As the senior chief disciple, Qiu Changtian had to visit the Scripture Hall regularly to listen to Ziwei Sect Master preach. He also had to come back and lecture his junior brothers and sisters, answering their questions.
The reason was simple: Ziwei Sect Master took on disciples in every generation.
After so many generations, their numbers had long since passed a hundred. There was no way they could all fit in the Scripture Hall.
Therefore, in each generation, only the chief disciple could listen to the sermons in the Scripture Hall.
The rest of the junior brothers and sisters had to wait for the senior chief disciple to finish listening, then have him return and teach in their master's stead, answering their questions.
Of course, Xu Yinglian, who possessed a Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart, was an exception. Those with precious cultivation aptitude were entitled to special privileges in Kunlun.
Inside the Scripture Hall, the meditation cushions were arranged in two rows, left and right, and their order was carefully determined.
The Golden Core disciples sat on the left, and the Foundation Establishment Realm disciples sat on the right. Those with better aptitude sat in front, and those with poorer aptitude sat behind.
Furthermore, the cushions at the very front of each row were reserved for the strongest chief disciples among the Golden Core and Foundation Establishment Realm disciples.
The two of them had another title: the "Great Chief Disciples."
Although everyone else ranked first among their peers, they still had to go by seniority before the Sect Master and could only be called "Minor Chief Disciples."
After the grand opening ceremony, Qiu Changtian came to listen to the sermons for the first time as an official disciple. Ziwei True Person personally chose for him the second cushion in the right-hand row, making everyone else both envious and dejected.
The senior brother who had originally occupied the second cushion on the right was forced to give it up. Unwilling, his face dark with resentment, he was glared at sharply several times by the Foundation Establishment Realm Great Chief Disciple in front of him, Senior Brother Xu Changqing. He hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to show his displeasure any further.
Qiu Changtian took his cushion and apologized. The other man forced a smile and said it was nothing, then went to sit on the third cushion in the row behind.
As for Xu Yinglian, judging by her aptitude, she should have sat behind Qiu Changtian, on the third cushion.
But Ziwei Sect Master knew she was too competitive, and had already become deeply fixated on Qiu Changtian.
If he made her sit behind Qiu Changtian, after a few more sermons, the girl would probably be done for.
She would spit blood, grind her teeth to powder, suffer Qi Deviation, and cry out three times, "If Ying was born, why was Qiu born too?" Then her fragrant life would fade, and her lovely soul would drift to the Yellow Springs.
So he instructed her to bring over a cushion and sit to Qiu Changtian's right, forming a third row.
Xu Yinglian was a little puzzled, but since it was her master's instruction, she sat down to Qiu Changtian's right, her expression serene.
After Ziwei Sect Master finished his sermon, everyone listened with lingering yearning and was reluctant to leave.
Qiu Changtian, however, stayed behind. It was obvious he had something to say.
Seeing that he wasn't leaving, Xu Yinglian asked in a low voice:
"Senior Brother?"
Qiu Changtian gestured for her not to ask and simply listen from the side.
Ziwei Sect Master sat quietly for a moment, then asked with his eyes closed:
"What is it?"
"Reporting to Master." Qiu Changtian bowed earnestly. "This disciple wishes to venture out for experience."
Hearing this, Ziwei Sect Master lifted his eyelids and looked at him, asking in surprise:
"Are you short on spirit stones?"
Qiu Changtian's expression did not change. "This disciple wishes to do his part for the sect."
Ziwei Sect Master chuckled and shook his head.
In today's cultivation world, the paths taken by outer disciples and inner disciples were entirely different.
Outer disciples lacked aptitude, and the sect's resources were limited. The increase in lifespan from normal cultivation certainly couldn't keep pace with the rate at which they used it up. So they had to venture out and take on sect missions, searching for ancient ruins left behind by the Chan and Jie sects in hopes of stumbling upon a fortuitous encounter.
Inner disciples had excellent aptitude and abundant sect resources. The spirit-gathering formations in their caves ran twelve hours a day and were never shut off, even when they left. So unless they encountered a bottleneck, they were all Sword Gods of Ten-Mile Slope, wishing they could stay in the sect and grind all the way to max level before going out.
So Ziwei Sect Master figured Qiu Changtian wanted to go out and get some treasures or spirit stones... You're only at the Qi Refining Stage. What treasures could you possibly need? He was probably looking to trade them for spirit stones.
