispered among themselves, while others dismissed him with cold indifference.
Jiang Chen's eyes remained unreadable.
"They look at me as if I don't belong. But they will soon learn—I have surpassed them all."
As they approached the towering Grand Elder's Hall, Jiang Chen felt a powerful suppression press down on him.
The mere aura leaking from the hall was enough to make Core Formation disciples tremble, yet Jiang Chen walked forward unaffected.
Elder Mo gave him a sidelong glance. He had noticed.
Without a word, the great bronze doors opened before them.
---
The Grand Elders
The inner sanctum of the Grand Elder's Hall was an imposing chamber, its ceiling adorned with swirling constellations and luminous jade lanterns. Five figures sat upon raised platforms, each exuding an overwhelming presence.
These were the Grand Elders of the Azure Moon Sect, cultivators at the peak of Nascent Soul and beyond.
At the center sat Grand Elder Liu Tian, his long white beard flowing like silk, eyes sharp like celestial swords. To his left was Elder Xuan, known for his expertise in divine inscriptions, and to his right, Elder Fang, a woman whose presence alone seemed to distort the air around her.
Elder Mo bowed respectfully.
"Grand Elders, I bring before you Jiang Chen, the outer disciple responsible for shattering the Stone of Evaluation."
The hall was silent for a long moment. Then, Grand Elder Liu Tian spoke.
"You are Jiang Chen?" His voice was calm, yet it carried a weight that seemed to test one's very soul.
Jiang Chen met his gaze, his expression steady.
"Yes, Grand Elder."
The room remained silent as the elders observed him.
Finally, Elder Fang narrowed her eyes. "A Qi Refining disciple… destroying a stone that even Core Formation cultivators struggle against. Explain yourself."
Jiang Chen paused.
How could he explain? That his power did not come from Qi, but from something deeper—something beyond even the sect's understanding?
"...I do not know," he said finally. "I only know that I awakened to my cultivation last night. The power I possess is not ordinary Qi."
Elder Xuan tapped his fingers against his chair. "Not ordinary Qi? Then what is it?"
Jiang Chen remained silent.
Grand Elder Liu Tian's gaze flickered. "Elder Mo, what is his cultivation realm?"
Elder Mo hesitated, then said, "Qi Refining Third Stage… at least."
The room darkened.
"At least?" Elder Fang frowned. "Are you implying that he has concealed his true level?"
Elder Mo shook his head. "No… I mean that my spiritual sense cannot gauge his depth. It is as if his presence is obscured by an unknown force."
That revelation made even the elders sit up straighter.
A Qi Refining disciple whose cultivation could not be measured?
Impossible.
Jiang Chen clenched his fists.
He could feel the elders' scrutiny weighing down on him. If he gave the wrong answer, they might label him a threat.
After all, anything they could not understand… they feared.
---
A Test of Power
Grand Elder Liu Tian suddenly raised a hand. A wave of force surged through the air, slamming toward Jiang Chen.
A test.
A Nascent Soul cultivator's suppression could easily crush a Qi Refining disciple. If Jiang Chen collapsed, the elders would dismiss him as a fluke—perhaps some strange artifact had given him temporary strength.
But Jiang Chen did not collapse.
The pressure descended upon him, and he felt… nothing.
The void within him devoured the force before it could even touch his body.
Elder Fang's eyes narrowed. Elder Xuan straightened. Elder Mo, despite himself, took a step back.
Even Grand Elder Liu Tian's expression changed slightly.
This was no Qi Refining disciple.
Something far more dangerous stood before them.
Jiang Chen exhaled slowly. He did not try to resist the pressure—because there was nothing to resist.
"The void does not fight against force. It simply erases it."
The room fell into silence once more.
Elder Fang finally spoke. "What technique did you cultivate?"
Jiang Chen met her gaze. "...I don't know."
A dangerous glint flickered in her eyes. "You don't know?"
Jiang Chen remained firm. "I simply awakened to this power. No manuals, no inheritances. It came from within me."
The elders exchanged glances.
Then Grand Elder Liu Tian sighed. "Regardless of the source of your power, you are still an Azure Moon disciple. As such, you must be guided properly."
He tapped his fingers against his chair.
"Jiang Chen… from this day forth, you are no longer an outer disciple."
The chamber stilled.
Jiang Chen's eyes flashed. The gathered elders, even Elder Mo, turned toward Liu Tian in surprise.
"Grand Elder," Elder Xuan hesitated. "You mean…?"
Grand Elder Liu Tian nodded.
"Jiang Chen will be promoted to the inner sect. Effective immediately."
---
A New Path
The decision sent shockwaves through the Azure Moon Sect.
A lowly outer disciple—one who had never cultivated a single day before—had not only been summoned by the elders but had now been granted entry into the inner sect.
Disciples whispered in disbelief. Jealousy flared in some, while others looked at Jiang Chen with awe and wariness.
Jiang Chen himself remained calm.
But deep within, he felt something stir.
"This is just the beginning."
For ten years, he had been scorned.
Now, the entire sect would be forced to acknowledge him.
And soon, the world beyond would know his name.
---
End of Chapter 3