Chapter 187
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Chapter 187: Refinement
Golden-armored warriors descended from the sky as the young couple strolled casually.
Ye Yun watched the towering figure in his mind rapidly dissolve under golden light, vanishing completely within moments. Only swirling golden radiance remained.
Though the majestic figure disappeared, Ye Yun sensed it hadn’t truly vanished. Instead, it transformed into a faint, intermittent current flowing through his body.
The black-and-white light at his brow flickered again. An invisible hand seemed to seize this current, slowly dragging it into the Heart of Immortals and Demons.
Only then did the energy within Ye Yun fully dissipate, restoring normalcy.
A faint smile touched his lips as he prepared to open his eyes.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar energy erupted from the Heart of Immortals and Demons, flooding his mind and piercing the depths of his soul. While his true qi remained unchanged, his senses sharpened dramatically – every sound crisp, every detail clear.
"This must be soul-nourishing energy. Had I absorbed this after reaching Foundation Establishment stage, the benefits would’ve been immense," Ye Yun realized with awe.
With the towering figure’s complete disappearance, all lingering negativity vanished. Ye Yun’s mental state entered new clarity, promising deeper comprehension of cultivation realms.
Opening his eyes fully, he saw most disciples already standing with bowed heads and humble postures.
"Brother Ye, have you finished refining?" Yu Minghong’s excited voice sounded beside him.
Ye Yun’s brow twitched briefly before he nodded.
"What did you witness, Junior Brother Yu?"
"The Heavenly Sword Sect’s glorious past! Without this Heart Refining Demon Trial Pill, I’d never have known we once controlled the entire Jin Kingdom – even royalty obeyed our commands!" Yu Minghong’s eyes shone.
Ye Yun blinked. "You saw the sect’s history? Not… a majestic king figure?"
Yu Minghong shook his head. "Just our sect’s legacy. I’m certain our generation will restore that glory!"
"But you’re from the Great Qin Empire. Don’t they have stronger sects?"
"Current Heavenly Sword Sect pales before Great Qin’s powers. Yet during our prime, we housed hundreds of Golden Pill masters and two Nascent Soul stage experts! Even Great Qin would’ve respected such strength." Yu Minghong’s voice brimmed with conviction.
Ye Yun glanced at Duan Chenfeng, lips parting silently.
"Don’t stare. I’m fine somehow. Let’s pretend ignorance." Duan Chenfeng’s voice whispered directly into Ye Yun’s mind.
Telepathically, Ye Yun pressed: "What did you see?"
"Same towering figure demanding worship. I fought it. Everything went blank. When I awoke, the pressure was gone." Duan Chenfeng stepped closer, maintaining mental contact.
Ye Yun felt reluctant admiration. Though Duan Chenfeng’s resistance had caused temporary confusion, he’d resisted the pill’s influence entirely – a feat Ye Yun hadn’t achieved.
"Only we two remain unaffected. Stay cautious." Duan Chenfeng warned.
Nodding imperceptibly, Ye Yun resolved to maintain appearances.
"Remarkable! All seventy-one candidates passed the character assessment!" Black Cloudzi rose from his ornate seat, surveying the disciples. "This Heart Refining Demon Trial Pill never fails. Since none showed resistance, the illusions took root perfectly."
Beside him, Bai Songzi stood with a screeching laugh: "Such unanimous success is rare! Should even one match Murong Wuqing’s talent, Shadowless Peak will soar!"
The two elders exchanged satisfied smiles.
"Collect your inner disciple robes and tokens. Choose residences today. Return tomorrow noon for master selection." A white-clad disciple clapped, signaling guides to lead the group away.
Chen Yang’s group moved efficiently, having overseen this ritual countless times.
"Brother Chen, what’s next?" asked Wu Chenrong, their appointed leader.
"Didn’t you hear?" Chen Yang snapped. "Robes. Tokens. Residences. Rest. Masters tomorrow."
"What cultivation level will our masters have?"
"Mid Foundation Establishment stage at minimum. More than sufficient for fledglings."
Wu Chenrong grinned eagerly while Ye Yun remained impassive. Mentors mattered little – accessing Zang Wu Pavilion’s higher floors was his true goal. The Heart of Immortals and Demons granted him autonomous cultivation; prying eyes would only hinder progress.
"Brother Chen, may we visit Tian Zhu Peak after tomorrow?"
"Three days’ leave granted post-ceremony. No extensions." Chen Yang’s curt reply reminded Ye Yun to retrieve Divine Feather Vulture King from his old quarters.
The Internal Management Office stood ten miles from Cloud Hall – trivial distance for cultivators. After receiving white robes and engraved tokens, the group faced a glowing sand table displaying available residences.
"State housing requirements now. No changes permitted afterward." Chen Yang ushered them into a dim room.
"Abundant spiritual energy," Duan Chenfeng and Wu Chenrong chorused.
"Outer ring residences have weakest energy here – still multiple times stronger than Tian Zhu Peak." Chen Yang’s glare silenced further complaints.
Yu Minghong persisted: "Where’s the strongest energy?"
"Shadowless Peak’s center – the Peak Master’s domain." Chen Yang’s tone forbade further inquiry. "Choose from your designated options."
Ye Yun stepped forward, finger settling on a mountain-adjacent courtyard at the outermost edge. "This one."
