Two Realms: I Will Become the Immortal Emperor

Chapter 346: Chapter 317: Entering the Sect, The Test

With a Spiritual Boat for transport, they reached the Primordial Sect in a mere three or four days.

A crowd of people was already waiting before the sect’s entrance.

The last time he had come, it was at the behest of a transfer order from the Primordial Sect, destined to be cannon fodder against the Star-Picking Sect. He had stayed in a relay station, not even qualified to step through the mountain gates. But this time, he returned on a Spiritual Boat, not only led by a cultivator at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, but with Sect Stewards waiting in attendance at the entrance.

”I certainly didn’t receive this kind of treatment when I arrived.”

Sensing Chen Che’s questioning gaze, Meng Qianxun was also quite surprised.

This was a testament to the benefits of paying a bribe in advance. The accompanying Tang Linli smiled and spoke with pointed meaning:

”Valley Master Chen is an Alchemy Master, a rarity in this day and age. Naturally, he is worthy of such treatment. After you enter the sect, the Sect Leader might even test you personally. I hope you will be able to display your true talents then, Valley Master.”

He was extremely satisfied.

Cultivators who advanced to the Golden Core Realm often considered themselves a cut above the rest, their respect merely a surface-level courtesy. A few had used Spirit Stones to bribe him for information, but no one had ever been like Jinyun Valley, dropping twenty thousand Spirit Stones in one go.

Chen Che understood in a flash. ’They’re after my Alchemy Skill.’

Of course.

If his performance in the test was less than satisfactory, while life wouldn’t become too difficult, he would certainly no longer be given any importance.

”Valley Master Chen, you’ve finally arrived.”

”You’re every bit as talented as they say. No wonder the Sect Leader values you so highly.”

The moment they stepped off the Spiritual Boat, the crowd surged forward, showering them with compliments. Meng Qianxun, who followed behind, was deeply envious; he recognized these people as the ones who held real power in the Primordial Sect.

”I won’t go in with you. I’ll stay in the city; it’s a good chance to smooth things over with some connections on your behalf.”

The old man gently patted Chen Che’s shoulder and didn’t forget to add a word of advice:

”There’s a time to be modest, but there’s also a time to show your strength. The Primordial Sect has put you on a pedestal, and you’re now a threat to the position of their existing Pill Masters. If you don’t want them to walk all over you, you need to show them what you can do.”

With that said, he turned and entered the city.

Most of the sect’s cultivators had family living in the city, which was why it had been so easy for Xiao Chan to massacre an entire clan there.

...

The Primordial Sect was vast, yet it occupied only a single mountain.

The mountain was shaped like a series of terraces, divided into seven distinct levels.

The entire mountain was carved out layer by layer. Each level was hundreds of meters high, protected by an Array, and further isolated by clouds and mist.

It was home to the sect’s servants, Outer Sect, Inner Sect, and True Disciples, as well as the Hall Stewards, Chiefs, and the Sect Leader. One could only advance step-by-step by achieving the required Cultivation. The hierarchy was strict; disciples of different ranks had almost no contact in their daily lives.

Ascending the stone steps, Chen Che encountered numerous Servant Disciples.

Their chores were the same as those of the Servant Disciples in Jinyun Valley—carrying water, chopping wood, farming the land, and transporting supplies. They all had Low-grade Spirit Roots. Without so many servants, it would be impossible to allow the other disciples to dedicate themselves fully to Cultivation.

Those with Middle Grade Spirit Roots were generally able to enter the Outer Sect.

With an even better Spiritual Root, or by reaching a higher Realm, one could be promoted into the Inner Sect.

As for becoming a True Disciple.

That required an Earth Spirit Root, extraordinary talent, reaching Foundation Establishment in your early twenties, catching the eye of a Hall Chief, and being taught a Superior Cultivation Technique. Most people, however, spent their entire lives lingering on the bottom two levels.

It was cruel, but it was also reality.

At this moment, many disciples were watching with curiosity.

”So that’s him?”

”So young... to be a Golden Core...”

After all, it was extremely rare for the Primordial Sect to receive a Golden Core cultivator with such a grand reception. Most importantly, he was only in his early twenties. At that age, the sect’s own True Disciples had likely just reached Foundation Establishment not long ago.

