"Hahaha! Chen'er, not only did you succeed… but you've also sent Qing San's master into a panic. Now, ask him—can you become a disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect?"
After Pillar Baishan had ceased its reaction, Xiao Chen immediately approached Qing San's master, who was still frozen in place.
"Senior… Can you accept me as your disciple?"
Gazing at the young man with golden-light talent, Qing San's master could only nod. He handed Xiao Chen an identification token.
"Your talent is extraordinary. The Misty Cloud Sect will surely welcome you… but you cannot come to our sect just yet."
"Why not?"
"Although your talent is one of the most remarkable, your cultivation is still very low. Even if you are my disciple at the Misty Cloud Sect, I cannot do much for you. Such extraordinary talent will arouse jealousy among the senior disciples… Even though I've given you this identification token, you must maximize your cultivation before arriving at the sect. In three years, there will also be a tournament in the Inner Courtyard for external disciples—you can participate directly there."
Receiving the token, Xiao Chen nodded and expressed his gratitude. What they did not realize, however, was that spies from various factions had already reported that the young man with golden-light talent was Xiao Chen.
Sensing all the eyes watching them, Qing San's master smiled faintly and said, "Xiao Chen is now an external disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect… His extraordinary talent will be a boon for the sect. Therefore, anyone who dares to touch him will directly offend the Misty Cloud Sect!"
This was no idle threat. The emergence of golden-light talent would inevitably attract powerful forces hunting Xiao Chen, and they would not hesitate to kill him if his identity remained hidden.
"A–Misty Cloud Sect? Damn… such a powerful sect has recruited a golden-light talent disciple…"
"Ah, it's unfortunate. We cannot bring him back to our own sect…"
"There's no hope for us… Offending the Misty Cloud Sect is not a wise move…"
All cultivators and spies from various sects and forces across the Tian Zhou continent left Pillar Baishan. Qing San's master took this opportunity to give a warning.
"Xiao Chen, even though you now have the status of a Misty Cloud Sect disciple, be careful with every step you take. Qing San and I, besides escorting you, are also on an important mission… So, if you encounter danger in Tian Zhou, use this jade. Wait a moment, and the sect's aid will arrive."
"Understood. Thank you, senior."
Qing San's master nodded. Qing San then said, "Brother, I'll be waiting for you at the sect! You will become like me someday—invincible! Hahaha!"
"Aiish, naughty disciple! In the sect, you will offend many elders. If you cause trouble again, I will not be able to protect you!"
"Sorry, master…"
"Oh, by the way, my name is Yue Lan. When you arrive at the sect, present this identification token and find me in the Inner Courtyard."
"Understood, senior."
Yue Lan smiled warmly and led his disciple away to continue their mission. After they left, Xiao Chen, in high spirits, did not notice a pair of eyes watching him from the ruins of nearby buildings.
Five minutes later, as he searched for a weapon shop, the persistent gazes of everyone around made him feel uneasy.
'Why do I feel uncomfortable? It's natural for them to look at you like a god… Just enjoy it. Besides, no one would dare touch you!'
Arriving at the Sky Sword Pavilion, Xiao Chen stopped.
"Phoenix Prince… welcome to the finest weapon pavilion on the Tian Zhou continent," a middle-aged man greeted warmly.
"Senior, I'm here only to purchase a few weapons. May I enter this pavilion?"
"Customers are king. Of course, anyone may enter…"
'Tch! Such a warm welcome must have a motive… Xiao Chen, this man seems sly. Don't get trapped by his scheme…'
Understanding his master's warning, Xiao Chen stepped into the weapon pavilion. The man continued to explain at length about the swords Xiao Chen was examining.
"Prince, do you wish to purchase that thin sword?"
"How much does it cost?"
"Although this sword is decent, its quality is only Earth Grade…"
"Oh? How many weapon grades are there?"
The man was slightly surprised, but as a responsible seller, he explained what all cultivators already knew: weapons are divided into four grades.
Earth Grade
Sky Grade
Emperor Grade
King Grade
"So that sword is the lowest grade?"
The man smiled warmly. "Our pavilion rarely stocks weapons above Emperor Grade. Even if we have them, they're not sold in smaller branch shops in minor cities… But I do have some Sky Grade weapons. If you're interested, follow me to the second floor."
Xiao Chen nodded. On the second floor, filled with various weapons, his gaze fell upon a large black sword, ancient in appearance, though covered in dust.
"Hahaha! Prince, that heavy sword has never sold… Besides being heavy, it's extremely difficult to control. Better for you to choose another…"
'Chen'er, your choice is very precise… That sword feels familiar to me, though I don't know its name…'