"Master, it's this brat who caused all the trouble! You must take responsibility for us!" Upon seeing the white-haired elder appear, Zhu Zhiwei hurriedly stepped forward, his tone anxious. As an inner disciple of the Beast Peak within the Xuanwu Sect, Zhu Zhiwei was a direct disciple of the very elder before him—Elder Dao Yi. This connection explained why he had been able to secretly insert the three-tailed spirit cat into the trial.
Lin Tian immediately felt a surge of panic upon hearing this. Though his earlier actions had been born of necessity, the fault now lay squarely with him. If Elder Dao Yi were to punish him, there would be no recourse—especially since he had orchestrated the spirit cats to torment Zhu Zhiwei so thoroughly.
"Responsibility? You little brat—do you really think I'm unaware of your mischief?" Elder Dao Yi's cold snort cut through the air.
As the elder overseeing the trial, the entire Xiangye Mountain was under his watchful eye. He knew perfectly well Zhu Zhiwei's scheming, but had previously turned a blind eye out of leniency for his own disciple. Yet now, a mess of this magnitude had erupted, and even Dao Yi could not easily forgive it.
"Upon returning to the sect, report to the Quiet Pavilion and meditate in isolation. Do not leave without my permission," he ordered Zhu Zhiwei without hesitation.
Zhu Zhiwei's face fell, utterly crestfallen. Yet he dared not defy his master; any resentment had to be swallowed quietly.
"Elder, I truly did not anticipate things escalating this far," Lin Tian hurriedly explained once Dao Yi had set him down.
"Not bad, kid," came the next words—and they left Lin Tian utterly dumbfounded.
"Ah…" he murmured, feeling as if his mind had momentarily frozen.
"With cultivation at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, you've managed to control so many spirit beasts. It seems you possess considerable talent in beast taming. I wonder—would you be interested in joining our Beast Peak?" Elder Dao Yi spoke with utmost sincerity. "If you are willing, I can take you as my direct disciple. Once you enter the Xuanwu Sect, you would enjoy the privileges of an inner disciple."
Hearing this, Lin Tian felt a subtle thrill stir within him. To become an inner disciple of the Xuanwu Sect was a dream shared by most on Xiangye Mountain. Inner disciples not only had a place in the sect after the two-year trial period but also enjoyed access to the sect's rich spiritual energy—an ideal environment for cultivation.
"Elder, I'm sorry, but I still do not wish to join the Beast Peak," Lin Tian said after a moment's thought. His goal in coming to the Xuanwu Sect had been the Qi Refining Peak—to study the art of artifact forging. Although Elder Dao Yi's offer was undeniably tempting, mastering the art of forging was an even greater allure to him.
The surrounding trial participants were left dumbfounded. Becoming an inner disciple was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—but Lin Tian had turned it down outright, as if someone had offered a passerby ten million gold coins, and they politely declined, wishing instead to earn it themselves.
"Since you insist, I will not force the matter," Elder Dao Yi said, clearly surprised. The offer he had made was exceptionally generous; most cultivators would have accepted without hesitation. Lin Tian's refusal was unexpected, even astonishing.
Once Lin Tian was escorted out of Xiangye Mountain, the trial resumed. Lin Tian secured his place as an outer disciple of the Xuanwu Sect. Given the events on the mountain, even Elder Dao Yi dared not allow him back into the trial.
Two hours later, the trial concluded on Xiangye Mountain. The one hundred selected candidates for outer disciple status were confirmed. When the Xuanwu Sect's flying boat descended, all the chosen disciples boarded.
An hour into flight, a towering, majestic mountain loomed before them. Even from a distance, the dense spiritual energy radiating from the peak was palpable. Many disciples on the verge of a breakthrough immediately settled into meditation, eager to advance.
"In the Xuanwu Sect, there are seven peaks: Dan Peak, Medicine Peak, Beast Peak, Formation Peak, Martial Peak, Talisman Peak, and Qi Refining Peak. Upon entering the sect, you may choose a peak to join. Be mindful, however, that each peak has a limited number of disciples. Should a peak become overpopulated, disciples will be tested; the weakest will be expelled. Choose carefully, and ensure your strength matches your ambition," Elder Dao Yi instructed the gathered disciples.
He continued, "Our sect recruits disciples from the ten main cities of the Xuanwu Continent. In addition to your hundred, nine hundred more come from the other cities. Passing this first trial does not guarantee your safety. Three months from now, the outer disciple assessment will eliminate half of you. Use this time wisely—cultivate diligently and enhance your strength."
Not long after, the flying boat landed at the Xuanwu Sect's gate. Stepping down, Lin Tian and the others were greeted by a crowd. At the sect entrance, seven elders in sky-blue robes stood in a line—each the master of one of the seven peaks.
"By the way, Lin Tian, which peak do you wish to join?" Du Yuejiao asked softly.
"Qi Refining Peak," Lin Tian replied without hesitation. His purpose in coming to the Xuanwu Sect had been to learn artifact forging.
"What? You want to join the Qi Refining Peak?" Du Yuejiao's expression immediately shifted, reflecting her astonishment.