In just two hours, Devor had explored almost every corner of the Outer Disciples' facilities. The grand halls, tranquil meditation gardens, and corridors lined with intricate murals telling the sect’s storied history left him in awe. Every part of the Azure Sky Sect seemed to pulse with life, steeped in a legacy that extended far deeper into the Cultivation World than Devor had ever dreamed.

  Still, beneath his admiration, a twinge of envy stirred. The privileges of the Inner Disciples were impossible to ignore—cultivation grounds brimming with dense spiritual energy, access to advanced techniques, and generous monthly stipends. In contrast, the Outer Disciples' resources seemed modest at best.

  Devor followed behind Wulin and Yulin as they led the group, occasionally breaking away to chat with the other three guides. Their conversations about Spiritual Plants and daily life in the sect gradually softened the formal atmosphere, creating a sense of camaraderie. Without realizing it, Devor’s casual exchanges were building connections that might lead to valuable collaborations down the line.

  As he listened to the stories of the sect’s history, Devor’s respect for the Azure Sky Sect deepened. What had once been just a name—a “great sect” he’d heard about—now felt real and awe-inspiring. He began to understand the immense scope of its influence, far beyond anything he’d imagined in his mortal life.

  But while he was lost in the lessons, captivated by the grandeur of it all, Devor didn’t notice the quiet attention he was beginning to attract.

  Monny stood at the edge of the group, her calm, captivating face framed by shoulder-length black hair. There was a quiet authority in her demeanor, her gaze resting on Devor’s back. Her expression was unreadable, her thoughts flickering beneath the surface.

  “What are you staring at?” A sharp, cynical voice cut through her focus.

  Monny turned slightly, meeting the eyes of Sugu, another Inner Disciple dressed in the same dark blue robes. His voice dripped with disdain. “Why waste your time on him? He’s just an Outer Disciple—not worth your attention.”

  Her serene expression hardened, turning icy. “That’s none of your concern,” she replied coolly. Her voice carried a subtle chill as she added, “And remember—you’re not worthy to speak to me like that.”

  Sugu’s face darkened for a moment before he recovered, a smug grin creeping back. “Your vision is too narrow,” he sneered. “Just like mortals can’t compare to cultivators, we shouldn’t bother with Outer Disciples. Their potential is limited.”

  Monny’s brow furrowed in irritation. “As narrow-minded as ever,” she said, her tone sharp. “Do you really think an Outer Disciple at the Qi Refining stage could earn the respect of a Foundation Building cultivator without merit?”

  Her words alluded to the interactions between Devor and the guides—Wulin, Yulin, and the others. For anyone paying attention, their easy camaraderie with Devor was hard to miss.

  Sugu scoffed, waving her off. “Please. It’s simple—they’re all Outer Disciples. The weak naturally stick together.”

  Monny’s sharp gaze pierced him. “Without your family’s influence, do you really think you would’ve taken first place in this year’s recruitment?”

  Her words struck like a hammer, and Sugu’s jaw tightened, his pride wounded. He forced a smug smile, masking his irritation. “I’m the most talented in my family. Even with the same support, no one else could reach my level.”

  Monny snorted in disdain and turned on her heel, walking away without another word.

  Sugu stood frozen, his fists clenched as he watched her retreating figure. Fury simmered beneath his composed exterior.

  "That woman," he thought, "her talent is extraordinary. Once she hits the Foundation Building Realm, her potential will be unmatched."

  His gaze shifted to Devor, who was still engrossed in conversation with the guides.

  "And you..." Sugu’s expression darkened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Don’t even think about getting close to Monny."

  In Sugu’s mind, Monny was already destined to be his Dao Companion. The Dual Cultivation Technique passed down through his family required a partner with a rare spiritual root to unlock its full potential, and Monny’s exceptional talent made her the perfect candidate. If he succeeded, Sugu was confident he could surpass even the greatest cultivators of his lineage.

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  To him, Monny wasn’t just a person—she was a key to unimaginable power.

  Meanwhile, Devor remained blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around him. Even if someone had warned him, he would have been baffled by how or why he had become entangled in the ambitions of Monny and Sugu—a conflict he never intended to be part of.

  As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting long, warm shadows across the Azure Sky Sect, the tour for the new disciples came to an end. One by one, the disciples retired to their quarters, their minds buzzing with the sights and lessons of the day.

  Devor, however, lingered. His steps carried him back to the Spiritual Garden, where the golden light bathed the sect’s grounds in a tranquil glow. He walked slowly, savoring the peacefulness of the moment.

  Unbeknownst to him, Yulin had been watching his every move. A mischievous smile played on her lips, hinting at the trouble she was about to stir.

