Next to Ye Chen and Jiang Yao, the top three of the Hidden Dragon List competition, Liu Qingmei, Xiao Chen, and Luo Lie, also became excited after hearing Mu Qingqing's words.
Heavenly Sacred Palace, the number one sect in the central region, the only second-tier sect, was a grand sect with late-stage Heavenly Saint Realm powerhouses in residence.
About to enter such a grand sect, it was no wonder they couldn't help feeling extremely excited!
"This mist in the valleys is the sect's hidden prohibition."
"Without the permission of Heavenly Sacred Palace, no one else can enter."
"Let's go, I'll take you inside."
Mu Qingqing giggled and led the way ahead.
Following Mu Qingqing, Ye Chen, Jiang Yao, Liu Qingmei, and the others also shot forward, flying towards the direction of the valley.
After reaching a certain location outside the valley, Mu Qingqing stopped.
She raised her small hand, and a ray of light flew into the mist; it wasn't long before a group of figures appeared directly from within the mist.
This group, donning the attire of guards, appeared to be those stationed at the entrance of the valley.
The leader, dressed in golden armor and with a burly stature, astonished Ye Chen and the others even more with his cultivation level. This leading figure was actually exuding the aura of an early-stage Heavenly Saint powerhouse, indeed a Heavenly Saint!
A Heavenly Saint, even if only an early-stage powerhouse, was enough to preside over a fourth-tier grand sect. In Heavenly Sacred Palace, he was merely the leader guarding the entrance to this valley.
Looking beyond this leading figure to the others behind him, the dozen or so individuals following this Heavenly Saint were all at the late stages of the Rotating Pill Realm.
The team stationed at the entrance to the valley, led by a Heavenly Saint with the rest all late-stage Rotating Pill powerhouses, was a force truly formidable and astounding.
And this was only a small squad guarding the entrance to the valley.
The depth of Heavenly Sacred Palace was staggeringly powerful!
A second-tier sect, indeed a second-tier sect!
This thought involuntarily crossed the minds of Ye Chen and the others.
After this guardian squad appeared from within the mist, they immediately noticed Mu Qingqing, and behind her, Ye Chen, Jiang Yao, and the other five individuals.
Having examined Ye Chen and the rest, the leading Heavenly Saint smiled at Mu Qingqing and said, "Qing girl, are these five the new disciples you've brought back this time?"
"I heard you've chosen a formidable prodigy this time and even held two grand events especially for him. Which young man is it?"
As this Heavenly Saint spoke, his gaze settled on Ye Chen, Xiao Chen, and Luo Lie.
Based on the messages sent back to Heavenly Sacred Palace, this Heavenly Saint knew that Mu Qingqing prized a male warrior, so he didn't suspect Jiang Yao or Liu Qingmei.
Hearing the Heavenly Saint's question, Mu Qingqing's eyes twinkled as she giggled at the Heavenly Saint, "Mr. Mu, why don't you take a guess?"
"Take a guess?" The Heavenly Saint's gaze flitted over Xiao Chen and Luo Lie; after seeing their expressions, he looked at Ye Chen somewhat incredulously, "Could it be this young friend?"
Beyond these numerous palaces stood a range of mountains piercing the heavens!
Heavenly Sacred Palace.
Certainly, this was the true location of the gates to the Heavenly Sacred Palace, hidden within the valley's restrictions.
Grand!
Majestic!
Their spirit was profoundly affected!
These were the first impressions of Ye Chen and the others upon seeing the gates to the Heavenly Sacred Palace.
And every now and then, they could see figures flitting about in the sky and walking on the ground—clearly the disciples of the Heavenly Sacred Palace.
Thinking that they would soon become part of the fold, even Ye Chen and Jiang Yao felt their hearts stir with excitement.
Mu Qingqing, leading the way, seemed to sense their mood.
She smiled gently and began to explain the layout of the gates to the Heavenly Sacred Palace to Ye Chen and the group, "These five vast regions on the outskirts are the Palace's five sacred halls. The outermost is the Fifth Sacred Hall where the disciples of the True Qi Realm cultivate. Moving inward, there are the Fourth Sacred Hall for the Spirit Sea Realm disciples, the Third Sacred Hall for the Rotating Pill Realm disciples, and the most outstanding prodigies occupy the Second and First Sacred Halls."
"As for the giant mountain in the far distance, that is Heavenly Saint Mountain, where the Heavenly Saint Realm powerhouses reside!"
Five Sacred Halls.
Heavenly Saint Mountain!
Ye Chen raised his head to look at what lay ahead, his eyes shining with anticipation.
This was where he would be cultivating from now on, where perhaps he could break through from the Rotating Pill to the Heavenly Saint Realm.
Not just Ye Chen, but Jiang Yao, Liu Qingmei, Xiao Chen, and Luo Lie all gazed at the gates to the Heavenly Sacred Palace with sparkles in their eyes, fantasizing about their future cultivation.
After Mu Qingqing completed her introduction of the various regions, she continued, "Right now, we can't head directly to these regions. We have to make a trip to the Hidden Dragon Hall first."
"The Hidden Dragon Hall is where the disciples selected by the Envoys undergo assessments to confirm their strengths. Although being chosen by an Envoy guarantees entry into the Heavenly Sacred Palace, to join the First or Second Sacred Hall, one must undergo an assessment."
"If the assessment is failed, you will be placed in the Third, Fourth, or Fifth Sacred Hall based on your cultivation level."
As she spoke, Mu Qingqing specifically looked at Ye Chen and Jiang Yao, "Ye Chen and Sister Jiang Yao, although you have been recommended by me and Elder Xiao as disciples of the First Sacred Hall, this procedural assessment must still be undertaken. Of course, with your strengths, joining the First Sacred Hall will surely be a breeze."
"Sister Liu Qingmei, Xiao Chen, and Luo Lie, although you have no Heavenly Saint to recommend you and can only aim for the Second Sacred Hall, if your performance exceeds the Second Sacred Hall's assessment standards and meets the First Sacred Hall's criteria, I can also seek a Heavenly Saint's recommendation for you, allowing you to join the First Sacred Hall as well."
Mu Qingqing's words made Liu Qingmei, Xiao Chen, and Luo Lie look serious.
After Ye Chen and Jiang Yao exchanged glances, they both nodded.
Now the five of them finally understood what the Hidden Dragon Hall was for.
It was, in fact, the place where new disciples were assessed before entering the Heavenly Sacred Palace. No wonder the grand competition to select disciples for the Heavenly Sacred Palace was named the Hidden Dragon List.
"All right, let's head to the 'Hidden Dragon Hall' first. The disciples selected by the other Envoys are already there," Mu Qingqing pointed toward a palace on the outermost edge of the five regions of the Heavenly Sacred Palace and said.