In the timeless realm of cultivation, three years passed in the blink of an eye.
Within a courtyard on Azure Dragon Peak, a stone pillar as thick as a man's embrace stood at the center of the backyard. Mysterious silver talismans adorned its surface, and a faint silver spirit light emanated from it, forming a shimmering aura within a ten-meter radius. From fifteen meters away, the light was barely discernible without careful observation.
The pillar served as the core of a specialized spatial construct spanning ten meters around it—a Formation Art. This pillar was the Formation Eye, the central control node of the formation. Unlike the portable Formation Plate, which could be moved, the Formation Eye remained fixed in place.
The formation in the backyard was known as the Spirit Lock Formation, a common type used to isolate Spirit Qi fluctuations.
Inside the formation, Han Yi sat in meditation. Around him, four beams of light danced like frenzied spirit snakes, weaving together to form a radiant net. Though dazzling to the eye, the net concealed lethal intent. Any intruder who inadvertently stepped into its shimmering embrace would be pierced by the light and meet certain death.
For these four beams of light were, in truth, four Demon-Slaying Daggers moving at blinding speed.
Mid-Grade Magic Artifact: Wind Demon Dagger.
Suddenly, the four whirling daggers transformed. Crimson halos erupted around their blades, resembling fiery meteors hurtling through the sky. The daggers seemed to be imbued with celestial flames.
Fire fueled the wind, and the wind fanned the flames. The already lightning-fast daggers surged to three times their original speed, their destructive power more than doubling.
Within the formation, Spirit Light surged violently, and murderous intent raged. Outside, the courtyard remained serene, its flowers blooming in vibrant splendor.
Moments later, Han Yi retracted his Magic Artifact and stepped out. He paused ten meters from the stone pillar, then strode forward. The surrounding Spirit Qi shifted dramatically.
Inside the formation, the Spirit Qi still roiled. Outside, the courtyard retained its perpetual tranquility.
Han Yi had purchased this Spirit-Locking Formation two years prior. His training methods, involving considerable movement and disturbance, proved inconvenient for the courtyard. This solution, though costly, provided a suitable alternative.
Three years later, he had mastered the fourth Wind Demon Dagger. He controlled them effortlessly, the daggers moving as extensions of his will.
He routinely concealed the four daggers in hidden pockets within his body.
The Shadowless Sword remained sheathed at his waist.
Over the past three years, Han Yi had fully refined this Mid-Grade Sword Artifact. When wielded with the Sword Control Technique, its direct offensive power surpassed that of a single Demon-Slaying Dagger by at least thirty percent.
In essence, the Wind Demon Daggers were best suited for covert ambushes in Han Yi's combat strategy, while the Shadowless Sword served as his primary weapon for direct confrontation.
Furthermore, he had recently acquired a Fire Attribute Sword Manual, the Li Fire Sword Manual.
The technique he had been practicing with the daggers earlier was precisely this manual. By mastering the Li Fire Sword Manual, he had more than doubled the power of the daggers when controlled through the Sword Control Technique.
The Sword Control Technique, a method for manipulating Magic Artifacts, belonged to the category of "Skills," enabling swords to move at the user's command.
Sword Manuals, on the other hand, fell under the category of "Abilities," allowing the moving swords to unleash specialized powers.
These were distinct concepts.
Imagine Alchemy Technique as a skill. When actually refining pills, one needs not only the Alchemy Technique itself but also a Pill Formula. Similarly, Sword Manuals serve as the sword's equivalent of Pill Formulas.
Strictly speaking, within the Skill module of the Proficiency Panel, Alchemy Technique, Sword Control Technique, and Talisman Crafting Art all belonged to the "Skills" category.
The Spirit Void Finger, Light Body Technique, Fire Shield Technique, and Turtle Breath Technique all fell under the category of "Ability."
In the past, Han Yi had used the Sword Control Technique to wield his daggers, relying solely on "Skill"—a simple and crude approach.
However, after entering the Inner Peak and broadening his horizons, he gained a deeper understanding of his abilities. He realized that "Skill" was the foundation, while "Ability" manifested its power. Both were indispensable.
This realization led him to change his mind and add a new skill to his repertoire: the Li Fire Sword Manual.
This Fire Attribute Sword Manual was divided into two parts: the upper section, suitable for Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivators, and the lower section, designed for Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators.
He obtained this manual without spending any money by simply applying to the Azure Dragon Palace, which granted it to him free of charge.
Just like his Cultivation Transition Manual, after entering the Inner Peak and becoming an Inner Sect Disciple, the Sect's cultivation support became comprehensive.
