Upon entering the Affairs Hall, Du Gufang led Lu Yi and the others through the vast hall and arrived at a smaller room designated for registering inner disciples.


    Inside the room, an elderly man in a gray robe was reclining on a chair. When he saw Du Gufang bring people in, he stood up with a smile and said, "Elder Du Gu, you''re a bit later than last time."


    Du Gufang grinned and replied, "It doesn''t make much difference since you''re always so free here anyway."


    The gray-robed elder chuckled and said, "That''s true. Only a handful of people join White Cloud Sect''s inner sect each year. I really don''t have much to do."


    As he spoke, the elder scanned Lu Yi and the others and smiled. "Are these the top ten from the outer sect competition?"


    Du Gufang nodded. "Yes."


    Then he introduced the elder to Lu Yi and the others. "This is Elder Li Wang of the Affairs Hall."


    Lu Yi was slightly surprised. He didn''t expect the elder to be of such high status, which explained his familiarity with Elder Du Gu.


    They quickly greeted him with respect. "Greetings, Elder Li."


    Li Wang smiled and nodded, saying, "Not bad, young ones. Come, let me register you."


    He leisurely walked over to a desk and sat down.


    Du Gufang said, "Lu Yi, you go first."


    Lu Yi nodded and stepped forward to Elder Li Wang''s desk.


    Li Wang glanced at Lu Yi and said with a smile, "So, you are Lu Yi? After the competition, the other elders were all talking about a genius who emerged from the outer sect—someone so young who has already mastered techniques and cultivation to the True Essence realm and even comprehended Sword Intent. Quite extraordinary."


    Lu Yi replied humbly, "The elders are too kind."


    Li Wang smiled and didn''t say more. He simply asked Lu Yi for some basic information, registered it, and then handed over a white ring and a white token.


    "This spatial ring is a benefit for inner disciples. It contains a few sets of inner sect clothing and a guide to the inner sect rules. Be sure to read it carefully to avoid violating sect rules and getting punished. The inner sect disciple token is also important. You''ll need it for sect tasks, earning and spending contribution points, and more. If you lose it, you''ll need to spend spirit stones to get a replacement."


    Lu Yi nodded repeatedly, accepting the spatial ring and token.


    The spatial ring was undoubtedly a treasure. As for the inner sect token, Du Gufang had already explained its uses during their journey. It functioned somewhat like a university ID card from his previous life, storing information about the disciples, tracking points, facilitating transactions, and even acting as an access pass.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Lu Yi put on the ring and stored the token inside it before stepping back.


    Next, it was Jiang Fan, Bai Yulong, and the others'' turn. They proceeded one by one in ranking order.


    Once Wan Hua received his spatial ring and token, the registration process was complete.


    Li Wang said, "Now that your information is registered, you are officially inner disciples. Elder Du Gufang must have already introduced you to the Twelve Peaks of the inner sect. If you''re still unsure, check the guide in your ring. Choose a peak based on your future development. Although some say the peaks vary in prestige, all Twelve Peaks of White Cloud Sect have their strengths. Pick the one that suits you best."


    Lu Yi and the others nodded in understanding. "Thank you, Elder Li, for your guidance."


    Li Wang waved his hand. "Off you go."


    Du Gufang smiled and said, "Elder Li, I''ll take my leave now."


    Li Wang nodded and laughed. "Come visit me sometime. We can share a drink."


    "No problem."


    Du Gufang then led Lu Yi and the others out of the Affairs Hall.


    Outside, Du Gufang looked at them and smiled. "Alright, you are now officially inner disciples. From White Cloud Market, there are paths to each peak. Feel free to ask for directions if needed. One more reminder: each peak specializes in different areas, so choose wisely based on your strengths and goals."


    Lu Yi and the others nodded, indicating they understood.


    After bidding farewell, Du Gufang transformed into a streak of sword light and vanished into the sky, leaving the ten of them behind.


    Eager to join their desired peaks, the group said their goodbyes and set off in different directions.


    Lu Yi, of course, headed toward Ling Luo Peak.


    During the journey, Du Gufang had already pointed out the direction of Ling Luo Peak, so Lu Yi memorized it and headed there.


    White Cloud Market was vast, with complex roads, but finding the Twelve Peaks was easy with directions.


    Lu Yi quickly arrived at the foot of Ling Luo Peak.


    From the base, the peak looked even more massive. Although Lu Yi had never seen Mount Everest in his previous life, Ling Luo Peak seemed even taller.


    At the end of the path was a stone staircase leading up the mountain, guarded by two older male cultivators.


    These two were dressed in servant disciple uniforms, not inner sect robes.


    Lu Yi wasn''t surprised. Proper disciples of White Cloud Sect focused on cultivation, leaving chores to servant disciples and attendants, a norm for both outer and inner sects.


    However, these servant disciples had Qi Refining cultivation, far stronger than most outer sect servants who hadn''t even reached Qi Refining.


    Judging by their age, though, advancing to Foundation Establishment seemed unlikely.


    Noticing Lu Yi''s outer sect robes, the older of the two greeted him with a slight bow. "Senior Brother, do you have business at Ling Luo Peak?"


    Lu Yi smiled. "Greetings, Junior Brothers. I am Lu Yi, newly promoted to the inner sect through the competition. I wish to join Ling Luo Peak. Can you take me to the assessment?"


    He showed them his inner sect token.


    Seeing the token, the older disciple quickly said, "So you are Senior Brother Lu! Please follow me. I''ll take you to Steward Xiao, who handles entry assessments."


    Lu Yi nodded with a smile and followed him up the stairs.


    Not long after, they reached a platform with a palace. The older disciple led Lu Yi to the plaza in front of it.


    He introduced it, "Senior Brother, this is the Entry Assessment Hall. Steward Xiao is inside."


    Then he led Lu Yi into the hall, where a middle-aged man with a gentle appearance sat meditating, surrounded by flowing spiritual energy.


    Lu Yi paused. Meditating during work hours? Was this place that intense?


    Did he accidentally join the most competitive peak?


    Feeling a bit uneasy, Lu Yi waited.


    The middle-aged man opened his eyes upon hearing them.


    The servant disciple said, "Steward Xiao, this is Senior Brother Lu Yi, who joined the inner sect through the competition. He wishes to join Ling Luo Peak and is here for the assessment."


    Steward Xiao looked at Lu Yi with a slightly strange expression and said, "So, you are Lu Yi?"