In the Hall of Kaiyang, the space felt desolate, as though all others had been deliberately dismissed. Within its vast chamber stood only Zhong Shan and three individuals who had just demonstrated their mastery of the clouds.
Upon entering, the trio fixed their penetrating gazes on Zhong Shan, as if attempting to scrutinize every detail of his being.
"I am Zhong Shan," he began respectfully, "and I greet the three seniors."
The elder clad in a Daoist robe nodded slightly. "I am Tian Xingzi, current sect master of Kaiyang Sect. This is my junior sister, Gu Shuangzi, the peak master of Snow Bamboo Peak, and my junior brother, Xuan Xinzi, the peak master of Flame Mountain Peak. The jade slip you presented—where did it come from?"
Fixing his tone to match their gravity, Zhong Shan replied, "One evening, while I rested in my courtyard, a venerable figure appeared. They entrusted me with the jade slip, instructing me to deliver it to the sect master of Kaiyang Sect, assuring me that you would fulfill one modest request of mine." He meticulously recounted every detail of the encounter: the figure's appearance, voice, demeanor, and their exact words.
Hearing this, the three shared a silent exchange of glances, their initial skepticism replaced by subtle acknowledgment. At last, Tian Xingzi addressed him. "What is your request?"
Zhong Shan immediately fell to his knees. "I, Zhong Shan, humbly wish to join Kaiyang Sect. I plead for the sect master's approval."
The sect leaders considered his words in light of the extraordinary circumstances Zhong Shan had described. They released their spiritual senses to probe his constitution more thoroughly.
"You've attained the Innate Realm by consuming a pill?" Tian Xingzi questioned, a frown creasing his brow.
"Indeed," Zhong Shan replied earnestly. "Not long ago, I chanced upon a 'Breaking Restriction Pill' and advanced to the Innate Realm."
Another silent exchange of glances followed, but this time, Gu Shuangzi and Xuan Xinzi's expressions betrayed their evident disappointment. Clearly, they found his aptitude unremarkable.
With a resigned smile, Tian Xingzi broke the tense silence. "Very well. You may join our sect. For now, train among the other Innate disciples. Should a second-generation disciple find your potential promising, they may choose to accept you as their personal student in the future."
"Thank you, Sect Master!" Zhong Shan exclaimed, his heart soaring with gratitude.
A Month Later
Zhong Shan meditated deeply, maintaining his internal focus. He was now formally a member of Kaiyang Sect, which was divided into three main factions: Kaiyang Peak, Flame Mountain Peak, and Snow Bamboo Peak. Gu Shuangzi presided over Snow Bamboo Peak, which accepted only female disciples, while Xuan Xinzi led the all-male Flame Mountain Peak. The sect master, Tian Xingzi, oversaw Kaiyang Peak, where male disciples dominated, though it was rumored that an occasional female disciple had joined in the past.
In Kaiyang Sect, hierarchy was determined by cultivation. First-generation disciples were Nascent Soul cultivators, second-generation disciples were at the Golden Core stage, and third-generation disciples, like Zhong Shan, were at the Innate stage. However, advancement in cultivation could rapidly elevate one's status, allowing even a third-generation disciple to ascend to the ranks of the first generation if they achieved the requisite breakthroughs.
For the past month, Zhong Shan focused on recuperation and training, while awaiting the return of the sect members dispersed across the land to recruit new disciples during various Dragon Gate Assemblies. The peak of this month marked the homecoming of these sect members and the formal gathering of all newly recruited disciples.
When the day arrived, Zhong Shan emerged from his quarters, tidying his robes before making his way to a vast square at the foot of Kaiyang Peak. By the time he arrived, over twenty individuals had already gathered, some having recently advanced to the Innate Realm, while others had yet to do so.
A young man clad in a purple robe stood at the center, issuing commands with authority. "You, stand over here. Line up properly—our senior uncles and elders will arrive soon."
Zhong Shan quickly joined the others, who gradually trickled in until a total of fifty-six disciples had assembled. This year, the sect had accepted fifty-six new members.
Once everyone was in formation, the purple-robed youth addressed them. "From today onward, you are members of Kaiyang Sect. Whatever oaths or allegiances you swore at the Dragon Gate Assemblies no longer matter. Remember, as third-generation disciples, you must strive diligently. Only by advancing to the sixth level of the Innate Realm and forming true essence will you have the chance to be accepted as a disciple by the second or first-generation cultivators. Otherwise, you will remain third-generation disciples for life."
"Understood!" the group responded in unison.
Satisfied, the youth introduced himself. "I am Nan Batian, your Ninth Senior Brother. Like you, I am also at the Innate stage, but I have already reached the seventh level. I am here to guide you through some initial matters. First, each of you will be assigned a courtyard for cultivation. Second, do you see the library pavilion over there?" He pointed to a distant structure.
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
"Inside, you will find numerous cultivation techniques suitable for the Innate Realm. Each of you will have ten days to study. No transcriptions are allowed; you may only memorize the techniques you choose. After ten days, the pavilion will be sealed, reopening only once a year. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
Pleased with their enthusiasm, Nan Batian appeared smug. However, his moment of satisfaction was interrupted by a lively voice.
"Little Nan, imitating my father's scolding again, are you?"
The disciples turned to see a vibrant young girl descending on a crimson silk ribbon. Her doll-like features and mischievous smile immediately drew attention as she alighted gracefully.
"Junior…Junior Sister…" Nan Batian's previously commanding demeanor wilted into one of reluctant deference.
"Eh?" The girl arched a brow at him.
"I mean, Senior Sister," he corrected hurriedly.
"Hmph." She grinned triumphantly.
Before the exchange could continue, a stern voice cut through the air. "Ling'er!"
The girl straightened up immediately, casting an innocent glance at the three figures descending from the clouds: Sect Master Tian Xingzi and the two peak masters, followed by several second-generation disciples.
The sect master sighed. "Ling'er, stop causing trouble. Strength determines seniority in our sect, and since you've reached the eighth level of the Innate Realm, you are indeed Nan Batian's senior. But this is not the time for bickering."
"Yes, Father," she replied, though the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her impish nature.
Tian Ling'er, the sect master's daughter! The assembled disciples exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued by her lively presence.
After the formalities concluded, Tian Xingzi addressed the group. "Go to the library pavilion, select your techniques, and begin your cultivation. In one year, your progress will be assessed."
"Yes, Sect Master!"
As Zhong Shan made his way toward the pavilion, a voice called out to him. "You're Zhong Shan, aren't you?"
Turning, he found Tian Ling'er standing before him, her expression brimming with curiosity. "What exactly was in that jade slip you delivered to my father? He and the other elders deliberated for a full month before deciding to leave the sect."
Zhong Shan hesitated, caught between honesty and self-preservation. However, Tian Ling'er leaned closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "Tell me, and I'll reveal a secret about the library pavilion that could help you find the best techniques."
Her words piqued Zhong Shan's interest. Though he had no real knowledge of the jade slip's contents, he decided to improvise for the sake of a potential advantage. Lowering his voice, he said, "What I delivered was a treasure—a legendary artifact called the Somersault Cloud. They say it enables one to traverse 108,000 miles in a single leap."
Her eyes widened in astonishment. "Really?"
"That's all I know," Zhong Shan added hastily. "And you didn't hear it from me."
Ling'er nodded eagerly, then shared her secret. "Look for books with a white handprint on the spine. Those are the best techniques."
Thanking her, Zhong Shan entered the library pavilion, his resolve to seize this opportunity stronger than ever.