Training

Before long, two pretty young women came in carrying a sumptuous meal, still steaming hot. After letting them in, Lei Dong sat down at the dining table in the hall and enjoyed the food. Though he came from a comfortably well-off family, he still couldn't help marveling after just a few bites. Every dish had been prepared with the utmost care, from the ingredients to the cooking, and tasted exquisite. He casually pointed at a meat dish and asked about it. The young woman immediately explained, cautiously and with great deference. The main ingredient was pork, but the pigs had all been carefully selected from excellent stock as piglets. Each one was raised by a dedicated caretaker and fed herbs and spirit plants grown for that purpose. Eating this pork regularly not only greatly benefited one's constitution but could also indirectly improve one's cultivation speed.

In the mortal world, raising a single pig like that would probably bankrupt a modestly wealthy household. But in the Yin Sha Sect, it was an everyday food, served only to entry-level disciples. The more advanced disciples wouldn't even deign to eat it. The fruits and vegetables, too, were the result of countless people's time, effort, and money.

After his hearty meal, Lei Dong, who had the mind of an adult, felt a little tempted to flirt with the two pretty young women. But he firmly suppressed the urge. He sent them away to clear the dishes, then went into the study.

The day before, Lei Dong had learned that the study held quite a few books. They didn't cover demonic arts, immortal techniques, or cultivation methods, but mostly offered basic knowledge about cultivation, often as broad, general overviews. Others covered the Cultivation World's geography, introduced its sects, or contained biographies of notable figures. Reading them would gradually help him learn more about the Cultivation World.

After reading for most of the day, Lei Dong found himself thoroughly engrossed. But then a message came from the steward: all the new disciples were to assemble in the Myriad Ghost Cave's main hall. The Ancestor had instructions and arrangements to make for them.

When Lei Dong stepped outside, he found a sturdy servant already waiting there. The servant respectfully led him to the hall, then withdrew without a sound.

When he entered the hall, it still seemed early. Only two boys had arrived ahead of time. They nodded at Lei Dong when they saw him. Though they were only around ten, they carried themselves with a mature steadiness and an air of distinction. Lei Dong recognized them as the sons of wealthy families from great nations. Their knowledge and social graces naturally surpassed those of ordinary farm children.

"Brother Chen Ge, Brother Wei Hua, did you sleep well last night?" Lei Dong walked over and greeted them without fawning or acting aloof. He thought highly of the two. He didn't know their aptitude or potential, and they weren't close yet, but they seemed much more cautious and steady than the others. On the path of cultivation, no one could be sure what unexpected turns lay ahead. They were all boys, and fellow disciples, so it was only natural to invest in the friendship. A friend meant another road forward; helping one another would take them farther.

"Quite well, quite well. You look full of vigor, Brother Lei. I take it you rested well, too," said Wei Hua, the boy who seemed so mature for his age, nodding with a smile. Lei Dong had made quite an impression on him as well. His family background had taught him to be worldly-wise from a young age. He could tell that Lei Dong was much steadier and more mature than an ordinary boy, and worth befriending.

"Brother Lei, we'll all be fellow disciples from now on. I hope you'll look out for us," Chen Ge said. He knew that small cliques formed everywhere. Lei Dong seemed decent, and was far better than those boys and girls who cried and carried on. Befriending him shouldn't become a burden.

Lei Dong replied modestly, and the three chatted together in good spirits. After about a quarter of an hour, the other boys and girls began arriving one after another. The last few kept Lei Dong and the others waiting for a full half hour before finally showing up. But when Lei Dong looked around, he realized that one boy still hadn't arrived.

Just then, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor from the day before strolled in from the Side Hall. He wore a black robe, and his gaze was sinister. The moment Lei Dong's eyes fell on him, a bone-chilling sensation swept over him. He hurriedly looked away and lowered his head, adopting a deferential expression.

From the scattered bits of cultivation knowledge he'd read, Lei Dong had gathered that the Myriad Ghost Ancestor was a formidable figure on the Golden Core Path. He could probably kill Lei Dong without so much as lifting a finger. Faced with this irresistible sense of danger, Lei Dong's heart pounded with unease. He grew even more careful not to show the Myriad Ghost Ancestor the slightest disrespect.

