Elder Lu knew he had to meet with the sect master. The emergence of a **Celestial Spirit Body** within the sect was a significant matter, one that could only be decided by the leader of Tianji Sect.

Having received Elder Lu's letter of recommendation, Renault was elated. This meant he could now participate in the sect's disciple selection competition in three days.

With his current attributes, Renault was confident that he could at least secure a spot as an outer disciple, and perhaps even directly qualify as an inner disciple.

Every selection competition picked one outstanding disciple with extraordinary talent to be promoted straight to inner disciple status, and that disciple would be taken under the wing of an inner elder. After three years of secluded training, this disciple would embark on a mission to complete their final test before fully integrating into the sect.

Being chosen by an inner elder was a great honor. Inner elders only accepted one disciple in their lifetime, and the disciple was treated with the utmost respect, often seen as a future elder of the sect.

Tianji Sect had ten inner elders in total, and five of them had already taken disciples. These disciples were already renowned figures within the spiritual cultivation world.

Renault, having crossed over from Earth, had fused with the *Demonic God* system upon transmigration, giving him a game-like leveling system.

With this system, Renault knew his path to becoming a demonic god would be far easier than others.

Even if he didn’t become an inner disciple, he believed that with his efforts, he could eventually rise to the top of Tianji Sect. He had confidence in that.

After all, it would be a disservice to the 21st-century Earth technology that created the advanced gaming system he now benefited from!

Over the next three days, Renault familiarized himself with his attributes and explored the system's features. He discovered that in this world, only he could interact with the system.

For instance, he could use the system to scan his opponents, and the results would be based on the target's strength. Additionally, no one else could use the items he had brought from the game, not even the pills.

After all, this wasn't a game world, and the system didn't control the reality of this world.

Renault was still puzzled, however. Why could he level up and grow stronger in this world, and why did the system retain such abilities here?

Many questions weighed on his mind, but he couldn't figure out the answers just yet.

For now, his focus was on the upcoming disciple selection competition. He wondered if anyone would rival him for the inner disciple spot.

However, what Renault never imagined was that he wouldn't even have the chance to participate in the competition. While there was indeed a candidate selected to become an inner disciple, it wasn't him—Renault wouldn’t even get the opportunity to compete.

The day before the competition, Elder Lu secretly took Renault away. To Renault’s surprise, Elder Lu brought him to meet someone mysterious, someone whose identity Renault wouldn’t learn for a long time.

Under the cold night sky, the wind howled. In the darkness, a massive bronze sword cut through the sky with a resounding hum. Riding atop the sword was none other than Elder Lu, with Renault following closely behind, gazing around in awe.

Elder Lu’s hands formed a gesture across his chest, his eyes focused and intent.

Renault recognized this technique—it was sword-riding, a skill far beyond his current level of cultivation. In the world of spiritual cultivation, one couldn't truly be considered a cultivator without mastering the art of sword-riding.

"Elder Lu, where are you taking me? Tomorrow is the disciple selection competition. If I miss this chance, I’ll have to wait several years," Renault called out from behind, sensing something unusual about the situation.

"Renault, forget about the competition. I’m taking you to meet someone important. If they choose to take you as their disciple, your future achievements will far surpass mine," Elder Lu said, a hint of envy in his voice.

Hearing this, Renault stopped questioning him. He knew that if Elder Lu wanted to explain, he would do so without prompting. If he didn’t want to, asking more would be pointless.

Still, Renault couldn't help but feel curious. Who was this mysterious person Elder Lu was taking him to meet? Why all the secrecy, and why did it have to be done under the cover of night?

Renault remained on high alert. If anything suspicious happened, he was ready to flee at any moment.

He wasn’t entirely sure if Elder Lu could be trusted. Renault didn’t fully understand the past between the original Renault and Elder Lu.

The memories Renault inherited from the body were hazy at best. After all, the original Renault had been young at the time, and many things he had witnessed, he didn’t fully comprehend.

Elder Lu guided the bronze sword, but they didn’t leave Tianji Peak. Instead, they flew to another mountain peak nearby.

At the base of the mountain, Elder Lu took out a talisman. Holding it between his fingers, he activated his spiritual energy. With a shout, he flicked his fingers, sending the talisman out. It transformed into a silver-white light, distorting the space at the base of the mountain.

Riding the bronze sword, they flew into the distorted space. Once inside, the silver-white light vanished, and the space returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.

Watching Elder Lu use the talisman, Renault realized that the mountain base was protected by a formation. The entrance was hidden by an array, and the talisman was the key to temporarily revealing it.

Renault knew that only a high-level spiritual cultivator could set up such a formation. In the game, constructing an illusionary array required at least level 20.

Elder Lu rode the sword down a long passage inside the mountain.

Soon, they arrived at a large, spacious chamber.

The chamber was empty, but the rich spiritual energy in the air was palpable. Cultivating here would be incredibly efficient. However, for Renault, no amount of spiritual energy could compare to the importance of gaining experience and completing tasks.

Elder Lu retracted his bronze sword and bowed deeply. "Disciple Lu Youqing greets his master."

Renault was puzzled. The chamber was empty, except for the two of them. Was Elder Lu bowing to the air?

The only thing in the chamber was a stone disc resting on a pedestal at the far end of the room.

Could Elder Lu be paying respects to the stone disc?