Yang Wu didn't wait for his master to appear, he left the cave and went to the Scriptures Pavilion, he asked for pointers on his way since he didn't know the Sect very well.
The Scriptures Pavilion was a huge building with twenty-one floors in total, the first floor had lots of books about miscellaneous knowledge and history, the next nine floors corresponded to the nine layers of Qi Refining, then was a floor exclusively for the Half-Step Foundation Establishment, and after were nine floors corresponding to the nine layers of Foundation Establishment, and the last floor, at the top of the building, was exclusive to the Half-Step Golden Core Realm.
Although Yang Wu was currently at the first layer of the Qi Refining Realm, he had access to all nine layers of his Realm, a privilege of being a Lineage Disciple. All ordinary Inner Disciples had to reach a corresponding cultivation to enter the next floor.
Because of this system, most cultivation techniques in the building were fragmented in many parts. A Cultivation Technique that reached the ninth layer of the Qi Refining Realm was fragmented into nine parts, corresponding to the nine layers of the Realm, and then stored in their corresponding floors.
While reading many books on the first floor, Yang Wu came to learn the reason for the existence of this learning and authority system, it was to help the prevention of betrayals.
For example, an ordinary inner disciple in the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm would think thrice before betraying the sect, since he wouldn't have the rest of the Cultivation Technique he was practicing. If the other Sects which he chose to switch sides to don't possess the complete cultivation technique, he would need to switch techniques, which could cause him to lose a great part of his cultivation base.
Of course, Yang Wu didn't have to worry about this system as much as other disciples, since he would at least be able to possess all the fragments of the Realm he was in, he didn't need to gather them one by one.
The Nine Heavenly Steps was a precious technique that stopped at the peak of the Qi Refining Realm and was a rare kind because it was easy to switch to other techniques, causing little to no loss of cultivation base.
Of course, he had the choice of creating his own way forward and cultivation technique, just as many others decided to do before, it had the advantage of giving a stronger battle power compared to ordinary techniques since it would be a perfect fit, and the disadvantage of being extremely time-consuming and with the risk of being flawed. But since Yang Wu was still too 'young' in the cultivation world, he had to gather more experience and information to decide his way of advancing.
Yang Wu spent days in the Scripture Pavilion, reading all kinds of books. From history to geography, from the Sect to the whole world. He discovered many new things such as what exactly are immortal formations and immortal alchemy.
He read, read, read a bit more... and much more. Because of his strong body, he could support the extensive effort, but his mind was beginning to feel hazy because of the lack of proper sleep.
Yang Wu had black bags under his black eyes, giving him a gloomy appearance. His long untied black hair contributed to making him look like a gloomy being, the bright white and red robe didn't help much in blocking this.
Yang Wu sighed and left the pavilion, preparing to go back to his master's cave and take a good rest. He got loads of information in a very short time, his mind was overwhelmed.
"Dao Brother, please stop your steps!" a voice came from behind him, a young disciple walked towards him and greeted, "My name is Tu Hong, are you the new disciple of the Peak Master?"
Yang Wu was a bit surprised to be recognized by other disciples since his master made it clear to a certain someone to not leak the news for the time being.
As if reading Yang Wu's mind, Tu Hong answered, "The reason I know about your identity? There are two.
"First, the token on your waist is too obvious, the word 'Lineage' is not taken lightly in the Sect.
"Second, my father, the Elder in charge of the Scriptures Pavilion, has a very good relationship with the Peak Master, so I got this information directly from him."
Yang Wu looked at his own token and twitched the corners of his mouth, he was feeling really stupid.
'Alas,' he sighed in his heart, 'How can an old man like me commit such a mistake? Is it because of my excitement?'
Yang Wu then hid the toke within his robe and thanked Tu Hong, "Thank you for warning me, I was being stupid."
Tu Hong laughed and patted his shoulder, "That's fine, it's normal for you to be too excited to think about those little details. After all, I would also be excited if someone as great as Peak Master accepted me as his disciple."
