7-10
Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 7: Departing To The Sect.
"Hahaha, now you see just how great an opportunity this is," Jin Fu remarked with a knowing smile. "Well, just ignore them. Let's proceed to the third floor. And if you truly wish to sell the position, consider selling it to me. I'll offer you one thousand extra gold coins above the highest bid."
With those words, a profound silence enveloped the first floor of the shop again, the patrons left speechless by Jin Fu's words.
The third floor of the Pavilion was much smaller than the first and second floors. There were no customers, but Xue San noticed at least a dozen guards stationed around, each with swords at their waists and faces hidden behind masks. It was impossible to discern their features, adding an air of mystery to the floor.
"This level is exclusively for our most valued VVIP customers. The products here are the finest quality," Jin Fu said, a proud smile lighting up his face.
"Mr. Jin Fu, I think this is too much," Xue San replied, feeling out of place. "A simple robe will do."
Jin Fu laughed heartily. "Nonsense! Consider this a personal gift in honor of your discovery of the Phoenix Fern. Now, tell me—what catches your eye?"
Xue San hesitated, glancing around. He saw many beautiful robes, but his attention was drawn to one in a warm, earthy yellow. He pointed. "That one, I think."
"Excellent choice." Jin Fu nodded, and suddenly, two masked women appeared at Xue San's side as if summoned from thin air. "Take his measurements, and ensure there's a robe in his size. If not, prepare one as quickly as possible," Jin Fu instructed.
"Yes, Master," they replied in unison. After a moment, one of the women confirmed, "There are two robes that will fit this young master."
"Good—prepare them both." Jin Fu then turned to Xue San. "Once we're done here, I'll take you to your family's new home. You can settle in, take a bath, and change into your new clothes. Afterward, we'll share one last meal, and I'll go over a few things before we proceed to the Long Clan Manor."
After a thirty-minute carriage ride, they arrived in the housing district. The homes looked similar, with only slight variations, but soon they came upon what would be Xue San's family home.
At the entrance, a small courtyard enclosed by a low stone wall welcomed them. The ground was paved with flat stones, and pots filled with bamboo, plum blossoms, and flowering shrubs added a serene charm.
The house itself opened into a modest living room with polished wooden floors. Paintings of natural landscapes adorned the walls, creating a sense of calm. Adjacent rooms contained simple beds, one for each family member, and at the rear was a separate kitchen equipped with a hearth, pots, pans, and hanging utensils. Xue San thought of his mother; she would undoubtedly love this kitchen. To his surprise, there was even a small bathhouse slightly apart from the main home for privacy, featuring a large stone basin for bathing. Xue San took in the peaceful simplicity of the place and felt a deep sense of contentment.
He turned to Jin Fu and bowed. "Thank you," he said. After excusing himself, he went to take a bath, refreshing himself after the long journey.
Once Jin Fu left, Xue San waited a moment, then took out a small leather pouch from his robe. He opened it to reveal only a few copper coins, yet he gazed at them as though they were priceless treasures. He placed the pouch in the leather bag, buried it discreetly in the garden, and smiled to himself before bathing and changing into his new robe.
Late that night, Jin Fu sat behind his desk in a dimly lit room, papers scattered haphazardly across the table. He nursed a cup of wine, his eyes scanning the documents intently. The candle flames flickered, casting wavering shadows on the walls. Without a sound, a masked figure in black robes appeared, silent and foreboding.
"So, what did he do after I left?" Jin Fu asked.
"Master, he waited and made sure you were truly gone, then took his belongings from a leather bag, transferred a few copper coins into it, and buried it in the garden."
"Hmm… what an amusing little fellow," Jin Fu said, while smiling slightly.
"Master, forgive my asking, but why so much attention on this boy?"
"It's unusual for you to question me, Shadow One," Jin Fu replied, his tone mild.
"I apologize, Master."
Jin Fu smiled. "It's fine. My interest lies in his peculiar connection to the Long family. That lass from the Long Clan accidentally encountered a wandering seer—something rare and strange. I thought it was a scam, but then she discovered the Phoenix Fern. So, I thought perhaps the boy had some hidden quality. Either way, having a good relationship with him can get us useful information from the Soaring Sword Sect side."
"I see."
"But to think he was so wary, hiding his few copper coins… funny, indeed," Jin Fu chuckled. "Ensure the area remains safe. I want no harm to come to him."
Jin Fu knew that some people might try to harm the boy to please Long Huo and get the promised reward instead. It was stupid if you really thought about it but some people were really just that stupid
"Yes, Master," the shadowy figure replied, vanishing as quickly as he had appeared, and the room returned to stillness.
The next day, Jin Fu arranged for a carriage to bring Xue San to one of the finest restaurants in the city, where a feast awaited.
"I didn't know what you'd like, so I ordered a bit of everything. Enjoy!" Jin Fu encouraged.
Xue San had never seen such a lavish spread and ate until he could eat no more.
"Listen closely, Xue San," Jin Fu said, leaning forward, "because of your humble background, life in the world of cultivators will not be easy. You'll face many who will try to break you. Cultivator clans—like the Long Clan—are formidable, and even they're nothing next to the great sects and the royal family."
Xue San nodded, absorbing each word.
"For instance, Young Lady Long Huo is a genius but, even she was only an inner sect disciple. Core disciples have stringent requirements—reaching Foundation Establishment by thirty, for example, is one of them. It won't be easy for her to be accepted, and that animosity might even extend to you.
Xue San's eyes widened as he took in the complexities of this world.
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The Long Clan manor, nestled deep within the heart of Dragon Fort City, stood as a testament to the grandeur of the clan. Stone pathways meandered through tranquil courtyards filled with ancient bonsai trees and serene koi ponds, where red lanterns cast a warm, inviting glow over murals depicting legendary ancestors. Training grounds echoed with the disciplined sounds of disciples honing their martial arts skills, while secluded pavilions offered sanctuaries for meditation and spiritual cultivation. At the manor's core stood the ancestral hall. The entire manor exuded an aura of wisdom and strength, reflecting the Long Clan's esteemed position within the cultivation world.
