Night gradually fell.
In the Chu State, at Yunyue Sect.
Surrounding the sect was a hilly, mountainous region, with a few scattered dwellings. This was the residence of Yunyue Sect's "outer disciples."
In one of those simple rooms, a light still flickered.
"The material of this crystal, I've never seen anything like it before..."
A fourteen-year-old youth in green robes held a strange crystal jade in his hand, letting out an involuntary sigh.
The youth's face looked somewhat immature, yet he forced himself to examine the crystal once more, his eyes bright and clear.
At this moment, his face was alight with excitement as he stared at the crystal jade in his hand.
The jade stone shimmered and sparkled, its shape incredibly peculiar, about the size of a child's fist. Its surface was covered in a layer of profoundly intricate ash-gray patterns.
It looked, at a glance, like a crystal heart.
Under the lamplight, deep within it, many colors could be seen flashing: sometimes a mix of silver and gold, sometimes a multi-colored sparkle, sometimes a ripple of blood-red... It was as if all the hues of the world were unfolding within it.
"How miraculous! No wonder it's a strange stone, having fallen with the 'Heavenly Meteorite'."
Chen Yu could hardly suppress the excitement in his heart.
This youth was Chen Yu, not yet fifteen this year, and an outer disciple at the very bottom tier of Yunyue Sect.
An hour ago.
A star had fallen right on the border region outside Yunyue Sect, sending dust scattering everywhere and causing the ground to tremble.
Instantly, the entire sect, from top to bottom, was shaken.
This was because the falling meteor had created a deep pit, revealing a type of "Heavenly Jade Meteorite" incredibly rare on the continent!
Heavenly Meteorites were an extremely precious material for artifact refining; many legendary Divine Weapons and Treasured Artifacts were crafted using this strange stone.
Even an ordinary mortal weapon, if fused with just a small fragment of the meteorite, could potentially transform into a treasured artifact.
As it turned out, Chen Yu's luck was quite good!
When the incident occurred, he happened to be near the site where the 'Heavenly Meteorite' had fallen.
Although he was over a li away, when the meteor struck, he was still hit by flying debris and shockwaves, injuring his arm.
After the incident, the sect's high-ranking members dispatched enforcers to first seal off the area.
Ultimately, any disciples nearby who had picked up meteorite fragments were required to "hand them over" to the sect.
Chen Yu's distance was quite far, so he was overlooked. Moreover, he had picked up two thumb-sized fragments.
But that wasn't all!
Chen Yu had also found a crystal jade that emitted heat, fused with the Heavenly Meteorite itself; this was precisely the crystal jade stone he now held in his hand.
"The meteor shattered into countless fragments upon impact, yet this crystal jade remained perfectly intact?" Chen Yu's eyes flickered with uncertainty.
He had a premonition that this crystal was incredibly valuable, perhaps even capable of changing his current bottom-tier fate...
However, when he thought of his current situation, a hint of sorrow crossed his face.
Chen Yu had entered Yunyue Sect nearly three years ago.
When he first entered the sect, he was only twelve. Having been cultivated by his family, he had already stepped into the "Body Tempering Realm." The "Body Tempering Realm," as its name suggested, was about strengthening one's physique, increasing the body's endurance, and establishing the foundation for cultivation.
The entry requirements for Yunyue Sect were not high; anyone between the ages of five and fifteen who reached the Body Tempering Stage would be accepted.
After nearly three years of effort, Chen Yu broke through to the late Body Tempering Stage. In general terms, his aptitude within the family was considered not bad.
But...!
Only after entering the sect did Chen Yu truly understand how ordinary he was.
"There are only about two months left. If I don't enter the Meridian Opening Stage, I'll be expelled from the sect!"
His eyes dimmed slightly.
For these outer disciples, Yunyue Sect had an "Assessment Period."
The rule stated that disciples who had been in the sect for three years or reached sixteen years of age and had not yet surpassed the Body Tempering Stage would be expelled!
After all, the Body Tempering Stage was merely an initial stage in martial arts, only slightly superior to ordinary people. Only upon advancing to the Meridian Opening Stage would one truly be considered initiated into the path.
Unfortunately, Chen Yu only had two months left until his assessment deadline.
Just as he was lost in anxious thought, there was a sudden knock at the door.
Bang, bang!
Outside the room, several more knocks echoed, and a few figures could be seen.
"Outer disciple Chen Yu, open the door quickly!
The Law Enforcement Team is here for an inspection!"
A cold male voice came through.
Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat. Why were the sect's law enforcers here? Could it be that his illicit acquisition near the meteorite area had been discovered?
How could that be!
Chen Yu was certain that when he picked up the fragments and the crystal block, there was no one nearby. He had simply tucked the "mysterious crystal stone" into his chest, close to his heart.
Creak!
The room door opened, revealing a young man in black outside, and behind him, another youth in green.
The young man wore the black robe of the Law Enforcement Team, exuding an imposing aura; he was clearly a law enforcer. The law enforcer's gaze made Chen Yu feel as if he had been cut by a knife, his entire body turning cold.
The youth behind him was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a handsome face, but hidden within it was a hint of viciousness and treachery that ruined his aesthetic appeal.
This person's attire was exactly like Chen Yu's, both being the uniforms of outer disciples.
"Wang Lingyun! It's you again..."
Chen Yu's expression subtly changed when he saw the youth in green. Wang Lingyun was his enemy within the sect! Both of them hailed from Xiangyang City in the State of Chu, but their two families were rivals.
