"You’ve all done well to make it back here alive."

"Due to the unexpected incident in the Ten Thousand Beasts Secret Realm that triggered a Beast Tide, many servant disciples died inside. Their Talisman Jades were lost, and their contributions were wiped clean."

"However, I have made a decision. The contributions earned by the deceased disciples will be divided among you. Servants who did not become Outer Disciples will receive a single share, while those who did will receive a double share."

"Next, I will announce the top one hundred who have earned the right to enter the Outer Sect."

"First place, Chen Yan of Sword Control Peak."

"Second place, Gong Feibai of Jade Cauldron Peak."

"Third place, Beast Taming Peak... Yu Changsheng."

When he announced the name from Beast Taming Peak, Elder Wan was clearly taken aback. He raised his eyes to look at the handsome, pale-faced young man standing in the corner.

To pass the selection at such a young age, and to take third place at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer Realm—that level of strength was something else.

However, Elder Wan just assumed the boy had used the Secret Realm to his advantage and had some talent in Beast Taming, which was how he’d managed to remain unharmed and pick up so many Talisman Jades.

After that one glance, he lost interest and looked away.

After all, the path of Beast Taming was widely considered the weakest in the Wanxiang Sect. One more disciple in third place wouldn’t change anything.

Only Yun Hejing understood the full story.

She had used a method to obscure the Divine Senses of others, but she had been able to see Yu Changsheng’s performance. His two Guardian Beasts and the massive fireball at the end had left her utterly astounded.

Hearing Elder Wan call out his name, Yun Hejing tensed up subconsciously. Fortunately, the elder quickly moved on to the next name.

"Fourth place, Zhuang Yan of Sword Control Peak."

’Hmm, I didn’t expect this boy’s talent to be greater than I thought. To actually reach fourth place at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer... he must have killed quite a few disciples and Demon Beasts.’

A trace of pleasure appeared in Elder Wan’s heart.

Sword Control Peak still made up a large portion of the top one hundred disciples. Overall, Magic Peak and Beast Taming Peak were at the bottom, just like in previous years.

Beast Taming Peak was especially pitiful, with only three disciples making it into the Outer Sect this time.

A smile played on Elder Wan’s lips as he continued to read out the names. He had already removed the servant disciples who had lost limbs or been crippled.

After all, the sect wouldn’t help an Outer Disciple reconstruct their body. Accepting them would just be a hassle. It was better to let them continue as servant disciples and squeeze out their last bit of value.

As for whether they would be willing... hehehe, with the contributions from the deceased disciples as a reward, they would be nothing but grateful!

After taking a few Qi Blood Pills and recovering some of his strength, Zhuang Yan bowed deeply to Yu Changsheng once again in thanks.

His expression was one of such gratitude that he looked as if he wished he could pledge his life to Yu Changsheng in return.

He knew that he had survived this time entirely due to luck and Yu Changsheng’s help. With his personality, he wouldn’t hesitate to go through hell and high water for him in the future.

In response, Yu Changsheng just smiled faintly and gestured that it was nothing.

Then, he took out a Hundred Treasures Pouch and handed it to Zhuang Yan, saying, "This contains Wu Shang’s belongings. There are many Cultivation Elixirs inside that are useless to me. Take them. Try to break through to Late-stage Qi Refining within a year."

"And as for that Dragon’s Roar Sword, don’t let Huang Suyu find out about it."

Zhuang Yan accepted the Hundred Treasures Pouch, so moved he was on the verge of tears.

Such warmth in this world.

"Thank you, Junior Yu!"

Yu Changsheng clapped him on the shoulder. "From now on, let’s look out for each other in the sect."

Zhuang Yan nodded vigorously, thinking to himself, ’From now on, no matter who asks, I can’t reveal Junior Yu’s true strength.’

’A Qi Refining Fifth Layer cultivator with two Guardian Beasts—and both of them are mutated variants with extraordinary abilities. He even survived the Beast Tide unscathed. That level of power is terrifying, far beyond normal standards.’

’A disciple like that, as long as he doesn’t die prematurely, has a real chance of reaching Foundation Establishment and becoming a Golden Core True Master!’