In one of the manor's pavilions sat the beautiful Long Huo, and before her stood an old man—her grandfather, Long Wei. His long blue hair, streaked with silver, flowed like a river of silk, bearing the signature hue of their lineage. His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, glowed faintly with profound cultivation energy, a testament to his immense power and wisdom. His face, stern yet dignified, with strong, chiseled features, hinted at a heritage both noble and formidable.
Long Wei wore a robe of deep indigo, intricately embroidered with majestic dragons soaring through clouds—a symbol of the clan's prestige. A silver belt, adorned with delicate phoenixes, encircled his waist. A magnificent sword hung by his side, its hilt wrapped in white silk, always at the ready.
"With this, you are practically a Core Disciple now, at the Qi Condensation stage no less. Other core disciples will try to suppress you, but with your talent and the full support of the clan, you'll catch up to them in no time," Long Wei said, his voice calm yet commanding. "Plus, since you were the one to secure the vital ingredient from the mission issued by Grandmaster Chu Feng, you can say you have earned his favor. So they won't dare overstep too much in their attempts to challenge you."
"I understand, Grandfather," Long Huo replied, a hint of hesitation in her tone. "You told me to say that the reward for the one who found Phoenix Fern would be an outer sect disciple position. At first, I wanted to just give some gold and be done with it but..."
"But what?" Long Wei asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Jin Fu intervened. He said it might harm our family's reputation and that if word reached the sect, it could work against me."
Long Wei frowned, his tone cold "Humph. He's not entirely wrong, but that Jin Fu makes me uneasy every time I see him," his gaze hardening. "I've long suspected he's not as simple as he appears. For someone of his wealth to have cultivators at his command is not uncommon but to have such powerful cultivators, is not normal at all, at least without a powerful background. Just a decade ago, he was a nameless merchant, yet now he commands influence and cultivators of considerable strength. It's all very... strange."
"So, Grandfather believes we should not bring this person to the sect?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.
"No, we should fulfill our promise. It's just one spot for an outer sect disciple. Jin Fu's intervening on his behalf might suggest a scheme of some sort, or maybe I'm just overthinking. After all, in so many years, he hasn't harmed our clan in any way. You may go now. I've already contacted the sect—they'll arrive tomorrow to escort you."
"Yes, Grandfather." Long Huo rose, bowing deeply before taking her leave.
The following morning, Jin Fu arrived at the Long Clan manor with Xue San, who, after a night of rest, a warm bath, and new robes provided by Jin Fu, was almost unrecognizable.
Xue San now stood taller and stronger, his lean frame beginning to show signs of definition from years of hard labor. His once messy black hair was now longer, tied back to keep it out of his dark, intense eyes. The uneven cut had been replaced by a rugged look, fitting for a young man accustomed to the outdoors. His sun-bronzed skin was roughened by countless days under the sun, and his once-childish features had matured—a firm jawline, a straight nose, and thin lips set in a thoughtful line. The earthy yellow robe gave him a certain charm.
An attendant led them to a spacious garden centered around a large, circular stone platform. Jin Fu and Xue San were the first to arrive.
"Mr. Jin Fu, where are the others?" Xue San asked, glancing around.
"Don't worry, young friend Xue San. You are an outsider, so it's better to arrive before the others to make a good impression."
Soon, others began to gather. Within half an hour, a dozen people had arrived, most in their thirties, though a few younger people stood among them. Three of the men were disciples from the Long Clan—Long Shang, Long Xia, and Long Zhong—and beside them stood a young woman who immediately caught Xue San's eye.
She was beautiful, with blue hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of sapphire, each strand shimmering in the light. Her cerulean eyes, deep and sharp with resolve, held Xue San captive in silent admiration.
Her features were delicate, with high cheekbones and a soft, heart-shaped jawline that lent her an air of serene beauty. Dressed in midnight blue robes embroidered with silver waves, she seemed almost otherworldly, as if she'd emerged from the depths of a hidden ocean. A slender, silver-edged sword hung at her waist, its hilt inlaid with a single sapphire matching the shade of her eyes. Her name was Lan Shui, and for reasons Xue San couldn't quite grasp, his heart beat faster in her presence.
The three Long Clan disciples, by contrast, cast disdainful glances at him, as though his very presence tainted the air around them.
"I see everyone has arrived," a deep voice announced. Heads turned as Patriarch Long appeared, his presence commanding instant respect.
"Greetings, Patriarch Long," the group chorused, bowing with hands clasped. Though Xue San was a beat behind, he managed to bow in time, evidence of Jin Fu's careful tutoring.
"I hope you all cherish this opportunity the clan has provided," the Patriarch declared, his gaze briefly settling on Xue San and Lan Shui.
Then there was a rumbling sound above them, and Xue San's jaw nearly dropped, as a flying ship descended from the sky, approaching at a swift pace before slowing and settling gracefully onto the platform. Standing at the bow was a young man in his twenties, his silver eyes sparkling with a quiet intensity, his light smile barely concealing his pride.
"Junior Sister Long," the young man addressed Long Huo. "The moment Master heard you'd secured the ingredient he sought, he sent me to escort you back."
"Haha, Senior Brother, Grandmaster Chu Feng is too kind," Long Huo replied, a bright smile lighting up her face.
"Let's be on our way then. You know how Master is," the young man said.
"Of course. Lan Shui, you're in charge of the others. Let's go."
As they began to board, Jin Fu turned to Xue San, a rare hint of warmth in his eyes. "Well, young friend, good luck. I hope you find great success within the sect."
With a nod and a final deep breath, Xue San took his first steps toward fulfilling his dream of achieving immortality.
Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 8: That Old Bastard Screwed Me Again
"Let's be on our way then. You know how Master is," the young man said.
"Of course. Lan Shui, you're in charge of the others. Let's go."
As they began to board, Jin Fu turned to Xue San, a rare hint of warmth in his eyes. "Well, young friend, good luck. I hope you find great success within the sect."
With a nod and a final deep breath, Xue San took his first steps toward fulfilling his dream of achieving immortality.
