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The once every thirty years opening day of Kunlun has finally come.

Thirty years, that is, half a sexagenary cycle.

The Kunlun Taiqing Sect, built on the principle of “Sea Center’s Gold,” usually opens its doors officially in the Jiazi or Yichou years and holds a supplementary opening in the Jiawu or Yiwei years, which means one opening every half a sexagenary cycle.

This matter could extend into a lengthy discussion, therefore, let it not be dwelled upon here.

But for the ancients who typically lived no more than fifty years, this meant that most people would have only one or two opportunities to join Kunlun in their lifetime.

Of course, if one’s talent was as extraordinary as Qiu Changtian’s, capable of completing the ascent to Kunlun on days other than the opening, then there would be no problem joining the Taiqing Sect at any time.

Qiu Changtian and Xu Yinglian descended on their swords and circled around the Kunlun Heavenly Pillar.

They could see that the steps of the ascent to Kunlun, winding around the Heavenly Pillar, formed layers upon layers, where countless mortals, like ants, clung on, struggling upwards.

“I heard that senior brother ascended the mountain on a day other than the designated opening,” Xu Yinglian said, with a glance and a frosty expression.

“Indeed,” Qiu Changtian nodded.

“Could you tell junior sister about the mysterious aspects of this ascent?” Xu Yinglian asked, pointing downwards.

Because of her innate “Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart” for cultivation, Xu Yinglian was carefully nurtured by the Xu Family of Southern Heaven and was personally brought into Kunlun to become a disciple by her Foundation Establishment Stage senior brother Xu Changqing, bypassing the ascent entirely.

In modern terms, this would be akin to a college student who was directly admitted without exams asking “what does it feel like to take entrance exams”—fundamentally, it was a form of bragging.

Qiu Changtian, as if oblivious, simply smiled and replied:

“This ascent to Kunlun is composed of a hundred thousand heavenly steps, and this is not a mere figure of speech, but indeed a hundred thousand actual steps.”

“If mortals can complete this ascent within a single day and night, they will be granted permission to join the Kunlun Taiqing Sect.”

“Based on the order of completion of the ascent, one can be distinguished as an Inner or Outer Sect disciple. Inner Sect disciples can attend the disciple recruitment event and become apprentices, while Outer Sect disciples must learn the Qi Refining Technique on their own.”

“Additionally, if one desires to cultivate the sect’s highest “Nine Heavens Clear Entrance True Mantra,” one must become a disciple of the Ziwei Master.”

“Our master only takes seven disciples each generation, and only the Chief Disciple becomes a Direct Disciple, allowed to enter the Jade Void Palace’s Scripture Lecture Hall to listen to lectures; the rest must learn from the Chief Disciple.”

“Eh?” Xu Yinglian interrupted him, “If the position of Chief Disciple for this generation has already been reserved for senior brother, then why was I also able to attend lectures in the Scripture Lecture Hall?”

“Because junior sister’s Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart is one of the world’s rarest talents for cultivation,” Qiu Changtian said with a smile, “Genius always has a way of breaking conventions.”

Genius always has a way of breaking conventions… Xu Yinglian mulled over these words carefully, and suddenly, seeing her senior brother bring down his sword light to land, she quickly followed.

Below on the mountain path, they saw a young commoner seated on the steps, hands covering his face, not saying a word.

His companion was tugging at his sleeve, earnestly persuading:

“Don’t rest now, come with me.”

The young man simply shook his head, evidently unwilling to get up:

“The path is endless, and it’s truly exhausting. Allow me to rest a little longer.”

As the two descended in their circling sword light, Qiu Changtian said coldly:

“He is deluded by demons from beyond and has developed a heart of laziness and defeatism. You should go on your way and pay him no mind.”

The young man’s expression changed several times upon hearing this, but ultimately his resolve was weak, and he truly did not wish to continue, so he lowered his head without another word.

“`

His companion bit his teeth in frustration, feeling he had no choice but to leave him behind and continue onward.

Qiu Changtian raised his sword light once more and said to Xu Yinglian,

“To ascend this path to heaven is no easy feat. The higher the mountain, the closer to the heavenly dome, the mortal flesh without the protection of immortal law will be magnified by outer demons at the slightest thought of weariness or pause. Those who are not steadfast in their pursuit of the Dao will find it extremely difficult to rise again once they stop to rest.”

