Taotian Palace, Inner Sect.

As the largest sect in Liehuo Country, Taotian Palace has profound heritage, something the Ten Thousand Gods Sect cannot match. It includes named (servant) disciples, Outer Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, Seven Peaks Disciples, and True Disciples!

Each type of disciple represents a status.

For most people, Inner Sect Disciple is the end point.

Human Immortal!

Even if it is the lowest tier of the Immortal Realm, it still bears the character "immortal." Many remain stuck at Celestial Venerable Ninth Layer or Half-Step Human Immortal, unable to take this step.

On this day, in the morning.

The Inner Sect Disciples have already begun their training early, and martial arts arenas everywhere are bustling with figures. The clashing sounds of weapons and the loud shouts of practicing echo through the air.

Ye Qingchen is coming to the Inner Sect for the first time, but with Sea of Zhou leading the way, it’s not too problematic.

"Mr. Ye, this is the Martial Arts Arena, the place where Inner Sect Disciples practice, spanning a thousand feet. Protective arrays are set up around, so even if Human Immortals fight openly, there won’t be any influence! There are over a thousand such Martial Arts Arenas, big and small, in the Inner Sect!"

"Inner Sect Disciples often spar here!"

Sea of Zhou explained as he walked.

Alongside was Lu Yanwu and Lin Shifei. Lin Shifei was originally a Seven Peaks Disciple, and upon hearing Ye Qingchen was coming to the Inner Sect, he dropped everything and rushed over.

"No wonder it’s the main base of Taotian Palace!"

Ye Qingchen observed while walking.

Though.

With his help, Taotian Palace on the Barbaric Continent has developed well, it still pales greatly in comparison to this place. However, the Three-tailed Fox seemed uninterested in everything, casually glancing at the surroundings.

"Boom!"

Just then, a commotion came from not far away.

Ye Qingchen looked over.

He saw two disciples fighting in one of the Martial Arts Arenas, one using a sword and the other a spear. Outside the arena, hundreds of Inner Sect Disciples gathered to watch.

When Ye Qingchen looked, the sword-using disciple was frenziedly attacking, a barrage of sword shadows like a dragon bursting from the cave, forcing the opponent to retreat repeatedly.

However, the spear-using disciple was unfazed, gracefully dodging the storm-like attacks.

"The sword user is called Qin Hao, a Half-Step Human Immortal, ranked in the top ten in the Inner Sect!" Sea of Zhou quickly explained seeing Ye Qingchen’s interest in the battle, "The opponent is Zhou Yuan, another expert in the Inner Sect!"

Ye Qingchen remained silent, merely watching the battle unfold.

Though they appeared fierce and relentless, both lacked the resolve forged in life-and-death struggles. If he were in Zhou Yuan’s position, he’d fight through injuries to make a breakthrough, otherwise falling behind would mean irrecoverable defeat!

And Qin Hao, using the sword, was too flashy, leaving too many openings.

Of course.

Lu Yanwu and Lin Shifei didn’t see it that way, not at Ye Qingchen’s level, they were merely awed by the tumultuous sword shadows.

"Bang!"

As Ye Qingchen thought silently, a muffled sound erupted, and Qin Hao struck with his sword, the tremendous power blasting Zhou Yuan away.

"Oh oh oh oh!"

"Senior Brother Qin Hao won again!"

"If I had half his strength, I’d be satisfied!"

"Not that easy, Senior Brother Qin Hao is ranked top ten in the Inner Sect!"

Cheers erupted around.

Clearly.

They found the battle thrilling.

But Ye Qingchen shook his head, ready to leave,

His action was inconsequential, but Qin Hao, standing proudly in the Martial Arts Arena, with an arrogant demeanor, couldn’t stand it. Amidst the cheers, he noticed Ye Qingchen from afar seemed indifferent, even shaking his head before leaving.

Being prideful, Qin Hao’s brow furrowed and his face cooled, shouting remotely:

"Hey you, what’s with the head-shaking? If you disagree, come fight me!"

Swish!

In an instant, all eyes landed on Ye Qingchen.

"Me?"

Ye Qingchen raised a brow.

He had no time to waste arguing, needing to retrieve his items from the Ministry of Internal Affairs! He replied, straightforwardly: "No need for a fight, I have things to attend to!"

Having said that, he proceeded, hands behind his back.

But everyone looked at him with disdain.

These disciples were youthful, eager to fight, even if they knew their power was less than the opponent’s, they’d fight out of pride.

Unlike Ye Qingchen, who simply walked away without a word?

"Seeing him with hands behind, I thought he was someone influential, didn’t expect such a coward!" someone sneered.

"Since Taotian Palace’s last selection when Ye Qingchen took first, all sorts of riff-raff has emerged," another disciple remarked indignantly.

"Indeed, not daring to enter the arena, a disgrace to Taotian Palace disciples!"

Listening to this, Lin Shifei and Sea of Zhou were fuming. Ye Qingchen’s power was far beyond these small roles, how could he be afraid? Lu Yanwu was furious, rolling up his sleeves, wanting to school that arrogant fellow for Ye Qingchen.

"No need!" Ye Qingchen waved his hand.

"Just let these guys talk behind your back?" Lu Yanwu fumed internally for Ye Qingchen; even someone like Zhou Hao at Half-Step Human Immortal couldn’t withstand a strike from Ye Qingchen, where did he get the nerve to challenge him? 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"He’s not my target!" Ye Qingchen’s expression unchanged. Would he bicker with such ants? If pushed, he’d crush them with a slap. "My aim is Zhang Nanxuan..."

They trembled.

Another Human Immortal!

Moreover.

This one was Ye Qingchen’s ’old acquaintance,’ Zhang Muyun’s uncle, previously clashing before Taotian Palace’s selection.

"Mr. Ye, are you really going to face Zhang Nanxuan..." Lin Shifei felt his throat dry.

Although he’d heard from Lu Yanwu and Sea of Zhou that Ye Qingchen had slain Human Immortal Lin Tonghai before Earth Spirit Mountain some time ago, he hadn’t seen it firsthand. Being just a Celestial Venerable, he had a natural fear of a Human Immortal.

"If he obediently returns my belongings, so be it. Otherwise..."

Ye Qingchen spoke indifferently.

He left the sentence unfinished, but everyone understood the implication.

Meanwhile.

In the Martial Arts Arena, Qin Hao was still gazing at Ye Qingchen’s departing back, finding it familiar yet unsure where they’d met. However, the previously defeated Zhou Yuan suddenly realized:

"Isn’t that Lu Yanwu and Lin Shifei? Aren’t they Seven Peaks Disciples, what are they doing in the Inner Sect?"

"Lu Yanwu, Lin Shifei?" Qin Hao was taken aback, then it dawned on him like a lightning bolt through his mind. "I remember, that guy... He’s Ye Qingchen!"

"Ye Qingchen?" Zhou Yuan’s mouth dropped, then his eyes flickered fiercely: "This guy dares show his face in the Inner Sect?"

"I want to see what his purpose is!"

With that.

Qin Hao shifted, quickly speeding off.

Meanwhile, Ye Qingchen had reached the Ministry of Internal Affairs.