Zhang Xinglie finished speaking and said, "After the two of us enter, Zhou Leng will demonstrate and then leave immediately, without competing with us for the Flying Moon Map. Now that you've come in, we should also follow Zhou Leng's example, demonstrate once, and leave promptly."

The two demonstrated once, bid farewell to the crowd, and walked into the left door.

Once the two disappeared through the main door, the crowd looked towards the Flying Moon List.

Surprisingly, Zhou Leng was still in first place.

"Following Zhou Leng means getting a good share," Li Yuanhe sighed.

Many nodded one after another, especially those who accompanied the transportation of the Ancient River Jade Stele.

Their talents were mostly above average, but not enough to reach a high class, yet simply by listening to Zhou Leng preach every day, they were elevated to a higher class.

Zhao Nandi said, "We Divine Rune Masters have already decided that upon arriving here, we will only study the divine texts to avoid interfering with you. Since the Flying Moon Map requires taking turns, we will only enter once to get a ranking, and spend the rest of the time studying the divine texts."

Thus, over two hundred people began discussing the queue order…

Innate Pavilion Square.

Zhou Leng heard the footsteps, stood up, and looked towards Zhang Xinglie and Song Juesi.

Song Juesi looked at Zhou Leng and asked, "Late stage of Life Force?"

Zhou Leng nodded gently.

The three looked at each other and smiled, all having advanced to the late stage of Life Force.

Zhou Leng carefully explained the rules of the third level.

Song Juesi's choices were exactly the same as Zhou Leng's, while Zhang Xinglie chose Blades Technique; the remaining eight were the same as Zhou Leng's.

The two began to comprehend the Boxing Martial Shadow Wall.

Neither could understand the text, so Zhou Leng helped to translate.

After watching several times, the two began practicing the basic Fist Technique along with the Martial Shadow Wall.

They practiced over and over again.

Zhou Leng stared at the Martial Shadow Wall but could not see the flashes.

Before long, the two stopped.

"Can you see your Martial Shadow Wall flashing, how many flashes?"

"Eight flashes," Zhang Xinglie said.

"Have you reached Divine Communication with your Fist Technique?"

Zhang Xinglie nodded lightly.

"Amazing," Zhou Leng praised, then looked at Song Juesi.

"Nine flashes."

Zhou Leng and Zhang Xinglie said in unison, "Congratulations, Elder Song."

Song Juesi shook his head and smiled, "I've only benefited from my age. If you reach my age, your basic skills will be more solid than mine."

Zhou Leng guided them through learning other Martial Shadow Walls one by one.

The two demonstrated terrifying strength.

Song Juesi consistently achieved nine flashes.

Except for not learning the Claw Technique, Zhang Xinglie had six flashes in some, seven in others, and eight flashes in the Stepping Technique, also reaching Divine Communication.

His basic skills had been more solid than Zhou Leng's since childhood.

After learning the first eight common Martial Arts, Zhou Leng first guided Song Juesi in Swordsmanship, then translated Blade Technique for Zhang Xinglie.

Song Juesi had eight flashes for Swordsmanship and stayed in front of the Swordsmanship Martial Shadow Wall, preparing to breakthrough to nine flashes.

Zhang Xinglie silently learned Blade Technique.

Like most Martial Artists, Zhang Xinglie hadn't learned weaponry before.

Now, Zhou Leng had reached Six Flashes in everything and was continuing to comprehend the Palm Technique, striving for the extreme of nine flashes.

In less than half a day, Song Juesi stood up.

Suddenly, the nine stone walls gently shook, and nine beams of light shot up into the sky, disappearing at the horizon.

Master Wu looked at Song Juesi, nodded whilst stroking his beard.

"Not bad, very good. Though older than others, coming in means carrying fortune."

"Young man, tell him, Nine Walls Nine Flashes, achieving greatness, becomes an Outer Sect disciple."

"Not only that, but also can be granted the 'Guhe Instructor' position, with an additional Innate Martial Art."

"Find an opportunity for him to enter the next Ancient River Ruins, surely a great fortune awaits."

Zhou Leng passed on the message, Song Juesi was delighted and thanked Master Wu.

Subsequently, Zhou Leng and Zhang Xinglie sought Song Juesi's guidance on basic techniques.

Elder Song's basic skills were unparalleled, and his casual pointers led to rapid progress for both of them.

