Various thoughts flashed through Lu Changsheng's mind. He was well aware that the path of martial arts had been explored extensively by countless predecessors. Once he entered the inner sect, he would naturally gain access to deeper teachings and answers.
With that in mind, he stepped out of the blood qi pool.
"Senior Brother Lu, congratulations on condensing divine fortifications and advancing to the Divine Fortification Realm!"
The outer disciples all stepped forward to congratulate him. Every single one of them looked at him with burning fervor.
Lu Changsheng nodded to each of them, then left and headed toward Courtyard No. 12. However, as he passed through the outer sect grounds, a steward suddenly stepped forward and blocked his path.
"Lu Changsheng, you're here! We couldn't find you in your courtyard earlier. Soone has challenged you. Will you accept?"
"A challenge? From whom?"
He was slightly surprised that soone actually dared to challenge him after he had defeated ng Fang and beco one of the Untouchables.
"Senior Brother Lu, it's ! I'm the one who's challenged you. My na is Cheng An. I've been in the outer sect for eight years. It seems like I've hit a wall with my Wave Intent, and I ca to seek your guidance. Your Wave Domain shares the sa lineage as my cultivation. I hope to test myself against it, and perhaps evolve my own Domain. I hope you can grant this opportunity!"
Cheng An stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Lu Changsheng. He knew full well that he was no match for Lu Changsheng. He hadn't challenged Lu Changsheng in hopes of victory, but for a chance at a breakthrough. In truth, he was asking for help.
Lu Changsheng was not irritated by this challenge. Seeing how sincere Cheng An was, he rely shook his head.
"I see... If you had co a few hours earlier, I might have accepted your challenge and given you a hand. But now, it's too late."
Cheng An and the outer sect steward were taken aback. According to the rules, if an outer disciple formally issued a challenge, the scion disciple was required to accept, unless he had already taken on a challenge that month. Lu Changsheng had only defeated ng Fang the other day to secure his position. He had not yet accepted any challenge. By the rules, he could not refuse.
"Lu Changsheng, I am sure you know the rules. You cannot refuse now. If you do, it will count as you forfeiting and voluntarily giving up your scion disciple status," the steward explained, his expression stern.
Cheng An stared at them, befuddled. He could not believe such fortune would co his way. After all, Wang Cheng had already secured that position by sheer luck. Surely sothing like that would not happen again, would it?
"It's not that I'm declining your challenge. I simply cannot accept," Lu Changsheng clarified. "I've just finished condensing divine fortification, which ans I'm now a Divine Fortification martial artist."
"Wha..."
"Huh?!"
Cheng An and the steward looked at him with wide eyes, as though they misheard.
"You already... condensed divine fortification?"
"Senior Brother Lu, is that truly the case?"
"It's only been one day. Are you telling us you managed to condense divine fortification in just one day? If that is so, you must advance to the inner sect. If you leave now, how can you possibly retain your scion disciple status?"
"Senior Brother Lu has two Domains. He has likely ford two layers of divine fortifications. With that foundation, even among the inner sect, few could threaten his position."
"He has been in the sect for only four months... and he has already reached the Divine Fortification Realm..."
So disciples passing by had overhead Lu Changsheng's claim, and they were equally shocked. But on second thoughts, they realized it was only natural. After evolving two Domains, condensing two layers of divine fortification would not be difficult. In the end, they were wondering what Lu Changsheng was still doing here in the outer sect.
Buzz...
Without another word, Lu Changsheng activated a layer of Tempest Divine Fortification. His aura surged in an instant, and his physical prowess increased twentyfold. A fearso aura spread outward for a hundred zhang before he deliberately restrained it. Had he not done so, the force would have been overwhelming.
The oppressive aura and the shimring layer of divine fortification left no room for doubt. Lu Changsheng had truly beco a Divine Fortification martial artist.
For a mont, Cheng An's expression stiffened. He had finally gathered the resolve to issue a challenge, hoping to temper himself beneath Lu Changsheng's pressure and force a breakthrough. Unfortunately, the gap between them had already beco insurmountable.
"Steward, given my situation, I am allowed to decline Cheng An's challenge, right?" Lu Changsheng asked, slowly and firmly.
"Yes. Of course, no issues with that," the steward replied at once.
According to the rules, once an outer disciple condensed divine fortification, they no longer belonged to the outer sect and did not need to follow its rules. Hence, Lu Changsheng could simply disregard Cheng An's challenge. In truth, he could have sparred privately with Cheng An and used his Domain to help him. Perhaps that might have given Cheng An a chance to evolve one of his own.
However, Cheng An was just a stranger to him, so there was no reason to aid his training for free. Had it been a proper duel, he would have faced it openly, but otherwise, he had no obligations.