Upon embarking on the ship, Xue San quietly followed the girl named Lan Shui and the others, unsure of what awaited him. The grandeur of the vessel was overwhelming, making him feel small amid its opulence.
"This is Master's personal flying vessel," Yan Yi explained. "Although it's extremely fast, there aren't enough rooms for all of us. There are a total of four rooms, and I'm currently using one."
"Ha ha ha, don't worry about it, Senior Brother Yin," Long Huo interjected with a sweet smile. "I'll take one room, Lan Shui another, and the four of them can share one," she said, casting a glance at the Long clan disciple and Xue San.
"Verry well then, the rooms are located in the lower part of the ship, you can go there now if you want, our journey will take about two days"
Lan Shui nodded, bowing before leading the others away.
Inside the ship, Lan Shui reserved the largest room for Long Huo and instructed the others to occupy the remaining room. "Remember you shouldn't be prowling about the ship and embarrassing the young lady." she said sternly
When Xue San entered the cramped quarters with the others, he was about to look around when a sharp pain exploded on his cheek.
"A slap," he realized, stunned.
"God damn it, you filthy peasant!" snarled one of the boys. "Not only you stile my younger brother spot as an outer sect disciple, but you also dare to steal glances at junior sister Lan Shui, when you aren't even a cultivator?"
"Yeah, tell him, Long Shang," jeered the other two, their eyes glinting with malice.
Xue San was taken aback. Jin Fu had warned him that such things could happen, but he hadn't expected this from members of his own "faction".
"I..." he began, but another slap cut him off.
For a moment, he saw nothing but white, a searing pain radiating from his other cheek.
"Who allowed you to speak, you filthy animal?" Long Shang spat.
Xue San was speechless. Were people really this insane? How could he promise something that wasn't his to give?
"Break his arms and legs, Long Shang," one of the boys sneered. "Let's see the young miss throw this crippled mortal out of the flying ship."
Horror washed over Xue San. Was this how it would all end? Crippled and thrown off the ship before even reaching the sect? Jin Fu hadn't fully conveyed how cruel this world could be.
Just as Long Shang grabbed Xue San's arm to twist it, the door swung open. Lan Shui stood there, fury blazing in her eyes.
"You damn pigheads!" she seethed through gritted teeth. "What do you think you're doing, you lowlifes? Do you still think this is Dragon Fort City? We're not even at the sect, and you're already embarrassing our young lady. Do you think I won't kill you if you cause trouble for her?"
The men froze, stupefied.
"Junior Sister Lan..." Long Shang began.
"Shut up!" she snapped. "Your little show was already seen by Young Master Yin. This ship is under his full control; nothing happens here without his knowledge. He's informed the young lady, and she is enraged by your behavior."
The Long Clan disciples had horrified expressions when they heard that.
Turning to Xue San, she said, "As for you, go to the young lady's room. She wants to speak with you."
Xue San stood stunned for a moment but then bowed in gratitude before hurrying to Long Huo's quarters.
Inside, Long Huo sat cross-legged, eyes closed in deep meditation. Unsure of how to proceed, Xue San stood quietly, waiting for her to address him.
"Your name is Xue San, right?" she asked without opening her eyes.
"Yes, young lady," he replied, bowing respectfully.
"Come here," she commanded, her gaze piercing as she opened her eyes. "Place your hand on this crystal."
"What for?" Xue San instintivly
Long Huo's face fell, but remembering that Yan Yi might be watching, she suppressed the urge to slap this country bumpkin for questioning her.
"This will send a strand of spiritual power into your body," she explained. "After completing a full cycle, it will reveal whether you have even a scrap of talent—or if you're completely useless."
A surge of excitement coursed through Xue San after hearing Long Huo words. He believed in his potential; after all, the old man had hinted at his aptitude, even suggesting that becoming an alchemist wasn't impossible for him.
He stepped forward confidently, extending his hand toward the crystal ball. Long Huo observed him curiously, noting the proud smile and the confidence radiating from his eyes.
"Could this guy actually be an arrangement from Jin Fu? Does he have an excellent aptitude for cultivation?" she pondered.
Xue San placed his hand on the crystal ball and felt like a tiny stream of cool water entered his body. After a moment, it exited the same way it had come. Then the crystal ball gave a tiny grey, almost dark, glow.
Seeing this, Long Huo snorted in contempt.
"What a poser," she sneered in her heart. "Why walk so confidently when your talent is pure garbage?"
She looked at Xue San and declared, "You have low-tier Human Talent. With this kind of trash aptitude, you'll be lucky to reach even the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm—that's it. What a waste of space and resources. But since I gave my word, you'll still be able to join the sect as an outer sect disciple. Just remember: don't embarrass me or the Long clan, or you'll regret the day you were born," she said, her voice dripping with disdain.
Hearing Long Huo words Xue San stumbling out of her room. He felt like his world spinning. He didn't dare return to the others; the threat of another beating loomed large.
He could only clench his fists and curs in his heart "That old bastard screwed me again," he said bitterly. "He could've just told me I lack the talent. Now it's too late to turn back."
On the verge of tears, he made his way to the deck to at least savor the scenery.
It was the right choice. From this vantage point, he saw the Sleeping Giant Mountain for the first time—it truly resembled a colossal figure in slumber. Cities sprawled below like intricate patterns, their inhabitants mere specks. Roads stretched out like cracks in a mirror.
Gradually, Xue San felt himself calming down.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" a voice said beside him. He turned to see the silver-eyed man known as Senior Brother Yin.
"Young Master, I'm sorry," Xue San stammered, his heart sinking. He feared this man might be like the bullies below. And who could blame him? He was just a fourteen-year-old from a remote village, naïve to the world's cruelties.
"Ha ha, no need to apologize," Yan Yi said warmly. "I also enjoy the view from up here. My name is Yan Yi, but most call me Senior Brother Yan."
"Senior Yan Yi, I'm sorry for disturbing your resting place. I'll leave now," Xue San said while bowing.