  As Devor strolled, lost in the serenity of the evening, a familiar sense of unease began to creep over him. The ground beneath his feet seemed to shift, and before he could react, he was suddenly yanked into the air. His legs were bound tightly to a flying sword that shot upward at an alarming speed.

  “AAAAAAAHHH!”

  His scream pierced the quiet sunset, but it was quickly swallowed by the rushing wind and the pounding of his heart. His face went pale as he clutched desperately at the invisible force holding him aloft. There was no doubt in his mind who was behind this.

  “Yulin!”

  Behind him, Yulin’s laughter rang out, bright and carefree, as she soared gracefully on her own flying sword, thoroughly enjoying his panic.

  Over the past few years, Yulin had honed her mastery of flying swords, reaching the rare skill of programming their movements automatically—a feat that few cultivators could claim. She took full advantage of this talent, much to Devor’s ongoing frustration.

  Below, the remaining disciples in the main square stared in wide-eyed amazement. Devor’s frantic flailing as he soared through the air, accompanied by Yulin’s gleeful laughter, left them speechless.

  Even Wulin, usually composed and observant, was momentarily stunned. He paused mid-step, torn between stepping in or letting the spectacle run its course.

  Within moments, the two figures vanished into the horizon, their silhouettes fading into the vibrant hues of the setting sun.

  Several minutes later, Devor found himself sitting on the soft grass outside the Spiritual Garden’s entrance, utterly exhausted. His body slumped, and his expression was a mix of disbelief and resignation.

  Beside him, the flying sword lay discarded, as if mocking him. A bitter smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

  “Senior Sister Yulin... why do you enjoy torturing me so much?” he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible.

  Moments later, Yulin landed gracefully beside him, dismounting her flying sword with effortless ease. Her face lit up with a cheerful grin, brighter than the setting sun.

  “Come on, Devor!” she chirped, picking up the sword he had been strapped to. “The journey ahead is still long—don’t lose heart!”

  Without waiting for a response, Yulin strolled into the Spiritual Garden, leaving Devor to glare after her in weary resignation.

  As she disappeared into the distance, Devor let out a heavy sigh. “I really need to learn some combat techniques... or at least figure out how to dodge her flying sword experiments,” he muttered under his breath.

  He took a deep, steadying breath, calming his racing thoughts, and pushed himself to his feet. With a resigned shake of his head, he followed her into the Spiritual Garden.

  Inside, Forly approached him, ledger in hand, his usual professional demeanor intact. Still, the slight twitch in his brow betrayed his surprise at Devor’s pale and slightly disheveled appearance.

  “Senior, are you alright?” Forly asked cautiously, choosing his words carefully.

  Devor waved off the concern with a tired smile. “Just give me the daily report.”

  Forly nodded and began his update, detailing the garden’s current state and the tasks the apprentices had completed under Devor’s supervision. Though curiosity flickered in his eyes, he refrained from pressing further about Devor’s condition, focusing instead on his duties.

  After reviewing the report, Devor gave a few instructions. “Gather the apprentices for their next lesson,” he said, his voice steady despite his fatigue.

  By the time the sun had set and twilight faded into the quiet of night, Devor had finished his duties. The apprentices dispersed after their lesson, leaving the garden peaceful once more.

  Devor sat cross-legged in his private cultivation space, the cool night air brushing against his face. As he closed his eyes and began to circulate his spiritual energy, a stray thought surfaced.

  Cultivation Hall...

  He opened his eyes, recalling the guide’s earlier explanation about meeting the Hall Master to refine techniques. It felt like the right time to take that next step in his cultivation journey.

  Without hesitation, Devor stood, deciding to head to the Cultivation Hall, even if it meant traveling there on foot.

  The path to the Cultivation Hall was peaceful at night, though the Sect remained a hub of quiet activity. Disciples moved about, some finishing tasks, others practicing under the soft glow of the moonlight.

  When Devor reached the grand doors of the Cultivation Hall, he approached the receptionist, a sharp-eyed woman with a kind, composed demeanor, and made his request to meet the Hall Master.

  The receptionist checked Devor’s credentials and nodded. “The Hall Master has agreed to meet with you tomorrow. Please return at sunrise.”

  Devor cupped his fists respectfully. “Thank you.”

  As he left the hall, anticipation settled in his chest. This wasn’t just another meeting—it was a turning point in his journey. With the contribution points he had painstakingly earned, he was ready to invest in refining his technique, knowing it could make all the difference in his path forward.

  As Devor made his way back to the Spiritual Garden, he glanced up at the night sky. The stars shimmered above, each one like a distant promise of a brighter future.

  “This is it,” he mused, his thoughts steady and resolute. “Tomorrow marks the next step in mastering my path.”