Chapter 120: Serene Void Academy, Through the Mountain Gate Together

"Has Little Jian not told you?" Jun Laoye leaned against the railing, his gaze fixed on the distant mountain gate. "The elders from the other five academies are already gathered there, just waiting to see us make fools of ourselves."

"I know they're waiting for me," Lu Chen said, puzzled. "But what does that have to do with me challenging the mountain gate?"

Seeing the confusion still on Lu Chen's face, Jun Laoye explained, "Little Lu, Second Uncle may have already accepted you as a personal disciple, but the sect still has its rules. Anyone who wishes to become an inner disciple must first challenge the current ones."

"Normally, once someone reaches the Qi Regulation Realm and defeats a disciple from the Three Peaks or Six Academies, they can enter the inner sect. But you're Second Uncle's disciple, so you can't be treated like an ordinary student."

Jun Laoye glanced at Jun Wudi before continuing, "Second Uncle is a sect elder, holding many of the sect's resources. In the past, he was lenient, which gave the other academies the chance to encroach little by little."

"But after seeing how quickly you've advanced since becoming his disciple, Second Uncle began mobilizing people to reclaim some of those resources."

Lu Chen rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So that's why they've been targeting the Serene Void Academy all this time?"

"Exactly. And Second Uncle actually showed great restraint. He only took back a tenth.

"But what's most infuriating is how the other five academies act as if those resources were theirs. They even use the excuse that you've only just entered the Qi Regulation Realm, saying you're not capable of managing them yet."

Jun Laoye slammed his fist against the railing, anger flashing in his eyes. "It's outrageous! They bullied my Second Uncle when he was gravely injured, and now they're coming after us. Worse, they've even joined forces..."

"So that's why they're constantly ganging up on Uncle Jun, pressing him at every turn,

huh?

" Lu Chen looked toward the faint outline of Heaven-Pierce Mountain. "If I want to enter the inner sect, I first have to prove my strength?"

Jun Laoye nodded. "Exactly. That's the condition they've set. And to protect their hold on resources, they'll definitely send skilled disciples to make things difficult for you."

Lu Chen responded, "That soon? They surely aren't wasting any time... By the way, are you an inner disciple now?"

Jun Laoye's face flushed at Lu Chen's question. "

Hmm...

not yet. This is my first time coming here to join my Second Uncle. In the Heavenly Mandate Hall, only disciples at the Qi Regulation Realm can become inner disciples. This rule is strict, and even Second Uncle, an elder, is not exempt."

"But I've already reached the Qi Regulation Realm." He clenched his fist, spirit qi rippling from it. "Once we're down there, I can easily challenge someone and secure a place in the inner sect.

"You, on the other hand, should focus on yourself first. This Mountain Gate Trial has been specifically prepared to test your strength as Uncle Jun's personal disciple. It won't be that easy."

"So what?" Nantian Yijian cut in. "Those so-called academies are nothing before the boss—"

Jun Laoye quickly stopped him. "Don't say that. If Little Lu really takes on the challenge, they'll send true experts against him in the end and come up with new ways to target him."

He turned back to Lu Chen. "Little Lu, you may be strong, but you're still only at the first level of Qi Regulation. You're nowhere near the top hundred. Honestly, I'm not even sure you'd make the top thousand."

"What do you mean, 'not even in the top thousand'?!" Lu Chen rolled his eyes and released a wisp of spirit qi toward him. "Just because I appear to be at the first level of Qi Regulation doesn't mean I still am."

"You've improved again?" Jun Laoye felt the energy contained within that spirit qi, and his face lit up in excitement before darkening again. "Even so, what difference does it make? You still have to deal with the mess Song Ping left behind!"

"What mess?" Lu Chen asked. "You mean Song Ping is the one behind it?"

"There's another important matter I haven't told you," Jun Laoye said, lowering his head. "In the Heavenly Mandate Hall, once a disciple becomes an academy's chief, the sect's ban on internal disputes no longer applies."

"And what does that have to do with me?" Lu Chen already sensed the implications. "Could it be..."

Jun Laoye nodded. "Yes. Exactly what you're thinking. The sect doesn't know yet, but you have already obtained the identity token of Serene Void Academy's chief disciple. Once you step into the Serene Void Academy, the token will automatically link to the Heavenly Mandate Stele and record your details.

"The chief's authority is immense. Just being able to enter the Scripture Hall at will is enough to make countless people envious.

"But while your cultivation has advanced, the record still shows you as only at the first level of the Qi Regulation Realm. In the inner sect, that's the lowest level. Any ordinary disciple could crush someone at that level."

Jun Laoye patted Lu Chen's shoulder with sympathy. "Once your identity is revealed, not only will the other chiefs challenge you, but inner and outer sect disciples alike will come at you endlessly."

"So that's it."

Lu Chen glanced at Song Ping, cursing inwardly.

I knew something was off when he so readily handed me the position of chief disciple, especially with all the resources tied to it.

Song Ping was standing behind Jun Wudi. He suddenly sneezed. "Why did I sneeze? Is someone in the hall cursing me?"

He looked up to see Lu Chen staring at him. Realizing the truth was out, he gave a sheepish grin.

That sly smile only fueled Lu Chen's anger. He wanted to hurl the token at Song Ping's face, but remembering his earlier boast, he swallowed it down and instead forced a helpless smile. "

Ah...

it doesn't matter. No matter how many come, they're just cannon fodder."