"Stay," Yan Yi replied with a smile. "If you truly feel sorry, how about sharing your story with me?"
Xue San hesitated but then began to speak and when he did, it was like a dam broke loose, all his pent-up emotions came up. He told of his humble village, his dreams of immortality, and the rewards he'd been given by the Long Clan. He even shared how Long Huo had told him that his talent was worthless.
By the time he finished, night had enveloped the sky, stars shimmering like scattered diamonds.
"You certainly have an interesting tale," Yan Yi said. "While this is indeed a great opportunity, if your cultivation is lacking you will have a harder life than most mortals, perhaps staying with your family would've been a better choice."
Xue San's shoulders sagged, feeling even more dejected.
"But remember," Yan Yi continued gently, "cultivation is about defying the heavens. Who knows? Maybe you'll turn your fate around. The cultivation world has many stories of people beating the odds and becoming great cultivators."
He waved his hand, and a small medicinal bottle materialized. "As Master's disciple, I can't let the person who found exactly what he needed, walk away with just a house, some gold coins, and the position of an outer sect disciple. So consider this an additional reward from me finding the Phoenix Fern."
He handed Xue San a small bottle containing a dozen round blue pills.
"When you get to the sect and start cultivating, these will be extremely helpful to you. I hope you use them wisely."
"What are these, Senior Brother?" Xue San asked as he inspected the bottle.
"These are Qi Replenishing Pills. They help restore Qi more quickly after battles and can also accelerate your cultivation. The spiritual energy in these pills is purer and easier to absorb than what you'd gain from a normal cultivation session."
Xue San marveled at the sight of the pills; they seemed, absolutely flawless to him.
"These are Mid-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills, so be careful not to show or tell anyone about them."
"Mid-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills? What does that mean?" Xue San asked, puzzled.
"Well, when an alchemist refines a product, some of the energy from the materials is lost. The product is still considered a success if it retains at least 50% of its potency, but its effects will be much weaker and will contain many impurities that the cultivator will have to expel later to avoid complications."
"But Senior Brother, if it's harmful, why even take poor-Grade products?" Xue San wondered.
Yan Yi laughed at his naivety. "Xue San, even if it's a poor-grade product, taking one or two pills a month does no harm. And even if you take more, there are methods to eliminate the residual impurities. For example, if you consume a Poor-Grade Qi Replenishing Pill, it might take about one hour to fully 'digest' the energy inside the pill. That pill would be equivalent to a day of meditation. Now, imagine taking two pills a month for twelve months—that's like gaining almost twenty-four extra days of cultivation."
"I see," Xue San said, amazed. And these were only the poor-grade pills; the ones he had were Mid-Grade. "Then these pills..."
"Yes, so be extra careful not to show them to anyone."
"Yes!" Xue San replied excitedly. "Senior Brother, can you tell me more about the classification of pills?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
"Well, I suppose I can. It's not like is a secret; you'll find out sooner or later after you join the sect. Alchemical products are classified into Poor-Grade, Low-Grade, Mid-Grade, High-Grade, Peak-Grade, and finally, the legendary Perfect-Grade."
"How does one determine the quality of a product Senior Brother?" Xue San asked eagerly. He had read The Compendium of Alchemy: Volume One, but besides memorizing herbs and plants, there was nothing about pills, and for some strange reason, he couldn't read some parts of the book.
"Hmph, so that old bastard isn't done screwing me," Xue San thought bitterly. He now realized that the old man had duped him all those years ago; perhaps there was nothing special about the book after all.
If Huo Ming knew that Xue San was cursing him he would probably end up coughing blood from anger.
"It's actually quite simple. You can determine the quality of a product by various factors—its color, shape, smell, and so on. Poor-Grade products retain only between 50% and 59% of their potency. Low-Gradeproducts contain between 60% and 69%. Mid-Grade products have between 70% and 79%, High-Grade between 80% and 89%, and Peak-Grade between 90% and 99%. As for Perfect-Grade... those are extremely, and I mean extremely rare. Some alchemists may spend their entire lives without ever concocting even one Perfect-Gradeproduct."
"Why is that, Senior Brother?"
"Perfect-Grade products are also called Flawless Products because they retain 100% of the energy from the materials used and have no impurities. Legends say that in ancient times, only when an alchemist was able to concoct a Perfect-Grade product could they earn the right to advance to the next stage. It didn't matter if they could concoct products of a higher stage; no one would recognize them without that perfection."
"But, Senior Brother, a Peak-Grade pill is already so close to 100%. Does it really make that big of a difference?" Xue San asked.
"Of course it does. Perfect-grade products are on another level entirely. An alchemist who can concoct them is said to be capable of creating almost any product of that stage; it represents complete mastery of that tier and signifies that the alchemist is ready to advance. But alas, it's something only possible in ancient times. Nowadays, one just needs a 30% success rate and they can advance in their ranking" Yan Yi said with a hint of pity, as if he regretted being born in this age.
And so, Xue San spent his time talking with Yan Yi well into the night.
Aware of his situation, Yan Yi let Xue San stay in his cabin until they reached the Soaring Sword Sect.
Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 9: Outer Sect Disciple!
The Soaring Sword Sect was one of the three great sects of the Saint Soul Kingdom and arguably its most powerful one. Nestled in a valley between three majestic mountains, the sect thrived in an environment ideal for cultivation, where spiritual energy was so abundant that in certain special areas, it even condensed into liquid form.
Many years ago, the Sect Master of the Soaring Sword Sect chose this location precisely because of its natural concentration of spiritual energy. Over time, it evolved into the grand and majestic place it was today, with beautiful buildings and pagodas scattered throughout the valley like jewels adorning a crown.
The sect was divided into three main areas. The outer sect area housed the Outer Sect Disciples. The inner area was home to the Inner Sect Disciples, as well as the residences of some elders and prominent families of the Soaring Sword Sect. Given the sect's rich history, it was natural for factions to form over time.
Lastly, there was the core area—the training ground for the Head Elders, the core disciples of the sect, and a few other special individuals of the sect. It also boasted the highest concentration of spiritual energy.
