38: Secrets of the Stars and Moon

The morning fog in the Ding-zi Courtyard still clung to the moss. Liu Qingluan was squatting in the corner, carefully smoking the dampness out of the stone crevices with burning Insect Repellent Incense. Pale green wisps of smoke coiled around her cuff, mixing with the residual scent of herbs from last night. Liu Hongluan quickly approached, clutching a folded slip of paper. Her fingertips were still damp with dew, and she kept her voice extremely low: "Young Master, the Secret Guards just sent back a message. They say the Inner Sect of the Star Moon Sect is far more chaotic than the Outer Sect. Even the Stewards of the Laundry Room have their own backers. We need to be extra cautious when collecting resources or finding places to Cultivate from now on."

Lin Yang held the Ice Crystal Talisman between his fingers; it was left behind by Su Qingyue when she departed last night. Touching the surface of the Talisman, he could still feel the residual coldness. He looked at the stone steps winding outside the courtyard toward the mountain peak. The end of the steps was hidden in the sea of clouds, where the outline of a Floating Island could faintly be seen—the Thousand-Zhang Waterfall they saw upon entering the Sect yesterday was there. The water cascading down fell to the foot of the mountain, which was the Rainbow Trial Pond they had observed during registration. "Let's go. First, we'll head to the Outer Sect Affairs Hall to get the Sect Map and figure out the lay of the land, so we can handle future matters."

Hanging on the wooden rack in the Affairs Hall was a Sheepskin Map about a Zhang wide, its edges brittle and worn by time, faded to an old yellowish-brown. Cinnabar Lines outlined the main peak of Qingmeng Mountain, and ink dots marked the various areas of the Sect. Most conspicuous was the "Star Moon Floating Island" suspended high in the sky, specially outlined with gold thread, the trajectory of the waterfall hanging like a silver ribbon from the island's edge. Lin Yang pointed to the small print beneath the map and softly read it to the two sisters: "The Servitude Layer lives on the shady side of the mountain. The Ding-zi Courtyard and the Chou-zi Courtyard are both here. Their daily tasks are washing clothes, chopping wood, and planting Spiritual Fields. They can only use the corners of the Outer Sect Training Grounds. The Outer Sect is divided into four courtyards—East, West, South, and North—corresponding to the Wood, Water, Fire, and Gold elements. Our Ding-zi Courtyard is considered the lowest rank among the servitude staff. We must first pass the Outer Sect Assessment to enter a proper Outer Sect Courtyard. Only then can we use the first to third floors of the Spirit Qi Tower and receive one Qi Condensation Pill monthly. Above that is the Inner Sect's Star Moon Pavilion. One must excel in the Outer Sect Grand Competition or be recommended by an Elder to enter, allowing access to the fourth to sixth floors of the Spirit Qi Tower and the ability to apply for the Five Elements Spirit Pool. The Floating Island at the very top is the Core Layer. The Cold Moon Palace where Su Qingyue resides is there. They can use the top floor of the Law Tower and the Ancient Land of Starfall."

Liu Qingluan followed his finger, her brow slightly furrowed: "So many levels, and the resource disparity is too vast." Liu Hongluan, however, stared at the marker for the Ancient Land of Starfall and curiously pressed, "Young Master, what is the origin of that place?" Before Lin Yang could speak, an Old Servant tidying up Scrolls nearby suddenly leaned over and slipped a folded Charcoal Paper Slip into his hand, lowering his voice: "Young Friend, you must be the person recommended by Saintess Su? This slip details the inner workings of the various Factions. When moving within the Star Moon Sect, you must know which side to stand on."

Lin Yang unfolded the slip of paper, which had names and spheres of influence roughly sketched on it with Charcoal Pencil. The Old Servant leaned close to his ear, his voice barely audible: "The Sect Master and Saintess Su belong to one Faction. They want the Sect to participate in the Trial of the Heavens and believe your chaos star core is a great Opportunity. The Law Enforcement Hall and the Five Elements Spirit Pool are under their jurisdiction. The other Faction consists of the Inner Sect Grand Elder and his group of Old Officials. They stick to the old rules, fearing your chaos star core will cause trouble, yet also wanting to seize it. Half of the Outer Sect Affairs Hall listens to them. There are also those who are Spies for the Misty Immortal Palace, like Steward Zhang of the Outer Sect, and Zhao Qian, the cousin of Zhao Meier who caused trouble yesterday. Their Waist Tokens are engraved with the Immortal Palace's Cloud Patterns, and they specialize in causing disruption. The remaining Law Enforcement Hall and Pill Hall are neutral; they only follow rules, punishing anyone who violates them, but daring not to offend anyone either."

