My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 345: Chapter 171: Six Meridians

A rumbling sound rose from behind.

It broke the silence of the moment.

Qin Fang and the others turned their heads to look... The carriages from behind had arrived.

”You two Elders, please consider the Sect’s dignity. Whatever the issue, it can be settled after we go up the mountain. For now, shall we complete the new disciples’ entry ceremony?”

Senior Brother Luo’s calm voice rang out once again.

The two Elders pursed their lips but said nothing more.

Senior Brother Luo’s gaze then fell upon Qin Fang, his eyes calm and tranquil, yet filled with scrutiny.

A chill instantly ran down Qin Fang’s spine.

...Fortunately, he didn’t look for long before retracting his gaze and waiting calmly.

Soon, all the carriages were in place. The disciples disembarked and gathered here.

Every one of them gazed at the surrounding scenery with excitement...

...From this day forward, they would be disciples of the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect!

This was the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect!

Even the Outer Disciples were thrilled!

”Silence.”

Senior Brother Luo’s voice sounded again. It wasn’t loud, yet it precisely cut through all the faint murmurs.

The scattered noise immediately died down, and all eyes locked onto Senior Brother Luo, who stood before them like a celestial being.

His calm gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on the excited Outer Disciples.

”The Martial Arts Examination is concluded. All whose names are on the register are now Registered Disciples of our Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect. This marks the beginning of your new journey in the Martial Arts.”

His tone was steady and detached. ”Outer Disciples, you will now follow the guiding Stewards to Huixian Hall in the Household Affairs Department. Present the Martial Arts Examination register to receive your Outer Disciple Token and the Newcomer’s Guide. Matters concerning your residences, monthly stipends, and assigned duties will all be explained to you by the Stewards in the hall.”

As his voice faded, several Stewards dressed in Frost Gray Profound Light Robes with competent expressions stepped out from the crowd.

Holding a register, they shouted, ”Outer Disciples, gather here.”

They then headed toward a wide, stone-paved path to the side.

One by one, the Outer Disciples followed with apprehensive expressions.

A short while later, they had left the area.

With the large number of Outer Disciples gone, only thirty-six people remained.

The space suddenly felt much emptier.

Senior Brother Luo’s gaze then turned to Qin Fang, Duan Ling, and the others.

”Inner Sect Disciples.”

He continued, his voice clearly reaching the ears of the dozens of people who remained, ”You will follow the two Elders and me up the main path, the Heaven-Reaching Road, directly to the plaza before the Heavenly Gang Hall. There, you will perform the entry rites, listen to the Sect Leader’s teachings, and be formally registered in the inner records. Your future paths thereafter will be determined by fate and opportunity.”

After speaking, he turned and said calmly, ”Follow me.”

Qin Fang and the others exchanged a glance, took a deep breath, and followed behind Senior Brother Luo, Elder Lu, Elder Lei, and the other Inner Sect Disciples, stepping onto the mountain path.

The ’Heaven-Reaching Road’ was a massive, bluestone ramp, over ten zhang wide, straight as a sword, and piercing through a sea of clouds.

The stone surface, trodden by countless sect members over the ages, was as smooth and glossy as a mirror, reflecting the light of the sky and the shadows of clouds.

Along both sides of the ramp, a colossal statue of an Exotic Beast made of Profound Iron stood every hundred paces. Their forms were ferocious, their sharp fangs bared as if ready to pounce, exuding a breathtaking aura.

Seeing such a sight for the first time, Qin Fang was inwardly shaken...

...’As expected of a Major Sect.’

’This kind of grandeur is truly astonishing!’

The group followed Senior Brother Luo and the two Elders, walking at a steady pace, yet no one made a sound.

The scenery along the path gradually unfolded.

Looking to the left, one could see several steep and magnificent peaks in the distance. Their tops had been artificially flattened into enormous platforms, upon which stood stately halls and pavilions.

Looking down to the right, terraced buildings were built into the mountainside, and faint glimmers of multicolored light could be seen moving within them... Those Spirit Fields were clearly filled with Extraordinary Treasure Plants!

The new Inner Sect Disciples were all dazzled, their horizons broadened by the sight.

They ascended step by step. As they were all Huajin Martial Artists, their stamina was naturally formidable.

About half a shichen later, they seemed to enter a bank of clouds and mist. The scenery here was beautiful, with numerous courtyards and pavilions visible, nestled among the mountains below.

A little while later, the clouds and mist before them suddenly parted, revealing a wide-open vista!

A vast, massive plaza appeared before everyone.

The entire plaza was paved with a type of dark cyan megalith. The rock surface was as smooth as a mirror yet exceptionally hard, with a faint metallic luster flowing across it. It was also inscribed with a great number of Array runes!

At the far end of the plaza, a majestic black main hall rose like a mountain. Its design was not one of delicate pavilions and towers, but rather like a block of stubborn iron carved by the colossal forces of heaven and earth. Its edges were sharp and its lines severe, exuding an ancient, world-suppressing majesty.

The hall’s doors were over ten zhang high and tightly shut. Inscribed upon them were enormous, complex patterns that seemed to have been branded by lightning—

—the Sect emblem of the ”Celestial Spirit Infinite.”

At this moment, many figures were already standing solemnly in wait on the massive plaza, mostly Sect Stewards and some senior Inner Sect Disciples.

A solemn and dignified atmosphere, so thick it was almost tangible, enveloped the entire space.

Senior Brother Luo stopped, turned to face the group, and swept his gaze over them once more before it finally rested on the majestic Heavenly Gang Hall.

He said calmly, ”Form ranks and wait quietly.”

With that, Senior Brother Luo strode forward to the center of the plaza, faced the imposing Heavenly Gang Main Hall, clasped his hands in a salute, and began to speak.

”Luo Yuntian, True Disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall, has returned to the mountain with Elder Lu and Elder Lei to report.”

”This year’s Martial Arts Examination in Lanyang City is complete. There are a total of three hundred sixty-seven new disciples. Of them, three hundred thirty-one are Outer Disciples, who have been led by the Stewards of the Household Affairs Department to Huixian Hall for settlement. The thirty-six Inner Sect Disciples have all arrived before the hall and are awaiting the Sect’s instructions.”

His voice was not loud, yet it echoed clearly across the empty plaza.

After his voice fell, a brief silence ensued.