Assignments

As the elders found suitable apprentices and departed one after another, the gathering gradually quieted down. Most of those left wore disappointed expressions.

From beginning to end, not a single elder had approached Ming Hao to take him as an apprentice. Not even an ordinary steward had come.

Still, that suited him perfectly. Even if an elder had offered to take him as an apprentice, he would have had to consider whether to accept.

"Personal Disciples, follow me to the Personal Disciple Area."

Dozens of resonant voices rang out from above as several dozen elders called in unison.

Figures immediately rose from the crowd below like birds taking flight, following closely behind the elders as they departed together.

At a rough estimate, the number of Personal Disciples still present had dwindled by more than half.

After all, the disciples who had caught the elders' eyes had already been taken away.

Each of them had a cultivation site of their own, so there was naturally no need for them to follow the crowd to the Personal Disciple Area.

Not all Personal Disciples, however, were so sought-after that an elder would take them as an apprentice.

And lower-ranking figures such as stewards would probably have been too embarrassed to come forward and recruit apprentices.

Before long, all the Personal Disciples had left, making the gathering noticeably less crowded.

"Inner Disciples, follow me to the Inner Disciple Area."

The calls of nearly a thousand elders rang out from above.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Amid a succession of whistles through the air, Ming Hao shot forward like a meteor alongside the other Inner Disciples, racing toward the assembly point.

In moments, everyone had assembled. Then, led by the elders, they flew slowly toward the Inner Disciple Area.

As they flew, they could still faintly hear various calls to assemble coming from behind them.

"Registered Disciples, gather over here!" ...

"Outer Disciples, assemble at once and follow this elder to the Outer Disciple Area..."

"The remaining Servant Disciples, follow this steward to the Servant Disciple Area..."

An unbroken chain of lofty Mountain Peaks pierced the clouds, seemingly joining the horizon, their towering grandeur filling the onlookers with awe.

The majestic Mountain Peaks stood like a mighty dragon coiled upon the earth, inspiring wonder at nature's uncanny craftsmanship.

Below the Mountain Peaks stretched a boundless expanse of buildings. Countless magnificent palaces, like jeweled towers and jade halls, stood connected in a sea that extended beyond sight.

Their architectural styles varied: some were solemn and imposing, others lavish and splendid, and still others quaint and elegant. Each exuded its own unique charm.

At that moment, countless sect disciples put aside their work and looked up in twos and threes at the newly admitted disciples.

They leaned toward one another and whispered, seemingly full of curiosity and anticipation toward these new junior brothers and sisters.

In midair, countless immortal cranes wheeled up and down, their movements graceful and vigorous. Clear, melodious cries rang out from time to time, as though they were cheering this magnificent spectacle.

The scenery along the way resembled an immortal paradise, enchanting enough to make anyone linger and forget to leave. The new disciples were all awed by its beauty, their hearts surging with excitement.

The Misty Sect stretched without end. After flying for an unknown length of time and crossing countless areas, the group finally landed in an immense plaza.

Countless disciples already filled the plaza, standing in orderly rows along both sides as they quietly awaited the newcomers.

Once everyone had landed safely, the elder on the platform at the front spoke in a voice that carried sharply through the crowd. "Silence! I will now give you an overview of the sect's rules. Listen closely. I will say this only once!"

He paused briefly and surveyed his surroundings. Seeing everyone listening with complete attention, he felt a surge of satisfaction.

He nodded slightly in approval of their attentiveness, then continued:

"Whatever your status outside may have been-a prince, a Young Clan Leader, or the illegitimate child of some mighty expert-none of that matters to the sect. Here, you have only one identity: an Inner Disciple of the Misty Sect."

His voice was deep and powerful, as though emphasizing the importance and gravity of that identity. Then he said firmly:

"Within the Misty Sect, no disciple is permitted to kill a fellow disciple in private. However deep your hatred may run, whether they killed your father or are your mortal enemy, it is no justification for murdering a fellow disciple."

His gaze swept over everyone, making them feel the authority in his words. Then his tone softened slightly as he explained:

"Of course, if your grievances truly cannot be resolved, you may submit a life-and-death agreement to a Law-Enforcement Elder. At the Life-and-Death Arena, you may settle who is superior, who wins and loses, and who lives and dies. Once the agreement is signed, only one person may leave the Life-and-Death Arena alive."

He paused to give everyone time to digest his words, then continued:

"The sect distributes basic cultivation resources once a month to ensure your cultivation progresses.

"Among those at the same cultivation stage, you may fight one another in the Brawl Arena outside the Hall of Missions to seize these monthly stipend resources,

"but you must never take your opponent's life. This is the sect's bottom line, and no one may cross it."

Finally, he addressed sect missions. "Every month, you must complete one mandatory sect mission.

"If special circumstances prevent you from completing it on time, you may apply to replace the small monthly mission with one major annual mission.

"But remember, the sect only provides basic resources. If you want more, you must work for them yourselves by completing more sect missions!

"In addition, various cultivation classes will be scheduled every day, covering swordsmanship, combat techniques, spells, pill refining, artifact forging, and other fields.

"Each class has a specialist instructor who provides detailed explanations to help disciples gain a deeper understanding and master the material quickly.

"Attendance is not mandatory, however. Disciples may choose whether to participate according to their own interests and needs.

"Of course, each class charges a certain number of spirit stones.

"Those who do not wish to attend are entirely free to cultivate on their own and explore a path suited to themselves.

"If anyone successfully joins one of the Main Halls, enters one of the Peak Gates, or is fortunate enough to become an elder's apprentice, their class fees will be halved, and they will no longer need to complete the monthly sect mission.

"This is also a way to recognize and encourage disciples' efforts and talent.

"As new disciples, you each have three free opportunities to attend every type of class!

"Furthermore, aside from the Misty Immortal Art, which everyone must be taught, new disciples may visit the Hall of Cultivation Method to select three cultivation methods suited to them, and the Hall of Weapons to choose a magic weapon to their liking.

"This is a special benefit the sect offers new disciples, but you receive this opportunity only once.

"Once you miss it, if you want better cultivation methods or magic weapons in the future, you will have to exchange the merit points you accumulate within the sect for them.

"After the new disciples finish registering, your senior brothers and sisters will guide you to your lodgings and cultivation sites, where you will collect the benefits provided by the sect."

"Have you all understood?!" the elder demanded loudly.

"We understand!" came the loud, unified reply from below.

At this, the elder smiled in satisfaction, then turned to issue instructions concerning registration.

The plaza immediately bustled with activity. The new disciples excitedly asked all sorts of questions, while their senior brothers and sisters enthusiastically answered them. The entire scene brimmed with life and energy.

Zhang Fu: Residence 91,008, Zone A.

Receive first-class benefits.

Xu Jiaqi: Residence 305,350, Zone B. Receive second-class benefits.

Soon, it was Ying Ming Hao's turn.

Ying Ming Hao: Residence 308,888, Zone B. Receive second-class benefits.

As the registration elder read out his assignment, an Inner Disciple beside him immediately handed over a jade tray. On it were an Inner Disciple Token, two sets of Sect Uniforms, three bottles of Sixth-Rank Breakthrough Pills, a copy of the Complete Sect Rules, and a copy of the Misty Sect's defining cultivation method, the Misty Immortal Art.

Once he had collected everything, a senior brother waiting nearby immediately stepped forward to guide him to his assigned residence!