Azure Profound Sect

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Background / History

The Azure Profound Sect occupies the main peak of the Moon Gazing Mountain Range, one of the Southern Profound Domain's “Three Mountains and Four Waters.” Nearly a thousand surrounding peaks are home to more than fifty cultivation families of varying size, which are arranged around the sect’s main peak. The Chen Family of Jade Spring Mountain is one of the six Foundation Establishment families under its jurisdiction. 1

The sect controls mining rights in the Moon Gazing Mountain Range. Medium and large spirit mines belong entirely to the sect, while subordinate families may contest small ore veins. At Little Bamboo Peak, the sect holds half of the spirit mine’s share; the remaining half is disputed by the Chen and Luo families through sect-witnessed contests held every ten years. 1

By the time of the Little Bamboo Peak contest, Steward Li of the Azure Profound Sect was stationed at the mine. He had established the contest’s terms and ultimately decided its dispute, declining to pursue Luo Yuyan’s use of a Death Substitution Charm Doll after learning it had been given by Venerable Hanfeng. 5 8

Territory and Holdings

Organization and Recruitment

Disciple Ranks

• Labor disciples — Servants entering alongside a sect cultivator receive labor-disciple treatment. Exceptional aptitude and character may allow advancement to the Outer Sect or Inner Sect. 15 16
• Outer disciples — Cultivators holding an Azure Profound Golden Token may enter the Outer Sect directly without undergoing the entrance assessment. 15 18
• Inner disciples — A higher disciple rank; Chen Mingyun was expected to become one upon reaching late Qi Refining before his defeat and damaged foundation. 5
• True disciples — Core disciples with significant privileges, including the right to choose spiritual land on Lightning Roar Peak. Chen Xingyun holds this status. 15

Entry Methods

The sect’s environment is described as highly competitive, with multiple peaks and their own lines of true disciples. Resources are abundant, but the competition is far more severe than among the cultivation families of Jade Spring Mountain. 17

Influence over the Chen Family

• Jade Spring Mountain — The Chen Family resides under the sect’s jurisdiction and depends on the sect’s authority within the Moon Gazing Mountain Range. 1 8
• Chen Xingyun — A Chen Family direct descendant who became a Foundation Establishment true disciple of the sect. Her affiliation with Lightning Roar Peak provides political backing and deterrence for her clan. 15
• Chen Mingyun — Previously cultivated in the sect and was considered likely to become an Inner Sect disciple before losing an arm and damaging his foundation in the Little Bamboo Peak contest. He later withdrew from the sect. 5 12
• Chen Heng — Received an Azure Profound Golden Token through Chen Xingyun, securing his future direct entry into the Outer Sect. He was recalled to Jade Spring Mountain for secluded cultivation less than half a year before entry. 17 18 43
• Luo Yuyan — Accepted as the disciple of Venerable Hanfeng of Soaring Peak after her defeat at Little Bamboo Peak. 18

Notable Members and Associates

• Steward Li — Foundation Establishment mid-stage sect representative stationed at Little Bamboo Peak; supervises the mine and arbitrates the Chen–Luo contest. 5 8
• Chen Xingyun — Foundation Establishment true disciple associated with Lightning Roar Peak; holds an Azure Profound Golden Token and servant-entry quotas. 15
• Venerable Hanfeng — A Violet Palace Venerable of Soaring Peak and Luo Yuyan’s master. 8 18
• Luo Yuyan — A disciple of Venerable Hanfeng who trains on Soaring Peak. 18 19

Trivia

• The Azure Profound Sect is one of the five major cultivation sects of the Southern Profound Domain, alongside the Myriad Beast Sect, Hidden Sword Pavilion, Nether Spring Sect, and Azure Water Palace. 35
• Sect cultivators receive the best viewing pavilion during the Little Bamboo Peak contests, reflecting their superior status over the surrounding families. 4
• Steward Li privately regarded the Chen–Luo mine contest as entertainment during his posting, while officially presenting it to the sect as a means of discovering talent. 8