The three who had ranked in the top thirty for aptitude the day before followed behind the Myriad Ghost Ancestor: a boy of twelve or thirteen, a fourteen-year-old girl, and, last, a little boy of only six or seven. Curiosity still shone on their faces. The little boy in particular kept looking all around, beaming with delight.

The Myriad Ghost Ancestor's gaze swept lightly across the hall. When it fell on Lei Dong, an overwhelming, chilling terror struck him. It felt like a tender little white rabbit caught in the gaze of a ferocious tiger, with disaster about to descend. It seemed that the man could crush him, a tiny shrimp, whenever he pleased. Horrified, Lei Dong could only put on an expression of fear, dread, and reverent admiration. Fortunately, the moment lasted only briefly. The pressure on him abruptly eased, and it was clear the Myriad Ghost Ancestor had looked elsewhere. Lei Dong's heart loosened, only for him to realize in shock that his back was drenched.

Lei Dong stole a glance at Chen Ge and Wei Hua beside him. Their temples glistened with sweat, too, yet their faces remained full of respect and admiration. He couldn't help thinking that children from wealthy and powerful families really were more mature.

Lei Dong and the other two had managed all right. A few others had dropped straight to the ground in fright, while some couldn't bear the terror and collapsed, wailing loudly.

There was no need to guess: the Myriad Ghost Ancestor had deliberately been testing everyone's mettle. He certainly wouldn't be pleased with those whose behavior was so disgraceful. Sure enough, a group of burly servants stormed in like fiends. After apologizing to the Ancestor, two of them seized each of the boys and girls who had lost control and were bawling. They raised whips with Withered Bone handles and lashed them again and again, the cracks ringing out as flesh split open with every strike. They kept whipping without pause. Who knew how many lashes they intended to give?

Soon, some of the more quick-witted children hurriedly stifled their sobs. The servants immediately stopped beating anyone who managed to keep quiet. Instead, they took out spirit medicine and treated the savage, ghastly wounds on their backs. Most of those who had made it this far weren't fools. Seeing that they wouldn't be beaten as long as they stopped crying, one by one they learned their lesson and fell silent.

At last, the whip cracks that had rung out without end began to fade. The lashes hadn't landed on Lei Dong, yet his heart was still gripped by shock and horror. His face took on an even more respectful look, and he stood off to the side without daring to make the slightest move. The others were no different.

Only then did the Myriad Ghost Ancestor's expression soften a little. He even managed a smile more piteous than a grimace. No longer radiating oppressive force at the disciples, he spoke gently: "All disciples of the Myriad Ghost Cave of the Yin Sha Sect..." He went on and on. Having seen what happened to those who misbehaved, no one dared show the slightest impatience.

At long last, the Myriad Ghost Ancestor finished his reprimand. The servants handed each person a box as a benefit for newly inducted disciples. After the Myriad Ghost Ancestor left, the twenty-odd new disciples dispersed. Lei Dong exchanged nods and farewells with Chen Ge and Wei Hua, then returned to his room.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Lei Dong only then noticed his legs trembling. A chill ran through his heart. The Myriad Ghost Ancestor truly was terrifying; it seemed a mere glance from him could lay you bare and damn you beyond redemption. After taking several deep breaths and steadying himself, Lei Dong opened the box and laid out its contents on the bed, examining each item closely.

The first item was a set of pitch-black clothes. They felt soft and slightly cool to the touch, though he couldn't tell what they were made of. Judging by the style, they were probably the uniform for entry-level disciples like him.

There was also an object that looked like jade but wasn't, carved into the shape of a little scroll. Lei Dong had received some training before joining the sect, so after a brief pause, he guessed that it was a Jade Slip used by cultivators to record and read information. He couldn't help feeling secretly delighted. Could it contain a cultivation method or something? He held it in his hand and, following what he'd been taught, slowly focused his attention on the Jade Slip.