2: Chapter 2 The Beginning of the Immortal Sect

Three days later, just as dawn was about to break.

Inside the side hall of the imperial palace, Lin Xuan and the other twelve youths of the Yun Kingdom, along with the qualified youths sent from other major cities of the Yun Kingdom—about fifty to sixty people in total—were lifted by an invisible force, flying into the high sky despite themselves.

Beneath their feet, the majestic imperial city rapidly shrank, turning into a chessboard-like pattern before finally vanishing beneath the morning mist and the horizon.

The whistling of the wind rang in their ears, and a churning sea of clouds unfolded before their eyes.

Leading them was still that sharp-eyed Middle-aged Cultivator. Beneath his feet was a giant sword as wide as a door plank. The sword light surged, steadily enveloping the dozens of youths behind him.

The other Sanyang Sect Disciples were scattered around, each controlling their sword light with indifferent expressions, not sparing another glance at the mortal world below.

Many of the youths were experiencing this kind of sky-riding flight for the first time. Their faces turned pale with tension as they tightly gripped their companions' or their own lapels, while others stared with wide, excited eyes, greedily watching the mountains and rivers rapidly receding beneath them.

Lin Xuan's heart could not help but surge with excitement as well. This was the method of immortals—riding the clouds and mist, traveling to the North Sea in the morning and Mount Cangwu in the evening.

He could appreciate this sense of power that transcended the mortal realm more than anyone else, and he knew all too well how difficult the road ahead would be to truly possess this power.

His gaze swept forward, where Chen Hao was grinning, attempting to reach out and touch the clouds flowing past him. Only when a cold-faced Senior Brother beside him cast a faint glance did he sheepishly withdraw his hand.

Further ahead, Chen Yufei stood with his back straight and his hands behind him. His luxurious robes rustled in the astral winds, carrying an air of outstanding distinction that drew frequent glances from several nearby youths of noble birth, who seemed to have a subtle intention of making his acquaintance.

After flying for about two hours, when the sun hung high and dispersed some of the high-altitude chill, the sea of clouds ahead suddenly churned violently, as if parted by an invisible giant hand.

"We have arrived," the Middle-aged Cultivator said, brief and to the point.

Everyone's spirits lifted as they all looked over.

Where the clouds parted and the mist dispersed, several towering, majestic peaks pierced through the cloud layers, standing proudly.

Grand jade pavilions and magnificent towers were faintly visible atop the peaks, glowing with radiant colors. Waterfalls cascaded like the Milky Way hanging upside down, and the silhouettes of spiritual birds and exotic beasts appeared and disappeared amidst the clouds and mist.

A wave of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, so dense it had almost materialized, rushed over them, making their breathing smooth and causing every pore in their bodies to open up in comfort.

"This is where the Sanyang Sect's mountain gate is located, the Tianzhu Mountain Range."

A young female Cultivator accompanying them, perhaps seeing the shock of the new Disciples, offered a rare explanation, her tone still indifferent.

"The outer peaks are the residences of Outer Sect Disciples and deacons, while the three main peaks inside are the core of the Sect, and no one may enter without being summoned."

The sword light descended, and everyone landed on an extremely vast white jade plaza.

Several ancient, simple halls stood at the edge of the plaza. From time to time, Cultivators dressed in moon-white or green Daoist robes entered and exited on their Magical Artifacts in a hurry, only casting occasional glances at this group of newly arrived youths without much curiosity.

After exchanging a few words with his fellow Disciples, the Middle-aged Cultivator transformed into a streak of sword light and shot toward the deepest mountain peak, vanishing from sight.

Among the remaining Cultivators, a serious-looking Deacon Disciple who appeared to be in his thirties stepped forward.

"New Disciples, step forward in order to register, and receive your identity jade tablets and entry supplies." His voice carried a businesslike rigidity. "Step forward when your name is called."

The registration quickly began. The register seemed to be arranged according to their performance during the spiritual test, and the first name called was "Chen Yufei."

"Chen Yufei, Earthly Spiritual Root of the earth element, attribute sixty-three. Enter the outer Sect of Houtu Peak."

