The Core Formation cultivator who walked in was the very person who had chased and tried to kill Shu Han that day.

Shu Han quickly swallowed his tea and got up to pay his respects, "Junior Yu Tiancheng, pleased to meet senior!"

The old man's expression was less than pleasant. He glanced at Shu Han, thinking disdainfully, 'Just a mid-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, and yet I have to receive him.' Ever since he was inexplicably beaten up by that old fellow last time, his personal magic treasure was destroyed, and his cultivation plummeted, his days in the sect had become increasingly difficult.

He spoke tersely, "Hmm, since you come recommended by the Sect Leader from outside, you won't need to go through the usual background check. Stick close. I'll give you a tour of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect and brief you on some basics."

With that, he turned to leave, and Shu Han hurriedly followed.

"My surname is Zhong. From now on, you can address me as Elder Zhong."

Shu Han quickly nodded in acknowledgment. Leading Shu Han out of the reception hall, they flew along the ridge line of Fiery Cloud Mountain.

With a sweeping view of the scenery on both sides of the mountain's base, Elder Zhong explained, "The heart of this Fiery Cloud Mountain is the Earth Dragon Fire itself. The closer you get to the volcano's mouth, the richer the spiritual energy. Qi Refining disciples of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect are only allowed to move around the base of the mountain where spiritual energy is weaker. Foundation Establishment cultivators are limited to the mountain's midsection, while the peak is reserved for us Core Formation elders. Do not wander there without cause. Understand?"

"Understood, senior!"

Next, Elder Zhong brought Shu Han to a trial platform area at the foot of the mountain.

This trial area was divided into two parts. One was a regular arena where Qi Refining cultivators continuously battled, while the other section housed rows of black refining furnaces. Underneath these furnaces were flame outlets from which the subsidiary flames of the Earth Dragon Fire surged.

Qi Refining cultivators were lined up in this refining area, purifying materials and crafting magic tools and elixirs.

Elder Zhong handed Shu Han a storage pouch. Inside were basic robes, magic tools, a token for entering and leaving the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, and a manual detailing the sect's techniques. He said, "Since you were recommended by the Sect Leader, there's no need for an evaluation. You can directly become an inner disciple and study the techniques of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect."

"What you're given now are the most basic techniques, magic tools, and elixirs. If you want higher-level items, you'll need to exchange them for sect contribution points."

Shu Han asked, "Elder Zhong, I've heard that the sect provides the source of the Earth Dragon Fire. Can I exchange sect contribution points for this source?"

"Absolutely not!" Elder Zhong replied irritably, "Why do all the newcomers covet the source of the heavenly fire? Do you think such a thing is easily rewarded? Aside from those in the Core Formation stage, hardly anyone gets it. Of course, if you manage to rank among the top three on the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard, the Sect Leader might graciously bestow it upon you."

"The top three of the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard?"

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Catching the fleeting glint of ambition in Shu Han's eyes, Elder Zhong scoffed, "A mid-level Foundation Establishment cultivator like you shouldn't even dream of it. The top ten are all late-stage peak cultivators, and the top three are all False Core Formation cultivators."

Shu Han gasped in disbelief. This was far more challenging than the Purple Sun List.

Seeing the fire of ambition dim in Shu Han's eyes, Elder Zhong continued, "Stay grounded and don't dwell on the impossible. Besides the sect's regular tasks, you also need to take on at least one Qi Refining disciple every three years. If you can nurture them into becoming exceptional talents who eventually achieve the Foundation Establishment, the sect will reward you generously."

He pointed to the trial area below, "There's a group of disciples about to be inducted. Since you come recommended by the Sect Leader, you can have the first pick. Choose between one and three."

Shu Han felt a pang of frustration. He had come to learn in secret, not to take on disciples.

Sigh.

Although reluctant, he had no choice. It seemed that all sects required Foundation Establishment cultivators to take on Qi Refining disciples. After all, the Foundation Establishment stage is the backbone of a sect's workforce. The more Foundation Establishment cultivators there are, the more prosperous the sect.

Looking over at the arena, the sight of so many spirited Qi Refining disciples made his headache. He worried about possibly getting a battle-crazy disciple who'd constantly nag him for guidance.

It might be better to choose a tool refining disciple. At least he could hand over a manual and let the disciples figure things out by themselves, being a hands-off master.

Thus, his gaze shifted to the refining section, where he spotted several disciples showcasing refined techniques. Just as Shu Han decided on one, a young man caught his eye.

The youth's refining skills were far from adept; they were quite raw. He had already ruined two batches of materials since he started. Now, with his face pale and sweating profusely, his technique faltered due to extreme nervousness, and he was on the verge of spoiling another batch.

With poor skills and an unstable mindset, it seemed unlikely that this young man to become an excellent refiner.

However, Shu Han pointed at the youth and said, "Senior, I choose him."

Elder Zhong's eyelid twitched in surprise, "Do you even know how to refine? That lad has ruined three batches of materials already. Someone with his aptitude would never be accepted into the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect. Why would you choose him? There's an easier path for you, but you'd rather challenge yourself with higher difficulty?"

Shu Han smiled, "Isn't nurturing him into a master refiner an even greater testament to my abilities?"

"Whatever! I won't bother with your choices."

Elder Zhong waved his hand, and the young man, who had just ruined the third batch, was lifted into the air and floated towards them. The youth, seeing both Elder Zhong and Shu Han, trembled in fear and quickly knelt, "Junior... pay his respects... to the two seniors. I'll reimburse the cost of the materials... please spare me!"

"Hmph! We didn't bring you here to discuss the materials. This youngster here wants to take you as his disciple."

The young man looked up in surprise at Shu Han, "You want me as your disciple?"

Shu Han helped him up. Observing the young man, who appeared around his age but only had the cultivation of the seventh level, Shu Han couldn't help but sigh. "What's your name?"

"Senior, my name is Bai Xingyan."

"Who taught you the refining method you used just now?"

Bai Xingyan promptly replied, "It's our Bai family's ancestral refining technique."

As expected!

Shu Han had noticed the novice's refining technique, which bore traces of the Bai Family Artifact Refining Manual. An emotion swelled inside him, "Master, I've found a descendant of your lineage in the north of the Great Cloud. The Bai family line continues. You can rest in peace."

He patted Bai Xingyan on the shoulder, "From now on, you are my disciple, Yu Tiancheng. Follow me and learn the proper refining techniques. Don't let down your ancestral skills."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xingyan quickly paid his respects to Shu Han.

Shu Han smiled, "No need for formalities. I'm also new to the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect."

Elder Zhong, growing impatient, interjected, "Hurry up and send him away. You still have many things to learn upon joining, and I don't have the time to linger here with you." He took out a token and tossed it to Bai Xingyan, "Consider yourself lucky to have found such a clueless master. Take this and register at the sect."

"Thank you, Elder. Thank you, Master!"

Thus, the once-despairing Bai Xingyan became the first to earn a spot in the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, while Shu Han continued to tour the sect with Elder Zhong.