84: Chapter 84 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (Thirty-Two)

He then turned to look at Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan and Princess Xiao Xiao, cupping his hands in farewell: "Brother Xiao, Princess, I will return to Lieyang Peak with the Elder first. When I have time in the future, I will come to visit."

Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan smiled and returned the gesture: "Brother Chu, you are too polite. In the future, within the Holy Land, let us visit each other often and look out for one another."

Princess Xiao Xiao, however, stood with her hands on her hips, chin tilted up, and shook her fist at Chu Shi: "Chu Shi, don't you dare just focus on closed-door cultivation! I will surpass you sooner or later, so just you wait!"

Chu Shi chuckled and nodded, then followed Elder Zhang and the group of new disciples toward Lieyang Peak.

On the way, Elder Zhang walked while introducing the scenery along the path to Chu Shi. From the specialties of each peak to the rules and taboos of the sect, he explained everything in great detail.

Halfway there, Elder Zhang suddenly raised his hand and handed Chu Shi a bag and a glistening white jade talisman.

"Elder, what is this?" Chu Shi was slightly stunned and did not take it immediately.

"Take it." Elder Zhang stuffed the items into his hands and said with a smile, "Inside this is a sum of cultivation resources, including ten bottles of high-grade Body Tempering Paste and some auxiliary materials for cultivation. Consider it a welcoming gift from me. This jade talisman is for self-preservation; it contains a full-strength strike from me. If you encounter a life-or-death crisis, crush the talisman, and it will save your life."

Chu Shi felt a warmth in his heart and quickly bowed in thanks: "Thank you for your generous gift, Elder. This disciple is deeply grateful."

"What is there to thank me for? You are the most outstanding disciple of our Lieyang Peak this generation; naturally, I must look after you more." Elder Zhang waved his hand and then added, "By the way, since you are first in this trial and climbed to the ninth level of the Heavenly Ladder, according to sect rules, you may choose three Earth-grade inheritances."

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Chu Shi's eyes. An Earth-grade inheritance—this was an inheritance that could lead directly to the Silver Marrow Realm. Their Chu family only had one Earth-grade cultivation technique inheritance. Even in the large sects of Canglan State, these were considered sect-protecting inheritances, not easily imparted.

However, Elder Zhang changed the subject and continued: "But I advise you not to be in a rush to choose. You have not yet officially stepped onto the path of cultivation and have not even broken through to the Iron Skin Realm. Your top priority is to build a solid foundation. The basic technique distributed to all new disciples, the 'Great Sun Body Refining Technique', appears ordinary, but it is actually the foundational technique of our Great Sun Holy Land. It contains the ultimate principles of the Nine Suns Great Dao and is more than enough for you to cultivate up to the Copper Bone Realm. Once you break through to the Iron Skin Realm and officially start your cultivation, go and ask the Peak Master for his opinion. Wouldn't having him choose the most suitable inheritance for you be much better than choosing blindly yourself?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Shi immediately understood Elder Zhang's good intentions and quickly cupped his hands in thanks: "This disciple understands. Thank you for your guidance, Elder. This disciple will definitely focus on cultivation first, build a solid foundation, and not rush for quick success."

"That's right." Elder Zhang nodded in satisfaction and added with a chuckle, "As for weapons, armor, and the like, I won't prepare those for you. When you officially break through to the Iron Skin Realm and the Peak Master holds the Disciple Acceptance Ceremony, valuable treasures will naturally be bestowed upon you. The Peak Master's generosity is far greater than mine."

Chu Shi smiled and accepted this, feeling a bit more anticipation for the generosity of his master, Peak Master Lieyang.

After chatting along the way, they soon arrived at Lieyang Peak. The entire Lieyang Peak towered into the clouds, crimson all over, with natural Fire Spirit Veins spread across the mountain. The air was filled with a gentle Yang energy, which was most suitable for body tempering cultivation.

At the foot of the mountain were rows of cave dwellings, which were the residences for the Inner Sect Disciples of Lieyang Peak. On the mountainside, independent courtyards were arranged in an orderly fashion, and the Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi was even denser; these were the residences for the Core Disciples. And at the peak, surrounded by clouds and mist, palace complexes appeared faintly—this was the residence for the Peak Master, the various Elders, and the True Inheritor Disciples.

