"Master, how much further to the Misty Sect?"
Zhang Ergou looked at Chunyang Sanren, who was not far ahead, with a bitter expression.
They had been walking for nearly ten days.
Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan could now each carry the Qingtian Saber and the Zhuyue Sword respectively for a mile.
This was a significant improvement from the beginning, when they had to rest after every ten steps.
Of course, this was also thanks to Chunyang Sanren's teachings.
Every evening, Chunyang Sanren would teach them meditation and cultivation techniques.
Liu Cuilan had also cultivated Qi in her body over the past few days, successfully entering the early stage of Qi refining.
This made Chunyang Sanren exclaim that it was worth it!
Not only did Zhang Ergou enter the Qi refining stage in just two days,
but Liu Cuilan also became a Qi refining cultivator in less than ten days.
How could Chunyang Sanren not be delighted?
This was the first time in centuries that the Misty Sect had accepted such talented disciples.
Having already cultivated to the peak of the Golden Core stage, Chunyang Sanren was only one step away from entering the Nascent Soul stage.
Chunyang Sanren had intended to find a breakthrough opportunity when he came out with the sect elders this time.
However, there had been no progress for so long.
But to his surprise, he had accidentally taken in two disciples with extraordinary talent.
This was unprecedented in the history of the Misty Sect.
"It's more than ten thousand li to the Misty Sect. You two can at most travel a hundred li a day carrying the Qingtian Saber and the Zhuyue Sword."
"At your current pace, it will take you another three months to reach the Misty Sect!"
"Ah! Master, didn't you say the entrance test would start in a few days?"
Zhang Ergou said anxiously.
"Then won't we miss the entrance test?"
Although Liu Cuilan didn't understand, her face showed no sign of anxiety.
Instead, she didn't care much about the so-called entrance test.
Cultivation was just to be with Zhang Ergou.
Wherever Zhang Ergou went, she would follow. This was the life she desired.
"Don't worry, Ergou. When the time comes, I will find a way for you two to participate in the entrance test on time."
Chunyang Sanren still looked relaxed, as if he were on a leisurely stroll.
"What you need to do now is to continue training your endurance while carrying the Qingtian Saber and the Zhuyue Sword!"
With that, Chunyang Sanren ignored them and walked ahead with large strides.
Five days later, when Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan were carried by Chunyang Sanren as he flew through the air,
both of them widened their eyes.
In less than half a day, they saw a solemn and majestic sect standing on the mountaintop.
The sect clearly displayed three large characters: 《Misty Sect》.
The Misty Sect was bustling with activity, with people coming and going, making it a lively scene.
Chunyang Sanren slowly controlled his speed and descended.
"Master, so many people!"
It was the first time Zhang Ergou had seen so many people.
In his short life of over ten years, he had lived in the small village of Xinshan.
He had only heard about large sects like the Misty Sect from others.
Now that he could become a member, Zhang Ergou was curious and even more excited.
"Haha, Ergou, what you see are just the disciples who have joined today."
Chunyang Sanren said with a smile, explaining to Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan.
"The Misty Sect has hundreds of thousands of disciples. What you see now is just the tip of the iceberg."
"Chunyang? Is that you? Didn't you say you were going out to find a breakthrough opportunity?"
Just as Zhang Ergou was about to ask further, a sharp voice came from nearby.
It was extremely unpleasant to hear.
"You're back so early. Don't tell me you've broken through?"
An old man wearing the same dark gray robe as Chunyang Sanren walked over.
"But I don't feel any difference in your cultivation compared to before?"
"Xiayang, you should know that the higher one's cultivation, the lower the chance of breaking through."
Chunyang Sanren frowned slightly.
He obviously didn't like this Xiayang.
"You were your master's favorite disciple back then. Being stuck at the Golden Core stage for so long, I'm afraid your master is becoming more and more disappointed!"
Xiayang Sanren said in a strange tone.
"That's none of your concern, junior brother. I will explain to master myself. I don't think master will blame me for not breaking through this time!"
Although Chunyang Sanren didn't get along well with this junior brother,
his good upbringing allowed him to endure the conversation patiently.
"Master certainly won't blame you, after all, you are his favorite disciple."
"I heard that Qin Feng of the Flowing Sea Sect recently broke through, and the Flowing Sea Sect has gained another Nascent Soul cultivator. Master has been very worried lately!"
Xiayang Sanren was clearly trying to provoke Chunyang Sanren.
"Hey, where did these two wild boys and girls come from? Don't tell me you brought them, Chunyang?"
After provoking Chunyang, Xiayang wasn't done yet. Seeing Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan, he sneered.
At this moment, Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan were covered in dirt from their journey,
and they were both wearing coarse cloth clothes they had made themselves.
In Xinshan Village, such attire was not unusual, as everyone dressed similarly.
But at the Misty Sect, things were different.
The robes of the people here, while not extraordinarily luxurious, were much better than the coarse cloth clothes of Zhang Ergou and the others.
"Xiayang, don't go too far. They are my disciples, not some wild boys and girls!"
Although Chunyang Sanren was unfazed by Xiayang's provocation,
he was very protective of Zhang Ergou and the others.
"Oh, so they are the disciples you've recruited, Chunyang? Is your judgment poor? Looking at them, they probably just entered the Qi refining stage not long ago, right?"
Xiayang Sanren looked at Zhang Ergou and the two of them with disdain.
"Chunyang, you're really living backward. A peak Golden Core cultivator like you has recruited two disciples who just entered Qi refining."
"Even if master knew, he wouldn't understand your decision, would he?"
Xiayang Sanren's words were even more cutting.
"This is not something junior brother should be concerned about. The disciples I, Chunyang, recruit are none of your business."
Chunyang Sanren said calmly, dismissing Xiayang's sarcasm and provocation.
"Chunyang, you... we'll see!"
Seeing Chunyang Sanren's indifferent attitude, Xiayang was instantly enraged.
"The new disciple entrance test is about to begin. Master will also be paying attention here. I hope your disciples don't bring too many surprises, Chunyang."
Xiayang Sanren said with a sinister grin.
"This time, I have recruited two disciples who are about to break through to the late Qi refining stage and reach the peak of Qi refining."
"I believe master will surely praise me when he hears about it! Hahaha..."
Xiayang Sanren laughed triumphantly.
Clearly, by surpassing Chunyang Sanren for the first time, he felt extremely pleased.
"We'll see then..."
Chunyang Sanren said calmly, as if he didn't take Xiayang seriously at all.
"Hmph, you'll regret it. Let's go!"
Xiayang, with his two disciples, walked towards the sect.
Zhang Ergou could only glare angrily at the retreating figures of Xiayang Sanren and his disciples.