Entering the Sect

Ping Qi pulled Yan Chihuo along, and they leaped onto the back of the Giant Soft-shelled Turtle. The creature turned and set off, moving across the river surface like an arrow released from a bow toward the opposite bank. Though its speed was extraordinary, the ride was remarkably steady; even if a bowl were filled to the brim with water, not a single drop would spill. It was Yan Chihuo's first time riding it, and he found the experience quite marvelous.

Ping Qi said, "This is one of our sect's three guardian spirits, the Spirit Water Turtle. It has lived for over a thousand years. More than four hundred years ago, its cultivation already reached the Qi Gathering Stage. In the water, even two or three ordinary cultivators of the same rank would be unable to do anything against it."

Yan Chihuo remarked, "So formidable? It seems I must address it as Senior Turtle. I wonder when my own cultivation will reach such a level."

Just then, the Spirit Water Turtle spoke in a muffled, resonant voice, "What is there to boast about? I have simply lived a long time and grown quite large."

Yan Chihuo was startled and said, "Senior Turtle, you can speak?"

The Spirit Water Turtle replied, "For those of us in the Demon Race, once we reach the Qi Gathering Stage, we can not only speak but also take on human form. It is just that my body is too unwieldy to transform, so I must retain my original form and spend my days ferrying you all across this Spirit Water River. Unlike that monkey and the black eagle, both of whom can transform into humans."

Ping Qi explained, "The monkey and black eagle it speaks of are the other two of our three guardian spirits, both also at the Qi Gathering Stage. Let me give you a general overview of our Cloud Soaring Sect. Besides the Sect Master, there are four great elders. The Sect Master, Tian Lingzi, is already at the Dao Foundation Stage and is the only such expert in our Cloud Soaring Sect. The four elders are Wu Yunhe, Yang Chenglin, Daoist Iron Sword, and myself. All of us are at the Qi Gathering Stage, though my cultivation is too shallow and far inferior to the other three."

The Spirit Water Turtle added, "You need not listen to your master's self-deprecation. Back in the day, he was the number one person under the Sect Master and the cultivator with the most promise to break through to the Dao Foundation Stage."

Ping Qi shook his head and said, "That is ancient history. I suffered hidden injuries in the Ten Thousand Bone Cave that I was unaware of at the time, and as a result, my attempt to reach the Dao Foundation failed. My cultivation fell to the early Qi Gathering Stage, and for all these years, I have remained stagnant without the slightest improvement. How could I still compare to those three?"

Yan Chihuo asked, "Master, is there truly no way to heal your injuries?"

Ping Qi replied, "There are medicinal herbs for healing, but they are far too rare for our Cloud Soaring Sect to obtain."

Yan Chihuo felt a wave of despondency. He could not help but think of himself; the Demon Immortal Fruit's poison was difficult to resolve, and while he had hoped to suppress it by rapidly increasing his cultivation, he now realized how difficult that path truly was.

The two men and the turtle chatted casually as they traveled, and before long, they reached the opposite bank. Ping Qi and Yan Chihuo bid farewell to the Spirit Water Turtle and began walking toward the mountain peak. After they had traveled for a while, Yan Chihuo asked, "Since this Spirit Water Turtle is already at the Qi Gathering Stage, why must it perform the duty of ferrying disciples?"

Ping Qi said, "Do you think it ferries just anyone? It only transports newly admitted inner sect disciples and honored guests. Once you enter the sect, don't expect this old turtle to ferry you again. As for outer sect disciples, it pays them no mind at all."

Yan Chihuo asked, "So, am I an inner sect disciple now?"

Ping Qi replied, "You are my only disciple, and your cultivation has reached the Body Tempering Middle Stage; naturally, you are an inner sect disciple."

Ping Qi added, "Not only are you an inner sect disciple, but you are also a disciple of the Cloud Hall."

Yan Chihuo asked, "What is a Cloud Hall disciple?"

Ping Qi continued, "Including the Sect Master, there are only five people in the Cloud Soaring Sect at or above the Qi Gathering Stage. These five have only taken in thirty-some disciples total. Your master, for instance, has only taken you. However, there are hundreds of inner sect disciples, so they are divided into two factions. One faction consists of disciples like you, taken in by elders at the Qi Gathering Stage or the Sect Master; these are called Cloud Hall disciples. The rest are Scattered Hall disciples."

