On the Self-Cultivation of Demonic Sect Disciples

The Chongming Sect's rules began with a brief introduction to the sect's origins. Pei Ling had already heard snippets of this from the old woman when he met the Ancestor earlier, so he skipped directly to the section detailing the benefits for Outer Sect disciples.

Besides the items received from the General Affairs Hall, disciples could also choose one skill to learn for free, in addition to their cultivation. This included Weapon Forging, Pill Refining, Talisman Drawing, Spiritual Plant Care, Beast Taming, and others. They would need to attend classes at the corresponding peaks.

As for cultivation methods, Outer Sect disciples practiced the Bone Forging Art, which was no different from the one passed down in the Pei family. Every half month, a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator would lecture on the crucial and difficult points at each peak, which disciples could attend at the peak's summit.

The mountain peak he was currently on was called Huaiyin Peak, one of the Outer Sect peaks. Each peak had an Affairs Hall responsible for its operations.

The Affairs Hall not only arranged living quarters but also housed the Hall of Many Laws, which contained various cultivation methods and spells prepared by the Chongming Sect for Outer Sect disciples. The Bone Forging Art was also kept there, but apart from it, all others required Spirit Stones to purchase.

Additionally, there was the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, which offered talismans, artifacts, pills, and other items needed for cultivation and combat year-round. Besides Spirit Stones, they also accepted finished products or materials for appraisal and trade.

Finally, there was the Spirit Gathering Array. It was personally set up by an Inner Sect elder skilled in formations when the peak was established. It utilized Huaiyin Peak's terrain, aligning with the stars above and connecting with the earth's veins below. Without affecting the normal cultivation of disciples on the peak, it condensed spiritual energy from heaven and earth to the greatest extent, making it an absolute holy land for cultivation within the peak.

However, the sect rules cautioned that the cost of using it was high, and it was not recommended for daily use, being more suitable for breakthroughs.

Pei Ling scanned the rules at a glance and finally found the main text.

He took a deep breath and looked at it intently, full of anticipation. The black characters on the white paper immediately stated: "This sect strictly prohibits disciples from private fighting. Any violation, regardless of the reason, will result in penalties. Servant Disciples will be fined from thirty Low-grade Spirit Stones, capped at one hundred, depending on the circumstances. Outer Sect Disciples will be fined from one hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones, capped at three hundred, depending on the circumstances. Inner Sect Disciples will be fined from thirty Mid-grade Spirit Stones, capped at one hundred, depending on the circumstances..."

"They're fined Spirit Stones just for starting a fight? Without asking why?" Pei Ling felt a surge of fear. "Holy crap, I definitely shouldn't have touched that woman earlier. I hope she doesn't report me?"

He quickly looked further down. The sect rules meticulously detailed punishments for various offenses like causing trouble, theft, insults, and other daily infractions, all calculated in Spirit Stones. Finally, it reached the main event: "For disciples who cause mutual injury leading to disability, Servant Disciples will be fined from two hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones, capped at five hundred, depending on the circumstances. Outer Sect Disciples will be fined from two thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones, capped at five thousand, depending on the circumstances. Inner Sect Disciples..."

Pei Ling's expression changed. "It's just a Spirit Stone fine? No other punishment???"

As he read on, his face grew paler. Not only could crippling fellow disciples be settled with Spirit Stones, but even killing a fellow disciple only increased the amount of Spirit Stones required.

They even thoughtfully extended the payment deadline: minor offenses were to be paid within ten days, crippling injuries within a month, and death even more impressively, with the matter settled after paying the fine within three months.

In conclusion, the Sacred Sect indeed had numerous rules, with meticulous details covering every aspect. However, as long as you had Spirit Stones, enough Spirit Stones, any violation of the sect rules could be resolved with Spirit Stones!

The only true punishment was failing to pay the fine by the deadline.

At such times, the Chongming Sect abandoned its money-grubbing facade and revealed the true demeanor of a major demonic sect: bodies of ordinary disciples would be turned into fertilizer on Spirit Return and Plant Peak; strong bodies would serve as auxiliary materials for Weapon Forging Peak; essence blood... soul... internal organs... everything would be arranged perfectly, ensuring the Sacred Sect wouldn't lose out.

"What the hell..." The sense of security Pei Ling had felt upon receiving the sect rules vanished, replaced by a deep sense of dread. He finally understood why the old woman had advised him to be careful in the sect given his background. He didn't have a single Spirit Stone right now!

According to the Chongming Sect's rules, he didn't even have the right to curse someone – after all, insulting a fellow Outer Sect disciple started at three Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Closing the sect rules with trembling hands, Pei Ling thought of the brutal deeds he had heard about Chongming Sect disciples in the past. He suddenly suspected that the reason those disciples massacred entire clans and ravaged thousands of miles wasn't due to their demonic cultivation making them cruel, violent, and irritable, but because they were broke!

So they just found an excuse to wipe out a clan for benefits.

After all, under such hellish sect rules, obtaining Spirit Stones must have been the top priority!

As Pei Ling's heart pounded with fear, he heard movement outside. He quickly stood up and walked to the window. The barrier opened, and three people of varying heights entered together. They met his gaze through the window. The shortest one frowned, "Who are you? Why are you here?"

"Chengan!" The one in the middle placed a hand on his shoulder. His gaze swept over the Aversion to Life Saber not far from Pei Ling, his pupils contracting slightly. He signaled his companion to calm down and smiled at Pei Ling, "May I ask who this junior disciple is?"

"Greetings, three senior brothers," Pei Ling steadied himself and cupped his fists. "My name is Pei Ling, and I am a newly admitted Outer Sect disciple."

"Pei Ling?" The man looked surprised. "It's not the time for new disciples to join, how did you get in?"

He then introduced himself, "My name is Li Siguan, Qi Cultivation fourth layer."

He pointed to his two companions, one tall and one short, named Zhou Yi and Miao Chengan respectively, both at Qi Cultivation fourth and fifth layers.

Seeing that their attitude was relatively peaceful, Pei Ling felt a bit relieved and said, "It was arranged by Inner Sect Pulse Master Senior Brother Zheng Jingshan. Previously, True Disciple Fairy Li, along with Senior Brother Zheng and my cousin Pei Hongnian, went to Luquan City on a mission. After accidentally encountering me, they brought me to the Sacred Sect. My entry into the Sacred Sect was also arranged by Senior Brother Zheng."

"I see, it's about Elder Luo's matter." Li Siguan's eyes flickered as he exchanged glances with Zhou Yi. Miao Chengan, however, blurted out, "Fairy Li is one thing, but is that useless Zheng Jingshan fit to meddle with the Nascent Soul Method?"

Pei Ling couldn't help but be startled. Zheng Jingshan's status in the Chongming Sect seemed different from what he had imagined?

"Junior disciple, please don't be offended. Chengan has an elder brother who is also in the Inner Sect and is one of the thirteen Pulse Masters, so there's always some conflict." Li Siguan noticed his expression and smiled reassuringly. "Chengan is young and hot-headed, speaking without thinking. Please don't take it to heart."

"Senior brother, rest assured, I'm not one to gossip." Pei Ling was finally relieved. He then heard Li Siguan say, "Junior disciple, you've just arrived. Are there any inconveniences? To be frank, my grandfather is one of the Outer Sect elders, Li Ping. On this Huaiyin Peak, ordinary minor matters can be decided with a word."

Zhou Yi added, "My clan sister is one of the True Disciples. Since junior disciple is acquainted with Fairy Li, we are all family from now on."

Pei Ling listened, his heart stirred. These two seemed to be testing his relationship with Fairy Li?