This time, the learning of basic Martial Arts fully compensated Zhou Leng's foundational deficiencies.

If the foundation isn't solid, it'll lead to instability, making it extremely difficult to correct, often becoming more and more skewed.

The multitude of previously incorrect details and understandings got replaced by the correct Martial Arts from the Ancient River Sect.

Thus, building a ladder towards Ascension to Divinity.

Zhou Leng's progress exceeded that of the other two.

Three days later, Zhou Leng's Palm Technique reached Nine Flashes.

The Overlapping Waves Palm officially achieved Divine Communication.

Following that, both Eight Trigrams Step and Flying Cloud Leg achieved Divine Communication, with Basic Step Technique and Basic Leg Technique both reaching Eight Flashes.

The External Skill Mountain Assaulting Fist and Cloud Wandering Body Technique reached the Extreme Realm.

Cloud Stepping and Flying Crane Technique reached Perfection.

Zhang Xinglie's four External Skills achieved Divine Communication.

"That will do."

Master Wu, after speaking, glanced at the three of them.

Song Juesi was slightly lacking in the first two levels, but the third level was near the Three Sons of Ancient River level.

Zhang Xinglie had no weaknesses and, given time, was limitless in potential.

Master Wu looked at Zhou Leng.

At first, he judged that Zhou Leng achieved success merely by relying on Divine Texts, but upon carefully reviewing the three trials, Zhou Leng's growth was indeed unusual.

Yet, he couldn't figure out why Zhou Leng grew so rapidly.

Even with mastery of Divine Texts, achieving this level is difficult.

"Perhaps this lad's talent is due to good fortune? Otherwise, how could he encounter two friends with such great destinies simultaneously..."

Master Wu ceased to ponder further.

"The three of you may enter the Innate Pavilion and choose an External Skill for cultivation. The eldest may choose two skills. Proceed inside."

Zhou Leng conveyed the message, the three of them bowed in gratitude, stepped onto the stone steps, crossed the threshold, and entered the Innate Pavilion.

Inside, there were rows of Martial Shadow Walls, densely arranged, categorized into different types.

At the top center of each Martial Shadow Wall, a slowly rotating Divine Text was carved.

Name of the cultivation technique.

Master Wu said, "The Innate Pavilion hosts countless cultivation techniques; you must first decide what type of External Skill to choose, then select from its subdivisions. Quickly sense them, and finally choose the one that resonates most with you."

Facing thousands of Martial Shadow Walls, the three were at a loss.

Zhou Leng turned, cupped his hands and asked, "Master Wu, which type of cultivation technique should we choose?"

Master Wu replied, "You, lad, are quirky, possessing unique training methods, seemingly with a Martial Body Cultivation Method, so choose any External Skill you like. The boy with lion-like hair should choose a training method. As for the eldest, he must choose a training method. He doesn't need to cultivate Martial Body; his Cloud Pattern Dharma Body is the best Martial Body."

"Cloud Pattern Dharma Body..." Zhou Leng heard the name for the first time.

Zhou Leng informed Zhang Xinglie and Song Juesi.

Zhang Xinglie chose the training method, Song Juesi chose the training method and Palm Technique.

Zhou Leng had considered this early on.

He was naturally gifted in controlling True Qi, and among all External Skills, Finger Techniques released True Qi concentratedly, possessing the strongest power.

Since he already had a training method and Martial Body Technique, he decided to choose Finger Technique.

Thus, the three went to their respective cultivation technique areas, sensing each Martial Shadow Wall one by one, quickly feeling them and then moving on to the next.

The three ignored the Divine Texts, only observing the demonstration of cultivation techniques by the figures dressed in white, and noted down the Martial Shadow Walls that resonated most strongly.

After sensing 54 Finger Technique Martial Shadow Walls, Zhou Leng selected the three Finger Techniques he felt most strongly about.

Void-Breaking Finger, Star-Pointing Sword Qi, Life-Restoring Finger.

Zhou Leng couldn't decide momentarily and sought guidance from Master Wu.

Master Wu said, "Life-Restoring Finger is a healing Finger Technique, though extraordinary, it's unsuitable for beginners."

