220: Chapter 220 Moonlit Flowers (Part 1)

The Moonshadow Sect gate.

In the faint morning light, the towering gate of the Moonshadow Sect stood amidst the mist. On the white jade archway, the three Daoist characters for "Moonshadow Sect" shimmered with a clear radiance. The Rainbow Bridge reception platform extended toward the mist-shrouded Yingxia Peak, and spiritual light flickered at the entrance of the Nine-Turn Corridor.

Yu Lingshuang put away her sound transmission talisman and turned to the five graceful women behind her.

"Revered Master, I have already notified the Sect Master. Let us proceed."

With that, Yu Lingshuang led the way.

Yu Zhaohua, dressed in a plain white robe with wide sleeves embroidered with cloud patterns, withdrew her gaze from scanning the surroundings, nodded slightly, and followed first.

Yu Lingling, Nangong Mei, and Baili Qiao followed closely by her side.

As for Yu Linglong, she stepped through the air barefoot, her moon-white chest-high ru-skirt fluttering in the breeze, and the gold bells on her ankles emitted a soft, crisp chime.

Stepping onto this land once again, a complex sense of familiarity welled up in her heart.

A subtle expression appeared on her charming face, and her peach-blossom eyes swept across the familiar scenery, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

The flow of Spiritual Qi here, the aura of the Dao, and even the faint fragrance of plants and trees in the air all made her feel a slight palpitation.

Was it because of him?

Stepping onto the Rainbow Bridge and entering the territory of Yingxia Peak, there were no decadent sounds as she had imagined; instead, she was greeted by pure Spiritual Qi and orderly vitality.

The Guest Welcoming Hall and the Nine-Turn Corridor.

The halls were solemn, and the deacon Disciples were performing their duties—registering and guiding others—in an orderly manner. The entrance to the Nine-Turn Corridor was suffused with spiritual light, and one could vaguely see the figures of many women climbing within.

Yu Lingling asked in a low voice, "Is this the place for the Sect entrance trial?"

Yu Lingshuang nodded. "This is indeed the Nine-Turn Corridor. To enter the Moonshadow Sect, one must pass at least the sixth turn to prove their Heart-Nature, perseverance, and potential. Sect resources must also be exchanged based on this qualification and subsequent contributions made to the Sect."

"Additionally, every Disciple who enters the Sect, whether they are a Disciple or an Elder, requires a trial once a month. Those who do not pass the sixth turn are expelled."

Yu Lingling clicked her tongue in surprise. "Once a month, and those who don't pass the sixth turn are expelled from the Sect?"

"Regardless of Spiritual Root?"

"Regardless."

"Regardless of cultivation level?"

"Regardless."

Nangong Mei and Baili Qiao exchanged glances, both feeling somewhat incredulous.

This was stricter than the vast majority of Sects.

Along the way, one could see many Disciples; some were flying on artifacts, while others walked in a hurry, their goals clear. Some carried Jade Slips as they hurried toward the Scripture Pavilion; some carried herb baskets, clearly heading to the spiritual herb fields; others were dressed in tight-fitting outfits with sharp auras, seemingly just returning from a mission or about to depart. Still others were in the pavilions exchanging insights or Cultivating...

When they saw Yu Lingshuang, they all bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Deputy Sect Master!"

Their expressions were natural, their eyes clear, full of respect rather than sycophancy.

What they exchanged among themselves included Cultivation insights, mission details, or problems regarding Alchemy, artifacts, or Formations.

Of course, one could also hear some... abnormal words.

For example, "The Sect Master is going to Chenbi Bay tonight. Junior Sister, do you want to go with Senior Sister?"

"I heard the Sect Master and Elder Liu went to the back mountain to suppress the Cold Pool yesterday..."

"Senior Sister, I heard you also became a Dao Companion with the Sect Master?"

"Hehehehe ( ˵ ¯ ͒ ♦ ¯ ͒ ˵ ) ... Sect Master ... Mmm-heh ... Sect Master ... Hehe ..."

"Sect Master, resistance is useless..."

And so on.

Nangong Mei (Hong Shao) parted her red lips slightly, with a trace of surprise: "These Disciples... each one is full of spirit, their conduct is measured, and they are focused on the path of the Dao... This is vastly different from what we imagined."

Baili Qiao, however, noticed those improper words: "Ling Shuang, those Disciples..."

Yu Lingshuang glanced at them, her face not flushing, her heart not skipping a beat. "Those Disciples are practicing a dream-entry Cultivation Technique; pay them no mind..."

Yu Zhaohua and the others: "..."

Apart from the earlier words, why did it feel like the Sect Master was actually quite... pitiful... in that regard?

But they saw that all the Disciples liked him from the bottom of their hearts, and there was no trace of control or coercion.

Leaving Yingxia Peak, Yu Lingshuang led the group as they traveled through the air, skimming over the peaks below.

Houde Peak, Five Elements Chaos Spirit Pool.

The peak was suffused with rosy clouds, and a majestic, pure Five Elements Chaos aura permeated the air. The massive pool platform was shrouded by a Formation, and the Disciples in the pool had solemn expressions, Cultivating with all their might.

Baili Qiao (Zisu) couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice: "Is this that divine pool capable of upgrading Spiritual Roots?!"

Her gaze was firmly drawn to the clearly changing Spiritual Qi fluctuations on a Disciple in the pool.

