A quiet atmosphere enveloped the dense forest that Yuan Jin passed through. A thin mist hung in the air, and the leaves were wet with morning dew. The sounds of birds and the gurgling of the river combined to create a calming natural symphony.
In the midst of this atmosphere, a young man in a simple robe walked slowly. On his back hung a long black silver sword that shone faintly. It was Shidou, the legendary spirit sword that had now merged with Xiao Ling's spirit. Yuan Jin had traveled a long way from Planet Senruo to this place: the Blue Moon Sect.
The night before, he had passed through a valley filled with spirit beasts, and faced the illusory mist of ancient caves that tried to confuse him. However, with his strong focus and cultivation strength, Yuan Jin managed to overcome all obstacles. He knew that time was precious. The key to the God King's inheritance was about to appear, and he could not miss it.
When he finally arrived before the majestic towering gate, his feelings were mixed. The gate's walls were made of bluish-white stone, with a dark blue crescent moon symbol engraved in the center. The spiritual aura from this place was very strong, proving that the Blue Moon Sect was no ordinary sect.
However, Yuan Jin's steps stopped.
He frowned, then looked back as if to make sure that no one was following him. Slowly, he removed the Shidou sword from his back and stared at it seriously.
"I think... I should hide this sword. Don't let the identity of this sword be known to all members of the sect," he muttered.
With a flow of spiritual energy, he shrank the sword into a miniature size and put it into the inner pocket of his clothes. He also activated a protective seal to cover the sword's aura so that it would not be detected.
However, before he could take another step, an old and deep voice sounded from behind.
"Junior, what are you doing here?"
Yuan Jin reflexively turned his head. An old man with a white beard and a blue robe was standing a few steps behind him. The aura emanating from him showed that he was no ordinary person.
"Senior, are you an elder in this sect?" Yuan Jin asked politely.
The old man smiled faintly. "Yes, I have been serving as an elder of the Blue Moon Sect for fifteen years. My name is Li Sanzhou, please call me Senior Li."
Yuan Jin bowed in respect. "Senior Li, if you would like, I would like to join the Blue Moon Sect."
The elder stared at Yuan Jin for a moment, as if trying to read the honesty in his heart. Then, he chuckled. "Hahaha... As expected. Your spiritual aura is clear and sharp. You must have a great goal. Of course, you may enter. What is your name, young man?"
"Yuan Jin."
"Alright, Yuan Jin. From today on, you are a member of the Blue Moon Sect. I wonder, what is your purpose in joining here?"
"I wish to improve my cultivation. I hope this sect can guide me to grow stronger," Yuan Jin replied with sincerity.
"You have come to the right place," Elder Li replied with a satisfied smile. "We are not an ordinary sect. The Blue Moon Sect was founded by an ancestor who was once a God King candidate in the past. Here, you will find techniques that you cannot learn anywhere else."
"Will I be given a place to stay?" Yuan Jin asked, a little hesitant.
"Of course," Elder Li replied, pointing to the row of buildings beyond the gate. "Since you came with a strong core aura, I will place you directly into the core group. You will live in the 'Moonlight' pavilion, a quiet place suitable for cultivation."
"Many thanks, Senior."
"No need to be polite. But one thing you must remember, in this sect, there are many who will be watching your every move. Do not be gullible. Even in a place like this, competition can be fierce."
Yuan Jin nodded. He was used to facing obstacles.
He stepped inside, passing through the grand gate and entering the inner courtyard of the sect. The scenery inside was beautiful. Gardens filled with spiritual flowers, clear pools that reflected the moonlight even during the day, and white stone paths that cut through the pavilion complex.
The 'Moonlight' pavilion was located on the east side. Its building was simple yet elegant. As Yuan Jin entered it, he let out a long breath. This was the beginning of his new journey.
The first night in the sect, Yuan Jin sat cross-legged on a meditation mat. He activated his energy circulation, trying to adjust to the spiritual formation around the pavilion. But his mind could not calm down. He kept thinking about his main mission: seizing the key to the God King's inheritance.
"I can't fail..." he muttered.
In the dark night illuminated by the bluish moonlight, Yuan Jin closed his eyes. His soul began to connect with the celestial energy above. Soon, Xiao Ling's spirit appeared in the form of a small, glowing shadow before him.
"Master... this place is so beautiful..." Xiao Ling said in a soft voice.
"You should stay quiet for a while, Xiao Ling. I don't want them to know who you really are."
"Okay, I'll take care of myself. But if there's any danger, I'll come out."
Yuan Jin smiled faintly. Although small, Xiao Ling had great courage. She was Yuan Jin's only true friend so far.
The next day, Yuan Jin attended orientation in the great hall with dozens of other new disciples. He was introduced to several instructors, shown the training grounds, and taught the sect rules. Elder Li introduced him personally, which caught the attention of several senior disciples.
"Is that the new kid who immediately became a core disciple?" whispered one of the disciples.
"He looks ordinary. Does he have connections?"
"Or is he hiding something?"
Yuan Jin did not respond. He knew that soon, he would show them who he really was.
Several days passed. Yuan Jin began to learn the basic techniques of the sect, build connections with fellow disciples, and learn the terrain and structure of the Blue Moon Sect. He knew that the moment when the inheritance key would appear could happen at any time.
And when that moment came, Yuan Jin would be ready. He didn't just want to seize the inheritance. He wanted to leave a mark that would be remembered for all time.
To be continued...