Law Transmission Hall

His tone grew heavier, and the oppressive weight gathering around him became even more intense.

It was suppression born of rank. Ever since he had refined the Soul Devouring Banner into his Lifebound Artifact, the peculiar chill clinging to him had grown increasingly dense.

"No, no, no. I think Senior Brother is not very familiar with the layout of the sect grounds. You must have only recently joined the sect, Senior Brother, which is why you made that assumption."

Liang Qing hurriedly explained, then added,

"The Internal Affairs Hall oversees the sect's internal affairs. Disciples must go there to handle appointments and new posts."

After hearing this, Zheng Yi's expression showed little change. He merely looked at him in silence.

Before coming here, he truly had not known these things. Taking this chance to learn the specifics was not a bad idea.

"Senior Brother can visit the Reception Hall first. There are detailed sect maps and introductions to the sect there."

Watching Zheng Yi's expression, Liang Qing spoke softly.

"Alright."

After a brief pause, Zheng Yi nodded. At last, the cold indifference left his face.

Only then did Liang Qing's uneasy heart finally settle.

In a demonic cultivation force like the Soul Devouring Sect, rank and rules were exceptionally strict.

In truth, whether it was a Righteous Sect or a Devil Dao Sect, the gap in status within a sect was enormous. True Disciples stood high above all others, Inner Sect Disciples formed the backbone of the sect, and Outer Sect Disciples were the most peripheral, idle personnel. Aside from sect servants, they could be said to occupy the lowest rung of status.

In Devil Dao forces, such hierarchical relationships were even stricter.

Inner Sect Disciples held the authority to punish Outer Sect Disciples, and they could assign Outer Sect Disciples to carry out dangerous tasks.

If they wanted you dead, there were countless ways to make it happen.

Thus, most Outer Sect Disciples either ran before and after Inner Sect Disciples, willingly serving as their lackeys, or kept them at arm's length with utmost respect, doing their own duties well and trying not to invite trouble.

That was because in a Devil Dao Sect like the Soul Devouring Sect, Inner Sect Disciples were the true core, already qualified to inherit the sect's various cultivation methods.

Outer Sect Disciples, though slightly higher in status than servants, were really just leeks waiting to be harvested. The sect did not care much about them.

Liang Qing had not wanted to bother with Zheng Yi before, but the moment Zheng Yi inadvertently revealed his Inner Sect Disciple Token, Liang Qing immediately changed his attitude.

The speed of that change even surprised Zheng Yi, who had spent years struggling at the bottom among Rogue Cultivators.

But there was nothing to be done about it. Devil Dao cultivators had always been cold and ruthless, repaying the smallest grievance with vengeance.

If a lowly Outer Sect Disciple in the sect did not know how to read expressions and judge the situation, he might offend someone one day and not even know how he died.

Moreover, Zheng Yi clearly looked young. At such an age, being at the Qi Refining Middle Stage and becoming an Inner Sect Disciple of the Soul Devouring Sect, he likely had some background and a promising future.

If Liang Qing could leave an impression on him, it might prove useful someday for a disciple like Liang Qing, who was still suffering bitterly in the outer sect.

So Liang Qing gathered his courage and boldly asked. Unexpectedly, he had answered Zheng Yi's question perfectly.

"You're not bad. What's your name?"

"Senior Brother, my name is Liang Qing."

Zheng Yi then asked another question that concerned him greatly.

"What is the current state of the battle over the Spirit Stone Mine between the sect and the Hundred Beasts Sect?"

"Reporting to Senior Brother, I am lowly and insignificant, so I do not know many of the specific details. But I heard that the upper ranks have truly been enraged this time. The Spirit Stone Mine in question actually produces Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and both our sect and the Hundred Beasts Sect are determined to claim it."

"More than half the sect's combat strength has been sent there. Even the Sect Master and the Grand Elder have gone. However, I heard that although our Soul Devouring Sect still holds a certain advantage, it is not realistic to take down the Hundred Beasts Sect anytime soon. A sect war of this level will take several years at the very least before any general outcome can be seen."

Liang Qing carefully watched Zheng Yi's expression as he explained.

It seems this dispute over the Spirit Stone Mine has had quite an impact on the sect. There probably will not be a result anytime soon.

But for me, it is good news.

Elder Gongsun has been transferred to the front lines. He probably will not return in the short term. Fight, then. Keep fighting.

Every last one of those Devil Sect cultivators is guilty. It would be best if they all died there. It would be even better if Elder Gongsun simply stayed there to retire...

After dismissing Liang Qing, Zheng Yi's expression remained unchanged, but he pondered secretly within his heart.

For him, a sect war was good news. In any case, it would not affect a newly joined Inner Sect Disciple like him for the time being.

After all, a dispute over a single Spirit Stone Mine, even one that had once produced Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, could not possibly cause two sects to mobilize all their forces. At most, it would turn into a drawn-out war of attrition. No victor or loser would be determined in the short term.

That gave Zheng Yi an opportunity to fish in troubled waters.

After all, the first connection he had used was Elder Gongsun's. In such a short time, he had become an Inner Sect Disciple.

It would be difficult for an old hand in the sect like Elder Gongsun not to notice the problems involved.

Besides, he knew exactly what cultivation method Zheng Yi practiced.

The Black Fiend Technique required a large number of Living Souls or Vengeful Spirits. Where had Zheng Yi obtained them?

Once Elder Gongsun grew suspicious of him, he would be in danger. At the very least, it would bring him much unnecessary trouble.

Elder Gongsun had seemed easy to talk to in Blood Mist Abyss City, but that had only been the result of Zheng Yi bribing him with a large number of Spirit Stones.

No cultivator was not greedy. The path of cultivation was a struggle for the Great Dao on a single-log bridge. Without sufficient cultivation resources, how could one cultivate? When one general's achievement was forged, ten thousand bones lay beneath it. Every great cultivator's path was built upon the blood, sweat, tears, and even snow-white bones of low-level cultivators.

For cultivators of Demon Arts, that greed was displayed even more nakedly.

If Elder Gongsun truly suspected that Zheng Yi had encountered some fortuitous opportunity, he would certainly stop at nothing.

The hidden danger around me must be resolved.

There are too many eyes in the sect. Though it has sufficient spiritual veins and spiritual qi, it is not a good place for me right now. Too many problems could easily be exposed.

I need to quickly find the subsequent cultivation method, as well as the secret techniques for refining, upgrading, and evolving the Soul Devouring Banner. Then I'll find an excuse to leave this place.

Zheng Yi had already made up his mind. He could not remain here for long.

Unlike ordinary sect cultivators, he carried quite a few secrets.

Some of those secrets could not see the light of day, much less were they suited for activities within the sect grounds.

There were too many experts within the sect. Cultivating here carried far too great a risk of exposure. It was not safe.

Having made up his mind, Zheng Yi no longer hesitated. He first went to the sect's main hall and found a complete sect map along with introductions to every location.

Following the map, he first went to the Internal Affairs Hall, handed over the White Jade Token, left behind a Mental Imprint, and also gave the name of Chen Jiu, the chief steward of Blood Mist Abyss City.

Chen Jiu was greedy, certainly, but he was reliable when it came to getting things done. He had said he would arrange the connections in advance, and he had not broken his word.

Zheng Yi smoothly completed the transfer of his identity as an Inner Sect Disciple and received the sect disciple robes and the access restriction for his residence.

Then, following the directions on the sect map, he hurried without pause to the place he most wanted to visit.

The Back Mountain, the Law Transmission Hall.