Yan Chihuo pondered this in silence. Cloud Hall disciples were direct pupils of elders and the Sect Master, and their status was vastly different. One could tell from the name alone; the so-called Cloud Hall was high above the clouds, implying a superior position. While the Scattered Hall had many members, the name suggested they were scattered and disorganized. Without a master's guidance in their cultivation, they naturally could not compare to Cloud Hall disciples.

Ping Qi said, "Chihuo, do not get cocky. Although the Scattered Hall disciples cannot compare to the Cloud Hall, it is not as if they have no guidance. Because there are so many inner sect disciples, the Sect Master mandates that every elder and the Sect Master himself must hold a lecture once a month to prevent these Scattered Hall disciples from going astray in their cultivation. Furthermore, the Scattered Hall has many members, and among them are many talents; you must not look down on them."

Yan Chihuo naturally nodded in agreement. Once they reached the shore, the two walked toward the peak. Upon arriving at the mountainside, Ping Qi led Yan Chihuo to a valley filled with many buildings. A man in green robes came forward, bowed to Ping Qi, and said, "Elder Ping, back on the mountain so soon? Do you have any instructions for me?"

Ping Qi said, "Shu Yuan, this is my newly accepted disciple, Yan Chihuo. Please arrange his entry matters, and ensure his cave dwelling is near mine."

Shu Yuan said, "Elder Ping has taken a disciple? This is a joyous occasion. Junior Brother Yan, please follow me."

Ping Qi said, "Go with him. Come see me again tomorrow."

Shu Yuan led Yan Chihuo into a small hall, gave him a set of green robes and a token, and said, "These green robes are the attire of our Cloud Soaring Sect. Though they serve no other purpose, they remain spotless and never require washing. This token is your identity badge; with it, you can enter your cave dwelling and collect Jade Crystals."

Yan Chihuo asked, "What are Jade Crystals?"

Shu Yuan looked at him and said, "It seems you truly are a cultivator who has lived in seclusion. You have reached the Body Tempering Middle Stage and still do not know what Jade Crystals are. Jade Crystals have immense utility in the cultivation world. They can be used for cultivation and to restore mana. Many formations also require Jade Crystals to function. More importantly, many high-grade materials in the cultivation world can only be traded using Jade Crystals; silver is not accepted. They are equivalent to the currency of the secular world."

Yan Chihuo asked, "Jade Crystals are so useful? I wonder, how many can I collect?"

Shu Yuan replied, "As an inner sect disciple, you can collect one low-grade Jade Crystal every month. If you want more, you must complete sect missions."

Yan Chihuo grimaced inwardly; one per month was far too few. He then heard Shu Yuan say, "Outer sect disciples can only obtain Jade Crystals by completing missions. Because their strength is low, the missions they can accept are of the lowest grade. Earning Jade Crystals is quite difficult for them, and the vast majority must rely on silver."

Yan Chihuo asked again, "I heard you say I can get one low-grade Jade Crystal per month. Does that mean Jade Crystals are divided into grades?"

Shu Yuan said, "Correct. Jade Crystals are divided into low, middle, and high grades. One middle-grade Jade Crystal is equivalent to ten low-grade ones, and one high-grade Jade Crystal is equal to ten middle-grade ones. However, in our Cloud Soaring Sect, we only provide low-grade Jade Crystals. As for how to obtain middle-grade ones, that depends on your own ability."

He added, "Right, since you are an inner sect disciple, you can receive one free Talisman Artifact. As for which one suits you, I think it would be best to hear Elder Ping's opinion. Let me show you where your cave dwelling is." With that, he took out a blank sheet of paper made of an unknown material.

He pointed at the paper, and a layer of white mist swept across it, revealing a map. On it, streams flowed, wind blew, and the caves and forests were vivid and lifelike, albeit much smaller.

Shu Yuan pointed to a pavilion and said, "This is Elder Ping's residence." He then pointed to the right and said, "There is a cave dwelling there that is currently unoccupied; it is perfect for you. I have marked it here; you only need to use your token to enter."

Yan Chihuo said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Shu." Afterward, following the map, he arrived at the cave dwelling. Although it was not large, it was more than enough for one person, and it was fully furnished with tables, chairs, and a bed. Yan Chihuo had not yet reached the stage of abstaining from food, and to his surprise, there were even cooking utensils provided.