A group of people exited the main hall and arrived at the square outside the Outer Sect''s main hall.


    With a wave of his hand, Du Gufang summoned a massive flying sword over ten meters long in front of everyone.


    Lu Yi and the others, who were fairly knowledgeable, widened their eyes slightly in surprise upon seeing the sword. "Is this a flying sword? A flying magical treasure?!"


    Typically, Foundation Establishment cultivators could use their swords for flight, turning their weapons into tools for transportation. However, such tools were generally inconvenient for carrying others.


    Otherwise, when Lu Yi was heading to the martial arts platform for the competition earlier, Lu Gaoyang wouldn’t have needed to carry him.


    Aside from using regular magical treasures for flying, there were also specialized flying magical treasures.


    These flying treasures were crafted specifically for travel, offering more functions and greater speed.


    Of course, such flying magical treasures were usually quite expensive.


    The massive sword before them was clearly a flying magical treasure.


    Lu Yi and the others revealed expressions of envy. Flying treasures were extremely precious and costly.


    Du Gufang’s eyes flashed with pride. Maintaining the dignity of a Grand Elder, he smiled faintly and said, "Get on. It’s just a flying magical treasure. As long as you work hard, you’ll have one too in the future."


    Lu Yi and the others stepped onto the flying sword. Du Gufang waved his sleeve, and the sword soared into the sky, disappearing into the clouds as it flew toward the Inner Sect.


    The sword was incredibly fast, and it created a barrier of spiritual energy during flight to shield against the strong winds. It was smooth and comfortable to sit in.


    On the way, Du Gufang briefly introduced the Inner Sect.


    Unlike the Outer Sect, the Inner Sect disciples were the true elites of the White Cloud Sect. Competition in the Inner Sect was naturally much fiercer, and there were more things to be mindful of.


    Lu Yi and the others listened attentively. Before long, the sword pierced through a layer of clouds, revealing a breathtaking scene.


    It was a vast mountain range with twelve towering peaks surrounded by smaller peaks.


    At the center of the twelve peaks was a massive basin, within which lay a small city. The city’s center featured a towering pagoda that pierced the sky.


    This was the White Cloud Sect’s Trial Tower. As Du Gufang had mentioned earlier, it was a high-grade magical treasure brought back by predecessors from ancient ruins, used for training Inner Sect disciples.


    Around the Trial Tower were pavilions, terraces, and decorated corridors, exuding grandeur and prosperity.


    The entire area was veiled in flowing white clouds, with numerous cultivators flying on swords and white cranes soaring through the skies, giving it an ethereal and divine appearance.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Lu Yi and the others were awestruck, completely captivated by the scene. It was nothing like the Outer Sect.


    Lin Wan’er and Liu Tian, being female, were especially mesmerized, their eyes sparkling.


    Lin Wan’er whispered, "It’s so beautiful."


    Liu Tian nodded repeatedly in agreement.


    Du Gufang chuckled. "This is the Inner Sect area of the White Cloud Sect. From now on, this will be where you live and cultivate."


    Lu Yi and the others looked at the disciples flying on swords, their eyes full of anticipation.


    Du Gufang smiled faintly. "I’ll take you to the Inner Sect Affairs Hall first. Since you’re new here, you’ll need to register as Inner Sect disciples and receive your identity tokens."


    Lu Yi and the others nodded.


    Du Gufang steered the flying sword toward the central city and soon landed outside a grand hall.


    Outside the hall was a vast square where many cultivators landed and took off on swords. They looked energetic and exuded powerful auras. Even Lu Yi could sense overwhelming pressure from some of them.


    However, there were also some whose auras felt relatively ordinary. Lu Yi speculated that these were likely recent Inner Sect entrants and not very strong yet.


    Their arrival on the flying sword attracted considerable attention since such treasures were rare even in the White Cloud Sect.


    Upon seeing Du Gufang and the group on the flying sword, the senior disciples quickly understood.


    "It’s Elder Du Gufang."


    "Oh, the Outer Sect competition just ended, didn’t it? These must be the top ten from this year’s competition."


    "The Outer Sect competition, huh? I heard there were two geniuses this time," a disciple commented with a laugh.


    "Geniuses? Are you serious? We all came from the Outer Sect. Outer Sect talents don’t really count as geniuses here."


    "Exactly. Calling them geniuses is a bit much."


    "You don’t get it. I heard from an elder who visited the Outer Sect that one of them mastered Foundation Establishment techniques at the tenth level of Qi Refining, while the other, even more shocking, was only at the seventh level of Qi Refining but had mastered two combat techniques and a cultivation method to the Perfected Realm. He even comprehended sword intent! He has a real chance to reach the Nascent Soul Realm or even the Void Refinement Realm in the future. Isn’t that genius enough?!"


    This statement stunned the listeners, who looked at Du Gufang’s group with surprise. Even those who hadn’t paid much attention before now turned to look, clearly astonished.


    A commotion ensued.


    "Are you serious?! The first one is impressive, but the second one? Someone like that came from the Outer Sect?! With that talent, shouldn’t he have been taken straight into the Inner Sect for grooming?"


    "Exactly. With talent like that, he should at least be a direct disciple of a Nascent Soul elder or even a peak master!"


    "I don’t know. This is what my elder from Dark Water Peak said, so it should be reliable."


    "Who are these two? We should get to know them."


    The disciple thought for a moment, his expression turning odd. "The one at the seventh level of Qi Refining is supposedly the most handsome among the top ten. The one at the tenth level is... the most ordinary-looking?"


    Du Gufang: "..."


    Lu Yi: "..."


    Bai Yulong and the others: "..."


    Jiang Fan: "?????"


    Though the Inner Sect disciples spoke softly and were some distance away, Lu Yi and the others were high-level Qi Refining cultivators with sharp hearing. They heard everything clearly.


    Their expressions turned awkward.


    Du Gufang, as the Grand Elder, quickly regained his composure after a slight twitch of his face. Lu Yi and the others, however, looked visibly embarrassed.


    Lu Yi glanced at Jiang Fan, feeling a bit guilty.


    There was no denying that he did outshine Jiang Fan in terms of looks, but pointing it out so bluntly felt uncomfortable.


    Even Jiang Fan, despite his strong mentality, was momentarily flustered, his expression stiff. He scratched his nose helplessly. "Is it wrong to look ordinary?"


    Lu Yi said seriously, "Jiang Fan, don’t think too much about it. We all know your talent and skills."


    "Yeah, Jiang Fan. Strength is what really matters for a man. Pretty boys are just soft and weak," sneered Li Yun.


    Lu Yi: "???"


    Feeling personally attacked; Lu Yi’s expression darkened.


    Bai Yulong also looked uncomfortable. Tapping his folding fan, he asked, "Do they really think Lu Yi is the most handsome?"


    "Isn’t he?" Lin Wan’er glanced at Bai Yulong.


    Bai Yulong coughed and straightened his back with a smile.


    Liu Tian added, "Bai Yulong, stop dreaming. In terms of looks, you’re no match for Lu Yi."


    Bai Yulong froze, completely deflated.


    Du Gufang cleared his throat. "Alright, let’s head inside."


    Everyone composed themselves and, under the watchful eyes of the senior disciples, entered the Affairs Hall.