Lu Chen turned his head, his gaze firm. "I was worried no one would show up. The more that comes, the faster I can refine my insights. It's the perfect chance to temper my combat skills."

"What about Little Jian?" Lu Chen turned to Jun Laoye. "He's only at perfect mastery of the Qi Absorption Realm. What should he do? We can't leave him in the outer sect forever."

"

Huh...

I almost forgot about Little Jian." Jun Laoye frowned, thinking for a moment. "Someone at the Qi Absorption Realm can enter the inner sect; it's not unheard of, but he would have to challenge the outer sect's Discipline Court first."

Lu Chen's brows furrowed. "The Discipline Court?"

Jun Laoye explained, "The Guardian Capital Academy—the foremost of the Three Peaks and Six Academies—operates outside the six academies. They oversee punishments in the Heavenly Mandate Hall. The Discipline Court is a branch they established at the outer sect, essentially serving as their guard force.

"The Discipline Court runs the Mountain Gate Trial. It was originally meant to regulate the outer sect's daily affairs, but over time, it became a way for outer sect disciples to display their strength to the rest of the sect."

Jun Laoye unrolled a scroll and showed it to Lu Chen. "The Heavenly Mandate Hall trains warriors for the battlefield. For an outer sect disciple to challenge someone from the inner sect is, in essence, an act of insubordination. This holds especially true when a Qi Absorption Realm disciple dares to face one in Qi Regulation. For them, it is nothing short of a death sentence. That's why they must first prove their strength to the Discipline Court."

"And the way to prove it is through the Mountain Gate Trial?" Lu Chen glanced at Nantian Yijian and asked. "How strong is the Discipline Court?"

Jun Laoye responded, "Indeed, it's the Mountain Gate Trial. As for their strength... I've heard they number 108 in total, all from the Guardian Capital Academy. Seven leaders are core disciples, thirty-six are inner sect disciples, and sixty-four are outer sect disciples at the perfect mastery of the Qi Absorption Realm."

Jun Laoye thought for a moment. "Normally, if an outer sect disciple attempts the Mountain Gate Trial, the Discipline Court only sends out sixty-four outer sect disciples. But if it's you, they might send all 107 of them."

"Why only 107?" Lu Chen's eyes narrowed as he listened. "Who's the remaining one?"

"Regarding the composition of the Discipline Court, I only know what Sun Xiaohu told me. He hasn't seen the last one either," Jun Laoye leaned closer and whispered. "But I've heard that person might be the chief disciple of the Guardian Capital Academy."

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Boss, what are you planning?" Nantian Yijian stood beside them, a trace of worry in his voice as Lu Chen inquired about the Discipline Court's strength.

"What am I planning? Didn't I say I would never leave you behind?"

Lu Chen glanced at a distant stone stele. "I want to test the limits of my own strength. Since your requirement to enter the inner sect is also to complete the Mountain Gate Trial, I'll take you along for the trial."

"Boss, that's not a good idea. There are too many of them. With me there, I'll just slow you down," Nantian Yijian lowered his head, his voice heavy. "I'm already at the perfect mastery of the Qi Absorption Realm. If I wait a little longer, I'll reach the Qi Regulation Realm. Then I can enter the inner sect without rushing."

"So what if you slow me down? What's the difference? At worst, we stay in the outer sect together."

Lu Chen patted Nantian Yijian on the shoulder. "Don't worry. They're not necessarily stronger than us. Besides, when have you ever seen me lose a fight?"

Hearing Lu Chen's words, Nantian Yijian couldn't help but laugh. "That's true. From the moment I met you, Boss, you've never once lost."

The Sky-Pillar Airship had already passed through the outer sect area and was slowly approaching the inner part of the Heavenly Mandate Hall.

"Feeling reassured now?" Lu Chen looked at the mountain gate's stairs stretching before them. "We will get through it."

"

Hehehe

, Little Lu, you are truly promising for someone your age," Jun Wudi suddenly appeared behind Lu Chen, his voice low. "But have you thought this through?

"Every year since I arrived here, I've seen people attempt the Mountain Gate Trial, but no one ever reached the end. Most don't even make it to see the inner sect disciples before being kicked off the mountain."

Lu Chen nodded. "I've thought it through. I believe I have the strength. Little Jian is strong too. I'll go first, let them wear themselves out, and then he can follow."

"There's no need for that. You can take him with you," Jun Wudi patted both of them on the shoulder. "Today, I'll let my two disciples showcase their fame in this first trial."

"Really? The two of us together?" Lu Chen turned back in surprise. "Uncle Jun, you mean that?"

"You can challenge the trial as a team and coordinate with each other," Jun Wudi nodded. "What Little Jun found out is mostly correct, but he may not have explained everything clearly. The Mountain Gate Trial can, in fact, be attempted as a small team, but the difficulty increases significantly."

Jun Wudi pointed at the mountain gate stairs, raising his voice. "See those cultivators sitting on the steps? They are members of the Discipline Court. If you want, you could even attempt the Mountain Gate Trial with the entire Serene Void Academy."

"The entire Serene Void Academy?"

Lu Chen looked in the direction Jun Wudi had pointed.

Every hundred zhang along the towering stairs, a cultivator sat cross-legged with their eyes closed, as though they were waiting for him.

"

Hehehe

, of course," Jun Wudi's voice grew louder, as if addressing those behind him. "Why should they be the only ones who get to rely on numbers? We can rely on numbers, too."