My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

The new disciples immediately realized this was an important figure from the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect. They all stopped their discussions, sneaking glances at Qin Fang and wondering about his status Within the Sect.

Qin Fang's Divine Sense quickly swept over the register, its contents becoming clear in his mind. Only then did he look up at the new disciples by the entrance, his voice composed and calm as he said, "The Martial Arts Examination is now complete. All those whose names are on this list are now Registered Disciples of our Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect… This marks the beginning of your new journey on the path of Martial Arts."

Though his voice was calm, it carried throughout the entire square. Everyone subconsciously fell silent, their gazes fixed intently upon him.

"Outer Disciples, you will now follow the guiding Stewards to Huixian Hall in the Household Affairs Department. There, you will use the Martial Arts Examination register to receive your Outer Disciple Token and a copy of the Newcomer's Guide… As for your residences, monthly stipends, and assigned duties—all such matters will be explained to you by the Stewards in the hall."

As his voice faded, several capable-looking Stewards who had been waiting at the side, dressed in Frost Gray Profound Light Robes, immediately called out, "All Outer Disciples, follow me! Gather over here!"

The new Outer Disciples looked apprehensive, but they obediently hurried to follow.

A short while later, the large group of Outer Disciples had departed, leaving twenty-seven people behind.

The square suddenly felt much more spacious.

Only then did Qin Fang's gaze fall upon them.

The new disciples immediately straightened up, their expressions becoming exceedingly respectful.

Twenty-seven people. Nineteen men and only eight women.

He gave a slight nod. "The few of you will follow me up the Heaven-Reaching Road to the square before the Heavenly Gang Hall. There, you will perform the sacrificial rite of initiation, listen to the Sect Leader's admonition, and be formally entered into the inner registry… As for where you go from there, that will be left to fate."

The new disciples hurriedly and respectfully replied, "Yes!"

Qin Fang gave a slight nod. "Follow me."

Then, he turned and, just as Luo Yuntian had once led his own batch of disciples, began the trek up the Heaven-Reaching Road.

Seeing the scenery along the Heaven-Reaching Road, Qin Fang heard their hushed gasps and discussions behind him… just like his past self.

An emotional, nostalgic look couldn't help but surface on his face.

Before he knew it, they had arrived at the square before the main hall.

In the mist-wreathed square before the main hall, many disciples and Elders had already gathered to observe the ceremony.

The solemn atmosphere immediately made the once-ecstatic new disciples nervous. They swallowed hard, not daring to speak another word.

After coming to a stop at the edge of the square, Qin Fang turned his head to the side. "Wait here quietly."

All the new disciples immediately adjusted their posture and stood respectfully at attention.

Only then did Qin Fang step forward, feeling the gazes of everyone fall upon him.

And these people… he recognized most of them.

His mind was as placid as an ancient well as he arrived before the majestic and imposing Heavenly Gang Hall.

Qin Fang took a deep breath, clasped his hands in a salute, and announced, "True Disciple Qin Fang of Guiyuan Hall has returned to the mountain to report."

"This year's Lanyang City Martial Arts Examination is complete, with a total of three hundred and fourteen new disciples. Of those, two hundred and eighty-seven are Outer Disciples, who have been led by Stewards from the Household Affairs Department to be settled in Huixian Hall. The twenty-seven Inner Sect Disciples have all arrived before the hall and are awaiting the Sect's instructions."

His voice, calm and composed, echoed across the square.

A short time later, a radiant light emerged… Qin Fang knew his Martial Uncle had arrived.

Sure enough, his Martial Uncle's True Gang Avatar materialized before the hall. Qin Fang noticed his Martial Uncle glance at him, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, and then his Martial Uncle's voice thundered.

"Since you have entered the Heavenly Gang…"

"I bestow upon you the status of Inner Sect Disciple…"

"On the path of Martial Arts, courageous diligence is the foundation…"

"I hope you will remember, you must…"

"After the ceremony…"

His Martial Uncle's words were not much different from the admonition given to Qin Fang and his peers years ago.

It was a ceremony, after all, so it was naturally more or less the same.

When his Martial Uncle finished speaking, the True Gang dissipated.

But Qin Fang knew that the True Gang Avatar hadn't simply exploded… rather, it had converted back into True Essence and returned to his Martial Uncle's body.

'…Using a True Gang Avatar takes a severe toll on the mind each time.'

'To dissipate the avatar just to show off? How stupid would that be?'

'…Even if it's just a Mind-Residing Avatar.'

In the past, Qin Fang wouldn't have been able to see it, but now… With a faint glimmer of spiritual light in his eyes, Qin Fang could see a large amount of True Gang in the air, quietly flowing away in a single direction.

Only then did Qin Fang rise and walk back to the new disciples… He saw the awe in their eyes as they gazed at the main hall.

'…I'm suddenly starting to understand the Sect's purpose for putting on such a display.'

'One, to establish its might. And two, to fill the disciples' hearts with yearning and aspiration.'

As these thoughts crossed his mind, he said calmly, "The Sect Leader's admonition is complete. Inner Sect Disciples, follow me into the hall to perform the sacrificial rite and be formally entered into the inner registry."

After speaking, he turned and led the new disciples, who were once again excited and apprehensive, through the gazes of the onlookers and finally arrived before the main hall.

He mimicked the deep bow Luo Yuntian had made all those years ago, and the heavy doors of the hall swung open.

The new disciples' eyes lit up.

At Qin Fang's command, "Enter the hall," the disciples followed nervously behind him.

Then they saw the majestic great hall, the nine-tiered Black Jade Altar, and the Bronze Tripod standing before it.

"Form ranks. Stand straight."

Qin Fang's voice echoed in the vast, empty hall.

The new disciples, captivated by the sight before them, snapped back to their senses at his words.

They quickly composed themselves, lining up neatly before the altar in complete silence.

"The beginning for a Martial Artist…"

"This is the Origin Martial Stele…"

"As you have received its grace, so must you bear its burden…"

As Qin Fang spoke, he forced out a drop of his blood and let it fall into the great Bronze Tripod.

As that familiar feeling of a bloodline connection to the entire Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect surged within him once more… and as he saw the looks of anticipation and aspiration in the eyes of the new disciples behind him…

…Qin Fang had a sudden realization as to why this initiation ceremony had to be hosted by a True Disciple.

It is a form of succession.

For the new disciples, it is so.

And for the True Disciple hosting the ceremony… it is also so.

Vaguely, as if in a daze, Qin Fang felt an indescribable weight settle upon his shoulders.

…It was the weight of the Sect's legacy.

'This… is my Sect.'

He thought dazedly.