Yu Lingshuang explained at the right moment: "Yes, the Five Elements Chaos Spirit Pool. The efficacy of this pool is Heaven-Defying, so using it requires consuming a large amount of contribution points. Only by completing Sect missions (exploration, gathering, guarding, teaching low-level Disciples, contributing unique skills, etc.) and accumulating contributions can Disciples exchange for Cultivation time. Without contributions, there is no qualification."

Chunyang Peak, where the Pill Pavilion and Artifact Pavilion are located.

The peak was surrounded by red clouds, and the fragrance of pills intertwined with the aura of earthly fire. Beside the massive Pill Furnace and Refining Cauldron, Disciples were either focused on Alchemy or forging Magic Treasures under the guidance of mentors.

Those organizing medicinal herbs and sorting Ores had clear divisions of labor, and the scene was bustling with activity.

Yu Lingling sighed in genuine admiration: "What exquisite fire-control Formations, what abundant reserves of spiritual materials, what orderly operations!"

She knew well the management ability required to maintain a Pill and Artifact workshop of this scale.

The Scripture Pavilion on Xuanyin Peak was a simple, ancient pavilion built by a pool, quiet and solemn.

Yu Lingshuang did not take the group inside but said from a distance: "The Scripture Pavilion contains vast Cultivation Techniques and classics, ranging from basic to Immortal-grade. All newly entered Disciples may enter the Scripture Pavilion to select one initial Cultivation Technique."

The Heaven-Reaching Tower (near Wendao Peak), a giant tower reaching into the clouds, with runes circulating and emitting strange time fluctuations.

Sensing the curiosity of her Revered Master and the others, Yu Lingshuang spoke up: "The Heaven-Reaching Tower; the flow of time inside the tower is different from the outside, making it an excellent place for secluded Cultivation and Breakthroughs. Qualifications to enter also require exchanging contribution points."

The Tribulation Platform, a dark black stone platform, retained the aura of thunder; the surface was inscribed with the ancient Eight Trigrams, and eight towering stone pillars stood at the edges.

Yu Zhaohua's ice-blue eyes lingered here the longest. According to what Yu Linglong had said, this was a life-saving treasure capable of tempting any high-level Cultivator.

Yu Lingshuang captured this subtle change: "The Tribulation Platform set up by the Sect Master can significantly weaken the power of the tribulation lightning. Any Sect Disciple who accumulates enough contributions may apply to use it."

"If it is not enough, one can also owe it and make up for it later."

Walking to the cloud stairs leading to the main Tianyuan Peak, Yu Lingshuang stopped and turned to face the group from the Hundred Flowers Sect. Her cold gaze swept over Yu Zhaohua, Yu Lingling, Nangong Mei, and Baili Qiao, finally pausing slightly on the face of the complex-looking Yu Linglong.

"Revered Master, Senior Sisters, Junior Sisters, and the two Elders." Yu Lingshuang's voice pierced through the morning breeze: "Throughout our journey, you have seen that the daily operations of the Moonshadow Sect are centered on three points: First, absolute voluntariness. This is the iron law of the Sect. Choosing which Cultivation Technique to practice, participating in which missions, entering which Secret Realm, and even... whether to choose to become a Dao Companion with the Sect Master, are all determined by the personal will of the Disciple."

"Second, contribution is the foundation. Aside from the Sheng-Sheng Creation Spring, all other resources in the Sect—the Five Elements Chaos Spirit Pool, the core Legacy of the Scripture Pavilion, Cultivation time in the Heaven-Reaching Tower, high-level Medicinal Pills, Magic Treasures, etc.—are not free!"

"Third, public and private are strictly distinguished. Within the Sect, a Disciple is a Disciple, and an Elder is an Elder; each performs their duties, and resources are allocated based on contribution."

"The Sect Master, Ling Hao, is the founder of the Sect and its highest combat power guardian, and also... the choice of Dao Companion for many Disciples. However, the Dao Companion relationship is independent of the Revered Master-Disciple or superior-subordinate relationship; it is a private relationship purely based on personal emotion."

"Those who become the Sect Master's Dao Companion have no difference in their Sect duties, contribution requirements, or resource acquisition rules from other Disciples; there are absolutely no privileges. The Sect Master himself is the Sect's biggest 'absentee manager'; the specific daily affairs of the Sect are handled collaboratively by us, the Deputy Sect Masters, and the Elder Council."

Yu Lingshuang's explanation, supplemented by the evidence seen along the way, clearly outlined the face of the Moonshadow Sect.

A powerful, formal Sect with a perfect system, vigorous vitality, and one that speaks through strength and contribution.

Yu Zhaohua and the others showed expressions of contemplation, recalling what they had seen and heard.

Yu Linglong stood to the side. Watching her Junior Sister calmly explain the rules, the complex emotions in her heart arising from this "old place" became even more intense.

She was already familiar with these rules, and had even personally "enjoyed" their benefits (the source condensing cup for obtaining spring water), but hearing them now, it had a distinct flavor.

She both resented that the web woven by that person was so tempting, yet she had to admit the beauty contained within this web.

Her charming lips curled into a self-deprecating arc, which finally turned into a soft huff.

"Let's go; ahead is the Sect Main Hall."

Yu Lingshuang said no more and turned to lead the group up the stairs.

On the summit of Tianyuan Peak, the magnificent hall shone brilliantly in the morning light.

Yu Zhaohua and the others came back to their senses. Some of the worries in their hearts, while not completely dissipated, had been shaken to the point of crumbling by the sight of this massive, orderly, strictly regulated, and opportunity-filled Sect before them.

Looking at the familiar outline of the main hall, Yu Linglong's heart skipped a beat for no reason, and the figure of that person involuntarily appeared in her mind.