The Qian trigram is Heaven—vast, boundless, and profoundly mysterious.

Therefore, among the Eight Peaks, the Qian Peak Grotto was the highest. Swirling clusters of five-colored auspicious clouds circled in the sky, containing the transformations of Yin and Yang and the profound principles of the Five Elements.

Layers upon layers of brilliant light flowed endlessly, appearing and disappearing, cycling without cease. The sight was simply dazzling.

As the Daoist, Jiang Yi’s Token allowed him to enter and exit the Eight Peak Grottos at will, without needing to announce his presence to a True Monarch or seek permission.

This was also why he had been able to brazenly pass through the mountain-warding formation of Nanheng Ridge without alerting Luo Qingya.

"It’s truly thanks to the Daoist’s prestige that I’m able to set foot on Qian Peak."

Luo Xuanming sat on the embroidered couch of the flying chariot, his expression grave, even a little stiff.

Although he was a Foundation Establishment True Master, he had not attained the rank of a True Disciple and had naturally never been to the Qian Peak Grotto.

The entry requirements for the Innate Sect’s Eight Peak Grottos varied greatly.

Among them, Qian Peak was the most inaccessible. Unless one was a Grotto-Heaven True Disciple—a vessel for the Dao—it was extremely difficult for other Disciples to be summoned there.

Thus, it wasn’t unreasonable for Luo Xuanming to say he was benefiting from another’s prestige.

He gazed at the glorious auspicious clouds surrounding them, which resembled layers of astral qi blanketing the Qian Peak Grotto. This was the "Innate Separation and Union Divine Light," capable of annihilating a Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer Grand True Master and damaging the Dharma Body of a True Monarch.

The flying chariot slowly passed through the grand formation. Azure and white qi chased each other like Yin and Yang fish. Myriad rays of light streamed down, separating into nine layers, each containing the principles of creation and destruction. Wherever the light shone, space froze and metal and stone turned to dust.

For a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like him, even a single sliver of that divine light would likely obliterate his soul, leaving no chance for reincarnation.

"Among the Eight Sects, only the Taifu Sect’s ’Great Five Elements Annihilation Divine Light’ can compare to this."

True Master Xuanmiao, who was curled into a ball, poked his head out.

"This ’Innate Separation and Union Divine Light’ is also an incredible Divine Technique."

"Xiao Jiang, you possess two Daoist Scriptures. Once you reach the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm, you’ll surely be able to comprehend and master it."

Gazing at the boundless, magnificent divine light, as thick as a layer of clouds, Jiang Yi’s heart burned with ambition.

’If I could master such a Divine Technique, I could stand against Ji Fuyao’s [Tai Yang] Mighty Radiance.’

He remembered clearly that the [Great Sun Mighty Virtue Divine Light] was ranked among the ten great divine lights of the Yanfu Vast Land.

Many True Monarchs had fallen to this Divine Technique, and Lady Xuan’nv was no exception.

’Foundation Establishment... If I can forge a first-class Dao Foundation in the Yanfu Vast Land, I’ll have a chance to pursue the Golden Position.’

As Jiang Yi’s thoughts drifted, the Token hanging from his waist flashed, opening a gateway in the grand formation. Once inside, auspicious mists and rosy light surged forth to guide the two flying chariots.

In an instant, they were transported before a palace hall.

Seeing the Daoist’s carriage, the page boys and strongmen outside the hall quickly prostrated themselves in greeting. Palace maids held bouquets of flowers and servant girls swept the grounds, a truly grand reception.

Even an ordinary figure like Luo Xuanming, who had been assigned outside the sect, was able to enjoy this extraordinary honor.

"Daoist, you grace Qian Peak with your presence. I have failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me."

Jiang Yi stepped out of the flying chariot and saw a middle-aged Daoist bowing with his hands clasped. The man wore a silk sash the color of sunset clouds and had a cattail-leaf fan hanging from his waist, which faintly emanated a dense fire-type energy. It was quite extraordinary.

"I wish to see the Sect Leader."

Jiang Yi said, getting straight to the point.

He was dressed in a pale blue Daoist Robe. His Divine Sense was growing stronger by the day, adding to the spiritual grace in his features. An aura of the Dao surrounded him, giving him a remarkable presence.

The middle-aged Daoist said with a smile:

"The Sect Leader just sent a message by flying letter. He asks the Daoist to wait here for a few days. Within the Qian Peak Grotto, the Daoist may go anywhere he pleases without restriction."

Jiang Yi nodded. Qin Baiyu, the Sect Leader of the Innate Sect, was a famous figure even among the many True Monarchs of the Yanfu Vast Land.

It was said he had a chance to advance to the rank of Daoist Monarch within a thousand years, becoming one with Heaven and revered by all.

"I will obey the Sect Leader’s decree."

Jiang Yi clasped his hands and agreed, then added:

"Also, I intend to enter the Taichang Dragon Pavilion to select a suitable Technique, then go to the Zhouguang Grotto to comprehend and cultivate it."

The middle-aged Daoist performed a Daoist salute.

"The Daoist’s position is honorable and weighty. To enter the Taichang Dragon Pavilion, you do not need to announce yourself separately. You may proceed directly with your Token."

"However, as for the Zhouguang Grotto... I’m afraid that might be difficult."

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow and asked:

"Has a True Disciple spent their Dao Skill to occupy the cultivation spot in the Zhouguang Grotto?"

The middle-aged Daoist nodded and replied:

"Indeed. True Inheritance Yuan of Zhen Peak recently used ten units of Dao Skill to exchange for twenty days of access to the Zhouguang Grotto. He is cultivating inside at this very moment."

Jiang Yi felt a flicker of regret, but only said:

"Then never mind."

Although he had not yet made any significant contributions, with his esteemed status as the Daoist, the sect would still allocate Dao Skill to him just for completing the Yuanchu Hall examination and making progress in his Merit.

He had already accumulated over twenty units. If he used all of them for the exchange, it wouldn’t be difficult to push True Inheritance Yuan of Zhen Peak out.

However, True Inheritance Yuan and Feng Yuan of Li Peak belonged to the same master-disciple lineage, and they had never shown any malice toward him. Jiang Yi saw no need to forcibly make an enemy over this.

He said softly:

"Then I’ll go to the Taichang Dragon Pavilion first."

The middle-aged Daoist secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The news that this Daoist of a different surname had slain Grand True Master Luo Qingya had long since spread throughout the Innate Sect.

Who wouldn’t be at least a little afraid of such a sharp and decisive, murderous character?

Besides, not even the True Monarch of the Luo Clan had been able to handle this outsider Daoist. With his Cultivation achievement of condensing supreme-grade True Qi, reaching the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm was already set in stone.

Give this Daoist another thirty to fifty years of Cultivation, and he might one day justifiably ascend to the position of Crown Prince.

Being a bit more polite to him was the prudent course of action.

The middle-aged Daoist said with a smile:

"I will lead the Daoist to the Taichang Dragon Pavilion right away."

As a sect elder like him, he was long past the age of trying to get ahead in a hurry.

Offending the Daoist and deliberately making a stand was something only an overly ambitious hothead trying to curry favor with the great clans would do.