"Star-Pointing Sword Qi derives from the sect's first-ranked Swordsmanship 'Star-slaying Nineteen Swords'. But the Nineteen Swords are exceedingly peculiar, especially the nineteenth move, which can only be used once in a lifetime. Once used, it leaves no trace or memory."

"Star-Pointing Sword Qi, specifically learned from the nineteenth move, consists of a single move. When executed, True Qi is drained, and the body is harmed."

"Star-Pointing Sword Qi is too profound; if you have other Finger Techniques at hand, you can choose this one. But you haven't learned any Finger Techniques before, so Void-Breaking Finger is the first choice."

"Void-Breaking Finger was created by a talented Void God predecessor; its deep cultivation leads to mastering the Inner Sect's 'Star-Breaking Sword Point'. With a single point, stars are extinguished."

"If you are willing to heed my advice, then choose Void-Breaking Finger."

Zhou Leng replied, "I will follow the master's advice and first learn Void-Breaking Finger, and later, when proficient in Finger Techniques, learn others."

"A teachable disciple."

Zhou Leng no longer hesitated, sat before the Martial Shadow Wall of Void-Breaking Finger, and memorized the Finger Technique and True Qi route demonstrated by the figure in white.

After a day, he barely remembered.

Subsequently, he began memorizing Divine Texts.

The Divine Texts for Void-Breaking Finger were not only more profound than basic Finger Techniques but even deeper than those of the 'Star Gazing Technique'.

The first three moves of Void-Breaking Finger were not difficult, but the Divine Texts for the latter four moves were impossible to remember.

In the end, he had to give up memorizing the Divine Texts for the latter four moves and only remember those for the first three moves.

At this moment, Zhou Leng's mind was filled with countless Divine Texts, and he constantly listened to discussions between Ancient River Sect disciples and figures within the Martial Shadow Walls. His understanding of Divine Texts was now significantly advanced.

His level in Divine Texts had jumped from a third-grade elementary level when he first entered the Ancient River Trial to a fifth-grade level.

It only took a day for Zhou Leng to memorize the Divine Texts for the first three moves.

Rising and walking outside, Zhang Xinglie and Song Juesi stood at the door.

Both revealed helpless expressions, Zhou Leng had a thought and said, "Divine Texts?"

They nodded.

Without Divine Texts, the practical learning efficiency was at most 30%.

Zhou Leng looked towards Master Wu and asked, "Dare I ask, Master, can I translate Divine Texts for them?"

"You can, provided you have extra selection opportunities and choose the same martial arts as theirs."

"Is there any other way?"

"Yes, by becoming an Inner Sect disciple, you can guide Outer Sect disciples under the guise of bestowing skills."

"Is there a way for me to become an Inner Sect disciple now?"

"You have passed the Third Layer test and are currently an Outer Sect disciple. Normally, you need to advance to Innate and pass subsequent tests to become an Inner Sect disciple. However, as Ancient River Sect nearly 'Broken Vein' stays alive, you can directly become an Inner Sect disciple if you pass the 'Bitter Purgatory'."

"Broken Vein..."

Zhou Leng recalled the conversation among the Three Sons of Ancient River and probed, "Hasn't our Ancient River Sect continued its lineage?"

Master Wu didn't reply.

"What is Bitter Purgatory?"

"A place that tempers Ancient River Sect disciples, where both body and mind suffer."

"The boy with lion-like hair, though physically strong, has an average will and definitely won't succeed."

"The eldest boy's martial arts will shines like stars, but his body can't withstand it."

"As for you... your body is decent, and your martial arts will is also good, but the chance of traversing three hundred miles of Bitter Purgatory is minimal."

Zhou Leng thought about whether he could pass or not, considering it was likely a unique trial. By entering, there was bound to be some benefit.

What if he succeeded?

That would mean becoming an Inner Sect disciple, with completely different status and treatment.

At that time, he could learn the cultivation techniques chosen by Song Juesi, Zhang Xinglie, and others, with the entire Innate Pavilion unrestricted to him.

Zhou Leng said, "May Master Wu grant permission. I am determined to walk through Bitter Purgatory. Even if I fail, it will be considered my earnest effort."

Master Wu nodded and said, "Not bad, increasingly showing the grace of a senior disciple. However, you must be prepared, as most disciples cannot pass through Bitter Purgatory before or even after achieving Innate. Each failure may lead to prolonged suffering and confusion, even... the loss of the will to survive."

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