The Residence

Along the way, Senior Brother Zhang's round body bobbed with every step, while his mouth kept moving as though he would never stop talking.

His overflowing enthusiasm soon put him on familiar terms with Ming Hao.

As they walked, Senior Brother Zhang enthusiastically introduced every area they passed, from the Martial Training Ground to the Hall of Cultivation Method, from the cafeteria to the Dormitory, explaining everything down to the smallest detail.

Ming Hao followed behind him, mostly listening in silence and occasionally adding a word or two.

Looking at the somewhat plump Senior Brother Zhang before him, Ming Hao thought to himself:

He must be so enthusiastic because I became an Inner Disciple at such a young age. He probably thinks I'm bound to accomplish something in the future, and that's why he's trying so hard to get on my good side.

Still, that suited him perfectly. Having one more friend was better than having one more enemy, after all.

Looking at the other senior disciples showing newcomers around, most seemed indifferent and dismissive. By comparison, Senior Brother Zhang's enthusiasm stood out all the more.

Just then, a bottle of pills suddenly appeared in Ming Hao's hand. With a faint smile, he pressed it into Senior Brother Zhang's hands and said warmly:

"Here's a small token of appreciation from your junior brother. I hope you'll continue to look out for me!"

Fatty Zhang clearly had not expected Ming Hao to make such a gesture. He froze, nearly dropping the bottle of pills.

Usually, other people snatched his share away. When had anyone ever given him anything?

Still, he quickly recovered, an awkward smile appearing on his face as he said:

"Junior Brother Ming Hao, what do you mean by this? I'm not the sort of person who covets your bottle of pills. You've really misunderstood me!"

Yet his hands unconsciously tightened around the bottle before he swiftly tucked it into his robes, as though afraid someone might see it.

Ming Hao laughed inwardly at the sight, but outwardly acted as though nothing had happened. "You're too kind, Senior Brother. I've only just arrived and don't know anything yet. I hope you'll give me plenty of guidance."

Fatty Zhang said with a solemn expression, "What are you saying, Junior Brother? It's only what I should do."

Fatty Zhang thought it over. Having accepted a gift, his hands were tied; he ought to give him a little extra help.

"Junior Brother, do you know how many Inner Disciples we have?!"

"I really don't know. Please enlighten me, Senior Brother."

Fatty Zhang pondered for a moment before saying:

"You might not know this, Junior Brother, but aside from the grand recruitment that Misty Immortal holds once every hundred years, like this one,

"Every year, quite a few allied powers, as well as various powers and cities under its jurisdiction, send Heavenly Prodigies here. They come straight through the back door without having to take any tests.

"Elders, Protectors, Stewards, and others also frequently go out in search of disciples with outstanding talent and bring them into the sect to cultivate.

"The largest number of Inner Disciples come from Outer Sect Registered Disciples who pass the annual assessment and advance.

"So there are more than a million Inner Disciples in the sect. With this new batch, the number will probably pass two million.

"And that only counts a single hundred-year cohort. Once you've been in the sect for a hundred years, you can graduate and receive an outside assignment from the sect, or stay here to cultivate. By then, though, you'll no longer receive the monthly resources.

"So the disciples here vary greatly in strength, and hidden tigers and crouching dragons abound. Any random passerby you meet might be a powerful cultivator who's been in the sect for decades.

"You should keep a low profile, Junior Brother. Don't chase a moment in the limelight. Back then, I didn't understand the importance of keeping my head down, and I went through many things I'll never forget."

Fatty Zhang's face was filled with rueful emotion, as though it had all happened only yesterday.

Before they knew it, Senior Brother Zhang had led Ming Hao to the Residence the sect had assigned him. It looked exquisitely built and occupied more than two hundred square meters. A faint glow enveloped it, clearly indicating the protection of a formation.

Senior Brother Zhang had Ming Hao take the token from his robes and lightly sweep it across the glow. As though triggered, the formation slowly opened a gap just wide enough for the two of them to pass through.

Once they entered the Residence, its layout was clear at a glance: a standard Courtyard House. Several large trees grew in the courtyard, their lush greenery lending it an air of peace and tranquility.

Pointing at the Residence, Senior Brother Zhang explained, "Junior Brother Ming Hao, this residence's formation is no simple thing. It was developed from a branch of the Sect-Protecting Grand Formation.

