323: Chapter 323 The First Night

Dinner was eaten at the Outer Sect Disciple cafeteria. A large pot of brown rice, a bucket of vegetable soup, and a dish of pickled vegetables—it could not have been simpler. Outer Sect Disciples sat in small groups around wooden tables, some with their heads down eating, others talking in low voices. Ling Ye carried his rice bowl to a corner, sat down, and ate quietly while observing the crowd around him.

The age range of the Outer Sect Disciples was quite broad. There were youths who looked no older than twelve or thirteen, and middle-aged men in their thirties or forties. Most people wore the same cyan uniform as him, but the condition varied; some had clearly visible creases, obviously newly issued, while others had uniforms washed to a faded white, with obvious signs of wear at the cuffs and collars. From these details, he could roughly judge how long each person had been in the sect.

After finishing his meal, he returned to Room Seven of the Bing block. Wang Dazhuang did not know where he had run off to, but Li Musheng was still sitting on his bed reading, his posture almost identical to when Ling Ye had first entered, as if he had never moved. Ling Ye did not disturb him, sitting on the edge of his own bed to organize the information he had gathered today.

He had already gotten a rough idea of the Outer Sect Disciple schedule from the chatter of other Disciples in the cafeteria: morning lessons at the Hour of the Rabbit, lectures or time to Cultivate from the Hour of the Dragon to the Hour of the Horse, a one-hour break at the Hour of the Horse, continued time to Cultivate from the Hour of the Sheep to the Hour of the Rooster, and free time after the Hour of the Dog. The daily schedule was packed, leaving almost no free time. Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills were distributed on the first day of every month, with the amount determined by the Disciple's cultivation level and assessment results. The first floor of the Scripture Pavilion was open to all Outer Sect Disciples, but they could only borrow one book at a time, to be returned within seven days.

He looked down at his own hands. Today in the Heart Hall, he had felt a faint response from the "Ancient Ring"—it was the first time he had re-established a connection since entering this world. Although it was an extremely slight vibration, it proved that the mark still existed and was still responding to him. It was just that he did not have enough strength to activate it yet, and he could not even actively perceive its existence.

He needed to first learn the methods to Cultivate in this world.

He stood up, walked to Li Musheng's bedside, and asked politely, "Excuse me, where can I go to collect the basic Cultivation Technique for an Outer Sect Disciple to Cultivate?"

Li Musheng raised his head and glanced at him. The gaze could not be called cold, but it was certainly not warm either; it was purely a dispassionate, emotionless scrutiny. After a few breaths, he spoke, his voice flat, "The Hall of Affairs. Report your name and residence, and the deacon will give you a copy of the 'Azure Cloud Foundation Manual'. That is the entry-level Cultivation Technique for Outer Sect Disciples; everyone practices this."

"Many thanks." Ling Ye nodded and turned to leave.

"It might already be closed if you go now." Li Musheng's voice came from behind him. "It won't be too late to go after morning class tomorrow."

Ling Ye stopped and looked back at him. Li Musheng had already lowered his head and continued reading his book, as if he had not been the one who just spoke.

Ling Ye did not insist and returned to his own bed to sit down.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow he would be able to come into contact with the Cultivation Technique of this world.

He lay on the bed, hands pillowed behind his head, staring at the ceiling beams blackened by lamp smoke. Outside the window, the mountain wind passed through the woods, making a rustling sound. Occasionally, the call of an unknown bird drifted from the distance, sounding exceptionally clear in the night.

He closed his eyes, forcing himself to relax his body and drift off to sleep.

Tomorrow would be the first step of the real beginning.