Sunset Sect Outer Institute.

This is the outermost area of the Sunset Sect’s inner region; it functions much like a city, complete with all essential facilities, training grounds, guilds, markets, entertainment venues, and more. Here, outer sect disciples can meet all their needs for cultivation and daily life.

In the Sunset Sect, anyone below the Fifth Grade of Divine Cultivation is an outer sect disciple. However, those with exceptionally outstanding gifts are often taken on as students by elders and directly become direct disciples. Most people progress from trial disciples to outer sect disciples, then from outer sect disciples to inner sect disciples, and finally advance to becoming core disciples.

When one’s Life Level reaches the Sixth Grade of Divine Cultivation, it’s possible to participate in the promotion examination to become an inner sect disciple. Passing this examination elevates one’s status and resource allocation within the Sunset Sect.

At the Ninth Grade of Divine Cultivation, a disciple can take the core disciple examination. Upon advancing to the Dao Realm, they can be granted the elder title unconditionally in the Sunset Sect.

Currently, the entire Sunset Sect comprises over 5.7 million outer sect disciples, 80,000 inner sect disciples, more than 3,000 core disciples, and over 100 direct disciples.

With a scale of 5.7 million outer sect disciples, it’s challenging for a single student council to manage them efficiently. Management and other aspects pose significant difficulties. Thus, officially, there is a student council among the outer sect disciples, but internally, it fragments into numerous smaller factions of varying sizes.

These factions appear as departments of the student council, but these departments don’t cooperate or communicate with each other; instead, they are in a mutually competitive and adversarial relationship.

As for Fei Li and his group, they belong to one of these departments led by a minister.

This minister’s name is Ling Xiang, a martial artist at the Fifth Grade of Divine Cultivation, commanding the support of hundreds of thousands of outer sect disciples. His authority is almost unchallenged among them.

"What? He detained Fei Li and the others?" Ling Xiang’s face turned dark. Until now, this is the first instance of a trial disciple detaining outer sect disciples, something unprecedented in the history of the Sunset Sect.

"Yes, Brother Ling Xiang," the female outer sect disciple reported truthfully, "This newcomer is extraordinary. With our strength, there’s no way we could retrieve those contribution points from him; he even demands we bring back 800,000 contribution points as ransom."

The female disciple recounted the entire incident in detail, and Ling Xiang’s expression grew increasingly grim.

"Gu Xiao... actually repelled a core disciple from the Divine Profound Hall. What kind of monster is he?"

The video of the fight between Zhang Menglong and Wan Ning was recorded by someone and spread across the internet, leaving Ling Xiang deep in thought as he watched.

In the video, although Zhang Menglong didn’t truly defeat Wan Ning, it was clear that Wan Ning had used all his skills, while Gu Xiao seemed to fight easily. Most importantly, Wan Ning’s martial arts techniques were all countered by Zhang Menglong. Had this fight continued, Wan Ning might even have been defeated!

"Why would someone like this be among the trial disciples of the Sunset Sect?" Ling Xiang was puzzled. By all rights, such talent and strength would have been fiercely contested for by the elders, even the Sect Master and Deputy Sect Master, before entering the sect.

Such capabilities make him more than suited to be a direct disciple. With a large investment in resources, the returns would be evident – there’s no need to start as a minor trial disciple, competing for cultivation resources with the likes of us.

The crucial thing is, from what I’m seeing, even if I, Ling Xiang, personally face him, I’d likely end up getting beaten up by Zhang Menglong and sent back embarrassed. Such humiliation I cannot afford!

"We can’t handle this matter." Ling Xiang made a precise judgment.

"Brother, aren’t we going to rescue them?" The female disciple became anxious at once.

"Rescue them, we must," Ling Xiang said.

He had sent those people out; if he doesn’t bring them back, his credibility among the outer sect disciples would suffer severe damage.

Secondly, extorting those trial disciples was a lucrative opportunity he snatched from several ministers. Now, many eyes are on him; if he fails, he’ll not only lose face before the student council president but also be mocked by other ministers as incompetent.

"I’ll go find the President!"

After contemplating for some time, Ling Xiang realized that he couldn’t handle this new disciple on his own.

Truth be told, the student council president benefits the most from extorting those new disciples. Since that’s the case, he decided to abandon this small gain to protect himself.

...

At a secluded and ancient-looking residence in the outer institute, Ling Xiang gently knocked on the door.

"President, it’s Ling Xiang."

"Click!" The door opened automatically, and Ling Xiang cautiously walked in.

The room was decorated like a vast library. A refined-looking young man with blue hair sat on a chair floating in mid-air, holding an old book.

The aura emanating from this young man had already reached the level of a top inner sect disciple, making it hard to believe he was merely the president of the outer sect’s student council.

The reason was simple: he had to attend an examination to upgrade his title, but to advance to an inner sect disciple, he would have to give up everything he had in the outer sect and start anew as an inner sect disciple.

As the student council president, although only of the outer sect, the many students allowed him access to abundant resources, which was far more valuable than becoming an inner or core disciple.

Ling Xiang was well aware that although this student council president held an outer sect disciple’s title, his strength definitely surpassed that of most inner sect disciples!

"It’s you," the president adjusted his glasses, "Ling Xiang, how’s the collection of contribution points from this batch of trial disciples going?"

"I’m sorry, President, it’s due to my incompetence." Ling Xiang bowed his head directly.

"Hmm?" The young man showed a surprised expression, "You failed? That’s unexpected. Just a group of trial disciples; how could there be any complication?"

"President, I’m not making excuses, but there’s someone special among this batch of trial disciples." Ling Xiang continued, "Once you see this video, you’ll understand!"

...

"Great Annihilation Hand!"

"This Great Annihilation Hand isn’t impressive; take a look at mine!"

"Tianxuan Scripture!"

...

Watching the video, the student council President’s eyes glimmered with curiosity.

"There’s someone sitting for the examination capable of fighting Wan Ning to a standstill?"

"President, his name is Gu Xiao. He was the top scorer in this superpower assessment and has now joined our Sunset Sect. Currently, he is among the trial disciples," Ling Xiang stated, "He detained my people, demanding a welcome of 800,000 contribution points. I’m sorry; it’s due to my lack of capability."

"It’s not your fault," the student council President shook his head, "You don’t need to handle this matter, I’ll take care of it, you may leave!"