'Great?' Yang Wu held back his sneering laugh, thinking about the eccentric old man, his master.
"Did you show this token to anyone?" Tu Hong asked.
"Yes, to the Deacon in charge of the first floor of the Scriptures Pavilion and a disciple I met on my way here," Yang Wu nodded with a sigh.
"Well, that's not a big problem," Tu Hong smiled "I will talk to the Deacon later, and just a single disciple won't be too much of a problem. After all, as long as no one from the upper echelons admits, who will believe the words of a single disciple?"
Yang Wu smirked and shook his head, "Who knows? But I'm not that worried."
"But you should," Tu Hong said with a meaningful face, "Don't you know there is great predation and dangers in the Sect?"
"So?" Yang Wu stretched his tired body, "You meant other people will feel bad because I'm taking a place they thought was more fitting for them?"
"Exactly," Tu Hong raised his eyebrows, "It seems you aren't naive. It's good I don't need to explain it."
"Thank you for warning me of those things," Yang Wu thanked him again, "Although I don't know your intentions."
"Hehe," Tu Hong laughed and poked his own nose with his finger, "I just want to make a good friend, what do you think?"
"Let me take a good rest first," Yang Wu smiled, "I know nothing about you and currently am too tired to worry about this."
"That's fine!" Tu Hong nodded and handed over a piece of black jade, "This is a communication jade, it is usually crafted in pairs so two people can exchange messages without the need to personally meet."
Yang Wu accepted but didn't openly put it inside his storage bag, "Thank you for your goodwill, I will be taking my leave now."
Tu Hong smiled, "Just message me with the communication jade if you have any problem or doubt, I'm usually carefree."
After that, they parted ways. Yang Wu was thankful the talking didn't get more prolonged, his mind was getting more and more hazy.
He entered his master's cave without a problem since the formation there already recognized him. His master was yet to return.
'He can die by all I know,' Yang Wu thought in his heart, but he knew he was already indebted to his cheap new master, who introduced to him a whole new world. He wouldn't be able to ignore the fact Yu Jing gave him something he felt happy and excited about, immortal cultivation and a future beyond his past imagination.
He walked inside his room and used the cushion he was meant to sit on as a pillow to rest his head. He instantly fell asleep.
He dreamt about his unknown future and his set past, two distant times which gave him opposing feelings.
When he woke up, Yang Wu felt great hunger, which made him remember he had many days without eating proper meals. Although he was already much stronger than ordinary humans, his body had limits.
He remembered that his master's cave paradise had a rudimentary kitchen, just enough to prepare basic meals. He went there but found nothing to cook, his storage bag only edible things were pills.
"Since I do not need ordinary meals, I normally don't store food in this kitchen," Yu Jing suddenly appeared beside him, scaring him a little, "But I know of a place which can give you the food your body is craving for, follow me."
Yang Wu began to follow his master outside the cave and asked, "Is master okay?"
"I'm fine," Yu Jing answered without much expression, "I guess."
'You guess?' Yang Wu found it strange but didn't ask further.
"This robe doesn't fit well with you," Yu Jing suddenly said, "Your temperament is the complete opposite of bright colors."
Yang Wu rolled his eyes and ignored his master's remark.
"See? That's what I'm talking about!" his master laughed, "Grey and brown are more fitting colors for you."
"Where are we going?" Yang Wu tried to change the topic.
"There!" Yu Jing pointed at a tall pagoda at a higher place on the same peak, a few stairways from where they were, "Not too far, just a few miles of stairs away."
After some time of fast walking and shit chatting, both arrived at the pagoda, it had a hanging board with the words 'Celestial Banquet Pavilion.'
"Quite intuitive," Yu Jing added, "Can you feel the nice smell?"
Yang Wu had been sniffing a nice aroma for a while before arriving there, it made his body carve for its source.
"The food here is expensive, but be free to eat your fill today," Yu Jing began to laugh and massage his beard as a nice senior, "I'm feeling generous."
Yang Wu instantly felt something was wrong, he cast his master a dubious glare, he was aware his master wasn't as honest as his appearance showed.