Lu Changsheng turned and walked away. He was already a Divine Fortification martial artist, and his path lay beyond the outer sect. There was no need to involve himself further in its affairs.
Cheng An watched him leave. He opened his mouth to speak but ultimately swallowed his words. In the end, he rely let out a resigned sigh.
The news of Lu Changsheng's departure threw the outer sect into an uproar. Condensing two layers of divine fortification was already incredible, but four was simply absurd. The disciples were stunned that soone with four Domains had casually walked among them.
Now it beca apparent that during his duel with ng Fang, Lu Changsheng had not even co close to revealing his full strength. He had defeated his opponent with just two Domains, keeping the other two hidden.
If not for the witnesses at the blood qi pool, few would have believed this shocking revelation.
"Senior Brother Lu really kept a low profile. And when he does make a move, he makes it count!"
"He knew exactly what he was doing. And they said he was scared to answer that first challenge. Hah, Wang Cheng is the luckiest man alive."
"Hehe, so technically, Wang Cheng's the only outer sect disciple who has beaten him, right?"
"Hahaha! Sure, he can brag about that. But you've seen what Senior Brother Lu is capable of. It's clear he's on a whole other level. The inner sect isn't his final destination."
"True inheritor disciple... Give it ti. That's where he's headed."
Of course, becoming a true inheritor was no easy task. To advance to that position, one had to reach the Divine Treasury Realm. Unlike the Divine Strength and Divine Fortification Realms before it, the Divine Treasury was an entirely different threshold.
Countless gifted disciples stopped just short of that step, unable to advance further. In the end, they had no choice but to accept positions as sect stewards, remaining in the Divine Fortification Realm for the rest of their lives. Even so, once Lu Changsheng entered the inner sect, he was destined to beco a figure of note.
He delayed going to Courtyard No. 12 in order to settle matters with the inner sect, which was quite so distance from the outer sect. Normally, disciples of the outer sect did not step into the inner grounds unless they sought soone or were formally advancing.
Before long, Lu Changsheng arrived and walked straight to the inner sect's steward's office.
"Greetings, Steward Elder. I am Lu Changsheng, an outer disciple. I have condensed divine fortification. Please examine it."
With that, Lu Changsheng manifested a layer of divine fortification.
"Hm? Tempest Divine Fortification! And a top-tier one at that! It strengthens the body by twentyfold. Not bad! Hand over your identity token."
Seeing the Tempest Divine Fortification on Lu Changsheng, the attitude of the steward elder imdiately softened. After all, anyone who could condense top-tier Divine Fortification was probably very talented.
Lu Changsheng handed over his identity token.
"Outer sect scion disciple?" The elder's eyes narrowed slightly as he examined Lu Changsheng from head to toe, seemingly surprised.
Having left the outer sect as a scion disciple, Lu Changsheng would maintain that status upon joining the inner sect. However, unlike in the outer sect, there was no protection period for newcors in the inner sect. Here, challenges could be issued at any ti. Naturally, a freshly promoted scion disciple from the outer sect would be seen as easy prey in the eyes of many inner disciples. After all, that title represented tangible authority and benefits.
"Huh?"
Inner disciples quickly took notice of Lu Changsheng. Their gazes were not rely curious; they were eager, sharp, and faintly covetous.
"Elder, I request to challenge this new scion disciple!"
One disciple imdiately stepped forward, not even asking the na of the one he was challenging. He saw an opportunity and he took it. After all, holding the title of scion disciple for even one day could bring imnse benefits.
"Haih, too late. Pang Yuan applied first."
"Pang Yuan? He's not that strong, but he sure moves fast. That scion spot's probably his."
"Hehe, he's been sitting on a bunch of finished missions and didn't turn them in on purpose. If he gets scion status even for just a day, that's double rewards for all of it. Lucky bastard."
"Damn... He got there first."
Many inner disciples sighed in frustration. Pang Yuan had actually managed to snatch this opportunity.
"Wait. What was your na again?" the inner sect elder suddenly asked.
"Lu Changsheng."
"Lu Changsheng... You're the one who joined through the Heavenly Stairway four months ago and defeated ng Fang?"
The steward elder's eyes widened as he recalled those events. Pang Yuan also froze.
"He defeated ng Fang?"
He did not know Lu Changsheng, but ng Fang's na was familiar even within the inner sect. The Three Untouchables was no empty moniker. Those individuals had deliberately remained in the outer sect in order to accumulate strength, and once they finally advanced, they were bound to beco prominent figures in the inner sect.
ng Fang lost to this guy?
Pang Yuan swallowed dry, unease rising in his heart. He had been so eager to seize what he had seen as a valuable opportunity that he had challenged this man without even asking for his na. Perhaps he had been too hasty.
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