Chapter 25

When Amu asked this, Tieyun sighed deeply, "Of course there are, but they are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. In the Earth-numbered cave, a senior disciple of our sect, who was at the high stage of Ling Sheng, once cultivated successfully a hundred years ago. When he entered the cave, he was at the high stage of Ding Xiu, and after three years of seclusion, he directly broke through to the middle stage of Zhi Ling."

"This speed is too monstrous!" Amu couldn't help but exclaim.

Tieyun smiled bitterly, "Monstrous it is, but how many dare to cultivate in the three major demon caves? How many dare to joke with a hundred years of cultivation? They would rather cultivate for more years than take such a risk."

Amu nodded and asked again, "What about the Heaven-numbered cave? And who is currently in the Man-numbered cave?"

"The last record of a cultivator in the Heaven-numbered cave is from seven thousand years ago, when the Northern Cold Sect's Northern Peak Master disappeared. It is said that he entered the cave at the seventh stage of initial cultivation and broke through after ten years, becoming a Zhi Ling expert!"

"From the seventh stage of initial cultivation to a Zhi Ling expert?" Amu almost doubted his own ears.

"Too long ago, I almost don't believe it either. Moreover, the Northern Cold Sect's ancient texts are very secretive about these three major demon caves, with few records. However, everyone acknowledges that these three caves are about opportunity, regardless of cultivation level!"

Amu was still in shock when he heard Tieyun say, "Compared to the Heaven and Earth caves, the Man cave is much better. The Sect Master and Bai Shifu from the Sunset Peak have both cultivated here, and their cultivation levels improved significantly at the time."

These two were both prodigies of the Northern Cold Sect. Han Qianli was naturally a beginner at the Ling Sheng stage, and Bai Yifeng was currently at the middle stage of Zhi Ling, but his past achievements were likely no less impressive.

"Who is it now?" Amu asked eagerly.

Tieyun smiled and said, "Currently, the one in the Man-numbered cave is my junior sister, another named disciple of the Sect Master, Han Bingyi!"

"Han Bingyi?" This was the first time Amu had heard this name.

"The Sect Master has high standards, and my talent is mediocre. Being accepted as a named disciple is due to the Sect Master's kindness. As for Junior Sister Han, her talent is extraordinary. To be honest, besides Junior Brother Amu, if we talk about talent in the Northern Cold Sect, only Master Mei from the South Peak's son, Junior Brother Mei Lingfeng, can match her. Both have eighth-grade immortal roots, making them the Northern Cold's thousand-year prodigies." Tieyun's words were full of admiration.

"Mei Lingfeng, Han Bingyi, eighth-grade immortal roots?" This was even higher than the former Han Qianli and Bai Yifeng, and Amu couldn't help but nod in admiration.

"Currently, Junior Sister Han is cultivating in the Man-numbered cave. When she entered, she was at the initial stage of Ding Xiu. Junior Brother Mei is cultivating in the first Ding Xiu cave, and when he entered, he was at the high stage of Ding Xiu, with a perfect level. They will emerge from seclusion in less than a year!"

Tieyun smiled and then suddenly said to Amu, "However, Junior Brother Mei is a remarkable person, a dragon among men. As for Junior Sister Han, it's better not to let her see you!"

"Why?" Amu asked in confusion.

"Junior Sister Han is proud and haughty. She was originally the most favored disciple of Ice Master from the Purple Peak. Later, she was accepted as a named disciple by the Sect Master. Because she is not a direct disciple, she has always harbored resentment and wants to prove that she is qualified to be a direct disciple. Her willingness to cultivate in the Man cave is partly due to this. If she emerges from seclusion and learns that the Sect Master has designated you as a direct disciple and shown you great favor, she will likely be不服 (unconvinced). Then you will be in trouble!" Tieyun couldn't help but laugh bitterly, clearly having suffered from the junior sister's bullying in the past.

Amu, hearing this, could only laugh bitterly as well. He hadn't even started cultivating and already had a potential troublemaker.

While Amu and Tieyun were talking, they saw a dozen figures flying toward Cloudfall Cliff from a distance.

These were all Northern Cold Sect disciples wearing blue robes. Some were riding the wind, and a few were flying on swords.

Seeing this, Tieyun couldn't help but laugh, "These brats actually all came together. They are all elite disciples at the initial cultivation stage from various branches of the Northern Cold Sect, the current owners of the Cloudfall Cliff initial cultivation caves. Their lowest cultivation level is the seventh stage of initial cultivation, and three of them are at the perfect ninth stage."

"Can they leave their cultivation at any time?" Amu asked.

"Initial disciples generally cannot fast for long periods, so they will occasionally leave their seclusion to further digest and practice. However, today, these disciples are likely leaving their seclusion together to see you," Tieyun said.

At this moment, the fifteen initial cultivation disciples also stopped their techniques and landed one after another at the base of Cloudfall Cliff.

Seeing Tieyun, these disciples bowed and greeted him, "Greetings, Uncle Tie!" "Greetings, Uncle Tie!" Their titles varied.

