The Nine Realms Continent, Guiyuan Sect.

The Guiyuan Mountain Range towered into the heavens, its peaks piercing the very skies. Shrouded in mist and clouds, its summits bore no trace of snow.

Sheer cliffs and jagged rocks dominated the treacherous slopes, making them impassable for ordinary folk.

Far from the capital, the range lay hidden south of the East Dragon Kingdom’s Tengshe Highway.

Every citizen of East Dragon knew of the famed Guiyuan Mountains.

Yet among them, the range bore another name—

The First Sect of East Dragon!

Today marked yet another occasion—the once-every-five-years grand disciple recruitment of the Guiyuan Sect.

Crowds swarmed the mountains, from base to peak.

Among them, the busiest was Crescent Moon Peak, where the outer sect disciples resided. All who sought entry into the Guiyuan Sect had to register and undergo testing here.

"Next. Name, age, and origin."

A young man sat behind the table, his voice calm.

His delicate yet youthful features were accentuated by sharp brows and bright eyes, exuding an air of quiet confidence.

His dark hair was slightly disheveled, his frame lean, and his white robes pristine.

His name was Xiao Wu, sixteen years old—one among the tens of thousands of outer sect disciples of the Guiyuan Sect.

The Guiyuan Sect classified its disciples into three tiers: Core, Inner, and Outer.

Core disciples received the finest cultivation techniques, the most potent spirit pearls, and access to the most sacred training grounds.

Inner disciples were given standard instruction, regular resources, and ordinary practice locations.

Outer disciples, however, were treated as little more than menial laborers—granted minimal guidance before being left to fend for themselves.

As a result, Outer disciples held the lowest status within the sect, with slim chances of ever achieving greatness.

The only glimmer of hope was the annual trial, where Outer disciples could attempt to ascend to the Inner tier. Success meant promotion; failure meant waiting another year. Each disciple was granted five attempts in total. Despite the scorn they endured, Outer disciples remained numerous, their ranks swelling year after year.

"Well, if it isn’t Xiao Wu? Oh my, Xiao Wu, still stuck in the Outer tier? Five years have passed, and you still haven’t made it into the Inner sect?"

A young man suddenly pointed at Xiao Wu, his voice dripping with mockery.

Instantly, the surrounding crowd turned their heads, their expressions a mix of shock and amusement.

It seemed everyone recognized him.

"That’s Xiao Wu from the Xiao Clan, isn’t it? The infamous one stuck at the ninth level of Body Tempering?"

"The so-called 'Disgrace of the Xiao Clan'! Even the younger generation of Xiao disciples have come for testing, yet he’s still rotting in the Outer sect. What a joke!"

"Ha! Look at him—still hasn’t awakened his Spirit Mark. Five years wasted. Time to crawl back home!"

"Tch. Even if he returns, the Xiao Clan will probably disown him. How could one of the Four Great Families tolerate such a failure?"

Laughter and jeers filled the air.

The murmurs around him fell on deaf ears as Xiao Wu paid them no heed.

The Nine Yuan Martial Path was divided into nine realms: Body Tempering, Rune Awakening, Soul Departure, Spirit Movement, Qi Wandering, Yuan Soul, Indestructible, Celestial Venerable, and Divine Saint.

Rune Awakening, the second realm, was the minimum requirement for entry into the Inner Sect.

Disciples who hadn’t awakened their runes weren’t even qualified to take the Inner Sect examination.

Ignoring the chatter around him, Xiao Wu lifted his gaze to the young man before him and said coolly, "From the Wu family, I presume?"

The youth grinned, puffing out his chest with pride. "That’s right, Xiao Wu. Young Master Wu Feng, reporting for the test this year. Looks like I’ll be joining the Inner Sect before you do. Hurry up and register me, or else—" He cracked his knuckles. "—I might just knock you flat on your back."

Wu Feng’s words drew another round of laughter.

Faint jeers could be heard among the crowd: "Anyone can get into the Inner Sect before Xiao Wu—even a dog could do it!"

Xiao Wu remained unfazed, his expression neither angry nor agitated. He studied Wu Feng calmly before replying, "Judging by your age, you must be over fifteen. The Guiyuan Sect doesn’t accept disciples past that age. You may leave."

"What?"