Even though Beast Masters were considered the weakest path in the eyes of others, after witnessing Yu Changsheng’s terrifying power, Zhuang Yan no longer thought so.

’I guess it depends on the Beast Master,’ he mused, looking at Yu Changsheng’s youthful face. He became more and more convinced that the young man had a boundless future and was a powerful ally he needed to stick close to.

"This concludes the list of the one hundred promoted disciples. Congratulations on becoming Outer Disciples. Now, the Elders of each peak may take their respective disciples and depart."

"As for the other servant disciples, you will follow the arrangements of the Blue-robed Steward."

"All contribution points will be distributed to you within three days."

"Alright, disciples of Sword Control Peak, come with me."

Elder Wan opened his mouth and spat out a Treasure Sword, which grew to be dozens of yards long and hovered in mid-air.

Seeing the jaws of the Sword Control Peak disciples drop and the excitement on their faces, Elder Wan nodded in satisfaction. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"All disciples, get on."

After Zhuang Yan bid farewell to Yu Changsheng, the Treasure Sword quickly carried the new Outer Disciples of Sword Control Peak away.

The Elders from the other Inheritance Peaks also began to show off their unique abilities.

Yun Hejing’s figure landed in front of Yu Changsheng. She formed a hand seal and pointed, and a brilliant white light flared before everyone’s eyes.

"Come with me."

The white light dissipated, revealing a Phoenix-tailed Bird with resplendent feathers.

Its body was far from small, measuring ten to thirteen feet long. Even while squatting, it was taller than Yu Changsheng. A current of wind swirled around its spread wings, giving it an ethereal grace.

Besides Yu Changsheng, there were two other disciples from Beast Taming Peak. In truth, they were just there to make up the numbers. Their performance hadn’t been outstanding; they had simply been lucky enough to find a place to hide from a wave of the Beast Tide and had then picked up many Talisman Jades.

And luck, in reality, was also a form of strength.

Yun Hejing stole a glance at Yu Changsheng, knowing it wasn’t the right time to talk. She flew onto the Phoenix-tailed Bird first, and with a sweep of her sleeve, brought everyone else up as well.

The other two disciples stumbled on the Phoenix-tailed Bird’s back, teetering and nearly falling off.

But the Phoenix-tailed Bird let out an intelligent cry, and the currents of wind from its wings helped them steady themselves.

Yu Changsheng, meanwhile, was curiously stroking the Phoenix-tailed Bird’s feathers. ’I wonder how strong a beautiful Guardian Beast like this is in a fight,’ he thought. ’And how would it taste?’

"Hold on tight. Let’s go."

Yun Hejing shouted, and the Phoenix-tailed Bird shot into the sky with everyone aboard, flying toward Beast Taming Peak at incredible speed.

That speed was much faster than the Iron Carving King!

’It’s a Second-stage Guardian Beast!’ Yu Changsheng determined inwardly.

Just a few dozen breaths later, they landed in front of the Disciple Hall on Beast Taming Peak.

Under Yun Hejing’s guidance, they registered their identities and received their Outer Disciple Sect Tokens.

"Remember to keep your Disciple Tokens safe. They contain the identification for several of Beast Taming Peak’s Arrays. If you lose it, you’ll have to go to the main peak of the sect to get a replacement."

"As Outer Disciples, your area of activity is limited to the mountainside of the peak. You are not to enter the summit area above without permission."

"The Affairs Elder will inform you of the remaining matters."

After handing them over to the Affairs Elder, Yun Hejing glanced at Yu Changsheng one more time before turning and flying toward the summit.

’I have to hurry and tell Master about this!’

In fact, Yu Changsheng had noticed all of Yun Hejing’s stolen glances. His Divine Sense was at the Foundation Establishment level, after all. Even if it wasn’t as strong as hers, it wasn’t far behind!

’She doesn’t have a crush on me, does she?’ Yu Changsheng rubbed his own sixteen-year-old face, feeling a little self-conscious.

’I haven’t even finished puberty yet. I have no desire to spend all night discussing the Dao.’