The Great Ruler: Starting from the Lower Plane

Ye Feng calmly observed these gazes and understood their meaning.

Su Qingxue's popularity in the Burning Heaven Sword Sect is extraordinary, while most of these people can only be considered ordinary disciples.

Unaware of the gazes directed at her, Su Qingxue continued to walk with composure and a cool, aloof demeanor.

In the Burning Heaven Sword Sect, and even in the Western Sword Land, she had long been accustomed to and had always ignored those gazes that were a mixture of admiration and curiosity.

But today, with Ye Feng following behind, those gazes held an additional layer of meaning, something that might be unavoidable in the future.

The atmosphere was somewhat somber as the two walked. Su Qingxue remained silent unless Ye Feng spoke. After a few times, Ye Feng also lost interest in talking.

According to Su Zhen, he didn't need to flatter this young lady, and he could tell from her personality that she wasn't a talkative person.

Asking him to be his guide and introduce him to Li Huo Peak and Fen Tian Sword Sect would probably be less efficient than asking any random disciple.

After a period of silence, the two traversed winding mountain paths and arrived at a magnificent and ancient hall.

The palace was built with huge blocks of reddish-brown rock, with flying eaves and brackets. Flame patterns could be faintly seen flowing on them, exuding a scorching and majestic aura. Above the palace gate hung a plaque with the three large characters "Li Huo Dian" (Hall of Li Huo).

At the entrance of the hall, two young guards with solemn expressions and wearing crimson armor stood guard, their eyes fixed straight ahead. Even with Su Qingxue's arrival, they did not flinch, their faces solemn, displaying the majesty of the important Li Huo Peak.

Su Qingxue nodded slightly and led Ye Feng straight into the hall.

The hall was spacious and simply furnished, with rows of bookshelves on either side. In the center of the hall was a huge stone table, behind which sat an old man with a weathered face, dressed in a black robe.

The old man was studying a book when he noticed someone enter and looked up.

"Little Xue, what brings you to this old man's place today?"

The old man's voice was gentle, tinged with a smile. His gaze then fell on Ye Feng, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "Hmm, who is this kid behind you...?"

"Elder Liu, his name is Ye Feng. He is a member of the Imperial Dynasty that my grandfather brought back from outside. My grandfather asked me to bring him here to handle the matters of joining the sect and to register him. From now on, he will be a true disciple of my Li Huo Peak."

Su Qingxue's tone remained aloof, but she was more polite than when speaking to outsiders.

The Burning Heaven Sword Sect has a strict hierarchy among its disciples, divided into five levels from bottom to top: servants, outer disciples, inner disciples, core disciples, and true disciples.

As one of the three main peaks of the Burning Heaven Sword Sect, the core area where Li Huo Peak is located is only reserved for core disciples and above.

The outer area is the activity area for inner disciples and below, while true disciples are the top level among disciples, few in number and of high status, usually personally recruited by the peak masters or supreme elders.

The titles of Saintess and Sword Maiden, which are of a higher rank, are not earned through strength, but are simply a reflection of one's background.

For example, the reason she was able to become one of the three holy maidens of the Burning Heaven Sword Sect was because her grandfather was the Supreme Elder of the Burning Heaven Sword Sect.

"A true disciple..."

Upon hearing this, the old man in the black robe, who was called Elder Liu, showed a flash of surprise in his eyes and began to carefully examine Ye Feng.

"Hmm...Sword Soul Realm..."

Sensing the pure and powerful sword energy fluctuations within Ye Feng's body, which were deliberately restrained but still radiating strength, as well as the hidden yet sharp sword intent, Elder Liu was deeply moved.

If his strength hadn't reached the Sword Master realm, and his divine sense perception hadn't far surpassed that of those in the Sword Soul realm, he probably wouldn't have been able to detect anything.

"A Sword Soul Realm cultivator of this age... is truly a rare sight! No wonder he could alarm the Supreme Elder and be directly accepted as a true disciple of my Burning Heaven Sword Sect."

Elder Liu exclaimed in admiration, his gaze towards Ye Feng filled with appreciation.

"This humble one, Ye Feng, greets Elder Liu."

Ye Feng stepped forward and bowed respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Ye Feng, what a fine name. It seems that our Li Huo Peak will soon have another peerless genius who will be famous throughout the Sword Continent."

Elder Liu smiled warmly, and as he spoke, a flash of light appeared in his palm, from which he took out various items from an ancient, crimson bracelet on his wrist.

The bracelet had an ancient design and emanated a slight spatial fluctuation; it was the most common spatial storage device on the Sword Continent: the sword ring.

This item is similar to the Mustard Seed Bracelet in the Great Thousand Worlds. In the Sword Continent, it is divided into three levels: low, medium, and high. Judging from its appearance, the one that Elder Liu is wearing is clearly of a high grade.

"This is your identity token, the robes of a true disciple, some basic rules of the sect, and this high-grade sword ring containing one hundred high-grade sword essence stones, all of which are the monthly allowance for a true disciple."

Elder Liu raised his hand and gestured, engraving the name Ye Feng on the identity token before handing over the rest of the items to Ye Feng.

"Sword Essence Stone..."

Ye Feng hurriedly took the items handed over by Elder Liu, put the sword ring on his left hand, and put away all the other items. His divine sense couldn't help but linger on the sword essence stone inside.

Sword Essence Stones are a common currency on the Sword Continent. They are mined from the veins of mountains and rivers and contain some pure energy of heaven and earth.

Ordinary sword essence stones are only useful to those below the Sword Transformation Realm, while high-grade sword essence stones can have a significant effect even on someone like him who is at the Sword Soul Realm.

Of course, that's all there is to it. Beyond that, there are no cultivation resources that are like currency.

"Thank you, Elder."

Ye Feng bowed and thanked him.

"No need for formalities. As a true disciple, you receive one hundred high-grade sword essence stones per month, have your own courtyard, and can freely enter most areas of Li Huo Peak."

"Including the first three levels of the Blazing Sword Cave, you can choose one sword skill or sword technique from the Heavenly Sword Pavilion each month to study and comprehend it, with a time limit of one month."

"If you make enough contributions, you can exchange them for even more resources, and even the opportunity to cultivate in the outer reaches of the Burning Heaven Ancient Realm..."

"..."

Elder Liu explained in detail the various treatments and privileges of true disciples.

For a moment, Ye Feng was deeply moved.

Sword Essence Stones are the hard currency of the Sword Continent, containing pure sword energy that can aid his current cultivation. In addition, they are a symbol of wealth.

He longed even more for cultivation treasures like the Blazing Sword Cave and the Burning Heaven Ancient Realm.

Su Qingxue, standing to the side, remained calm, clearly already familiar with all of this.

After a conversation and registration, Elder Liu entered Ye Feng's information into a crimson jade slip, thus completing the entry procedure.

From then on, Ye Feng became a true disciple of the Burning Heaven Sword Sect.

"Alright, Ye Feng, cultivate diligently and do not disappoint the Supreme Elder's expectations."

Elder Liu smiled and encouraged him.

"Thank you, Elder. I will certainly do my best."

Ye Feng cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his expression solemn.

"Elder, now that there is nothing more to say, we shall take our leave."