“Outer demons?” Xu Yinglian asked incredulously, “Even within the boundaries of our Kunlun Taiqing Sect, we can be influenced by demons from beyond the heavens?”

“In the path of cultivation, there are three disasters and nine tribulations that one cannot avoid anywhere,” Qiu Changtian said with a shake of his head. “To transcend the mortal and ascend to immortality, one must possess great willpower and grand aspirations.”

Their sword lights continued soaring up, and as they saw that the higher the mountain trail, the fewer the walkers and the more those who stopped.

Indeed, as Qiu Changtian had said, the moment you pause and rest on this path to heaven is the moment you relinquish your cultivation’s perseverance.

To rise and continue the climb is indescribably challenging.

Seeing Xu Yinglian somewhat eager to try, seemingly wanting to descend and compare skills with those immortal seekers on the path to heaven, Qiu Changtian smiled and said,

“Junior sister’s Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart provides strong resistance against outer demons. Even if temporarily bewildered by magic, you can quickly see through it, which is why our master allowed you to skip the entry level trial. This ascent on the Kunlun path is really no challenge for you.”

“I see,” Xu Yinglian responded upon hearing her senior brother’s explanation, setting aside her competitive spirit with a sigh, “Then what about senior brother’s ‘Daoist Heart Clarity’?”

Qiu Changtian smiled without responding.

Your Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart only offers resistance against the invasion of heart demons.

My Daoist Heart Clarity provides direct immunity to the invasion of heart demons.

Which is superior and which is inferior, is there really a need to say more?

However, saying this aloud, although it might significantly increase the synchronization value, would certainly lead to his prideful junior sister turning against him.

Therefore, Qiu Changtian tactfully changed the subject, pointing downwards as he spoke,

“Speaking of which, there are a few disciples with exceptional talent among those climbing this year.”

“The one currently leading the pack is named Guan Zhan, said to hail from the Guan Family of Longyou.”

“The Guan Family of Longyou?” Xu Yinglian frowned and said, “Isn’t their family known for producing sword immortals generation after generation from the Shushan Shangqing Sect? Why has a youth from their family switched this time to joining Kunlun?”

“I’m not sure about that either,” Qiu Changtian replied, shaking his head, “However, this Guan Zhan has formidable root bone strength. He has been advancing tirelessly after the mountain opened and left others far behind. Now it seems he can’t keep up the pace, but for the moment, his first place is still secure.”

“In normal circumstances, he would undoubtedly be the chief disciple of this generation,” Xu Yinglian said with a cold chuckle, a hint of mockery in her tone, “Too bad he met senior brother this time.”

“Just because he encountered me?” Qiu Changtian laughed helplessly, “Junior sister, don’t forget, according to the sequence of entry, you also rank above him. If he were to choose the Sect Leader as his master, at best he could only claim third place.”

“Hmm,” Xu Yinglian nodded, her mood lifting slightly at the thought of having a junior brother ranked below her.

“The one walking in second place is from the White Deer Grotto Academy of Jiangzhou, named Yan Zhitui,” Qiu Changtian pointed to someone behind them and continued to speak with his junior sister, “Of the three major sects of ancient times, they were the Clarify Cult, the Intercepting Cult, and the Human Cult. The Human Cult’s teachings have been passed down to this day, and Confucianism has inherited their mantle.”

“This Yan Zhitui comes from the Yan Family of Qingzhou’s Langya, a scholarly family for generations. Instead of sitting for the imperial examinations and pursuing an official career, this family’s heir has traveled a great distance to Kunlun to seek mentorship, which is also quite peculiar.”

After pondering for a moment, Xu Yinglian spoke,

“Is senior brother implying something? That Kunlun’s fortunes are rising and attracting scions from influential families to join us?”

“Not really,” Qiu Changtian couldn’t resist teasing his endearing junior sister, “With such talent emerging in our generation, you must practice diligently, junior sister, and not be surpassed by your junior brothers and sisters.”

“That’s absolutely impossible!” Xu Yinglian immediately grew furious, grinding her teeth as she spoke.