Only he was worthy of such an entourage.

...

Primordial Mountain, seventh level, the summit.

Though it was the top level, it occupied half the area of the entire mountain. This was not only the heart of the sect but also the Cave Mansion of the Primordial Ancestor.

To outsiders,

this was a sect.

But in truth, its existence was no different from Jinyun Valley back when it was under Ye Jingzhou’s jurisdiction.

A lone Loose Cultivator could never make it on their own; a single log doesn’t make a ship.

Inside the main hall, the portly True Master Duobao, looking for all the world like a wealthy merchant, toyed with a string of Jade Buddha Beads. His gaze flickered to the white-haired, white-bearded ancestor in the seat of honor—a man clad in moon-colored robes—before he said faintly:

”Isn’t this reception a bit over the top? He’s just a newly ascended Golden Core. I certainly didn’t get this kind of treatment back in my day.”

”If you were a Tier Three Alchemist, the Sect Leader would welcome you with just as much fanfare.”

Across from him, a long-faced True Master in brocade robes stated impassively:

”If we had one more Tier Three Alchemist, our sect’s supply of Pills wouldn’t be so tight.”

”Heh heh.”

True Master Duobao let out a cold laugh, his gaze shifting to another elder—a dark-faced man in the robes of a Pill Master. Duobao’s expression was one of mock sympathy.

”Of course, that’s what *I* think. I’m just afraid some people might not see it that way.”

The dark-faced elder was Huang Shiwo, Chief of the Pill Hall and a Tier Three Alchemist. He refined most of the Pills for the sect’s high-ranking members. However, while his Alchemy Skill was superb, his ability to teach the craft was abysmal.

In his three hundred-plus years with the sect, he had only managed to teach four Tier Three Alchemists.

However.

Although these disciples were quite talented in alchemy, their Cultivation Talent was severely lacking. They were fundamentally unable to achieve Core Formation, and the Pills they refined were limited to Tier Three Low Grade.

Many suspected that Huang Shiwo did this intentionally.

Without a sufficient Realm, how could they refine Pills of a higher Grade? Once they died, the Primordial Sect would immediately be short of top-tier Pill Masters again. And because the sect’s upper echelons had all recently gone to the Black Tortoise Calm Sea, the demand for Pills had skyrocketed.

Huang Shiwo’s few disciples had to refine Pills day and night, severely depleting their Spirit, Essence, and Qi. The eldest among them, the Vice Chief of the Pill Hall, had even fainted from the strain. Although they were using Celestial and Earthly Treasures to keep him hanging on by a thread, it was obvious he wouldn’t live much longer.

”Duobao, don’t try to sow discord. Everyone knows Chen Che challenged the Huzhou Five Races on Thousand Eyes’s orders. Now that Thousand Eyes is dead, you’re taking your anger out on Chen Che. If you have a problem with him, go after him yourself. Why are you trying to use me as your weapon?”

Huang Shiwo responded coldly.

His thoughts laid bare, True Master Duobao let out a forced laugh. Before he could reply, Huang Shiwo continued:

”Your intentions are obvious. Besides, you already have enough people in your faction. Why insist on dragging me in?”

As he spoke, he glanced at the long-faced True Master in brocade robes who had spoken earlier. ’Those two are deliberately putting on an act, trying to get me, a Chief, to be the one to suppress Chen Che. Everyone knows my position in the Primordial Sect is in the top three. If I were to speak up, even the Sect Leader would have to consider my words carefully.’

Duobao gave an awkward laugh and said:

”I just feel the boy is unworthy of this position... Besides, who has ever been welcomed into the sect with such treatment? All twenty-three Golden Cores of the Primordial Sect, receiving him at once. The last person who got that honor was the Vice Sect Leader of the Star-Picking Sect. That brat, Chen Che... is he worthy?”

”We’ll know in a moment whether he’s worthy or not,” Huang Shiwo replied faintly.

”Enough. He’s here.”

Just then, the Primordial Ancestor, who had been presiding from the high seat in utter silence, slowly opened his eyes.

At his words, everyone turned in unison to look.

There, at the entrance to the great hall, a figure in azure robes slowly appeared.