Chapter 205: Chapter 204: Celestial Extreme Mansion

After Yi Tianyun finished repairing the entire Fifth-Grade Grand Array, the overall situation of the Celestial Sinking Ruins improved dramatically, especially the Defense Array at the main gate, which was thoroughly reinforced.

’Not bad. I didn’t expect that after the repairs, it would be unbreakable unless a Core Transformation Stage expert shows up...’

Yi Tianyun was stunned by the result. It wasn’t completely unbreakable for those below the Core Transformation Stage, but it would take them several years of constant assault to even put a crack in it. To truly breach this Defense Array, one would need to be at least at the Core Transformation Stage, and even then, it would take a considerable amount of time.

As expected of an array commissioned by the Profound Celestial Spirit King himself. If it were restored to its original state, not even an ordinary Core Transformation Stage expert could break it!

’I’ve finally fixed the Defense Array. Now, this place should be safe even if I’m away for a long time.’ Yi Tianyun nodded, feeling much more at ease.

Beside him, Elder Xuan was utterly dumbfounded. The entire Defense Array of the Celestial Sinking Ruins had been repaired; only the Flying Array remained. If they could find a Divine Rune Master to fix that, the Celestial Sinking Ruins would no longer be ruins, but the Celestial Sinking Divine Hall!

"Master, you really were able to repair this array. It couldn’t be fixed before." Although Elder Xuan was an artificial being, he possessed a degree of independent thought. Based on his understanding, for someone as young as Yi Tianyun to be capable of repairing this Defense Array was nothing short of miraculous.

His previous master lacked such ability and had little talent for Engraving Divine Patterns, so he had to invite others to help.

"Oh, this? I just succeeded after a bit of practice," Yi Tianyun said with a smile.

"I see..."

Elder Xuan was immediately rendered speechless, finding the whole thing utterly unbelievable.

After finishing the repairs, Yi Tianyun stayed in the Merak Sect for a few days. He found the sect to be well-managed and orderly, with disciples being rapidly nurtured. The number of disciples at the Spirit Refining Stage had surged, and there were even a few more at the Core Formation Stage than before.

Everything was developing in a positive direction. If things continued this way, a large Second-Grade Faction would soon emerge.

However, they were still a long way from becoming a Third-Grade Faction. That would require far more Spirit Pill Stage experts; currently, there were only two: Yi Tianyun and Shi Xueyun.

’Looks like there are no issues here. Under their management, everything is fine.’ Yi Tianyun wasn’t particularly skilled in this area, so he could only observe from the side.

As he took a casual stroll through the Merak Sect, he suddenly saw Jiu Lingyun in a training room. She was sitting at the front, holding a Divine Rune Pen and teaching a group of people, "Engraving Divine Patterns requires patience, and more importantly, concentrated Spiritual Power..."

She patiently taught the newcomers stroke by stroke, showing them the basics. The Jiu Lingyun of today could already stand on her own, having broken through to the level of a Second-Grade Divine Rune Master in her Divine Rune attainments. Her talent was quite astounding.

This was thanks to Yi Yuwei, who had specifically focused on strengthening each disciple by creating a training regimen tailored to their individual situations and strengths. Those who showed an aptitude for Engraving Divine Patterns would be assigned here.

Yi Tianyun nodded, but didn’t go in to disturb them. It was the same in the other training rooms; disciples were being cultivated in all aspects, aiming for comprehensive development.

’It’s time to leave...’

He needed to head to the Celestial Extreme Mansion alone. He was supposed to go a while ago and had already delayed for long enough. More importantly, the Main Pavilion had invited him to a VIP banquet, and time was getting tight.

After saying goodbye to Shi Xueyun, he equipped the Phoenix Wings and quickly departed, flying toward the Celestial Extreme Mansion.

The region where the Celestial Extreme Mansion was located wasn’t too far. After asking for directions, he quickly made his way there.

「After nearly two days of travel」

He finally arrived at the Main Hall of the Celestial Extreme Mansion.

’Finally, the Celestial Extreme Mansion...’ Yi Tianyun couldn’t help but nod as he gazed at the magnificent structure before him.

The heritage of the Celestial Extreme Mansion was quite impressive; the main gate alone was imposing. It was a Third-Grade Faction, after all. As for why it had declined, he heard that its internal resources were depleted and its disciples were failing to make breakthroughs, causing its prestige to plummet.

’Looks like it’s a case of a beautiful facade hiding a rotten interior. The inside is probably quite ordinary.’

"Who goes there!"

Just as he was about to enter, the disciples outside immediately blocked his path.

"I’m here to see He Qianhan," Yi Tianyun said.

"Do you have a Recommendation Token?" the disciple inquired.

"Yes." Yi Tianyun took out the Token. After seeing it, the other disciple nodded.

"Alright, you may enter. Go directly to the Celestial Pattern Hall to report. Just walk straight for a bit, then turn left, and you’ll see it." The disciple immediately let him pass.

As he walked inside, the disciples outside shook their heads again. "Steward He is recommending another disciple? I wonder what kind of person it is this time. If it’s like the previous ones, that would be truly unfortunate..."

"Never mind. Steward He means well for the Celestial Extreme Mansion. Let’s just hope she doesn’t recommend more trash..."

Yi Tianyun’s ears twitched. ’So, that He Qianhan frequently recommends disciples?’

After passing through a long corridor, he officially entered the Inner Hall. As soon as he arrived, he saw many disciples coming and going. Picking a few at random, none of them were below the fifth or sixth level of the Spirit Refining Stage. The cultivation level of the stronger ones was generally quite decent.

When these disciples saw Yi Tianyun, they merely glanced at him before paying him no mind. Yi Tianyun couldn’t be bothered with them either. After walking a short distance, he saw the aforementioned Celestial Pattern Hall, bustling with disciples.

Upon entering, he saw many disciples in the Celestial Pattern Hall, all accepting missions. This was essentially a mission hall, a dedicated area for receiving tasks. With such mission-acceptance points, the tier of available missions was naturally higher, as were the rewards. The Celestial Extreme Mansion wouldn’t support a bunch of lazy, freeloading disciples.

Every disciple had to complete a certain number of missions each month. Failure to meet the quota would result in punishment. This system seemed to be the path to a sect’s sustainable development.

However, he hadn’t come here to choose a mission, but to find someone. He glanced ahead and spotted the registration desk, then walked over with his Token. But just as he got there, he froze. The woman in charge of collecting tokens was none other than the one he had rescued before—Yang Xixue, a woman of great integrity.

He quickly composed himself, however, and handed the Token to Yang Xixue.

"This is the Token Steward He gave me. She told me to come and find her," Yi Tianyun said, handing it over. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"A recommendation from Steward He?" Yang Xixue glanced at it casually, not bothering to take it for a closer look. Instead, she looked up at him for a moment and said in astonishment, "So young?"

"Is there a problem?" Yi Tianyun asked.

"No, not really. It’s just that you’re so young. Why would Steward He recommend a mere boy..." She stood up as she spoke, her voice trailing off to a near-inaudible whisper, but he still heard it. "Come on, I’ll take you to the assessment."

"What? Assessment?" Yi Tianyun was stunned. He was here to find someone, not to take an assessment.

He finally understood. They had mistaken him for a prospective disciple here to take the entrance assessment. If he passed, he would become a disciple of the Celestial Extreme Mansion! ’This is ridiculous,’ he thought. ’With my cultivation level, I could become an elder here without any problem. Why would I need to be assessed?’