Yunlan Sect

The Nine Heavens Continent was dotted with sects, each governed by a strict hierarchy.

From lowest to highest, there were nine ranks. First-rank sects were the lowest, while ninth-rank sects stood supreme.

In this cultivation world, where strength ruled all, a sect's rank represented not only the depth of its legacy, but also its power and status.

The Great Xia Kingdom was vast, and five great sects stood in dominance within its borders.

Among them were two Third-rank Sects—the Mysterious Heaven Pavilion and the Crimson Flame Valley. Both were first-rate powers with Sea Breaking Realm experts at their helm.

There were also three Second-rank Sects. Though slightly weaker, each was still a colossal power that held sway over its own domain.

Yunlan Sect was one of these three Second-rank Sects.

Yunlan Sect stood in the Azure Mist Mountain Range in the eastern part of the Great Xia Kingdom, atop peaks a thousand zhang high, surrounded by a sea of clouds.

The sect's buildings followed the contours of the mountains, pavilions and towers hidden among clouds and mist that never dispersed. From afar, they resembled celestial palaces, earning the sect its reputation as an immortal sect among the clouds.

The current Sect Master, Yun Yi, was at the Eighth Level of Essence Transformation Realm and possessed formidable strength.

The sect's twelve Inner Sect Elders were all experts at the Fifth Level of Essence Transformation Realm or higher.

The youngest among them was Mu Bai, the Disciplinary Elder. Though only thirty, he had already reached the Seventh Level of Essence Transformation Realm and was hailed as a Sword Dao Prodigy rarely seen in Yunlan Sect in a hundred years.

What most inspired fear beyond the sect, however, was the Grand Elder secluded in the depths of Yunlan Sect.

Rumor had it that the old ancestor had already broken through to the Sea Breaking Realm and was in seclusion, seeking to comprehend an even higher realm.

But the sect's ironclad rule was this: unless the sect faced the threat of annihilation, the Grand Elder was forbidden to act.

Thus, no one had seen his true face for nearly a century. All they knew was that from the forbidden grounds behind Yunlan Sect, astonishing Sword Qi often shot straight into the heavens.

At dusk on the third day, as the last rays of the setting sun dyed the sea of clouds red, Su Yu and the others finally arrived at the foot of Yunlan Sect's mountain.

"My heavens! This mountain gate is taller than the walls of our Skywind City!"

Su Yan tilted his head back, his jaw nearly hitting the ground.

"Look at those palaces! They're built so high up—aren't they afraid the wind will blow them away?"

Su Mei rolled her eyes at him. "Do you think everyone's like you, worrying all day about being blown away by the wind?"

She sounded dismissive, but her eyes sparkled. Clearly, she too was awestruck by the sight before them.

They saw peaks a thousand zhang high thrusting into the clouds, with seven main summits rising like sharp swords. On each summit stood a cluster of imposing palaces.

Glazed tiles shimmered gold and crimson in the setting sun, making the buildings look like celestial palaces from afar.

Clouds and mist curled around the mountainsides. Cranes sometimes circled overhead, and faint, clear chimes rang through the air.

After the mountain guards inspected their jade pendants, a man in an indigo robe soon strode over.

He had a lean, refined face, and an air of murderous severity between his brows. A bronze token hanging at his waist swayed gently as he walked.

It was the insignia of a Yunlan Sect Outer Sect Deacon.

"I am Li Jie."

The man's voice was steady as his gaze swept across the group.

"By order of the elders, I'm here to escort you to the Outer Sect residences."

As he spoke, Su Yu keenly sensed Spiritual Qi flowing faintly around him.

At least at the Spirit Condensation Realm.

Li Jie led them through the mountain gate, and the sight beyond left everyone dazzled.

The stone-paved mountain path was full of disciples in all kinds of attire. Some in moon-white practice clothes sparred with swords; others in deep-blue uniforms hurried past with books in hand. Several gray-robed disciples strode briskly by, carrying baskets of medicinal herbs.

The clang of metal rang out in the distance. They were probably holding a contest at one of the martial training grounds.

Su Yan eagerly hurried forward. "Senior Brother Li! How many disciples does Yunlan Sect have? There are people everywhere along the way—it's so lively!"

Li Jie kept walking and replied coolly, "Yunlan Sect currently has eight hundred Inner Sect Disciples and more than two thousand Outer Sect Disciples."

Su Mei asked thoughtfully, "Then how are Outer Sect Disciples' cultivation sessions arranged day to day?"

"Cultivation in the Outer Sect depends on self-discipline."

Li Jie stepped aside to let a group of servant disciples carrying medicinal herbs pass.

"On the first and fifteenth of each month, elders from the various peaks lecture at the Transmission Hall and answer cultivation questions. On all other days, disciples arrange their own training."

Su Yan blinked. "Then what do we do if we run into a problem?"

Li Jie's lips curved slightly. "The first floor of the Scripture Repository has the Cultivation Q&A Record, which covers common questions. If that still doesn't solve it..."

He pointed to a blue-tiled building in the distance. "There are duty deacons at the Disciplinary Hall you can consult at any time. But..."

He gave Su Yan a meaningful look. "Each question costs one Contribution Point."

Su Mei muttered under her breath, "Looks like we'll have to be careful what we ask..."

"That's the Spirit Cuisine Hall," Li Jie said, pointing to a three-story pavilion on the left, smoke rising from its roof.

"Meals are served at the hours of the Dragon, Horse, and Rooster. If you want some peace and quiet, you can take them back to your residence."

Then he pointed toward a grand hall ahead on the right. "Tomorrow at the hour of the Dragon, you're to gather at the Outer Sect Main Hall. They'll issue your sect uniforms and explain the rules. And..." He paused deliberately.

"You'll choose your entry-level martial skills."

"Martial skills!" Su Yan perked up again.

"New Outer Sect Disciples may choose one High-grade Human-tier Martial Skill."

Li Jie glanced at him.

"To obtain a higher-grade martial skill, you'll need to exchange Contribution Points."

After they rounded a bend in the mountain, the view suddenly opened up.

A platform several miles across spread before them, dotted with pavilions and towers arranged in pleasing order.

The most eye-catching was a seven-story Scripture Repository at its center. Bronze bells hung from its flying eaves, tinkling in the breeze.

"This is where the Outer Sect Disciples live."

Li Jie led them to a cluster of courtyards shaded by green bamboo.

"Each person gets a private courtyard, with a practice room and a Quiet Room."

He added meaningfully, "Registered Disciples and servants don't get that privilege. They have to share a large courtyard, twenty to a building."

When Su Yu pushed open the gate to his own courtyard, a fresh medicinal fragrance greeted him.

The courtyard was laid out with exquisite care. Calming Spirit Flowers grew on either side of the flagstone path, and beneath the main room's window sat a waist-high medicine furnace.

Best of all, there was a Spirit Spring in the rear courtyard. Clear water bubbled from the mouth of a stone-carved dragon, shimmering softly in the moonlight.

"Don't be late tomorrow at the hour of the Dragon."

After giving them his instructions, Li Jie turned and left, his figure soon disappearing into the vast sea of clouds.

Su Yu stood in the courtyard, gazing at the mountaintops that appeared and vanished in the distant mist, while the cries of cranes echoed all around him.