The Innate Sect was divided into upper and lower courts, with the Eight Peaks as the boundary.

Dao Material at the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer with the potential for Foundation Establishment could enter the Eight Peaks if they distinguished themselves at the Dragon Gate Assembly, held once every eight years. There, they would be granted an Opportunity to ascend to the next level.

But entering the upper court was no guarantee of an easy life. Disciples of the Eight Peaks were ranked, just as the grotto-heavens themselves had different tiers.

Apart from the True Disciples, who held a transcendent status, the rest were assigned to various halls.

If their Cultivation was lacking and their progress slow, they would be expelled from the sect and transferred to a branch.

For those who wished to remain in the main sect and wield true power, competing for the position of a True Disciple was the first step.

After successfully reaching Foundation Establishment, a disciple with outstanding potential could be promoted to a True Disciple, giving them the chance to hold a position of authority in the Upper Halls. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

If they continued to rise, enduring tribulations to attain the rank of True Monarch, they could join the sect’s Elders and Upper Peak Hall Masters.

"The Upper Halls of an Ancestral Sect are like the imperial cabinet of a mortal dynasty."

True Master Xuanmiao leaped onto Jiang Yi’s shoulder, stroking his beard as he explained in detail.

"A Hall Master can not only refine high-grade True Treasures but can also access all sorts of resources from the celestial Dao fields, and even receive personal guidance from a Daoist Monarch."

"Even the True Monarchs of the Eight Peaks’ grotto-heavens covet this position."

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow. ’So, the reigning True Monarchs of the Eight Peaks cultivate Dao Material and support them in becoming True Disciples, all so they can eventually take control of the Upper Halls?’

"Precisely."

True Master Xuanmiao chuckled.

"Qi Cultivation is for refining Magical Artifacts, and Foundation Establishment for nurturing Magical Treasures. But by the time one reaches the True Monarch Realm, they must gestate a ’True Treasure’ that manifests the Great Dao."

"It’s a process of creating something from nothing, completing a conceptual manifestation. More than Nine Tens of the True Monarchs in the Yanfu Vast Land are halted at this barrier."

"If one can take charge of a True Treasure in the Upper Halls and meditate on it through the night, it is immensely beneficial to their path of Cultivation."

Jiang Yi nodded slightly. An Ancestral Sect was like its own kingdom, filled with intricate politics.

Some things True Monarch Lu couldn’t say outright. He had to rely on a knowledgeable veteran like True Master Xuanmiao to resolve his confusion.

"After a Daoist takes their position, they can choose an Upper Hall to preside over. They also possess the power of final approval."

"Whether it’s selecting candidates for the Upper Halls or deciding which True Treasure to borrow, the Daoist has the final say."

True Master Xuanmiao’s voice held a touch of melancholy.

"My former master once roamed the Eight Sects of the Nanzhan Continent. He nearly became the Daoist for several Ancestral Sects, and because of that, he made countless enemies."

Jiang Yi scoffed internally. ’Knowing the first Shao Yang’s methods, he probably stirred up chaos in those Ancestral Sects and then faked his own death to get away.’

When the day of the assessment arrived, Jiang Yi instructed the formation spirit, Chang Jing, to open the mountain gate, prepare his ceremonial carriage, and set out for Yuanchu Palace on Kun Peak.

The Kun Peak grotto-heaven, second only to the Sect Leader’s own Qian Peak, housed four Upper Halls: Yuan, Heng, Li, and Zhen.

Jiang Yi had heard True Monarch Lu mention that the Kun trigram symbolized the earth and its great virtue of supporting all things. However, in the current era, the Virtue of Earth was not manifest. The two Golden Positions of She and Ji remained hidden, yet to be activated.

As a result, the Kun Peak grotto-heaven was mainly used for internal sect affairs and had few disciples.

"The master of Yuanchu Palace is True Monarch Xu, from the master-disciple lineage. He is responsible for assessing the Cultivation progress of each peak’s True Disciples, and even the Daoist."

True Master Xuanmiao had shed his usual lazy habits. Ever since arriving at the Changming Celestial Pond, he had been proactively chatting with He Shouzheng to gather information.

Jiang Yi was pleased by this. He lowered his eyelids, concealing a flash of golden light in his eyes.

A moment later, seemingly having received a definitive message through the Celestial Book, he slowly rose to his feet.

With a wave of his sleeve, golden flames enveloped him. His Magical Profound Light surged as he unleashed the newly learned *Divine Fire Grand Escape*. He launched himself into the air and shot away!

The formation spirit, Chang Jing, released two Chi descendants, ordering them to pull a massive carriage wreathed in clouds and flames, and to follow the Daoist closely.

...

...

The Kun Peak grotto-heaven was vast and boundless, seemingly capable of holding all creation. At its center stood a colossal, majestic pillar that pierced the heavens.

Three profound drumrolls thundered out, echoing across the other peaks. The True Disciples dared not delay, and all answered the summons, rushing to attend.

Streaks of brilliant light and auspicious mist shot out from each grotto-heaven. Amidst the roiling clouds, vast expanses of vapor unfurled, carrying the tamed Demons and beasts from each residence as they raced menacingly across the sky.

The one with the smallest entourage, however, was True Disciple Feng Yuan of Li Feng.

He sat upon a war chariot with no attendants. Six magnificent Ink Jade horses with dragon scales pulled the carriage, their passage kicking up a trail of blazing light that stretched for miles.

Halfway there, Feng Yuan spotted a handsome, elegant Daoist. This man had assembled one hundred and twenty stalwarts, all of them heavily armored Dao Soldiers. Each held a thunder hammer and beat upon a dharma drum, their procession kicking up roiling, dark clouds that blotted out the sun.

"Senior Brother Feng, it has been too long! You are as impressive as ever!"

The Daoist was the first to call out a greeting, rising to perform a Daoist salute.

Feng Yuan returned the salute with a calm expression.

"Ah, Junior Brother Yuan Xiao. I heard you were in arduous Cultivation of Daoist Techniques at the Kangjin Blessed Land. You must be heading to Yuanchu Palace to make a stunning debut."

This Daoist with the grand entourage was none other than Yuan Xiao, a True Disciple of Zhen Feng.

"I only returned to the Sect a few days ago."

The corners of Yuan Xiao’s mouth were perpetually upturned. He was quick to smile, entirely unlike the typically somber disciples of Zhen Feng.

"I heard the Eight Peaks have welcomed a new Daoist. Senior Brother Feng, can you tell me a bit about him? What kind of person is he?"

Feng Yuan replied calmly.

"We True Disciples shouldn’t be gossiping about the Daoist."

Yuan Xiao chuckled.

"Then I suppose I’ll just have to witness the Daoist’s splendor for myself in a moment. Gathering the Six-Harmonies Great Medicine, condensing supreme True Qi, and even daring to show up at Nanheng Ridge on Gen Peak to slay a Luo clan elder... He might just be another peerless and stunning Dao Material, like Daoist Hechu."