"Very well." Seeing that he wasn't willing to admit it, Ziwei Sect Master didn't call him out. "Go to Deacon Hall and collect a travel permit."
"Reporting to Master." Qiu Changtian continued, "This disciple wishes to bring Junior Sister Yinglian along."
Xu Yinglian: ?
"Why is that?" Ziwei Sect Master asked again.
What do you mean, why? My synchronization value is down to 77%. Don't I have to rely on Junior Sister here to get it back up?
"Master, this is also a selfish request on my part." Qiu Changtian smiled wryly. "If I happen upon a fortuitous encounter while we're out and my cultivation surges, I'm afraid Junior Sister won't accept it..."
"Who won't accept what?" Xu Yinglian burst into a rage.
"Then let me put it another way." Qiu Changtian immediately changed his tune. "If I happen upon a fortuitous encounter out there, I'm only at the Qi Refining Stage right now, with weak magical power. I'm afraid I won't be able to handle things. With Junior Sister Yinglian's help, my chances would be better."
Xu Yinglian's anger eased a little, though she kept it under wraps.
Ziwei Sect Master pondered for a moment, then smiled.
"You've certainly thought things through. But... if you really do gain a fortuitous encounter, would you be willing to share it with your junior sister? Aren't you afraid she'll surpass you?"
It was worth remembering that while things were relatively peaceful within the Kunlun sect, the cultivation world outside it was entirely a place where the weak were prey to the strong. Murder and plunder were everyday occurrences, and there wasn't any government office to intervene... Why would cultivators have a government office?
When people discovered a fortuitous encounter, the common sense was to keep it hidden and claim it all for themselves.
"Naturally." Qiu Changtian replied earnestly. "If Junior Sister can improve her cultivation through a fortuitous encounter and surpass me, that would be all the better."
"Why?" Xu Yinglian asked in disbelief.
Qiu Changtian smiled faintly. "To walk alone at the front on the path of cultivation is truly lonely. If Junior Sister stays by my side, I'll have no regrets."
What if I spent too long out there, with no one around to show off to, and my synchronization value dropped?
Xu Yinglian stared at him, speechless. Her anger had completely vanished, replaced by a complicated expression, as if she were deep in thought.
[Invincible Persona, synchronization value +1.]
"Good!" Ziwei Sect Master clapped his hands and laughed approvingly. "Since you have made up your mind, your master won't stop you."
He swept his sleeve, and a sword descended from the hall.
"This is the sect's treasured Taiyi Splitting Light Sword. I'll lend it to you for the time being. It will keep you safe while you travel."
Qiu Changtian was astonished. The Taiyi Splitting Light Sword was a renowned immortal sword!
It had made its name during the ancient war between the Chan and Jie sects. Its power far exceeded the tenth rank, making it an immortal sword too powerful to measure by rank!
He wanted to make sure, but feared that doing so would be out of character, so he maintained his neither-humble-nor-arrogant bearing and said gravely:
"Thank you for lending me the sword, Master."
Xu Yinglian, beside him, was equally stunned and at a loss for words.
After the two had left, Ziwei Sect Master sat in silence for a moment. Only then did he slowly pick up the Fly Whisk beside his lotus throne and murmur:
"Worries and delusions, anguish of body and mind. Greed for what cannot last—how can one find peace?"
Qiu Changtian had only just stepped out of Yuxu Palace when Xu Yinglian caught him from behind.
"What are you planning?" Xu Yinglian asked with a frown. "Going out for experience? What is there to experience at the Qi Refining Stage? Without a flying sword, you might not even beat a martial artist from the mortal world."
I'm going out to get spirit stones... Of course, Qiu Changtian couldn't say that. Otherwise, Xu Yinglian would definitely say, "I'll lend you some," or, "Tell me what you need them for first."
So he only smiled faintly and asked, "Are you afraid?"
Xu Yinglian: ?!!
She nearly jumped out of her skin.
Strangely enough, with her Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart, she could see straight through people and situations alike.
Because she saw through everything, she found it dull.
Because she found it dull, she was aloof.
Even with just those few words from Senior Brother, Xu Yinglian instantly recognized the simple provocation for what it was. But the fire in her chest still refused to be contained, surging toward her head like an erupting volcano.
"Afraid of what?" she said with a cold laugh. "Is it that you're too nervous about your first time going out, Senior Brother, so you have to drag me along to bolster your courage?"
"You figured me out," Qiu Changtian said with a beaming smile.
His teasing tone, as if he were toying with a girl, only made Xu Yinglian angrier.
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