Painful Experience! . . .
With the recent events settled, each of Cha's disciples harbored their own distinct thoughts and emotions. The circumstances were complex and not easily articulated. Nevertheless, the primal needs of life had to be addressed. In their weakened state, they had to nourish themselves to regain strength for the challenges that lay ahead.
The atmosphere among the group was conspicuously somber. Once the meal was concluded, they resumed their journey. As they continued on their path, the disciples, who had previously been somewhat reserved in their interactions with Cha Eun Xiao, began to engage him in conversation.
"Brother Cha, it truly is an opportune moment to join our sect," one man said with a hint of envy in his voice.
"Yes, the mountain gate has just opened, and you're indeed a fortunate individual," another disciple added. "When the mountain gate closes once more, your cultivation will have improved significantly. What a stroke of luck!"
Cha Eun Xiao, somewhat puzzled by their comments, inquired, "Why? What is the connection between the mountain gate and disciples?"
The disciples responded in unison, their expressions reflecting a reluctance to revisit a sorrowful memory. "It's quite significant."
"What is it?" Cha Eun Xiao pressed for more information.
"When the mountain gate is open, we can venture out into the martial world, take on sect tasks, and earn spiritual stones as rewards," Fang Dalong explained with a wistful smile. "While the martial world is a perilous place, it offers us a sense of freedom. We can move about as we wish. However, when the gate closes, it's a different story."
Cha Eun Xiao remained perplexed. "What happens when the gate is closed?"
"Well, when the gate is closed, we're essentially trapped within the sect. There are hundreds of thousands of disciples, and we're left to our own devices," Fang Dalong sighed. "Inevitably, it leads to internal conflicts."
Another disciple chimed in, "Yes, we engage in fights. The sect employs a ranking system that makes it all the more complicated."
"Ranking system?" Cha Eun Xiao was taken aback.
"Indeed," Fang Dalong confirmed, "it's a ranking of hundreds of thousands of disciples within the sect. Each of us must participate in ten fights daily and strive to win as many as possible to attain a higher rank."
Fang Dalong shuddered as he continued, "There's a comprehensive ranking list for the entire sect, as well as a ranking list specifically for disciples of the same year. Those at the bottom are compelled to fight fiercely to climb the ranks, while those at the top are determined to retain their positions."
"Some of us may not be particularly gifted or talented, and they begin by losing every single one of their daily fights," Fang Dalong added. "Yet, it's through this continuous process that they become stronger."
He went on to explain, "As novices with limited cultivation foundations, you will undoubtedly experience defeats. You'll be pummeled even when you can't win. You're obliged to engage in these fights, even if you end up on the receiving end."
Fang Dalong shared his own experience, revealing the hardships of life within the sect. "When I first joined the sect, the mountain gate closed after six months of cultivation. During that time, I was beaten one hundred and seventy-six times in a single day."
"One hundred and seventy-six times in one day…" Cha Eun Xiao was flabbergasted.
[That's absolutely brutal!]
Fang Dalong went on, his tone marked by profound sorrow, "The most disheartening part is that there's no respite. The following day, the cycle begins anew, and the beatings continue relentlessly. Day after day, year after year…"
"Even if you wish to abstain from these fights, those below you in rank will challenge you relentlessly," Fang Dalong lamented. "They are compelled to fight in order to ascend the rankings. It's a harrowing experience."
The disciples lowered their heads, an air of despondency hanging over them. One member of the group shared a personal anecdote with a pained expression. "One hundred and seventy-six times means nothing to me. There was a period when I was beaten over two hundred times every day for three months. My buttocks grew plumper due to the constant kicking."
The group couldn't help but laugh at this admission.
Cha Eun Xiao, however, felt a shiver run down his spine.
Cha Eun Xiao silently thanked his stars for not having been part of that brutal ranking system within Cold Moon Palace. The thought of being subjected to over two hundred beatings daily was terrifying, and he was relieved that he had avoided such a harsh reality.
Observing the resilience of Cold Moon Palace's disciples, Cha Eun Xiao came to understand the resilience that had been instilled in them through their experiences. They had grown accustomed to enduring pain and hardship, making them formidable opponents.
Xiao Mufei had been saved from the clutches of the Nine Determination Dark Poison, but it had come at a cost. He had expended a significant amount of spiritual qi, and a sense of gravity seemed to weigh upon him during their journey. His countenance was etched with sorrow and contemplation.
The disciples were aware that their master was not in a pleasant state of mind, and they proceeded in hushed conversations to avoid disturbing him.
Among them, Cha Eun Xiao was the exception. He approached Xiao Mufei and inquired, "Elder Xiao, how are you faring after the poison?"
Xiao Mufei met his gaze, recognizing that he couldn't deceive Cha Eun Xiao. The supreme dan bead that had saved him was provided by Cha Eun Xiao, and the young man possessed an intimate knowledge of its capabilities. "The Nine Determination Dark Poison has largely dissipated, but there is still a trace remaining within me. It won't be fatal, but it will be challenging to completely eliminate. I need to be alone for an extended period to attempt a full recovery."
Cha Eun Xiao nodded in understanding, his expectations confirmed. The Nine Determination Dark Poison was indeed a potent and insidious toxin. Even the supreme dan bead could not fully eradicate it. While his teacher was safe for the moment, the poison still lurked within.
"Just keep this between us. We cannot allow the others to discover that I am still afflicted by the poison," Xiao Mufei requested, his tone heavy with concern. "Otherwise, it may undermine their confidence in our mission, and we may never make it back to the sect."
He exhaled deeply, gazing ahead at the vast distance they had yet to cover. "There are still five thousand six hundred miles to our destination, and every step is fraught with danger."
Cha Eun Xiao offered his perspective, despite being a newcomer to this world and acknowledging his relative weakness. "Elder Xiao, I may be among the weakest among us, but I believe I have a keen understanding of our situation. The seven sects are roughly on par with each other. While you are the most accomplished cultivator here, the rest are either first or second league. They are not the most skilled individuals in the world. The adversaries we've encountered so far have been low-level cultivators. The strongest among them was merely on par with Fang Dalong. In other words, their elite forces have yet to make an appearance. Am I correct? Otherwise, we would have encountered far more formidable challenges by now."
Xiao Mufei was taken aback by Cha Eun Xiao's insight. He regarded the young man with admiration and replied, "You're absolutely right. Their top disciples have not shown themselves yet. None of their most skilled practitioners have made an appearance."
Cha Eun Xiao offered an explanation for this absence. "There's a simple reason for that. The seven sects must have a mutual understanding. Sooner or later, people will learn of our situation, and it would be unwise for the sects to prematurely expose their true strength."