Chapter 329

Then forget it, I'll just keep it for myself as a collection.

By the way, how have you been lately? Did you pass the inner disciple examination?

Lin Meng mused that if Ye Fan became an inner disciple, the cultivation resources he could access would likely be greater, which would also benefit her.

At that moment, Ye Fan watched the disciples' sparring on the training field while attentively listening to Lin Meng's question.

Upon hearing that, he immediately replied:

"Immortal sister, I am already an inner disciple, but I still want to vie for a core disciple spot."

Lin Meng was startled to hear that Ye Fan had already become an inner disciple and even wanted to compete for a core disciple spot—he was being overly ambitious.

"Ye Fan, you're not so great—quickly tell me what perks being a core disciple brings."

Hearing the immortal sister praise her, Ye Fan couldn't help but curl his lips; he couldn't let the immortal sister down, given all the excellent cultivation resources she had provided him—if he couldn't even win an inner disciple spot, that would be too embarrassing.

As for core disciples…

"Immortal sister, Yun Tian Sect's inner disciples get one chance each year to contend for core disciple status; today is the core disciple selection trial, and I have also signed up to participate."

"It is said the only standard is being favored by the sect's inner elders, who are willing to take one as a closed-door disciple, thereby becoming a core disciple."

"I observed that some disciples, even if they lose in the arena bout, are still taken as disciples by inner elders; thus I guess the elders perhaps look only at the disciples' aptitude."

Thus Ye Fan dared to participate with his mid-Foundation Establishment strength, since this is the only chance each year—if he misses it, he'll have to wait until next year.

Since he happened to encounter the core disciple selection just a few days after being promoted to inner disciple, he naturally wants to give it a try.

Lin Meng, hearing that, also felt a sense of anticipation.

It's a pity I can't go see it in person; otherwise it would be too exciting.

Thinking of this, Lin Meng tried to push with her spiritual power the mysterious door in the second space; indeed it didn't budge at all, so she had to give up.

"Immortal sister, the inner sect's senior brothers and sisters are all very strong; although I have reached mid-Foundation Establishment, my foundation and combat strength seem far inferior to theirs."

"Inner disciples can access the sect's higher-level techniques; each of their displayed arts far surpasses mine; for this core disciple selection, I fear I won't be selected."

Ye Fan watched the battle for a moment, suddenly felt somewhat disheartened, thinking the techniques he had learned were all quite ordinary and basic.

In contrast, other disciples either can release a lightning dragon or can condense tens of thousands of flying swords in the sky.

Their techniques are far too powerful; compared to the three-legged cat techniques I learned, it's like heaven and earth.

Ye Fan's first match, as team captain, pitted him against a disciple who had just risen from the outer sect; the gap between them wasn't large, so he still had confidence earlier.

But as he watched, he noticed something was off.

Those inner elders stationed high up, covertly scouting disciples, although they don't care about a disciple's momentary cultivation level, they seem to favor those who can display high-level techniques.

"Just do your best; don't overthink it. Being able to enter the inner sect already surpasses many people. You should know you've been in the sect less than a year; such a rate of improvement is probably uncommon in our sect."

Lin Meng spoke to comfort him, she discovered that this child Ye Fan was too eager to improve, similar to Ye Xiu, both anxious to grow.

But compared to peers of the same age, they are already quite excellent; there's really no need for such internal exhaustion.

After hearing Lin Meng's words, Ye Fan felt much better in his heart; after thinking, he said:

"Immortal sister is right; compared to those who entered the sect with me at the same time, I am already quite fortunate; cultivation is a long and arduous path, many cultivators stay in the sect for a hundred years, whereas I became an inner disciple in less than a year of entry—I should be content."

After Ye Fan finished speaking, his whole person relaxed considerably.

The immortal sister not only provides him cultivation resources, but also can comfort and encourage him like this, letting his Dao heart be firm, not giving rise to inner demons.

As for this core disciple position, he must obtain it somehow, but he isn't in a rush.

Over the next couple of hours, Ye Fan, while watching the battles, also served as an on-site commentator for Lin Meng, explaining each of those splendid and mighty techniques to her.

Lin Meng, while listening, also imagined those grand scenes in her mind.

She could hardly imagine that such an earth-shaking grand technique, if displayed in the real world, would be what kind of shocking scene.

Those techniques that can even control heavenly and earthly phenomena, summoning rolling thunder and raging winds, if manifested in reality, might even be seen as some kind of natural disaster.

Nowadays, when a typhoon blows and the clouds flash with lightning and thunder, someone always posts it online with the caption 'Which fellow cultivator is undergoing tribulation here?'

Lin Meng thought, if one day she also reaches the point where she needs to draw heavenly lightning to break through her cultivation, would she also become some fellow cultivator appearing on someone else's phone?

Thinking of this, Lin Meng's lips curled up slightly, she felt some anticipation.

Ye Fan had been speaking vividly, when suddenly his voice cut off; the entire training field, including the pavilions filled with watching disciples, fell silent in an instant.

Not for any other reason, but because the two Supreme Elders who never come to the core disciple examination site actually appeared.

Ye Fan's impression of these two Supreme Elders only extends to occasional remarks from Senior Brother Song.

Senior Brother Song once told him that Yun Tian Sect has a pair of immortal Dao companions whose cultivation has reached the half-step to the God Transformation realm, representing the current peak combat power of the entire Yun Tian Sect—these are precisely the two Supreme Elders.

Ye Fan couldn't help but look toward the distant midair; a pair of exquisite beauties descended together from the heavens, truly eye-catching.

The disciples also secretly felt shocked, continually exclaiming in awe.

The Supreme Elders of Yun Tian Sect are actually a handsome man and beautiful woman couple, with an otherworldly demeanor; if not told they are Supreme Elders, one would only think they are a high‑looking, lovingly devoted Daoist couple.

Who would have thought that any elder of Yun Tian Sect who has ever shown their face is all weather‑worn, looking at least several hundred years old at a glance.

Yet, paradoxically, the two with the highest cultivation look remarkably youthful and pleasing to the eye.

"Are these the two Divine Needles of Stabilizing the Sea of our Yun Tian Sect? I didn't expect them to look younger than me!"

"Mind your words! The two Supreme Elders are at least eight hundred years old; don't speak recklessly."

"Is this what a Nascent Soul cultivator looks like? I am merely a lowly Foundation Establishment cultivator; although only a Golden Core stage separates us, looking at the two Supreme Elders makes me feel like an ant on the ground gazing up at the stars—when will I ever reach Nascent Soul?"

"…"

Ye Fan, standing nearby, was likewise deeply shaken, his heart unable to calm for a long time.

As a mere beginner who has just reached Foundation Establishment in the cultivation world, he cannot possibly imagine eight hundred years of time, just to ask what the feeling of pursuing the Dao through cultivation is.

Eight hundred years is enough for the seas to turn into mulberry fields, for eras to change.

Lin Meng saw Ye Fan suddenly fall silent, and hurriedly asked.

"What's wrong?"

Ye Fan came to his senses, then said to Lin Meng:

Immortal sister, how long is eight hundred years? The Grand Elder is eight hundred years old, having reached half-step to Deification; if I want to condense a Nascent Soul, would five hundred years be enough?