These words made Lin Yang recall the gloominess when Zhang Yuan made things difficult yesterday, and the arrogance when Zhao Meier struck—it turned out that Faction involvement lay behind it all. He gripped the slip of paper tightly and asked about the rules for the Cultivation grounds. The Old Servant led them to another smaller map, pointing at the marker for the Spirit Qi Tower and explaining: "That tower has seven floors. The first floor is Earth Element, usable by all servitude staff and Outer Sect Disciples. The Spiritual Qi is three times that of the outside world, limited to two hours per day, and requires queuing. The second and third floors are Wood, Water, and Fire. Outer Sect Disciples must rank in the top fifty in the Assessment to enter the second floor, and the top twenty to enter the third floor. Inside, there are Elemental Arrays. For instance, the Fire Element on the third floor is embedded with Blazing Crystals, making Cultivation twice as effective. Floors four through six belong to the Inner Sect; the Spiritual Qi is ten times or more, requiring advance application. The top floor is only available to Core Disciples, and allows them to draw upon the Power of the Stars and Moon for Body Tempering. The rules are strict: no Private Duels inside. If a fight breaks out, the Tower Guarding Array will automatically intervene, and three months of resources will be deducted."

"What about the Five Elements Spirit Pool and the Training Grounds?" Liu Hongluan pressed. The Old Servant sighed: "The Spirit Pool is behind the Inner Sect. It's divided into five pools. You must rank in the top ten of the Inner Sect Assessment to enter, and you can only stay for one hour each time; staying longer will cause Elemental Imbalance. The Outer Sect Training Grounds are divided into the Ordinary Zone and the Challenge Zone. The Challenge Zone allows you to compete for Cultivation resources. The Inner Sect Training Grounds have an Illusion Array that can simulate opponents, but it requires spending Contribution Points, which must be earned through completing tasks. The Ancient Land of Starfall is the most mysterious. It's in the Meteorite Crater beneath the Floating Island. Only Core Disciples can enter, and they must go in teams. It contains Ancient Relics, but they must be handed over to the Sect."

As dusk fell, the three returned to the Ding-zi Courtyard. Just as they pushed open the courtyard gate, they saw a Yellow Paper Notice posted on the wall. It read: "This month's Qi Condensation Pills for the Ding-zi Courtyard are delayed," signed by "Zhang Yuan, Outer Sect Affairs Steward." Liu Hongluan clenched her fists in anger, her eyes reddening: "It's him again! He's clearly targeting us deliberately!" Lin Yang walked over, his finger brushing the lower right corner of the notice. There was a faint trace of ink there—the exact same scent as the communication talisman Zhang Yuan crushed yesterday, the unique smell of the Misty Immortal Palace.

He tore down the notice and crumpled it into a ball, then looked up toward the Spirit Qi Tower. A faint red light flashed at the top of the tower, as if someone were secretly spying. The chaos star core in his Sea of Consciousness gently vibrated, creating a subtle resonance with the Spirit Qi Tower's Spiritual Markings. "Don't worry," Lin Yang patted Liu Hongluan's shoulder, his voice calm yet confident. "Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. If they want to block our resources, we'll go to the Spirit Qi Tower and 'take' them back—tomorrow morning, we'll go to the third floor of the Spirit Qi Tower."

The night wind swept grass clippings across the corner of the courtyard. Liu Qingluan silently put the Insect Repellent Incense into her Cloth Bag, and Liu Hongluan tightly gripped the Short Dagger at her waist. All three knew that tomorrow's trip to the Spirit Qi Tower was not just for Cultivation, but a direct confrontation with the Spies behind Zhang Yuan and the forces represented by Zhao Qian. And the unseen Undercurrents of Factions deep within the Star Moon Sect would eventually reveal more truths as a result of this clash.