Once inside the peak, the other new disciples had already been led away by the deacons of the peak to settle in. Only Chu Shi was personally led by Elder Zhang toward the place on the mountainside where the Yuan Qi was most abundant.

Finally, Elder Zhang stopped in front of an elegant, independent courtyard. Hanging in front of the courtyard gate was a plaque with the three large characters "Tingyang Courtyard" written on it. Inside the courtyard, there were pavilions and towers, as well as a natural spirit spring bubbling with warm water. A rich, fire-attribute Yuan Qi rushed toward them, several times denser than elsewhere.

"Nephew Chu, this courtyard is one of the best on the mountainside of our Lieyang Peak. The Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi is abundant, the environment is elegant, and it even comes with an independent cultivation room and a spirit spring. Are you satisfied with it?" Elder Zhang asked with a smile.

Chu Shi looked at the scenery inside the courtyard and was extremely satisfied. He quickly bowed in thanks: "Thank you for your trouble, Elder. This disciple is very satisfied."

"I'm glad you are satisfied." Elder Zhang nodded and then instructed: "The surrounding courtyards are occupied by Core Disciples from your batch, as well as several Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters from earlier batches. If you have time, you can visit each other to build good relationships. If you wish to focus on cultivation, it is also fine to visit after the Disciple Acceptance Ceremony. I live at the peak; this is my communication jade talisman. If you encounter any difficult problems you cannot solve, or if there is anything you do not understand in your cultivation, you can send me a message at any time."

Saying this, Elder Zhang handed Chu Shi a communication jade talisman, gave a few more instructions on cultivation precautions, and then turned and left.

Chu Shi saw Elder Zhang off, turned, and walked into Tingyang Courtyard to simply tidy up his things. Not long after he finished, a knock sounded outside the courtyard gate.

Chu Shi opened the gate and saw a dozen or so young men and women standing outside—all new disciples who had entered Lieyang Peak this time. Standing at the front was Wang Teng, who had climbed to the seventh level and was also a Core Disciple.

Seeing Chu Shi open the door, the group bowed together, their faces full of respect and admiration: "Greetings, Senior Brother Chu!"

Chu Shi stepped aside to let them in and said calmly: "Everyone, no need for such formalities. Come in and sit."

The group walked into the courtyard but did not dare to sit down casually. Wang Teng, who was in the lead, stepped forward, cupped his hands at Chu Shi again, and said sincerely: "Senior Brother Chu, you climbed to the ninth level of the Heavenly Ladder; your talent is unparalleled. You are the undisputed leader of this generation in our Lieyang Peak and even the entire Holy Land. We came here today, firstly, to congratulate you on joining the peak, and secondly, to hope that you can lead us to stick together so that we can avoid bullying in the future. After all, there are many geniuses within the Holy Land. We have just entered the sect, and our foundations are somewhat shallow, often leaving us feeling powerless. We hope for your mercy, Senior Brother Chu. In the future, within the Holy Land, we are willing to follow your lead and will have no second thoughts!"

The people behind him also echoed in agreement, bowing together: "We hope for your mercy, Senior Brother Chu. We are willing to follow your lead!"

Chu Shi looked at them and pondered slightly. Having entered the Holy Land, being alone, it was naturally a good thing if he could gather a group of disciples from the same peak. These people were basically little geniuses with superior bone structures, and their talents were not bad; it was possible they could grow up in the future. Thinking of this, Chu Shi nodded slightly and said calmly: "Thank you all for your good intentions, Junior Brothers. However, right now, the most important thing for us is to focus on cultivation. We need to break through to the Iron Skin Realm as soon as possible and officially step onto the path of cultivation. Other matters can be discussed in the future."

Upon hearing this, everyone was overjoyed; Chu Shi's words meant he had accepted their allegiance. Wang Teng quickly said: "Senior Brother is right! We will definitely keep your words in mind, focus on our cultivation, and will never hold you back!"

The group congratulated Chu Shi again, left the welcoming gifts they had prepared, and then respectfully took their leave, not disturbing him further.

After seeing them off, Chu Shi turned and closed the courtyard gate. After hanging a wooden sign outside that read "Closed-door cultivation, no visitors," he raised his hand to activate the courtyard's protective array. The moment the array was activated, the entire courtyard was isolated from the outside world, and the dense Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi was locked within, with not a trace leaking out. Chu Shi walked to the stone bench by the spirit spring, sat down, rubbed his chin with his fingertips, and began to take stock of his current situation.