The sect was bustling with activity as usual when a flying ship pierced through the skies, heading directly toward the core area.
"Wow, was that the flying ship of Grandmaster Chu Feng?" exclaimed one of the disciples on patrol duty.
"Of course it was, you dumbass. Didn't you see the insignia on the ship?" replied his companion.
"Hmph, it could have been one of the other elders," he grumbled, dissatisfaction evident in his tone.
The two continued their patrol, bickering back and forth as they went about their duties.
"Junior Sister Long, we will go and deliver the plant to Master. I'm sure you're also eager to receive your reward; after all, with so many people searching for it, you were the one who found it," said Yan Yi in a meaningful tone.
"Not at all, Senior Brother Yan," replied Long Huo modestly.
They disembarked from the flying ship and walked along a small stone path.
"Master must be on his way. I already sent him a message the moment we arrived at the sect. He—"
"Finally! Yan, you brat, what took you so long, goddammit? Don't you know that if the Phoenix Fern isn't well preserved, it loses some of its potency over time?" At that moment, they heard an old man's voice and saw a figure soaring through the sky toward them, shouting.
Yan Yi wore a dejected look. "Master, you know that I..." but he was interrupted again.
"Yeah, yeah, who cares about that? Where is it?"
"Here," said Yan Yi as he tossed a ring to his master.
Grandmaster Chu Feng held the ring for a moment, his eyes brightening. "Ha ha ha! It really is a Phoenix Fern. Excellent, excellent!"
"Master, this is the disciple who completed the mission," said Yan Yi, gesturing toward Long Huo.
"Good, good. You can take this token to the Dragon Hall to receive your rewards. Congratulations on becoming a core disciple," said Grandmaster Chu Feng.
Then he turned and flew away.
"You will have to excuse my master, Junior Sister Long," Yan Yi said apologetically.
"Not at all, Senior Brother Yan. I wouldn't dare to take more time from someone as busy as Grandmaster Chu Feng. It was already a great honor to see him in person," said Long Huo with a sweet smile.
"Well then, Junior Sister, I will escort you to the Dragon Hall."
"This junior sister would be honored, Elder Brother Yan. As for the others, I will escort them to the outer sect area later."
"As for the rest of you, come with us; someone will escort you later to the outer sect area," Yan Yi said.
"Yes, Senior Brother," they all responded in unison.
Xue San observed these interactions, stupefied. Was this the same woman who looked at him with scorn and disdain? Now, she appeared as an innocent, delicate girl conversing with her childhood sweetheart.
They left Grandmaster Chu Feng's dwelling and walked toward a grand pavilion. Xue San was in awe the entire time, his eyes wide as he took in the majestic surroundings, and the others were not much better.
This was the Major Dragon Hall a majestic and sacred place within the Soaring Sword Sect. Here, Elders, Inner Sect Disciples, and Core Disciples could accept missions from the sect in exchange for rewards or contribution points.
But that wasn't all; disciples and Elders could also issue missions in exchange for rewards and contribution points, provided they offered the promised reward upfront. This system ensured that no one worked for free.
The Major Dragon Hall was bustling with activity. Xue San noticed that, aside from a few individuals wearing robes of different colors, all the disciples wore white-grey robes emblazoned with an insignia on their chests that read "Inner Sword." Without exception, almost all disciples carried a sword with them.
People were coming and going. When they saw Yan Yi walking beside Long Huo, many threw glances their way, recognizing Yan Yi, the personal disciple of Grandmaster Chu Feng, and Long Huo, a famous figure even among the inner sect.
They approached a counter where a beautiful disciple in black robes stood, the words "Outer Sword" emblazoned on her chest.
"Good morning, how may I assist you today?" she asked in a professional tone.
"We are here to collect the rewards of a mission," said Yan Yi.
"May I see the token to confirm the completion of the mission, please?"
Yan Yi glanced at Long Huo.
"Here it is," she said, handing over the token Grandmaster Chu Feng gave her.
The young woman took the token from Long Huo's hands and passed it over a formation inscribed on the table. When she saw who had issued the mission and what the rewards were, she couldn't suppress a gasp.
" It's Gra... It's Grandmaster Chu Feng's mission!"
She let out a tiny yelp. Those words of hers silenced the great hall as if someone had stolen all sound from the air. Everyone turned to look in their direction.
"Wh... What? Someone already found the Phoenix Fern?" exclaimed an inner sect disciple.
"Shit, I can't believe it," said another.
"The heavens are blind, why is she the one to find it," another one lamented.
Yan Yi and Long Huo didn't seem bothered by the attention, but Xue San and the others felt as if a mountain were pressing down on them, with everyone staring in their direction.
"Hmph, is there a need to shout?" said Long Huo in a dissatisfied tone to the girl behind the counter.
Realizing her mistake, the girl bowed deeply. "I am sorry, Senior Sister. I've confirmed the completion of the mission. The contribution points will be added to your token, and... and the Number Six manor in the core area will be assigned to you from now on. Here is the token that controls the arrays. The uniform of a core disciple will take some time to prepare; it will be done in a week." The girl composed herself and finished professionally.
"Very well. Find someone to take these people to the outer sect area to register; they are entering with the recommendation of the Long Clan of Dragon Fort City" Long Huo instructed.
"Yes, Senior Sister," the girl behind the counter responded. She pressed her head against her token, and another disciple wearing the same robes approached. It was a young boy with a round face. It was the first time Xue San saw such a fat person.
"Please follow me," he said, a warm smile spreading across his rotund face. He seemed cheerful and good-natured.
"My name is Fang Ma. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
Xue San had many questions, but for now, he decided to remain silent, unnerved by the glares he received from the Long Clan disciples.
"Senior Brother Fang Ma, we are disciples of the noble Long Clan, so we already know all there is to know about the sect. We've been preparing since childhood to be selected," said Long Shang, a hint of pride coloring his tone. The other two also wore smug expressions as he spoke.
"Yes, unlike other people," added Long Xia, his voice dripping with contempt as he cast a disdainful glance at Xue San.
