Chapter 12: "No Sanctuary in the Inner Sect"

After receiving the Cloud Ascension Token, Lin Ce officially became an inner disciple of the Qingxiao Sect.

From now on, he would no longer be the lowly servant sweeping floors and playing deaf and mute in the menial disciples' quarters.

But Shen Changsheng had said long ago:

"In the outer sect, you can endure. In the inner sect, all are executioners."

On his first day as an inner disciple, Lin Ce was assigned to Baishi Peak.

Baishi Peak, with its serene scenery and dense spiritual energy, appeared to be a place of peaceful cultivation. But in reality, it lay on the turbulent edge of the sect's power struggles.

On his first day as an inner disciple, Lin Ce was assigned to Baishi Peak.

Baishi Peak, with its serene scenery and dense spiritual energy, appeared to be a place of peaceful cultivation. But in reality, it lay on the turbulent edge of the sect's power struggles.

The peak master had been in closed-door cultivation for a hundred years, and the acting authority, Deputy Peak Master Lin Xubai, was ruthless. He allocated resources strictly based on strength. The entire Baishi Peak had become his personal fiefdom.

New disciples were divided into two types:

Those with powerful backers entered immediately under a personal mentor.

The others were sent to laborious places like the Spirit Herb Garden or the Artifact Grave Mountain.

Lin Ce, of course, was in the second category.

He was assigned to Zhanmu Cliff, where he helped harvest spiritual wood for the artifact hall.

To outsiders, Zhanmu Cliff was a bitter posting—but Lin Ce was more than content.

Because it was remote and desolate, no one paid attention to him, and no elite disciples would compete for resources there.

In three hours, he memorized the terrain.

In three days, he secretly set up detection talismans.

In seven days, he completed his chopping tasks and discreetly smuggled out three undocumented spiritual seedlings.

"Seeds must be planted at the roots, only then can they birth wind and thunder."

This was one of Shen Changsheng's most frequently quoted lines.

One day, three new disciples arrived at Zhanmu Cliff—all direct disciples of some elder.

"Heard you killed the Chishe Trio in the outer sect, and even the Crimson Refinement Hall didn't pursue you?"

The leader spoke coldly.

Lin Ce remained silent.

"You think just because you're in the inner sect, you can play dead and get by? Qingxiao Sect rules aren't for you to trample."

"We're only here for one thing."

"—To cripple one of your arms."

The three attacked at once, spiritual power crashing down.

Lin Ce flicked his sleeve—black mist surged, and a puppet shot up from the cliff below, claws crossed, blocking the strike.

At the same time, three fireburst talismans hidden beneath his feet exploded in a blinding flash, cloaking the scene in smoke and chaos.

"Retreat!"

Lin Ce dove behind a pile of spiritual wood, escaping while releasing poisonous gu insects.

The three disciples, undeterred, rushed in through the thick mist.

Unbeknownst to them, the smoke contained "Ghostshade Powder" and "Soulseize Smoke"—both brewed by Lin Ce from impurities in the spiritual wood.

Half a stick of incense later, Lin Ce emerged from a hidden stone crack, bloody and panting—but his eyes still glinted coldly.

Of the three, one lay unconscious, one vomited blood, and one had his right arm scorched by talisman fire, barely clinging to life.

Lin Ce looted their storage pouches and stuffed Heartbreak Grass into their mouths—ensuring they slept for two full days.

"I don't kill, not out of kindness—but because it's not worth it."

He muttered quietly.

That night, while treating his wounds, he picked up his brush and wrote:

Rule 72: There is no sanctuary in the inner sect—once inside, it's a land of blood.

Rule 73: When strong foes strike, memorize their clothing, accent, aura, and spiritual fluctuations—for revenge.

Rule 74: After harming an enemy, seal their lips—not to silence, but to avoid trouble.

Rule 75: All resource acquisitions must be masked as 'cultivation accidents'.

At that moment, his hidden Survival System buzzed to life with a prompt:

[Side Quest Completed: First Inner Sect Tribulation — Reward: "Compendium of Hundred Poisons (Fragment)"]

[Survival Level: Increased to 19]

Lin Ce gave a cold smirk and tucked away the compendium.

"In this world… only I know how to survive."