Following Deacon Qingxu through the majestic bluestone archway and entering the Azure Profound Branch, the surrounding scenery suddenly changed. The dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth rushed towards them like a tangible substance, several times purer than that of Flowing Cloud Immortal City outside. With a deep breath, every pore on his body felt relaxed, and the spiritual power within him became more active.
Beneath their feet was a white jade corridor bridge shrouded in mist, with a bottomless cloud sea on either side. In the distance, peaks were verdant, waterfalls cascaded, and pavilions and towers were nestled among them. Cranes and spiritual deer roamed leisurely, presenting a scene of an immortal's blessed land. Disciples coming and going were all clad in blue robes, with formidable auras and hurried steps. Upon seeing Deacon Qingxu, they respectfully bowed. Their gazes swept over Ye Chen and Wang Tiechui with a hint of curiosity and scrutiny.
Deacon Qingxu remained silent the entire way, leading the two through several halls until they arrived before a grand and imposing Great Hall. Above the hall's entrance hung a dark black plaque, with three characters written in bold strokes with cinnabar—Deacon Hall.
This place was one of the cores of the Azure Profound Dao Sect's Outer Sect operations, responsible for all miscellaneous matters such as disciple registration, mission distribution, and resource allocation. The hall was bustling with people coming and going, yet it was orderly.
Deacon Qingxu walked directly towards a white-haired old deacon in charge of registration and briefly explained the situation of Ye Chen and Wang Tiechui.
Upon hearing this, the old deacon raised his cloudy eyes. First, he looked at Ye Chen with surprise—the combination of a Pseudo Spirit Root and an Ascension Token had clearly spread. Then, his gaze lingered on Wang Tiechui for a moment before returning to its usual placid state. He took out two green Jade Tokens and two neatly stacked sets of green Daoist Robes.
"Ye Chen, holder of the Ascension Token, registered as an Outer Sect Registered Disciple. Your residence is in Zone C, with a monthly stipend of five Low-grade Spirit Stones and three bottles of Grain Abstinence Pills."
"Wang Tiechui, exceptional talent, registered as an Outer Sect Disciple. Your residence is in Zone B, with a monthly stipend of ten Low-grade Spirit Stones and five bottles of Grain Abstinence Pills, plus an additional copy of the Basic Body Tempering Art."
The old deacon's voice was calm as he handed the items to the two respectively and infused them with spiritual light on the Jade Tokens to record their information. Simultaneously, he gave each of them a Jade Slip containing the sect's basic rules and a map.
"The Disciple Jade Token requires a blood recognition to establish ownership; it is your proof of identity within the sect and can also record Contribution Points. You must memorize the sect's rules and regulations within three days. Violators will be severely punished. Go find your residences now." The old deacon waved his hand and said no more.
The difference in treatment was obvious. The gap in resources between registered disciples and formal disciples was considerable, and the spiritual energy in Zone B was certainly more concentrated than in Zone C. This was the most direct difference brought about by talent.
Ye Chen calmly accepted the items, showing no dissatisfaction. Being able to enter the sect was already a stroke of luck; if resources were scarce, he would strive to earn them himself!
Wang Tiechui, on the other hand, happily accepted the items, especially the copy of the Basic Body Tempering Art, which made his eyes shine.
Deacon Qingxu said to Ye Chen, "Now that you have entered the sect, cultivate diligently. The Outer Sect is not like the outside world; the competition is fiercer, and there are more rules. You must look out for yourself." With that, he turned and left.
Ye Chen and Wang Tiechui exchanged a glance and, following the Map Guidance from the Jade Slip, left the Deacon Hall to head towards the disciple residential areas.
The Outer Sect disciple residential area was located on several spiritual and beautiful mountain peaks, divided according to disciple rank. Zone B was on the mountainside, while Zone C was closer to the foot of the mountain, with relatively thinner spiritual energy.
The two parted ways at the foot of the mountain. Wang Tiechui was going to Zone B. He scratched his head and said to Ye Chen, "Ye Chen, I'll come find you once I'm settled!"
Ye Chen nodded, "Cultivate with peace of mind. If you encounter any trouble, come find me anytime."
Watching Wang Tiechui's sturdy back disappear up the mountain path, Ye Chen turned and walked towards Zone C. This was a relatively dense area of stone houses, neatly planned, but compared to the pavilions and towers on the mountain, it appeared much simpler.