In an instant, Wu Feng seized Xiao Wu by the collar, looming over him with a sneer. "Xiao Wu, you asking for a beating? I’m giving you face by letting you register me, and this is how you act? Listen up—I just turned fifteen two months ago, and I’ve already got my cousins in the Inner Sect backing me. Register me now, or you’ll be kicked out of the Guiyuan Sect before the day’s over!"

Before his words even settled, a deep, thunderous voice cut through the air.

"Oh? Someone dares to cause trouble in the Guiyuan Sect?"

All eyes turned toward the source. A man strode forward—broad-shouldered and imposing, his brow furrowed and eyes sharp. Clad in fiery red martial robes, each step he took carried an undeniable authority.

Xiao Wu turned his head and immediately recognized the approaching figure. "Xiao Hong," he murmured softly.

At the sight of the man, Wu Feng hastily released his grip, his eyes flickering with fear. It wasn't for no reason—the silver dragon embroidery on Xiao Hong's fiery red martial robe marked him unmistakably as an inner sect disciple.

Wu Feng might have the audacity to swagger before outer sect disciples with his meager cultivation, but he wouldn't dare raise his voice in front of an inner sect member. Lowering his head, he muttered meekly, "Wouldn't dream of it, wouldn't dream of it."

Xiao Hong snorted coldly before striding over to Xiao Wu.

"Here, Xiao Wu. Your Spirit Pearl." He tossed a milky-white orb into Xiao Wu's palm. "No need to wait around for registration. Go back and train—tomorrow's the inner sect assessment, after all."

The pearl emitted a soft glow, its core swirling with liquid that shimmered like water. For martial practitioners, these were indispensable treasures—accelerating cultivation and amplifying strength.

Typically, any disciple admitted into the Guiyuan Sect could claim a few Spirit Pearls each year. Even outer sect members could earn three annually if they put in enough labor.

Xiao Wu frowned at the single pearl in his hand. "Senior Brother Xiao Hong, shouldn't there be three? Why only one?"

Xiao Hong smirked, the corner of his lips curling. "One's plenty. It's not like more would do you any good anyway." He waved dismissively. "Take it and train hard. This year's your last chance—fail to make the inner sect again, and you'll be packing your bags for home. Now scram and practice!" He shot a glare at the crowd. "The rest of you, move along! Find another registration spot!"

Though his words scattered most of the onlookers, a few lingered, clearly eager to see how this confrontation would unfold.

Xiao Wu's voice was calm but edged. "Senior Brother, pocketing two of my Spirit Pearls... If the inspectors catch wind of this, you might find yourself in more trouble than you bargained for."

Listening to Xiao Wu's threat, Xiao Hong immediately raised his voice, "What the hell do you mean? It's not like I took your two Spirit Pearls—the higher-ups just didn't issue them to you. Everyone knows what kind of trash you are. Those pearls would be wasted in your hands. Hmph! If you've got the guts, stop embarrassing the Xiao family and get into the Inner Sect. I'll give you ten myself!"

Beside them, Wu Feng was practically dying of laughter. He had thought Xiao Hong was here to back Xiao Wu up, but this? This was pure gold!

Seizing the moment, Wu Feng chimed in, "Yeah, yeah! Xiao Wu, you dare take that bet? Hah! If someone like you—who can't even awaken a Spirit Mark—can get in, I'll give you ten Spirit Pearls too! The shame of the Xiao family!"

Xiao Wu enunciated each word slowly, "You said it. No take-backs."

Hearing this, Xiao Hong froze for a second before bursting into wild laughter. Wu Feng looked like he was about to laugh himself into an early grave. The two clutched their stomachs as they walked away.

The crowd around them erupted in laughter, their amusement unrestrained.

"Look at that idiot—he actually thinks he can make it into the Inner Sect!"

"Hahaha! If he could’ve gotten in, he would’ve done it ages ago. Why wait till now?"

"Tch. A guy who can't even awaken a Spirit Mark has no business talking about the Inner Sect. When he finally leaves the Guiyuan Sect, he’ll realize he was never meant for greatness—just a commoner’s fate!"

"Yeah, a nobody!"

Xiao Wu swept a cold glance over them, tightening his grip on the Spirit Pearl in his hand before turning to leave.

Though his expression remained stoic, his blood was already boiling.

Mockery, scorn, humiliation—so what?

Everything that failed to break him would only fuel his strength.

Xiao Wu was certain—he *would* enter the Inner Sect.

No matter what.