Chapter 64
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 64: The First in a Thousand Years
Ding…
The lingering bell sound reverberated over Tian Zhu Peak.
An aged, emotionless voice soon reached every outer disciple’s ears:
“All disciples qualified for the sect trial shall gather at the Martial Hall within two hours to proceed to Tian Zhu Peak’s inner peak.”
This was Elder Lan’s voice—the overseer of Tian Zhu Peak’s outer sect, second only to Chunyu Yan in authority.
Nearly every disciple who heard the announcement paled.
*The sect trial… begins at last?*
Ye Yun gazed skyward, exhaling slowly. His expression remained calm as he left his courtyard for the Martial Hall.
Yellow-robed disciples along the path stared as he passed. Their faces held envy, jealousy, relief, but mostly bewilderment. How could new disciples—especially this fifth-stage body refinement Ye Yun—display such strength? To deliver a punch at the peak of body refinement stage defied belief.
“Junior Brother Ye Yun.”
Ye Yun turned to see Nan Cheng approaching. “Senior Brother Nan. Not guarding the Trial Hall today?”
Nan Cheng chuckled. “Even Trial Hall disciples need cultivation time. We don’t stand watch daily.”
“Any profitable tasks to share? I could use more spirit stones.”
Glancing sideways, Nan Cheng shook his head. “Merely a coincidence. Since we’re both headed to the Martial Hall, let’s walk together.”
“But black robe disciples don’t join this trial. Have you special privileges?”
“Personal matters. I’m seeking a senior brother there.” Nan Cheng’s steps faltered as he eyed Ye Yun. “You’ve reached the Connecting Orifices stage?”
“Barely. Your nearing success in condensing true qi sharpens your perception.”
Astonishment flashed in Nan Cheng’s eyes. Even at the Internal Breathing stage, Ye Yun’s spiritual power had rivaled Connecting Orifices disciples. Now…
Though the gap between Connecting Orifices and Internal Breathing was small, the surge in spiritual power was far from insignificant. Opening hundreds of body’s orifices typically quintupled one’s reserves—talented disciples achieved tenfold increases.
“How many orifices did you open?” Nan Cheng blurted, then added hastily, “At my breakthrough last year, fifty-three orifices earned me this black robe.”
Ye Yun hesitated. Under the Little Absorption Technique’s influence, he’d felt *all* his orifices flood with energy simultaneously. Checking internally now, he froze—every one of the 350 orifices stood open.
*This… can’t be.* The sect’s legendary genius had opened ninety-nine. What did that make him?
“About sixty,” Ye Yun lied.
Nan Cheng gaped before clapping his shoulder. “Survive this trial, and you’ll wear purple robes soon. Perhaps even join inner disciples.”
Ye Yun smiled noncommittally.
At the Martial Hall plaza, a hundred trial qualifiers assembled. Elder Lan surveyed them approvingly.
“Your eagerness honors Tian Zhu Peak. We depart immediately for the inner peak.”
The inner peak loomed above, veiled in mists where higher-ups and inner disciples resided. Arrays fueled by top-grade spirit stones concentrated surrounding spiritual energy tenfold compared to the outer sect.
Reaching the Qi refining stage allowed direct absorption of heaven-earth spiritual energy—unlimited, if less pure than spirit stones. True cultivation began here.
As the group ascended, Ye Yun pondered his abnormal breakthrough. What did fully opened orifices mean for his future?