Following the guidance of his Jade Token, he found his residence—Zone C, House 73. An independent stone house with a small courtyard. Pushing open the stone door, the interior was simply furnished: a bed, a table, and a meditation cushion, nothing more. However, compared to the hovels in the Black Marsh and the dormitories of inns, it was already quite comfortable. More importantly, a basic Spirit Gathering Array was set up here. Although its effect was weak, it was at least a stable place for cultivation.
He closed the stone door and activated the simplest warning Restriction at the entrance, which required a small amount of Spirit Stones, before finally letting out a sigh of relief.
Finally... he had settled down, for now.
He first dripped blood on the Disciple Jade Token to recognize it as his own, immediately establishing a connection with it. He could vaguely sense the information recorded within: name, identity, and Contribution Points (which were zero). He then placed the Sect Rules Jade Slip on his forehead, and a large amount of information flooded his mind. It was nothing more than rules like respecting teachers and valuing the Dao, strictly prohibiting fellow disciples from harming each other, completing Sect Missions on time, and not privately imparting Cultivation Methods.
Finally, he changed into the green Daoist Robe. The robe was made of ordinary material but embroidered with a simple cloud pattern, representing his identity as an Outer Sect disciple of the Azure Profound Dao Sect.
Putting on this Daoist Robe and looking at his transformed self in the mirror, an indescribable feeling surged within Ye Chen. From an abandoned child of a noble family, a mine slave in the Black Marsh, to a disciple of an Immortal Gate, though he was at the very bottom, it was already a world-altering change.
"Azure Profound Dao Sect..." he whispered the name, his eyes gradually sharpening. "This will be my new starting point!"
He sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion, not immediately cultivating. Instead, he began to sort out his current situation and plan his future path.
Advantages:
1. Successfully entered the Immortal Gate, gaining a relatively safe foothold and stable (albeit meager) resources.
2. Possesses the "Heaven Rewards Diligence" System and the Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter, with immense potential.
3. Although the Ascension Token has drawn attention, it also serves as a form of protection.
4. Wang Tiechui, a partner with great potential.
Disadvantages:
1. Pseudo Spirit Root talent, destined for slow cultivation speed, prone to discrimination within the sect, and difficult resource acquisition.
2. Low cultivation base, only at Qi Refining Layer 4, placing him at the bottom of the Outer Sect.
3. Possessing the Ascension Token may attract unnecessary jealousy and covert covetousness.
4. The threat from the Shadow Pavilion has not been resolved, merely temporarily suppressed by sect rules.
5. Little understanding of the sect's internal factions and rules.
Short-term Goals:
1. Quickly raise cultivation to Qi Refining Layer 5 to possess a certain degree of self-preservation ability in the Outer Sect.
2. Familiarize himself with the sect environment, understand the mission system, and earn Contribution Points to exchange for resources.
3. Conceal the special attention brought by the Ascension Token and develop discreetly.
4. Help Wang Tiechui adapt to the environment and solidify their friendship.
Long-term Goals:
1. Repair or even improve Spirit Root talent (difficult, but not impossible; requires seeking opportunities).
2. Cultivate the Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter to a profound realm, solidifying an unparalleled Dao Foundation.
3. Investigate the secrets of the Ascension Token and his own background.
4. Possess sufficient strength to deal with the Ye Family and the Shadow Pavilion.
His thoughts gradually became clearer. He knew that in the Outer Sect, a Pseudo Spirit Root disciple without a background could only rise by relying on absolute "diligence" and seizing every possible "opportunity"!
He took out the five Low-grade Spirit Stones and the Grain Abstinence Pills. Holding the Spirit Stones in his hand, he began to circulate the Primordial Dao Foundation Chapter. The chaotic spiritual energy greedily absorbed the pure energy from the Spirit Stones, growing slowly but steadily.
Although the speed was far inferior to disciples with excellent talent, Ye Chen's will was as hard as iron.
"If others cultivate for one hour, I will cultivate for ten! If others consume one pill, I will find ten portions of resources! Heaven rewards diligence; I, Ye Chen, will use this 'diligence' to knock open the gates of the immortal path!"
Inside the stone house, the young man sat with his eyes closed, concentrating, spiritual energy swirling around him, beginning his long cultivation journey in the Azure Profound Dao Sect.
The Outer Sect is just the beginning; the path is long and arduous, but the journey will commence.