The Deacon Disciple took an extra look at him, his tone softening slightly.

"This is your identity jade tablet. Bind it by dripping your blood. With this jade tablet, you can enter the Houtu Peak area and collect your monthly basic Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills.

The basic Cultivation Technique, the Qi Guiding Art, along with the Sect's rules and attire, can be collected together at the General Affairs Hall on the right."

Chen Yufei stepped forward, took the warm white jade tablet, and forced a drop of blood from his fingertip onto it. The jade tablet flashed with a faint light before returning to its original state.

He bowed with a reserved expression. "Thank you, Senior Brother."

As he turned and walked toward the General Affairs Hall, his steps carried a natural air of high spirits.

Immediately, several clever youths gathered around him, calling him "Senior Brother Chen" as they tried to strike up a conversation.

Next were several other Disciples with higher attributes. Although they were not as exceptional as Chen Yufei, they all possessed Medium Grade or even High Grade Spiritual Roots, and were led to different outer Sect peaks based on their elemental attributes.

Such as Sharp Metal Peak, Qingmu Peak, and Flame Peak. Clearly, the Sect's initial placement of new Disciples would be prioritized according to their Spiritual Root attributes.

"Chen Hao, High Grade Spiritual Root of the fire element, attribute fifty-eight. Enter the outer Sect of Flame Peak," the Deacon Disciple read out.

Chen Hao stepped forward with large strides, took his jade tablet, bound it with his blood, and ran excitedly to Lin Xuan's side, whispering, "Hey, Flame Peak! Just the name sounds exciting! Lin Xuan, your turn must be coming soon."

Lin Xuan nodded, feeling no anxiety in his heart; the outcome was already predetermined.

Sure enough, as name after name was called, more and more youths collected their jade tablets, and the plaza gradually emptied.

The Disciples who had been assigned to various peaks left one after another under the simple guidance of the Deacon Disciples or Senior Brothers who had entered the Sect earlier, heading to their respective residences.

Occasional glances swept over the few people who remained in place, whose names had not yet been called. Most of these glances carried curiosity mixed with a trace of hard-to-detect disdain—those left at the end were naturally those with the lowest Aptitude.

The Deacon Disciple's gaze fell upon Lin Xuan. He paused, seemingly confirming the records in the Jade Slip, before speaking, "Lin Xuan, lightning attribute thirty, Low Grade Variant Spiritual Root."

His tone was flat, with no hint of praise or criticism. "Variant Spiritual Roots have no specific outer peak assignment. You are temporarily assigned to the outer Sect of Emerald Bamboo Peak. Drip your blood onto the identity jade tablet."

Emerald Bamboo Peak? Lin Xuan keenly noticed that when the Deacon Disciple mentioned this peak's name, a young Cultivator nearby who was organizing the register seemed to purse his lips almost imperceptibly.

Chen Hao also froze for a moment and whispered, "Emerald Bamboo Peak? That doesn't sound like a combat-focused peak..."

Lin Xuan stepped forward and took the jade tablet. It felt slightly cool to the touch, no different from those of the others.

He bound it with his blood as instructed. The information from the jade tablet flowed into his mind; along with his identity marker, it contained the general location of Emerald Bamboo Peak and some of the most basic privileges.

"Go to the General Affairs Hall to collect your supplies," the Deacon Disciple waved his hand, saying no more.

There were not many people left in the General Affairs Hall.

The one distributing the supplies was a lazy old Cultivator with drooping eyelids.

He pushed a set of pale green Outer Sect Disciple attire, a thin booklet of the Qi Guiding Art, a bottle of Medicinal Pills labeled "qi gathering pill (Low Grade)," and ten thumbnail-sized, shimmering milky-white stones all at once to Lin Xuan.

"Emerald Bamboo Peak, huh?" The old Cultivator yawned and casually tossed over a bamboo slip. "This is the map of Emerald Bamboo Peak; find it yourself. Zone C, pick any vacant courtyard to live in. Remember to come collect your monthly allowance on the first of every month."

