The next morning, Lin Ho stood before the massive bronze gates of the Core Disciple Hall.
Golden talismans hovered in the air, glowing softly. Just passing through the gate required recognition from the sect's formation array. When he stepped forward, the glyphs spun—then clicked into alignment. The gate creaked open without resistance.
> "He's authorized…"
Guards and outer sect disciples watching from afar whispered, many for the first time realizing that Lin Ho had now joined the ranks of the true elites of Qingye Sect.
Inside, the hall was grand, built from spirit-forged wood and reinforced jade. The walls displayed the names of past disciples who had reached immortality or ascended to the starry realms beyond. A gentle pressure radiated from the hall, pressing down like the gaze of ancient dragons.
Lin Ho approached the registration elder, an old man with white eyebrows that drooped like silk.
> "Lin Ho. Promotion confirmed," the elder muttered after inspecting a scroll. "Room assignment: Azure Peak, Fourth Pavilion. Benefits include one high-grade cultivation room, access to the Clearheart Library's second floor, and one personal servant. You may select your servant or bring your own."
Lin Ho gave a polite bow.
> "Thank you, Elder."
The elder didn't respond, already distracted with his next scroll.
---
Azure Peak – Fourth Pavilion
Unlike the shared quarters of outer and inner disciples, the Core disciple residences were like palaces. Lin Ho's new courtyard had three floors, a personal spirit spring, and a formation-run alchemy room. Spirit herbs lined the path, and formation stones glimmered beneath his steps.
Inside, a letter awaited him on a jade pedestal.
He broke the seal.
> "To the one touched by chaos — we see your path. Continue west in three nights. The stars must align."
There was no signature.
But Lin Ho's expression darkened. The presence of the letter meant someone had entered the pavilion unnoticed — past formation, guard, and seal. Whoever left it had a deeper understanding of chaos than even he did.
He burned the letter, the fire vanishing without ash.
---
Meanwhile – Elder Council Chambers
Several Qingye Sect elders sat in silence.
> "He passed the realm test. But the results were... unsettling."
> "Chaos-like fluctuations. Even the Heaven-Pattern Mirror rejected a reading."
> "Should we suppress him?"
Elder Qiu stood, eyes firm.
> "Suppress? No. Observe, yes. If we suppress prematurely, we'll only awaken what we fear. Let the boy walk his path. If he falters, we will intervene. But if he rises…"
No one spoke for a long time.
> "Then he will either become Qingye Sect's greatest weapon—or its undoing."
---
End of Chapter 72