Immortal Jiuyi's intention to recruit Chu Liang was not particularly surprising, especially since after the Assembly of Immortal Sects, young disciples trained by the various immortal sects generally entered another phase in their lives.

A small portion of them, favored by their sects, received more resources for intensive training and were entrusted with significant responsibilities. However, the majority, who were not as highly regarded, needed to seek out their own cultivation resources and venture into the world for experience.

They had all essentially arrived at a phase that resembled graduation.

It was not unusual for young cultivators to join another sect at this stage. However, at this point, it felt more like being hired by the sect to work as mercenaries, which was different from being one of the core disciples that the sect had nurtured since young.

For instance, someone like Shang Shuwen of the Mount Shu Sect[1]would have attained the apex of his efforts upon rising to the rank of peak master.

If they had not been nurtured in the sect from a young age, it was unlikely they would attain high positions such as sect leader or guardian elder.

However, for a distinguished member like Chu Liang, nurtured thoroughly by his sect and destined for significant responsibilities, it was rare for him to switch allegiance.

Thus, Immortal Jiuyi's invitation to train him as a successor challenged the norms both inside and outside the sect. It was quite a significant offer.

If every disciple from previous generations had remained within the sect, the sect's power would grow to become immensely powerful, but this would result in two very practical problems.

The first problem was having many capable individuals with nowhere to apply their skills.

This was not a time of warfare between gods and demons; there were only occasional disturbances from evil spirits. With a large number of fifth and sixth-realm experts present in the sect, there simply wouldn't be enough tasks to put them to use.

The Sword Exchange Pavilion of the Mount Shu Sect offered so many missions, but most of these missions could be easily handled by individuals at the third or fourth realm.

Since Chu Liang had reached the fifth realm, he no longer accepted tasks from there.

The second issue had to do with affordability.

The resources needed for cultivation at the fifth and sixth realms were enormous. If these disciples stayed on the mountain, the sect would need to bear these costs, but in reality, no sect could fully support the cultivation needs of all its disciples.

Therefore, it became common practice among immortal sects for disciples who reached this stage to venture out and forge their own paths.

In times when the sect truly needed them, they could be summoned back with the Sword-Gathering Order.

As independent individuals at that point, those disciples could return to offer their strength, repaying the sect for the training they had received in their earlier years.

As a carefree individual, Immortal Jiuyi didn't mind the refusal and smiled lightly before rising to leave. Before departing, he reminded Chu Liang to prepare with his fellow disciples by tomorrow, as he would come back to guide them into the hidden realm.

After he left, Chu Liang went to the back of the main hall to find his fellow disciples. There, he spotted Wang Xuanling conversing with Chu Liang's team members.

"While the Competition of a Hundred Sects is brutal, it ultimately assesses the overall strength of the team, whereas the Battle at the Imperial City assesses individual capabilities. In this regard, the Penglai Supreme Sect is still the strongest.

"With just seven days left, a rapid breakthrough in cultivation level is nearly impossible. Therefore, we will concentrate on refining each of your combat experiences as thoroughly as we can. I'll be here to guide you through these final days.

"Honestly, by reaching this level, you've secured the Mount Shu Sect's rank within the Divine Nine. For at least the next sixty years, our position there will no longer be at risk. As for seizing the championship, there's no need to feel pressured, as long as—"

"Senior Uncle Wang," Chu Liang called out.

"Hm?" Wang Xuanling glanced over and said, "Since you're here, you might as well listen. I was just about to explain the special training plan I've prepared for everyone."

"Senior Uncle Wang, before you go over the plan with us, I have a small suggestion," Chu Liang said.

"Go ahead," Wang Xuanling replied.

If this had happened on his own Jade Sword Peak, a disciple interrupting his teacher like this would have surely faced a severe scolding.

But this was Di Nufeng's disciple, and it was Chu Liang… No matter what, Wang Xuanling couldn't lose his temper.

Di Nufeng was known to be widely disliked, and he carried a personal grudge against her. Losing his temper with her disciple would undoubtedly be interpreted as personal bias. Furthermore, Chu Liang was well-liked, mature, and responsible; he was unlikely to act unreasonably.

