"Senior Song, join us at Spirit Butterfly Island!" Soft Feather called out at once. "We have plenty of resources and powerful techniques. And with me around, I can look out for you!"
"Soft Feather, don't interrupt. Let me finish first," Northern River's Loose Cultivator said.
Soft Feather drew back, embarrassed.
"What's the difference between the two?" Song Shuhang asked.
Northern River's Loose Cultivator replied, "Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Overall, though, joining a sect offers far more advantages than cultivating alone. So let's start with that."
"If you join a sect, you'll have a master to guide your cultivation and pass on their experience. That'll help you avoid mistakes and save you a lot of time. And as long as you're talented and diligent, you won't lack resources, techniques, or a Grotto-Heaven to cultivate in. It's the better choice for someone who wants to devote themselves entirely to cultivation."
"But... once you join a sect, you have to follow its rules and serve it. A sect can't function without rules, and if you use its resources, you have to give something back. Especially in a sect like Master Profound Principle's. Join them and you'll have to shave your head and obey all sorts of Buddhist Sect rules. You'll also have to say goodbye to your family in the ordinary world and train hard until you complete your apprenticeship. If you're unlucky, you might never see your parents again."
Northern River's Loose Cultivator had nearly been taken away to become a young monk as a child. He clearly still held a grudge against the Buddhist Sect.
Wandering Monk Profound Principle popped up and posted a guileless grin emoji.
Northern River's Loose Cultivator hastily added, "Haha! Actually, it's not just Master Profound Principle's sect. Most sects require you to leave your family to some degree. A sect isn't a loose collection of people; its disciples need to live there. Until they complete their apprenticeships, they rarely get to go out."
Wandering Monk Profound Principle posted another emoji, this time a broad grin. Had that guileless grin earlier been a threat to Northern River's Loose Cultivator?
"You can't gain anything without giving something up. That's only fair," Song Shuhang said. But he already knew joining a sect wasn't right for him.
At least, it wasn't right for him now. He wasn't ready to leave his family and home behind to devote himself to cultivation. He still had people he cared about in this world.
"Senior Song, Spirit Butterfly Island is much more flexible about that," Soft Feather said, still pitching the island with all her might. "Once you reach the Third-Grade Houtian Battle King Realm, you can leave Spirit Butterfly Island for a while every year. And with me there, I can get you even more freedom!"
"Thank you," Song Shuhang said sincerely.
But the Third-Grade Houtian Battle King Realm was terribly far away.
Everyone in the group called Soft Feather a genius. She had cultivated since childhood and was in her twenties by now, wasn't she? Yet she had only reached the Third-Grade Houtian Battle King Realm.
Song Shuhang certainly didn't consider himself a genius. If it took him forty or fifty years to reach that realm, wouldn't Mom Song and Dad Song be gone by then?
"Ahem! Now, let me tell you about independent cultivators. You've probably guessed I'm one myself," Northern River's Loose Cultivator said with a laugh. "Compared with joining a sect, an independent cultivator has no teacher to guide them, no resources, and no Grotto-Heaven Abode to cultivate in. They have to rely on themselves for everything. Perhaps the only advantage is freedom?"
Life was hard for independent cultivators. Northern River's Loose Cultivator had been relatively lucky. He had befriended Su Clan's Seven when he was young and received a great deal of help from him. Later, on A-Qi's recommendation, he had joined the Nine Provinces Number One Group. He had thrived there and reached the Fifth-Grade Spirit Emperor Peak, just one step from advancing.
Ordinary independent cultivators had no teachers, resources, information, or Grotto-Heaven Abodes. Once they reached the Second- or Third-Grade Realm, every step became a struggle. When their lifespans ran out, they would turn to ash.
"Then where do independent cultivators get techniques and resources?" Song Shuhang asked. The path sounded bleak.