"As long as the sect hasn't fallen, this place is absolutely safe. No one can easily damage it."

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, if someone maliciously damages the formation and breaks in while you're cultivating or away, you have the right to kill them outright.

"That's a right the sect grants you. You don't have to worry about being held accountable by the Enforcement Hall."

Ming Hao could not help feeling delighted. He had never expected the Residence to have such formidable protections.

Senior Brother Zhang seemed to read his thoughts and continued with a smile:

"One more thing. If someone tries to rob you when you collect your monthly resources, and you can't beat them, there's no need to panic. You can quickly retreat here and refine the resources before going out again.

"Then they won't be able to do a thing to you."

Neither servile nor arrogant, Ming Hao said, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother!"

Senior Brother Zhang waved a hand and smiled. "No need to be so polite, Junior Brother. These are all things I ought to tell you.

"All right, it's getting late. I won't disturb you any longer.

"Tomorrow morning, I'll come here to take you to the Hall of Cultivation Method and the Hall of Weapons. Then you can choose a cultivation method and weapon that suit you."

With that, Fatty Zhang turned and left.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhang. Take care!"

After seeing Fatty Zhang off, Ming Hao returned to the courtyard and examined it carefully.

The courtyard had everything he needed: a Cultivation Chamber, a bedroom, a guest room, a bathroom, a kitchen, and more.

Inside the Cultivation Chamber, he opened the Misty Immortal Art in his hands to the first page and began reading: draw the spiritual energy of the five elements into the body and circulate it through all the meridians...

The Misty Immortal Art was powerful and all-encompassing. Unfortunately, this was only the Inner Disciple version; he would have to exchange for its more profound teachings separately.

It also contained restrictions and could not be freely taught to others.

Before long, he had finished reading and committed it all to memory.

Next, he picked up the Sixth-Rank Breakthrough Pills the sect had given him. Each bottle contained one pill. These were rare treasures: a single pill could increase the chance of a breakthrough by half, and if used properly, it could effectively help with three breakthroughs.

If someone with too low a cultivation level took one and could not absorb it quickly enough, their body could burst, killing them outright!

He put them into the Ring Space, then picked up the sect rules and began reading.

They contained all sorts of precautions, along with introductions to the sect's Various Halls, its peaks, and so on.

Early the next morning.

Ming Hao wore the Inner Disciple uniform he had received the day before.

His snow-white robe fluttered like snow falling over a wintry river, with cloud patterns subtly embroidered in silver thread at the cuffs. Standing still, he resembled a lone crane among the pines, untouched by the dust and clamor of the world.

A small, finely embroidered character meaning "inner" adorned both the front and back.

Everyone in the Misty Sect wore the same white clothing. The Outer Sect wore pale white, the Inner Disciples wore deep white, and Elders, Stewards, and the like wore an ethereal white.

Inner Disciples and those above them did not have to wear their Sect Robes unless the occasion required it, but they had to keep their tokens fastened at their waists.

Ming Hao opened the formation and stepped outside just as Senior Brother Zhang arrived at his gate!

"Good morning, Senior Brother Zhang."

"Good morning, Junior Brother Ming Hao."

"Junior Brother Ming Hao, I assume you haven't had breakfast yet? I'll take you to the Dining Hall for breakfast first, then we'll go to the Hall of Cultivation Method to choose a cultivation method!"

Fatty Zhang spoke with a beaming smile.

"As you say, Senior Brother." Ming Hao naturally had no objection. He was craving some food himself!

Along the way to the Dining Hall, many disciples were heading in the same direction.

Although cultivators could abstain from food once they reached a certain realm, how could a person's seven emotions and six desires be severed at a whim?

Besides, the food was far from ordinary. It included Ferocious Beast meat, immortal rice, and the like, all containing considerable spiritual energy. It could slightly improve one's cultivation, satisfy the body's various energy needs, and leave one brimming with vigor.

If someone went without eating for a long time, however, although spiritual energy allowed them to abstain from food without feeling much hunger, as day followed night, their body would eventually lack certain kinds of energy that spiritual energy could not provide. They would become somewhat groggy and mentally sluggish.

Thus, although they were all Inner Disciples and could already abstain from food, people still streamed endlessly into the Dining Hall for breakfast.

By the time Ming Hao and Senior Brother Zhang arrived outside the Dining Hall, dozens of long queues had already formed.

And this was only one of the dining halls...