"My clan isn't as renowned as the illustrious Long Clan, so I actually have some questions," came a cold voice from behind the trio. It was Lan Shui.
The three instantly stiffened at the sound of her voice.
"Junior Sister Lan Shui, we didn't—"
"Yes, yes, Junior Sister Lan, how could you even think we were referring to you?"
"We meant no disrespect to the Lan Clan," they stammered.
"Hmph," Lan Shui snorted dismissively. "Senior Brother Fang Ma, I wanted to ask about the size of our Soaring Sword Sect."
"Well," Fang Ma began, "the sect has about fifteen thousand people, give or take. There are around five thousand outer sect disciples; of those, only about one percent can actually make it to the Inner Sect. The rest remain as outer sect disciples and then after a time are assigned to work under one of the Halls. There is Dragon Hall, the Punishment Hall, the Medicinal Hall, well you get the gist of it"
"What? Only about one percent?" Xue San exclaimed involuntarily.
"Yes." Fang Ma nodded "The criteria to become an inner sect disciple are very stringent. Even without the promotion trials for inner sect positions, most outer sect disciples are already disqualified."
"Why is that?" Lan Shui inquired.
"Because one of the conditions to become an inner sect disciple is to be eighteen years of age or younger and at least at the sixth stage of the Qi Condensation Realm."
The others seemed relatively unperturbed, but Xue San's expression fell. Unlike the others, he knew he had little talent for cultivation and had never cultivated before.
"What about the inner and core disciples?" Noticing Xue San's dismay, Long Xia seized the opportunity to twist the knife.
"The Inner Sect has around five to six hundred disciples," Fang Ma explained. "Most hail from major cultivator clans or are descendants of powerful elders. They have the resources and legacies to cultivate exceptional progeny. As for the core disciples, they're legendary figures within the sect, each destined to become a prominent figure in the cultivation world. All of them have to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm before the age of twenty-five to even qualify for the core disciple trial." Then, as if recalling something, Fang Ma added, "Well, almost all—excluding the new addition."
Seeing the somber expressions on their faces, Fang Ma attempted to lift their spirits.
"Don't worry too much about it; life as an outer sect disciple isn't so bad. You receive three Poor-Grade Qi Replenishing Pill when you join, and then one every month, plus ten contribution points just for being part of the sect, and you can take missions at the Minor Dragon Hall."
"What is the Minor Dragon Hall?" This time, to the surprise of the Long Clan trio, it was Xue San who asked the question.
"The Minor Dragon Hall is similar to the Major Dragon Hall we just left, you can issue and accept missions there but the difference is that even people who aren't part of the sect can accept missions at the Minor Dragon Hall. Non-sect members have to pay extra for the sect to issue the missions. We, outer sect disciples, can only accept missions issued at the Minor Dragon Hall."
"Why is that?" Xue San pressed.
"Because missions given in the Major Dragon Hall are intended to help inner sect disciples grow faster. It's a form of support the sect provides to its most diligent disciples. They don't want to squander precious resources on talentless outer sect disciples. Can you even imagine if some talentless guy, who isn't even part of our sect, could accept, for example, Grandmaster Chu Feng's mission and become a core disciple? Hahaha!" Fang Ma burst into laughter, oblivious to the chill that settled over the group as he spoke.
The remainder of the journey was cloaked in silence. Fang Ma assumed they were absorbing the information he had shared, unawaree of how tense the atmosphere had become.
"Here we are," Fang Ma announced.
The Minor Dragon Hall was a place of ceaseless movement and vibrant energy. Its grand corridors echoed with the footsteps of outer sect disciples, esteemed elders, and even visiting dignitaries. This was where the Sect conducted its business with the outside world, serving as a bridge between the Sect and the outside world. Merchants arrived with goods, messengers delivered news, and missions were dispatched for the outer sect Disciples. The Minor Dragon Hall wasn't just a building; it was one of the living pulses of the Sect, where ambitions ignited and destinies were forged.
Approaching one of the counters where a disciple in black robes stood—the words "Outer Sword" on his robes—Feng Ma said, "Hello there. These are new recruits from the Long Clan. Register them as outer sect disciples."
"Yes, Senior Brother Fang Ma," the disciple behind the counter replied with a bow.
"Well, good luck from here on out," Fang Ma said with a cheerful wave before leaving.
Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 10: Life As An Outer Sect Disciple.
Approaching one of the counters where a disciple in black robes stood—the words "Outer Sword" on his robes—Fang Ma said, "Hello there. These are new recruits from the Long Clan. Register them as outer sect disciples."
"Yes, Senior Brother Fang Ma," the disciple behind the counter replied with a bow.
"Well, good luck from here on out," Fang Ma said with a cheerful wave before leaving.
The disciple behind the counter looked at them and said, "Since you came with the recommendation from the Long Family, you don't have to take the entrance trial to join the sect. I need your name, age, place of origin, cultivation realm, and your aptitude. If you don't know your aptitude, you can perform the test now."
Long Shang stepped forward confidently. "Name: Long Shang. Age: seventeen. Place of Origin: Dragon Fort City, Long Clan. Cultivation Realm: Fifth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Aptitude: Low Earth Tier."
He finished with a smug smile on his face.
"Now, I just need you to drip a drop of blood onto the token, and the process will be complete," the disciple instructed.
Long Shang made a small cut on his finger and let a few drops of blood fall onto the token. The token glowed briefly before returning to its normal state. The token was crafted from what appeared to be gray jade encased in metal, bearing the word "Sword" on one side and "Outer" on the other.
Next, Long Xia stepped forward. "Name: Long Xia. Age: sixteen. Place of Origin: Dragon Fort City, Long Clan. Cultivation Realm: Fourth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Aptitude: High Human Tier."
He repeated the same procedure as Long Shang and got his token.
Then Long Zhong stepped forward. "Name: Long Zhong. Age: sixteen. Place of Origin: Dragon Fort City, Long Clan. Cultivation Realm: Fourth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Aptitude: High Human Tier."
He, too, followed the same process.