His words carried a routine, perfunctory tone.

Clearly, for someone with a Low Grade Spiritual Root, and the lowest-tier Variant Spiritual Root that had barely met the threshold at that, the Sect would not invest much attention.

Lin Xuan calmly accepted everything, offered his thanks, and turned to walk out of the General Affairs Hall.

Chen Hao was already waiting outside the hall. The items he had collected were similar to Lin Xuan's, except his attire was pale red and his map pointed toward Flame Peak.

"Lin Xuan, you..." Chen Hao looked at his friend's calm face, wanting to comfort him but not knowing where to start.

He could also see that Lin Xuan's title of having a "Lightning Spiritual Root" did not seem to bring any special treatment within this immortal Sect. Instead, because his Aptitude was too low, it seemed somewhat awkward.

"It's fine," Lin Xuan smiled and patted the Qi Guiding Art in his hand. "To be able to enter and obtain this is already a start. We each have our own paths to walk; we just need to work hard on our own. Go settle down at Flame Peak first."

Chen Hao nodded heavily and gave Lin Xuan's shoulder a firm punch. "You're right! Who cares what peak it is, cultivating real ability is what matters! I'll come find you once I've settled down!" With that, he strode away quickly, following a guide Disciple from Flame Peak.

Lin Xuan looked at the bamboo slip map in his hand, oriented himself, and walked toward the so-called "Emerald Bamboo Peak."

Emerald Bamboo Peak was located on the outskirts of the outer peaks, and its Spiritual Qi concentration was noticeably sparser than that of Houtu Peak and Flame Peak, which he had passed by.

The mountain was indeed covered with green bamboo. When the wind blew, the bamboo rustled in waves. The environment was quite serene, but there were few Disciples coming and going, making it feel somewhat desolate.

The few Emerald Bamboo Peak Disciples he occasionally ran into only glanced at Lin Xuan's unfamiliar face and the package in his hands before going on their way, with no intention of making his acquaintance or greeting him.

Following the map, he found Zone C. It was an area of detached small courtyards built amidst the bamboo forest halfway up the mountain, with white walls and black tiles, looking quite neat.

Many of the courtyards had nameplates hanging at their entrances, indicating they already had owners.

Lin Xuan searched along the way and finally found a vacant small courtyard in a quiet corner.

The courtyard was not large, consisting of a main room, a Quiet Room on the side, a small open space in the yard, and an ancient well in the corner.

He pushed open the courtyard gate with a creak, startling a few birds on the bamboo tips.

Just as he put down his luggage and was about to tidy up briefly, the courtyard gate was pushed open again, and a familiar figure walked in carrying a bundle—it was Chen Hao.

"Haha, surprised?" Chen Hao grinned and laughed. "I went to check out the Flame Peak side. The residences there are courtyards shared by multiple people, noisy and cramped!"

"I asked the managing Senior Brother, and he said Emerald Bamboo Peak has fewer people and vacant courtyards, so we can apply for a transfer as long as there's a vacant courtyard in the same area. I immediately applied to transfer over! It just so happens that the courtyard next to yours is vacant!"

Lin Xuan looked at his friend's brilliant smile, a warm current welling up in his heart.

He knew that while Chen Hao might indeed have found the residences at Flame Peak too noisy, it was more likely that he wanted to stay close to look after his friend with "bottom-tier Aptitude."

"You guy..." Lin Xuan shook his head and laughed. "Aren't you afraid of delaying your cultivation? The fire Spiritual Qi at Flame Peak is more beneficial to you."

"Isn't absorbing Spiritual Qi the same anywhere?" Chen Hao waved his hand dismissively, already starting to size up his new courtyard. "It's quiet here, which is even better! With the two of us together, we can look out for each other! Hurry up and unpack. Once we're done, we can try out that Qi Guiding Art!"

The two settled in. Lin Xuan put away his clothes and hung his identity jade tablet at his waist, carefully tucking the ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones and the bottle of qi gathering pills into his robes.

Finally, he picked up the Qi Guiding Art and sat down on a futon in the Quiet Room.