A Sect, the Outer Sect is merely the foundation.
It merely provides an opportunity for ordinary disciples to stand out from the Outer Sect and enter the Inner Sect, which is the true beginning of cultivation. Therefore, the Inner Sect of a sect is the true pillar.
Following behind the elderly man with the surname Hua, the crowd slowly proceeded along the path towards the Inner Sect.
The Inner Sect of Extreme Realm Mountain is unlike the Outer Sect; it is much quieter, and it is rare to see a crowd of disciples swarming through the area. At most, in groups of three to five, heading to the cultivation area.
"The Inner Sect of Extreme Realm Mountain requires at least Body Refining Tenth Layer to enter. Currently, there are a total of two thousand three hundred and fifty-two Inner Sect disciples. Among them, there are five hundred and seventy-three at the Body Refining Thirteenth Layer Realm."
Elder Hua spoke while walking, and following his explanation, discussions immediately erupted among the crowd behind him.
"Five hundred and seventy-three at the Thirteenth Layer Realm, goodness, the foundation of Extreme Realm Mountain is truly frighteningly deep!"
"Ordinary Two-star Sects may have at most 10 Thirteenth Layer Realm members. A slightly larger one, like the Chiba Sect, probably only has about one hundred. Yet, this Extreme Realm Mountain alone has over five hundred."
"Being able to nurture so many at the Thirteenth Layer Realm, the Inner Sect’s cultivation area must be extraordinary. I didn’t expect that after being mocked by Luo Sect Leader’s friend, Elder Hua would actually show us the Inner Sect."
Amidst their discussions, a somewhat smug smile appeared on Elder Hua’s lips.
In principle, outsiders are definitely not allowed into the Inner Sect, but if someone is curious enough, they can definitely find out something from the mouths of Inner Sect disciples. So, taking advantage of this Ten Talents Trial, it was simply made public.
Let the true foundation of Extreme Realm Mountain be revealed across the entire East Lake.
At the same time, let the Three-star Sects see the foundation of Extreme Realm Mountain, creating the potential for collaboration.
As long as a collaboration happens, obtaining higher-level resources and dominating East Lake would be no issue. Moreover, if the collaboration is fruitful, Extreme Realm Mountain becoming a pseudo Three-star, or even a true Three-star, would not be far off.
Elder Hua continued, "For Inner Sect disciples, we first focus on cultivation training, allowing disciples to spend less time but achieve great results, staying ahead on the path of cultivation. Meanwhile, we also put effort into their martial arts, cultivation techniques, and combat abilities. The martial arts practiced by Inner Sect disciples are undoubtedly the top in East Lake, created by sect ancestors over a thousand years, ensuring the authenticity and uniqueness of the school. As for cultivation techniques, Extreme Realm Mountain’s disciples who enter the Inner Sect can all practice Yellow Level lower-grade cultivation techniques; if they reach the Thirteenth Layer Realm, they can enter the Star Sea Pavilion, and with patience, find truly middle-grade Yellow Level ones amidst a sea of texts."
After Elder Hua’s speech, the outline of the Inner Sect began to take shape in everyone’s mind.
As Elder Hua continued walking, the group arrived in front of a pond—the water was truly a vibrant blue and about a hundred yards in both length and width.
In the center of the pond, several Body Refining cultivators were sitting cross-legged in stillness, surrounded by some long, ribbon-like black fish. They were emitting white electric light.
The electric light directly streamed into the body of the person in the pond through the water, yet the person seemed unaffected, remaining in stillness.
The crowd couldn’t help but express astonishment upon seeing this scene.
Even the two people from the Three-star Sects couldn’t help but focus intently on it, as anyone could tell that this pond was not simple!
With a smile, Elder Hua turned his gaze towards Wen Ping. At this moment, Wen Ping followed closely behind Luo Qianye at the forefront of the group, very close to Elder Hua. Elder Hua immediately asked, "I wonder if Luo Sect Leader’s friend, Sect Leader Yang, knows a thing or two about this cultivation area of mine?"
With his question, everyone turned their attention to Wen Ping—a person accompanied by a large native dog. If Luo Qianye hadn’t mentioned that Wen Ping came from a Major Sect, they would have thought Wen Ping was a disciple of some One-star Sect.
Everyone thought, there must be nothing to criticize about this place, right?
This pond’s intricacies were beyond their comprehension.
And at this moment, Wen Ping merely glanced at the Thunder Pool and slowly crouched down beside it, reaching his hand into the water.
As soon as he touched the water’s surface, a numbing electric sensation spread from his fingertips throughout his entire body.
It seemed as if all the pores on his body simultaneously opened up, revitalizing his entire being.
"Using the electricity released by the thunder eels to stimulate the flesh and meridians of the cultivator, allowing the circulations to run swiftly and the body to be refined quickly. If I’m not mistaken, cultivating in this Thunder Pool doubles the results with half the effort, right?"
After Wen Ping spoke, everyone turned their gaze again to Elder Hua.
Elder Hua smiled, stroked his beard, and nodded, saying, "Luo Sect Leader’s friend is surely from a great place. Thunder eels are not from East Lake, yet you recognized them at a glance. The cultivation method using thunder eels was also pioneered by us at Extreme Realm Mountain, and you managed to grasp it at a glance. I am impressed!"
However, Elder Hua’s smile suddenly froze.
Having finally spoken a word of praise, the next utterance from Wen Ping was yet another very disagreeable one.
"It’s just a pity that although the Thunder Pool is good, it resulted in a group of Body Refining cultivators being wasted."
Having said that, Wen Ping was secretly pleased.
Wandering through the Outer Sect, he had noticed eight deficiencies.
But he didn’t say anything.
Now Elder Hua had just presented him with another one.
This was already the ninth deficiency.
With one more deficiency, he would complete the side quest.
Immediately, Elder Hua shouted angrily, "Luo Sect Leader, your friend is far too insolent!"
Luo Qianye did not respond.
Wen Ping continued, "You asked me yourself. If I’m not mistaken, this Thunder Pool is generally only available for use by those at the Thirteenth Layer Realm, right? One hour of cultivation here is akin to two, and the electricity stimulating meridians should be for the purpose of opening the Meridians Gate."
Elder Hua replied, "Correct! Our Extreme Realm Mountain has experimented with many methods over the millennia, and only this thunder eel method has proven to be most effective. That’s why we have remained a giant in this barren East Lake for hundreds of years."
Wen Ping chuckled, "That’s why I say, external aids are ultimately just that, external; where there is benefit, harm will inevitably follow!"
Finishing his statement, Wen Ping again casually inquired, "Anything else?"
Elder Hua’s brow furrowed, his aura suddenly surged.
Wen Ping was also prepared for a confrontation, knowing it was unlikely to avoid a fight when picking faults.
But just then, an aged voice came from behind the crowd!
"I wonder which great sect friend is here to toy with my Extreme Realm Mountain, or is my Extreme Realm Mountain so universally inadequate?"
Upon hearing this voice, everyone immediately turned to look back.
When they felt the imposing aura approaching, their expressions began to change.
The Profound Middle Realm of Extreme Realm Mountain had arrived.
Seeing the person clearly, everyone’s expressions turned into one of schadenfreude, because the visitor was Extreme Realm Mountain’s Grand Elder, Bai Peng! Bai Peng had specifically left the busy preparations for the Ten Talents Trial to come here.
Yet when he approached and saw Wen Ping at the front of the crowd, Bai Peng exclaimed in astonishment.