Life in the outer sect

Long Jian sat on the wooden bed in his small dormitory, staring at the flickering candlelight. The flame wavered slightly, casting elongated shadows on the stone walls. It had been several months since he woke up in this body, and life in Cloudpierce Sect's Outer Court had been anything but easy.

The Outer Sect was a place of struggle. Those without talent were left to fight over limited resources, while the gifted ones quickly advanced to the Inner Sect, leaving the weak behind. Long Jian's body had mediocre spirit roots, which meant cultivating was painfully slow. He had yet to break through to the next realm, and without proper resources, his progress would only become harder.

A deep sigh escaped his lips.

Each month, Outer Sect Disciples received five low-grade spirit stones—barely enough for cultivation. If he wanted to improve, he had to earn more resources through tasks.

Just then, a loud voice echoed outside.

"All Outer Sect Disciples, report to the Task Hall for monthly assignments!"

Long Jian stood, smoothing out his robes before stepping outside. The Outer Sect was situated at the base of Cloudpierce Mountain, far from the Inner Court and Sect Elders. Their dormitories were clustered together in rows, with simple training grounds nearby.

As he made his way toward the Task Hall, he passed by other disciples—some chatting in groups, others practicing their techniques with wooden swords. Despite their outward calm, there was an undeniable tension in the air. Everyone was competing for opportunities to rise higher.

---

The Task Hall

The Task Hall was a wide, open structure with towering wooden pillars. Inside, a few senior disciples were distributing missions while a long line of Outer Sect members waited their turn.

At the center stood Senior Disciple Han, the Task Hall Manager. Unlike the Elders—who rarely involved themselves with Outer Sect matters—Senior Disciple Han was the one who managed monthly tasks and assignments. He was a man in his late twenties, clad in dark green robes, his sharp eyes constantly scanning the disciples before him.

Long Jian joined the line, patiently waiting as disciples ahead of him received their assignments.

Some were given simple sect chores—cleaning training halls, gathering herbs in the forest—while others were assigned minor external missions like delivering messages or patrolling nearby villages.

When it was his turn, Senior Disciple Han barely looked up as he scanned a scroll.

"Long Jian. You are assigned to assist with maintaining the training grounds this month. Report every morning at dawn."

Long Jian nodded without complaint. It wasn't a particularly rewarding task, but at least it wouldn't put him in danger.

As he stepped away, he overheard whispers from a few disciples nearby.

"Did you hear? Senior Brother Luo broke through to the Meridian Opening Realm. He's being promoted to the Inner Sect!"

"Of course. He had support from his family—spirit stones, pills, everything. Meanwhile, the rest of us are struggling just to gather a few resources."

Long Jian didn't react, but deep down, he understood the brutal reality of sect life. Those from powerful families had the advantage, while those without backing had to fight for every scrap.

But that didn't mean he would give up.

If the strong had privileges, then he would have to become strong enough to take what he needed himself.

After receiving his assignment, Long Jian made his way to the training grounds. Unlike the Inner Sect disciples, who had access to private cultivation chambers and abundant resources, Outer Sect disciples were left to train in open courtyards with basic wooden dummies and worn-out weapons.

As he stepped onto the practice field, he saw other disciples sparring. A few exchanged sword techniques, while others practiced their palm strikes against thick wooden poles.

Long Jian approached an empty training dummy and clenched his fists. His cultivation was still weak, but that didn't mean he couldn't train his body.

Taking a deep breath, he assumed a basic stance and launched a punch.

Thud!

The impact was solid but unimpressive. He struck again, feeling the sting in his knuckles. His body was still too weak, his Qi circulation sluggish.

"Still as pathetic as ever, Long Jian?"

A mocking voice cut through the air.

Long Jian turned to see Wei Shen, an arrogant disciple who had been in the sect longer than him. Wei Shen was your typical bully who suck up to the powerful and bullied the weak—Simply,someone who thrived on stepping on people weaker than him.

He smirked, crossing his arms. "You should just give up. At this rate, you'll never reach Meridian Opening Realm."

Long Jian wiped the sweat from his brow but said nothing. He had long since learned that arguing with people like Wei Shen was pointless.

"Tch. Silent treatment, huh?" Wei Shen scoffed before walking off to join his friends.

Long Jian ignored him and focused on his training. His muscles ached, but he forced himself to continue. He wouldn't let mockery or lack of resources stop him.

If the world refused to hand him opportunities, he would create his own.

———

Later that night…

Long Jian sat cross-legged on the floor of his room, a single low-grade spirit stone in his palm. He closed his eyes, guiding the Qi into his meridians.

The energy flowed sluggishly. It wasn't enough.

He needed an opportunity. A breakthrough.

And he would find it—no matter what.