There were many outer disciples, and even more servant disciples.
Countless disciples came to the Scripture Repository every day to exchange for and return cultivation methods. Outer disciples could enter and leave the Scripture Repository directly with their disciple tokens.
Servant disciples, however, had to pay one low-grade Spirit Stone each time they entered the Scripture Repository, and could only stay inside for two hours.
Standing before the Scripture Repository, Ye Xuan waited quietly in line. The servant disciples queuing alongside him all watched the outer disciples with envy, wishing they could trade places with them.
The sun was already high when Ye Xuan finally entered the Scripture Repository.
The Scripture Repository was spacious. Carefully avoiding the other disciples, Ye Xuan made his way to a corner.
"System, check in!"
[Ding!] [Check-in successful!] [Host's first check-in at the outer sect's Scripture Repository. Congratulations on receiving the Immortal Method, "Wind Thunder Step"!] [Claim check-in reward immediately?]
"Claim!"
Seeing the words "Immortal Method," Ye Xuan was overcome with excitement. He had heard that the entire Azure Feather Dao Sect had only three Immortal Method legacies, and only the sect's direct disciples were permitted to practice them. He had never expected to obtain an Immortal Method on his very first visit to the outer sect's Scripture Repository.
A gentle breeze rose from Ye Xuan's body, circled him several times, then vanished.
I've grasped the basics!
Ye Xuan opened his eyes. After noticing that no one else was nearby, he took two light steps and instantly swept several yards away, the afterimages behind him slowly fading.
As expected of an Immortal Method. Even though I've only just grasped the basics, I'm already considerably faster than a cultivator at the Qi Refinement Peak.
A smile curved Ye Xuan's lips. It took quite a while before his excitement subsided.
I have a cultivation mantra and a movement technique now. Although the Black Tiger Fist Technique is low-ranked, it's still usable in the Qi Refining Realm.
Ye Xuan began wandering around the Scripture Repository.
Ordinary Qi Refinement cultivation methods could be exchanged for ten low-grade Spirit Stones. Ye Xuan had spent ten low-grade Spirit Stones to obtain his Black Tiger Fist Technique.
The Qi Refining Realm portions of high-ranked cultivation methods generally cost between ten and fifty low-grade Spirit Stones.
But Ye Xuan had been penniless before, and could only gaze at those high-ranked cultivation methods like a man sighing before a vast ocean.
Although he now had over thirty Spirit Stones, Ye Xuan had no intention of exchanging them for a cultivation method.
With the Check-In System, he would naturally obtain high-ranked cultivation methods through check-ins later. There was no need to spend extra Spirit Stones on them.
When his two hours ran out, Ye Xuan left the Scripture Repository, feigning frustration at not having found a suitable cultivation method, and quickly ran toward Wood Moon Peak.
Wood Moon Peak was home to the outer sect's largest concentration of markets, with many disciples setting up stalls, as well as various shops opened by inner disciples.
Spending over thirty low-grade Spirit Stones, Ye Xuan bought three bottles of Qi Gathering Pills and several bottles of Bone Tempering Pills.
Right now, the most important thing for Ye Xuan was to improve his cultivation.
When he returned to his residence, Ye Xuan discovered that someone was actually waiting for him.
"Ye Xuan, you're finally back!"
Seeing Ye Xuan return, Ma Mei hurried over to meet him.
"Do you need something?"
Ye Xuan asked coldly.
The two had entered the sect together three years ago, but they were only nodding acquaintances and had had no dealings before.
He had previously heard that Ma Mei had thrown in her lot with Wang Liang, though he did not know whether it was true.
"Have you seen Brother Liang today?"
Ma Mei asked quietly. Today was supposed to be the day Wang Liang collected protection fees, yet he had been nowhere to be seen all day. She had asked the other servant disciples, but they all said they had not seen Wang Liang either. Ye Xuan was the only one Ma Mei had yet to ask.
"No. I went out early this morning."
Ye Xuan spoke indifferently. The original owner of his body had been reclusive and had chosen an extremely remote residence, with no other servant disciples nearby. That was why Ye Xuan had dared to kill Wang Liang and his two companions that morning.
