The road became quiet.
The bandits were gone.
The frightened merchants slowly stood up from where they had been hiding.
Some sighed in relief.
Others thanked the heavens for saving their lives.
Lin Tian let out a long breath.
He finally lowered his sword.
His arms were sore from the battle.
His clothes were covered in dirt.
But he was still standing.
The old man’s voice echoed in his mind.
“You did well.” “You protected the weak.” Lin Tian smiled slightly.
“I still have a long way to go.” “You do.” “But every great cultivator begins with a single step.” At that moment, the elderly man from the Azure Cloud Sect walked toward him.
He wore a white robe with blue cloud patterns.
His long white beard reached his chest.
His eyes were calm, but they seemed able to see through everything.
The disciples behind him stood respectfully.
No one dared interrupt.
The elder stopped in front of Lin Tian.
“So…” “You’re Lin Tian.” Lin Tian bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, Elder.” The old man nodded.
“My name is Elder Chen.” “I am responsible for bringing new disciples to the Azure Cloud Sect.” Lin Tian looked surprised.
“You recruit disciples personally?” Elder Chen smiled.
“Only when something unusual happens.” His gaze shifted toward the broken battlefield.
“And today…” “Something unusual happened.” Lin Tian’s heart skipped a beat.
“Does he know about the Heaven-Forbidden Root?” The old master’s voice answered immediately.
“Stay calm.” “Do not reveal anything.” Lin Tian nodded silently.
Elder Chen looked at Yue Qingxue.
“You arrived earlier than expected.” Yue Qingxue bowed.
“Greetings, Elder Chen.” “You know each other?” Lin Tian asked.
Yue Qingxue nodded.
“I am already an inner disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect.” “I was returning from a mission.” Lin Tian blinked.
“Inner disciple…” He remembered how easily she had defeated the assassins.
Now it finally made sense.
Elder Chen folded his hands behind his back.
“I heard you protected innocent people.” Several merchants quickly stepped forward.
“It’s true, Elder!” “The young man fought the bandits to save us!” “If it weren’t for him and Miss Yue, we would have died!” The other merchants nodded.
“He never ran away.” “He stood in front of us.” Elder Chen looked at Lin Tian for a long moment.
Then he smiled.
“Talent is important.” “But character is even more important.” Lin Tian lowered his head.
“Thank you, Elder.” Elder Chen turned toward the flying ship.
“The Azure Cloud Sect entrance examination begins in six days.” “You may come with us.” Lin Tian froze.
“I…
can?” “Of course.” “But understand this.” “Coming with us does not mean you have passed.” “You must still earn your place.” Lin Tian’s eyes filled with determination.
“I understand.” “I’ll do my best.” Elder Chen nodded.
“I hope you will.” Just then, a proud voice came from the flying ship.
“Elder Chen!” “Why are we wasting time on a Body Tempering cultivator?” A young man wearing expensive blue robes stepped onto the deck.
His arms were folded.
His expression was full of arrogance.
He looked down at Lin Tian as if he were beneath him.
“This kind of trash doesn’t belong in the Azure Cloud Sect.” The smile on Lin Tian’s face disappeared.
A new challenge had just appeared.