Qin Chen stepped into his new residence, a grand courtyard built atop one of the highest peaks in the Azure Sky Sect.
The difference between the Outer, Inner, and Core Sects was as vast as the heavens and earth—and nowhere was that more evident than the place he would now call home.
A palace-like estate, surrounded by a vast lake of liquid spiritual energy, glowing faintly under the rising sun.
Towering jade pillars, engraved with ancient runes that naturally gathered the surrounding Qi, increasing cultivation efficiency.
A dedicated alchemy hall, stocked with premium-grade cauldrons and flame-controlling formations.
An underground training chamber, reinforced with spirit-forged stone capable of withstanding even Core Formation-level attacks.
An open-air pavilion, where Core Disciples could meditate amidst floating islands of condensed Qi.
The sheer luxury of it all was enough to make any Inner Disciple tremble in envy.
But for Qin Chen?
It was just another stepping stone.
He walked to the edge of his estate, gazing out over the sect.
For the first time since entering Azure Sky, he wasn't looking up at the mountains.
He was standing above them.
But that didn't mean he was truly at the top.
Not yet.
As Qin Chen stood there, his mind sharpened.
He wasn't naïve.
His rise had been too fast.
He had skipped the Inner Sect entirely, breaking a precedent that had stood for hundreds of years.
And now?
He was the weakest Core Disciple.
A slow exhale left his lips.
While his combat ability far exceeded that of an average Foundation Establishment cultivator, that meant nothing here.
Because the other Core Disciples were all in the Core Formation Realm.
That was a full major realm above him.
And not just any random Core Formation cultivators—the absolute geniuses of the sect.
All Core Disciples were stronger than him in cultivation.
Many of the top Inner Disciples were stronger than him as well.
Core Disciples wouldn't just accept him—they would test him, challenge him, maybe even try to eliminate him.
Qin Chen wasn't afraid.
But he wasn't reckless either.
His ability to fight above his level was already monstrous, but even he couldn't challenge high-level Core Formation geniuses without proper preparation.
He needed a plan.
Qin Chen sat cross-legged in his cultivation chamber, the golden glow of spiritual energy swirling around him.
The System interface appeared before him.
First Priority: Use System Points Efficiently
Ding!
Total SP: 7,700
Available Lottery Spins:
1x Advanced Spin1x Elite Spin
His resources were good, but he had to use them wisely.
The Foundation Establishment Realm wasn't enough anymore. He had to push into Core Formation as quickly as possible.
Now, it was time to move forward.
4. Alchemy for Strength – Refining Foundation Building Pills
Qin Chen entered his new alchemy chamber, standing before a jet-black pill furnace, engraved with ancient runes pulsing with light.
Alchemy had become second nature to him thanks to the System, but this time, he wasn't just refining for himself.
He was refining for his parents.
He had made use of some of his Core Disciple resources to procure ingredients, which the sect gave him without question, as they were only Foundation Establishment level herbs.
Ding!
Alchemy Refinement Activated!
Pill Type: Foundation Building Pill
One by one, he prepared the ingredients.
Scarlet Yin Leaf – Enhances Qi circulation.
Spirit-Rich Lotus Root – Stabilizes dantian expansion.
Crimson Star Essence – The core ingredient, refining Qi into a denser form.
He controlled the flames perfectly, ensuring each ingredient melted into the essence without losing its medicinal properties.
Minutes passed.
Then—
BOOOOM!
A surge of golden mist erupted from the furnace.
Ding!
Refinement Success!
Foundation Building Pills (x10) Created!
Qin Chen smirked.
Perfect.
He immediately placed five into a jade bottle, sealing it with his spiritual imprint.
Then, he retrieved a blank jade slip, pouring a small amount of his spiritual sense into it.
A simple message.
Mother. Father.
Take these. They will help you advance.
—Qin Chen.
With a wave of his hand, the message and bottle vanished, sent through the sect's messenger formation.
For a moment, he just sat there, silent.
His parents…
He had ignored them for so long.
It was time to change that.
5. A Storm Is Brewing – The Core Disciples Take Notice
Meanwhile, deep within the Core Sect, a group of figures stood together on a floating peak.
Ten figures.
The Core Disciples.
The ones who ruled the sect from the shadows.
A young man with dark-golden robes leaned against a railing, his aura terrifyingly calm, yet suffocating.
He gazed toward the distance, where Qin Chen's name was slowly being carved onto the Heaven's Ranking Tablet.
A slow chuckle left his lips.
"So, that's the new one?"
Another disciple, a woman with cold, piercing blue eyes, folded her arms.
"He entered straight from the Outer Sect. That alone makes him worth watching."
A third disciple scoffed.
"He's Foundation Establishment. He's nothing."
But the golden-robed disciple's smirk widened.
"You don't understand."
He turned, his golden eyes gleaming.
"The sect doesn't just promote someone to Core Disciple without reason."
"If he's here… it means he's a monster."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice low and dangerous.
"And if there's a new monster in the Core Sect…"
"That means we'll have to break him in."