"Sect Leader Jiuyi just mentioned that he could lend us the hidden realm within the Divine Mirror of the Eight Trigrams for cultivation," Chu Liang said. "Seven days outside would be equivalent to seventy days inside."

"The Divine Mirror of the Eight Trigrams?" Wang Xuanling asked, astonished and struggling to believe it. "The Fog-Hidden Mountain of Immortals is also participating in the Battle at the Imperial City; how could they possibly open the Divine Mirror of the Eight Trigrams for us at this time..."

Chu Liang smiled slightly. "Perhaps Sect Leader Jiuyi is just kind."

…

Chu Liang didn't explain in detail what happened within the Divine Mirror of the Eight Trigrams to his fellow disciples; he only briefly mentioned that there was trouble caused by the diabolical sect and that he helped handle it.

After hearing his words, the others were left amazed by Chu Liang's impressive capabilities.

The fact that he could get Immortal Jiuyi to help and give them access to a hidden realm was unbelievable. This was a different caliber of connections. Even if Venerable Wen Yuan had made the request, it might not have been granted.

After all, the Mount Shu Sect and the Fog-Hidden Mountain of Immortals were competitors in every sense.

If Fog-Hidden Mountain of Immortals weren't participating in the Battle at the Imperial City, it would be different. But since they were, lending the hidden realm was like training a rival.

In terms of legendary artifacts, the Mount Shu Sect had suffered a major disadvantage.

Although their strength did improve rapidly during the two months of special training in Venerable Wen Yuan's Primordial Chaos Hidden Realm, it was still incomparable to hidden realms found within legendary artifacts, which had been meticulously crafted and refined over a millennium.

The Competition of a Hundred Sects clearly showed that the disciples from various immortal sects, whom they were once familiar with, had made substantial progress. By comparison, the progress of the Mount Shu Sect's disciples appeared relatively modest.

At this moment, they had only seven days remaining. With the hidden realm provided by Immortal Jiuyi, they would be able to close the gap slightly.

Wang Xuanling was somewhat excited as he said, "If we can cultivate for two months within the Divine Mirror of the Eight Trigrams, we can adjust our strategy to focus specifically on improving your cultivation levels. Your cultivation has already been solidified; with enough time and resources, I believe each of you could easily break through to the next level."

"For the upcoming two-plus months of cultivation, I have a small idea," Chu Liang mentioned.

While speaking with Immortal Jiuyi, he had already thought of ways to make the best use of this extra time.

"Go on," Wang Xuanling said.

"If we can achieve Perfect Qi Circulation during these two months and keep that pace in our cultivation, we might progress faster than we expect," Chu Liang suggested.

"Two months of continuous Perfect Qi Circulation?" Wang Xuanling was stunned. "Is that possible?"

Two months of continuous, sleepless cultivation would not be impossible for cultivators at the fifth realm. This wouldn't be an issue, as cultivation essentially involved absorbing spiritual qi. They wouldn't feel hunger or thirst; at most, they would need to prepare some pills and occasionally take one to replenish their vitality if needed.

But the issue was with Perfect Qi Circulation…

It was outside of Wang Xuanling's expertise.

"Once Perfect Qi Circulation is initiated, it's possible to maintain it without interruption," Jiang Yuebai nodded. "But initiating Perfect Qi Circulation isn't easy—it requires a unique opportunity."

"It's not that difficult," Chu Liang replied. "Three of us have activated Perfect Qi Circulation before and understand it well. With a bit of support to help us, entering that state again shouldn't be too hard."

"Support?" Jiang Yuebai looked at him. "You mean…?"

"Exactly." Chu Liang said as he exchanged a knowing glance with her and smiled. "The first time I achieved Perfect Qi Circulation was with the help of Miss Xue from South Melody Conservatory. If we have musicians from South Melody assisting, entering that state shouldn't be too difficult."

"But the South Melody Conservatory is also participating in the Battle at the Imperial City," Wang Xuanling said with a deep frown. "Would they even be willing to help us with our cultivation?"

"I can try asking," Chu Liang replied with a smile. "The musicians from South Melody Conservatory are good people too."

1. A Confucian from the Noblemen's Hall ☜

GLTD Alternate Universe's Thoughts

Translator: GT