"Sorry to disturb you, then."
Biting her lip, Ma Mei glanced at Ye Xuan and walked away, looking somewhat lost.
Ye Xuan stared at Ma Mei's retreating figure. After a long silence, he still did not make a move. He had already cleaned up every trace of the morning's battle. Ma Mei was only at the Qi Refining First Layer; there was no way she could discover anything.
Returning inside, Ye Xuan took out the pills he had bought, held Spirit Stones in his hands, and quietly began cultivating.
The Azure Feather Dao Sect's main peak.
The summit of Azure Feather Peak was shrouded in clouds and mist.
A tall woman stood at the summit, gazing into the distance at the setting sun.
This woman was none other than the Azure Feather Dao Sect's sect master, Ling Ziling.
Beneath the sunset, Ling Ziling's breathtakingly beautiful face was tinted gold, and a trace of bewilderment tinged her normally resolute gaze.
She had stood there for a day and a night, pondering for a long time. Only when the sun sank in the west did she withdraw her gaze.
A day earlier, Ling Ziling had been cultivating in seclusion.
Suddenly, a mechanical voice had appeared in her mind.
[Ding, binding successful!] [Congratulations on binding the Sect Simulator. Spend Fortune Points to simulate the lives of sect disciples!] [Ding, congratulations on receiving one free opportunity!]
The sudden voice had left Ling Ziling extremely tense. She had gone on full alert, yet found no trace of an enemy.
Ling Ziling had already broken through to the Spirit Transformation realm several years ago and ranked among the strongest in the entire Southern Region. The Azure Feather Dao Sect was also one of the Southern Region's Five Upper Sects. There was absolutely no way someone could have sneaked into the Azure Feather Dao Sect to play a trick on her.
It had taken Ling Ziling an entire day to figure out the functions of the Sect Simulator in her mind.
Through the simulator, Ling Ziling could simulate the life of anyone in the sect. The first simulation cost 3,000 Fortune Points, and each subsequent simulation of the same person cost twice as many.
Fortune Points increased by 100 each day. To simulate a life, she would need thirty days.
However, binding the system had given Ling Ziling one opportunity to simulate a life for free.
"Simulator!"
Ling Ziling softly summoned the simulator, her gaze moving across its panel.
The panel included everyone in the Azure Feather Dao Sect, from the sect master down to the servant disciples, without exception.
"Simulate Ling Ziling!"
After pondering for a day, Ling Ziling had finally thought it through. This simulator was a supreme Law Artifact belonging to Heaven or some mighty being. Since it had bound itself to her, it was her fortuitous opportunity.
[Ding, beginning simulation!] [Simulation subject: Sect Master Ling Ziling!] [Age 0: You were born. The Azure Feather Dao Sect's sect master was overjoyed to have a daughter in his old age. He invited friends from far and wide and celebrated for three days.] [Age 3: You were very mischievous, but your parents doted on you.] [Age 5: You became close with your senior brothers and sisters. They all doted on you.]
A smile curved Ling Ziling's lips as she read this. Her childhood memories remained vivid before her eyes. Those had been her happiest days.
[Age 9: You possessed a supreme-grade Metal Spirit Root. Your father began teaching you to cultivate.] [Age 11: You successfully reached Foundation Establishment. That same year, your mother was ambushed by the demonic sect while away and died. You swore to cultivate diligently and never rest until the demonic sect was destroyed! Your father stormed the Demon Sect and slew the murderer before its sect master.]
A cold gleam flashed in Ling Ziling's eyes. Over the years, she had personally slain countless Demon Sect disciples. But the Demon Sect was powerful; the Dao Sect alone could not wipe it out.
[Age 30: You successfully reached Core Formation and ventured out to gain experience!] [Age 31: You fought bloody battles against Demon Sect disciples, battling 108 enemies!] [Age 35: You slew three holy sons and two holy maidens of the Demon Sect. Your fame soared, and people called you the Jade Radiance Empress!]