Before Xue San could move, Lan Shui stepped forward. "Name: Lan Shui. Age: fifteen. Place of Origin: Dragon Fort City, Lan Clan. Cultivation Realm: Sixth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Aptitude: High Earth Tier."
The disciple behind the counter was surprised by Lan Shui's age, cultivation level, and aptitude. He knew that people like her were destined to leave the outer sect sooner or later, so his posture involuntarily straightened up a bit.
"Here is your token, Junior Sister. If there's anything you need in the future, you can always find me here at the Minor Dragon Hall," he said, offering a polite smile.
"Thank you," Lan Shui replied with a nod.
Finally, it was Xue San's turn. As he stepped forward, he could already see the jeering smiles on the faces of the Long Clan trio.
"Name: Xue San. Age: fourteen. Place of Origin: Silverberry Village. Cultivation Realm: None. Aptitude: Low Human Tier."
Xue San's cheeks burned with embarrassment, especially following right after Lan Shui's.
The disciple behind the counter gave Xue San a peculiar look. It wasn't unheard of for cultivator clans to send people who weren't part of their clan to the sect—individuals with no cultivation but exceptional aptitude—to train them and eventually marry them into their clan. But this? A boy with Low Human Tier talent recommended by a cultivator clan was something he'd never encountered.
"Don't worry, Senior Brother," said Long Shang with a mocking tone. "He's our clan's charity case. Hahaha!" The other two laughed along with him.
Xue San clenched his fists, growing tired of the constant taunts from these three.
"What happens now?" Lan Shui asked, stopping the Long Clan trio laughter.
"While Outer Sect disciples are not obligated to undertake any missions or perform specific tasks, failing to make any progress within a year will result in the loss of your status. We will find you accommodations," the disciple explained. "In the Soaring Sword Sect, males and females don't share quarters, so we'll need to arrange a place for Junior Sister Lan Shui. As for the rest of you, since you come from the same..." he hesitated slightly, "...the same place, you will all stay together at house number 1169. All the houses in the outer sect have four rooms, a kitchen, a small yard, and all the other necessities. Junior Sister Lan Shui, you will stay at house number 1250; there are already two other junior sisters there. Someone will come by to deliver your uniforms and a bottle of pills later. All new disciples get three Low-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills when they join the sect, after that you will receive two pills a month.
. Also, the contribution points have already been added to your tokens."
Xue San's face paled when he heard he would be staying with the Long Clan trio, but they, on the other hand, had wide grins on their faces.
Seeing this, the disciple behind the counter sighed and said, "Also, take note that fights between fellow disciples are strictly forbidden. Any life-threatening injuries can result in your expulsion from the sect and the crippling of your cultivation. Killing a fellow disciple can even implicate your clans."
Hearing him, the Long Clan trio's smiles stiffened a bit; one could see the nefarious thoughts they had about Xue San diminish somewhat.
"The residences are on the east side; you can go on your own now."
Exiting the Minor Dragon Hall, they all walked in silence. There were many people coming and going along the way, but none of them questioned what they were doing there. After some time, they reached the housing area of the outer sect disciples.
They still had to walk for a while to get to their respective residences.
When they arrived at residence number 1169, Lan Shui turned to them and said, "I hope you don't embarrass the young lady and behave yourselves, or else..." She finished with a tinge of coldness in her voice.
"Junior Sister Lan Shui, don't worry. We won't do anything to embarrass our Long Clan and our young miss," said Long Shang while throwing a disdainful glance at Xue San.
"Very well," she said, then turned and left for her residence.
"The sect rules may save you from being killed or crippled, but don't think life will be easy from now on, you trash. Let's get in," said Long Shang.
They all went inside the residence. Xue San followed them, stepping through the front door. But just as he entered, Long Shang spun around and delivered a vicious kick to his abdomen. Xue San was sent flying out of the residence, pain exploding in his stomach as if he'd been struck by a boulder.
"Dogs should sleep outside. While we are here, you're not allowed to take a single step inside," Long Shang sneered. He then slammed the door shut, leaving Xue San on his knees, clutching his stomach and fighting the urge to vomit.
Not really knowing how to proceed, he just waited there for his uniform and pills. He still had a lot of questions about the sect, so he hoped to get some answers.
After waiting for about two hours, Xue San saw Fatty Fang Ma approaching, his usual smile stretching across his round face.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the person who came with our new core disciple," Fang Ma said.
"Senior Brother Fang Ma," Xue San bowed. He was relieved to see someone familiar, and Fang Ma's easygoing demeanor was a welcome sight.
"So, what are you doing here?" Fang Ma asked.
"I was waiting for the person who was going to deliver the robes and pills, I had a few more questions to ask," Xue San replied.
"Oh, then go ahead and ask," Fang Ma encouraged.
"You see..." Xue San hesitated, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I don't actually know how to cultivate, and I was wondering if you could help me."
"Well, that's pretty easy. The sect offers public lessons on cultivation once a week for free. They're conducted by an outer sect elder at the Foundation Establishment Stage. Any questions you have about cultivation can usually be answered by the elder, even if you use a cultivation technique provided by your clan. There are also specialized lessons, but you'll need to spend contribution points to attend those. And finally, there is the Public Library, a vast repository housing an vast collection of books—from historical chronicles to poetry. However, I do not recommend visiting it at this time. Although it offers a wealth of information, spending your limited points there is not worthwhile. Beyond general knowledge, there is little of practical value to be discovered. Instead, attending public lessons would be a more advantageous use of your resources."
"What if... what if I don't have a cultivation technique?" Xue San asked, his cheeks flushing slightly.
"Oh, that's very easy. All new outer sect disciples can go to the Scripture Pavilion and choose one cultivation technique. You can also pick a martial art. If you want to learn more, you'll need to use contribution points to exchange for it. You can earn merit points by completing sect missions; most disciples usually take some easy missions like patrolling or tending spiritual gardens, but you can look through them later and pick what suits you."
"Thank you very much, Senior Brother. Could you please tell me where the Scripture Pavilion is?"