Tieyun smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, then gestured for them to return to their caves and continue cultivating.

However, these disciples all saw Amu, and their eyes revealed various expressions.

Surprise, doubt, envy, jealousy, and resentment, each different.

"Is that the Amu the Sect Master wants to take as a disciple?"

"Isn't he just a mortal? He hasn't even cultivated immortal roots. How can he be a direct disciple of the Sect Master? Even Uncle Tie and Junior Uncle Han were only accepted as named disciples!"

"I heard that even the Sunset Peak Master Bai highly recognized him. He must be extraordinary!"

"Right, right! A few days ago, I heard that he beat Zhao Xian and Deng Yan!"

"Zhao Xian and Deng Yan are both useless. I could cripple them with one finger. What kind of skill is that?"

"Rubbish, you're at the eighth stage of initial cultivation, of course, you can beat them. Amu is just a novice, and he's only been on the mountain for three days. Can you compare?"

"Exactly, I also heard that even Master Zhou, Zhao Xian's teacher, suffered a loss to him! He's a middle-stage Ding Xiu cultivator!"

"Really? Then he must be a legend in the Northern Cold Sect!"

"Haha! Silly junior brother, the disciples of the four peaks and four caves have all heard about it. Only you don't know. Does your Ten Thousand Spirit Cave only care about accumulating spirit coins?"

"Wait and see! This Amu might not be that impressive. The Sect Master might have made a mistake."

"Right! With over three thousand initial cultivation disciples, why choose a novice like Amu? If he were to compete with me, I could defeat him in one move!"

"Don't talk nonsense. On the day Amu arrived, I was in the Northern Cold Hall. This Amu is no ordinary person. In just three days, his qi and blood have changed, and it seems he has gathered some spiritual energy."

For a moment, these dozen or so initial cultivation disciples whispered to each other, discussing Amu.

It turned out that in just three days, all the events involving Amu had spread. Especially the incidents of punching Zhao Xian, striking Deng Yan, and repelling Zhou Yunji, which were exaggerated and widely discussed, becoming new legends in the Northern Cold Sect.

Zhao Xian and others became laughingstocks, and Zhou Yunji was so embarrassed that he stayed in seclusion.

Later, it was discovered that Amu was not Tieyun's relative but was personally brought up the mountain by Han Qianli, who had explicitly stated that he wanted to take him as a disciple. This made him much more prestigious than Tieyun's relative.

As a result, Deng Yan, Zhao Xian, and Li Tong were all scolded by Zhou Yunji, and they became much quieter, focusing on cultivation and no longer causing trouble.

So, although Amu hadn't shown himself much, he had already become a prominent figure in the Northern Cold Sect.

In fact, today, everyone had heard that Amu was going to cultivate in the Heaven-numbered cave at Cloudfall Cliff, which was why they had gathered to see who this Amu was.

Although the disciples' voices were low, Tieyun heard them clearly, and Amu, with his small success in immortal bones, had extraordinary hearing and also heard most of what they said.

At this moment, many more disciples from various branches of the Northern Cold Sect arrived on sword light, numbering no less than several dozen, including many purple-robed Ding Xiu disciples.

Some of them even brought their own disciples, partly to witness the grand opening of the Heaven-numbered cave and partly to meet Amu to avoid making the same mistake as Deng Yan and Zhao Xian.

In total, no less than two hundred people gathered, which, although not a tenth of the Northern Cold Sect's initial cultivation disciples, was still a grand gathering.

After all, the immortal sects are different from the secular world, where people often enjoy spectacles. Most people are focused on cultivation.

Cloudfall Cliff, though unique, is just one of the Northern Cold Sect's cultivation sites. Normally, if a disciple has the qualifications to cultivate, they would be led by their teacher with a talisman. It's rare to see such a large gathering as today.

However, most Northern Cold Sect disciples could still focus on cultivation and not be distracted by this.

After all, the Heaven-numbered cave is not something just anyone can enter. Over the centuries, many have dared to take the risk, but none have successfully entered the Heaven-numbered cave.

Gradually, many disciples lost interest in the three caves. Even if someone like Han Bingyi entered the Man cave, what difference would it make to them? It was irrelevant, so they didn't care.

Seeing this, Amu and Tieyun could only laugh bitterly. Tieyun sighed, "Junior Brother Amu, although the Sect Master hasn't directly taken you as a disciple, the pressure on your shoulders is not small."

Amu glanced at the Northern Cold Sect disciples, his pupils narrowing slightly, then he smiled, "Senior Brother Tieyun, rest assured. I will fulfill the words I said in the hall that day."

"Um!" Tieyun nodded and smiled, "Amu, you will never fall behind others!"

Tieyun naturally remembered Amu's bold words when he voluntarily refused to become Han Qianli's direct disciple. Not only did he remember, but all the disciples present in the Northern Cold Hall that day remembered as well.

Just then, two white lights flashed in the void and arrived.