"I'm really being honest here!" Yu Jing said, clearly dissatisfied, "Can't a master pamper his beloved disciple?"
"You are making things worse by saying this..." Yang Wu said with a bitter smile, "But I'm hungry enough to send myself to the tiger's mouth." He then walked inside the pagoda, sighing about his lack of perseverance.
Yu Jing smirked and walked behind him, clearly happy.
Yang Wu was stunned by the tables inside the pagoda, or rather, the meals on the tables: big pieces of meat, dripping with delicious fats, fresh vegetables, watery fruits, and great jugs with all kinds of wines. But the most obvious thing was the great satisfaction on the faces of all people there, their pleased face as they devoured their food was a sight to behold.
"Welcome, dear customers," a woman in colored clothing greeted them, she was young but had a sharp aura around her that made it clear she wasn't simple, "Do you desire a table to sit, or did you come for other purposes?"
"We came to eat!" Yu Jing revealed his figure from behind Yang Wu, startling the woman.
"Peak Master!" she greeted, clearly surprised, "Do you wish me to call the Elder in charge?"
"No!" Yu Jing shook his head, "Just give us a good table and nice food to eat!"
Although she had questions, the woman was calm and simply guided them to a table next to a wide window with a broad vision of the outside' beautiful scenery outside.
"This is today's menu," she said and gave them a list, "We are offering a rare special today, the Fire Fish Pot, with a 20% discount."
"Bah!" Yu Jing sneered and said, "Just give us everything, are you looking down on us?"
Yang Wu hid his face behind the menu, ashamed of his master.
"Oh!" the woman then remembered the Peak Master's eccentric behavior and nodded with sweat on her forehead, "I will order two of each item on the menu to be brought to Peak Master's table, is this fine?"
"It was just a joke," Yu Jing was dissatisfied by her reaction, "Am I that scary? I was clearly joking!"
"Is this disciple who is stupid!" the woman nodded with a smile, "Forgive me, I will be sending the orders to our kitchen now!" She left with quick steps, it was unknown if she would return.
"What?" Yu Jing then looked at Yang Wu's hiding face and sneered, "Do you want to pay for your food?"
Yang Wu's face instantly appeared with a booming smile, he smiled as wide as he could, "What are you talking about, master?"
"Hmph!" Yu Jing snorted, "You youngsters like to joke, but when I am the one to tell a joke, you all chicken!"
"We are too young, please forgive us for our naivety!" Yang Wu put his forehead on the table, as if apologizing, but the truth was that his stomach was beginning to hurt from hunger.
"Hehehe..." Yu Jing laughed lazily, clearly aware his disciple was lacking sincerity.
"Did you learn many things while I was out?" Yu Jing asked.
"I spent some days on the Scriptures Pavilion," Yang Wu answered with his forehead still on the table, "My heart still beats fast when I think about the many new things I learned."
"I feel a rare sincerity in your words," Yu Jing said with clear irony, "I hope it gets common as you grow old."
"Who was that woman?" Yang Wu suddenly asked.
"What, are you interested in her?" Yu Jing said mockingly, "As expected of a brat with fervent blood!
"Answering your question, she is an inner disciple as you, except she is not from a 'Lineage.'
Yang Wu ignored his master's tasteless jokes and nodded, "She should be working here to fulfill her obligatory contribution, right?"
Yu Jing clicked his tongue, dissatisfied with his disciple's lack of reaction to his provocation, "Yes. All disciples her age normally have to work somewhere, be it outside the sect or inside, as someone independent or as a hired tool person.
"After all, the sect can't sustain too many jobless people, everyone has to contribute one way or another. You are no exception."
"Does Master have any idea for my future job?" Yang Wu asked with a warm smile, seemingly forgetting his early exchange with his master.
"Hehehe," Yu Jing laughed coldly but still answered, "I do have an Idea, but we should eat first, don't you think?"
At that time, many hired disciples began to arrange the food on their table and the ones close and empty, since one table wouldn't be enough for all that food.