"Sure, but if you wait a little, I can take you there."
"Yes, please," Xue San said gratefully.
After delivering the pills and uniforms to the Long Clan trio, Fang Ma led Xue San to the Scripture Pavilion.
The Scripture Pavilion was a towering edifice that exuded an aura of ancient wisdom and formidable power. Constructed from dark jade and reinforced with spiritual arrays, the pavilion was both a library and a fortress, safeguarding the sect's most precious cultivation methods and martial arts techniques.
Xue San noticed that the door to the Scripture Pavilion was wide open with no one standing guard. "Senior Brother, why is there no one guarding the entrance?" he asked.
"Hahaha, Junior Brother, if you think that just because you don't see anyone, there's no one guarding this place, you're mistaken. If you tried to steal something here, you would die without even knowing how." Then he turned to the pavilion and said, "Right, Uncle?"
"Hmph, Fang Ma, you fatty, why aren't you training instead of wasting your time?" Xue San heard a voice that seemed to come from everywhere at once.
"Uncle, that's not very nice to say. How can you call your favorite nephew a fatty?" Fang Ma said, a carefree smile playing on his lips.
"Hmph! You waste of space and talent! Why are you here?" his uncle snapped.
"I am escorting this junior brother so that he may pick a cultivation method and a martial arts technique," Fang Ma replied calmly.
Xue San felt a wave of cold wind pass through him, then he heard Fang Ma uncle's voice again. "You can go inside and pick a cultivation method and one martial arts technique that costs up to 100 contribution points," the elder said. "If you want more, you can use contribution points or valuable resources such as pills to exchange for them. If you reach the third stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, you may return and ascend to the next floor to choose another martial arts technique that costs up to 200 contribution points. Understood?"
"Yes, thank you, Senior," Xue San said, clasping his hands and bowing respectfully. "Senior Brother, I will go inside now. Thank you for everything."
"Sure, no problem," Fang Ma responded with his usual easy smile.
As Xue San entered the Scripture Pavilion, Fang Ma heard his uncle's voice again. "Don't bother with him. I just checked; his talent is abysmal, and he doesn't even come from a great clan."
"I know," Fang Ma replied softly. "I just wanted to give him a helping hand. He looked so pitiful and cute."
"Ah, you brat and your weird tastes. Just take the goddamn inner sect test and move to the inner area."
"But I still want to play some more, Uncle."
"You damn fatty, scram before I beat you half to death. You are the disgrace of our family."
Inside the Scripture Pavilion, Xue San was awestruck by the endless rows of shelves laden with scrolls and manuals of martial arts techniques. However, he noticed there were only three cultivation methods on the entire floor.
He decided to examine the cultivation methods first.
The first was the Heaven and Earth Sutra, a profound cultivation method tailored specifically for practitioners at the Qi Condensation Realm. Revered for its ability to harmonize the practitioner's internal energy with the fundamental forces of Heaven and Earth, this method allowed cultivators to accelerate their cultivation and establish a solid foundation for higher realms.
Next, Xue San picked up the Soaring Sword Technique, a prestigious and formidable cultivation method—the legacy of the Soaring Sword Sect. This portion of the method was for practitioners in the Qi Cultivation Stage. It seamlessly integrated swordsmanship with Qi manipulation, enabling cultivators to harmonize their inner energy with their swords, thus achieving unparalleled agility, precision, and power. The technique was divided into four parts.
The last book he examined was titled QI Compression Method. On the first page, a warning caught his eye:
Warning to those who choose this cultivation method: This is only a part of a technique found by one of the sect elders after he explored some ancient ruins. Using this method makes it impossible to switch to other methods afterward, and it cannot be used beyond the Qi Condensation Stage. Many have tried and failed to advance, some even losing their lives due to Qi deviation. The only way to progress further is to find the missing parts.
The Qi Compression Method taught practitioners to condense mna into a denser, more potent form within their dantian. Even those with poorer aptitudes could make significant progress using this cultivation method. It required focused visualization and breath control to compress the spiritual energy, increasing its intensity. Precise control and visualization were essential.
Xue San was about to return the book to the shelf deciding to take the Soaring Sword Technique when Long Huo's scornful words echoed in his mind: "You have low-tier Human Talent. With this kind of trash aptitude, you'll be lucky to reach even the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm—that's it."
Though Long Huo's words were harsh, Xue San knew that, given his own talent, there was truth in them.
Determination steeled within him. He decided to take his chance with the Qi Compression Method.
Turning his attention to the martial arts techniques, he sifted through titles like The Shadow Steps Technique, The Lightning Sword, The War God Body, etc. Each had an impressive name, but Xue San sought a well-rounded technique. The better ones were too expensive for him. After more than an hour of searching, he found what he was looking for: the "Hundred Phantom Hands"
"Perfect," he whispered.
The principle behind the technique was that a cultivator extended their Qi outward to form numerous ethereal hands, allowing interaction with the environment beyond physical reach. With these phantom hands, the cultivator could perform multiple actions simultaneously—blocking attacks from different directions while launching counterattacks. The technique required immense concentration and mastery over one's energy, enabling precise control over each hand independently.
"The only problem is the price," Xue San muttered. He was allowed to pick a martial arts technique worth 100 contribution points, but the Hundred Phantom Hands was valued at 200 contribution points.
"Senior, can I get this technique and offer poor-quality Qi Condensation Pills in exchange for the contribution points I'm missing?" he asked, hope tinging his voice.
"One poor-quality Qi Condensation Pills pill is worth 50 contribution points," came the curt reply from somewhere.
"Then I will use two poor-quality Qi Condensation Pills and take this Hundred Phantom Hands. I also chose the Qi Compression Method as my cultivation method." Xue San took out the bottle containing the pills, took two out, and held them out. He watched in amazement as the two pills floated from his hand and vanished. Moments later, two books appeared before him.
"Take these copies and leave," the elder's voice echoed.
"Thank you, Senior!" Xue San said earnestly, bowing deeply.
Clutching the precious manuals, Xue San left the Scripture Pavilion, a newfound determination burning within him.