At this moment, a gleam of schadenfreude flashed in Wang Lingyun's eyes.
"Wang Lingyun, is this Chen Yu, the one you reported? Are you certain he was near the meteorite fall area and is holding meteorite fragments?"
The black-robed law enforcer spoke coldly. His gaze flickered towards Wang Lingyun.
Damn it!
Chen Yu cursed inwardly, realizing that Wang Lingyun had actually reported him to the sect. But he clearly remembered not seeing Wang Lingyun when he was there. On the contrary, he only encountered this scoundrel after leaving the sealed-off area.
"Esteemed Law Enforcer!"
Wang Lingyun said respectfully, "I personally saw this brat emerge from the meteorite area, with a strange expression. He definitely has meteorite fragments on him."
After speaking, he sneered inwardly.
Precisely!
He had encountered Chen Yu, but he couldn't confirm if Chen Yu had picked up a meteorite fragment. So he was only suspicious! But even if it was just suspicion, he couldn't allow Chen Yu any chance to rise!
That extraterrestrial meteorite, how immense was its value!?
If that Chen Yu secretly picked up one or two fragments and then exchanged them for precious spirit materials and spirit medicines, he would certainly advance to the Meridian Opening Stage. Once Chen Yu advanced to the Meridian Opening Stage, he would definitely be allowed to stay in the Yunyue Sect! And this was precisely what Wang Lingyun absolutely did not want to see!
"As long as Chen Yu is expelled, the gap between him and me will only grow wider. At that time, my Wang clan will also suppress his Chen clan and solely dominate Xiangyang City. Furthermore, Mu Xueting will no longer have any interest in him and will turn to admire me instead..."
Wang Lingyun was secretly calculating, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Chen Yu."
The Law Enforcement Officer spoke: "Did you take any meteorite fragments out? If so, hand them over voluntarily to avoid punishment."
The Law Enforcement Officer and Wang Lingyun stared intently at Chen Yu.
"Yes!"
Chen Yu thought quickly and already had a plan.
He admitted it!?
The Law Enforcement Officer showed a look of surprise.
"He really does..." Wang Lingyun muttered enviously. Before, he had only been suspicious, never expecting that Chen Yu would actually pick up a meteorite fragment. If it were him, he definitely wouldn't have voluntarily handed it over. After all, even if he submitted it to the sect, he would only get a few contribution points. Compared to the true value of the meteorite, what was that worth?
"Fortunately, I had anticipated this, so he won't have any chance to turn things around." Wang Lingyun subtly relaxed.
Very quickly, Chen Yu voluntarily handed over two meteorite fragments to the Law Enforcement Officer.
"Hmm, although you dared to take the fragments out, you voluntarily handed over an extra piece, so you can be exempted from punishment." The black-robed Law Enforcement Officer nodded slightly.
Afterwards, the two of them searched Chen Yu's room for a while longer.
"Esteemed Law Enforcement Officer, you haven't checked this brat's person yet!?"
Wang Lingyun narrowed his eyes, revealing a cunning expression, not letting any possibility slip by.
Chen Yu's heart sank, and he mentally cursed Wang Lingyun's ancestors for eighteen generations. Although he had handed over the meteorite fragments, he had not submitted the mysterious "Mysterious Crystal Stone." Fortunately, Chen Yu had anticipated this situation. He had thought it through beforehand and planned to say that the crystal was a "family heirloom" from his clan. After all, the sect was only looking for meteorite fragments; no one knew there was this crystal mixed in.
"I've handed everything over, Esteemed Law Enforcement Officer, feel free to check."
Chen Yu brushed down his sleeves, his expression calm.
The black-robed Law Enforcement Officer nodded slightly, already believing him for the most part. Furthermore, he didn't want to stoop to searching an outer disciple himself, so he instructed Wang Lingyun to do it instead.
"Esteemed Law Enforcement Officer, rest assured!" Wang Lingyun's expression was sincere and extremely eager. He would definitely not give Chen Yu any chance!
*Whoosh!*
His figure flashed, and Wang Lingyun was already beside Chen Yu, beginning to search him.
"What speed!"
Trần Vũ only felt an invisible gust of wind hit his body, causing him to sway slightly, almost losing his footing. Vương Lăng Vân's palm was enveloped in an invisible layer of "energy," which caused the blood in Trần Vũ's body to stagnate and made his breathing more difficult. This "energy" could not be seen with the naked eye, but it radiated immense power, capable of effortlessly splitting bricks and shattering stones.
"Internal Qi!?"
Trần Vũ's heart sank: "As expected, Vương Lăng Vân has broken through to the 'Meridian Opening Stage', and not just recently either..."
The "Meridian Opening Stage" is the phase where one opens all the meridians in the body, and moreover, cultivates an invisible power called "Internal Qi."
If one cultivates Internal Qi to a certain level, they can injure others from a distance, shatter metal, and kill enemies in an instant.
From then on, one gains immense martial power, overwhelming ordinary mortals.
As for Trần Vũ, he was still in the Body Tempering Stage, only cultivating physical strength to reinforce his body and solidify his foundation, thus he could not possess a power like "Internal Qi."
"Hmph... with me here, you won't have any chance to cheat!" Vương Lăng Vân began the inspection. During this process, he didn't miss a single spot, meticulously checking Trần Vũ's ears, mouth, hair, and armpits.