Chapter 57 Entering the Inner Courtyard
Shangguan Jiannan followed Chu Qingxuan back to the sect. Shangguan Jiannan followed closely behind Chu Qingxuan and quickly rushed towards the inner gate of the Tianjian Sect.
Along the way, many disciples pointed and talked, their eyes full of envy. But Shangguan Jiannan didn't care about these at all.
His cultivation had just broken through, and Yin Wuqing accepted him as his disciple. With so many surprises, Shangguan Jiannan was in a particularly good mood, and a hint of pride appeared on his face.
Shangguan Jiannan followed Chu Qingxuan's light steps, like a wisp of breeze, weaving through the intricate paths of the Tianjian Sect and heading straight to the depths of the inner gate.
Along the way, the disciples' gazes were intertwined with complex emotions - envy, curiosity and even a hint of imperceptible awe.
However, all of this was like a passing cloud to Shangguan Jiannan. The only thing stirring in his heart was the joy of having just achieved a breakthrough and the honor of becoming Yin Wuqing's disciple.
Although that sense of pride was not fully revealed on his face, it was gently rippling between his brows without him noticing.
Once upon a time, he was just an unknown outer disciple, and the many forbidden areas of the Tianjian Sect were all out of reach for him.
Now, as Yin Wuqing's disciple, following Chu Qingxuan, the proud daughter of heaven, everything seems to have changed quietly.
They walked around the magnificent martial arts training ground, each step opening a new chapter as they headed towards the inner courtyard, the mysterious realm that belonged only to elite disciples.
"In front of us is the inner courtyard. It is the heart of the sect and the place where the strong gather." Chu Qingxuan's words were like a spring breeze, causing ripples in Shangguan Jiannan's heart.
Although he has entered the realm of Sword King, he has not yet officially become an inner disciple. This first visit is undoubtedly a preview of his identity and a vision of the infinite possibilities of the future.
The inner courtyard, this holy place admired by countless outer disciples, is now slowly unveiling its veil.
Passing through the simple and solemn stone gate, the view in front of you suddenly opens up, and a quiet yet lively square comes into view. In the distance, purple air comes from the east, and exquisite pavilions are scattered around. Those are the residences of the core disciples of the inner sect and the source of the sect's power.
The fluttering purple robes and shadowy figures made Shangguan Jiannan secretly admire the demeanor of the inner sect's core disciples.
Their eyes, either curious or puzzled, were all focused on this "outsider" who suddenly appeared.
Especially when he walked side by side with Chu Qingxuan, it caused quite a stir.
"Who is this person? How could he travel with Senior Sister Chu?"
"Could it be... that he is the sect's new genius?"
"Humph, there are so many people who want to pursue Senior Sister Chu, who does he think he is?"
……
There were constant discussions, but none of them shook Shangguan Jiannan's determination.
He knows very well that strength is the foundation of his success, and he has taken a solid step forward.
In a few days, he will step into this land again as a formal inner disciple. By then, he will win the respect and recognition of everyone with his own strength.
Chu Qingxuan walked forward leisurely, her steps light and firm, as if every step was stepping on the vein of time.
Following closely behind were the inner sect disciples, who were whispering like bees in spring, surrounding the new mystery Shangguan Jiannan, speculating on his identity and origins.
However, Shangguan Jiannan seemed to be out of the matter. His eyes followed Chu Qingxuan's back closely and he turned a deaf ear to the noise around him.
Chu Qingxuan turned around with a gentle smile on her lips. She raised her hand gently, pointed at the surrounding scenery, and began to describe the story of this land to Shangguan Jiannan.
Every building seems to be given life in her words. Some are majestic and solemn, some are simple and elegant, weaving together into moving pictures.
Shangguan Jiannan, like a devout student, silently recorded all of this, nodded from time to time, with a gleam of knowledge in his eyes.
"That place is the safe haven in the hearts of the inner disciples. It is the place where they practice day and night and pursue the ultimate in martial arts." There was a hint of tenderness in Chu Qingxuan's words. Her words were like a spring breeze, which made Shangguan Jiannan's heart surge with warmth.
They continued to move forward, and Chu Qingxuan selected important places and introduced them to Shangguan Jiannan one by one.
Suddenly, Chu Qingxuan stopped, her eyes penetrated the prosperity before her and fixed on the grandeur in the distance.
Shangguan Jiannan followed her gaze and saw a towering mountain. Although the mountain was gentle, it was majestic.
On the top of the mountain, rows of palaces are arranged in an orderly manner. They are magnificent and splendid, as if the palaces in the sky have fallen into the mortal world.
At the foot of the mountain is another group of neatly arranged houses. Although equally well organized, they pale in comparison to the great hall on the top of the mountain.
"Is that the elite list?" Shangguan Jiannan's voice was trembling with excitement that was hard to conceal.
He looked at the shocking scene, and endless yearning and desire surged in his heart.
He had heard about the legends about the elite list, but when he saw it with his own eyes, he couldn't help but feel shocked and amazed.
Chu Qingxuan nodded, her eyes also gleaming: "Yes, that is the elite list. They are located on the mountain, and there are more than a hundred of them. Each hall is connected to the spiritual veins in the mountain, which can greatly improve the effect of cultivation. But only the top ten core disciples of the inner sect can enjoy such treatment."
Shangguan Jiannan's blood boiled when he heard this.
He knew very well what this elite list meant to warriors - it was not only a symbol of strength but also a shortcut to the pinnacle of martial arts.
He secretly made up his mind to practice hard and strive to enter the elite list as soon as possible to enjoy the nourishment of the spiritual vein and make a qualitative leap in his strength.
"The rules of the Elite List are also very simple." Chu Qingxuan continued, "The challenge is initiated by the challenger. If the challenger wins, the ranking is swapped, and if the challenger loses, the ranking remains unchanged. This rule is both fair and cruel. It motivates every warrior to keep moving forward and surpass themselves."
Shangguan Jiannan was even more excited when he heard this.
He knew that this was not just a rule but also an opportunity, an opportunity for him to prove his strength and realize his dream of martial arts.
He secretly clenched his fists and looked firmly at the magnificent elite list, his heart filled with endless expectations and determination.
Shangguan Jiannan's eyes were fixed on the elite list in the distance. Chu Qingxuan's words pierced his heart like ice, making his face instantly become gloomy.
He knew very well that he had not even reached the threshold of inner disciples yet, and it was simply a fantasy for him to jump into the top ten of the elite list in just one month.
However, when his gaze turned to Chu Qingxuan beside him, an inexplicable enthusiasm quietly ignited.
Although Chu Qingxuan's strength has not been personally experienced, the rumors within the sect are enough to prove her extraordinary status in the Tianjian Sect.
Her strength is like the brightest star in the night sky, attracting the admiration and yearning of countless disciples.
What surged in Shangguan Jiannan's heart was not only awe, but also an indescribable excitement - if he could gain the favor of Elder Yin Wuqing, what an honor and opportunity it would be, and it would undoubtedly be a huge boost to his path of cultivation.
However, the threshold for becoming Elder Yin Wuqing is too high to reach, and many disciples can only sigh in despair.
At this moment, Shangguan Jiannan seemed to see the dawn of hope. He stared at Chu Qingxuan, his eyes flashing with unprecedented determination and resoluteness: "Qingxuan, I swear to be among the top ten elite disciples within a month."
Chu Qingxuan heard this and smiled faintly, with a hint of teasing and expectation in her smile: "If you fail to achieve it, I will ignore you."