"Haha! If you hadn't joined the Nine Provinces Number One Group, I'd recommend finding a sect. Cultivating alone is just too difficult. Times have changed, and finding medicinal herbs for spirit pills in the ordinary world is terribly hard. But the Nine Provinces Number One Group is special. True Lord Yellow Mountain, who runs the group, and some of the other powerful seniors sometimes ask members to help with small tasks. In return, you can get something you need from them. It's one way the seniors help the younger generation. Or if an ordinary member needs help and you can lend a hand, you can receive something in return. Just like the two boxes of herbs you got from helping Soft Feather. Of course, spendthrifts as generous as Soft Feather are rare. Don't expect to earn that many herbs so easily every time," Northern River's Loose Cultivator teased.
"Senior Northern River! I am not a spendthrift!" Soft Feather of Spirit Butterfly Island posted an angry emoji.
Song Shuhang pictured her puffing out her cheeks in anger. She had to look adorable.
Northern River's Loose Cultivator laughed. "So if you choose to cultivate alone, stay active in the group. As long as you work hard, you'll gradually obtain techniques, pills, and other resources. To be honest, the Nine Provinces Number One Group is already starting to resemble a sect."
By then, Song Shuhang was tempted. For the time being, cultivating alone really did suit him best.
Northern River's Loose Cultivator asked, "So which will you choose: a sect, or cultivating alone?"
When Northern River's Loose Cultivator finished, Copper Trigram Immortal Master chimed in. "Young friend Shuhang, this concerns your future path of cultivation. You don't have to decide right away. Calm down and think it through. Choose carefully so you won't regret it later."
"Thank you, senior. I understand. I choose to cultivate alone." Song Shuhang had already thought it through.
"Won't you consider it a little longer? Once you choose to cultivate alone, joining a sect later will be difficult," Copper Trigram Immortal Master warned him again.
Sects generally didn't recruit independent cultivators.
After all, it was much easier to paint on a blank canvas than to alter a picture someone had already scribbled on.
And an independent cultivator couldn't compare in loyalty to a disciple raised by the sect. There were too many uncertainties.
So unless an independent cultivator was exceptionally talented or had some special skill, few sects were willing to take them in.
"Yes. I've thought it through," Song Shuhang replied earnestly. This was his choice, and whether it turned out well or badly, he wouldn't regret it.
Copper Trigram Immortal Master nodded and said no more.
A moment later, Northern River's Loose Cultivator replied, "Young friend Shuhang, since you've chosen to cultivate alone, what you need most now is a Body Refinement method and a Meditation Method to establish your foundation. Normally, in the Nine Provinces Number One Group, you have to put in some effort before you can get anything. If a senior or fellow cultivator in the group needs help and you can do the job, you can earn techniques and resources by fulfilling their request."
"But... your situation is unusual. The Nine Provinces Number One Group has never admitted an ordinary mortal before. You're too weak right now. Unless you establish your foundation first, you probably won't be able to handle any tasks the seniors or other members need done."
After all, requests as simple as showing Soft Feather the way were rare. Most things cultivators needed help with involved cultivation.
Song Shuhang sent an embarrassed smile emoji.
"So, if you don't mind, I can advance you a Foundation-Building Fist Technique and a Meditation Method. Together with your Body Tempering Liquid, they'll be enough for you to complete Hundred-Day Foundation Establishment and officially enter the First-Grade Mortal Transcendence Realm."
"Once you've established your foundation, you'll be able to take on tasks from the other members and seniors. Then you'll have a chance to repay me. Of course, I can only advance you the most basic cultivation methods."
Northern River's Loose Cultivator added, "Also, if you can get your hands on a Blood Qi Pill, you can greatly shorten the time needed for Hundred-Day Foundation Establishment."
The Nine Provinces Number One Group was a small circle where members helped one another, and the seniors often gave the younger members a hand. Advancing a basic technique common among cultivators was no trouble at all.
Song Shuhang had joined the group, after all. It was only a matter of time before he became a cultivator.
And by advancing him a basic technique, Northern River's Loose Cultivator would become one of the people who had guided Song Shuhang onto this path. It was a kindness Song Shuhang would remember for life. The other person was, of course, the generous Soft Feather, who had given him two boxes of herbs.
Warmth spread through Song Shuhang's chest. Even if it was only an advance, and even if the methods were the most basic ones, they were exactly what he needed right now.
His fingers rested on the keyboard. All he had to do was type a few words, and the door to cultivation would truly open for him!
Just then, a message appeared in the group.
Before you continue