Taking the Stage

The three headed toward the mountain peak. A narrow path at its base wound its way upward.

"Spirit Creek Sect has three branches and twelve paths. The Southern Branch inherits the paths of fire, puppetry, and beast taming. The Northern Branch inherits swordsmanship, artifact forging, and formations. We belong to the Eastern Branch, where the alchemical path is paramount."

Xiao Wuji led the two up the path, introducing things as they walked.

"Wait. Three branches and twelve paths—the Southern and Northern Branches each have three paths, and counting our alchemical path, that's only seven. What about the remaining five?" Su Hao could not help asking.

"The Eastern Branch once inherited six paths. It was once the foremost of Spirit Creek Sect's three branches." Xiao Wuji lifted his chin, seemingly proud.

"I don't want to hear about the past. I only want to know about the present." Su Hao sharply seized upon the key word.

"The present..." Xiao Wuji lowered his head. "Those six inheritances are too ancient and have already been lost. Only half of the alchemical path remains."

"Fuck!"

Su Hao had only those two words to say. So they had once been first, but now they were at the very bottom.

Before long, the three reached the mountain peak and entered a courtyard through black gates. There were three thatched huts inside, while weeds carpeted the yard and dust filled the air.

"This is the Eastern Branch?" Su Hao looked at the dilapidated sight before him, feeling as if he had been swindled. Along the way, he had seen both the Southern and Northern Branches, where luxurious palaces stood everywhere.

Yet here, there were only three thatched huts—and one of them had only just been built.

"There were originally only two thatched huts. I built that one myself." Xiao Wuji pointed to the newly built hut, then looked at Lin Yaoyao. "Big guy, you'll live there."

Su Hao was utterly speechless. After a long while, he finally said, "Fine. This is only the outer sect, after all. Once we enter the inner sect, we'll surely see pavilions and lofty towers."

"That's right. Once we have an inner sect, we'll definitely get pavilions and lofty towers." Xiao Wuji said firmly.

Lin Yaoyao moved closer to Su Hao and said, "Brother Hao, according to what Elder said, it seems we don't have an inner sect right now. We're outer sect disciples and inner sect disciples at the same time."

Su Hao nodded. "That's probably it. We boarded a pirate ship."

Su Hao did not care much about inheritances. After all, he possessed everything the Devil Master had known. Forget a mere second-grade immortal sect—even the entire Great Xia Dynasty did not amount to one-tenth of what was in his mind.

He said, "Even if there's nothing else, the sect's benefits should at least be the same, right? Like the spirit stones, pills, magical artifacts, and other resources you mentioned."

Xiao Wuji clasped his hands behind his back, wearing the air of a grandmaster. "The Eastern Branch has always recruited only geniuses and monstrous talents. You need not rely on handouts from others; use your own hands to build everything. Master believes in you."

Lin Yaoyao plopped down on the ground. Joining this second-grade immortal sect was not nearly as practical as joining a first-grade one.

"I'm starting to regret this." Su Hao wore a bitter expression. So coming here was no different from staying at home—no, the treatment here was even worse than at home. The only benefit was the title of a disciple of a second-grade immortal sect.

"Actually, it's not as if there's nothing at all. You can each go to the Treasure Pavilion and claim one spirit artifact. You may also visit the sect's cultivation grounds and enlightenment grounds, depending on your own ability." Xiao Wuji said, "This is also a form of training for you. You should cherish it. The other two branches cannot get such a good opportunity."

"Clean up the courtyard, then go to the Treasure Pavilion and collect what belongs to you. While you're at it, go down the mountain and pick some spirit vegetables. Make dinner and call me when it's ready. Master is tired and needs to rest."

Xiao Wuji strode toward the thatched hut, adding casually, "Also, if you run into disciples from the other two branches outside and get beaten up, I won't interfere. But if you beat them up, come find me. Master will back you up!"

Su Hao felt an urge to commit the gravest of rebellions.

Lin Yaoyao said with a miserable face, "Brother Hao, we even have to prepare our own meals here. I... I'm convinced."

"Damn it!"

Su Hao ground his teeth, spewing flames from his mouth to vent his fury.

The raging flames swept through the courtyard, reducing every weed to ash. Even the soil was baked hard as rock.

Lin Yaoyao entered the thatched hut. It was not too bad—at least it had a bed and bedding.

"Let's go!"

Su Hao swept his sleeve. Things had come to this; saying more was pointless.

The two left the courtyard and followed the path upward, arriving at a broad open area. Ninety-nine stone steps rose there, and above them stood an imposing, luxurious palace. The stone stele before it glowed, bearing three golden characters that danced like dragons and flew like phoenixes: Treasure Pavilion!

"Oh? I heard the Eastern Branch recruited disciples today. These two must be them, right?"

"A godforsaken place like the Eastern Branch actually has fools willing to come?"

"Do you think everyone is like us, blessed with heaven-defying talent enough to enter a second-grade immortal sect? Some trash will never get the chance in their entire lives. Being able to enter the Eastern Branch already earns them a name. Once they leave, they can even brag about it."

"Hehe, exactly. The Eastern Branch recruited a disciple three years ago, but unfortunately he died after only three months. Now that two have come at once, someone can finally wash our stinking socks and dirty clothes."

When Su Hao and Lin Yaoyao arrived beneath the stone steps, several people appeared above them. With their hands behind their backs, they looked down from on high, their eyes brimming with disdain.

"Let's go."

Su Hao ignored them and strode up the stone steps. The moment he stepped onto them, a terrifying pressure came crashing down, making even his steps feel heavy.

Lin Yaoyao let out a muffled groan, his body swaying as he nearly fell straight down.

"Hahaha! These two pieces of trash want to enter the Treasure Pavilion? What a dream."

"To climb all ninety-nine steps, you need at least a fourth-grade spirit root and cultivation at the fifth level of Qi Condensation. You've only just entered the sect, and you joined the trashiest Eastern Branch at that. Don't even dream of setting foot here for the rest of your lives."

"Get lost and go back. Wait for us to hand you our stinking socks and dirty clothes to wash. We might even reward you with a few spirit stones."

The people above laughed loudly, their voices cold and piercing.

The Eastern Branch was practically nonexistent within Spirit Creek Sect, scorned by all. As a result, Su Hao and Lin Yaoyao, two newly admitted disciples, were also mocked and insulted.

Su Hao slowly raised his head and looked upward. He saw the contemptuous sneers on their faces and heard their merciless ridicule and disdain.

The next moment, Su Hao gave a cold smile. He lifted his foot, and a whirl of wind formed beneath it. Then he stepped forward, and a fierce gale surged forth.

With a rustle.

The wind howled.

By the time the people above reacted, Su Hao was already on the stone steps. He said lightly, "Is the pressure really that weak? I'm only at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, yet I came up with ease."

It was as though he had stepped into empty air!

Those disciples stared at Su Hao in disbelief, seemingly unable to believe what they were seeing.

"It really isn't much!"

Lin Yaoyao came up while panting, bracing himself against the pressure. Though he was only at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, his talent was not bad. Moreover, of the two thousand spirit stones Su Hao had left, one thousand had been given to Lin Yaoyao. Under the effects of the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Demon Formula, his combat strength had steadily surged; fighting someone at the fifth level of Qi Condensation would not be surprising.