Inner Sect Disciples were entitled to one free Cultivation Transition Manual, one free Skill selection, one free Basic Dharma Robe, and regular free access to lectures on immortal arts by Foundation Establishment Stage Elders and even Golden Core Stage Supreme Elders.
Compared to the Outer Sect, the Inner Peak offered a more stable environment and richer cultivation resources, which explained why all Outer Peak Disciples eagerly sought to enter its ranks.
However, three years later, Han Yi's belief in the Inner Peak's superior stability began to waver.
Just seven days prior, the Sect had announced its "New Policy."
Azure Dragon Peak, Immortal Chess Pavilion.
On a square jade table sat two pots of spirit wine and four jade cups.
Four figures settled around the table: Han Yi, Luo Yunzhou, Yan Ru, and Qi Hong.
The Immortal Chess Pavilion was a celestial establishment on Azure Dragon Peak. Unlike the extravagant Ascension Pavilion, it offered ordinary spirit wine alongside a breathtaking view of the vast sea of clouds stretching to the horizon.
Over the past three years, Luo Yunzhou, skilled at fostering connections, had occasionally invited Han Yi for drinks to strengthen their bond. While the Ascension Pavilion was beyond his means except for rare occasions, he was a regular at the Immortal Chess Pavilion.
Yan Ru, who had entered Azure Dragon Peak after securing an Inner Peak spot despite being at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, had also maintained sporadic contact with Han Yi in recent years.
Qi Hong, the female cultivator, was not a disciple of Azure Dragon Peak but rather of Vermilion Bird Peak. Han Yi had met her mother once—one of the three stewards who had evaluated him upon his return to the Sect after an outpost assignment.
Tragically, years ago, that steward had perished in battle against the Blood God Sect, her remains never recovered.
The Inner Peak Disciples, having interacted with each other, naturally formed small cliques. Although Han Yi spent most of his time in diligent cultivation, he easily integrated into these circles, fully aware of the importance of information.
"This New Policy... it's a revolution," Han Yi remarked with a sigh.
"Senior Brother Han, what exactly is a revolution?" Qi Hong asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. Luo Yunzhou and Yan Ru turned to listen as well.
"A revolution," Han Yi explained tersely, "means the replacement of the old with the new, a complete transformation from the roots."
Luo Yunzhou pondered for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully. "That's indeed accurate."
"Under this New Policy, we Inner Sect Disciples can no longer rest on our laurels," Yan Ru added, her voice tinged with concern.
A complex mix of emotions clouded their faces.
This upheaval stemmed from a momentous decree issued by the Profound Pill Sect seven days prior, aptly named the "New Policy."
Like a pebble dropped into a still pond, the New Policy sent ripples through the Sect's vast and intricate machinery, accelerating its shift onto a new course.
For a moment, the four fell silent.
Han Yi turned to gaze at the celestial scenery outside the window, his mind racing with thoughts.
The New Policy, announced by the Sect a week earlier, had far-reaching implications, affecting everyone from Foundation Establishment Stage Elders to Qi Refining Stage Stewards, Managers, and Disciples.
Among its many provisions, two core directives stood out as most critical for the Inner Peak Disciples.
Article 1: All Inner Peak Disciples must venture into the Myriad Demon Mountain Range within six months to slay a Demon Beast of their own cultivation realm. The Demon Beast's core must be submitted to the Sect as proof of completion.
Naturally, these submitted Demon Beast cores will be converted into Sect Points, ensuring that the disciples are properly compensated for their efforts.
Article 2: The Sect has established the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings. Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators are placed on the Heaven Ranking, Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivators on the Earth Ranking, and Mid-Stage Qi Refining cultivators on the Human Ranking.
Leaving aside the Heaven and Human Rankings for now, the Earth Ranking for Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivators is determined by Combat Merit Points—points earned in the Combat Arena. One point is awarded for each victory, and one point is deducted for each defeat.
Those ranked higher on the Earth Ranking receive greater annual allocations of Cultivation Resources, while those ranked lower risk losing their original resources or having them reduced.
To enforce this, detailed regulations require all Inner Peak Disciples to participate in at least three Combat Arena battles per year, either by accepting challenges or issuing them themselves.
Cultivation Resources are updated annually.
Combat Merit Points are tallied every three years. After three years, any disciple with fewer than ten points will lose their Inner Peak residency privileges and be reassigned to the Outer Peak.
Meanwhile, the Outer Peak has a similar policy. Top-ranked Outer Peak disciples, regardless of their cultivation realm, can replace Inner Peak disciples and transfer to the Inner Peak.
In essence, the system promotes upward mobility and downward accountability.
The announcement of this New Policy sent shockwaves through the Sect, stirring up both excitement and apprehension.